Korba pockets his coin and nods to himself. He then replies, "The student encounter the mouther outside the cave? Have you any idea what would have caused it to leave? That seems strange considering what we saw."
"I'll be honest, I don't know for sure why one of the monsters separated from the group. They aren't intelligent enough to send out scouts... perhaps it was chasing something and got lost. Or it might be that it entered our dimension earlier than the others and had some time to wander. I would really need a more detailed description of what you encountered before I could formulate a strong hypothesis."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Hewelathan doesn't know much about these types of schools and thinks that Theodemar's explanation sounds reasonable. Perhaps he just wants to think well of Lady Elora's uncle. Insight 7 (in game log)
"I'll be honest, I don't know for sure why one of the monsters separated from the group. They aren't intelligent enough to send out scouts... perhaps it was chasing something and got lost. Or it might be that it entered our dimension earlier than the others and had some time to wander. I would really need a more detailed description of what you encountered before I could formulate a strong hypothesis."
Hewelathan says, "It wasn't just these dolgrim and the gibbering mouthers. There were arcane symbols carved into the cave walls. Symbols associated with the Far Realm, I think. Someone put those symbols there. I don't think that this aberration came to be in that cave through happenstance. Do you know anyone who would reach out to the Far Realm on purpose?"
Deep gnome Rhaenys shares a glance with Jodie, pouts a little and then shrugs. It had definitely been worth the try, and there surely would be plenty of opportunities in the future where a similar situation would yield better results. Then she takes the money Theodemar has handed and, letting out an ever so slight sigh, she pockets it.
The elf seems honest when he says that he didn't know that there was more than one mouther (OOC: Insight check: even worse than Hewelathan's) but regarding that student he's mentioned, she does chime in:
- Don't want to speak ill of your students, Master Theodemar, but for the sake of solving this mistery: could this student have entered the cave and ended up being followed by one of the mouthers, causing it to separate from the others? Curiosity and the passion for the unknown can so often lead to these kind of situations...
"Hm. And where have I seen that before, I wonder?", Stafford whispers. If he had eyes, he would defintely be rolling them.
- ... and who could blame the ones causing them, right? Not me, definitely! - As she says this, she puts an innocent look on her face, not wanting the implication to sound harsh.Then she adds - Any chance you could delve into this further? Seems dangerous to leave that cave as it is. - this time the looks turn to a slight "damsel in distress" look.
(OOC: Persuasion: 9. And I guess a little deception is in order: 9. The Gods of Dice have really forsaken us on this day.)
"Were there any missing cases of group of students? or maybe some quarrel that made some part of students leave? Someone with arcane knowledge did this and it looks like failed to at least some degree that is why students seem like probable cause. But if you happen to know of some other maybe less official magic gatherings, that would be a good suspicion as well. Just so we are clear. We are trying to help, as soon as we are able to leave we will leave. All that what stays here will be problem of you and local authorities. And there is still a big black hollow problem in there. Some knowledge of how it came to be might help figure out how to get rid of this. Anyway thank you for the money, and please do share what you learn with us if we are still around and we might be able to help if there is more coin in this."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
The wizard looks genuinely surprised at the revelation about the arcane symbols and the black void in the cavern (admittedly, with your Insight checks he could probably tell you that he's actually a giant wombat and you would all believe him lol).
"I see... that is concerning. Most likely it was an attempt to siphon power from a Great Old One that went awry, perhaps what you saw is a tear in reality that they inadvertently created in their attempt. I think I'll need to do some more research to figure out how to close it safely..."
It seems that you have exhausted his knowledge on the situation at hand, at least what he can come up with strictly from memory without going through his various tomes. What do you want to next? (Also... Lady Elora's messages have been delivered by now and you can probably find a captain).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
(admittedly, with your Insight checks he could probably tell you that he's actually a giant wombat and you would all believe him lol).
(OOC: Ha! Yeah, not our finest hour.)
"I see... that is concerning. Most likely it was an attempt to siphon power from a Great Old One that went awry, perhaps what you saw is a tear in reality that they inadvertently created in their attempt. I think I'll need to do some more research to figure out how to close it safely..."
It seems that you have exhausted his knowledge on the situation at hand, at least what he can come up with strictly from memory without going through his various tomes. What do you want to next? (Also... Lady Elora's messages have been delivered by now and you can probably find a captain).
Hewelathan says quietly to whichever of his friends is standing closest to him, "I guess we have done our duty by telling the professor about what we found in the cave. Hopefully, he can figure out what to do about it. But perhaps Lady Elora will have found us a captain and a ship by now. We should return to her home and prepare for the voyage."
Hewelathan finds the phrase "tear in reality" alarming, but from what Theodemar said, it doesn't sound like it's related to their cursed magic items, the dark wizard Firion, or even to Lord Akkron. He's happy to leave the problem of the "tear in reality" to Theodemar and his research. Best not to get distracted from their own troubles. Hewelathan is be happy to collect their payment and return to Lady Elora's to see whether she has found them a ship and, if so, whether they can afford it yet.
After being absent for a few moments, trying to explain to his sword that asking for more gold when they had done more than has been hired for wasn't a try to break or bend the contract they had Flinn hears the professor commitment to look further into that.
"That sounds great, but you should go with some help, just in case another one of these things had crossed that rift..."he advices the wizard, oblivious to the concerns of his companions.
The wizard assures Flinn that no, he is not planning to march into the middle of the aberrant cave full of monsters by himself. He'll bring more adventurers and/or a few of his colleagues with him to deal with this problem.
(If you want to have TruthSeeker check to make sure the professor is being honest, just let me know).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Jodie feels the weight of the gold coins collected from the Theodemar, "Well, good luck with that portal to the Nether Realm. Don't let any more students become mouthers."
Jodie winks at Theodemar and then turns back to the party. "Shall we sell these other hand crossbows? I'd like to keep one. It would look very stylish to fight with rapier in one hand and crossbow in the other. Reminds me of my rogue friend Famora...." Jodie suddenly looks very sullen and vulnerable. She then turns abruptly and starts walking away.
"Let's go talk to Lady Elora about that captain!" she shouts a few strides into her departure.
OK. It sounds like we're ready to leave the cart and specimen jar and their "contents" with Theodemar.
We walk back to Lady Elora's. Along the way, we try to find a place to sell any extra hand crossbows after Jodie (& anyone else?) take theirs. Maybe we should keep one as a gift for the ship captain (or the pirate captain who capture us at sea 😉).
(OOC: I didn't record how many hand crossbows we scavenged. There were 2 & 4 dolgrims in our two encounters. Not sure whether they all had an intact hand crossbow by the end of the fights.)
RAW, there isn't a reason that their crossbows wouldn't be intact, so go ahead and assume that you recovered all 6.
Generally speaking, you should be able to sell them at half their PHB listed price, but you may be able to get a better deal with a good Persuasion check.
Generally speaking, you should be able to sell them at half their PHB listed price, but you may be able to get a better deal with a good Persuasion check.
Assuming that Jodie already picked out one for herself, Hewelathan opens the sack where he put all of the extra hand crossbows and bolts that they gathered. Hewelathan asks Flinn and Korba, "Last chance, do you want to keep one for yourself?" If not, their group just needs to pick a prospective buyer (or buyers). I guess Hewelathan or Flinn can provide guidance to whichever party member is going to try to do the haggling for us (not it!).
While they're selling the hand crossbows, does anyone want to pick up any additional gear? We might as well while we're at a store / in the public market.
"I see... that is concerning. Most likely it was an attempt to siphon power from a Great Old One that went awry, perhaps what you saw is a tear in reality that they inadvertently created in their attempt. I think I'll need to do some more research to figure out how to close it safely..."
By the middle of that sentence, Rhaenys is already thinking "Booooooring...", so she turns to think about something else. Until..
"But perhaps Lady Elora will have found us a captain and a ship by now. We should return to her home and prepare for the voyage."
"Elora. Hmm, that reminds me of ... yes.... Longest bath ever had at Elora's!". This brings an wide smile to the sorceress, who begins to follow the rest immediately without so much as a second though towards the wizard and the cylinder.
- Yes! Let's go. Can't wait to reach the manor! To prepare for the voyage, exactly...!
The sorceress walks up to Jodie and asks with sudden interest:
- Um!? Famora? Who's Famora? What a coincidence that it rhymes with Elora. Say, is she a friend? Is she... Um. She okay? You ... okay? - by the end of last question, the deep gnome's expression has shifted from curious to slightly worried. She looks up from her short stature towards the tall bard, thinking that perhaps she shouldn't have asked in the first place.
"Too late", Stafford whispers. He would definitely do a facepalm if he had a face. Or a palm.
(OOC: @faux_beau I was gonna say "don't need to humor her by answering, but I'll leave an insight check in case you do". Well, the insight check is a 2. 🤣)
While they're selling the hand crossbows, does anyone want to pick up any additional gear? We might as well while we're at a store / in the public market.
(OOC: we used some of our potions right? Could we buy replacements? I can offer help with Persuasion to try get them at lower prices, if the DM allows)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jodie looks a little uncomfortable with Rhaenys question. "She was in my last party, until all hell broke loose when Smiler [Tooltip Not Found] a tribe of barbarians that slaughtered them all..." Jodie trails off and then changes topics.
"I can do the haggling. I need the practice. Hopefully my charm will be more effective with the townsfolk than with wizards. Perhaps we should see what the captain's price is before spending all our gold. The hand crossbows should fetch some coin. I could at least buy healing potions with the proceeds."
Looking through his dark glasses, Korba conjures up a small swirl of sand in his hand and says, "As you say, I have the ability to fight from range when need be. If the crossbow can be used to earn us some more coin for our trip all the better. For now I will save my coin for something useful, like a cheap bottle of mead,"grinning a bit and hoping for a bit of rest this evening.
Korba pockets his coin and nods to himself. He then replies, "The student encounter the mouther outside the cave? Have you any idea what would have caused it to leave? That seems strange considering what we saw."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
The professor frowns.
"I'll be honest, I don't know for sure why one of the monsters separated from the group. They aren't intelligent enough to send out scouts... perhaps it was chasing something and got lost. Or it might be that it entered our dimension earlier than the others and had some time to wander. I would really need a more detailed description of what you encountered before I could formulate a strong hypothesis."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Hewelathan doesn't know much about these types of schools and thinks that Theodemar's explanation sounds reasonable. Perhaps he just wants to think well of Lady Elora's uncle.
Insight 7 (in game log)
Hewelathan says, "It wasn't just these dolgrim and the gibbering mouthers. There were arcane symbols carved into the cave walls. Symbols associated with the Far Realm, I think. Someone put those symbols there. I don't think that this aberration came to be in that cave through happenstance. Do you know anyone who would reach out to the Far Realm on purpose?"
Deep gnome Rhaenys shares a glance with Jodie, pouts a little and then shrugs. It had definitely been worth the try, and there surely would be plenty of opportunities in the future where a similar situation would yield better results. Then she takes the money Theodemar has handed and, letting out an ever so slight sigh, she pockets it.
The elf seems honest when he says that he didn't know that there was more than one mouther (OOC: Insight check: even worse than Hewelathan's) but regarding that student he's mentioned, she does chime in:
- Don't want to speak ill of your students, Master Theodemar, but for the sake of solving this mistery: could this student have entered the cave and ended up being followed by one of the mouthers, causing it to separate from the others? Curiosity and the passion for the unknown can so often lead to these kind of situations...
"Hm. And where have I seen that before, I wonder?", Stafford whispers. If he had eyes, he would defintely be rolling them.
- ... and who could blame the ones causing them, right? Not me, definitely! - As she says this, she puts an innocent look on her face, not wanting the implication to sound harsh.Then she adds - Any chance you could delve into this further? Seems dangerous to leave that cave as it is. - this time the looks turn to a slight "damsel in distress" look.
(OOC: Persuasion: 9. And I guess a little deception is in order: 9. The Gods of Dice have really forsaken us on this day.)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
(insight check = 9)
"Were there any missing cases of group of students? or maybe some quarrel that made some part of students leave? Someone with arcane knowledge did this and it looks like failed to at least some degree that is why students seem like probable cause. But if you happen to know of some other maybe less official magic gatherings, that would be a good suspicion as well. Just so we are clear. We are trying to help, as soon as we are able to leave we will leave. All that what stays here will be problem of you and local authorities. And there is still a big black hollow problem in there. Some knowledge of how it came to be might help figure out how to get rid of this. Anyway thank you for the money, and please do share what you learn with us if we are still around and we might be able to help if there is more coin in this."
Currently playing: DM - Dragon of Icespire Peak | Tytus Wolan - Warlock (Chronicles of the Accursed) | Biezdar Kamrazzan - Warrior (Icespire Peak)
The wizard looks genuinely surprised at the revelation about the arcane symbols and the black void in the cavern (admittedly, with your Insight checks he could probably tell you that he's actually a giant wombat and you would all believe him lol).
"I see... that is concerning. Most likely it was an attempt to siphon power from a Great Old One that went awry, perhaps what you saw is a tear in reality that they inadvertently created in their attempt. I think I'll need to do some more research to figure out how to close it safely..."
It seems that you have exhausted his knowledge on the situation at hand, at least what he can come up with strictly from memory without going through his various tomes. What do you want to next? (Also... Lady Elora's messages have been delivered by now and you can probably find a captain).
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
(OOC: Ha! Yeah, not our finest hour.)
Hewelathan says quietly to whichever of his friends is standing closest to him, "I guess we have done our duty by telling the professor about what we found in the cave. Hopefully, he can figure out what to do about it. But perhaps Lady Elora will have found us a captain and a ship by now. We should return to her home and prepare for the voyage."
Hewelathan finds the phrase "tear in reality" alarming, but from what Theodemar said, it doesn't sound like it's related to their cursed magic items, the dark wizard Firion, or even to Lord Akkron. He's happy to leave the problem of the "tear in reality" to Theodemar and his research. Best not to get distracted from their own troubles. Hewelathan is be happy to collect their payment and return to Lady Elora's to see whether she has found them a ship and, if so, whether they can afford it yet.
(Flinn's insight 14 not bad bot not good enough))
After being absent for a few moments, trying to explain to his sword that asking for more gold when they had done more than has been hired for wasn't a try to break or bend the contract they had Flinn hears the professor commitment to look further into that.
"That sounds great, but you should go with some help, just in case another one of these things had crossed that rift..." he advices the wizard, oblivious to the concerns of his companions.
PbP Character: A few ;)
The wizard assures Flinn that no, he is not planning to march into the middle of the aberrant cave full of monsters by himself. He'll bring more adventurers and/or a few of his colleagues with him to deal with this problem.
(If you want to have TruthSeeker check to make sure the professor is being honest, just let me know).
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Jodie feels the weight of the gold coins collected from the Theodemar, "Well, good luck with that portal to the Nether Realm. Don't let any more students become mouthers."
Jodie winks at Theodemar and then turns back to the party. "Shall we sell these other hand crossbows? I'd like to keep one. It would look very stylish to fight with rapier in one hand and crossbow in the other. Reminds me of my rogue friend Famora...." Jodie suddenly looks very sullen and vulnerable. She then turns abruptly and starts walking away.
"Let's go talk to Lady Elora about that captain!" she shouts a few strides into her departure.
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Just to clarify, we each received 51 gp? 300 gp for the gibbering mouther plus 1 gp (each) for the dolgrim?
Correct
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
OK. It sounds like we're ready to leave the cart and specimen jar and their "contents" with Theodemar.
We walk back to Lady Elora's. Along the way, we try to find a place to sell any extra hand crossbows after Jodie (& anyone else?) take theirs. Maybe we should keep one as a gift for the ship captain (or the pirate captain who capture us at sea 😉).
(OOC: I didn't record how many hand crossbows we scavenged. There were 2 & 4 dolgrims in our two encounters. Not sure whether they all had an intact hand crossbow by the end of the fights.)
RAW, there isn't a reason that their crossbows wouldn't be intact, so go ahead and assume that you recovered all 6.
Generally speaking, you should be able to sell them at half their PHB listed price, but you may be able to get a better deal with a good Persuasion check.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Assuming that Jodie already picked out one for herself, Hewelathan opens the sack where he put all of the extra hand crossbows and bolts that they gathered. Hewelathan asks Flinn and Korba, "Last chance, do you want to keep one for yourself?" If not, their group just needs to pick a prospective buyer (or buyers). I guess Hewelathan or Flinn can provide guidance to whichever party member is going to try to do the haggling for us (not it!).
While they're selling the hand crossbows, does anyone want to pick up any additional gear? We might as well while we're at a store / in the public market.
By the middle of that sentence, Rhaenys is already thinking "Booooooring...", so she turns to think about something else. Until..
"Elora. Hmm, that reminds me of ... yes.... Longest bath ever had at Elora's!". This brings an wide smile to the sorceress, who begins to follow the rest immediately without so much as a second though towards the wizard and the cylinder.
- Yes! Let's go. Can't wait to reach the manor! To prepare for the voyage, exactly...!
And then...
The sorceress walks up to Jodie and asks with sudden interest:
- Um!? Famora? Who's Famora? What a coincidence that it rhymes with Elora. Say, is she a friend? Is she... Um. She okay? You ... okay? - by the end of last question, the deep gnome's expression has shifted from curious to slightly worried. She looks up from her short stature towards the tall bard, thinking that perhaps she shouldn't have asked in the first place.
"Too late", Stafford whispers. He would definitely do a facepalm if he had a face. Or a palm.
(OOC: @faux_beau I was gonna say "don't need to humor her by answering, but I'll leave an insight check in case you do". Well, the insight check is a 2. 🤣)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
(OOC: we used some of our potions right? Could we buy replacements? I can offer help with Persuasion to try get them at lower prices, if the DM allows)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Jodie looks a little uncomfortable with Rhaenys question. "She was in my last party, until all hell broke loose when Smiler [Tooltip Not Found] a tribe of barbarians that slaughtered them all..." Jodie trails off and then changes topics.
"I can do the haggling. I need the practice. Hopefully my charm will be more effective with the townsfolk than with wizards. Perhaps we should see what the captain's price is before spending all our gold. The hand crossbows should fetch some coin. I could at least buy healing potions with the proceeds."
Persuasion 26 (Advantage w/ Guidance)
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
"Smiler confused a tribe of barbarians..."
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Looking through his dark glasses, Korba conjures up a small swirl of sand in his hand and says, "As you say, I have the ability to fight from range when need be. If the crossbow can be used to earn us some more coin for our trip all the better. For now I will save my coin for something useful, like a cheap bottle of mead," grinning a bit and hoping for a bit of rest this evening.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM: