Doozey let out a breath he hadn't quite realized he'd been holding while waiting for Raist response. For unlike Cassyt, the wizard had already proven himself fairly formidable in his own way.
Not so much that Doozey couldn't yet defeat him if things got hostile, but the group could hardly afford such shenanigans! "Wouldn't count on it if they've been roughed up enough, but s'pose we'll see once we get down there." The halfling said as much before beginning the process of climbing down to the first ledge. Unfortunately, the best he could offer in terms of aid for Utar and Riast was to taking his time climbing down and point out a few tricky spots along the way. As any semblance of athleticism was more the blessing of raw skill and enchantments rather than anything truly honed to the bone. Biscuit, meanwhile, decided to wait at the bottom, so wasted little time in making his way down.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Doozey considers what a fight with Raist would be like before putting some doubt on the recruiting plan Neya had put forth. Then, taking a moment to analyze the fog in the area before his descent, the hunter realizes that the visual impairment the fog causes is likely here to stay for the time-being. He surmises that the cliff's natural slope and jags serve to trap the morning mist and partially shield it from the sun's warmth, effectively extending the fog's shelf life far into each day.
Doozey's, Biscuit's, and Neya's descents are fairly straight forward. The latter of the three keeps an eye out but finds her efforts mostly thwarted by the fog. As best as she can tell, no one else is nearby.
Meanwhile, Utar had been securing his rope to a nearby robust tree. Raist is given the opportunity to descend first and does not hesitate. The elf's trust on Utar would be well placed any other time but, today, it looks like the Tormite absentmindedly employed an improper type of knot for rappelling. The knot is undone soon after Raist puts his weight entirely on the rope, resulting in the wizard facing a 20-foot fall.
-> Insert @Red's reaction here. If fall damage comes into play, here is a roll: 6. Should Raist take any damage from this fall, as per the 2024 falling rules, he is automatically prone, no save required.
After given an appropriate amount of time to be apologetic, and seeing his rope now down on the ledge with Raist, Utar then decides to rely on his strength alone for the climb ahead of him. His orcish muscles bulge with the effort, but the climb proves to be quite a straightforward one for the CRAP's cleric. He lands safely and joins the rest of the party.
Ahead of you is a small cave entrance. There is no light source coming from within. The loud noise of crashing water from the nearby waterfall makes it practically impossible to hear anything else, even your companions' words. The fog also makes it hard to see anything outside, although it looks like it dissipates quickly once faced with the relative warmth of the cave (i.e., no fog inside the cave, but no light source either.) The cave ceiling ahead is quite low, no more than 5ft, but it looks like it may rise farther in. If you look down the edge of this ledge, you would not be able to directly see the ground level as the fog makes it hard to estimate this distance with any reliable accuracy.
Raist starts descending cautiously then suddenly gravity takes hold. "Shit.......arrestor decdium." Pulling out a raven feather he casts [feather fall] catching Utar in the area of effect of the spell
(OK I obviously coded wrong. But that's me)
Feather fall
Choose up to five falling creatures within range. A falling creature’s rate of descent slows to 60 feet per round until the spell ends. If a creature lands before the spell ends, the creature takes no damage from the fall, and the spell ends for that creature
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Doozey winced at first, then let out a sigh of relief seeing Raist's magic spare the elf a sore bum and then some. Under other circumstances, the halfling might've lingered about on the ledge and made certain all was well. But once he saw that Utar seemed to be managing well enough in descending after Raist, the stoutling's focus shifted back towards the cave. At a soft word spoken in Sylvan, Biscuit trundled over to Doozey's side, and together the duo would then quietly proceed into the cave with Doozey his companion's tail. Once they were far enough for Biscuit to see the cave ceiling had indeed risen, only then would he pause and lower himself, signaling in the motion for the halfling to mount up onto his back for a less awkward procession going forward.
(The above +10 presumes pass without trace is up and party as a whole doesn't linger on the cliffside. Otherwise reliant on passive perception/investigation for any traps/surprises for now)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Raist is quick to course-correct after the potentially embarrassing start to the infiltration mission. Despite the rope accident, the elf spellslinger lands safely next to Biscuit and Neya.
Utar catches a bit of the spell effect as well. Feeling magically lighter than he had expected, the orc adventurer shifts his weight appropriately and soon lands on the lower ledge as well.
Doozey has no intention of lingering on the ledge, though. Even before Utar's arrival, he instructs Biscuit to act as his eyes and then also as his mount once the pair has moved far enough into the cave. Still benefiting from Neya's shadow magic, the duo moves as silently and covertly as can be expected.
Should the others follow Doozey soon after, an all putting their own darkvision to good use, Utar, Neya, and Raist would see that the cave splits into three paths. Biscuit also gives some indication of this to his brother. One passage curves to the west, and another to the east. The third is a side passage that seems to descend further down the cave system. More generally, the cave walls are all quite wet with the nearby waterfall's spray, and the loud sound of crashing water still crowds out any other would-be audible noises or communication. Apart from this, the cave walls in this entry area are all clearly natural but otherwise unremarkable. The one environmental feature that catches CRAP's attention is a patch of striped toadstools that grow near the back of this entry area of the cave, just to the side of where the way splits into the three passages. It is hard to tell what color the mushrooms are supposed to be as they appear in a shade of gray in the CRAPers' eyes
(OOC: Utar, Neya, and Raist would notice the mushrooms upon entering the cave and looking around, but I'll leave it up to @Ori to decide (1) if Biscuit would be interested in such a thing, and (2) whether he would judge it important enough to somehow communicate their existence to Doozey.)
Upon landing. "Well that didn't go as planned haha. Always good to have a failsafe." Following into the cave he passes a glance at the mushrooms but without proper light forgoes any further investigations
Utar looks at Raist and then points to his ears and shrugs. He gives the elf a little thank you back pat before flicking on his mental radar tuned for Villanoah Leadstopper. He paused at the split in the cave and tries to point out the best direction to the others.
Having had a bad experience in the past with shrooms, even the somewhat rambunctious canine bowed his head and let out low whine at the mere thought of approaching them. Yet in sensing few options the fey-touched mastiff eventually looked towards the others as best as he could in hope of discovering some... alternative in their visage and words.
Though the pausing and whining left Boozey all the more anxious, having grown too accustom in the use of a certain artifact to further heighten his senses, the werebadger could but only trust in his brother and wait without any other means of recourse for the lighting situation... For now. In the meantime he'd idly pet Biscuit's head and softly uttered a few words in sylvan, calming his own nerves a little, if nothing else. But as there was little hope in any of it reaching his brother's ears they yet served a secondary purpose in the weaving of a spell.
Raist tries to add some levity to his little accident but is visually reminded by Utar that they can't really hear each other.
Despite Biscuit showing some concern about the nearby patch of mushrooms, Raist seems little intrigued by them. Only having partial information on the matter, Doozey tries to calm his mastiff brother a bit and simultaneously enhance their communication.Biscuit explains to Doozey that he sees a mushroom patch and reminds the transformed halfling that he does not have pleasant memories of such things. Biscuit also describes the mushrooms as striped, making the assumption that Doozey might have use for such information.
In the meantime, Utar has been casting a person-finding spell. He almost immediately gets a mental ping indicating that his quarry is directly ahead and below the party.
Despite meaning to only gently dismiss Biscuit's concerns with a smirk, a few assuring words, and adjusting the head scritching to better cover the mastiff's favorite spot, the mastiff's worry yet proved to be infectious. At least enough for the oft paranoid stoutling to ponder and beseech Big Mama Yondalla.
Not having direct visual information on the mushrooms makes this a bit harder of a study for Doozey. Based on the secondhand information he receives and, perhaps a brief sniff, the hunter can make the educated guess that these mushrooms are unlikely to be beneficial.
Boozey wrinkles his nose and shook his head. "Ya'll might wanna mind the shrooms. Without a light I can't be too sure, but I... they don't have holes in'em, so they ain't liable to be shriekers. But could be any spores they release when disturbed is gonna be rough to deal with. If any of ya'll got some spare cloth to cover your faces, I'd suggest ya do so now for we go any further." The halfling suggested, and after giving the party plenty of time to make adjustments or for Utar to spill the beans he'd nudge and direct Biscuit to start moving towards whichever tunnel the orc pointed out.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"I seem to be prepared for that happenstance," Neya says as she taps her necklace of adaptation. "Nevertheless, we will need to find a route avoid two obstacles. The fungus and the kobolds."
Although the exact effect this type of fungus might cause is still a bit of a mystery, Boozey recognizes enough signs to warn the rest of the party against breathing normally in their vicinity. Neya seems well prepared for this type of hazard.
While the group waits for Utar to reveal any preferred direction based on his mental map, Biscuit then shares a few words with Boozey, seemingly unaware that the others cannot understand him. The mastiff picks up on the stench of ill-cared-for beasts coming from the path leading west. Boozey picks up on it as well after Biscuit verbally mentions it. (As some flavor around Doozey's passive perception, I am crediting Biscuit for this one.)
Utar and Raist also prepare for respiratory hazards and, on the orc's word, CRAP moves down the side path leading farther down the cave. The path soon changes into a descending natural staircase of sorts, landing onto an area generally below where the group entered the cave system. The group has to walk farther down this path as signaled by Utar's mental map.
The cave ceiling gradually lowers to make the walk in the dark even more uncomfortable, but for now, there is only one way to go. Soon, wood smoke drifts from farther within, and firelight flickers against the cave walls ahead. Looking closer, you see the shape of a clawed hand acting out a shadow play against one of the cave walls. For those who understand the Draconic language, you pick up a few words recounting a tale, perhaps cautionary or scary in nature, involving a figure called Kurtulmak.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Both Biscuit and Boozey needed to fight down the urge to growl upon hearing the voices. As eager as both were to rush in and engage the speaker -- who was clearly not alone judging by yarn being spun -- the name "Kurtulmak" rung a bell with the badgerling. But where had he heard the name? Had Sagin spoken it? A part of him felt foolish for letting curiosity distract him so, and yet he pet the side of Biscuit's neck in such a way as to signal for patience while he took a moment to ponder the name and its significance.
-Knowledge Check: 20. (With the exception of Nature and Arcane, Boozey is only rocking a +4. So at DM's discretion, whether or not his proficiency bonus can be added or hunter's bane would apply.)
Once satisfied (or left dissatisfied) in the recall, Boozey spared at most a moment or two trying to puzzle out how they might use such a name to their advantage before motioning for the group to proceed further down the tunnel to get more a visual on the speakers.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
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Doozey let out a breath he hadn't quite realized he'd been holding while waiting for Raist response. For unlike Cassyt, the wizard had already proven himself fairly formidable in his own way.
Not so much that Doozey couldn't yet defeat him if things got hostile, but the group could hardly afford such shenanigans! "Wouldn't count on it if they've been roughed up enough, but s'pose we'll see once we get down there." The halfling said as much before beginning the process of climbing down to the first ledge. Unfortunately, the best he could offer in terms of aid for Utar and Riast was to taking his time climbing down and point out a few tricky spots along the way. As any semblance of athleticism was more the blessing of raw skill and enchantments rather than anything truly honed to the bone. Biscuit, meanwhile, decided to wait at the bottom, so wasted little time in making his way down.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Raist climbs down*
Athletics: 8
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Neya walks down the cliffside, while making sure that there aren't any eyes on the the new trespassers.
Perception: 8
Extended Signature
Doozey considers what a fight with Raist would be like before putting some doubt on the recruiting plan Neya had put forth. Then, taking a moment to analyze the fog in the area before his descent, the hunter realizes that the visual impairment the fog causes is likely here to stay for the time-being. He surmises that the cliff's natural slope and jags serve to trap the morning mist and partially shield it from the sun's warmth, effectively extending the fog's shelf life far into each day.
Doozey's, Biscuit's, and Neya's descents are fairly straight forward. The latter of the three keeps an eye out but finds her efforts mostly thwarted by the fog. As best as she can tell, no one else is nearby.
Meanwhile, Utar had been securing his rope to a nearby robust tree. Raist is given the opportunity to descend first and does not hesitate. The elf's trust on Utar would be well placed any other time but, today, it looks like the Tormite absentmindedly employed an improper type of knot for rappelling. The knot is undone soon after Raist puts his weight entirely on the rope, resulting in the wizard facing a 20-foot fall.
-> Insert @Red's reaction here. If fall damage comes into play, here is a roll: 6. Should Raist take any damage from this fall, as per the 2024 falling rules, he is automatically prone, no save required.
After given an appropriate amount of time to be apologetic, and seeing his rope now down on the ledge with Raist, Utar then decides to rely on his strength alone for the climb ahead of him. His orcish muscles bulge with the effort, but the climb proves to be quite a straightforward one for the CRAP's cleric. He lands safely and joins the rest of the party.
Ahead of you is a small cave entrance. There is no light source coming from within. The loud noise of crashing water from the nearby waterfall makes it practically impossible to hear anything else, even your companions' words. The fog also makes it hard to see anything outside, although it looks like it dissipates quickly once faced with the relative warmth of the cave (i.e., no fog inside the cave, but no light source either.) The cave ceiling ahead is quite low, no more than 5ft, but it looks like it may rise farther in. If you look down the edge of this ledge, you would not be able to directly see the ground level as the fog makes it hard to estimate this distance with any reliable accuracy.
REACTION
Raist starts descending cautiously then suddenly gravity takes hold. "Shit.......arrestor decdium." Pulling out a raven feather he casts [feather fall] catching Utar in the area of effect of the spell
(OK I obviously coded wrong. But that's me)
Feather fall
Choose up to five falling creatures within range. A falling creature’s rate of descent slows to 60 feet per round until the spell ends. If a creature lands before the spell ends, the creature takes no damage from the fall, and the spell ends for that creature
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Doozey winced at first, then let out a sigh of relief seeing Raist's magic spare the elf a sore bum and then some. Under other circumstances, the halfling might've lingered about on the ledge and made certain all was well. But once he saw that Utar seemed to be managing well enough in descending after Raist, the stoutling's focus shifted back towards the cave. At a soft word spoken in Sylvan, Biscuit trundled over to Doozey's side, and together the duo would then quietly proceed into the cave with Doozey his companion's tail. Once they were far enough for Biscuit to see the cave ceiling had indeed risen, only then would he pause and lower himself, signaling in the motion for the halfling to mount up onto his back for a less awkward procession going forward.
-Doozey Stealth: 37.
-Biscuit's Stealth: 22.
(The above +10 presumes pass without trace is up and party as a whole doesn't linger on the cliffside. Otherwise reliant on passive perception/investigation for any traps/surprises for now)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(OOC: Yes, Pass Without Trace is still active.)
Raist is quick to course-correct after the potentially embarrassing start to the infiltration mission. Despite the rope accident, the elf spellslinger lands safely next to Biscuit and Neya.
Utar catches a bit of the spell effect as well. Feeling magically lighter than he had expected, the orc adventurer shifts his weight appropriately and soon lands on the lower ledge as well.
Doozey has no intention of lingering on the ledge, though. Even before Utar's arrival, he instructs Biscuit to act as his eyes and then also as his mount once the pair has moved far enough into the cave. Still benefiting from Neya's shadow magic, the duo moves as silently and covertly as can be expected.
Should the others follow Doozey soon after, an all putting their own darkvision to good use, Utar, Neya, and Raist would see that the cave splits into three paths. Biscuit also gives some indication of this to his brother. One passage curves to the west, and another to the east. The third is a side passage that seems to descend further down the cave system. More generally, the cave walls are all quite wet with the nearby waterfall's spray, and the loud sound of crashing water still crowds out any other would-be audible noises or communication. Apart from this, the cave walls in this entry area are all clearly natural but otherwise unremarkable. The one environmental feature that catches CRAP's attention is a patch of striped toadstools that grow near the back of this entry area of the cave, just to the side of where the way splits into the three passages. It is hard to tell what color the mushrooms are supposed to be as they appear in a shade of gray in the CRAPers' eyes
(OOC: Utar, Neya, and Raist would notice the mushrooms upon entering the cave and looking around, but I'll leave it up to @Ori to decide (1) if Biscuit would be interested in such a thing, and (2) whether he would judge it important enough to somehow communicate their existence to Doozey.)
Upon landing. "Well that didn't go as planned haha. Always good to have a failsafe." Following into the cave he passes a glance at the mushrooms but without proper light forgoes any further investigations
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Utar looks at Raist and then points to his ears and shrugs. He gives the elf a little thank you back pat before flicking on his mental radar tuned for Villanoah Leadstopper. He paused at the split in the cave and tries to point out the best direction to the others.
Having had a bad experience in the past with shrooms, even the somewhat rambunctious canine bowed his head and let out low whine at the mere thought of approaching them. Yet in sensing few options the fey-touched mastiff eventually looked towards the others as best as he could in hope of discovering some... alternative in their visage and words.
Though the pausing and whining left Boozey all the more anxious, having grown too accustom in the use of a certain artifact to further heighten his senses, the werebadger could but only trust in his brother and wait without any other means of recourse for the lighting situation... For now. In the meantime he'd idly pet Biscuit's head and softly uttered a few words in sylvan, calming his own nerves a little, if nothing else. But as there was little hope in any of it reaching his brother's ears they yet served a secondary purpose in the weaving of a spell.
-Cast (1st level)Speak with Animals.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Raist tries to add some levity to his little accident but is visually reminded by Utar that they can't really hear each other.
Despite Biscuit showing some concern about the nearby patch of mushrooms, Raist seems little intrigued by them. Only having partial information on the matter, Doozey tries to calm his mastiff brother a bit and simultaneously enhance their communication. Biscuit explains to Doozey that he sees a mushroom patch and reminds the transformed halfling that he does not have pleasant memories of such things. Biscuit also describes the mushrooms as striped, making the assumption that Doozey might have use for such information.
In the meantime, Utar has been casting a person-finding spell. He almost immediately gets a mental ping indicating that his quarry is directly ahead and below the party.
Despite meaning to only gently dismiss Biscuit's concerns with a smirk, a few assuring words, and adjusting the head scritching to better cover the mastiff's favorite spot, the mastiff's worry yet proved to be infectious. At least enough for the oft paranoid stoutling to ponder and beseech Big Mama Yondalla.
-Nature: 16.
Plus Guidance: 3.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Not having direct visual information on the mushrooms makes this a bit harder of a study for Doozey. Based on the secondhand information he receives and, perhaps a brief sniff, the hunter can make the educated guess that these mushrooms are unlikely to be beneficial.
Boozey wrinkles his nose and shook his head. "Ya'll might wanna mind the shrooms. Without a light I can't be too sure, but I... they don't have holes in'em, so they ain't liable to be shriekers. But could be any spores they release when disturbed is gonna be rough to deal with. If any of ya'll got some spare cloth to cover your faces, I'd suggest ya do so now for we go any further." The halfling suggested, and after giving the party plenty of time to make adjustments or for Utar to spill the beans he'd nudge and direct Biscuit to start moving towards whichever tunnel the orc pointed out.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"I seem to be prepared for that happenstance," Neya says as she taps her necklace of adaptation. "Nevertheless, we will need to find a route avoid two obstacles. The fungus and the kobolds."
Extended Signature
Although the exact effect this type of fungus might cause is still a bit of a mystery, Boozey recognizes enough signs to warn the rest of the party against breathing normally in their vicinity. Neya seems well prepared for this type of hazard.
While the group waits for Utar to reveal any preferred direction based on his mental map, Biscuit then shares a few words with Boozey, seemingly unaware that the others cannot understand him. The mastiff picks up on the stench of ill-cared-for beasts coming from the path leading west. Boozey picks up on it as well after Biscuit verbally mentions it. (As some flavor around Doozey's passive perception, I am crediting Biscuit for this one.)
Raist pulls out a scarf and wraps is around his lower face
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Utar follows Raist's lead. Pulling some cold weather gear from his pack, a scarf is wrapped around his face.
Catching Boozey's attention, he flicks him the Vs to indicate Villanoah, then points ahead and down to her rough location.
Utar and Raist also prepare for respiratory hazards and, on the orc's word, CRAP moves down the side path leading farther down the cave. The path soon changes into a descending natural staircase of sorts, landing onto an area generally below where the group entered the cave system. The group has to walk farther down this path as signaled by Utar's mental map.
The cave ceiling gradually lowers to make the walk in the dark even more uncomfortable, but for now, there is only one way to go. Soon, wood smoke drifts from farther within, and firelight flickers against the cave walls ahead. Looking closer, you see the shape of a clawed hand acting out a shadow play against one of the cave walls. For those who understand the Draconic language, you pick up a few words recounting a tale, perhaps cautionary or scary in nature, involving a figure called Kurtulmak.
Both Biscuit and Boozey needed to fight down the urge to growl upon hearing the voices. As eager as both were to rush in and engage the speaker -- who was clearly not alone judging by yarn being spun -- the name "Kurtulmak" rung a bell with the badgerling. But where had he heard the name? Had Sagin spoken it? A part of him felt foolish for letting curiosity distract him so, and yet he pet the side of Biscuit's neck in such a way as to signal for patience while he took a moment to ponder the name and its significance.
-Knowledge Check: 20.
(With the exception of Nature and Arcane, Boozey is only rocking a +4. So at DM's discretion, whether or not his proficiency bonus can be added or hunter's bane would apply.)
Once satisfied (or left dissatisfied) in the recall, Boozey spared at most a moment or two trying to puzzle out how they might use such a name to their advantage before motioning for the group to proceed further down the tunnel to get more a visual on the speakers.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.