Pisgah and ArdneK move forwards. As they begin to see the room proper, they see that the walls are decorated with bas-reliefs of dwarves singing and drinking. A dozen empty iron torch brackets are mounted to the north and south walls at 10-foot intervals.
The source of the noise also comes within view: Three dog-sized insect-like creatures are fighting over a rusted steel helmet in the middle of this room, casting it about as they knock each other around. The monster’s bodies are covered in thick, lumpy armor, and their long tails end in a bony protrusion. Two feathery antennae sprout from their insectile heads.
Even though Pisgah definitely made enough noise to be audible, they don't seem to be particularly interested in the genasi, focusing their efforts on the helmet. Pisgah and ArdneK see that the helmet is rusting heavily and seemingly corroding as they watch. Every time one of the monsters touches it, it gets worse and a puff of rust particles comes off. It's probably not gonna last another five minutes.
Any character that has spent time in the underdark would immediately recognize these creatures [up to you to determine if that's the case]. Pisgah automatically knows this because Oliver complained at length about these. Others can find out the same information with a successful nature check (DC 12).
They're called rust monsters. These strange, normally docile creatures corrode ferrous metals, then gobble up the rust they create. In doing so, they have ruined the armor, shields, and weapons of countless adventurers. They're fairly common in the underdark.
Opposite of where you are entering, there is a door leading further west. To their right, Pisgah and ArdneK also see a stairway heading downwards.
Pisgah signals to ArdneK to back up toward the rest of the group. When we get far enough away, Pisgah fills ArdneK in on the Rust Monsters if he doesn't already know about them. "We need to let Rico know about them. Steel would be a big target for them. If Rico wants to move forward, we should probably take them out first. Or, try to feed them enough that Steel and the rest of us can slip by them."
"I do have an extra short sword, i can throw it in a corner, perhaps the SW and we can move up the stairs, or SE and we can try the door? But you have a good point about that metal man, i mean even his name 'Steel' is going to sound yummy to a rust monster." nature19.
"Perhaps we should ask the metal man what they want to do?" the kobold says.
"Yes, let's check with Rico. I don't think that the rust monsters will be satisfied with a dagger or sword with an entire construct to feed on standing in the same room. If Rico, thinks we need to take them out, I have an idea. They are attracted to metal. If one of us can toss a lit torch in the room with them we can stand back and attack from the hallway with bows. If I drop my shield and swords up the hallway and go in with my quarterstaff after an initial arrow volley, I may be able to take them out before they sense that the arrows are coming from you guys."
"Too bad those bugbears weren't closer, we could lead the rusties to them and stand back!" he says, and adds "was the beholder wearing any sort of metal, that could be quite a fight to watch" with a laugh.
"I didn't see any metal on the beholder and it was floating off the ground. Not a bad idea on the idea of luring the rust monsters. I have an idea tickling the back of my mind. Let me think about a possible plan and I'll pitch it to you and the group after we check in with Rico about Steel and see how Nikk and Canti want to handle this. I like the idea of luring the rust monsters."
Canti's head pops up from looking through her pack at the mention of her name. She produces a polite smile and looks from one face to another. "Oh, I was looking to see what metal I have." She looks back into her pack, one arm rummaging around. "I do have my swords, but I'd rather not lose them." She pulls a pot out of her back. "I have some of these. I enjoy cooking, but Rico's been taking the lead on that, so maybe I don't need them." She puts the pot back and pats the crossbow hanging from her hip. "I also have this backup crossbow and bolts. They're really weighing me down more than anything. I think that's all I can contribute."
Rico says, "I have 25 pounds of metal scraps and another 2 pounds of iron ingots. So we don't have to sacrifice anything usable. But if we get rid of all scrap metal, it will be harder for me to make you replacement arrows. Maybe I should just shoot them from a distance." It's obvious that she's not fond of rust monsters!
Pisgah proposes the following, " I have 10 pounds of metal scraps in my pack too. Here is what I would do to try and lure the rust monsters. I can climb to the ceiling, lower some metal scraps on a rope in front of the monsters, use that to lure them down the hallway toward the thugs and bugbears. You guys would need to back around the corners until the rust monsters are past you. They can see in the dark but once ArdneK loses sight of them down the hallway then you should be clear to move on to the stairs. Once I get them close to where the Xanathar members are I can pull up the metal scraps then run back to join you. With luck, they should pick up the scent of metal on the guild members and wander on in to the rooms. "
"Hmm, not a bad plan. Your able to walk on the ceiling for that long? Remember to sneak this time" he says with a smile, lowers his voice and whispers "quiet steps".
"If you like, I can put my extra short sword close to the room where the guild was, this way when you head back, they will have a sent in the correct direction? I should be able to get there and back undetected. But I'm fine with the plan as you laid out too."
"Okay, look, everyone has an off day now and then. The beholder was in the room outside of where the guards were training. I don't know how well they can sense people. If worst case, I can just throw some metal scraps in the room and then turn and run."
"I'm good with the plan, I have some ball bearings too, if you like a few, but your scraps are probably the same. Assuming your plan to lure the rusties goes well, we'll move back to here, and then I can go scout out the stairs, if that is a dead end or no go, I'll check the door after that. Hopefully by then you'll be back. Let's hope that my next bad day doesn't come while I'm scouting" he says with a giggle, that sounds like a small growl.
" Okay, Rico, can you somehow take these five metal scraps and attach them together such that I can loop a section of rope through them? I will use that to try and lure the rust monsters out of the room they are in. I'll try bringing them down this hallway and then turn them south to take them down the hall with the guild members. I will leave my swords, shield, backpack and such with you guys and carry just my quarterstaff with me so that they won't pick up the scent of metal. They can smell it at least 30 feet away so you, and especially Steel, will need to head north up the hallways toward the room where we found the magic mirror. You'll need to go far enough that the monsters won't smell Steel. Once I get them to turn south I'll call out to you know to move back into the hall and check the stairs. "
"Thanks Rico! Here are the scraps I have been carrying, if you have room for them all. If not take 5 to replace these."
OOC: Is there any twine extending from the metal scraps that have been tied together? If not, Pisgah will cut 15 feet of rope from one of the coils he picked up along the way. He now has a ring of metal at the end of a 15 foot rope.
After walking back with the group to a point where they should be safe from detection by the rust monsters, Pisgah removes his shield, pack, swords, axes, etc. and piles them on the floor. "When you guys head back out, will you be able to bring all of this with you?"
After shedding everything except his quarterstaff, Pisgah climbs up the wall and begins walking back toward the rust monsters where he will begin swinging the metal yo-yo above their heads trying to lure them away and down the hall back toward the guild members.
As Pisgah approaches the rust monsters, their feelers begin to twitch excitedly. They ignore the now almost annihilated helmet and scuttle over to where the bits of metal dangle from the ceiling. Eager to reach the tasty morsels, they're bumping into each other, shoving and chirping.
[Nature: 25 (not too relevant, given that DC was a while ago, but eh.)]
Nikk merely waits and watches with beady silver eyes as the creatures scurry and nip at the Genasi's clever ploy. Not much of an advantage, but surely better than nothing. Perhaps they might disarm a few thugs before their deaths. One could only hope.
Pisgah will lure the rust monsters down the hallways toward the guild members. He calls out to the team as he passes their location. When he reaches the corner before the beholder, he will raise the scraps some and begin swinging them back and forth to develop enough momentum to fling the scraps into the opening to the room where the thugs are training, trying to whip the scraps around the corner without being seen. As soon as he lets go of the rope he will turn and dash back along the ceiling running back to where the team should be waiting.
OOC: Not sure what to roll for this. Would try to sneak the last 30ft or so and then will run as fast as I can back up the hallway. Wishing now I had thought to have Rico add a stamp on a scrap piece that said Property of Yek.
OOC: LMAO
Pisgah and ArdneK move forwards. As they begin to see the room proper, they see that the walls are decorated with bas-reliefs of dwarves singing and drinking. A dozen empty iron torch brackets are mounted to the north and south walls at 10-foot intervals.
The source of the noise also comes within view: Three dog-sized insect-like creatures are fighting over a rusted steel helmet in the middle of this room, casting it about as they knock each other around. The monster’s bodies are covered in thick, lumpy armor, and their long tails end in a bony protrusion. Two feathery antennae sprout from their insectile heads.
Any character that has spent time in the underdark would immediately recognize these creatures [up to you to determine if that's the case]. Pisgah automatically knows this because Oliver complained at length about these. Others can find out the same information with a successful nature check (DC 12).
They're called rust monsters. These strange, normally docile creatures corrode ferrous metals, then gobble up the rust they create. In doing so, they have ruined the armor, shields, and weapons of countless adventurers. They're fairly common in the underdark.
Opposite of where you are entering, there is a door leading further west. To their right, Pisgah and ArdneK also see a stairway heading downwards.
Pisgah signals to ArdneK to back up toward the rest of the group. When we get far enough away, Pisgah fills ArdneK in on the Rust Monsters if he doesn't already know about them. "We need to let Rico know about them. Steel would be a big target for them. If Rico wants to move forward, we should probably take them out first. Or, try to feed them enough that Steel and the rest of us can slip by them."
"We could also double back to that bone wall and try to make our way past that. It should be just due north of us."
"I do have an extra short sword, i can throw it in a corner, perhaps the SW and we can move up the stairs, or SE and we can try the door? But you have a good point about that metal man, i mean even his name 'Steel' is going to sound yummy to a rust monster." nature 19.
"Perhaps we should ask the metal man what they want to do?" the kobold says.
"Yes, let's check with Rico. I don't think that the rust monsters will be satisfied with a dagger or sword with an entire construct to feed on standing in the same room. If Rico, thinks we need to take them out, I have an idea. They are attracted to metal. If one of us can toss a lit torch in the room with them we can stand back and attack from the hallway with bows. If I drop my shield and swords up the hallway and go in with my quarterstaff after an initial arrow volley, I may be able to take them out before they sense that the arrows are coming from you guys."
"Too bad those bugbears weren't closer, we could lead the rusties to them and stand back!" he says, and adds "was the beholder wearing any sort of metal, that could be quite a fight to watch" with a laugh.
"I didn't see any metal on the beholder and it was floating off the ground. Not a bad idea on the idea of luring the rust monsters. I have an idea tickling the back of my mind. Let me think about a possible plan and I'll pitch it to you and the group after we check in with Rico about Steel and see how Nikk and Canti want to handle this. I like the idea of luring the rust monsters."
Canti's head pops up from looking through her pack at the mention of her name. She produces a polite smile and looks from one face to another. "Oh, I was looking to see what metal I have." She looks back into her pack, one arm rummaging around. "I do have my swords, but I'd rather not lose them." She pulls a pot out of her back. "I have some of these. I enjoy cooking, but Rico's been taking the lead on that, so maybe I don't need them." She puts the pot back and pats the crossbow hanging from her hip. "I also have this backup crossbow and bolts. They're really weighing me down more than anything. I think that's all I can contribute."
Rico says, "I have 25 pounds of metal scraps and another 2 pounds of iron ingots. So we don't have to sacrifice anything usable. But if we get rid of all scrap metal, it will be harder for me to make you replacement arrows. Maybe I should just shoot them from a distance." It's obvious that she's not fond of rust monsters!
Pisgah proposes the following, " I have 10 pounds of metal scraps in my pack too. Here is what I would do to try and lure the rust monsters. I can climb to the ceiling, lower some metal scraps on a rope in front of the monsters, use that to lure them down the hallway toward the thugs and bugbears. You guys would need to back around the corners until the rust monsters are past you. They can see in the dark but once ArdneK loses sight of them down the hallway then you should be clear to move on to the stairs. Once I get them close to where the Xanathar members are I can pull up the metal scraps then run back to join you. With luck, they should pick up the scent of metal on the guild members and wander on in to the rooms. "
"Hmm, not a bad plan. Your able to walk on the ceiling for that long? Remember to sneak this time" he says with a smile, lowers his voice and whispers "quiet steps".
"If you like, I can put my extra short sword close to the room where the guild was, this way when you head back, they will have a sent in the correct direction? I should be able to get there and back undetected. But I'm fine with the plan as you laid out too."
"Okay, look, everyone has an off day now and then. The beholder was in the room outside of where the guards were training. I don't know how well they can sense people. If worst case, I can just throw some metal scraps in the room and then turn and run."
"I'm good with the plan, I have some ball bearings too, if you like a few, but your scraps are probably the same. Assuming your plan to lure the rusties goes well, we'll move back to here, and then I can go scout out the stairs, if that is a dead end or no go, I'll check the door after that. Hopefully by then you'll be back. Let's hope that my next bad day doesn't come while I'm scouting" he says with a giggle, that sounds like a small growl.
" Okay, Rico, can you somehow take these five metal scraps and attach them together such that I can loop a section of rope through them? I will use that to try and lure the rust monsters out of the room they are in. I'll try bringing them down this hallway and then turn them south to take them down the hall with the guild members. I will leave my swords, shield, backpack and such with you guys and carry just my quarterstaff with me so that they won't pick up the scent of metal. They can smell it at least 30 feet away so you, and especially Steel, will need to head north up the hallways toward the room where we found the magic mirror. You'll need to go far enough that the monsters won't smell Steel. Once I get them to turn south I'll call out to you know to move back into the hall and check the stairs. "
"Sure thing!" Rico takes out 5 metal scraps, punches a hole in each one, then ties them loosely together with a bit of heavy twine. "Here you go!"
She's fine with the plan to stay far away from the rust monsters!
"Thanks Rico! Here are the scraps I have been carrying, if you have room for them all. If not take 5 to replace these."
OOC: Is there any twine extending from the metal scraps that have been tied together? If not, Pisgah will cut 15 feet of rope from one of the coils he picked up along the way. He now has a ring of metal at the end of a 15 foot rope.
After walking back with the group to a point where they should be safe from detection by the rust monsters, Pisgah removes his shield, pack, swords, axes, etc. and piles them on the floor. "When you guys head back out, will you be able to bring all of this with you?"
After shedding everything except his quarterstaff, Pisgah climbs up the wall and begins walking back toward the rust monsters where he will begin swinging the metal yo-yo above their heads trying to lure them away and down the hall back toward the guild members.
As Pisgah approaches the rust monsters, their feelers begin to twitch excitedly. They ignore the now almost annihilated helmet and scuttle over to where the bits of metal dangle from the ceiling. Eager to reach the tasty morsels, they're bumping into each other, shoving and chirping.
They follow Pisgah wherever he goes!
[Nature: 25 (not too relevant, given that DC was a while ago, but eh.)]
Nikk merely waits and watches with beady silver eyes as the creatures scurry and nip at the Genasi's clever ploy. Not much of an advantage, but surely better than nothing. Perhaps they might disarm a few thugs before their deaths. One could only hope.
Pisgah will lure the rust monsters down the hallways toward the guild members. He calls out to the team as he passes their location. When he reaches the corner before the beholder, he will raise the scraps some and begin swinging them back and forth to develop enough momentum to fling the scraps into the opening to the room where the thugs are training, trying to whip the scraps around the corner without being seen. As soon as he lets go of the rope he will turn and dash back along the ceiling running back to where the team should be waiting.
OOC: Not sure what to roll for this. Would try to sneak the last 30ft or so and then will run as fast as I can back up the hallway. Wishing now I had thought to have Rico add a stamp on a scrap piece that said Property of Yek.