You enter the pond room. Beyond the door is a room almost totally filled with a murky brown pool of water. The smell of swamp gas is very strong here. A thick, slime-covered column rises from the center of the pool to support the sagging timbers of the ceiling. Across the chamber, a small, muddy shelf extends into the pool, it seems man made. As though built to cover something behind it. You also notice the eyes of a giant frog poking out from the pond, it hasn't noticed you.
Xanrym grits his teeth has he splashes through the water a bit more noisily that he would like. Seeing the eyes of the frog, he tries to signal to his allies still near the entrance to the chamber. If they see him, he points with one of his shortswords toward the giant frog eyes above the water line, hoping that it helps them spot it.
(OOC: A few questions since Xanrym doesn't want to be entirely out of reach of his friends' help.
Now that he's in the room, how big is it? For example, how far is it from the entrance to the central column? And from the entrance to the muddy shelf at the far side of the room?
Where are the giant frog eyes? Near the column? Near the shelf? Somewhere else?
How deep is the water as he moves along the wall to the left (west)?
Does he move at his regular pace, or is the water deep enough that it costs him 2' for each 1' of movement?
Does Xanrym have any idea how big giant frogs are? Nature11 That might help him guess whether the water gets deeper over by the frog.
(OOC: A few questions since Xanrym doesn't want to be entirely out of reach of his friends' help.
Now that he's in the room, how big is it? For example, how far is it from the entrance to the central column? And from the entrance to the muddy shelf at the far side of the room?
Where are the giant frog eyes? Near the column? Near the shelf? Somewhere else?
How deep is the water as he moves along the wall to the left (west)?
Does he move at his regular pace, or is the water deep enough that it costs him 2' for each 1' of movement?
Does Xanrym have any idea how big giant frogs are? Nature11 That might help him guess whether the water gets deeper over by the frog.
)
One more question:
Are there any visible doors or tunnels that lead out of this room other than the tunnel that they just entered through?
We heard water to the west of that initial guard room (room #2).
If this is the room that was west of room #2, then Xanrym would expect to see at least one exit toward the east.
Xanrym makes his way back to the others, keeping a close watch on the frog eyes to make sure that they're not getting closer. He had been moving toward the western side of the room, but he didn't like the feeling of being in such deep water and getting farther from the only two exits while getting closer to the giant frog. As he gets back to the mouth of the tunnel where the others were waiting, he says in a quiet voice, "It's shallow enough to stand, but it must be 4 feet deep...maybe deeper away from the walls. There's a sort of shelf on the opposite side of the water from here, and I don't think that it was made by frogs. I think that the cultists dug it out that way. Maybe it leads to a shortcut down to the lower levels? Or maybe that's the way to the prison cells?"
Xanrym looks around the room again and asks, "But other than being hidden across the water, do you think that there are other guards? Or are giant frogs especially dangerous?" The top of the frog's head peaking above the water is big, but it doesn't look frightening in the same as that the giant snapping turtle in the swamp did.
Xanrym asks Liarin, "I don't suppose you can speak to frogs, too? If so, maybe you could ask whether they'll let us check out that shelf at the north end without attacking us?"
(OOC: @Charwoman_Gene - In case you didn't see it, Xanrym asked Liarin a question there. We can probably wait for a ritual casting if Liarin wants to try talking to a giant frog.)
Liarin nods and spends a few minutes ritually casting Speak with Animals. (Just a light warning that the next time someone wants to spend 10 minutes waiting around i'm going to get you to roll for a random encounter.)
Liarin steps forward and begins communicating in a strange glurping frog sound. From out of the pond, the head of a giant red frog rises from the water, making the same noises, but deeper and more drone like. You sense a feeling of controlled menace coming off it. As Liarin keeps communicating the frog continues to rise, first its body, then its legs. Until finally the giant frog is floating in the air above the pond, hanging with its arms outspread and legs crossed. Liarin finishes making the frog noises and turns to you all, "It seems this is not a frog at all but a Slaad, a frog-like being from another dimension. He says that he has been imprisoned here by Explictica Defilus to act as a guardian. It's all a bit confusing, but I feel as though he wants to talk before attacking. What should I say?"
Liarin finishes making the frog noises and turns to you all, "It seems this is not a frog at all but a Slaad, a frog-like being from another dimension. He says that he has been imprisoned here by Explictica Defilus to act as a guardian. It's all a bit confusing, but I feel as though he wants to talk before attacking. What should I say?"
Xanrym is now very glad that he decided to return to the group instead of trying to walk through the water all by himself and past the "frog."
History: 6 (in game log), or 5 if that should have been Arcana.
Xanrym has apparently never heard of Slaads, but a levitating frog creature from another dimension sounds like much more formidable opponent than a simple beast, even a giant one. He suggests that Liarin ask the Slaad what it's guarding. He says, "If the creature is guarding something for the naga, maybe it won't attack unless we try to pass it. And unless it guards the prisoners or something that's key to defeating the naga, then we can just leave it alone and go back the way we came." He mumbles more quietly, "But maybe find out whether it's hungry," as he has a sudden worry about the slaad sneaking up behind the group and swallowing him like a fly as they try to get away.
Xanrym suggests asking the slaad exactly what Explictica Defilus's orders were.
Xanrym says, "I've always heard that binding a powerful and unwilling creature to do your bidding is a tricky endeavor. Perhaps the naga was not careful in the wording of her orders." He's thinking about stories of arch mages who summoned djinni or demons from other planes. From what he understands, the wording of the command is a sort of contract, and the summoned creature is only bound to the letter of that contract. Xanrym hopes that they can find some a loophole in the naga's orders that will help them to avoid a fight with the slaad or that will even permit the slaad to help them in some way.
The Slaad replies to Liarin "I've been shackled to this putrid pond to guard the filthy treasure buried under that mound." He nods to the north. "I'd certainly be happy to leave this place if you freed me. The naga witch has my control crystal, if you break it, I will simply leave. I must warn you though, if you step foot in the pond, I am bound by the magic of my people to kill you all." He smiles an impossibly wide and alien smile. "Out of interest, what are your names? What should I call you?"
The Slaad replies to Liarin "I've been shackled to this putrid pond to guard the filthy treasure buried under that mound." He nods to the north. "I'd certainly be happy to leave this place if you freed me. The naga witch has my control crystal, if you break it, I will simply leave. I must warn you though, if you step foot in the pond, I am bound by the magic of my people to kill you all." He smiles an impossibly wide and alien smile. "Out of interest, what are your names? What should I call you?"
Assuming that Liarin shares the slaad's response, Xanrym sound a little alarmed and says, "I would not give a creature from the outer planes our real names. Perhaps just say that our names are our own, but it may call us 'Noble Knight', 'Bear Friend', 'Arcane Scholar', 'Honey-tongued Historian', and 'St. Cuthbert's Cudgel'." The old stories always say that wizards must know the name of a demon to summon and bind it. He's not sure whether that works the other way around, but he wouldn't risk it.
Xanrym happy to go back the way they came: he is not interested in fighting the creature for the naga's treasure. If they defeat the naga and free the slaad, they can return here to claim the cult's buried treasure. He suggests telling the slaad that they will try to free them, but the party must defeat the naga first: "Tell them that if they want to be free, they will help us defeat the naga who has bound them here. Ask them whether they can offer any help or advice that will help us defeat the naga." He's hoping that the slaad may know of some weakness that they could exploit. Or perhaps there's some trick or trap that the party should avoid and that the slaad has heard about while trapped down here.
Theldrin nods emphatically in agreement to not disclose real names to the Slaad, then gives a slight smile in response to "Arcane Scholar." He dismisses the Mage Hand and relaxes a bit as he leans on his staff, waiting to see what happens next.
Xanrym grits his teeth has he splashes through the water a bit more noisily that he would like. Seeing the eyes of the frog, he tries to signal to his allies still near the entrance to the chamber. If they see him, he points with one of his shortswords toward the giant frog eyes above the water line, hoping that it helps them spot it.
(OOC: A few questions since Xanrym doesn't want to be entirely out of reach of his friends' help.
)
One more question:
From his vantage point at the entrance to the room, Theldrin keeps a watchful eye (checking to see if he notice's Xanrym's signal and/or the frog).
Perception: 13
You all see the frog's eyes when Xanrym points them out:
Xanrym makes his way back to the others, keeping a close watch on the frog eyes to make sure that they're not getting closer. He had been moving toward the western side of the room, but he didn't like the feeling of being in such deep water and getting farther from the only two exits while getting closer to the giant frog. As he gets back to the mouth of the tunnel where the others were waiting, he says in a quiet voice, "It's shallow enough to stand, but it must be 4 feet deep...maybe deeper away from the walls. There's a sort of shelf on the opposite side of the water from here, and I don't think that it was made by frogs. I think that the cultists dug it out that way. Maybe it leads to a shortcut down to the lower levels? Or maybe that's the way to the prison cells?"
Xanrym looks around the room again and asks, "But other than being hidden across the water, do you think that there are other guards? Or are giant frogs especially dangerous?" The top of the frog's head peaking above the water is big, but it doesn't look frightening in the same as that the giant snapping turtle in the swamp did.
Xanrym asks Liarin, "I don't suppose you can speak to frogs, too? If so, maybe you could ask whether they'll let us check out that shelf at the north end without attacking us?"
(OOC: @Charwoman_Gene - In case you didn't see it, Xanrym asked Liarin a question there. We can probably wait for a ritual casting if Liarin wants to try talking to a giant frog.)
Liarin nods and spends a few minutes ritually casting Speak with Animals. (Just a light warning that the next time someone wants to spend 10 minutes waiting around i'm going to get you to roll for a random encounter.)
Liarin steps forward and begins communicating in a strange glurping frog sound. From out of the pond, the head of a giant red frog rises from the water, making the same noises, but deeper and more drone like. You sense a feeling of controlled menace coming off it. As Liarin keeps communicating the frog continues to rise, first its body, then its legs. Until finally the giant frog is floating in the air above the pond, hanging with its arms outspread and legs crossed. Liarin finishes making the frog noises and turns to you all, "It seems this is not a frog at all but a Slaad, a frog-like being from another dimension. He says that he has been imprisoned here by Explictica Defilus to act as a guardian. It's all a bit confusing, but I feel as though he wants to talk before attacking. What should I say?"
Avery nods in agreement, "Is there a way we can release it from its bond here, whatever it is guarding?"
"Ah...a Slaad..." Theldrin looks at the creature with new interest as he tries to recall anything he might have read about Slaads in his studies.
Arcana: 7
HIstory: 17
Xanrym is now very glad that he decided to return to the group instead of trying to walk through the water all by himself and past the "frog."
History: 6 (in game log), or 5 if that should have been Arcana.
Xanrym has apparently never heard of Slaads, but a levitating frog creature from another dimension sounds like much more formidable opponent than a simple beast, even a giant one. He suggests that Liarin ask the Slaad what it's guarding. He says, "If the creature is guarding something for the naga, maybe it won't attack unless we try to pass it. And unless it guards the prisoners or something that's key to defeating the naga, then we can just leave it alone and go back the way we came." He mumbles more quietly, "But maybe find out whether it's hungry," as he has a sudden worry about the slaad sneaking up behind the group and swallowing him like a fly as they try to get away.
If Liarin wants to question the Slaad she can certainly do that with a Persuasion check. What does she ask?
Xanrym suggests asking the slaad exactly what Explictica Defilus's orders were.
Xanrym says, "I've always heard that binding a powerful and unwilling creature to do your bidding is a tricky endeavor. Perhaps the naga was not careful in the wording of her orders." He's thinking about stories of arch mages who summoned djinni or demons from other planes. From what he understands, the wording of the command is a sort of contract, and the summoned creature is only bound to the letter of that contract. Xanrym hopes that they can find some a loophole in the naga's orders that will help them to avoid a fight with the slaad or that will even permit the slaad to help them in some way.
Avery agrees, "Perhaps a little word smithing, some manipulation could help us with what it is guarding, or perhaps just leave us be."
"What are you guarding, powerful one? Is there any way we could free you? Would you help us if we did?"
Persuasion: 19 (18 + 1 from guidance)
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
The Slaad replies to Liarin "I've been shackled to this putrid pond to guard the filthy treasure buried under that mound." He nods to the north. "I'd certainly be happy to leave this place if you freed me. The naga witch has my control crystal, if you break it, I will simply leave. I must warn you though, if you step foot in the pond, I am bound by the magic of my people to kill you all." He smiles an impossibly wide and alien smile. "Out of interest, what are your names? What should I call you?"
"We intend to deal with the naga, so hopefully your release is at hand. You may call be 'Bear-Witch'."
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Assuming that Liarin shares the slaad's response, Xanrym sound a little alarmed and says, "I would not give a creature from the outer planes our real names. Perhaps just say that our names are our own, but it may call us 'Noble Knight', 'Bear Friend', 'Arcane Scholar', 'Honey-tongued Historian', and 'St. Cuthbert's Cudgel'." The old stories always say that wizards must know the name of a demon to summon and bind it. He's not sure whether that works the other way around, but he wouldn't risk it.
Xanrym happy to go back the way they came: he is not interested in fighting the creature for the naga's treasure. If they defeat the naga and free the slaad, they can return here to claim the cult's buried treasure. He suggests telling the slaad that they will try to free them, but the party must defeat the naga first: "Tell them that if they want to be free, they will help us defeat the naga who has bound them here. Ask them whether they can offer any help or advice that will help us defeat the naga." He's hoping that the slaad may know of some weakness that they could exploit. Or perhaps there's some trick or trap that the party should avoid and that the slaad has heard about while trapped down here.
(OOC: Heh. Cross-posted with @Charwoman_Gene, but I see that we had the same idea about not revealing our names!)
Theldrin nods emphatically in agreement to not disclose real names to the Slaad, then gives a slight smile in response to "Arcane Scholar." He dismisses the Mage Hand and relaxes a bit as he leans on his staff, waiting to see what happens next.
NOTE_I will be gone for the next three days, doping some humanitarian stuff up in Ashville NC-not sure if I can have access or not