Nomi shrugs. "That's a sound theory. But I'm nearly certain Ogremoch's Bane wasn't present before Blindenstone was sacked by the Drow. Whenever Ogremoch's Bane appeared, it happened after the Svirfneblin left. I have never heard anyone speak of a circle here in Blingdenstone, at least in the parts we have explored adequately. So, it's a theory."
The symbols trigger memories from Orubis who grew up in Blingdenstone and has explored the surrounding caves and tunnels, and also triggers a similar memory from Grithik, who passed through on his way to Blingdenstone from Gracklstugh. Both seem to recall little structures made of piled stones in a triangular shape with a hollow center. Never more than a curiosity, neither can recall exactly where those were found. Between the two you all agree to retrace Grithik's steps and narrow down the search that way.
Your party agrees to help the Deep Gnomes, then prepares provisions to head out of Blingdenstone in search of Entremoch's Boon.
(See OOC thread HERE to understand the mechanics that will cover the entire round trip.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Orubis and Grithik together navigate the underdark outside of Blingdenstone in an attempt to retrace Grithik's path. However, travel is stalled when the party reaches a 40 foot high cliff where Grithik is sure there used to be a rope ladder. Where did it go?
Rodolfo says, "We need to go up? I can do the walk-on-walls trick on someone who can carry the rest of us up. Skameros, you up for it?"
Beegred: "Sounds good to me. "If for some reason we have to try something else, I could try aRope Trick, but we'd have to start 30' up that cliff in order for the 60' of rope to get us the rest of the way."
(OOC: We wouldn't use the safe space itself, just the fact that the 60' of rope would go vertical and be "anchored" by magic.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Rodolfo pats Skameros on the knee (and casts spider climb), "There you go. It will last a good long while, I'll warn you when it starts to wear off though."
(Skameros is able to walk on walls and ceilings and whatnot for an hour, have fun!)
Skameros climbs the the 80 foot cliff without effort. As he climbs, he finds the pitons that secured the rope ladder have been pried out or broken off. At the top, he finds the rope ladder piled in a heap. Dropping the rope ladder down and holding the top, the rest of the party can climb up without issue.
Why the rope ladder was tampered with is a mystery, but your party choose to continue their search. Stopping in an adequate hollow to rest, nothing finds you. In fact, it almost seems too quiet, considering the talk of increased dangers from demons outside of Blingdenstone proper. The only thing that is really disturbing are the dreams. Each of you dream and they are not good dreams. Some dream of rot, decay and infection. Others dream of slime and oozes. Some dream of undead. Some hear the barks of hyenas. Some see creatures with two heads. You wake physically rested but disturbed nonetheless.
At the end of the second day of retracing Grithik's path, Orubis is the first to spot the marker. A construction of stacked stones, about waist high to a gnome, looking like a cross between a pyramid and a bridge. The tunnel is damp, the walls exuding moisture. Where the walls are damp, moss and fungi grow thick. Where the stone is bare, it is speckled with varying colors, giving the area a false sense of light, shadow and depth. It is almost disorienting when staring too long at the walls.
At the end of the second day of retracing Grithik's path, Orubis is the first to spot the marker. A construction of stacked stones, about waist high to a gnome, looking like a cross between a pyramid and a bridge.
Beegred: "Why use gnomes as a measuring stick? Why not halflings?" When reminded that this isn't important (compared to finding the marker), he sulks a bit, but then focuses on the task.
Beegred appears confident while looking around the tunnel, but then asks the others timidly, "Was that the marker for good things, or bad things?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Rodolfo examines the marker, trying to figure out any hidden purpose. The marker has 3 tips and is laid out so one tip points down the tunnel, the other tip points up the tunnel and the third tip points to the ceiling. Looking in those directions doesn't reveal anything useful.
Getting down on his knees, Rodolfo looks into the hollow of the marker to the wall of the cave behind it and sees the same varying coloration of rock as the tunnel, but clearly showing an scene. The image shows the familiar shape of a Galeb Duhr standing guard in front of a tunnel opening and the familiar shape of the double triangle to provide a reference point, no bigger than a speck.
Comparing the speck in the image with the tunnel marker, Rodolfo estimates the hidden tunnel opening shown in the image is behind a thick layer of moss, which he now stands in front of.
As Skameros begins to rip off the layers of moss and fungi, he eventually touches the cave wall. When he does, it convulses, shifts and transforms into the familiar shape of a Galeb Duhr, revealing the opening of a non descript tunnel. It stands barring the way, and speaks in a language that sounds like grinding rock.
Rodolfo says, "I guess we should have asked what we should do should we actually succeed at finding the place. Or maybe that's it and we just need to record the location?"
He bows at the Galeb Dhur and says, "We come in peace. We were sent to look for the Entermoch's Boon at the time of great need." (if I mis-spelled it, it's not intentional). He starts with gnomish, then tries dwarvish, then common.
Nomi shrugs. "That's a sound theory. But I'm nearly certain Ogremoch's Bane wasn't present before Blindenstone was sacked by the Drow. Whenever Ogremoch's Bane appeared, it happened after the Svirfneblin left. I have never heard anyone speak of a circle here in Blingdenstone, at least in the parts we have explored adequately. So, it's a theory."
(Does the symbol mean anything for Rodolfo or the others? Did we stumble across anything of the like in our travels so far?)
The symbols trigger memories from Orubis who grew up in Blingdenstone and has explored the surrounding caves and tunnels, and also triggers a similar memory from Grithik, who passed through on his way to Blingdenstone from Gracklstugh. Both seem to recall little structures made of piled stones in a triangular shape with a hollow center. Never more than a curiosity, neither can recall exactly where those were found. Between the two you all agree to retrace Grithik's steps and narrow down the search that way.
Your party agrees to help the Deep Gnomes, then prepares provisions to head out of Blingdenstone in search of Entremoch's Boon.
(See OOC thread HERE to understand the mechanics that will cover the entire round trip.)
Orubis and Grithik together navigate the underdark outside of Blingdenstone in an attempt to retrace Grithik's path. However, travel is stalled when the party reaches a 40 foot high cliff where Grithik is sure there used to be a rope ladder. Where did it go?
(Minor terrain encounter. Ball is in your court.)
Rodolfo says, "We need to go up? I can do the walk-on-walls trick on someone who can carry the rest of us up. Skameros, you up for it?"
Beegred: "Sounds good to me.
"If for some reason we have to try something else, I could try a Rope Trick , but we'd have to start 30' up that cliff in order for the 60' of rope to get us the rest of the way."
(OOC: We wouldn't use the safe space itself, just the fact that the 60' of rope would go vertical and be "anchored" by magic.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Rodolfo pats Skameros on the knee (and casts spider climb), "There you go. It will last a good long while, I'll warn you when it starts to wear off though."
(Skameros is able to walk on walls and ceilings and whatnot for an hour, have fun!)
“That’s amazing. Nicely done.” Orubis is impressed and will climb up after the others.
Trying out a new font color
Paladin - warforged - orange
Skameros thanks Rudolfo, secures the rope around his waist and scrambles up the wall, well like a spider.
Once he reaches the top he will assist in pulling everyone up the cliff face.
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Skameros climbs the the 80 foot cliff without effort. As he climbs, he finds the pitons that secured the rope ladder have been pried out or broken off. At the top, he finds the rope ladder piled in a heap. Dropping the rope ladder down and holding the top, the rest of the party can climb up without issue.
Why the rope ladder was tampered with is a mystery, but your party choose to continue their search. Stopping in an adequate hollow to rest, nothing finds you. In fact, it almost seems too quiet, considering the talk of increased dangers from demons outside of Blingdenstone proper. The only thing that is really disturbing are the dreams. Each of you dream and they are not good dreams. Some dream of rot, decay and infection. Others dream of slime and oozes. Some dream of undead. Some hear the barks of hyenas. Some see creatures with two heads. You wake physically rested but disturbed nonetheless.
At the end of the second day of retracing Grithik's path, Orubis is the first to spot the marker. A construction of stacked stones, about waist high to a gnome, looking like a cross between a pyramid and a bridge. The tunnel is damp, the walls exuding moisture. Where the walls are damp, moss and fungi grow thick. Where the stone is bare, it is speckled with varying colors, giving the area a false sense of light, shadow and depth. It is almost disorienting when staring too long at the walls.
Beegred: "Why use gnomes as a measuring stick? Why not halflings?"
When reminded that this isn't important (compared to finding the marker), he sulks a bit, but then focuses on the task.
Beegred appears confident while looking around the tunnel, but then asks the others timidly, "Was that the marker for good things, or bad things?"
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Rodolfo says, "Right, that looks like it."
He examines it closely to try to see if it points in some direction.
"Where do we go from here? Is this like a marker of an area? If we look nearby then we should find others?"
Rodolfo examines the marker, trying to figure out any hidden purpose. The marker has 3 tips and is laid out so one tip points down the tunnel, the other tip points up the tunnel and the third tip points to the ceiling. Looking in those directions doesn't reveal anything useful.
Getting down on his knees, Rodolfo looks into the hollow of the marker to the wall of the cave behind it and sees the same varying coloration of rock as the tunnel, but clearly showing an scene. The image shows the familiar shape of a Galeb Duhr standing guard in front of a tunnel opening and the familiar shape of the double triangle to provide a reference point, no bigger than a speck.
Comparing the speck in the image with the tunnel marker, Rodolfo estimates the hidden tunnel opening shown in the image is behind a thick layer of moss, which he now stands in front of.
Rodolfo straightens up and says, "I believe there might be a hidden tunnel," he points, "here."
He turns to Skameros once more, "Do you mind trying to move the wall? Might use a proper push or a lift or something."
(if it doesn't work and there isn't an obvious way through then he will cast Knock on it)
Skameros will attempt to open the secret door
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
As Skameros begins to rip off the layers of moss and fungi, he eventually touches the cave wall. When he does, it convulses, shifts and transforms into the familiar shape of a Galeb Duhr, revealing the opening of a non descript tunnel. It stands barring the way, and speaks in a language that sounds like grinding rock.
(It speaks in Terran)
Startled, Skameros backs up, points and says "Gallubdur..."
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Rodolfo says, "I guess we should have asked what we should do should we actually succeed at finding the place. Or maybe that's it and we just need to record the location?"
He bows at the Galeb Dhur and says, "We come in peace. We were sent to look for the Entermoch's Boon at the time of great need." (if I mis-spelled it, it's not intentional). He starts with gnomish, then tries dwarvish, then common.
The Galeb Duhr is unresponsive to gnomish, dwarvish or common. It continues to bar the way into the new tunnel.