This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Koran waits, and watches, as Elias attempts to manipulate the manipulator. Considering whether he would be better served purchasing a potion or waiting. Though he's not sure what he would be waiting for, honestly.
After Elias' deal is complete, the young elf will ask "Still 40 for a potion, or would my ability to help keep Elias engaged on your behalf be worth something?" He has just over 40 in his pouch, so it will be faster to count what he keeps than what he gives.
Fonkin recaps: "So... The mighty scroll for the pugnacious customer here... a potion of healing and a potion of climbing to boot... Plus a potion - of healing I guess? - for the helpful engager too..."
He ponders a bit, then offers: "Just 90 gp for the pugnacious and 30 gp for the helpful! How do you like that? You won't find better deals around here easily..." he jokes, looking theatrically left and right "So... deal?"
Elias smiled warmly as he reached into his coin pouch, counting out the 90 gold pieces with practiced ease. “Now that,” he said, placing the coins in Fonkin’s waiting hand, “is a deal I can feel good about.”
He carefully tucked the scroll and potions into his pack, his mind already considering the potential usefulness of each. “And, Fonkin,” he added, “I meant what I said—I do hope we find something that proves your portrait’s worth. If we do, I expect to hear of you selling it for a fine sum.”
He gave the gnome a knowing wink before turning to rejoin his companions. A good purchase, a fair deal, and perhaps even the beginnings of a new historical discovery—what more could an old bard ask for?
"But of course, oh my pugnacious customer!" Fonkin smiles brightly "No one will be more happy than me to oblige, if things go as you say!"
If Koran also accepts the deal, Good Dealer also delivers the goods to him, after which he sits back down, whistling contentedly, apparently ready to await the passage of any other adventurers...
Koran exchanges 30 gold for the unidentified (hopefully) healing potion. "I truly hope that none of us need this, but it should increase the chances we return." He bows to the merchant before turning towards the ruins with everyone else.
"Start over there?" He points towards the left edge of the visible ruin.
Tarysaa looks over the ruins before her. {game log} Investigation: 21Perception: 11
"The books I examined before coming here had some basic drawings of the structure before it was torn down for 'other uses'. It appears, the locals deconstructed it down to the ground."
She slowly walks the perimeter noting the condition of the remaining stones.
Tarysaa slowly walks the perimeter noting the condition of the remaining stones; the other party members follow the enterprising Harpell-educated wizard and soon a large area of the ruins can be seen.
In particular, once you've gotten a little past the halfway point of the southern side, at least a couple of notable spots come into view.
One is towards the centre of the ruins (marked as '1' on the map), consisting of a hole where the floor or ground must have collapsed (of natural causes, Tarysaa supposes, noting nothing to suggest a deliberate destruction). A thick forest of giant spider webs emerges from a hole caused by a collapse and extends a little around it.
The other is towards the south-west corner of the ruins (marked as '2' on the map), consisting of a stub of a spiral staircase. Tarysaa thinks that, when intact, probably the spiral staircase started on an upper floor... and led to the underground levels - as it still does.
The perimeter search is still far from complete... what will our heroes do? Will they continue along the perimeter? Or will they prefer to investigate one of these two areas first?
Elias took a step back, surveying the ruins with a scholarly eye, his long fingers absently tracing the edge of his beard.
“We have two clear paths before us,” he said, gesturing first to the web-choked collapse. “A natural sinkhole, now the den of giant spiders—dangerous, certainly, but perhaps a direct path into the depths.” Then, he motioned toward the crumbling spiral staircase. “A proper entrance, once part of the Keep’s structure. If it still leads below, it may be the safer, more stable route.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping the ruins. “But we are not bound to choose between just these two.” He turned back to his companions, his storyteller’s voice carrying a note of curiosity. “There may be other ways in—hidden, buried, or forgotten. If we take the time to search, we might uncover an entrance that does not force us to walk straight into the lair of spiders or down an exposed, crumbling staircase.”
He folded his hands behind his back and looked to the others. “So, do we take what is before us, or do we search for another way?”
Elias nodded in understanding, giving Koran an approving glance. “A wise precaution,” he said. “Collapsing ruins are often just as deadly as the creatures that lurk within them.”
He turned to the rest of the group. “Let’s take a little time to search. A keep like this—especially one as old as Rassalantar’s—may have had hidden tunnels, escape routes, or even collapsed passages that are safer than what we see before us.”
With that, Elias adjusted his pack and began scanning the ruins for any signs of forgotten doorways, structural weaknesses, or subtle openings that could lead to another way in.
((Taryssa's investigation roll was top notch...I don't see it getting much better than that. I decided to roll perception as Elias is mostly standing in place and scanning for what he can see from where he is. Perception roll was 22.))
The party begins to move again, to continue the reunion and get a full idea of the range of options offered - but after not many steps, Elias spots a lurking threat [[ OOC: token 3 on map ]]: an intentionally digged hole, camouflaged by debris (although not camouflaged well enough for the bard's keen senses), hides... something. It's hard to say what, but Elias is certain he saw something, perhaps resembling the bodies of snakes or tentacles, slithering and protruding, just inside the hole. Whatever is inside, it hasn't come out yet... but... it certainly looks like it's lurking!
Elias halted mid-step, his keen eyes narrowing as he focused on the subtly unnatural placement of the debris. His breath slowed, and for a brief moment, his world shrank—the others faded into the background as his mind pieced together the clues.
Then, he saw it.
A flicker of movement. A sinuous, shifting mass, just beneath the surface. Snakes? Tentacles? It was hard to say, but one thing was certain—it was lying in wait.
With measured calm, Elias raised a hand to signal the others, his voice low but firm. “Hold.” He pointed toward the camouflaged hole, his posture careful, controlled. “Something waits beneath that debris. It knows we’re here.”
His fingers instinctively drifted toward his spell components, his mind racing through possibilities. Should they approach? Go around? Or perhaps... spring the trap on their own terms?
He looked to the others. “Whatever it is, we should decide quickly. It may not wait much longer.”
Tarysaa looks to the spot indicated by Elias. "If I can safely get within 25 to 30 feet of that spot, I can provide Mage Hand to clear out some of the material and - perhaps reveal what is laying in wait."
Tarysaa looks to the spot indicated by Elias. "If I can safely get within 25 to 30 feet of that spot, I can provide Mage Hand to clear out some of the material and - perhaps reveal what is laying in wait."
Squares in the map are 5' so a distance of 25'-30'=5-6 squares.
It should take Tarysaa just a few steps to get to that distance... but it would make our brave wizard the closest to the potential danger. Now... one thing an apprentice of the Harpells certainly has, is courage! But still... will she want to take that risk?
Elias considered Tarysaa’s plan, his brow furrowing as he weighed the risks. “That might work,” he said, his voice steady but thoughtful. “If whatever is down there remains unaware, we might get a glimpse before it reacts.”
He looked around at Wood and the rest of the group. “Let’s position ourselves carefully. If it’s hostile, I’d rather not be caught off guard.”
Stepping back, he gestured for Tarysaa to move at her discretion, keeping his own stance ready to react—whether to cast a spell, dodge, or shout a warning. His heart quickened, anticipation humming in his chest as they prepared to reveal whatever lurked beneath the ruins.
Tarysaa slips her way forward (in a chess like Knight move... two squares left and one up) which puts her to the right of Ardana. Casting her cantrip, she will slowly have the Mage Hand start removing the smaller detritus - loose brush, small limbs, etc. - and take it a good 10 feet away from the questionable spot.
She stands stock still; with intense focus as she directs the spectral form, "Hopefully, whatever is using this spot as a burrow does not immediately spring forth to attack! This cantrip does not last long - only a minute - which in battle is a lifetime but, here... now... seems incredibly too short."
She smiles as the hand does it job, "Pray I am not poking a hornet's nest..."
Elias watched intently as Tarysaa’s spectral hand delicately peeled away the debris, exposing the hidden hole bit by bit. He could feel the tension tightening in his chest, though his face remained calm—years of storytelling had taught him the art of keeping composure even when the next page held uncertainty.
“Let us hope it is nothing so vengeful as a nest of hornets,” he murmured with a wry smile, “but if it is, best we know now rather than later.”
His grip tightened slightly on his walking staff, his other hand resting lightly on his spell components, ready to react. He glanced around at the others, gauging their readiness.
The last bits of debris shifted and fell away beneath the Mage Hand’s touch. Elias narrowed his eyes, watching—waiting—for whatever was about to be revealed.
Tarysaa's telekinetic spell manages to remove some of the lighter debris - some are too heavy - but that's enough to make the lurking creature suddenly leap out, throwing the rest of the cover all around.
It's a giant worm-like creature, with a fat body that moves on many short legs. Long tentacles twitch around a mouth with sharp teeth - presumably those are the appendages that had initially caught Elias's keen eye.
The monster is about to launch itself at the party of adventurers...
[[ OOC: Everyone, please, roll for Initiative!
On the map, the squares with ruins count as Difficult Terrain (moving there costs double). The monster is obviously the red WT ( = Worm with Tentacles), of Large size. ]]
Koran waits, and watches, as Elias attempts to manipulate the manipulator. Considering whether he would be better served purchasing a potion or waiting. Though he's not sure what he would be waiting for, honestly.
After Elias' deal is complete, the young elf will ask "Still 40 for a potion, or would my ability to help keep Elias engaged on your behalf be worth something?" He has just over 40 in his pouch, so it will be faster to count what he keeps than what he gives.
Persuasion: 13
Fonkin recaps: "So... The mighty scroll for the pugnacious customer here... a potion of healing and a potion of climbing to boot... Plus a potion - of healing I guess? - for the helpful engager too..."
He ponders a bit, then offers: "Just 90 gp for the pugnacious and 30 gp for the helpful! How do you like that? You won't find better deals around here easily..." he jokes, looking theatrically left and right "So... deal?"
Elias smiled warmly as he reached into his coin pouch, counting out the 90 gold pieces with practiced ease. “Now that,” he said, placing the coins in Fonkin’s waiting hand, “is a deal I can feel good about.”
He carefully tucked the scroll and potions into his pack, his mind already considering the potential usefulness of each. “And, Fonkin,” he added, “I meant what I said—I do hope we find something that proves your portrait’s worth. If we do, I expect to hear of you selling it for a fine sum.”
He gave the gnome a knowing wink before turning to rejoin his companions. A good purchase, a fair deal, and perhaps even the beginnings of a new historical discovery—what more could an old bard ask for?
"But of course, oh my pugnacious customer!" Fonkin smiles brightly "No one will be more happy than me to oblige, if things go as you say!"
If Koran also accepts the deal, Good Dealer also delivers the goods to him, after which he sits back down, whistling contentedly, apparently ready to await the passage of any other adventurers...
Koran exchanges 30 gold for the unidentified (hopefully) healing potion. "I truly hope that none of us need this, but it should increase the chances we return." He bows to the merchant before turning towards the ruins with everyone else.
"Start over there?" He points towards the left edge of the visible ruin.
Tarysaa looks over the ruins before her. {game log} Investigation: 21 Perception: 11
"The books I examined before coming here had some basic drawings of the structure before it was torn down for 'other uses'. It appears, the locals deconstructed it down to the ground."
She slowly walks the perimeter noting the condition of the remaining stones.
Tarysaa slowly walks the perimeter noting the condition of the remaining stones; the other party members follow the enterprising Harpell-educated wizard and soon a large area of the ruins can be seen.
In particular, once you've gotten a little past the halfway point of the southern side, at least a couple of notable spots come into view.
One is towards the centre of the ruins (marked as '1' on the map), consisting of a hole where the floor or ground must have collapsed (of natural causes, Tarysaa supposes, noting nothing to suggest a deliberate destruction). A thick forest of giant spider webs emerges from a hole caused by a collapse and extends a little around it.
The other is towards the south-west corner of the ruins (marked as '2' on the map), consisting of a stub of a spiral staircase. Tarysaa thinks that, when intact, probably the spiral staircase started on an upper floor... and led to the underground levels - as it still does.
The perimeter search is still far from complete... what will our heroes do? Will they continue along the perimeter? Or will they prefer to investigate one of these two areas first?
Elias took a step back, surveying the ruins with a scholarly eye, his long fingers absently tracing the edge of his beard.
“We have two clear paths before us,” he said, gesturing first to the web-choked collapse. “A natural sinkhole, now the den of giant spiders—dangerous, certainly, but perhaps a direct path into the depths.” Then, he motioned toward the crumbling spiral staircase. “A proper entrance, once part of the Keep’s structure. If it still leads below, it may be the safer, more stable route.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping the ruins. “But we are not bound to choose between just these two.” He turned back to his companions, his storyteller’s voice carrying a note of curiosity. “There may be other ways in—hidden, buried, or forgotten. If we take the time to search, we might uncover an entrance that does not force us to walk straight into the lair of spiders or down an exposed, crumbling staircase.”
He folded his hands behind his back and looked to the others. “So, do we take what is before us, or do we search for another way?”
"I would prefer to keep looking. If we choose to take the stairway, I would recommend not trusting the stairs."
Elias nodded in understanding, giving Koran an approving glance. “A wise precaution,” he said. “Collapsing ruins are often just as deadly as the creatures that lurk within them.”
He turned to the rest of the group. “Let’s take a little time to search. A keep like this—especially one as old as Rassalantar’s—may have had hidden tunnels, escape routes, or even collapsed passages that are safer than what we see before us.”
With that, Elias adjusted his pack and began scanning the ruins for any signs of forgotten doorways, structural weaknesses, or subtle openings that could lead to another way in.
((Taryssa's investigation roll was top notch...I don't see it getting much better than that. I decided to roll perception as Elias is mostly standing in place and scanning for what he can see from where he is. Perception roll was 22.))
The party begins to move again, to continue the reunion and get a full idea of the range of options offered - but after not many steps, Elias spots a lurking threat [[ OOC: token 3 on map ]]: an intentionally digged hole, camouflaged by debris (although not camouflaged well enough for the bard's keen senses), hides... something. It's hard to say what, but Elias is certain he saw something, perhaps resembling the bodies of snakes or tentacles, slithering and protruding, just inside the hole. Whatever is inside, it hasn't come out yet... but... it certainly looks like it's lurking!
Elias halted mid-step, his keen eyes narrowing as he focused on the subtly unnatural placement of the debris. His breath slowed, and for a brief moment, his world shrank—the others faded into the background as his mind pieced together the clues.
Then, he saw it.
A flicker of movement. A sinuous, shifting mass, just beneath the surface. Snakes? Tentacles? It was hard to say, but one thing was certain—it was lying in wait.
With measured calm, Elias raised a hand to signal the others, his voice low but firm. “Hold.” He pointed toward the camouflaged hole, his posture careful, controlled. “Something waits beneath that debris. It knows we’re here.”
His fingers instinctively drifted toward his spell components, his mind racing through possibilities. Should they approach? Go around? Or perhaps... spring the trap on their own terms?
He looked to the others. “Whatever it is, we should decide quickly. It may not wait much longer.”
Wood looks toward the area Elias points to and describes, pulling his crossbow and setting a bolt. What did you see?
Tarysaa looks to the spot indicated by Elias. "If I can safely get within 25 to 30 feet of that spot, I can provide Mage Hand to clear out some of the material and - perhaps reveal what is laying in wait."
Squares in the map are 5' so a distance of 25'-30'=5-6 squares.
It should take Tarysaa just a few steps to get to that distance... but it would make our brave wizard the closest to the potential danger. Now... one thing an apprentice of the Harpells certainly has, is courage! But still... will she want to take that risk?
Elias considered Tarysaa’s plan, his brow furrowing as he weighed the risks. “That might work,” he said, his voice steady but thoughtful. “If whatever is down there remains unaware, we might get a glimpse before it reacts.”
He looked around at Wood and the rest of the group. “Let’s position ourselves carefully. If it’s hostile, I’d rather not be caught off guard.”
Stepping back, he gestured for Tarysaa to move at her discretion, keeping his own stance ready to react—whether to cast a spell, dodge, or shout a warning. His heart quickened, anticipation humming in his chest as they prepared to reveal whatever lurked beneath the ruins.
Tarysaa slips her way forward (in a chess like Knight move... two squares left and one up) which puts her to the right of Ardana. Casting her cantrip, she will slowly have the Mage Hand start removing the smaller detritus - loose brush, small limbs, etc. - and take it a good 10 feet away from the questionable spot.
She stands stock still; with intense focus as she directs the spectral form, "Hopefully, whatever is using this spot as a burrow does not immediately spring forth to attack! This cantrip does not last long - only a minute - which in battle is a lifetime but, here... now... seems incredibly too short."
She smiles as the hand does it job, "Pray I am not poking a hornet's nest..."
Wood will follow Tarysaa, providing cover with the crossbow if needed. Got you covered just in case.
Elias watched intently as Tarysaa’s spectral hand delicately peeled away the debris, exposing the hidden hole bit by bit. He could feel the tension tightening in his chest, though his face remained calm—years of storytelling had taught him the art of keeping composure even when the next page held uncertainty.
“Let us hope it is nothing so vengeful as a nest of hornets,” he murmured with a wry smile, “but if it is, best we know now rather than later.”
His grip tightened slightly on his walking staff, his other hand resting lightly on his spell components, ready to react. He glanced around at the others, gauging their readiness.
The last bits of debris shifted and fell away beneath the Mage Hand’s touch. Elias narrowed his eyes, watching—waiting—for whatever was about to be revealed.
Tarysaa's telekinetic spell manages to remove some of the lighter debris - some are too heavy - but that's enough to make the lurking creature suddenly leap out, throwing the rest of the cover all around.
It's a giant worm-like creature, with a fat body that moves on many short legs. Long tentacles twitch around a mouth with sharp teeth - presumably those are the appendages that had initially caught Elias's keen eye.
The monster is about to launch itself at the party of adventurers...
[[ OOC: Everyone, please, roll for Initiative!
On the map, the squares with ruins count as Difficult Terrain (moving there costs double). The monster is obviously the red WT ( = Worm with Tentacles), of Large size. ]]