Pisgah moves in behind Rico and Nikk and will flare his shield out at his side some to try and further obscure Nikk's presence from the bugbears. When we reach the door, Pisgah will go through first.
If the bugbears recognized Nikk, they don't show it and let you pass. They're already back on their way north when you reach the southern door.
You enter a fairly large room. A 30-foot-wide, floor-to-ceiling map is carved into the west wall. In the middle of the room is a 10-foot-square open pit, from which a shuffling noise can be heard. There is a door in the eastern part of the room, heading north. There are three wooden crates with a lit latern placed on them and some broken furniture laying around.
Rico has no problems locating the secret door, as she knows where to look. It's in the back wall, directly behind the pit.
The map shows a cross-section of Undermountain, with what is clearly Mount Waterdeep and the City of Splendors at the top, and twenty-three hollowed-out dungeon levels stacked below it. Each dungeon level has its own stylistic side view, but no names or details are included to suggest what a level is called or what it contains. Three features stand out:
Next to the third level is a bas-relief of a flaming skull.
Next to the sixteenth level is a bas-relief of a comet.
Next to the twenty-third (lowest) level is a bas-relief of a tower with a tiny rune engraved above it.
The pit isn't that deep, around 20 feet. It's floor is covered with trash, rotting food, debris of all kind. The source of the shuffling sound is a humanoid creature walking along the debris listlessly. It looks like a half-elf, although its skin is doughy and pale, bereft of blood and vitality. The creature wears a dilapidated chain mail and a tabard depicting the symbol of a female face in profile. In one hand it listlessly holds a mace.
Noticing Pisgah, the half-elf looks up. Pisgah sees that dried blood is covering the mans forehead, giving him the impression of wearing a dark red mask.
In a raspy voice he says: "Hey, my good man, help me out? I am on a quest for vengeance, but the walls of this pit are too smooth for me to climb. I'll make it worth your while."
Pisgah assumes that the half-elf must be a cleric of some sort. Does he recognize the symbol on the man's clothing? Does the blood appear to be his or possibly from someone/something else? Does the listless behavior and pale skin indicate that this person has been tainted or somehow turned into a zombie/ghoul?
"How did you end up in this pit? How long have you been here?"
While Pisgah is playing with his pit, Nikk's eyes scan across the surface of the map. Perhaps a hidden secret? Or maybe a familiar symbol? A hidden scroll cache, mayhaps?
Pisgah: [Investigation] [Perception]: You see some streaks of blood close to the pit, leading to it. The blood flow seems to have started at the head and then downwards, suggesting that the man has sustained a bad head wound. The blood is no longer actively flowing. His words seem unusually lucid for someone in this state. [History]: No relevant details come to mind. The current state of the man is certainly strange, but zombies can't normally talk. [Religion]: You recognize the symbol on the tabard as one of Waukeen, the golden lady, goddess of wealth and merchants. The appearance of the man generally lines up with religious descriptions of undead, although he doesn't miss any limbs and seems to still possess his mental faculties.
To the question he responds with: "I was betrayed by my friends when I demanded my fair share of treasure. They struck me and threw me into this hole. When I came to, they had run off."
Jaya: The man doesn't respond telepathically, speaking with its raspy voice. "My name is Halleth Garke." He spits at the ground. "Formerly of the Fine Fellows of Daggerfort. May their souls rot in hell." [Insight]: The mans expression shows the slightest bit of surprise at being spoken to telepathically, but his demeanor is numbed. He acts like someone who has experienced something terrible and is trying to focus.
Nikkitch andRico [Investigation]: Inspecting the map closely, it strikes you that the three symbols on the third, sixteenth and twenty-fourth level are buttons. There is no obvious way to see what they do.
Rico [Navigator's tools][Wildspacer]: This map is obviously not literally intended to be used as such, the abstract symbols depicting various generic monsters and perhaps giving you a fleeting impression of what the level may contain. However, the depiction of the the sixteenth level reminds you of old star charts and the red dragons used by githyanki warriors on their hunts in the astral plane. Small dots may indicate asteroids of some kind.
Nikkitch: The tiny rune engraved upon the tower of the lowest symbol also reminds you of a wizard signature. [Arcana 15]: In fact, that is the rune of the infamous Halaster Blackcloak, the insane wizard who has written history in Waterdeep with his many machinations. The general assumption was that he died in 1375 DR, killed by a ritual of his own that went awry. The Mad Mage is said to have made Undermountain into what it is today.
Finishing her investigations of the map, Rico turns her attention to the one in the pit. Seeing the dichotomy between his appearance and his coherence, Rico looks for signs of life while asking, "Do you remember the date when you were put into the pit?"
"Well, friend Halleth, do you have a rope you can throw up here so we can pull you out?", Pisgah asks while looking over at Jaya and Rico with a raised eyebrow.
Halleth thinks for a moment upon Ricos question. "Uh, not sure. A few days ago I think. I don't know how much time passed before I woke up. My "friends" stole all of my gear except for my old chainmail and mace. I have nothing to help with climbing."
The Kenku is suddenly drawn to the others' conversation. Rather than assume his intentions or examine his wound, Nikkitch tries to get a good look at his teeth. They've found false vampires throughout. Is he potentially a genuine article?
He also listens as the man replies, trying to parse his accent, if any.
The man's face is certainly as pale as that of a vampire, but Nikkitch doesn't spot any elongated teeth. Halleths hair is hanging down in greasy clumps, obscuring the head injury he seems to have sustained. You don't hear a noticeable accent. That is, he sounds like someone from around this region of the Sword Coast.
To Jaja he answers: "Yeah, we are in undermountain, the blasted dungeon. The Fine Fellows of Daggerfort was founded with the purpose of conquering this place and getting out while the getting was good. Fat lot of good that did me, eh?"
His eyes take on a fanatical gleam. And he briefly glances at the ground. "Yes. Yes, I know exactly where I'm going. I'll find the Fine Fellows and I will kill each one of them."
Looking to Rico he frowns, thinking and then says. "2nd of Kythorn 1492. That's when they betrayed me. Please help me out here. I can offer you my services as a reward until we find my former allies. I don't want gold, I just want revenge."
Since Jaya will be bringing up the rear for now, Rico moves into the lead, looking for that secret door. (16 perception)
Pisgah moves in behind Rico and Nikk and will flare his shield out at his side some to try and further obscure Nikk's presence from the bugbears. When we reach the door, Pisgah will go through first.
If the bugbears recognized Nikk, they don't show it and let you pass. They're already back on their way north when you reach the southern door.
You enter a fairly large room. A 30-foot-wide, floor-to-ceiling map is carved into the west wall. In the middle of the room is a 10-foot-square open pit, from which a shuffling noise can be heard. There is a door in the eastern part of the room, heading north. There are three wooden crates with a lit latern placed on them and some broken furniture laying around.
Rico has no problems locating the secret door, as she knows where to look. It's in the back wall, directly behind the pit.
The map shows a cross-section of Undermountain, with what is clearly Mount Waterdeep and the City of Splendors at the top, and twenty-three hollowed-out dungeon levels stacked below it. Each dungeon level has its own stylistic side view, but no names or details are included to suggest what a level is called or what it contains. Three features stand out:
Map carving:
Pisgah walks slowly over to the pit and carefully begins to peer over the side to see what is making the shuffling noise.
OOC: Not sure if I will need to roll anything.
The pit isn't that deep, around 20 feet. It's floor is covered with trash, rotting food, debris of all kind. The source of the shuffling sound is a humanoid creature walking along the debris listlessly. It looks like a half-elf, although its skin is doughy and pale, bereft of blood and vitality. The creature wears a dilapidated chain mail and a tabard depicting the symbol of a female face in profile. In one hand it listlessly holds a mace.
Noticing Pisgah, the half-elf looks up. Pisgah sees that dried blood is covering the mans forehead, giving him the impression of wearing a dark red mask.
In a raspy voice he says: "Hey, my good man, help me out? I am on a quest for vengeance, but the walls of this pit are too smooth for me to climb. I'll make it worth your while."
Investigation roll of 21 (nat 20) ;;; Perception roll of 14 ;;; History roll of 4 ;;; Religion roll of 15
Pisgah assumes that the half-elf must be a cleric of some sort. Does he recognize the symbol on the man's clothing? Does the blood appear to be his or possibly from someone/something else? Does the listless behavior and pale skin indicate that this person has been tainted or somehow turned into a zombie/ghoul?
"How did you end up in this pit? How long have you been here?"
While Pisgah is playing with his pit, Nikk's eyes scan across the surface of the map. Perhaps a hidden secret? Or maybe a familiar symbol? A hidden scroll cache, mayhaps?
[Perception: 21 (17+4)]
Jaya sends the man a telepathic message, more to see how / if he gets it or reacts, thinking he might be undead.
“What is your name good sir?”
Insight To see if / how he reacts to my message: 15
Rico is also looking at the map, though in her case it's to get clues to what may lay ahead.
Pisgah: [Investigation] [Perception]: You see some streaks of blood close to the pit, leading to it. The blood flow seems to have started at the head and then downwards, suggesting that the man has sustained a bad head wound. The blood is no longer actively flowing. His words seem unusually lucid for someone in this state. [History]: No relevant details come to mind. The current state of the man is certainly strange, but zombies can't normally talk. [Religion]: You recognize the symbol on the tabard as one of Waukeen, the golden lady, goddess of wealth and merchants. The appearance of the man generally lines up with religious descriptions of undead, although he doesn't miss any limbs and seems to still possess his mental faculties.
To the question he responds with: "I was betrayed by my friends when I demanded my fair share of treasure. They struck me and threw me into this hole. When I came to, they had run off."
Jaya: The man doesn't respond telepathically, speaking with its raspy voice. "My name is Halleth Garke." He spits at the ground. "Formerly of the Fine Fellows of Daggerfort. May their souls rot in hell." [Insight]: The mans expression shows the slightest bit of surprise at being spoken to telepathically, but his demeanor is numbed. He acts like someone who has experienced something terrible and is trying to focus.
Nikkitch and Rico [Investigation]: Inspecting the map closely, it strikes you that the three symbols on the third, sixteenth and twenty-fourth level are buttons. There is no obvious way to see what they do.
Rico [Navigator's tools][Wildspacer]: This map is obviously not literally intended to be used as such, the abstract symbols depicting various generic monsters and perhaps giving you a fleeting impression of what the level may contain. However, the depiction of the the sixteenth level reminds you of old star charts and the red dragons used by githyanki warriors on their hunts in the astral plane. Small dots may indicate asteroids of some kind.
Nikkitch: The tiny rune engraved upon the tower of the lowest symbol also reminds you of a wizard signature. [Arcana 15]: In fact, that is the rune of the infamous Halaster Blackcloak, the insane wizard who has written history in Waterdeep with his many machinations. The general assumption was that he died in 1375 DR, killed by a ritual of his own that went awry. The Mad Mage is said to have made Undermountain into what it is today.
Finishing her investigations of the map, Rico turns her attention to the one in the pit. Seeing the dichotomy between his appearance and his coherence, Rico looks for signs of life while asking, "Do you remember the date when you were put into the pit?"
"Well, friend Halleth, do you have a rope you can throw up here so we can pull you out?", Pisgah asks while looking over at Jaya and Rico with a raised eyebrow.
Halleth thinks for a moment upon Ricos question. "Uh, not sure. A few days ago I think. I don't know how much time passed before I woke up. My "friends" stole all of my gear except for my old chainmail and mace. I have nothing to help with climbing."
The Kenku is suddenly drawn to the others' conversation. Rather than assume his intentions or examine his wound, Nikkitch tries to get a good look at his teeth. They've found false vampires throughout. Is he potentially a genuine article?
He also listens as the man replies, trying to parse his accent, if any.
[Perception: 22]
[History (for accent): 16]
Jaya asks the man, “Do you know where you are Halleth and where will you head if we let you out?”
Rico asks, "What is the last date you remember? We can figure out how long from that."
The man's face is certainly as pale as that of a vampire, but Nikkitch doesn't spot any elongated teeth. Halleths hair is hanging down in greasy clumps, obscuring the head injury he seems to have sustained. You don't hear a noticeable accent. That is, he sounds like someone from around this region of the Sword Coast.
To Jaja he answers: "Yeah, we are in undermountain, the blasted dungeon. The Fine Fellows of Daggerfort was founded with the purpose of conquering this place and getting out while the getting was good. Fat lot of good that did me, eh?"
His eyes take on a fanatical gleam. And he briefly glances at the ground. "Yes. Yes, I know exactly where I'm going. I'll find the Fine Fellows and I will kill each one of them."
Looking to Rico he frowns, thinking and then says. "2nd of Kythorn 1492. That's when they betrayed me. Please help me out here. I can offer you my services as a reward until we find my former allies. I don't want gold, I just want revenge."
Does Rico know the local date? If not she ask the others. The important part is was that a few days, weeks, years, or decades ago? Or even longer?
Nikkitch shrugs behind the others.
"Your. Call. I say. Go. For it." Though his rendition of Harria's voice has a ring of doubt to it.
Ah yeah everyone would. The current date is: 7th of Kythorn 1492 DR