Confused, the kuo-toa replies after considering the quesrions, "You mean the very karge waterfall? The only thing up the waterfall is a hole in the ground," he says dismissively, (this is how they think of the surface world,) "Perhaps you mean a difference waterfall, the darklake has many waterfalls and myriad Mysteries more. The maze of tunnels, passages, and pools of the Darklake is a kind of meditation — a spiritual journey. Kuo-toa who navigate that maze long enough will awaken to a great revelation for their people. That is how Blibdoolpoolp revealed herself to me."
<Montage of shield for slave exchange>
Sparhawk: "I sure could use some help. It looks like you have many fine specimens who could prove useful in my employ."
Monger, eyeing Sparhawks shield: "Well, I'm sure we can make a deal. Which one were you interested in?"
Sparhawk: "Oh I plan on doing quite a bit of exploration on this expedition. I think I'm going to need more than one or two sets of hands."
Monger, eyes widened: "Oh? Well, how many were you thinking of taking?"
Sparhawk: "How much for the whole lot?"
Monger, mouth agape: "All of them?! But, that's the entire inventory. It would be quite expensive. I carry only the finest stock, you know."
Sparhawk: "how much?"
Monger: "Tell you what, for you, friend, I will make a special offer, just for yoh. You can keep your shinies, keep your golds, I will let you have the whole lot if you will part ways with that fine shield of yours."
Sparhawk: "This shield? Well, it is a tempting offer, but what will I do for protection if I don't have my shield?"
Monger: "Oh, you may have mine, no extra charge, make good the friends for the deal. Here."
He finds after some searching through the contents of a crate filled with sundry equipment pieces, a normal looking if slightly rusted shield, but the front of it is smeared with some sort of shimmering slime. It is not magical, as evidenced by the absence of any aura by those with detect magic upon their eyes.
Sticky Shield. When a creature misses the kuo-toa with a melee weapon attack, the kuo-toa uses its sticky shield to catch the weapon. The attacker must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw, or the weapon becomes stuck to the kuo-toa's shield. If the weapon's wielder can't or won't let go of the weapon, the wielder is grappled while the weapon is stuck. While stuck, the weapon can't be used. A creature can pull the weapon free by taking an action to make a DC 11 Strength check and succeeding
This is a property of the nonmagical item and anyone proficient with a shield can use it in this way.
<FYI: the kuo-toa have their unique abilities as a resut of the time they were themselves subjected to persecution by mindflayers ages ago. Themselves victims of a cycle of pain. It doesn't excuse them, bit it informs the context in which their primitive society is slowly
<I didnt mention earlier, but the pendant the priest wants to give you has an aura of conjuration magic.>
“So, we are outsiders here, what would you have us do” he says to the priestess.
Assuming a writ of free passage, Sparhawk says to the group, “They call me Sparhawk. I am a paladin and knight of Marduk. I have purchased your services. After we leave this place I will arrange safe passage to the surface. At that time I will release you from my service, and you will have no further obligation to me. If you put any of my crew in danger or do anything to break my trust, you shall be dealt with most harshly, as I will return you to these people. For now, I ask that you stay out of trouble and help keep us and each other safe. We shall be leaving shortly.”
Sparhawk will gladly accept the deal, and will part with his trusty shield, but also asks for a writ of safe passage from one of high authority.
trying to figure who youre getting this writ from. this society isnt fully literate so such a concept might be lost on them, but lets say they can make some mark clear enough to achieve this.
The authority of the archpriest is absolute, but who that archpriest is is presently up for debate. so ask one of them. you'll either have an iron clad order or a worthless scrap of paper, depending on how things go. Of course, you could try appealing to both parties to hedge your bet.
Right now, during the trade, you're just talking to a merchant. he has zero authority except in regards to his own property, which now includes your extremely powerful magic item, so that might change.
But the slaves you bought are recognized as your property, so anything anyone does to them would already be theft or vandalism. I think you're asking for a receipt if your asking the merchant, so that should be a non-issue.
“So, we are outsiders here, what would you have us do” he says to the priestess.
Assuming a writ of free passage, Sparhawk says to the group, “They call me Sparhawk. I am a paladin and knight of Marduk. I have purchased your services. After we leave this place I will arrange safe passage to the surface. At that time I will release you from my service, and you will have no further obligation to me. If you put any of my crew in danger or do anything to break my trust, you shall be dealt with most harshly, as I will return you to these people. For now, I ask that you stay out of trouble and help keep us and each other safe. We shall be leaving shortly.”
"My daughter is enraptured in her fervor. I fear she will not be dissuaded from her present course. Should that prove the case, you must depose her, lest she summon her god to our waters, to the peril of all who do not share her faith, and perhaps even those that do." the archpriest says.
put the crew in danger.. his plan was to give you to his daughter as a sacrificial offering, so you would be in harms way by his design, but he says he thinks you'll win. you can cast zone of truth or whatever; he'd be cool with it, but in-game, you're running out of time. They already have a sacrifice prepared and the ritual is starting soon.
I asked if his patron is Blibdoolpoolp, because maybe it is. I really don't know. That's a player choice at character creation, but I never specifically asked until you put forth that question. I don't think it would be the other one. It's brand-new.
Sroey-wise, it's a better reason for all of you to be Herr than anything I could have come up with. I said I might give someone a vision because I had no great reason for you to visit the city. If your patron is Blibdoolpoolp, not only would she tell you to be here, she'd also insist you work wotb her archpriest to maintain co trol over the city and she would probably expect you to make an offering at her shrine outside his house. As a scavenger God, discard items and regurgitated offerings are deemed worthy.
So if it is up to me, then yes, Baron's patron is Blibdoolpoolp, the Sea Mother, unless you decide otherwise.
Baron's eyes swirl, and he says, "It is not my place to make decisions for the rest of you, however, I now have reason to believe we should help this archpriest. His claim to power is just." As he steps forward and takes the pendant, a faint smile flickers on his face.
"Well, since you are my friend, I shall help you with this task, but my main mission is above in the caverns and to free these people as soon as possible."
Captain Sparhawk essentially sold his relic and purchased the freedom of the slaves. He plans on releasing them to their own devices as soon as he can. In the meantime,
To the people he freed, "You are not slaves anymore, and I will bring you to an exit to the outside after we conclude our business here.Do any of you have skills that could be of help before we head to the surface, and while we are at it, if you would please introduce yourselves to my crew?" He will treat them as equals, "Let's work together so I can assist in getting you all back to the outside world. I will also equip you with a weapon of your choice to help protect yourselves.
{{If required, I will also attune to the pendant}}
Nominally, it would, but I don't use attunement. I have a convoluted system for this, but it doesn't matter until anyone had more magic items than they do at the momemt.
<If you want to use them as hireling and not slaves, you will have to pay them. It's an option.>
Ploopploopeen, pleased at the acquiescence to his plans, retrieves from his wardrobe some items to aid Baron and his associateds. You receive: two potions of healing, a potion of water breathing, and a spell scroll of light.
As he hands over the items, there comes a knock at the door. Twelve kuo-toa led by a kuo-toa monitor stans outside Ploopploopeen’s quarters. The archpriest of the Sea Mother admits the monitor and informs him that he, his whip, and the prisoners will accompany them to see the archpriest of the Deep Father.
"You will be coming with us." Says the monitor to the group. To Ploopploopeen, he adds, "the archpriestess receives your honor with grace."
Thr party is escorted to the altar of the Deep Father near the docks, where Bloppblippodd awaits them.
The idol to Leemooggoogoon the Deep Father consists of a large hide cut roughly in the shape of a manta ray and stretched out on cords between two support poles. A dead, splayed-out manta ray is pinned to the center of the hide. Two dead octopuses are draped across the top, their tentacles pinned and artfully arrayed, their heads tied together and painted with red and blue pigments. The idol reeks of decay, and the broad stone altar below the idol is stained dark with blood.
Six kuo-toa work at the altar, cleaning up and arranging offerings. Klibdoloogut, a kuo-toa whip dedicated to the Deep Father, stands in front of the altar with two kuo-toa monitors. Offerings are usually living creatures killed on the altar, although an offering of one’s own blood also satisfies the whip. Humanoids other than kuo-toa are immediately taken into custody to be brought before the archpriest of the Deep Father, who summarily condemns them to be sacrificed.
Bloppblippodd, a female kuo-toa archpriest of the Deep Father, lives on the bottom floor of a squat hovel near the altar. She is a bloodthirsty sadist absolutely assured that her divine vision will raise her in glory to rule her people. Bound and gagged against the far wall is a duergar prisoner, another sacrifice.
The archpriest of the Sea Mother steps forward across the span of the altar toward the kuo-toa waiting for him there. “The time has come,” he says, “for us to acknowledge your divine vision and welcome it. I have brought these as offerings.” He gestures toward all of you, standing within a circle of guards behind him. “Will you not accept them?”
“You are wise, father,” the younger archpriest replies. “I accept your offering in the name of the Deep Father. May their blood nourish and strengthen him!” A burbling cheer goes up from the surrounding kuo-toa, their fists raised in the air.
Kuo-toa parade around the altar in a wide circle as they chant. Part of their path sends them splashing and wading through the shallows of the Darklake. The characters quickly can’t tell one faction of fish-folk from the other, but they see the archpriest of the Sea Mother and his whip moving toward the altar.
Bloppblippodd calls for the sacrifices to be brought forth, and one kuo-toa per character jumps to do her bidding. They prod the party and rhe duergar with their spears to herd them toward a slight depression 20 feet from the altar, with a large grate at its center. You can see that the stonework of the depression is stained with the blood of innumerable sacrifices, and they can hear the gentle lapping of the Darklake coming up through the grate. The chanting grows louder.
When the sacrifices are brought forward, Bloppblippodd gestures toward the altar, whereupon her father suddenly attacks, striking her with his scepter.
Kuo-toa loyal to him surge forward to attack, while the guards that brought the characters forward stand in shock. They are surprised and can’t move or take an action on their first turn of the combat, and they can’t take reactions until that first turn ends.
(OOC: No, Sparhawk will not pay them. But if they want to live, they better work together and stay with the party. Sparhawk is a charismatic leader. If they want to leave now, they are welcome to do so, but Sparhawk will make sure they understand that they will surely be recaptured and become a prisoner again.)
Sparhawk init: 13 (I"m a bit confused, there are two groups, who are the bad guys. Also, my understanding we can as "sacrifices" to get close and then to try to stop the bad guys?)
Next to the others, presented as one of the sacrifices, a high elf with short brown hair, and light-brown skin appears. he looked around, seemingly curious at the many kuo-toa gathered. Although his hand had a firm grip on what appeared to be an unique-looking wand. When fight breaks out. He gets startled at first, however quickly gets ready to attack, as he rises his hands, pointing his wand at the kuo-toa.
Nearby the Kuo-toa are a number of non fish like humanoids. A very odd sight catches your eye, a huge half-ork bugbear-looking fellow wearing full plate. He seems as if he was pulled from another age (which he was), and he almost exudes an air of leadership.
Confused, the kuo-toa replies after considering the quesrions, "You mean the very karge waterfall? The only thing up the waterfall is a hole in the ground," he says dismissively, (this is how they think of the surface world,) "Perhaps you mean a difference waterfall, the darklake has many waterfalls and myriad Mysteries more. The maze of tunnels, passages, and pools of the Darklake is a kind of meditation — a spiritual journey. Kuo-toa who navigate that maze long enough will awaken to a great revelation for their people. That is how Blibdoolpoolp revealed herself to me."
<Montage of shield for slave exchange>
Sparhawk: "I sure could use some help. It looks like you have many fine specimens who could prove useful in my employ."
Monger, eyeing Sparhawks shield: "Well, I'm sure we can make a deal. Which one were you interested in?"
Sparhawk: "Oh I plan on doing quite a bit of exploration on this expedition. I think I'm going to need more than one or two sets of hands."
Monger, eyes widened: "Oh? Well, how many were you thinking of taking?"
Sparhawk: "How much for the whole lot?"
Monger, mouth agape: "All of them?! But, that's the entire inventory. It would be quite expensive. I carry only the finest stock, you know."
Sparhawk: "how much?"
Monger: "Tell you what, for you, friend, I will make a special offer, just for yoh. You can keep your shinies, keep your golds, I will let you have the whole lot if you will part ways with that fine shield of yours."
Sparhawk: "This shield? Well, it is a tempting offer, but what will I do for protection if I don't have my shield?"
Monger: "Oh, you may have mine, no extra charge, make good the friends for the deal. Here."
He finds after some searching through the contents of a crate filled with sundry equipment pieces, a normal looking if slightly rusted shield, but the front of it is smeared with some sort of shimmering slime. It is not magical, as evidenced by the absence of any aura by those with detect magic upon their eyes.
Sticky Shield. When a creature misses the kuo-toa with a melee weapon attack, the kuo-toa uses its sticky shield to catch the weapon. The attacker must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw, or the weapon becomes stuck to the kuo-toa's shield. If the weapon's wielder can't or won't let go of the weapon, the wielder is grappled while the weapon is stuck. While stuck, the weapon can't be used. A creature can pull the weapon free by taking an action to make a DC 11 Strength check and succeeding
This is a property of the nonmagical item and anyone proficient with a shield can use it in this way.
<FYI: the kuo-toa have their unique abilities as a resut of the time they were themselves subjected to persecution by mindflayers ages ago. Themselves victims of a cycle of pain. It doesn't excuse them, bit it informs the context in which their primitive society is slowly
<I didnt mention earlier, but the pendant the priest wants to give you has an aura of conjuration magic.>
Sparhawk will gladly accept the deal, and will part with his trusty shield, but also asks for a writ of safe passage from one of high authority.
“So, we are outsiders here, what would you have us do” he says to the priestess.
Assuming a writ of free passage, Sparhawk says to the group, “They call me Sparhawk. I am a paladin and knight of Marduk. I have purchased your services. After we leave this place I will arrange safe passage to the surface. At that time I will release you from my service, and you will have no further obligation to me. If you put any of my crew in danger or do anything to break my trust, you shall be dealt with most harshly, as I will return you to these people. For now, I ask that you stay out of trouble and help keep us and each other safe. We shall be leaving shortly.”
trying to figure who youre getting this writ from. this society isnt fully literate so such a concept might be lost on them, but lets say they can make some mark clear enough to achieve this.
The authority of the archpriest is absolute, but who that archpriest is is presently up for debate. so ask one of them. you'll either have an iron clad order or a worthless scrap of paper, depending on how things go. Of course, you could try appealing to both parties to hedge your bet.
Right now, during the trade, you're just talking to a merchant. he has zero authority except in regards to his own property, which now includes your extremely powerful magic item, so that might change.
But the slaves you bought are recognized as your property, so anything anyone does to them would already be theft or vandalism. I think you're asking for a receipt if your asking the merchant, so that should be a non-issue.
"My daughter is enraptured in her fervor. I fear she will not be dissuaded from her present course. Should that prove the case, you must depose her, lest she summon her god to our waters, to the peril of all who do not share her faith, and perhaps even those that do." the archpriest says.
put the crew in danger.. his plan was to give you to his daughter as a sacrificial offering, so you would be in harms way by his design, but he says he thinks you'll win. you can cast zone of truth or whatever; he'd be cool with it, but in-game, you're running out of time. They already have a sacrifice prepared and the ritual is starting soon.
Sparhawk will check with the others regarding this situation. (Ooc he is not good with negotiation so please someone step in)
Baron's response depends on the answer to this question,
Does he know if either god is his patron?
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
I asked if his patron is Blibdoolpoolp, because maybe it is. I really don't know. That's a player choice at character creation, but I never specifically asked until you put forth that question. I don't think it would be the other one. It's brand-new.
Sroey-wise, it's a better reason for all of you to be Herr than anything I could have come up with. I said I might give someone a vision because I had no great reason for you to visit the city. If your patron is Blibdoolpoolp, not only would she tell you to be here, she'd also insist you work wotb her archpriest to maintain co trol over the city and she would probably expect you to make an offering at her shrine outside his house. As a scavenger God, discard items and regurgitated offerings are deemed worthy.
So if it is up to me, then yes, Baron's patron is Blibdoolpoolp, the Sea Mother, unless you decide otherwise.
He should also probably be the one to take the pendant, too, if that's the case.
Baron's eyes swirl, and he says, "It is not my place to make decisions for the rest of you, however, I now have reason to believe we should help this archpriest. His claim to power is just." As he steps forward and takes the pendant, a faint smile flickers on his face.
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
{{If required, I will also attune to the pendant}}
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
"Well, since you are my friend, I shall help you with this task, but my main mission is above in the caverns and to free these people as soon as possible."
Captain Sparhawk essentially sold his relic and purchased the freedom of the slaves. He plans on releasing them to their own devices as soon as he can.
In the meantime,
To the people he freed, "You are not slaves anymore, and I will bring you to an exit to the outside after we conclude our business here.Do any of you have skills that could be of help before we head to the surface, and while we are at it, if you would please introduce yourselves to my crew?" He will treat them as equals, "Let's work together so I can assist in getting you all back to the outside world. I will also equip you with a weapon of your choice to help protect yourselves.
Nominally, it would, but I don't use attunement. I have a convoluted system for this, but it doesn't matter until anyone had more magic items than they do at the momemt.
<If you want to use them as hireling and not slaves, you will have to pay them. It's an option.>
Ploopploopeen, pleased at the acquiescence to his plans, retrieves from his wardrobe some items to aid Baron and his associateds. You receive: two potions of healing, a potion of water breathing, and a spell scroll of light.
As he hands over the items, there comes a knock at the door. Twelve kuo-toa led by a kuo-toa monitor stans outside Ploopploopeen’s quarters. The archpriest of the Sea Mother admits the monitor and informs him that he, his whip, and the prisoners will accompany them to see the archpriest of the Deep Father.
"You will be coming with us." Says the monitor to the group. To Ploopploopeen, he adds, "the archpriestess receives your honor with grace."
Thr party is escorted to the altar of the Deep Father near the docks, where Bloppblippodd awaits them.
The idol to Leemooggoogoon the Deep Father consists of a large hide cut roughly in the shape of a manta ray and stretched out on cords between two support poles. A dead, splayed-out manta ray is pinned to the center of the hide. Two dead octopuses are draped across the top, their tentacles pinned and artfully arrayed, their heads tied together and painted with red and blue pigments. The idol reeks of decay, and the broad stone altar below the idol is stained dark with blood.
Six kuo-toa work at the altar, cleaning up and arranging offerings. Klibdoloogut, a kuo-toa whip dedicated to the Deep Father, stands in front of the altar with two kuo-toa monitors. Offerings are usually living creatures killed on the altar, although an offering of one’s own blood also satisfies the whip. Humanoids other than kuo-toa are immediately taken into custody to be brought before the archpriest of the Deep Father, who summarily condemns them to be sacrificed.
Bloppblippodd, a female kuo-toa archpriest of the Deep Father, lives on the bottom floor of a squat hovel near the altar. She is a bloodthirsty sadist absolutely assured that her divine vision will raise her in glory to rule her people. Bound and gagged against the far wall is a duergar prisoner, another sacrifice.
The archpriest of the Sea Mother steps forward across the span of the altar toward the kuo-toa waiting for him there. “The time has come,” he says, “for us to acknowledge your divine vision and welcome it. I have brought these as offerings.” He gestures toward all of you, standing within a circle of guards behind him. “Will you not accept them?”
“You are wise, father,” the younger archpriest replies. “I accept your offering in the name of the Deep Father. May their blood nourish and strengthen him!” A burbling cheer goes up from the surrounding kuo-toa, their fists raised in the air.
Kuo-toa parade around the altar in a wide circle as they chant. Part of their path sends them splashing and wading through the shallows of the Darklake. The characters quickly can’t tell one faction of fish-folk from the other, but they see the archpriest of the Sea Mother and his whip moving toward the altar.
Bloppblippodd calls for the sacrifices to be brought forth, and one kuo-toa per character jumps to do her bidding. They prod the party and rhe duergar with their spears to herd them toward a slight depression 20 feet from the altar, with a large grate at its center. You can see that the stonework of the depression is stained with the blood of innumerable sacrifices, and they can hear the gentle lapping of the Darklake coming up through the grate. The chanting grows louder.
When the sacrifices are brought forward, Bloppblippodd gestures toward the altar, whereupon her father suddenly attacks, striking her with his scepter.
Kuo-toa loyal to him surge forward to attack, while the guards that brought the characters forward stand in shock. They are surprised and can’t move or take an action on their first turn of the combat, and they can’t take reactions until that first turn ends.
Roll initiative.
(OOC: No, Sparhawk will not pay them. But if they want to live, they better work together and stay with the party. Sparhawk is a charismatic leader. If they want to leave now, they are welcome to do so, but Sparhawk will make sure they understand that they will surely be recaptured and become a prisoner again.)
initiative: 16.
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
Sparhawk init: 13 (I"m a bit confused, there are two groups, who are the bad guys. Also, my understanding we can as "sacrifices" to get close and then to try to stop the bad guys?)
(We're fighting with the followers of the Sea Mother. We're fighting against the followers of the Deep Father.)
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
(I guess that's my cue to enter.)
Next to the others, presented as one of the sacrifices, a high elf with short brown hair, and light-brown skin appears. he looked around, seemingly curious at the many kuo-toa gathered. Although his hand had a firm grip on what appeared to be an unique-looking wand. When fight breaks out. He gets startled at first, however quickly gets ready to attack, as he rises his hands, pointing his wand at the kuo-toa.
Init: 5 (wow first roll.)
Nearby the Kuo-toa are a number of non fish like humanoids. A very odd sight catches your eye, a huge half-ork bugbear-looking fellow wearing full plate. He seems as if he was pulled from another age (which he was), and he almost exudes an air of leadership.
"It seems i'm not alone amidst this chaos . . ." The elf comments, gracefully jumping towards the group, raising his wand.