“Mr Zerk, I can’t say I know. I half expect an audience to form along that edge and watch an arena event unfold in the water…”
Eclipse carefully peers into the water, though not stepping into it. he tries to peer into the depths for further clues. (Perception 3+5=8)
Also, does this in fact seem like an arena? Or something different? (History 8+1=9)
Eclipse, though unconvinced of the accuracy of his own theory, smiled wanly and shrugs. Maybe someone else will have a better idea, he hopes.
It doesn’t appear to be an arena, at least not like any you have ever seen. The water is currently about 20’ below the rim and is hard to make out anything other than its sloshing movement.
Throgg looks down at the water and then drops one of the mango fruits into it. Knowing the fruit would normally float, he observes it to see if there is a current or downward pull.
The mango hits the water with a satisfying plop. Its bright color giving some contrast in the dark. It rises and falls in regular rhythm you assume the water must lead to open water.after a moment the mango gets jerked into the depths by some unseen thing.
Eclipse's eyes bug out when the mango disappears. They are still open wide as they slowly turn and land on Throgg. "Don't go in the water," he says, summing up the lesson he believes Throgg and the rest will heartily agree is to be learned from the experiment.
"Those alcoves... there could be items of interest in them. But there are trails down to the water from them. They could be trapped. I can investigate."
Provided the others agree, Eclipse will tie a rope around his waist and hand the other end of the rope to Throgg. He then tries to skirt the bowl along the narrow rim toward the first alcove. If he falls, Throgg could pull the rope and keep him from plunging into the water.
Why does everything believe him to be strong just because he is big? He’s not any weaker than any other common guy but still, movement and speed is what he practices.
( Assuming counter- clockwise. Roll Dex for each movement in case you get a 1)
Throgg holds onto the rope as Eclipse walks around the lip to the first alcove. The rim is skinny but, not terribly so. The first alcove is about 3’ in depth and is empty except for a small dais. There are some shattered fragments of pottery from what may have been a large vessel long since destroyed. Moss and barnacles or limpets line the lower portion in clumps, indicating the water level reaches this far at some point.
Eclipse looks for any shards that seem to bear markings, paint or patterns reminiscent of the poem. He gingerly touches one of them. If nothing happens, he places a few shards in his pack for later investigation . He looks for hidden doors or panels in the alcove. (Perception: 17+5=22)
If he finds nothing, he moves on, reciting the poem as he goes…
Thagal and Lagazara wait near the entrance, keeping and eye on the water and the tunnel as Zerk, Throgg and Eclipse examine each alcove, carefully moving from one to the next. The 2nd alcove contains a pedestal that at one time held something large and metallic judging from the markings made across the stone when it was removed. Close inspection reveals it was likely silver based on the shavings of metal. At the third alcove, this ine a little deeper than the others, the floor and one of the walls is stained with not so old blood and fragments of clothing.
A search of the other alcoves turns up nothing but more pottery fragments, barnacles and seaweed. It looks like anything that had been here has been taken already.
The sun is very harsh on all your eyes as you exit out of cave 1. The lush green vegetation and a nice breeze greet you as you now consider to try next.
Thagal quickly draws a small map of the cave, annotating the bowl and a
coves and notes about the words he printed from the wall. He seems very pleased with the mysterious discovery. He has his vulture take ona new form, that of a peculiar looking rat with patches of scales and small, malformed bat wings. Zerk blirts out, “ what the hell is that?”
Thagal says, “ why this would be what is called a dragon-rat…very rare and quite nasty in the wild. They form terrible swarms and infest the deeper places in the world. This is a useful form for spelunking activities such as we find ourselves today”
lagazara doesn’t say anything at all, but the look of disgust at this abomination is clear to all.
Eclipse is at an unusual loss for words in the face of Thagal's odd creature. Yes, it's unpleasant looking, both for its deformed dragon-ness and its obvious rat-ness. Yet when Thagal mentions spelunking, the creature's... other potentials seem to suggest themselves and a corner of the tabaxi's mouth turns up. "Spelunking... yes... or even, spoliation? S'plunder? S'pillaging?" His eyes crinkle with humor. Then, his face transforms into a serious mask, his officer face.
"Throgg, I agree. Cave 4 looks like the next best thing. Why don't you have a look, along with Thagal's re-formed familiar? And... Kel? What do you think... will you join them too?"
You all move up to the entrance of cave 4 and from what you see directly it goes back straight to beyond your ability to see. Thagals familiar eagerly zips off into the darkness ahead of everyone and quickly disappears from view.
( marching order- imp, Throgg, Zerk, Lagazara, Thagal, and Eclipse…let me know if anyone wishes to change the order)
Goermond in the dragon rat form heads deep into the darkness, his advanced dark vision enables him to see fairly well as he scurries down the tunnel.
Throgg makes his way through and notices the tunnel floor quickly turns from natural stone to constructed tile. The walls here have similar torch sconces along the wall and at around 80’ in you all find a heavy, steel banded oak door blocking the tunnel and the imp waiting for assistance.
When all have gathered near the door, Eclipse nods to the strongest to try to open it. I think that is Lagarza? Whoever is proficient at Athletics. He meanwhile draws a dagger, ready to throw it if enemies lie in wait behind the door. He motions for the others to likewise ready weapons.
It doesn’t appear to be an arena, at least not like any you have ever seen. The water is currently about 20’ below the rim and is hard to make out anything other than its sloshing movement.
The mango hits the water with a satisfying plop. Its bright color giving some contrast in the dark. It rises and falls in regular rhythm you assume the water must lead to open water.after a moment the mango gets jerked into the depths by some unseen thing.
Eclipse's eyes bug out when the mango disappears. They are still open wide as they slowly turn and land on Throgg. "Don't go in the water," he says, summing up the lesson he believes Throgg and the rest will heartily agree is to be learned from the experiment.
"Those alcoves... there could be items of interest in them. But there are trails down to the water from them. They could be trapped. I can investigate."
Provided the others agree, Eclipse will tie a rope around his waist and hand the other end of the rope to Throgg. He then tries to skirt the bowl along the narrow rim toward the first alcove. If he falls, Throgg could pull the rope and keep him from plunging into the water.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Throgg holds the rope with desperate anxiousness.
Why does everything believe him to be strong just because he is big? He’s not any weaker than any other common guy but still, movement and speed is what he practices.
( Assuming counter- clockwise. Roll Dex for each movement in case you get a 1)
Throgg holds onto the rope as Eclipse walks around the lip to the first alcove. The rim is skinny but, not terribly so. The first alcove is about 3’ in depth and is empty except for a small dais. There are some shattered fragments of pottery from what may have been a large vessel long since destroyed. Moss and barnacles or limpets line the lower portion in clumps, indicating the water level reaches this far at some point.
(DEX save: 6+5=11)
Eclipse looks for any shards that seem to bear markings, paint or patterns reminiscent of the poem. He gingerly touches one of them. If nothing happens, he places a few shards in his pack for later investigation . He looks for hidden doors or panels in the alcove. (Perception: 17+5=22)
If he finds nothing, he moves on, reciting the poem as he goes…
“Harpy’s milk, all curdled and old
points the way, to fortune and gold
underneath the Goddess of Sea
you shall find your path, and the key”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
23 dex save.
Thagal and Lagazara wait near the entrance, keeping and eye on the water and the tunnel as Zerk, Throgg and Eclipse examine each alcove, carefully moving from one to the next. The 2nd alcove contains a pedestal that at one time held something large and metallic judging from the markings made across the stone when it was removed. Close inspection reveals it was likely silver based on the shavings of metal. At the third alcove, this ine a little deeper than the others, the floor and one of the walls is stained with not so old blood and fragments of clothing.
A search of the other alcoves turns up nothing but more pottery fragments, barnacles and seaweed. It looks like anything that had been here has been taken already.
“Throgg thinks We should go to different hole. Nothing here. If we find large silver item for pedestal, we come back.”
Zerk agrees with Throgg’s opinion and Thagal will mention the water level seems to be rising. Tide must be coming in.
The sun is very harsh on all your eyes as you exit out of cave 1. The lush green vegetation and a nice breeze greet you as you now consider to try next.
Thagal quickly draws a small map of the cave, annotating the bowl and a
coves and notes about the words he printed from the wall. He seems very pleased with the mysterious discovery. He has his vulture take ona new form, that of a peculiar looking rat with patches of scales and small, malformed bat wings. Zerk blirts out, “ what the hell is that?”
Thagal says, “ why this would be what is called a dragon-rat…very rare and quite nasty in the wild. They form terrible swarms and infest the deeper places in the world. This is a useful form for spelunking activities such as we find ourselves today”
lagazara doesn’t say anything at all, but the look of disgust at this abomination is clear to all.
Throgg looks at the available caves and then gives Eclipse a nudge with his elbow, pointing towards cave 4
Eclipse is at an unusual loss for words in the face of Thagal's odd creature. Yes, it's unpleasant looking, both for its deformed dragon-ness and its obvious rat-ness. Yet when Thagal mentions spelunking, the creature's... other potentials seem to suggest themselves and a corner of the tabaxi's mouth turns up. "Spelunking... yes... or even, spoliation? S'plunder? S'pillaging?" His eyes crinkle with humor. Then, his face transforms into a serious mask, his officer face.
"Throgg, I agree. Cave 4 looks like the next best thing. Why don't you have a look, along with Thagal's re-formed familiar? And... Kel? What do you think... will you join them too?"
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
You all move up to the entrance of cave 4 and from what you see directly it goes back straight to beyond your ability to see. Thagals familiar eagerly zips off into the darkness ahead of everyone and quickly disappears from view.
Throgg takes the lead, using his 60ft darkvision to the best of its ability. (11 perception while walking)
( marching order- imp, Throgg, Zerk, Lagazara, Thagal, and Eclipse…let me know if anyone wishes to change the order)
Goermond in the dragon rat form heads deep into the darkness, his advanced dark vision enables him to see fairly well as he scurries down the tunnel.
Throgg makes his way through and notices the tunnel floor quickly turns from natural stone to constructed tile. The walls here have similar torch sconces along the wall and at around 80’ in you all find a heavy, steel banded oak door blocking the tunnel and the imp waiting for assistance.
When all have gathered near the door, Eclipse nods to the strongest to try to open it. I think that is Lagarza? Whoever is proficient at Athletics. He meanwhile draws a dagger, ready to throw it if enemies lie in wait behind the door. He motions for the others to likewise ready weapons.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Lagazara will attempt to open the door strength 15.