Crossing the bridge results in… no attacks from anywhere. Though you need to walk in single file due to the narrow bridge, you cross with little issue. It feels just a bit ricketier than you would expect, given the quality of the construction. The chamber at the end of the bridge contains just the one bucket lift. It is large enough for one person to stand in, and looks like it requires one person to work a winch to lower the bucket down.
Casting a light down with the torch, it appears the lift descends about 50 feet before stopping on a similar platform in a deeper cavern.
Morkeleb hops into the basket while the others work the ropes. With a small amount of effort, you're able to lower him down to the next floor. The mechanism cracks as the bucket descends tot he floor of a small cave where two dusty tunnels lead in opposite directions. The mechanism at the bottom would easily allow whoever is at the bottom to work the lift as well as those at the top.
Once at the bottom, Morkeleb is able to hear the rushing sound of the waterfall coming from the northern path, and footsteps from the western path.
Tempted to follow the footsteps at first, Morkeleb snaps out of it and instead operates the mechanism to help get his friends down to join him, all the while looking over his shoulder to see if he’s about to be ambushed by something.
“I heard footsteps over there,” Morkeleb says, pointing West. He will lead with in that direction cautiously his light-glowing shield. remembering the snare he saw earlier, he will scan for more of the same.
Nox descends alongside you all, and the group is complete at the bottom of the lift.
Moving forward through the tunnel, you hear the footsteps pause as your light passes around a corner. Stepping out, you see a pair of kobolds, white scales covered in filth, staring at you,. A moment passes before one of them says, "You not Kern," and draws a broken dagger from its belt. The other one also reaches for a weapon, but pauses, eyes on Morkeleb up front.
"Trex no say big cousin coming. Why here? Who others?"
They both stand ready for an attack, but neither makes an immediate move.
Also I will need a Perception Check from everyone as you do what you will.
Morkeleb confidenty steps forward and lowers his sword to be less threatening. "Yes, little cousins, it is I, Morkeleb of the Vexashene dragons. I have come for... a visit, to see how things are coming along. Here is my friend, Nox, another cousin of ours. These other two are simply admirers of dragonfolk of all kinds, and wanted a chance to meet and behold you. So, uh, how are things going down here?"
The two kobolds exchange glances, whispering loudly to each other.
"What you think Smol? Trex say cousin coming?"
"He say town make trade for shinys. They send cousin to trade?"
"Kern supposed to capture trader though?"
"He cousin. Kern probably let him through Grek."
They nod at each other then turn back to the party. They still look a little jumpy, eyes darting about, but they're not reaching for their weapons. The one called Grek speaks for them, "Go bad. Something in here. One go missing since we get here, but better than the yetis on mountain. They eat us all if we stay. Trex led us in here to get away. Say we can force town give food with shinys. Town let us stay Cousin? Friends of Cousin?"
Grek comes closer to look at the shards in Barnabus's hands. "This? You want this and not shinys? This across bucket near wall skull. Town give food for this? I show you-"
He stops mid sentence, eyes locked onto something behind the party. He takes one slow step back, and Smol is doing the same. "It back," he whispers.
Turning to see what the kobolds are staring at, you see Nox, conscious but unmoving, being dragged backwards in the tunnel by a bizarre set of barbed tentacles attached to a floating brain with a beak.
Grell Stealth Check: 17
(there's no good art of things things attacking a dragonborn so go with it)
Initiative:
Party Average: 14
Grell: 12
Kobolds: 10
The party may act first, as they see this creature dragging their companion into the darkness.
Morkeleb is thinking up how to interpret the kobolds' information and how to reply when the sudden turn of events takes him by surprise. With a roar he brandishes his sword and yells out, "Grek, other guy, stick close to me, I shall protect you!"
Then he lunges at the grek with his sword, and it flares with holy white light as it cuts into the monster. Morkeleb hopes to wound the thing enough that it will release his "cousin".
The creature reels back as the four blows connect, dropping its immobilized victim in the process. It lunges towards Jar, first attacking with its tentacles, then attempting to plunge its beak into his chest.
Tentacles: 9 for 9 Piercing Damage.
Beak: 20 for 8 Piercing Damage.
If the tentacles hit, you are Grappled and need to make a DC 11 CON Save vs Paralysis.
The kobolds lose their nerve and back away to the edge of their chamber, still close enough to watch but far enough that they can eun if something goes wrong.
Crossing the bridge results in… no attacks from anywhere. Though you need to walk in single file due to the narrow bridge, you cross with little issue. It feels just a bit ricketier than you would expect, given the quality of the construction. The chamber at the end of the bridge contains just the one bucket lift. It is large enough for one person to stand in, and looks like it requires one person to work a winch to lower the bucket down.
Casting a light down with the torch, it appears the lift descends about 50 feet before stopping on a similar platform in a deeper cavern.
Morkeleb volunteers to be the first to be lowered down.
"Seems like the right way to go, seeing as we caught a glimpse of something going this way."
Barnabus will run the bucket.
(Athletics: 12)
**This Space for Rent**
Jar will help Barnabus with the basket
D&D since 1984
Morkeleb hops into the basket while the others work the ropes. With a small amount of effort, you're able to lower him down to the next floor. The mechanism cracks as the bucket descends tot he floor of a small cave where two dusty tunnels lead in opposite directions. The mechanism at the bottom would easily allow whoever is at the bottom to work the lift as well as those at the top.
Once at the bottom, Morkeleb is able to hear the rushing sound of the waterfall coming from the northern path, and footsteps from the western path.
Tempted to follow the footsteps at first, Morkeleb snaps out of it and instead operates the mechanism to help get his friends down to join him, all the while looking over his shoulder to see if he’s about to be ambushed by something.
Barnabus takes his turn for the ride down.
**This Space for Rent**
And then Jar will take his turn.
D&D since 1984
“I heard footsteps over there,” Morkeleb says, pointing West. He will lead with in that direction cautiously his light-glowing shield. remembering the snare he saw earlier, he will scan for more of the same.
Investigate 10
Nox descends alongside you all, and the group is complete at the bottom of the lift.
Moving forward through the tunnel, you hear the footsteps pause as your light passes around a corner. Stepping out, you see a pair of kobolds, white scales covered in filth, staring at you,. A moment passes before one of them says, "You not Kern," and draws a broken dagger from its belt. The other one also reaches for a weapon, but pauses, eyes on Morkeleb up front.
"Trex no say big cousin coming. Why here? Who others?"
They both stand ready for an attack, but neither makes an immediate move.
Also I will need a Perception Check from everyone as you do what you will.
Perception nat 1 for a 2
Morkeleb confidenty steps forward and lowers his sword to be less threatening. "Yes, little cousins, it is I, Morkeleb of the Vexashene dragons. I have come for... a visit, to see how things are coming along. Here is my friend, Nox, another cousin of ours. These other two are simply admirers of dragonfolk of all kinds, and wanted a chance to meet and behold you. So, uh, how are things going down here?"
The two kobolds exchange glances, whispering loudly to each other.
"What you think Smol? Trex say cousin coming?"
"He say town make trade for shinys. They send cousin to trade?"
"Kern supposed to capture trader though?"
"He cousin. Kern probably let him through Grek."
They nod at each other then turn back to the party. They still look a little jumpy, eyes darting about, but they're not reaching for their weapons. The one called Grek speaks for them, "Go bad. Something in here. One go missing since we get here, but better than the yetis on mountain. They eat us all if we stay. Trex led us in here to get away. Say we can force town give food with shinys. Town let us stay Cousin? Friends of Cousin?"
(Perception:7)
Barnabus bumps Morkeleb gently, urging him to continue the conversation.
He looks about the cavern examining frame work and construction. Then an idea strikes him.
"Ayyyyyeeee...good work down here."
He pulls out the wrapped up Chardlyn and gently exposes the stones for them to see.
"Yes we were sent to see how production is coming. When can we expect more of these?"
He shows them the shards Then quickly wraps them back up.
**This Space for Rent**
Jar lowers his aggressive stance and waits to see what happens.
D&D since 1984
Grek comes closer to look at the shards in Barnabus's hands. "This? You want this and not shinys? This across bucket near wall skull. Town give food for this? I show you-"
He stops mid sentence, eyes locked onto something behind the party. He takes one slow step back, and Smol is doing the same. "It back," he whispers.
Turning to see what the kobolds are staring at, you see Nox, conscious but unmoving, being dragged backwards in the tunnel by a bizarre set of barbed tentacles attached to a floating brain with a beak.
Grell Stealth Check: 17
(there's no good art of things things attacking a dragonborn so go with it)
Initiative:
Party Average: 14
Grell: 12
Kobolds: 10
The party may act first, as they see this creature dragging their companion into the darkness.
Jar will close in and attack with his staff
Staff 20 to hit with 5 damage
BA Flurry of blows
20 to hit for 7 damage
14 to hit for 6 damage
D&D since 1984
Morkeleb is thinking up how to interpret the kobolds' information and how to reply when the sudden turn of events takes him by surprise. With a roar he brandishes his sword and yells out, "Grek, other guy, stick close to me, I shall protect you!"
Then he lunges at the grek with his sword, and it flares with holy white light as it cuts into the monster. Morkeleb hopes to wound the thing enough that it will release his "cousin".
21 to hit
19 damage (9 slashing, 10 radiant)
Barnabus will have to spend his turn putting away the shards then drawing his warpick.
**This Space for Rent**
The creature reels back as the four blows connect, dropping its immobilized victim in the process. It lunges towards Jar, first attacking with its tentacles, then attempting to plunge its beak into his chest.
Tentacles: 9 for 9 Piercing Damage.
Beak: 20 for 8 Piercing Damage.
If the tentacles hit, you are Grappled and need to make a DC 11 CON Save vs Paralysis.
The kobolds lose their nerve and back away to the edge of their chamber, still close enough to watch but far enough that they can eun if something goes wrong.
The party may go again.
Jar evades the tentacles but the beak strikes true. Jar reacts with his clans endurance and shrugs off the damage.
He continues his attacks.
19 to hit with 10 damage
He leans back and kicks the creature 14 to hit with 4 damage
D&D since 1984