Reaching the top of stairs there is another illusion wall, or rather an illusionary ceiling, which separates the staircase from the outside. You pass through and emerge in a rocky grass plain. A slight, warm breeze blows past you, and with the sun almost at its highest point, you suddenly miss the chilled air of the tunnels.
To the left of the staircase exit you see the walls of the city you just escaped (approximately 300ft away). Forward from the staircase, you can hear a slow flowing river and you can just see the tops of a ship travelling along it (35ft away). To the right of the staircase, are the ruins of two large towers on either side of the river (90ft away).
"Precious freedom, well we know the way out of the city unnoticed once our task is complete. Priceless information! I guess we should return to our task.at hand?"
Meep glances back to the stairs once out in the open, thoughts on the puddle that killed the human. The traps placed and the tunnels left unexplored. Also, the lack of sun..
Squinting around, seeing the walls of the city one way and the sound of water the other way, Meep looks to Dhara, "Meep can find food and water. "
Feature: Wanderer
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Halhace takes a deep breath of the fresh air, shivering a bit but glad to be out of the stuffy and so far dangerous tunnels. "Yes this id a good place to escape from. If we are able to it would not be unwise to hite a boat to come and pick us up when we make to leave. But for now you are right that are task should be done with."
While the fresh air is refreshing (as is the freedom), Dhara is as comfortable underground as she is out here.
"Let's just think this through. We were given a task, and on the one hand it's important to follow through on our commitment. On the other, we have no idea what to expect when we get to our destination - never mind what we encounter on the way there. Consider that they clearly took advantage of our situation by paying us a single gold piece each for this task. We obviously aren't the first they've sent, as we've discovered. Likely they send people like us through here all the time perhaps hoping a small number will make it through. If we never arrive, they will likely conclude that, like most, we didn't make it. That may be a problem if we were to go back in that city, but I have no intention of ever setting foot in there again. In reality if we go back down there, there's probably a reasonable chance we won't make it, and even if we do it could just be our captors waiting for us. Of course, it might not be.
My point is that it would appear at the present time we have what we probably all want most - we're free. It would be easy to abandon our task (with or without the contents of the crates), find a ship and get out of here. The downside is that there's a chance that could come back to haunt us in the future. I suppose conceivably there is another reward at the end, but I seriously doubt it."
"Well, maybe, maybe not. We may not be able to book passage, but maybe we work. Or maybe we can find local work that pays enough to hire one. My point is just that we may not be any worse off now than we would be by delivering these crates and we won't run the risk of getting killed by whatever else is down there. But, If the majority want to press on, I'm on board."
"I can't in good conscience abandon the task. I would live up to my commitment and prove the value of my word. Not for them but for myself. If by some of chance our captors are there, we evade them and run back for the illusion. They don't know about the traps Meep knows about, we can lead them into them or perhaps our clever friend *nods to Meep* might be able to move or rig them up just on the other side of the illusory wall to avoid pursuit. The point is we will adapt we will overcome. We have been remarkably successful together considering how short a time we have known each other. I believe that is something we can build on. A foundation of mutual respect in each others ability. So if you all decide to run now, know that I won't abandon you. I will run with you because I think that whatever we are building here is worth it. But I do object to it. It's a bad omen to start such an adventure based on lies and deceit."
Dhara sighs a bit, but then nods "Ok, it seems we're bent on pressing ahead." She turns to Meep "I know it's tempting to stay here Meep, but delivering these crates is important - we might not even be where we are now if we hadn't been given that task. Jaylen is right - we are an admirable force when we work together. We'll be able to handle whatever is down there better than most would. Will you stick with us?"
Meep certainly wanted to go back in to the tunnels and he might even be able to survive for a time on his own, but with the puddle and other unknown traps or creatures it wouldn't be wise for the lone kobold to stay.
Clutching the box tightly, Meep looked between the others gathered, not liking his options, but clearly having no choice. "Meep will go with you."
Halhace nods as he moves to sit down in the grass. "Well for now it would be wise to make our plans for the rest of this day despite not knowing how much time has elasped. I see our choices as being setting up a makeshift camp or making our way further into the tunnels before doing so.
As you’re debating whether you should continue with the delivery of the boxes, or make a run for your freedom, you hear shouting coming from the ruins of the tower on your side of the river. “HEY! Are you the five...”The voice trails off, and you see a human man wearing miss-matched leather armour wave at you. He then turns his head towards the tower, and shortly after, a half-orc and a human female emerge to stand next to him. The human female speaks up, and aims a bow in your direction. “SHOW YOURSELVES!”
Assuming we're still just at the top of the stairs, I'm bolting straight back down through the illusion - quietly saying "Hurry - they may not even know this is here and if they don't know how these walls work they won't be able to get through!"
Jaylen nods at Dhara and quickly follows her lead, down past the illusion. Once on the other side he casts Shillalegh and and readies an action to Booming Blade whatever tries to move past that isn't the party.
As they see Jaylen disappear from their view, everyone can hear the male human shout, “We’re here for the boxes!” And everyone except Dhara and Jaylen can see the female human lower the bow.
Meep gets pushed up or risk being trampled on.
Reaching the top of stairs there is another illusion wall, or rather an illusionary ceiling, which separates the staircase from the outside. You pass through and emerge in a rocky grass plain. A slight, warm breeze blows past you, and with the sun almost at its highest point, you suddenly miss the chilled air of the tunnels.
To the left of the staircase exit you see the walls of the city you just escaped (approximately 300ft away). Forward from the staircase, you can hear a slow flowing river and you can just see the tops of a ship travelling along it (35ft away). To the right of the staircase, are the ruins of two large towers on either side of the river (90ft away).
"Precious freedom, well we know the way out of the city unnoticed once our task is complete. Priceless information! I guess we should return to our task.at hand?"
Kamos: (to the party) "Agreed."
list of my games/characters in the spoiler
Looking for a new game, if you need a player private message me.
Meep glances back to the stairs once out in the open, thoughts on the puddle that killed the human. The traps placed and the tunnels left unexplored. Also, the lack of sun..
Squinting around, seeing the walls of the city one way and the sound of water the other way, Meep looks to Dhara, "Meep can find food and water. "
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Halhace takes a deep breath of the fresh air, shivering a bit but glad to be out of the stuffy and so far dangerous tunnels. "Yes this id a good place to escape from. If we are able to it would not be unwise to hite a boat to come and pick us up when we make to leave. But for now you are right that are task should be done with."
While the fresh air is refreshing (as is the freedom), Dhara is as comfortable underground as she is out here.
"Let's just think this through. We were given a task, and on the one hand it's important to follow through on our commitment. On the other, we have no idea what to expect when we get to our destination - never mind what we encounter on the way there. Consider that they clearly took advantage of our situation by paying us a single gold piece each for this task. We obviously aren't the first they've sent, as we've discovered. Likely they send people like us through here all the time perhaps hoping a small number will make it through. If we never arrive, they will likely conclude that, like most, we didn't make it. That may be a problem if we were to go back in that city, but I have no intention of ever setting foot in there again. In reality if we go back down there, there's probably a reasonable chance we won't make it, and even if we do it could just be our captors waiting for us. Of course, it might not be.
My point is that it would appear at the present time we have what we probably all want most - we're free. It would be easy to abandon our task (with or without the contents of the crates), find a ship and get out of here. The downside is that there's a chance that could come back to haunt us in the future. I suppose conceivably there is another reward at the end, but I seriously doubt it."
DM - Tanzier's Waterdeep Dragon Heist
Dhara - Tiefling Ranger, Grotto to Glory
Kamos: (to the party) "Can we hire a boat with what few gold we have?"
list of my games/characters in the spoiler
Looking for a new game, if you need a player private message me.
"Well, maybe, maybe not. We may not be able to book passage, but maybe we work. Or maybe we can find local work that pays enough to hire one. My point is just that we may not be any worse off now than we would be by delivering these crates and we won't run the risk of getting killed by whatever else is down there. But, If the majority want to press on, I'm on board."
DM - Tanzier's Waterdeep Dragon Heist
Dhara - Tiefling Ranger, Grotto to Glory
"I can't in good conscience abandon the task. I would live up to my commitment and prove the value of my word. Not for them but for myself. If by some of chance our captors are there, we evade them and run back for the illusion. They don't know about the traps Meep knows about, we can lead them into them or perhaps our clever friend *nods to Meep* might be able to move or rig them up just on the other side of the illusory wall to avoid pursuit. The point is we will adapt we will overcome. We have been remarkably successful together considering how short a time we have known each other. I believe that is something we can build on. A foundation of mutual respect in each others ability. So if you all decide to run now, know that I won't abandon you. I will run with you because I think that whatever we are building here is worth it. But I do object to it. It's a bad omen to start such an adventure based on lies and deceit."
Kamos: (to the party) "doing the job is an excuse to stick around for a little while longer, and we might find albrec."
list of my games/characters in the spoiler
Looking for a new game, if you need a player private message me.
Dhara sighs a bit, but then nods "Ok, it seems we're bent on pressing ahead." She turns to Meep "I know it's tempting to stay here Meep, but delivering these crates is important - we might not even be where we are now if we hadn't been given that task. Jaylen is right - we are an admirable force when we work together. We'll be able to handle whatever is down there better than most would. Will you stick with us?"
DM - Tanzier's Waterdeep Dragon Heist
Dhara - Tiefling Ranger, Grotto to Glory
Meep certainly wanted to go back in to the tunnels and he might even be able to survive for a time on his own, but with the puddle and other unknown traps or creatures it wouldn't be wise for the lone kobold to stay.
Clutching the box tightly, Meep looked between the others gathered, not liking his options, but clearly having no choice. "Meep will go with you."
Halhace nods as he moves to sit down in the grass. "Well for now it would be wise to make our plans for the rest of this day despite not knowing how much time has elasped. I see our choices as being setting up a makeshift camp or making our way further into the tunnels before doing so.
As you’re debating whether you should continue with the delivery of the boxes, or make a run for your freedom, you hear shouting coming from the ruins of the tower on your side of the river.
“HEY! Are you the five...” The voice trails off, and you see a human man wearing miss-matched leather armour wave at you. He then turns his head towards the tower, and shortly after, a half-orc and a human female emerge to stand next to him.
The human female speaks up, and aims a bow in your direction. “SHOW YOURSELVES!”
Halhace curses in orcish as he looks to the rest of the party, the waiting to see what they do before he acts.
Assuming we're still just at the top of the stairs, I'm bolting straight back down through the illusion - quietly saying "Hurry - they may not even know this is here and if they don't know how these walls work they won't be able to get through!"
DM - Tanzier's Waterdeep Dragon Heist
Dhara - Tiefling Ranger, Grotto to Glory
Jaylen nods at Dhara and quickly follows her lead, down past the illusion. Once on the other side he casts Shillalegh and and readies an action to Booming Blade whatever tries to move past that isn't the party.
As they see Jaylen disappear from their view, everyone can hear the male human shout, “We’re here for the boxes!”
And everyone except Dhara and Jaylen can see the female human lower the bow.
Jaylen peeks his head back up through the floor. "Well that's a horse of a different color!"
Jaylen walks foward to hand over his box.