Once again, Hilke draws a javelin into her hand. "You think we're really hurting it at all?"she asks. She launches the javelin at the black mass, hoping that it will do something. (Javelin Attack: 14, Damage: 4)
Once she's attacked, she again moves back as much as she can from the thing.
Once again, Hilke draws a javelin into her hand. "You think we're really hurting it at all?"she asks.
Zelaerys glances back at the slimy creature, considering the question. He had assumed it would be hurt by everything that was thrown at it but he had no indication that to be true, "Ahem... To be frank, I'm not sure... Not at all. But what can we do? Leave it be and make a run for it?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dav'eed follows his pattern, stay 30-40 feet away and keep shooting arrows at it! Even if they were dissolved in the acid mass, they were easier to replace than an arm... Attack: 19 Damage: 6
Once you realize you can just stay back, shifting, one step ahead of the undulating ooze you all keep your distance. Peppering it with cantrips and a couple more arrows, it soaks up your attacks. As you are about to give up and just stay ahead of it, it finally discorporate. Losing cohesion like a water bladder popping its stitches, the goo splashes outward. A thin wave of black oily slime slowly spreads until all that remains is a wet glistening stain.
The remains of the javelins, still bubbling and casting thin vapors into the air have been destroyed. The wood from the arrows steams looking brittle and useless. A pair of bones, humanoid thigh by the look of it have tumbled out. Zalaerys realizes his pack was absorbed when he was surprised, the leather burst, its contents spilled into the acid of the creature. A glass bottle, half covered in the black stain still sparkles in the light of the torch. (The contents of Zalaerys backpack has been destroyed. The pudding could not dissolve glass or stone).
Perception check DC 16
within the muck a thin rod of blue glass barely stands above the sheen of black goo. wrapped around it a delicate charm bracelet twinkles in the torch light.
While Zelaerys is relieved that the ooze has been defeated, he can't help but lament the loss of his backpack. He sighs deeply, noting the scattered remnants of his belongings, especially the precious rations now dissolved in the creature's acid. "Looks like I only have a day's worth of rations left," he mutters, thankful that Yondalla’s guidance had led him to stow a spare ration in his pouch. "I guess Yondalla was watching over me, after all."
Turning to his companions, he asks, "Does anyone have extra torches? Mine were all in that pack." His eyes then catch the glimmer of a glass bottle among the remains. "Wait a minute," he says, stepping closer. "I had a healing potion in there. Do you think it survived? Can anyone reach it?" He asks hopeful that they can still retrieve and use its contents.
"I have torches," Hilke says. "And if it comes to it, I can share rations. I think I can see a blue glass rod in there too. And a bracelet wrapped around it. If sometime can get to it." She takes a glance at her pack, trying to see what she might use. But she comes up empty.
Dav'eed digs through his backpack, remembering that he has a hooded lantern and a flask of oil! "Oh man...forgot this was back there! Here, Zel - this is better than torches!" He hands over the lantern, oil, and a couple of rations. He will then use take a long drink out of his water flask and use the rest to try and wash away a path through the remains of the ooze. If the contents of the waterskin are not enough, he will go back and forth to the trickling stream to fill and then pour. Eventually, he should have a safe path to retrieve the bottle, rod, and bracelet (after rinsing them with water, too!!) He then hands them all over to the magic users to examine.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"That lantern should come in real handy, but if we need, I have a few more torches, and half of my rations on yours, Zelaerys: your bravery in drawing that creature's attention was exceptional. You represent Yondalla well."
Huttmoff then does his best to examine the items that Dav'eed has rescued from the slime.
(Not sure of what is the correct roll, so I figured I would give you a few to chose from)
Zelaerys smiles appreciatively at his companions. "Thank you, Hilke. Your torches and rations will be a big help. And Dav'eed, this lantern is a lifesaver! I can't believe you had it all this time." He takes the lantern and oil gratefully, then claps Dav'eed on the shoulder. "Well done, my friend. Your quick thinking saved the day. I thought all of this was lost to us."
He then kneels beside the recovered items, carefully examining the bottle, rod, and bracelet. "Let's see what we've got here," he murmurs. With a deep breath, Zelaerys begins a short ritual, murmuring an incantation to Yondalla. His hands move in practiced patterns, fingers tracing arcane symbols in the air as he calls upon divine insight to detect magic in the items. "Let's hope these hold some hidden blessings," he adds, focusing intently on the task at hand.
Dav'eed and Hilke create a path of washed stone into the center of the slimy black stain, handing over the good, the bottle, the crystaline road and a metal bracelet. The fact the bracelet wasnt dissolved by the ooze speaks of a hint of magic, Dav'eed can feel it when he washes it off.
Hilke and Zalaerys, with the aid of the divine understanding examine the items. The bottle is all that remains of Zalaerys's backpack, the healing potion he had originally.
The bracelet is twisted and wound bands of a silver grey metal, pewter probably. Three charms hang from small hooks, a hammer, a short sword and a warpick. It would take some time to attune to this item, giving you access to the weapons stored within. You figure you could also switch out the weapons stored as charms but that is a test that must be reserved for later.
If you attune to this item, read the following
It looks like any other bracelet to which small charms and mementos are attached. But when you slide the bracelet around the blade or haft of a weapon, and speaks the command word engraved on the bracelet's clasp, the weapon disappears, and a pewter charm matching the weapon appears on the bracelet.
Thereafter, when the wearer speaks the command word and the name of the weapon, the weapon magically appears in the hand on whose wrist the bracelet rested, and the bracelet disappears.
The bracelet can hold up to four weapon charms this way. They can be normal or magical. Shields and miscellaneous equipment cannot be held on the bracelet-only weapons, the weapons might be a long bow and quiver (quivers count as part of the weapon they carry arrows for), a bastard sword, a halberd, and a dagger, etc. If a weapon is broken, the bracelet isn't; the user needs to call forth the bracelet, then separate the broken weapon from it. Quivers are not magically replenished when they are the size of charms. Whatever number of arrows are in the quiver when it becomes a charm are still in it when it becomes a quiver again. Likewise, a broken bowstring stays broken. Siege weapons cannot be held.
The change from bracelet to weapon takes no time at all, but this can only be done once per turn. The bracelet itself can be used just eight times in a day; turning the bracelet into a weapon counts as one use, and turning the weapon back into a bracelet counts as one use.
If the weapon held in the bracelet's enchantment is called on and used, then disarmed, the character cannot call on another weapon from the bracelet. The bracelet itself is within the weapon. The character must retrieve the weapon first, and only then can its magic be used.
A weapon can be taken out of the bracelet's array. When a character wishes to do this, he or she takes the bracelet of the wrist and speaks the name of the weapon, and then says the command word-a reversal of the previous procedure.
The bracelet does not magically know its owner. Anyone who steals the bracelet from its owner and discovers what it is may use it and call the previous owner's weapons forth.
The dweomer upon the thin crystalline rod is stronger than the bracelet. Perfectly smooth and even it is a thin and light rod, sharply cut on both ends. Within the bluish hued nearly clear crystal whirls and whorls give the impression of ice. It is a wand of ray of frost .
"I'm glad that little trick worked!" says the rogue. He looks over Zelaerys' and Huttmoff's shoulders as they examine the items. He is not especially interested in either - the bracelet because he has no formal training the the kind of weapons on the charm, nor the rod because he prefers using his bow. He will let the others decide how to distribute the treasures - besides...he had the magic ring already!
When everyone is ready, he will resume his scouting position ahead of the group and heading uphill to where the source of the underground river should be...
"Do we want to figure out how to distribute these items now?" Hilke asks. "Or hang on to them until later?"
(OOC - Not sure what the requirements are for the wand or if it has charges. But if she can use it that might give Hilke a convenient ranged attack for when she needs one. And a magical attack. Though on the surface, the bracelet seems more applicable to her. I think though either cleric could use it.)
(OOC: Zelaerys needs neither rod nor bracelet, he fights predominantly with cantrips.)
Zelaerys carefully inspects the items alongside Hilke, taking note of the bracelet's magical properties. "Thankfully, the healing potion is still intact. As for the bracelet, it appears to hold some latent magical properties. It could be quite useful once attuned."
He looks up at Hilke and Dav'eed with a thoughtful expression. "Honestly, I don't need either the rod or the bracelet. Hilke, or anyone else, feel free to take them. The bracelet, with its weapon charms, could be especially handy in a pinch. I'm more than happy to keep relying on my spells and divine aid."
Zelaerys then turns to Dav'eed, giving a nod. "I'm ready to keep moving when you are, Dav'eed. Let's see where this underground river leads us." He readies himself, standing up and adjusting his gear, prepared to follow Dav'eed's lead.
Huttmoff looks at the items with a shrug, "Hilke, I think you should have them. I'm not sure I would use anything other than old Agatha here," he says, patting his mace affectionately. "And it would be nice for you to have a magical attack, but if you don't want the wand, I think I would use it."
After searching through his pack looking for items to give Zelaerys, Huttmoff again tightens all the straps, preparing himself to go deeper into the underground river. "Let's go."
Gathering yourselves together after the surprise of roiling ooze you continue onward. The silence of the caverns hangs heavy and oppressive. Only the trickle of gentle water adding a calm. It helps to shroud the screeches and subtle but unknown sounds that flourish in these depths. The walls grow slicker, the smell of fresh earth and algae growing stronger. Ignoring the side passages, cracks and crevasses even when a faint noise can be heard you plod on.
The growing strength of the trickle, slow and barely noticeable at first has developed to a small stream, the rocks wet and slick underfoot. The passage twists sharply around a large and prominent boulder then opens...majestically into a vastness unseen, only felt. Darkness stretches out before you, the extent only revealed by the faint glow of a portal, hanging in the air hundreds of feet before you. Between it and you, only impenetrable ink.
The ledge you stand upon drops sharply to the floor many feet down. Below, you can see the ruins of an Elven temple, from this height the people scurrying about look small within the glow of scattered torches. A line of light leads down a makeshift hill until it blossoms into a bonfire surrounded by tents and workstations. A camp has been set up here, dozens of workers go about clearing the muck, mire and stone from the site.
Smaller ruins, still buried in the remains of an underground lake are being worked on elsewhere in the cavern, revealed by the clusters of light that surround them.
Dav'eed make a Perception check DC 14
Taking the lead as you have through out the exploration of this river cave you catch the scent of fresh water. The passage ahead has a slight breeze blowing towards you. Feeling the void of the cavern ahead before you can see it, you realize the glow of the lantern precedes your companions by many more feet than it helps them see.
In the center of the Elven ruin, a man stands, even from this distance a sense of authority radiates from his posture. His companion you recognize. Ferdy stands speaking with him for several seconds, gestures to something unseen then descends a staircase into the ruins and out of sight. The man barks orders to his workers, wandering to oversee the work.
Hilke took both the bracelet and the wand, placing them into her pack to focus more attention on them later. Then she followed warily along with the others. As the stream seems to grow, it feels like they must be making progress in at least getting to the source of the water, if not the reason for the lack of it. As they twist around the boulder and into a much larger chamber, she still isn't sure what they've found. "Is that another portal?" she asks softly. "And elven ruins? Who do you suppose that is down there working? Are the from Neverwinter?"
Dav'eed stares into the cavern, trying to discern details or understand what's happening. But he also wants to get back to the party and tell them what's going on, so he quickly returns.
Back with the group, he tells them what he saw. "I think they diverted the water through a portal so that they can excavate the underground city! I also saw Ferdy down there talking to someone else in charge...so how do we want to handle this? Innocent approach, since we've already met Ferdy and told here we were searching for the water? Or stealthy approach to infiltrate the work camp?"
Zelaerys listens intently to Dav'eed's report, the gears in his mind turning rapidly as he processes the new information. "Interesting," he muses, glancing towards the distant portal and the bustling camp below. "It certainly explains the water diversion. If Ferdy is involved, this might not be entirely hostile territory. Though, may I remind that Ferdy singlehandedly dispatched a group of people. Who knows what the superior is capable of. Perhaps portal magic is not even their forte."
He turns to the group, his expression thoughtful but resolute. "Given that Ferdy already knows us and we've been upfront about our mission, I think an innocent approach is our best bet. We should descend carefully and approach openly, I think. If we leverage our previous encounter with Ferdy, perhaps we can gather more information without causing unnecessary conflict, especially if we make clear that we won't cause trouble if they do not relent. If things go south, we can always revert to a stealthier strategy, that is if they let us go alive."
Zelaerys continues to ponder some more time their options and says, "As an alternative, and given that we don't know if this group is hostile or not but certainly powerful, we could simply return to the guard and report our observation. After all they tasked us to find out what happened with the water and this is what we found out. We could wait their instructions, and return with reinforcements, because alone we are quite powerless against an entire camp of that scale. Ferdy implied that they are known by the guard and the guard might know about their organisation. Any information would help us to better assess the situation before risking a confrontation with uncertain outcome."
Huttmoff crouches down to his knees, looking thoughtful, a strange sight on his tattooed and hulking frame, but not uncommon for the group that has come to know him. "How much fight do you each have left? I think I can cast a few more spells today, and I can provide us with the holy protection I provided earlier once again, but I agree with Zelaerys that Ferdy may be a handful for us by herself, and if she has a superior, we may be walking in too difficult a fight. I think our only options are try and talk to them, or go get reinforcements. The problem with talking, is that they can decide whether that goes well or poorly. I am open to both options, but I might suggest we report back. Although we should consider, how long will it take us to return back to Neverwinter, we have been traveling a long time. It is feasible to go back and return somewhat promptly?"
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Once again, Hilke draws a javelin into her hand. "You think we're really hurting it at all?" she asks. She launches the javelin at the black mass, hoping that it will do something.
(Javelin Attack: 14, Damage: 4)
Once she's attacked, she again moves back as much as she can from the thing.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Zelaerys glances back at the slimy creature, considering the question. He had assumed it would be hurt by everything that was thrown at it but he had no indication that to be true, "Ahem... To be frank, I'm not sure... Not at all. But what can we do? Leave it be and make a run for it?"
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Dav'eed follows his pattern, stay 30-40 feet away and keep shooting arrows at it! Even if they were dissolved in the acid mass, they were easier to replace than an arm...
Attack: 19 Damage: 6
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Once you realize you can just stay back, shifting, one step ahead of the undulating ooze you all keep your distance. Peppering it with cantrips and a couple more arrows, it soaks up your attacks. As you are about to give up and just stay ahead of it, it finally discorporate. Losing cohesion like a water bladder popping its stitches, the goo splashes outward. A thin wave of black oily slime slowly spreads until all that remains is a wet glistening stain.
The remains of the javelins, still bubbling and casting thin vapors into the air have been destroyed. The wood from the arrows steams looking brittle and useless. A pair of bones, humanoid thigh by the look of it have tumbled out. Zalaerys realizes his pack was absorbed when he was surprised, the leather burst, its contents spilled into the acid of the creature. A glass bottle, half covered in the black stain still sparkles in the light of the torch. (The contents of Zalaerys backpack has been destroyed. The pudding could not dissolve glass or stone).
Perception check DC 16
within the muck a thin rod of blue glass barely stands above the sheen of black goo. wrapped around it a delicate charm bracelet twinkles in the torch light.
(Perception: 12)
While Zelaerys is relieved that the ooze has been defeated, he can't help but lament the loss of his backpack. He sighs deeply, noting the scattered remnants of his belongings, especially the precious rations now dissolved in the creature's acid. "Looks like I only have a day's worth of rations left," he mutters, thankful that Yondalla’s guidance had led him to stow a spare ration in his pouch. "I guess Yondalla was watching over me, after all."
Turning to his companions, he asks, "Does anyone have extra torches? Mine were all in that pack." His eyes then catch the glimmer of a glass bottle among the remains. "Wait a minute," he says, stepping closer. "I had a healing potion in there. Do you think it survived? Can anyone reach it?" He asks hopeful that they can still retrieve and use its contents.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
(Hilke Perception: 19)
"I have torches," Hilke says. "And if it comes to it, I can share rations. I think I can see a blue glass rod in there too. And a bracelet wrapped around it. If sometime can get to it." She takes a glance at her pack, trying to see what she might use. But she comes up empty.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Dav'eed digs through his backpack, remembering that he has a hooded lantern and a flask of oil! "Oh man...forgot this was back there! Here, Zel - this is better than torches!" He hands over the lantern, oil, and a couple of rations. He will then use take a long drink out of his water flask and use the rest to try and wash away a path through the remains of the ooze. If the contents of the waterskin are not enough, he will go back and forth to the trickling stream to fill and then pour. Eventually, he should have a safe path to retrieve the bottle, rod, and bracelet (after rinsing them with water, too!!) He then hands them all over to the magic users to examine.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
"That lantern should come in real handy, but if we need, I have a few more torches, and half of my rations on yours, Zelaerys: your bravery in drawing that creature's attention was exceptional. You represent Yondalla well."
Huttmoff then does his best to examine the items that Dav'eed has rescued from the slime.
(Not sure of what is the correct roll, so I figured I would give you a few to chose from)
"What a great idea Dav'eed," Hilke says. She will grab her waterskin and help out however she can, taking great care to keep clear of the ooze.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Zelaerys smiles appreciatively at his companions. "Thank you, Hilke. Your torches and rations will be a big help. And Dav'eed, this lantern is a lifesaver! I can't believe you had it all this time." He takes the lantern and oil gratefully, then claps Dav'eed on the shoulder. "Well done, my friend. Your quick thinking saved the day. I thought all of this was lost to us."
He then kneels beside the recovered items, carefully examining the bottle, rod, and bracelet. "Let's see what we've got here," he murmurs. With a deep breath, Zelaerys begins a short ritual, murmuring an incantation to Yondalla. His hands move in practiced patterns, fingers tracing arcane symbols in the air as he calls upon divine insight to detect magic in the items. "Let's hope these hold some hidden blessings," he adds, focusing intently on the task at hand.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Dav'eed and Hilke create a path of washed stone into the center of the slimy black stain, handing over the good, the bottle, the crystaline road and a metal bracelet. The fact the bracelet wasnt dissolved by the ooze speaks of a hint of magic, Dav'eed can feel it when he washes it off.
Hilke and Zalaerys, with the aid of the divine understanding examine the items. The bottle is all that remains of Zalaerys's backpack, the healing potion he had originally.
The bracelet is twisted and wound bands of a silver grey metal, pewter probably. Three charms hang from small hooks, a hammer, a short sword and a warpick. It would take some time to attune to this item, giving you access to the weapons stored within. You figure you could also switch out the weapons stored as charms but that is a test that must be reserved for later.
If you attune to this item, read the following
It looks like any other bracelet to which small charms and mementos are attached. But when you slide the bracelet around the blade or haft of a weapon, and speaks the command word engraved on the bracelet's clasp, the weapon disappears, and a pewter charm matching the weapon appears on the bracelet.
Thereafter, when the wearer speaks the command word and the name of the weapon, the weapon magically appears in the hand on whose wrist the bracelet rested, and the bracelet disappears.
The bracelet can hold up to four weapon charms this way. They can be normal or magical. Shields and miscellaneous equipment cannot be held on the bracelet-only weapons, the weapons might be a long bow and quiver (quivers count as part of the weapon they carry arrows for), a bastard sword, a halberd, and a dagger, etc. If a weapon is broken, the bracelet isn't; the user needs to call forth the bracelet, then separate the broken weapon from it. Quivers are not magically replenished when they are the size of charms. Whatever number of arrows are in the quiver when it becomes a charm are still in it when it becomes a quiver again. Likewise, a broken bowstring stays broken. Siege weapons cannot be held.
The change from bracelet to weapon takes no time at all, but this can only be done once per turn. The bracelet itself can be used just eight times in a day; turning the bracelet into a weapon counts as one use, and turning the weapon back into a bracelet counts as one use.
If the weapon held in the bracelet's enchantment is called on and used, then disarmed, the character cannot call on another weapon from the bracelet. The bracelet itself is within the weapon. The character must retrieve the weapon first, and only then can its magic be used.
A weapon can be taken out of the bracelet's array. When a character wishes to do this, he or she takes the bracelet of the wrist and speaks the name of the weapon, and then says the command word-a reversal of the previous procedure.
The bracelet does not magically know its owner. Anyone who steals the bracelet from its owner and discovers what it is may use it and call the previous owner's weapons forth.
The dweomer upon the thin crystalline rod is stronger than the bracelet. Perfectly smooth and even it is a thin and light rod, sharply cut on both ends. Within the bluish hued nearly clear crystal whirls and whorls give the impression of ice. It is a wand of ray of frost .
"I'm glad that little trick worked!" says the rogue. He looks over Zelaerys' and Huttmoff's shoulders as they examine the items. He is not especially interested in either - the bracelet because he has no formal training the the kind of weapons on the charm, nor the rod because he prefers using his bow. He will let the others decide how to distribute the treasures - besides...he had the magic ring already!
When everyone is ready, he will resume his scouting position ahead of the group and heading uphill to where the source of the underground river should be...
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
"Do we want to figure out how to distribute these items now?" Hilke asks. "Or hang on to them until later?"
(OOC - Not sure what the requirements are for the wand or if it has charges. But if she can use it that might give Hilke a convenient ranged attack for when she needs one. And a magical attack. Though on the surface, the bracelet seems more applicable to her. I think though either cleric could use it.)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
(OOC: Zelaerys needs neither rod nor bracelet, he fights predominantly with cantrips.)
Zelaerys carefully inspects the items alongside Hilke, taking note of the bracelet's magical properties. "Thankfully, the healing potion is still intact. As for the bracelet, it appears to hold some latent magical properties. It could be quite useful once attuned."
He looks up at Hilke and Dav'eed with a thoughtful expression. "Honestly, I don't need either the rod or the bracelet. Hilke, or anyone else, feel free to take them. The bracelet, with its weapon charms, could be especially handy in a pinch. I'm more than happy to keep relying on my spells and divine aid."
Zelaerys then turns to Dav'eed, giving a nod. "I'm ready to keep moving when you are, Dav'eed. Let's see where this underground river leads us." He readies himself, standing up and adjusting his gear, prepared to follow Dav'eed's lead.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Huttmoff looks at the items with a shrug, "Hilke, I think you should have them. I'm not sure I would use anything other than old Agatha here," he says, patting his mace affectionately. "And it would be nice for you to have a magical attack, but if you don't want the wand, I think I would use it."
After searching through his pack looking for items to give Zelaerys, Huttmoff again tightens all the straps, preparing himself to go deeper into the underground river. "Let's go."
Gathering yourselves together after the surprise of roiling ooze you continue onward. The silence of the caverns hangs heavy and oppressive. Only the trickle of gentle water adding a calm. It helps to shroud the screeches and subtle but unknown sounds that flourish in these depths. The walls grow slicker, the smell of fresh earth and algae growing stronger. Ignoring the side passages, cracks and crevasses even when a faint noise can be heard you plod on.
The growing strength of the trickle, slow and barely noticeable at first has developed to a small stream, the rocks wet and slick underfoot. The passage twists sharply around a large and prominent boulder then opens...majestically into a vastness unseen, only felt. Darkness stretches out before you, the extent only revealed by the faint glow of a portal, hanging in the air hundreds of feet before you. Between it and you, only impenetrable ink.
The ledge you stand upon drops sharply to the floor many feet down. Below, you can see the ruins of an Elven temple, from this height the people scurrying about look small within the glow of scattered torches. A line of light leads down a makeshift hill until it blossoms into a bonfire surrounded by tents and workstations. A camp has been set up here, dozens of workers go about clearing the muck, mire and stone from the site.
Smaller ruins, still buried in the remains of an underground lake are being worked on elsewhere in the cavern, revealed by the clusters of light that surround them.
Dav'eed make a Perception check DC 14
Taking the lead as you have through out the exploration of this river cave you catch the scent of fresh water. The passage ahead has a slight breeze blowing towards you. Feeling the void of the cavern ahead before you can see it, you realize the glow of the lantern precedes your companions by many more feet than it helps them see.
In the center of the Elven ruin, a man stands, even from this distance a sense of authority radiates from his posture. His companion you recognize. Ferdy stands speaking with him for several seconds, gestures to something unseen then descends a staircase into the ruins and out of sight. The man barks orders to his workers, wandering to oversee the work.
Hilke took both the bracelet and the wand, placing them into her pack to focus more attention on them later. Then she followed warily along with the others. As the stream seems to grow, it feels like they must be making progress in at least getting to the source of the water, if not the reason for the lack of it. As they twist around the boulder and into a much larger chamber, she still isn't sure what they've found. "Is that another portal?" she asks softly. "And elven ruins? Who do you suppose that is down there working? Are the from Neverwinter?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Perception: 10
Dav'eed stares into the cavern, trying to discern details or understand what's happening. But he also wants to get back to the party and tell them what's going on, so he quickly returns.
Back with the group, he tells them what he saw. "I think they diverted the water through a portal so that they can excavate the underground city! I also saw Ferdy down there talking to someone else in charge...so how do we want to handle this? Innocent approach, since we've already met Ferdy and told here we were searching for the water? Or stealthy approach to infiltrate the work camp?"
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Zelaerys listens intently to Dav'eed's report, the gears in his mind turning rapidly as he processes the new information. "Interesting," he muses, glancing towards the distant portal and the bustling camp below. "It certainly explains the water diversion. If Ferdy is involved, this might not be entirely hostile territory. Though, may I remind that Ferdy singlehandedly dispatched a group of people. Who knows what the superior is capable of. Perhaps portal magic is not even their forte."
He turns to the group, his expression thoughtful but resolute. "Given that Ferdy already knows us and we've been upfront about our mission, I think an innocent approach is our best bet. We should descend carefully and approach openly, I think. If we leverage our previous encounter with Ferdy, perhaps we can gather more information without causing unnecessary conflict, especially if we make clear that we won't cause trouble if they do not relent. If things go south, we can always revert to a stealthier strategy, that is if they let us go alive."
Zelaerys continues to ponder some more time their options and says, "As an alternative, and given that we don't know if this group is hostile or not but certainly powerful, we could simply return to the guard and report our observation. After all they tasked us to find out what happened with the water and this is what we found out. We could wait their instructions, and return with reinforcements, because alone we are quite powerless against an entire camp of that scale. Ferdy implied that they are known by the guard and the guard might know about their organisation. Any information would help us to better assess the situation before risking a confrontation with uncertain outcome."
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Huttmoff crouches down to his knees, looking thoughtful, a strange sight on his tattooed and hulking frame, but not uncommon for the group that has come to know him. "How much fight do you each have left? I think I can cast a few more spells today, and I can provide us with the holy protection I provided earlier once again, but I agree with Zelaerys that Ferdy may be a handful for us by herself, and if she has a superior, we may be walking in too difficult a fight. I think our only options are try and talk to them, or go get reinforcements. The problem with talking, is that they can decide whether that goes well or poorly. I am open to both options, but I might suggest we report back. Although we should consider, how long will it take us to return back to Neverwinter, we have been traveling a long time. It is feasible to go back and return somewhat promptly?"