Leon and Morgana both recognize that this louder rumbling is not another Umber Hulk...and it's likely something bigger...MUCH bigger. It's also coming from the ground this time, not a wall. Bracing for the worst, the group prepares for what comes next...
The ground now shakes harder and forces everyone except Morgana (who's hovering in the air) to a prone position - including the Umber Hulk! The solid rock floor between the adventurers and the Umber Hulk begins to give way to what appears to be a sink-hole. From the sink-hole erupts a Purple Worm! It rears its focus first towards the adventurers then towards the Umber Hulk. Fixating on the Umber Hulk as its preferred meal of the day, it roars loudly, causing the Umber Hulk to also release an ear-piercing shriek!
With the Purple Worm not engaged with the Umber Hulk, the group has an unprecedented opportunity to make their escape unhindered by a pursuit from their enemy.
As the party makes a hasty retreat, the Purple Worm takes no notice of you and continues to engage the Umber Hulk. Leaving these two creatures far behind in the distance, you all begin to slow down and catch your breath. It's at this moment you all seem to come to the realization that you have no idea where you are and nobody in the group knows how to get to the Silken Paths, much less to Gracklstugh!
To Stool during the long rest: "Stool, we are gonna spend our downtime working on more spores for you. You are doing a great job as a member of this party. Much more valuable than that piece of shit Elmo and no good Hemeth! But I think you can be even better. Now, you have shown the ability to manipulate minds and emotions with your spores. Let's fine tune those abilities a little bit, shall we? Instead of just connecting minds, could you read them as well? Instead of just broadcasting languages, could you help me understand and speak them? Can you learn to sow fear as well as good will? Can you shut a mind off and put a creature to sleep? How do you think you may be able to evolve next?"
To Leon and Hemeth: "You boys ok? You guys are sticking by me and helping me and I value that loyalty, so I don't want you to go dying on me. Anybody need anything?"
"I am good Morg but I think we lost our only guide to G town. I just fear we are lost at the moment. Anybody have a way or an idea to get us on the right path?"
"Hey Stool you wanna show Miss Morgana the trick we learned? Maybe that will give her an idea of new things to teach you."
Leon hold the spell light over Stool and waits perform their trick.
To Morgana: "By the will of Moradin, have you no sense? No remorse? Look around lass, look at stool. Scared. Look at Master leon. His Armor is ALMOST dirty... look at me.. I dam neer died at the hands of a foul monster. And why? Ye couldn't swallow your pride. Ye had to keep pushing, keep prodding. We lost two of our companions. For what lass? You almost killed Hemmeth. I stepped in to break it up and what do you do?? What do you do?? You hit him with your blasted magic hand and spit at him?! Had I actually seen that, I may have been inclined to leave him to fight you. It goes against my tennets , but so does disrespecting my friends.
You said I have been your ambassador of friendship and if i be leading you in that, then by moradin I have failed. Aye. It's my fault. I thought I had shown you to be friends and back ye companions. I'll be paying my penance to Moradin for that I will. But to who will you? What's to happen if you cross leon? Or me? Eh? Hemmeth was good and so was Elmo. Ye are blind lass. Your rage blinds you and consumes your path and the one you leave behind it. (He motions to the tunnel) as you can see. We are lost, 2 members short of a party and I'm bloody tired. Think on this lass. If we get to the duergar city I WILL find my brother. And you will now have to make a choice. I've lost too many to lose again. That includes you. So I hope you learn and make the choices that need be. "
At that he walks off to find a bit of solace and pray to moradin.. and to rest up..he ain't trying to here nothing.
Stool creates a Halfling-fist-sized spore ball that hovers above its body at Leon's request. Leon casts his Light on the spore-ball. Then, Stool begins to break apart the spore-ball into innumerable tiny flecks that begin to move about the cavern and illuminate the area around them in a medium brightness. Enough to see yet not enough to call attention to themselves.
Stool - "Ms. Morgana, do you see?!" It asks emphatically, hoping to be more valuable to the group than ever. "Hmmm..what to work on next..." A long pause while it thinks hard on the question. "If I were stronger, I might be able to read minds...but they'd have to let me, or I'd have to force it. Hmmm..." Another long pause. "Languages...If I understood the language, I think I could telepathically translate messages between everyone! I'd have to understand the language first though...Hmmm..." Another long pause. "I think I might be able to help you with your Suggestion next time maybe!?"
Leon stops himself as Grem begins to speak at Morgana. Leon turns to Stool and whispers
”Well I thought that looked cool as hell buddy. I hope you are able to learn that new trick with Morgana. Take some time and make sure she is okay tonight. Remember what I am trying to teach you too bud.”
Leon shows Stool again how he casts healing word and then casts healing word on Stool.
After, as Leon passes by Morgana on his way to rest.
”You know he made some good points there, but what do I know I just joined the team. I am going to go practice my dumb religion thing over here. Let me know if you need anything. If not I will take first watch.”
To Leon: "Good work with stool, Leon. Thanks for looking out for him back there, as well. He has great potential but is currently rather fragile. Keep on watching his back if and when I'm not able."
To Stool: "Great going, little buddy! I'm sooooo impressed with how hard you are working and all of the growth that you are showing! I also like what you are saying about my suggestion spell! Let's sit down and work on it together!" And that's what I'll do during my long rest. I'll explain to stool how the suggestion spell works and try to teach him how to attune to it and augment it.
Morgana will move across the cavern to sit next to Grem. She'll then send her mage hand to groom his beard while she talks to him. She sighs, looks at the floor and says "You think I like it this way? You think I want to have anything happen to you guys, the only real friends I've ever had? It breaks my heart to be in this situation. But I was only doing what I thought you would do. I accidentally hurt Hemeth and immediately tried to apologize, like you've told me to do in the past. I was attacked for my trouble! I shouldn't have lost my temper there at the end, but why is it that he can attack me in the heat of the moment but when I do it it's the end of the world!? Why would you defend him instead of me? I thought we were friends?" crying a little bit now..."Hemeth was good, which is why I defended him and stuck up for him all of the time, and he betrays me for one little mistake? I thought that friends forgive, and love one another. Isn't that what you told me? You never failed me. You taught me to expect more from my companions which is why I reacted so strongly to being assaulted by one. My high expectations may have been a bit to lofty, it seems. I'm not mad at him anymore because I am well aware of the fact that rage can blind and make one do stupid things, and if we meet him again I'll tell him as much. But I'm through taking shit from selfish people who want to steal from me and assault me while my friends look on. I like having friends which is why I have let it go thus far, but I can't take much more of that treatment..." begins to quietly sob.
"Put that thing away lass. And I never taught ye to strike ye friends, spit at them and insult them. No, you learned that. I have been trying to teach you to be loyal, understanding and to listen. But ye only hear what suits you lass. Aye, master Elmo took some meat from ye unknowingly, only to convert them to meat snacks. And ye held us up in a duergar temple for it. Aye Hemmeth attacked you, but ye almost killed him... twice. Then ye spit on him. No lass, it's good to have expectations. But ye should have some for yourself and be accountable for ye actions as we all have. We'll talk more but nows not the time.. I have some communing to do with me God, to atone for my mistakes. Mayne some guidance too.."
At that he will turn away and go to commune with moradin.
One by one, each of you begins to wake up and gather your belongings. Everything's the same as it always is for all of you except Gremryl. Upon waking up, and putting his things back in order, he notices something's...off. There's something different about this day than days before it. Huh? It's Leon's Belt of Dwarvenkind! That tricky little rascal must have put it on Gremryl while he was sleeping! Not sure why--...
Gremryl - "Holy Moradin's greatness! MY BEEAAAAARRRRDD!!!!!!!!!" he shouts at the top of his lungs in pure ecstatic joyfulness. "It's back! Oh, my glorious beard has returned! It must be because of this belt! Leon! You magnificent bastard, you!" Gremryl says this as he rushes over to Leon and gives him the most grateful hug a Dwarven Paladin of Moradin can muster.
Everyone now looks at the awe-inspiring beard that has grown overnight and enriched the face of this proud dwarf like no other accessory ever could. It truly is a sight to see.
Having felt the touch of moradin. And the magic of Leon's beard. Gremryl dam near sheds a dwarven test to moisturize his beard!
Leon my boy, tell ye God ye did well, and I'll be dropping s coin or two at the next temple Tymora I come across..or maybe I just buy ye some ales eh!! Well, ain't this a bit of moradins blessing eh!! I do believe we maybe ok. We don't have any other way to go but forward. Moradin will guide us he will. When everyone is ready to move, I'll take lead. We'll get out of this yet!! Or I'm a bearded gnome!"
Leon does a forearm handshake will Grem and takes his belt back from Grem. After dawning his belt, Leon turns to Grem.
”A few ales will do just fine. Don’t thank me too much though. I justed needed you and your beard in top shape for the ass whooping my beard is going to lay on yours once this puppy (points to the belt) gets my beard growing in full effect. It’s a shame really. Once we get to this dwarven town I fear I will have to beat the women of with a stick because of this epic beard. Don’t worry though Grem, you can have my leftovers with that second place beard.”
Leon laughing with his friend and new beard rival turns to get his gear in order to move out.
”Morgana you want to be in the middle with Stool or me? Let’s get this show on the road.”
"Bah, master cleric ye can have the women. Back in my day I was something of a lady'z Dwarf meself. Good Dwarf Gremryl they called me, no dwarven lass could withstand me charm! Then I met Aindura..and well I retired me chain shirt of courting after her. Aye..she made an honest dwarf out of me. (Wistful). But that's another story for another time cleric. Come, let's be off and see if this tunnel has some sort of intersection into one of the main ones perhaps?.."
He Pat's him in the back, amazed that no smudge was left on his clean armor.
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Sure, I'll roll a perception check to see if I can figure out where that rumble is coming from24
"Let's not look the gift death worm in the mouth! Haul ass everybody!" I'll hover down and get stool back on his feet so he can make good his escape.
"Aye lass... let's get to moving"
“Let’s run boys”
Leon begins to run down the tunnel.
my survival roll was 19 with guidance
I'll do the same, I guess. 11 plus 3
To Stool during the long rest: "Stool, we are gonna spend our downtime working on more spores for you. You are doing a great job as a member of this party. Much more valuable than that piece of shit Elmo and no good Hemeth! But I think you can be even better. Now, you have shown the ability to manipulate minds and emotions with your spores. Let's fine tune those abilities a little bit, shall we? Instead of just connecting minds, could you read them as well? Instead of just broadcasting languages, could you help me understand and speak them? Can you learn to sow fear as well as good will? Can you shut a mind off and put a creature to sleep? How do you think you may be able to evolve next?"
To Leon and Hemeth: "You boys ok? You guys are sticking by me and helping me and I value that loyalty, so I don't want you to go dying on me. Anybody need anything?"
Leon hold the spell light over Stool and waits perform their trick.
To Morgana: "By the will of Moradin, have you no sense? No remorse? Look around lass, look at stool. Scared. Look at Master leon. His Armor is ALMOST dirty... look at me.. I dam neer died at the hands of a foul monster. And why? Ye couldn't swallow your pride. Ye had to keep pushing, keep prodding. We lost two of our companions. For what lass? You almost killed Hemmeth. I stepped in to break it up and what do you do?? What do you do?? You hit him with your blasted magic hand and spit at him?! Had I actually seen that, I may have been inclined to leave him to fight you. It goes against my tennets , but so does disrespecting my friends.
You said I have been your ambassador of friendship and if i be leading you in that, then by moradin I have failed. Aye. It's my fault. I thought I had shown you to be friends and back ye companions. I'll be paying my penance to Moradin for that I will. But to who will you? What's to happen if you cross leon? Or me? Eh? Hemmeth was good and so was Elmo. Ye are blind lass. Your rage blinds you and consumes your path and the one you leave behind it. (He motions to the tunnel) as you can see. We are lost, 2 members short of a party and I'm bloody tired. Think on this lass. If we get to the duergar city I WILL find my brother. And you will now have to make a choice. I've lost too many to lose again. That includes you. So I hope you learn and make the choices that need be. "
At that he walks off to find a bit of solace and pray to moradin.. and to rest up..he ain't trying to here nothing.
Leon to the group
”Ehh, Ehh, Ehh... not to shabby righttttttt.....
Leon stops himself as Grem begins to speak at Morgana. Leon turns to Stool and whispers
”Well I thought that looked cool as hell buddy. I hope you are able to learn that new trick with Morgana. Take some time and make sure she is okay tonight. Remember what I am trying to teach you too bud.”
Leon shows Stool again how he casts healing word and then casts healing word on Stool.
After, as Leon passes by Morgana on his way to rest.
”You know he made some good points there, but what do I know I just joined the team. I am going to go practice my dumb religion thing over here. Let me know if you need anything. If not I will take first watch.”
To Leon: "Good work with stool, Leon. Thanks for looking out for him back there, as well. He has great potential but is currently rather fragile. Keep on watching his back if and when I'm not able."
To Stool: "Great going, little buddy! I'm sooooo impressed with how hard you are working and all of the growth that you are showing! I also like what you are saying about my suggestion spell! Let's sit down and work on it together!" And that's what I'll do during my long rest. I'll explain to stool how the suggestion spell works and try to teach him how to attune to it and augment it.
Morgana will move across the cavern to sit next to Grem. She'll then send her mage hand to groom his beard while she talks to him. She sighs, looks at the floor and says "You think I like it this way? You think I want to have anything happen to you guys, the only real friends I've ever had? It breaks my heart to be in this situation. But I was only doing what I thought you would do. I accidentally hurt Hemeth and immediately tried to apologize, like you've told me to do in the past. I was attacked for my trouble! I shouldn't have lost my temper there at the end, but why is it that he can attack me in the heat of the moment but when I do it it's the end of the world!? Why would you defend him instead of me? I thought we were friends?" crying a little bit now..."Hemeth was good, which is why I defended him and stuck up for him all of the time, and he betrays me for one little mistake? I thought that friends forgive, and love one another. Isn't that what you told me? You never failed me. You taught me to expect more from my companions which is why I reacted so strongly to being assaulted by one. My high expectations may have been a bit to lofty, it seems. I'm not mad at him anymore because I am well aware of the fact that rage can blind and make one do stupid things, and if we meet him again I'll tell him as much. But I'm through taking shit from selfish people who want to steal from me and assault me while my friends look on. I like having friends which is why I have let it go thus far, but I can't take much more of that treatment..." begins to quietly sob.
Leon watches at Grem and Morgana share their intimate moment and whispers to himself.
”They have laws about that where I am from...”
Leon coughs a little bit.
“I will take first watch then. You two rest up.”
20 plus guidance 4
advantage17
Gremryl will bat the mage hand away
"Put that thing away lass. And I never taught ye to strike ye friends, spit at them and insult them. No, you learned that. I have been trying to teach you to be loyal, understanding and to listen. But ye only hear what suits you lass. Aye, master Elmo took some meat from ye unknowingly, only to convert them to meat snacks. And ye held us up in a duergar temple for it. Aye Hemmeth attacked you, but ye almost killed him... twice. Then ye spit on him. No lass, it's good to have expectations. But ye should have some for yourself and be accountable for ye actions as we all have. We'll talk more but nows not the time.. I have some communing to do with me God, to atone for my mistakes. Mayne some guidance too.."
At that he will turn away and go to commune with moradin.
Having felt the touch of moradin. And the magic of Leon's beard. Gremryl dam near sheds a dwarven test to moisturize his beard!
Leon my boy, tell ye God ye did well, and I'll be dropping s coin or two at the next temple Tymora I come across..or maybe I just buy ye some ales eh!! Well, ain't this a bit of moradins blessing eh!! I do believe we maybe ok. We don't have any other way to go but forward. Moradin will guide us he will. When everyone is ready to move, I'll take lead. We'll get out of this yet!! Or I'm a bearded gnome!"
Leon does a forearm handshake will Grem and takes his belt back from Grem. After dawning his belt, Leon turns to Grem.
”A few ales will do just fine. Don’t thank me too much though. I justed needed you and your beard in top shape for the ass whooping my beard is going to lay on yours once this puppy (points to the belt) gets my beard growing in full effect. It’s a shame really. Once we get to this dwarven town I fear I will have to beat the women of with a stick because of this epic beard. Don’t worry though Grem, you can have my leftovers with that second place beard.”
Leon laughing with his friend and new beard rival turns to get his gear in order to move out.
”Morgana you want to be in the middle with Stool or me? Let’s get this show on the road.”
Unfazed:
"Bah, master cleric ye can have the women. Back in my day I was something of a lady'z Dwarf meself. Good Dwarf Gremryl they called me, no dwarven lass could withstand me charm! Then I met Aindura..and well I retired me chain shirt of courting after her. Aye..she made an honest dwarf out of me. (Wistful). But that's another story for another time cleric. Come, let's be off and see if this tunnel has some sort of intersection into one of the main ones perhaps?.."
He Pat's him in the back, amazed that no smudge was left on his clean armor.