Yeah, there were... things. Monster. Undead, I think. Undead, right? he asks the others. Anyways, we killed 'em. Proper dead they are now. Not undead. Heh.
He looks around, frowning, thinking of what more he can say. Yeah. We probably should've brought back a few bits, yeah? Like a head? I dunno. He knows more,he points at Burik.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Effort rolls her eyes at Brask, then steps forward. I wish I could still mask my face like this,she thinks, tail twitching a little in anxiety. Still... playing nice for a crowd? That was something she was always good at. She squeezes her hands together and mumbles under her breath, before stepping forward and using thaumaturgy to make her voice carry over those gathered.
"Good women and men of this town," Effort begins, raising her arms in supplication to those who've gathered round them. "Great dangers lie in beyond in the depths of the mind. Something most foul seeks to tear the veil between this world and the next. Its very presence desecrates the ground, and it has sent forth its undead minions to do its bidding. Worse yet, it wars with another presence within the mines - a fiendish evil, that vies for control. Though they fight each other, they are drawing your village into their dark conflict. However, it is through the efforts and sacrifice of your very own Talhunds - Thurnar and Burik - that we have temporarily driven back that evil. I know not how long our measures will hold, but you must make plans and prepare, for the upcoming battle will require your strength, and your unity. We all have our own parts to play in defeating the evil sweeping across this entire continent. And right now, in this village, your duty is to stand strong and fight against that evil."
You are making a scene, Cadmael whispers in her mind, staring at her from Brask's shoulder.
Effort winces a little and lowers her arms. Yes, I know. But this way they may see us as heroes... and pay us to continue on our journey. Besides, we are doing them a favor by warning them. And getting Thurnar here perhaps something a little healthier to drink than spider blood.
(OOC: I don't know, that was just an information dump for the townspeople, really. Do I need to make a persuasion roll or anything? Like to get them to pay us for our adventure down there? If so...
As they exit the cave Burik looks back, into and beyond the darkness. His mind taken back to that day. The darkness fills his vision, his mind lost to that moment. It takes a physical jolt to pull him back and away.
He is quiet and distant, well more than normal, on the journey back to the village.
Quietly, away from the townspeople "To stay here, near the surface is to move a mountain a pebble at a time. And yet to delve deep, down to where the darkness meets eternity would take an army of... talhunds, with the power of the gods themselves." His face visibly darkens. "An unending fight doomed to failure, an impossible fight ending in death, leaving those unlucky enough to live to die while we attempt to stem another incursion. An impossible decision with no right answer..."
"I'll be waiting on the edge when you're done here. That mine... it brought back..." He bites his lip before he continues, "Brought back bad memories, of bad times and... worse encounters..." He noticeably avoids his parents places of work or home, instead drinking the rest of the spirit he took while looking over the valley below from a good vantage point. Just watching the world go by.
Burik, as you turn back and stare into the darkness of the tunnel, something flashes across your mind's eye. A dark, amorphous figure. Familiar to you, but at the same time strange and fleeting. It floats across your consciousness for just a moment until you are snapped back to reality. A chill goes down your spine.
The townspeople listen intently as the others tell of the dangers in the tunnels and beyond. By the time Effort is finished, a few of the dwarves are patting each other on the shoulders with reassurance. A few of them shout thank yous, and one dwarf takes a step out of the crowd and shouts. "A round of drink for the heroes, on me!" Others join in cheering, and the crowd slowly starts to move toward the tavern.
I was going to ask for persuasion, so that's perfect. Although these dwarves probably aren't keen on just tossing out coin without proof or without being explicitly asked for it. :)
"Well, what do you know?" Effort says to Brask and Thurnar. "Free drinks." She turns to follow to crowd, then pauses as Burik inexplicably turns away and walks in the opposite direction. "What's up with him?" she asks Thurnar under her breath. "Brought what back? I mean he's always moody, but this is practically reaching elvish heights right now."
A little niggle of worry makes Effort turn to Cadmael. Follow him. Keep an eye on him for us. Make sure he's not doing anything foolish, like drinking himself into a stupor while we aren't watching.
As you command,Cadmael replies, leaping off of Brask's shoulder to fly after Burik.
(While Effort's still in town, she's going to purchase 1 more set of components to re-summon a familiar, just in case.)
"The talhunds are granted power, but they are also targets," Thurnar walks with you down to the tavern. "There are places beyond this world that reach out to us with black fingers. They've reached out to Burik before, and will do so again. It is a lot of responsibility to take on. Eventually we will all have to face the darkness."
When you all reach the tavern, the dwarf who said he would, buys you all a round of ale. Not to be outdone, someone else offers to buy the heroes pork chop dinners - a pricey menu item. When everyone has their steins of ale, Bharrum raises a stein himself from behind the bar. "May Moradin watch over ye!" Everyone shouts and chugs their beer. Bharrum has a pitcher ready to refill yours.
Burik:
An hour or so goes by as the sun makes its way over the valley below you. Occasionally a flock of geese fly by overhead, but it's mostly quiet. Eventually, you hear footsteps coming up behind you. It's your mother.
"Burik, my boy, did you really think I wasn't going to come looking for ye?" Tyssora sits down next to you, reading your face. "I don't fully know what has happened to you down there...both last night and before ye left. But I know you are special. And I know whatever it is you have to do...you don't have to do it alone. You have your father and I...and it looks like you have some friends who will fight by your side. It's important for you to remember that. Now...come have some food and visit with your father one last time before you head out on the road again!" She puts her hand on your shoulder to push herself back onto her feet.
Brask keeps Bharrum busy for the rest of the day and drinks long and deep from the generosity of the village. As he starts to relax and enjoy himself, he'll tell a few tales of some of the more gory and extreme fights from his days as a gladiator in the arena, definitely exaggerating his own skill and with each foe at least twice the size it really was, but he's only interested in telling a fun story in exchange for the drink.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Your tall tales quickly spread around the tavern and then throughout the village - by the time evening rolls around it seems as though the entire village is inside the bar, listening intently to stories about the arena. Everyone erupts into loud cheers each time you slam your fist down on the table and exclaim how you killed an opponent. Some of the dwarves even start tossing coins onto your table as you tell the stories, leaving you with 14 copper and 11 silver at the end of the night.
Brask pocket the money with a broad grin, and toasts his audience. When the night has wound down, he heads off to sleep, probably in the exact same spot as last time.
As you all go to leave the tavern, Thurnar waves you over to his table. The surface of the table is completely covered with plates. Most have been cleared by the hungry dwarf, crumbs and cleaned bones scattered about. He leans back in his chair as he chews on the what remains of a pork rib. "I want to thank you all for venturing down into that tunnel. I don't think I would have made it out alive if it weren't for you. I'm glad you got some coin and fine ale out of the deal...but the day is coming soon that you'll be fighting for all of our lives and not just a few silver."
He leans down and picks up a pouch, pulling out something small that's been wrapped in brown paper. He unfolds it to reveal a brilliant green emerald, diamond cut. "Your friend Burik is battling demons of his own, but I don't think he'll be able to defeat them on his own. He'll need your help...and I'm hoping this will help as well. Could you give this to him? A gift from Dumathoin. He'll know when to use it."
"Don't sell it! Ha," he glances at Brask. "Ain't an ordinary gem. Anyway, you all go get some sleep. I suppose you'll be on your way come morning. I'll see you again when the time comes."
"Yes... thank you for your help as well, Thurnar. Try not to get yourself killed," Effort says with a slight smile.
Before they leave, Effort gets in touch with Cadmael, to check on Burik. Seeing as he seems to be safe, she turns to Brask and says "Why don't we try holing up at Burik's parents' place again? I don't fancy paying for a room tonight, and they're offering."
She leads Brask through the town, stopping before Burik's familial abode and knocking on the door there.
You're of course welcomed to spend the night again. You all sleep extremely well after last night's fight and an evening filled with drinking and eating.
Things seem a bit lighter when you wake. The sun is just starting to appear over the shortest mountain peaks, bringing warm golden light into the home. Bacon, potatoes, and some kind of honeyed bread are served.
At this point you all know there are a few ways to continue heading west. Through the mountains, which you've opted out of. Over the mountain pass just a bit to the north, which still requires climbing through some of the moderately high peaks. And finally, moving south along the edge of the range until you get closer to the southern coast, then taking that west around the range. That will take a bit longer.
OOC: I hope everyone is doing OK amidst the virus chaos! I'm working from home for the coming weeks/months with my three-year old here, and we're also moving next week! Pretty nuts, but still playing D&D and posting here to stay sane.
Burik will linger for a while after his mother leaves, before heading back home. But even there his view is distant, some sort of internal struggle going on through the evening and the night.
The night brings him no dreams, nor nightmares. Though the morning seems to bring him clarity. He rises long before the others, heading outside to train with his weapons and cantrips. By the time the others wake he's had to strip down somewhat from the heat of exercise, naked from the waist up.
The training continues for some time, only rarely stopping for some water. He barely reacts to anyone until they say they're ready to leave.
"Shall we continue towards the coast, then?" Effort asks the others, summoning Cadmael to her side. "I've little desire to return to the undermountain right now. So it is either braving the mountains overhead or taking the long, smelly way around. And as much as I despise that smell, I am hardly equipped for the cold and hardships of a mountain crossing, myself."
When the group has agreed on a direction, Effort will set out with the rest, and send Cadmael to scout along the path. "Be careful, my friend," she commands as he takes to the air.
Effort and Brask find Burik outside training, swinging his weapons and blasting energy into the ether. When he realizes it's time to go, he stuffs some things into his pack and joins you. He remains shirtless for awhile, letting the breeze cool his overworked body.
It's an absolutely beautiful day. There's still a chill in the air - you're quite high up, after all - but the sun's warm rays counteract it as you travel south. For most of the day, the landscape remains the same. Mountains to your left, pine forest and descending hills to your right. You see a glistening river off in the distance beyond the hills, the most southern and largest of the tributaries extending out from Lovilra.
The peaks seem to be getting lower as the afternoon passes by. Cadmael, scouting out ahead, notices some movement on the trail. 4
Burik, the next time you attack or cast Chill Touch, you may do so with advantage.
He cruises down a bit lower, before noticing a skunk climbing out of a bush on the side of the trail. Oh, I would watch your step as you move forward.
The skunk doesn't seem rabid or strange, but is foraging just ahead of you, about 100 feet. You can continue going straight, you can climb up and around him to the left into the rockier section of the hills, or down and around to the right, into the denser forest.
"There's a skunk on the road ahead of us," Effort informs the others. "Cadmael seems to think we should get out of its way, but I would say we just detour around it. As long as we aren't aggressive, I don't see why it should attack us, right?" she says reasonably, for someone who has never before met or seen a skunk in her life.
Your funeral, she hears Cadmael saying in her mind with something akin to pity.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Brask shrugs and keeps walking as he intended. If the skunk gets squished, the skunk gets squished. I'm always aggressive,he says with a grin. You should try it. It's fun.
I'm not sure Brask knows what a skunk is. Nature15
Yeah, there were... things. Monster. Undead, I think. Undead, right? he asks the others. Anyways, we killed 'em. Proper dead they are now. Not undead. Heh.
He looks around, frowning, thinking of what more he can say. Yeah. We probably should've brought back a few bits, yeah? Like a head? I dunno. He knows more, he points at Burik.
Effort rolls her eyes at Brask, then steps forward. I wish I could still mask my face like this, she thinks, tail twitching a little in anxiety. Still... playing nice for a crowd? That was something she was always good at. She squeezes her hands together and mumbles under her breath, before stepping forward and using thaumaturgy to make her voice carry over those gathered.
"Good women and men of this town," Effort begins, raising her arms in supplication to those who've gathered round them. "Great dangers lie in beyond in the depths of the mind. Something most foul seeks to tear the veil between this world and the next. Its very presence desecrates the ground, and it has sent forth its undead minions to do its bidding. Worse yet, it wars with another presence within the mines - a fiendish evil, that vies for control. Though they fight each other, they are drawing your village into their dark conflict. However, it is through the efforts and sacrifice of your very own Talhunds - Thurnar and Burik - that we have temporarily driven back that evil. I know not how long our measures will hold, but you must make plans and prepare, for the upcoming battle will require your strength, and your unity. We all have our own parts to play in defeating the evil sweeping across this entire continent. And right now, in this village, your duty is to stand strong and fight against that evil."
You are making a scene, Cadmael whispers in her mind, staring at her from Brask's shoulder.
Effort winces a little and lowers her arms. Yes, I know. But this way they may see us as heroes... and pay us to continue on our journey. Besides, we are doing them a favor by warning them. And getting Thurnar here perhaps something a little healthier to drink than spider blood.
(OOC: I don't know, that was just an information dump for the townspeople, really. Do I need to make a persuasion roll or anything? Like to get them to pay us for our adventure down there? If so...
Persuasion 4 + Guidance 3 )
As they exit the cave Burik looks back, into and beyond the darkness. His mind taken back to that day. The darkness fills his vision, his mind lost to that moment. It takes a physical jolt to pull him back and away.
He is quiet and distant, well more than normal, on the journey back to the village.
Quietly, away from the townspeople "To stay here, near the surface is to move a mountain a pebble at a time. And yet to delve deep, down to where the darkness meets eternity would take an army of... talhunds, with the power of the gods themselves." His face visibly darkens. "An unending fight doomed to failure, an impossible fight ending in death, leaving those unlucky enough to live to die while we attempt to stem another incursion. An impossible decision with no right answer..."
"I'll be waiting on the edge when you're done here. That mine... it brought back..." He bites his lip before he continues, "Brought back bad memories, of bad times and... worse encounters..." He noticeably avoids his parents places of work or home, instead drinking the rest of the spirit he took while looking over the valley below from a good vantage point. Just watching the world go by.
Burik, as you turn back and stare into the darkness of the tunnel, something flashes across your mind's eye. A dark, amorphous figure. Familiar to you, but at the same time strange and fleeting. It floats across your consciousness for just a moment until you are snapped back to reality. A chill goes down your spine.
The townspeople listen intently as the others tell of the dangers in the tunnels and beyond. By the time Effort is finished, a few of the dwarves are patting each other on the shoulders with reassurance. A few of them shout thank yous, and one dwarf takes a step out of the crowd and shouts. "A round of drink for the heroes, on me!" Others join in cheering, and the crowd slowly starts to move toward the tavern.
I was going to ask for persuasion, so that's perfect. Although these dwarves probably aren't keen on just tossing out coin without proof or without being explicitly asked for it. :)
DM - Above & Below
"Well, what do you know?" Effort says to Brask and Thurnar. "Free drinks." She turns to follow to crowd, then pauses as Burik inexplicably turns away and walks in the opposite direction. "What's up with him?" she asks Thurnar under her breath. "Brought what back? I mean he's always moody, but this is practically reaching elvish heights right now."
A little niggle of worry makes Effort turn to Cadmael. Follow him. Keep an eye on him for us. Make sure he's not doing anything foolish, like drinking himself into a stupor while we aren't watching.
As you command, Cadmael replies, leaping off of Brask's shoulder to fly after Burik.
(While Effort's still in town, she's going to purchase 1 more set of components to re-summon a familiar, just in case.)
"The talhunds are granted power, but they are also targets," Thurnar walks with you down to the tavern. "There are places beyond this world that reach out to us with black fingers. They've reached out to Burik before, and will do so again. It is a lot of responsibility to take on. Eventually we will all have to face the darkness."
When you all reach the tavern, the dwarf who said he would, buys you all a round of ale. Not to be outdone, someone else offers to buy the heroes pork chop dinners - a pricey menu item. When everyone has their steins of ale, Bharrum raises a stein himself from behind the bar. "May Moradin watch over ye!" Everyone shouts and chugs their beer. Bharrum has a pitcher ready to refill yours.
Burik:
An hour or so goes by as the sun makes its way over the valley below you. Occasionally a flock of geese fly by overhead, but it's mostly quiet. Eventually, you hear footsteps coming up behind you. It's your mother.
"Burik, my boy, did you really think I wasn't going to come looking for ye?" Tyssora sits down next to you, reading your face. "I don't fully know what has happened to you down there...both last night and before ye left. But I know you are special. And I know whatever it is you have to do...you don't have to do it alone. You have your father and I...and it looks like you have some friends who will fight by your side. It's important for you to remember that. Now...come have some food and visit with your father one last time before you head out on the road again!" She puts her hand on your shoulder to push herself back onto her feet.
DM - Above & Below
Hey you! Bharrum is it? Over here, mate.
Brask keeps Bharrum busy for the rest of the day and drinks long and deep from the generosity of the village. As he starts to relax and enjoy himself, he'll tell a few tales of some of the more gory and extreme fights from his days as a gladiator in the arena, definitely exaggerating his own skill and with each foe at least twice the size it really was, but he's only interested in telling a fun story in exchange for the drink.
Performance 22
Your tall tales quickly spread around the tavern and then throughout the village - by the time evening rolls around it seems as though the entire village is inside the bar, listening intently to stories about the arena. Everyone erupts into loud cheers each time you slam your fist down on the table and exclaim how you killed an opponent. Some of the dwarves even start tossing coins onto your table as you tell the stories, leaving you with 14 copper and 11 silver at the end of the night.
DM - Above & Below
Brask pocket the money with a broad grin, and toasts his audience. When the night has wound down, he heads off to sleep, probably in the exact same spot as last time.
As you all go to leave the tavern, Thurnar waves you over to his table. The surface of the table is completely covered with plates. Most have been cleared by the hungry dwarf, crumbs and cleaned bones scattered about. He leans back in his chair as he chews on the what remains of a pork rib. "I want to thank you all for venturing down into that tunnel. I don't think I would have made it out alive if it weren't for you. I'm glad you got some coin and fine ale out of the deal...but the day is coming soon that you'll be fighting for all of our lives and not just a few silver."
He leans down and picks up a pouch, pulling out something small that's been wrapped in brown paper. He unfolds it to reveal a brilliant green emerald, diamond cut. "Your friend Burik is battling demons of his own, but I don't think he'll be able to defeat them on his own. He'll need your help...and I'm hoping this will help as well. Could you give this to him? A gift from Dumathoin. He'll know when to use it."
"Don't sell it! Ha," he glances at Brask. "Ain't an ordinary gem. Anyway, you all go get some sleep. I suppose you'll be on your way come morning. I'll see you again when the time comes."
DM - Above & Below
"Yes... thank you for your help as well, Thurnar. Try not to get yourself killed," Effort says with a slight smile.
Before they leave, Effort gets in touch with Cadmael, to check on Burik. Seeing as he seems to be safe, she turns to Brask and says "Why don't we try holing up at Burik's parents' place again? I don't fancy paying for a room tonight, and they're offering."
She leads Brask through the town, stopping before Burik's familial abode and knocking on the door there.
You're of course welcomed to spend the night again. You all sleep extremely well after last night's fight and an evening filled with drinking and eating.
Things seem a bit lighter when you wake. The sun is just starting to appear over the shortest mountain peaks, bringing warm golden light into the home. Bacon, potatoes, and some kind of honeyed bread are served.
At this point you all know there are a few ways to continue heading west. Through the mountains, which you've opted out of. Over the mountain pass just a bit to the north, which still requires climbing through some of the moderately high peaks. And finally, moving south along the edge of the range until you get closer to the southern coast, then taking that west around the range. That will take a bit longer.
OOC: I hope everyone is doing OK amidst the virus chaos! I'm working from home for the coming weeks/months with my three-year old here, and we're also moving next week! Pretty nuts, but still playing D&D and posting here to stay sane.
DM - Above & Below
Burik will linger for a while after his mother leaves, before heading back home. But even there his view is distant, some sort of internal struggle going on through the evening and the night.
The night brings him no dreams, nor nightmares. Though the morning seems to bring him clarity. He rises long before the others, heading outside to train with his weapons and cantrips. By the time the others wake he's had to strip down somewhat from the heat of exercise, naked from the waist up.
The training continues for some time, only rarely stopping for some water. He barely reacts to anyone until they say they're ready to leave.
Brask sleeps, wakes, packs, eats, and is ready to go.
Sleep well? he asks, in what passes for extreme politeness in his world. Where next? I don't mind. Forward's good. Heh.
(Brask will let the others decide which way to head next.)
OOC: Yep, also suddenly working from home, voluntarily at the moment but probably on official lockdown in a few days. Good times. :)
"Shall we continue towards the coast, then?" Effort asks the others, summoning Cadmael to her side. "I've little desire to return to the undermountain right now. So it is either braving the mountains overhead or taking the long, smelly way around. And as much as I despise that smell, I am hardly equipped for the cold and hardships of a mountain crossing, myself."
When the group has agreed on a direction, Effort will set out with the rest, and send Cadmael to scout along the path. "Be careful, my friend," she commands as he takes to the air.
Cadmael Scouting:
Stealth - 18
Perception: - 16
Effort and Brask find Burik outside training, swinging his weapons and blasting energy into the ether. When he realizes it's time to go, he stuffs some things into his pack and joins you. He remains shirtless for awhile, letting the breeze cool his overworked body.
It's an absolutely beautiful day. There's still a chill in the air - you're quite high up, after all - but the sun's warm rays counteract it as you travel south. For most of the day, the landscape remains the same. Mountains to your left, pine forest and descending hills to your right. You see a glistening river off in the distance beyond the hills, the most southern and largest of the tributaries extending out from Lovilra.
The peaks seem to be getting lower as the afternoon passes by. Cadmael, scouting out ahead, notices some movement on the trail. 4
Burik, the next time you attack or cast Chill Touch, you may do so with advantage.
DM - Above & Below
He cruises down a bit lower, before noticing a skunk climbing out of a bush on the side of the trail. Oh, I would watch your step as you move forward.
The skunk doesn't seem rabid or strange, but is foraging just ahead of you, about 100 feet. You can continue going straight, you can climb up and around him to the left into the rockier section of the hills, or down and around to the right, into the denser forest.
DM - Above & Below
"There's a skunk on the road ahead of us," Effort informs the others. "Cadmael seems to think we should get out of its way, but I would say we just detour around it. As long as we aren't aggressive, I don't see why it should attack us, right?" she says reasonably, for someone who has never before met or seen a skunk in her life.
Your funeral, she hears Cadmael saying in her mind with something akin to pity.
Brask shrugs and keeps walking as he intended. If the skunk gets squished, the skunk gets squished. I'm always aggressive, he says with a grin. You should try it. It's fun.
I'm not sure Brask knows what a skunk is. Nature 15
"Lead on Effort, seems you're our guide after all"