This seems to be the first time Hemeth has seen the myconid, and he asks Rhayna about it at some length. Rhayna happily tells him about Stool, not just to satisfy his apparent curiosity, but because she can tell it takes his mind away from the pain and shock of his missing hand. Despite the magic and ministrations of the party, the pain seems to be unquenchable.
Even though it has only been hours since the group last rested, the excitement and exertion of the battle with the merrow prompts all to agree to sleep. Perhaps this ledge is a truly safe place amidst this hazardous world, or perhaps they were just lucky, but the rest was undisturbed by outside troubles. In the morning, as Hemeth's pain seems much reduced, and as he binds his wrist stump with fresh cloth, he calls Rhayna over again. Ye seem like a quick study. I cannae steer us through all the dangers 'tween 'ere an' Gracklstugh wi' me arm like this. I'll navigate the course, but ye'll 'ave to steer fer us. What say ye?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rhayna warmly look at the gray dwarth, and tries not to look at the stump. "Of course Mr. Hemeth. I will do my best to help." Rhayna starts to make preparation to leave. "And humm... Mr. Hemeth, I know it's not much, but Stool is very thankful that you are helping us. Of course, and I hope that I am speaking on behalf of my friends here, we are all also very grateful that we were able to meet you." She bows slightly, and gets ready to leave.
(OCC: Perhaps we can have some Knowledge of the Ages action??)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
(OOC: That's the idea. Can use it to gain proficiency in water vehicles. Of course anyone can have a go at steering if they want, they'll just roll without proficiency bonus. See how Rhayna goes - if she does well she might keep the job. If not ... )
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
The group pack their meagre belongings and board the vessels. As the Sekkar, Kaylyn, Zeno and Sarith have the benefit of darkvision they take the lead, with Hemeth calling out directions from the boat behind, the prow of which is lit with one of Rhayna's cantrips. Meanwhile with Hemeth providing some tips as they go, Rhayna quickly picks up the essentials of steering. The day's travel passes uneventfully, as the two boatloads of travellers pass through more and more inter-connected caverns, lit with fungus or faezress as before. During a short stop Sekkar gives a few pointers of his own to Rhayna, having observed her progress from his position at the rear of the lead boat. But all travellers now appreciate the benefit of an experienced guide, as the myriad tunnels and passages they have passed through all look so similar as to make it nearly impossible to know which leads onward and which leads nowhere.
After another night's stop on a cold and silent rocky beach the voyage resumes. Joetaro seems the strongest on the oars, but allows Hemeth to take a spell with his good arm from time to time, simply to humour his desire to not shirk the burden. What Kastix lacks in muscle he compensates for in pure endurance, rowing hour after hour without struggle. In the lead boat, Kaylyn, Zeno and Sarith rotate the rowing duties between them, all employing skillful strokes with some coaching from Sekkar.
Late in the day, Hemeth sounds a warning to the two steer-masters that the only way forward lies through a particularly narrow passage, and explains the maneuvers required to guide the boats through without becoming wedged. A minute or so later a swift current catches the two small craft, and the duergar sounds the alert to ship the oars and hang on tight as the boats approach the thin strait...
Rhayna and Sekkar, make a DEX check to steer the boat. Sekkar can add his proficiency, as can Rhayna if she uses Knowledge of the Ages. The DC for this maneuver is 12.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rhayna Dex: 25
Rhyana pays attention to Hemeth, and later on to Sekkar, as they teach her how to steer a boat, which she has never done it in her life. She thinks of the last time that she was on a boat, actually, but she swats that thought away, and concentrates on the task at hand. Later in the day, at Hemeth's warning, Rhayna prays to the Goddess, and her body stays still. Her eyes flutter for a moment, and she uses her (Channel Divinity: Knowledge of the Ages) new found skill at water vehicle (+6 to DEX). She tries her best to execute the gray dwarth's instructions.
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Success! Sekkar draws on his experience and expertly maneuvers the small boat along the passage. Rhayna grips the steering oar with trepidation, but her hands respond as she feels divine promptings at the right moments - twisting or turning the oar in ways that sometimes feel counter-intuitive but that seem to have exactly the needed effect. Although the current was strong and the passage had several difficult turns, the two boats manage to avoid crashing into a wall or becoming lodged in the narrow passage. Hemeth grunts his approval, and Rhayna whispers a prayer of gratitude to Selune for the gift of divine knowledge.
Not long after this the adjoining caverns start to become noticeably larger and the water shallower, and some of the adjoining passages are clearly carved by hand. Hemeth explains that long ago duergar engineers extended and widened many of these passages. In one faezress-filled cavern, a group of stirges is seen flapping erratically near the ceiling, but they seem to pay no notice to the passing boats. After another night's rest, the journey continues, and the boats pass along several canals which appear to have been carved or constructed from stone. The current pushes the boats downstream, easing the burden somewhat on the rowers, and the sound of waterfalls can be heard as the travellers feels mists of spray issuing from the darkness and gathering in tiny rivulets on their faces.
At several points in this area, Hemeth guides the boats out of the flow of the canal into expertly constructed locks, which allow them to traverse the waterfalls. It is a slow process as the group waits while Hemeth activates the lock mechanism, and then wait for the water levels in the lock to rise and fall, carrying the two boats gently to the lower levels. The sight of the nearby waterfalls rushing in darkness over high precipices and crashing into unseen pools below makes everyone again grateful for their guide, who knows when to leave the flow of the canal and divert into the locks.
Passage through the system of locks continues the next day, and the group pass several boats heading upstream, each piloted by one or two kuo-toa. The fish-folk stare curiously at the passing group, and offer short greetings in Undercommon, or at least a brief wave of the arm. It seems almost comical in contrast to the previous experience with kuo-toa, and almost as if the events in Sloopludop were simply a terrible but fleeting nightmare.
On the sixth day of the water journey the group leaves behind the system of locks, having descended perhaps as much as another mile in total. The cavern roof is hundreds of feet overhead, and the water appears like a wide, slow river dotted with islands large and small. Hemeth stands in the prow of the lead boat, spotting and guiding the group around numerous patches of barely submerged rock, or 'stone teeth' as he calls them, which would otherwise have been invisible until the moment they tore the bottom out of the boats.
All eyes join in the lookout for rocks, although most sightings are only as they pass alongside, too late to be particularly helpful. At one point Zeno spots a golden glint from deep below the surface, which seems to be reflecting the light from Rhayna's cantrip...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Sekkar continued to supply Goodberry to shorten the time everyone had to spend on the ground. To him the journey was a fascinating experience and he would not mind to continue it longer. He still wanted to find the way back to the surface but more as a means of freedom, to be able to operate on his own completely, while the tunnels itself felt more like a home to him than any other place he knew before.
Every time they had to rest, he would spend at least some part of it talking to Hemeth, learning all the dwarf would share about the lake and tunnels around.
The closer they were getting to their destination, the more attentive Sekkar become (or tried to be): Perception 22
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The days seem to pass slowly for Kaylyn, the darkness not overbearing due to her natural night vision, but she still preferred the open sky to the oppression of the Underdark. Pensive grows a bit bolder and at times flies in front of or just behind the boats but never strays further than 100 feet from Kaylyn. Often he could be found perched on the bow of the boat watching ahead and sending images of what he saw to Kaylyn and the others.
When the light is reflected it catches his eye and he takes a close look. He sends images of what he sees to the Kaylyn and then Sekkar and then the others.
Pensive flies over the area where the golden glint was seen, telepathically relaying its sight to Kaylyn and Sekkar. Kaylyn can see that the golden glint appears to be an object of some kind about 50 feet below the surface. Sekkar is more accustomed to viewing underwater objects, and from Pensive's images he sees the object is in the shape of a coffin. However, just as Pensive flies directly over the spot, a long serpentine plume of water erupts from the surface and lashes out at Pensive with watery tentacles. The pseudodragon deftly flies aside and avoids the attack, and immediately returns to Kaylyn, conveying fear and surprise through their mind-link. When Hemeth hears of the incident, he grunts and says: Sounds like a water guardian. Ye sometimes find 'em protectin' somethin'. Some of 'em just want to scare ye away, but others'll try to drown ye.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Best to avoid them then," Kastix states, "At least I don't think I can fight one," He shows off some flames in his hand before extingushing it in the water.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
"We should avoid any confrontation if we can, especially in our current situation," Joetaro says. "If it's a water guardian, it's likely protecting something."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Sekkar clicked his tong in wishful curiosity but did not argue - whatever that water guardian was, he personally did not know how to fight one. You can not bite water, right? But just in case he tried to remember the place - who knows, he might be back one day.
Rhayna is still amazed that the Goddess came through, and that she did not let her companions down. Not that she doubted it for a moment, but it was incredible. She tries now to focus on the task at hand and not let her mind wonder. So that she can bring her friends to their destination.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Zeno looks wistfully at the golden glint, “But...what do you think is down there? it could be really helpful...” He rows on with the others, but keeps glancing back.
"So tell me, are demon lords common here or we just here at a special time?" Kastix question half heartedly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
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OOC: Agreed, long rest sounds like a good idea.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
This seems to be the first time Hemeth has seen the myconid, and he asks Rhayna about it at some length. Rhayna happily tells him about Stool, not just to satisfy his apparent curiosity, but because she can tell it takes his mind away from the pain and shock of his missing hand. Despite the magic and ministrations of the party, the pain seems to be unquenchable.
Even though it has only been hours since the group last rested, the excitement and exertion of the battle with the merrow prompts all to agree to sleep. Perhaps this ledge is a truly safe place amidst this hazardous world, or perhaps they were just lucky, but the rest was undisturbed by outside troubles. In the morning, as Hemeth's pain seems much reduced, and as he binds his wrist stump with fresh cloth, he calls Rhayna over again. Ye seem like a quick study. I cannae steer us through all the dangers 'tween 'ere an' Gracklstugh wi' me arm like this. I'll navigate the course, but ye'll 'ave to steer fer us. What say ye?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rhayna warmly look at the gray dwarth, and tries not to look at the stump. "Of course Mr. Hemeth. I will do my best to help." Rhayna starts to make preparation to leave. "And humm... Mr. Hemeth, I know it's not much, but Stool is very thankful that you are helping us. Of course, and I hope that I am speaking on behalf of my friends here, we are all also very grateful that we were able to meet you." She bows slightly, and gets ready to leave.
(OCC: Perhaps we can have some Knowledge of the Ages action??)
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
(OOC: That's the idea. Can use it to gain proficiency in water vehicles. Of course anyone can have a go at steering if they want, they'll just roll without proficiency bonus. See how Rhayna goes - if she does well she might keep the job. If not ... )
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
The group pack their meagre belongings and board the vessels. As the Sekkar, Kaylyn, Zeno and Sarith have the benefit of darkvision they take the lead, with Hemeth calling out directions from the boat behind, the prow of which is lit with one of Rhayna's cantrips. Meanwhile with Hemeth providing some tips as they go, Rhayna quickly picks up the essentials of steering. The day's travel passes uneventfully, as the two boatloads of travellers pass through more and more inter-connected caverns, lit with fungus or faezress as before. During a short stop Sekkar gives a few pointers of his own to Rhayna, having observed her progress from his position at the rear of the lead boat. But all travellers now appreciate the benefit of an experienced guide, as the myriad tunnels and passages they have passed through all look so similar as to make it nearly impossible to know which leads onward and which leads nowhere.
After another night's stop on a cold and silent rocky beach the voyage resumes. Joetaro seems the strongest on the oars, but allows Hemeth to take a spell with his good arm from time to time, simply to humour his desire to not shirk the burden. What Kastix lacks in muscle he compensates for in pure endurance, rowing hour after hour without struggle. In the lead boat, Kaylyn, Zeno and Sarith rotate the rowing duties between them, all employing skillful strokes with some coaching from Sekkar.
Late in the day, Hemeth sounds a warning to the two steer-masters that the only way forward lies through a particularly narrow passage, and explains the maneuvers required to guide the boats through without becoming wedged. A minute or so later a swift current catches the two small craft, and the duergar sounds the alert to ship the oars and hang on tight as the boats approach the thin strait...
Rhayna and Sekkar, make a DEX check to steer the boat. Sekkar can add his proficiency, as can Rhayna if she uses Knowledge of the Ages. The DC for this maneuver is 12.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rhayna Dex: 25
Rhyana pays attention to Hemeth, and later on to Sekkar, as they teach her how to steer a boat, which she has never done it in her life. She thinks of the last time that she was on a boat, actually, but she swats that thought away, and concentrates on the task at hand. Later in the day, at Hemeth's warning, Rhayna prays to the Goddess, and her body stays still. Her eyes flutter for a moment, and she uses her (Channel Divinity: Knowledge of the Ages) new found skill at water vehicle (+6 to DEX). She tries her best to execute the gray dwarth's instructions.
”Hang on Stool!!”
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Sekkar tried to steer the boat in the unfamiliar tunnel: 24
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Success! Sekkar draws on his experience and expertly maneuvers the small boat along the passage. Rhayna grips the steering oar with trepidation, but her hands respond as she feels divine promptings at the right moments - twisting or turning the oar in ways that sometimes feel counter-intuitive but that seem to have exactly the needed effect. Although the current was strong and the passage had several difficult turns, the two boats manage to avoid crashing into a wall or becoming lodged in the narrow passage. Hemeth grunts his approval, and Rhayna whispers a prayer of gratitude to Selune for the gift of divine knowledge.
Not long after this the adjoining caverns start to become noticeably larger and the water shallower, and some of the adjoining passages are clearly carved by hand. Hemeth explains that long ago duergar engineers extended and widened many of these passages. In one faezress-filled cavern, a group of stirges is seen flapping erratically near the ceiling, but they seem to pay no notice to the passing boats. After another night's rest, the journey continues, and the boats pass along several canals which appear to have been carved or constructed from stone. The current pushes the boats downstream, easing the burden somewhat on the rowers, and the sound of waterfalls can be heard as the travellers feels mists of spray issuing from the darkness and gathering in tiny rivulets on their faces.
At several points in this area, Hemeth guides the boats out of the flow of the canal into expertly constructed locks, which allow them to traverse the waterfalls. It is a slow process as the group waits while Hemeth activates the lock mechanism, and then wait for the water levels in the lock to rise and fall, carrying the two boats gently to the lower levels. The sight of the nearby waterfalls rushing in darkness over high precipices and crashing into unseen pools below makes everyone again grateful for their guide, who knows when to leave the flow of the canal and divert into the locks.
Passage through the system of locks continues the next day, and the group pass several boats heading upstream, each piloted by one or two kuo-toa. The fish-folk stare curiously at the passing group, and offer short greetings in Undercommon, or at least a brief wave of the arm. It seems almost comical in contrast to the previous experience with kuo-toa, and almost as if the events in Sloopludop were simply a terrible but fleeting nightmare.
On the sixth day of the water journey the group leaves behind the system of locks, having descended perhaps as much as another mile in total. The cavern roof is hundreds of feet overhead, and the water appears like a wide, slow river dotted with islands large and small. Hemeth stands in the prow of the lead boat, spotting and guiding the group around numerous patches of barely submerged rock, or 'stone teeth' as he calls them, which would otherwise have been invisible until the moment they tore the bottom out of the boats.
All eyes join in the lookout for rocks, although most sightings are only as they pass alongside, too late to be particularly helpful. At one point Zeno spots a golden glint from deep below the surface, which seems to be reflecting the light from Rhayna's cantrip...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
(By the way, feel free to revisit any of the events described. I'm just block-posting for convenience)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Sekkar continued to supply Goodberry to shorten the time everyone had to spend on the ground. To him the journey was a fascinating experience and he would not mind to continue it longer. He still wanted to find the way back to the surface but more as a means of freedom, to be able to operate on his own completely, while the tunnels itself felt more like a home to him than any other place he knew before.
Every time they had to rest, he would spend at least some part of it talking to Hemeth, learning all the dwarf would share about the lake and tunnels around.
The closer they were getting to their destination, the more attentive Sekkar become (or tried to be): Perception 22
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
The days seem to pass slowly for Kaylyn, the darkness not overbearing due to her natural night vision, but she still preferred the open sky to the oppression of the Underdark. Pensive grows a bit bolder and at times flies in front of or just behind the boats but never strays further than 100 feet from Kaylyn. Often he could be found perched on the bow of the boat watching ahead and sending images of what he saw to Kaylyn and the others.
When the light is reflected it catches his eye and he takes a close look. He sends images of what he sees to the Kaylyn and then Sekkar and then the others.
Perception - 21
Pensive flies over the area where the golden glint was seen, telepathically relaying its sight to Kaylyn and Sekkar. Kaylyn can see that the golden glint appears to be an object of some kind about 50 feet below the surface. Sekkar is more accustomed to viewing underwater objects, and from Pensive's images he sees the object is in the shape of a coffin. However, just as Pensive flies directly over the spot, a long serpentine plume of water erupts from the surface and lashes out at Pensive with watery tentacles. The pseudodragon deftly flies aside and avoids the attack, and immediately returns to Kaylyn, conveying fear and surprise through their mind-link. When Hemeth hears of the incident, he grunts and says: Sounds like a water guardian. Ye sometimes find 'em protectin' somethin'. Some of 'em just want to scare ye away, but others'll try to drown ye.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Best to avoid them then," Kastix states, "At least I don't think I can fight one," He shows off some flames in his hand before extingushing it in the water.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDone"We should avoid any confrontation if we can, especially in our current situation," Joetaro says. "If it's a water guardian, it's likely protecting something."
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Sekkar clicked his tong in wishful curiosity but did not argue - whatever that water guardian was, he personally did not know how to fight one. You can not bite water, right? But just in case he tried to remember the place - who knows, he might be back one day.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Rhayna is still amazed that the Goddess came through, and that she did not let her companions down. Not that she doubted it for a moment, but it was incredible. She tries now to focus on the task at hand and not let her mind wonder. So that she can bring her friends to their destination.
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
"I have no desire to dive for treasure. I'd prefer we finished this journey across the lake soon. How much further do think Hemeth?"
Hemeth says they should reach the halfway point in a few more days...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Zeno looks wistfully at the golden glint, “But...what do you think is down there? it could be really helpful...” He rows on with the others, but keeps glancing back.
"So tell me, are demon lords common here or we just here at a special time?" Kastix question half heartedly.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDone