Sol yawns. "So... We good to go? I'm ready to face what may." He twirls a coin between his fingers. (Got to love an ADHD character LOL)
“I said that it was the first order of business but I’m glad to see an eager recruit.” Jade enunciates the “first order of business” much more harshly than required to get the point across to Sol
((I’ll be able to finish things tonight so don’t expect much other stuff from me until 8+ hours after this post))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
"So you two are the only remaining sub-units of the dive unit that is currently stationed at base." She gestures to your two separate groups with a small wave of her hand. "Having said that you, and most other groups are going to be heading out in roughly 4 days including today. I've designated your two groups MUL-5," she motions tow and MUL-1. Your jobs are really the most dangerous. You pretty much are the "combat groups" typically. Your job is mostly to explore and figure things out often moving without the assistance of portals to find paths through the layers and document threats in your notes. A secondary mission that is also expected is essentially escorting weaker units less trained for combat throughout the layers. Typically they can handle their own though so we try to prioritize dives and knowledge seeking. But don't expect to get out of guard duty should need be."
"My husband and Damien a while ago had started some sort of project to help your units specifically but it won't be ready for a while. So for now you'll have to deal with the grueling trouble of dragging yourselves back up through the layers or to the further outposts we've started setting up on mildly habitable layers. Currently we only have a few though and they're very few and far between so don't get your hopes up. Though if you want to change those distances we should get into the actual first mission brief for your group."
"But before I get into any of the more," Jade waves her hands, taking a breath between all the talking. "Detail specific parts of the mission. Is there any questions you have about your unit's functions specifically?" She watches your group and the other group carefully and thoroughly as if looking through your entire person (or cat, dwarf, tiefling, etc.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
"So as many know, the abyss has many layers and the next layer directly underneath this paradise is that of the Driller nest. It's mostly interconnected tunnels filled with interconnected ants that seem to function in hive mind like structure. These ants have appeared out of the recently formed chasm as of 2 years 5 months 3 weeks and 1 day ago. They are dangerous and their plates are made of a form of chitin with unknown properties that can make them immune to damage almost on the first strike dealt to them. These ants aren't only grounded their has been a new breed known as Chasme drones-Damien did the naming. The drones can fly at breakneck speeds and all around them risk being influenced by the unique pheromones they carry. They've been known to cause psychosis, instant loss of consciousness, and many other unique symptoms that we haven't managed to identify the reason for, avoid when possible, don't attempt melee.
"Exceptionally loud noises, as in loud enough to shake the antennae and cause physical damage to people's ears can disrupt their pheromone sensors and--in theory-- their connection to the queen temporarily. Soldiers are dangerous but mostly only in the depths of the tunnels, think the drones but grounded and slightly less potent. Worker ants can also dig through tunnels slowly but typically avoid digging up collapsed tunnels so you could collapse tunnels on your path as a deterrent in theory. The ants posses at least some sort of intelligence and there was one case of human limbs being seen mixed in with the ants limbs." She shudders her body in disgust, but quickly returns to her formal and upright attitude. This is all that we know though so that's going to be where you come in." She takes a moment to breathe.
"Arazel's group will be going to find the path to the connected layers." She mutters to herself about yet another one of the group members being absent alongside the blindfolded [redacted] "Same with you guys. It's going to be 4 days including today until you go diving. You'll get roughly 2 weeks of rations when spread thin, rope spikes to help climb and a few satchels and books to write things down. There's also a few books on magical synergies of ingredients and similar things available to you if you go to the library. Good luck. If we get any more information on any parts of your mission we'll give you a bit more." Jade then looks outside of the tent for a moment.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
“If you want my advice… take tonight to walk the forest trails. They run just north of the ridge. Quiet. Living trees. Birdsong.” Jade pauses to fold her arms as her expression softens a bit. “After tomorrow, it’ll be noise, heat, stone, and bone for a long time. You won’t see the sky again for weeks—if ever. Edgar sometimes runs training drills out there. Might be worth bumping into him. You never know, maybe he'd offer you guys the chance to spar. Now that'd be a laugh.” She smiles to herself.
"Also, if Bran says he's going left go right, even Edgar got promptly knocked flat on his rear when he didn't." She speaks up to Bran this time, "Offer a demon a fair fight one more time and I'm sending you in with quartered rations and no gear." She looks over to Ceth. "Look after the kid as well he's started hearing voices from outside what he says is reality. The kid has a good heart but don't underestimate him."
"Ara can handle herself but promise me that you'll stop Arven from doing anything stupid should you be around. Mira's hardheaded and abraisive--and gone--but she' handy in a pinch. I guess what I'm trying to say is stick together with the group and keep each other safe. I don't send letters home." She looks off into the distance. "Anymore at least."
(You're now free to travel.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
"Let us take a look along the trails, and see what we can see. Or, what can see us." Sol says with a smile.
"Sounds good to me. I'd like to breathe the air and see the sky as much as possible before the view is dominated by rock."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
“Ah, the forest trails… how quaint. A lullaby of leaves before the scream of stone. I suppose even the abyss permits a prelude.” He taps his Codex, fingers dancing in cipher.“I’ll walk them, yes. Not for peace—peace is a lie told by trees—but for observation. Edgar drills there, you say? Delightful. I’ve long wondered how fear moves when it thinks no one’s watching.” He smiles, detached and theatrical. “If he offers a spar, I’ll accept. Not for victory. For data. Blood sings louder than birdsong, and I’m composing a symphony.”
“I said that it was the first order of business but I’m glad to see an eager recruit.” Jade enunciates the “first order of business” much more harshly than required to get the point across to Sol
((I’ll be able to finish things tonight so don’t expect much other stuff from me until 8+ hours after this post))
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
"So you two are the only remaining sub-units of the dive unit that is currently stationed at base." She gestures to your two separate groups with a small wave of her hand. "Having said that you, and most other groups are going to be heading out in roughly 4 days including today. I've designated your two groups MUL-5," she motions tow and MUL-1. Your jobs are really the most dangerous. You pretty much are the "combat groups" typically. Your job is mostly to explore and figure things out often moving without the assistance of portals to find paths through the layers and document threats in your notes. A secondary mission that is also expected is essentially escorting weaker units less trained for combat throughout the layers. Typically they can handle their own though so we try to prioritize dives and knowledge seeking. But don't expect to get out of guard duty should need be."
"My husband and Damien a while ago had started some sort of project to help your units specifically but it won't be ready for a while. So for now you'll have to deal with the grueling trouble of dragging yourselves back up through the layers or to the further outposts we've started setting up on mildly habitable layers. Currently we only have a few though and they're very few and far between so don't get your hopes up. Though if you want to change those distances we should get into the actual first mission brief for your group."
"But before I get into any of the more," Jade waves her hands, taking a breath between all the talking. "Detail specific parts of the mission. Is there any questions you have about your unit's functions specifically?" She watches your group and the other group carefully and thoroughly as if looking through your entire person (or cat, dwarf, tiefling, etc.)
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
I have no questions. We can go right in!
Except... Maybe is there any places to get supplies, equipment or magic items?
Ian bows.
"I have no further questions."
"So as many know, the abyss has many layers and the next layer directly underneath this paradise is that of the Driller nest. It's mostly interconnected tunnels filled with interconnected ants that seem to function in hive mind like structure. These ants have appeared out of the recently formed chasm as of 2 years 5 months 3 weeks and 1 day ago. They are dangerous and their plates are made of a form of chitin with unknown properties that can make them immune to damage almost on the first strike dealt to them. These ants aren't only grounded their has been a new breed known as Chasme drones-Damien did the naming. The drones can fly at breakneck speeds and all around them risk being influenced by the unique pheromones they carry. They've been known to cause psychosis, instant loss of consciousness, and many other unique symptoms that we haven't managed to identify the reason for, avoid when possible, don't attempt melee.
"Exceptionally loud noises, as in loud enough to shake the antennae and cause physical damage to people's ears can disrupt their pheromone sensors and--in theory-- their connection to the queen temporarily. Soldiers are dangerous but mostly only in the depths of the tunnels, think the drones but grounded and slightly less potent. Worker ants can also dig through tunnels slowly but typically avoid digging up collapsed tunnels so you could collapse tunnels on your path as a deterrent in theory. The ants posses at least some sort of intelligence and there was one case of human limbs being seen mixed in with the ants limbs." She shudders her body in disgust, but quickly returns to her formal and upright attitude. This is all that we know though so that's going to be where you come in." She takes a moment to breathe.
"Arazel's group will be going to find the path to the connected layers." She mutters to herself about yet another one of the group members being absent alongside the blindfolded [redacted] "Same with you guys. It's going to be 4 days including today until you go diving. You'll get roughly 2 weeks of rations when spread thin, rope spikes to help climb and a few satchels and books to write things down. There's also a few books on magical synergies of ingredients and similar things available to you if you go to the library. Good luck. If we get any more information on any parts of your mission we'll give you a bit more." Jade then looks outside of the tent for a moment.
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
“If you want my advice… take tonight to walk the forest trails. They run just north of the ridge. Quiet. Living trees. Birdsong.” Jade pauses to fold her arms as her expression softens a bit. “After tomorrow, it’ll be noise, heat, stone, and bone for a long time. You won’t see the sky again for weeks—if ever. Edgar sometimes runs training drills out there. Might be worth bumping into him. You never know, maybe he'd offer you guys the chance to spar. Now that'd be a laugh.” She smiles to herself.
"Also, if Bran says he's going left go right, even Edgar got promptly knocked flat on his rear when he didn't." She speaks up to Bran this time, "Offer a demon a fair fight one more time and I'm sending you in with quartered rations and no gear." She looks over to Ceth. "Look after the kid as well he's started hearing voices from outside what he says is reality. The kid has a good heart but don't underestimate him."
"Ara can handle herself but promise me that you'll stop Arven from doing anything stupid should you be around. Mira's hardheaded and abraisive--and gone--but she' handy in a pinch. I guess what I'm trying to say is stick together with the group and keep each other safe. I don't send letters home." She looks off into the distance. "Anymore at least."
(You're now free to travel.)
"I have advantage on dex saving throws what could go wrong?"
"Let us take a look along the trails, and see what we can see. Or, what can see us." Sol says with a smile.
D&D since 1984
"Sounds good to me. I'd like to breathe the air and see the sky as much as possible before the view is dominated by rock."
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
"Rock On!"
D&D since 1984
Zarvox Narration
“Ah, the forest trails… how quaint. A lullaby of leaves before the scream of stone. I suppose even the abyss permits a prelude.” He taps his Codex, fingers dancing in cipher. “I’ll walk them, yes. Not for peace—peace is a lie told by trees—but for observation. Edgar drills there, you say? Delightful. I’ve long wondered how fear moves when it thinks no one’s watching.” He smiles, detached and theatrical. “If he offers a spar, I’ll accept. Not for victory. For data. Blood sings louder than birdsong, and I’m composing a symphony.”
He bows mockingly.
Ian removes the shackle from his left arm and puts on his shield. Taking a moment he appreciates being able to move freely.
“I like the idea of taking the day to look around before rushing into literal hell.”
Ian stops for a second while looking at Zarvox before continuing.
“It seems like we all have to look forward to Zarvox singing about our exploits.”