As the party descends further, the cuts in the carved stone become cleaner and cleaner. Eventually as the hours wear by, the carvings are replaced altogether and the group finds itself walking over beautifully colored enameled tiles. The tiles form strange mosaics on the floor, walls, and ceiling; images of nature and battles through time, even planes of existence are set with immaculate care into every surface.
So intricate are these depictions that Guan Hao almost fails to notice that some of the structures depicted are not images at all. Real tents, beds, and crockery have been cunningly matched to the images behind. Even the remains of a recent fire have been concealed through careful placement.
This one is active. Investigation v. Perception so this is using a character's intelligence to assemble possibilities out of what has already been perceived.
Exploring the disguised camp, and on closer inspection Elaric discovers it to be a campsite, he notes small scratches on the various cooking implements, as well as on the un-burned edges of the still warm sticks in the fire pit. Judging by the size of the vessels and furniture, the residents are small, perhaps Goblin or Kobold.
Exploring the disguised camp, and on closer inspection Elaric discovers it to be a campsite, he notes small scratches on the various cooking implements, as well as on the un-burned edges of the still warm sticks in the fire pit. Judging by the size of the vessels and furniture, the residents are small, perhaps Goblin or Kobold.
Elaric points this all out to his companions. "However," he adds, "I wonder about Goblins or Kolbolds being THIS good at camouflaging their camp. Such creatures are not usually known for an overabundance of cleverness or talent but I am unsure what other beings might utilize equipment of this size."
Exploring the disguised camp, and on closer inspection Elaric discovers it to be a campsite, he notes small scratches on the various cooking implements, as well as on the un-burned edges of the still warm sticks in the fire pit. Judging by the size of the vessels and furniture, the residents are small, perhaps Goblin or Kobold.
Elaric points this all out to his companions. "However," he adds, "I wonder about Goblins or Kolbolds being THIS good at camouflaging their camp. Such creatures are not usually known for an overabundance of cleverness or talent but I am unsure what other beings might utilize equipment of this size."
Wendell nods, "This place is too well designed for ambush for my liking. Best we move cautiously from here on out."
[If the party agrees with this assessment, please all make a stealth roll. Crit fail counts as two failures, crit success counts as two successes. The party will succeed or fail as a group]
Exploring the disguised camp, and on closer inspection Elaric discovers it to be a campsite, he notes small scratches on the various cooking implements, as well as on the un-burned edges of the still warm sticks in the fire pit. Judging by the size of the vessels and furniture, the residents are small, perhaps Goblin or Kobold.
Elaric points this all out to his companions. "However," he adds, "I wonder about Goblins or Kolbolds being THIS good at camouflaging their camp. Such creatures are not usually known for an overabundance of cleverness or talent but I am unsure what other beings might utilize equipment of this size."
Wendell nods, "This place is too well designed for ambush for my liking. Best we move cautiously from here on out."
[If the party agrees with this assessment, please all make a stealth roll. Crit fail counts as two failures, crit success counts as two successes. The party will succeed or fail as a group]
As the party moves along, about as stealthily as a group of armed and armored people would be expected to (which is almost not at all), Guan Hao and Elaric see something else marring the mosaic on the ground- blood. Following the path, the red streaks become more obvious and numerous, as if many bodies had been dragged across the ground. The streaks lead to a side passage. Tiny clawed hand prints dot the ground, and it appears that whatever attacked the camp had left some alive, at least until now. A single severed head, Kobold by all appearances, stares sightlessly at the party from the ground by the passage.
The passage itseslf is strange, less a door than a perfectly circular hole, and the mosaic at its edges seems to distort and curve erratically.
Elaric asks the party to wait and appears to study the air around and before the distorted opening. After a moment the wizard steps back. "I believe this distortion is a form of highly localized planar intrusion or melding, much like how the Garden seems to be enmeshed with - or even wholly within - the Feywild. It seems to be gradually widening. Assuming I can trust my eyes - not necessarily a safe assumption with planar magic - there are stairs leading down past this point."
Turning to look about at the blood and severed head, Elaric continues, "The slaughter appears relatively fresh - whatever did this may be nearby." The Elf looks up at his companions. "Does anyone recognize the prints outlined in blood? Knowing what dangerous we face could give us an edge should we find ourselves in combat."
Karash sniffs, "Small ones are all Kobold, from the look of them. Dragged down the stairs if I have a guess. Judging by the amount of blood we've seen, even if it was a big group I doubt they are still alive. Still, might be better to deal with this now, rather than wait for whatever it was to come up from behind. Those big stumpy ones, I've never seen before."
Balasar's cousin looks to Gisi, "I can stay up here and keep guard in case these Kobolds had friends. I'm not taking my wife through any more Planes than I have to. Too easy to get separated in the crossing, and she's no fighter."
His eye drawn back to the portal, Elaric muses in a quietly thoughful tone, "I could cast a protection spell before crossing the planar boundary, but it would only afford protection to one person as I must devote my concentration to maintaining its effects."
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Gong will follow Elaric, staying close to the middle of the group. His high speed will let him dart to the front or back as necessary.
[OOG: I'll figure out Gong's prepared spells and have them on his sheet by the morning.]
Balasar will bring up the rear of the party, just in case anything tries to sneak up behind the group.
Wendell will follow Gong! His Squishiness will not serve him well should surprise danger emerge. To that end, he will also cast Mage Armor on himself.
Karash and Gisi will stay with Balasar, their Slight Racism granting them a preference to stay with their own kind when the option presents itself.
[Guan Hao, please make a perception check, with advantage as Elaric is helping]
Guan Hao Perception: 17 and 13.
As the party descends further, the cuts in the carved stone become cleaner and cleaner. Eventually as the hours wear by, the carvings are replaced altogether and the group finds itself walking over beautifully colored enameled tiles. The tiles form strange mosaics on the floor, walls, and ceiling; images of nature and battles through time, even planes of existence are set with immaculate care into every surface.
So intricate are these depictions that Guan Hao almost fails to notice that some of the structures depicted are not images at all. Real tents, beds, and crockery have been cunningly matched to the images behind. Even the remains of a recent fire have been concealed through careful placement.
[Make an investigation check]
[Not Guan Hao's forte, so he'll point the real objects out to the party and assist to give somebody else Advantage.]
Passive or active investigation?
This one is active. Investigation v. Perception so this is using a character's intelligence to assemble possibilities out of what has already been perceived.
Investigation with advantage: 9 or 21
Exploring the disguised camp, and on closer inspection Elaric discovers it to be a campsite, he notes small scratches on the various cooking implements, as well as on the un-burned edges of the still warm sticks in the fire pit. Judging by the size of the vessels and furniture, the residents are small, perhaps Goblin or Kobold.
Elaric points this all out to his companions. "However," he adds, "I wonder about Goblins or Kolbolds being THIS good at camouflaging their camp. Such creatures are not usually known for an overabundance of cleverness or talent but I am unsure what other beings might utilize equipment of this size."
Wendell nods, "This place is too well designed for ambush for my liking. Best we move cautiously from here on out."
[If the party agrees with this assessment, please all make a stealth roll. Crit fail counts as two failures, crit success counts as two successes. The party will succeed or fail as a group]
Wendell Stealth : 8
Karash Stealth: 17
Gisi Stealth: 10
Balasar nods an assent to Wendell's assessment.
Stealth: 2
Elaric Stealth check: 22
Guan Hao stealth: 9
As the party moves along, about as stealthily as a group of armed and armored people would be expected to (which is almost not at all), Guan Hao and Elaric see something else marring the mosaic on the ground- blood. Following the path, the red streaks become more obvious and numerous, as if many bodies had been dragged across the ground. The streaks lead to a side passage. Tiny clawed hand prints dot the ground, and it appears that whatever attacked the camp had left some alive, at least until now. A single severed head, Kobold by all appearances, stares sightlessly at the party from the ground by the passage.
The passage itseslf is strange, less a door than a perfectly circular hole, and the mosaic at its edges seems to distort and curve erratically.
Elaric asks the party to wait and appears to study the air around and before the distorted opening. After a moment the wizard steps back. "I believe this distortion is a form of highly localized planar intrusion or melding, much like how the Garden seems to be enmeshed with - or even wholly within - the Feywild. It seems to be gradually widening. Assuming I can trust my eyes - not necessarily a safe assumption with planar magic - there are stairs leading down past this point."
Turning to look about at the blood and severed head, Elaric continues, "The slaughter appears relatively fresh - whatever did this may be nearby." The Elf looks up at his companions. "Does anyone recognize the prints outlined in blood? Knowing what dangerous we face could give us an edge should we find ourselves in combat."
Karash sniffs, "Small ones are all Kobold, from the look of them. Dragged down the stairs if I have a guess. Judging by the amount of blood we've seen, even if it was a big group I doubt they are still alive. Still, might be better to deal with this now, rather than wait for whatever it was to come up from behind. Those big stumpy ones, I've never seen before."
Balasar's cousin looks to Gisi, "I can stay up here and keep guard in case these Kobolds had friends. I'm not taking my wife through any more Planes than I have to. Too easy to get separated in the crossing, and she's no fighter."
Guan Hao steps up.
"If the lady stays, so do I. My life is hers."
His eye drawn back to the portal, Elaric muses in a quietly thoughful tone, "I could cast a protection spell before crossing the planar boundary, but it would only afford protection to one person as I must devote my concentration to maintaining its effects."