Le'gal focuses on his bat once again. Darkness and distance are not working on her favor, unfortunately. The 'shepherd' is still sitting on the far corner. The most Le'gal can do is confirm what her familiars reported earlier: his strange facial hair seems to move with its own life. As for the 'flock,' a couple of them have approached the other side of the room, now much closer to the bat. The dark still makes it hard to discern details, but the creatures seem small, perhaps even lumpy. They each have four legs, but are otherwise all torso, with no recognizable neck or head.
Charles tries to examine the dice once again, but finds no new information (he studied them pretty closely before). He does notice, however, that they have indeed regained their charge. As the wizard turns his attention to the mural, he notices similar magic emanating from them. The piece of art is certainly connected to the dice. Before Charles can roll the dice (in-game, but please still roll 2d6 in the thread if doing so), he is scooped by Le'gal.
Presently...
Sigil and his ward, Graxximus, stand in preparation to face whoever might by coming around the corner, both of their shields up. Le'gal begins to prepare his Tiny Hut while the flying cat hides in the corner. Talon, Nox, Fancy, and Charles are beyond the illusion, planning to jump out and surprise the potential foe as planned by Graxximus.
Then...
Animal sounds continue to get closer and closer, then, they are followed by a giggle. A short, balding, white-bearded gnome turns the corner. His hands are constantly gesturing. Little images of large and small animals alike are quickly formed and discarded, floating right in front of his face as the gnome clearly pays no attention on where he is going. The images are accompanied by animal sounds, but they are out of sync. A monkey growls, a wolf peeps, an eagle huffs...
The gnome only stops after bumping into the shields. He looks up surprised: "Well, howdy!" He cocks his neck to the side: "Want to see a dinosaur?" His next image shows a Pteranodon, squirming like a puppy.
Talon tries not to panic. Not sure what this creature is or what it wants. His instinct is to defend or attack in this strange place but he waits and watches to see how Graxx and Sigil deal with it.
He will tell Fancy to turn invisible and scout outside this area. (back into the water area and out the door to see what else might be wandering this way. He will use his action to watch through Fancy's eyes and ears.
Graxx looks down at that gnome keeping his shield up as he trusts nothing in this place. "Hello there", Graxx says to the gnome.
Graxx says, "My name is Graxximus. Do you mean us harm? An please kind, sir speak no lies to me or my companion here." Graxx says nodding to Sigil as Graxx points his arm making this 15-foot radius exist to where it is behind the gnome and only the last five feet catch the area the gnome is in and do not affect Graxx or Sigil. Graxx will cast Zone of Truth CHA Save 17.
Le'gal remains true to her original course, but spares what attention she can away from it listening to the ongoing conversation. Very close, if the process allows for it. All the while silently thankful her focus -- a peculiar ruby fused with the handled of her mace -- made it so necessary to keep the weapon in hand.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Not wanting to make any noise to ruin the potential surprise ambush if feces hits the ceiling, Charles will pocket the dice for now. He turns his attention to the gnome on the other side of the illusion. Charles will read his body language and his tone of voice to maybe get an insightful look on the gnome's potential intentions: 12
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Graxximus weaves a spell into his greeting:
-> Gnome's CHA saving throw {DC 17} vs Zone of Truth: 27
"Well, Mr. Graxximus, you are a sneaky one. Like my friend Milo, but with spells. I know spells too! Want to see a gorilla?" He produces a static image of a miniature gorilla on his hand, neighing like a horse.
He looks at Nox: "Yes, I am ruckus. No wait... That's not my name." He ponders for a second: "My name is... Sparkle... Sparklegem! Yes, and I love a good ruckus. Do you like it too, reptile lady?"
While this is happening, Charles tries to listen to the gnome and infer real meaning. Basing her conclusion on his voice is the best he can do without line of sight. Unfortunately, the randomness of his tone and word choice make it hard for the halfling to discern any hidden intentions.
He continues: "Ohh. Is that one of my treasure rooms?" He wags a finger at Sigil: "Did you take my treasure, naughty boy?" He laughs maniacally. "It is pardoned, worry not. You are here to kill me, right? In that case, it is all indeed pardoned."
Le'gal finishes her spell.
"Come, come... follow me. You have to kill my friends too." He does not move.
While this is happening, Fancy turns invisible and flies in the opposite direction Sparklegem came from, heading back towards the swimming pool. Talon gives his familiar some time and then peeks through its eyes. The pool is still, the mural depicts the same imminent goblin swarm attack, and the remnants of a camp are still in the corner (some food bits, your guys' footprints on the dust, etc.)
After a few moments he says: "Are you done? Can we go now?" He does a 180-degree turn and begins walking towards the hallway he came from.
Graxx does not move, "We are not done and we will not be going anywhere until you have answered our questions. If you wish for death you must first explain yourself as I do not have orders to kill you."
Talon finally settles down, though this weird gnome with a death wish (or threat?) still bothers him. He will send Graxx a message that only Graxx can hear. "I saw you casting a spell, is this creature under the power of yourtruthfulness? If he is please touch your right ear." Talon believes that he probably should attack but allows patience, to delay him. Delays in the past have proven costly and this world they have found themselves in does not produce very many nice people.
Well, this gnome must have overpowered whatever it was that Graxx threw at him. Talon takes it into his head to not underestimate their new 'friend'. But still he waits patiently and tells Graxx, "I understand, crafty this little fellow. Hummm."
"You are the trialists, are you not?" he cocks his neck to one side. "Then you've reached farthest then any previous group. Come, come... you need to see it to the end. We all do. Death is just a small part of it. Have you not been dying since you got here?" He cocks his neck to the other side. "I bet you were all gnomes when you started... Hihihihi"
He then creates a large ladybug image on his hand, which sounds like church bells. "Come, come..."He turns his back to you and turns around the corner. He was not far from the corner to begin with, so even though you cannot see him now, he cannot be more than 15 or 20 feet around the corner.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
At a thought, the bat tries to flit away to another corner to hide along the ceiling and maintain its vigil. Meanwhile, having completed her spell the bugbear is able to give the strange gnome her full attention, and try to get a read on his true intentions. Or a hint, at least.. And nothing about his mannerism or words can lift the scowl from her face. "Not like." Le'gal states, breaking her self-imposed silence. Trusting her Tressym to sort things out, she sends it immediately after the gnome and around the corner. With any luck, it is faster than the more impulsive members of her team.
She keeps abreast indirectly while looking loosely in the direction of others. "No advice, but... Proceed with caution, if proceeding at all." She states, assuming nothing untoward happens to her flying cat familiar. "And not go too far. Magic of place twists things." She warns. "Would go, but..." She motions to the (clear)dome currently surrounding her, then shrugs helplessly. Then she thinks about it again, and sighs heavily as she looks to Nox. "Or on second thought...Up to you two.." She looks between Sigil and Grixx.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Much like Charles before her, while still in the treasure room, Le'gal does not have a visual on the gnome and must therefore, base her insightful assessment on voice tone only. His pitch and tone vary with almost every other phrase, making it extremely hard to get confirmation of anything within his words. Nonetheless, the bugbear is at least sure that the gnome himself believes in every word he is saying. His near-insanity makes it impossible for him to deliberately lie. Either that or the gnome believes everything he says is true, always, regardless of how insane it may sound. He might not even understand to concept of deceit.
The Tressym is the first to follow the gnome. It sees that he has indeed not gone too far. He has stopped for a smoke. He is filling a long, curved pipe with dried smoking leaves while pondering whether to turn to his immediate right, or continue straight ahead towards another door. These are the same options the flying cat saw before, while exploring ahead before Sigil found the treasure room.
The bat tries to get another vantage point. Its wings flap loudly this time, immediately catching the attention of the 'shepherd'. The humanoid approaches fast, and at about 50 feet away from the obliviously approaching bat, he sends a wave of brain power towards the familiar:
-> Bat's INT saving throw {DC 15}: 16 - the bat explores.
Before loosing her connection, Le'gal takes advantage of the shorter distance between the 'shepherd' and the bat and realizes that it is not a humanoid at all, though it stands like one. Then, she is forced back into her own visual field.
After seeing the gnome go around the corner Graxx will look to Sigil, "Let us discuss with the others."
Graxx will take a step back into the treasure room and brief everyone on what has occurred including the fact that the gnome resisted his zone of truth spell.
Graxx will then say, "My instincts tell me this is a trap and we should not follow this gnome. However, I also feel like this is a threat we will need to deal with sooner or later and this threat knows we are here. The gnome only saw Sigil and I and I do not believe is aware of the rest of our numbers. We still may have some element of surprise but we need to move quickly if we are to follow this gnome. What say you all?"
Talon is still wary. "Like you say Master Graxx, we may not have many choices. I will keep Fancy, my fey ally, ahead with the gnome and we can follow at a distance if that feels better. Otherwise we can choose our own path and let the gnome wander alone. My vote is to follow at a distance but I don't trust anyone in the maze, including myself. That is my vote but it may not be worth much. What say you all?"
"We might aswell prepare for a fight, Spark..Spakles little fellow seemed way to casual strolling around here announcing where he is. The fact he din't care to be killed or even invite to get his friends killed is a disturbing though to me. We don't have much time left i bet hes informing his buddies, not sure if his buddies will be so forgiven for taking there treasure."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"That one mad. Believes own words though. No matter sanity." Le'gal expresses as much once folk are gathered at least loosely about her dome, if not inside. A few short words are given as update about the other path as well as she does one final check on her gear. "Either way, if trap. Necessary evil to go. Find more-..." She stops abruptly and looks about the room. She then takes a moment to create a sort of mini-map of their progress before finally speaking up, "Unless informing through telepathy, gnome safe. Mostly. Say we follow. For now."
With that, she looks to Sigil for the final word. But regardless of what it may be, the woman had no interest of further arguing points; just in moving at this point before the hour closes.
(@Lerus: I assume you want another intelligence check for the mini-map. If so, here it is:8 , and if at advantage:7 )
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
A few moments ago...
Le'gal focuses on his bat once again. Darkness and distance are not working on her favor, unfortunately. The 'shepherd' is still sitting on the far corner. The most Le'gal can do is confirm what her familiars reported earlier: his strange facial hair seems to move with its own life. As for the 'flock,' a couple of them have approached the other side of the room, now much closer to the bat. The dark still makes it hard to discern details, but the creatures seem small, perhaps even lumpy. They each have four legs, but are otherwise all torso, with no recognizable neck or head.
Charles tries to examine the dice once again, but finds no new information (he studied them pretty closely before). He does notice, however, that they have indeed regained their charge. As the wizard turns his attention to the mural, he notices similar magic emanating from them. The piece of art is certainly connected to the dice. Before Charles can roll the dice (in-game, but please still roll 2d6 in the thread if doing so), he is scooped by Le'gal.
Presently...
Sigil and his ward, Graxximus, stand in preparation to face whoever might by coming around the corner, both of their shields up. Le'gal begins to prepare his Tiny Hut while the flying cat hides in the corner. Talon, Nox, Fancy, and Charles are beyond the illusion, planning to jump out and surprise the potential foe as planned by Graxximus.
Then...
Animal sounds continue to get closer and closer, then, they are followed by a giggle. A short, balding, white-bearded gnome turns the corner. His hands are constantly gesturing. Little images of large and small animals alike are quickly formed and discarded, floating right in front of his face as the gnome clearly pays no attention on where he is going. The images are accompanied by animal sounds, but they are out of sync. A monkey growls, a wolf peeps, an eagle huffs...
The gnome only stops after bumping into the shields. He looks up surprised: "Well, howdy!" He cocks his neck to the side: "Want to see a dinosaur?" His next image shows a Pteranodon, squirming like a puppy.
Talon tries not to panic. Not sure what this creature is or what it wants. His instinct is to defend or attack in this strange place but he waits and watches to see how Graxx and Sigil deal with it.
He will tell Fancy to turn invisible and scout outside this area. (back into the water area and out the door to see what else might be wandering this way. He will use his action to watch through Fancy's eyes and ears.
Lot's of stuff ...
Graxx looks down at that gnome keeping his shield up as he trusts nothing in this place. "Hello there", Graxx says to the gnome.
Graxx says, "My name is Graxximus. Do you mean us harm? An please kind, sir speak no lies to me or my companion here." Graxx says nodding to Sigil as Graxx points his arm making this 15-foot radius exist to where it is behind the gnome and only the last five feet catch the area the gnome is in and do not affect Graxx or Sigil. Graxx will cast Zone of Truth CHA Save 17.
Nox ask the gnome "How long have you been here little fellow? Do you always make ruckus wherever you go?"
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
Le'gal remains true to her original course, but spares what attention she can away from it listening to the ongoing conversation. Very close, if the process allows for it. All the while silently thankful her focus -- a peculiar ruby fused with the handled of her mace -- made it so necessary to keep the weapon in hand.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Not wanting to make any noise to ruin the potential surprise ambush if feces hits the ceiling, Charles will pocket the dice for now. He turns his attention to the gnome on the other side of the illusion. Charles will read his body language and his tone of voice to maybe get an insightful look on the gnome's potential intentions: 12
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
Graxximus weaves a spell into his greeting:
-> Gnome's CHA saving throw {DC 17} vs Zone of Truth: 27
"Well, Mr. Graxximus, you are a sneaky one. Like my friend Milo, but with spells. I know spells too! Want to see a gorilla?" He produces a static image of a miniature gorilla on his hand, neighing like a horse.
He looks at Nox: "Yes, I am ruckus. No wait... That's not my name." He ponders for a second: "My name is... Sparkle... Sparklegem! Yes, and I love a good ruckus. Do you like it too, reptile lady?"
While this is happening, Charles tries to listen to the gnome and infer real meaning. Basing her conclusion on his voice is the best he can do without line of sight. Unfortunately, the randomness of his tone and word choice make it hard for the halfling to discern any hidden intentions.
He continues: "Ohh. Is that one of my treasure rooms?" He wags a finger at Sigil: "Did you take my treasure, naughty boy?" He laughs maniacally. "It is pardoned, worry not. You are here to kill me, right? In that case, it is all indeed pardoned."
Le'gal finishes her spell.
"Come, come... follow me. You have to kill my friends too." He does not move.
While this is happening, Fancy turns invisible and flies in the opposite direction Sparklegem came from, heading back towards the swimming pool. Talon gives his familiar some time and then peeks through its eyes. The pool is still, the mural depicts the same imminent goblin swarm attack, and the remnants of a camp are still in the corner (some food bits, your guys' footprints on the dust, etc.)
After a few moments he says: "Are you done? Can we go now?" He does a 180-degree turn and begins walking towards the hallway he came from.
Sigil re-raises his shield. ”You want us to kill you? Why?”
Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear
Graxx does not move, "We are not done and we will not be going anywhere until you have answered our questions. If you wish for death you must first explain yourself as I do not have orders to kill you."
Talon finally settles down, though this weird gnome with a death wish (or threat?) still bothers him. He will send Graxx a message that only Graxx can hear. "I saw you casting a spell, is this creature under the power of your truthfulness? If he is please touch your right ear." Talon believes that he probably should attack but allows patience, to delay him. Delays in the past have proven costly and this world they have found themselves in does not produce very many nice people.
Lot's of stuff ...
Graxx will pat the left side of his head twice.
Well, this gnome must have overpowered whatever it was that Graxx threw at him. Talon takes it into his head to not underestimate their new 'friend'. But still he waits patiently and tells Graxx, "I understand, crafty this little fellow. Hummm."
Lot's of stuff ...
"You are the trialists, are you not?" he cocks his neck to one side. "Then you've reached farthest then any previous group. Come, come... you need to see it to the end. We all do. Death is just a small part of it. Have you not been dying since you got here?" He cocks his neck to the other side. "I bet you were all gnomes when you started... Hihihihi"
He then creates a large ladybug image on his hand, which sounds like church bells. "Come, come..." He turns his back to you and turns around the corner. He was not far from the corner to begin with, so even though you cannot see him now, he cannot be more than 15 or 20 feet around the corner.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Much like Charles before her, while still in the treasure room, Le'gal does not have a visual on the gnome and must therefore, base her insightful assessment on voice tone only. His pitch and tone vary with almost every other phrase, making it extremely hard to get confirmation of anything within his words. Nonetheless, the bugbear is at least sure that the gnome himself believes in every word he is saying. His near-insanity makes it impossible for him to deliberately lie. Either that or the gnome believes everything he says is true, always, regardless of how insane it may sound. He might not even understand to concept of deceit.
The Tressym is the first to follow the gnome. It sees that he has indeed not gone too far. He has stopped for a smoke. He is filling a long, curved pipe with dried smoking leaves while pondering whether to turn to his immediate right, or continue straight ahead towards another door. These are the same options the flying cat saw before, while exploring ahead before Sigil found the treasure room.
The bat tries to get another vantage point. Its wings flap loudly this time, immediately catching the attention of the 'shepherd'. The humanoid approaches fast, and at about 50 feet away from the obliviously approaching bat, he sends a wave of brain power towards the familiar:
-> Bat's INT saving throw {DC 15}: 16 - the bat explores.
Before loosing her connection, Le'gal takes advantage of the shorter distance between the 'shepherd' and the bat and realizes that it is not a humanoid at all, though it stands like one. Then, she is forced back into her own visual field.
After seeing the gnome go around the corner Graxx will look to Sigil, "Let us discuss with the others."
Graxx will take a step back into the treasure room and brief everyone on what has occurred including the fact that the gnome resisted his zone of truth spell.
Graxx will then say, "My instincts tell me this is a trap and we should not follow this gnome. However, I also feel like this is a threat we will need to deal with sooner or later and this threat knows we are here. The gnome only saw Sigil and I and I do not believe is aware of the rest of our numbers. We still may have some element of surprise but we need to move quickly if we are to follow this gnome. What say you all?"
Talon is still wary. "Like you say Master Graxx, we may not have many choices. I will keep Fancy, my fey ally, ahead with the gnome and we can follow at a distance if that feels better. Otherwise we can choose our own path and let the gnome wander alone. My vote is to follow at a distance but I don't trust anyone in the maze, including myself. That is my vote but it may not be worth much. What say you all?"
Lot's of stuff ...
"We might aswell prepare for a fight, Spark..Spakles little fellow seemed way to casual strolling around here announcing where he is. The fact he din't care to be killed or even invite to get his friends killed is a disturbing though to me. We don't have much time left i bet hes informing his buddies, not sure if his buddies will be so forgiven for taking there treasure."
After that Nox touch the ground and summon 8 beast creatures (CR1/4) around her.
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
"That one mad. Believes own words though. No matter sanity." Le'gal expresses as much once folk are gathered at least loosely about her dome, if not inside. A few short words are given as update about the other path as well as she does one final check on her gear. "Either way, if trap. Necessary evil to go. Find more-..." She stops abruptly and looks about the room. She then takes a moment to create a sort of mini-map of their progress before finally speaking up, "Unless informing through telepathy, gnome safe. Mostly. Say we follow. For now."
With that, she looks to Sigil for the final word. But regardless of what it may be, the woman had no interest of further arguing points; just in moving at this point before the hour closes.
(@Lerus: I assume you want another intelligence check for the mini-map. If so, here it is:8 , and if at advantage:7 )
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
“So be it. If the gnome requests death. He shall have it. We should do our best to make it a quick death. Let Sigil and I bring up the front.”
Graxx walks out of the illusion to Sigil.
”We follow the gnome.”
Graxx will hold his Mace of Smiting out in front of him.
”Tempus, hear my call and make my weapon yours.”
Graxx will begin concentrating Elemental Weapon as his mace become surrounded by flame.
Graxx will head in the direction of the gnome.