"We have to talk to chiefs,"echoed Sekkar words of others, his voice low and very serious. "That gates would not stop the army that is coming. You have to get ready either to run and hide or fight."He was not planning to instigate the panic, merely felt the need to inform everyone involved (that was... well, everyone). Not adding anything else, he just walked towards the Chief's Halls.
"That was not problem, that's a freaking invasion waiting to happen," Kastix states as he tries to catch his breath.
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
There is a good amount of shouting and bustle going on in the crowded and gloomy cave, with many of the gnomes in a state of near-panic after the visions that Pensive projected into their heads, and the sudden assault of Dawnbringer's bright light. Sekkar takes only a half-dozen steps out of the grotto before he almost runs into Dorbo Diggermattock, coming toward the grotto in a hurry and followed by Senni and the advisors, apparently having been summoned as the door was being unlocked. With a raised voice Dorbo quiets the hubbub and restores order, and then the chiefs stand before the newly-returned surfacers to hear the details of their short-lived expedition.
The House Center, says Senni with a nod when the large sphere is described. That cavern was once the heart of Blingdenstone’s government, and the hollowed-out sphere contained the royal chambers from which the old kings and queens ruled. There is a strange twinkle in Senni's eye as she speaks of these things. This is the first mention the group has heard of a king and queen, yet no-one has ever addressed the chiefs as royalty. Senni continues: It is a fine work of gnomish craftsmanship, but not enchanted in any way. At least not that we know of. Perhaps the slimes merely occupy it.
Dorbo turns to his advisors, but speaks loud enough that he evidently intends for all the assembled population to hear. These are grave tidings indeed. We had thought our problems serious but not urgent. This new information suggests that an attack is imminent, and from an army that is already within our defenses. If these oozes are still marshalling and not yet ready, as the intelligence suggests, then it is better that we strike now. This declaration causes a new ripple of emotion and muttering from the assembled crowd, and several of the advisors try to speak at once:
Without the elementals we would struggle to mount an offensive.
Sending the elementals is too risky as long as Ogremoch's Bane remains active. They could turn on us in the heat of battle.
The moment we started to fight, those cursed opportunistic wererats would be on our rear.
There's nothing else for it. We must evacuate.
After two centuries of exile, I'm not leaving now. I'd rather die here.
Bah! What would you Adamantlepieces know of warfare?
Oh, and I suppose you consider yourself one of the legendary Burrow Wardens, eh?
There's not the time or the manpower to fight the wererats AND the oozes.
One does not simply walk into Rockblight!
I'll be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf! Never trust an elf!
The cacophony continues on and on, with Dorbo and Senni looking a little unsure of how to proceed. At any rate, the prospect of procuring a guide to the surface is looking more remote than ever...
"Kings" or "queens" were some abstract categories for Sekkar - "chief" sounded as a right word for a ruler, so all the nuances of chief's face expression passed unnoticed by the lizadman. What he did noticed were two things - first, the sphere was not an alive being (he honestly thought that was the actual demon they were about to fight), and second - there are bands of wererats waiting for an opportunity to pounce on the city. That part was much more comprehensible than the magic happening in the sphere so he asked about the things he understood.
"Is there any way to direct the slimes towards the rats? A round about tunnel may be? And is there a place all your people can hide in for some time, letting the oozes pass? If all is "no" - what do you know about that were rats - numbers, places, goals? Are they all can control your elemental or one one of them and if he is dead, so is the threat?"
The questions were many, but it seemed like gnomes were ready to face the endless army of oozes with the daemon attached if the rats were taken care of, and he would rather face those rats.
For such a little fellow Dorbo has a big voice, and as he shouts out for quiet, the noisy rabble starts to calm down and listen. We must consider all these things carefully, and decide on the best course of action. Let us consider one thing at a time. Sekkar voices his questions first, to which Dorbo responds: There are many tunnels joining the northern burrows to the House Center. How the wererats have avoided the slimes I know not. Perhaps they too have barricaded themselves. Perhaps they are in league. We have not been able to determine their numbers, but they have been here for many, many years - longer than those of us who have come to reclaim the city - so their goals, if they have such, are most likely to remain here squatting in our ancestral home. It is not the wererats however that corrupt the elementals. The blame for that lies on Ogremoch's Bane, a malevolent force in the south-eastern burrows - the Rockblight. He seems to pick up on Sekkar's line of questioning and adds: If you and your companions are willing and able to help neutralise either or both of these threats, then I believe we could mount a realistic offensive against the slimes, and avoid having to evacuate. It is more than we would ask of a guest, but it would also free us of the worst of our current problems...
It isn't hard to see that the gnomes are stretched thin with their current problems, and haven't been able to maintain the status quo and also tackle any of these antagonists. The assembled throng looks to Sekkar and the others with bated breath, to see if these surfacers could prove to be their salvation...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
After listening to the chiefs, Rhayna makes her way to the shrine, and she looks for Gurnik. (If Gurnik is there) "Gurnik, Blingdenstone is in grave danger. I would like to ask for your permission to use the Speaking Stones to commune with the Goddess, the Moonmaiden." Rhayna sits down in the center of the circle crossing her legs. She then takes out the Stonespeaker Crystal, and lay it in front of her. She closes her eyes, and pleads the Goddess for guidance. (Uses the crystal to cast Augury as ritual)
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."
As Rhayna casts the ritual, she knows she must focus on a "specific course of action that you plan to take within the next 30 minutes". What might that be?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"If the gnomes can tackle this issue and their concern is watching their back and taking care of the wererats and this issue in Rockblight let us do these things for them so they can focus on their own defense. We can deal with the wererats while they take care of this." Kaylyn offers
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."
Pax raises an eyebrow at Kaylyn, "I don't suppose you've ever been in a sewer. Rats breed. If they've been down here for...many many years....we could easily be walking into a nest worse than the slime situation. Plus...they're wererats. If we get bit by one....well....who wants to be able to turn into a rat? Not me. So, I'd certainly vote to start with Rockblight and Ogremoch's bane. Though, based on how things go in the underdark, I won't be surprised if it's an army of corrupted rock elementals plus a demon of rock worshipping...."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
She said it - Pax - and as unpleasant as it sounded, Sekkar was thinking the same thing - that Ogremuch ought to be another demon lord. And still - slimes were calculatingly worse. "At least rats and that ogre do not eat up your armor and weapon, give you a chance to die decent." He licked his lips with the long tongue and added "They might be eatable themselves, unlike oozes. Just need to cook them well."
Rhayna concentrates a little more. “Goddess, should we deal with Rockblight first?”
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."
"So to get elementals, we need to fight. For werewolves, we may fight or may negotiate," Kastix talks out loud as he consider his options, "But the enemies are slime so combat abilityof an element is greater but to probably need to fight off elementals....dammit to all the nine hells. I say we go for this bane and get the elementals,"
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
Rhayna casts her augury and waits, seated amongst the standing stones and clutching the crystal... but no answer comes. She wonders whether she performed the ritual correctly, or if the crystal is somehow not functioning as needed. Just at that moment Gurnik Tapfinger, the elderly priest, arrives at the small shrine. He doesn't seem surprised to see Rhayna there and says: Something told me I'd find you here. Please, I have something to ask you, and something to give you, and he hands Rhayna a moderate-sized ruby. This is a spell gem, containing a prayer of sanctification. Should you decide to enter the Rockblight, I would ask that you seek out the Steadfast Stone and place this gem in the menhir. It should awaken the three temple guardians and cleanse the sanctuary.
Rhayna holds the gem up to the light as Gurnik continues: I must warn you however... once the gem is placed, Ogremoch's Bane will be sure to send its servants to stop you. If this is so, you must withstand or defeat them until the guardians awaken. The choice is yours, and no burden of duty is upon you, but I am confident that my god will bestow his blessing upon those who hallow his temple. And with a small bow Gurnik departs. Wondering whether this was the answer to her petition, Rhayna looks down and sees the crystal in her hands glowing with the soft light of the moon for just a moment.
Having consulted privately and then made their decisions known to the chiefs, the group are brought to the mid-eastern area where the largest of the adamantine gates within in the city is guarded by eight deep gnomes - the largest group of armed gnomes within the city - as well as four cave badgers. The keys are again produced and the doors begin to be unlocked. There is no crowd of onlookers this time, as every able gnome is helping in preparation for the upcoming battle - many have been sent out to the surrounding mines and quarries to muster their rest of the warriors and gather more elementals.
Senni is there however with a number of her advisors, including Nomi Pathshutter, the gnome mage the group met in the quarry. Nomi steps forward and says: So, you have offered to seek out Ogremoch's Bane. None of us have ever seen it, but the old tales tell of a powerful and evil force from the Elemental Plane, with command over rock and earth. I do not know by what means it can be defeated, but as long as it remains it will continue to corrupt our elementals. Good luck to you.
The door is being unlocked by one of the guards - a relatively wiry and hardened veteran by the looks of it - who introduces himself as Sark Axebarrel. Good luck in there, he says. My brother Vort went in three months back and never returned. No-one's been since. The emotion wells up and the tough old soldier pauses to gather himself for a moment before continuing: It might be a lot to ask, but if you should discover what happened to him, I'd be most grateful. The heavy door is well-oiled and makes no sound as it is swung open, revealing a short tunnel which stops at another door. Sark leads the group inside and closes the first door behind everyone, locking it again. For security, he explains. He then approaches and unlocks the second door. Before opening it he adds: I'll stay here on watch with the door open a crack, in case you need a quick exit. But I'll have to close it if anything else comes near.
The inner door opens with a loud creak. A tunnel to the left ends in a rockfall, and another to the right extends into the darkness. Every step echoes against walls beyond range of vision. The air is cold and damp, and the sound of a waterfall can be heard somewhere in the blackness, along with faint echoes of battle.
(Sorry, that's a lot of info-dump. I'll pause here in case anyone wants to do anything in between)
Map of Bligdenstone with new areas:
Rockblight only:
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Pax enjoys the short rest, using the time to meditate as one of her commanders had taught her. At the end, she lets the magical energies around her flow back into place...filling her with potential. (arcane recovery). She also spends the time to 'suit up'...putting her makeshift armor back on over the padded under armor. As they rest Pax talks to the others, "So, we're headed into this place to look for the ogremoth's bane? I guess we have no info, so we'll just sorta make it up as we go?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After Sark Axebarrel closes the second door, Rhayna declares to the group. "Actually Pax, the gnome priest Gurnik gave us something that might not only help us, but Blingdenstone itself." Rhayna shows her companions the moderate-sized ruby. "According to Gurnik, this is a spell gem that contains a prayer of sanctification. We are to seek out a "Steadfast Stone", and place this gem in the menhir..." Rhayna pauses for a second. "He left before I could ask him what does it look like... At any rate, before we place the gem on the Steadfast Stone, we should prepare ourselves. This Ogremoch's Bane might... Well, most likely will try to stop the gem from sanctifying the stone, so we must protect it. Once the ritual has been completed, it should awaken the three temple guardians, and cleanse the sanctuary."
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."
During their short rest Kaylyn gives Rhayna the Handy Haversack and the Sekkar the Ioun Stone of Protection and he should have time to attune to it. She hands Kastix and Sekkar a Potion of Greater Healing and holds onto the Driftglobe for the moment.
Pax looks impressed, "Well....look at you. Nice work. Sounds like it'll be easy then." She grins and winks at Rhayna. "So, we're looking for the Steadfast Stone. I'm sure it will be labeled...." She nods to Sark, "Thank you....we appreciate it. We'll find your brother if we can...but three months...well...I don't need to tell you the chances." Pax takes point, her sword out....looking around the passage and their options as the outer door opens.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
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"We have to talk to chiefs," echoed Sekkar words of others, his voice low and very serious. "That gates would not stop the army that is coming. You have to get ready either to run and hide or fight." He was not planning to instigate the panic, merely felt the need to inform everyone involved (that was... well, everyone). Not adding anything else, he just walked towards the Chief's Halls.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"That was not problem, that's a freaking invasion waiting to happen," Kastix states as he tries to catch his breath.
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 AnnihilationDoneThere is a good amount of shouting and bustle going on in the crowded and gloomy cave, with many of the gnomes in a state of near-panic after the visions that Pensive projected into their heads, and the sudden assault of Dawnbringer's bright light. Sekkar takes only a half-dozen steps out of the grotto before he almost runs into Dorbo Diggermattock, coming toward the grotto in a hurry and followed by Senni and the advisors, apparently having been summoned as the door was being unlocked. With a raised voice Dorbo quiets the hubbub and restores order, and then the chiefs stand before the newly-returned surfacers to hear the details of their short-lived expedition.
The House Center, says Senni with a nod when the large sphere is described. That cavern was once the heart of Blingdenstone’s government, and the hollowed-out sphere contained the royal chambers from which the old kings and queens ruled. There is a strange twinkle in Senni's eye as she speaks of these things. This is the first mention the group has heard of a king and queen, yet no-one has ever addressed the chiefs as royalty. Senni continues: It is a fine work of gnomish craftsmanship, but not enchanted in any way. At least not that we know of. Perhaps the slimes merely occupy it.
Dorbo turns to his advisors, but speaks loud enough that he evidently intends for all the assembled population to hear. These are grave tidings indeed. We had thought our problems serious but not urgent. This new information suggests that an attack is imminent, and from an army that is already within our defenses. If these oozes are still marshalling and not yet ready, as the intelligence suggests, then it is better that we strike now. This declaration causes a new ripple of emotion and muttering from the assembled crowd, and several of the advisors try to speak at once:
Without the elementals we would struggle to mount an offensive.
Sending the elementals is too risky as long as Ogremoch's Bane remains active. They could turn on us in the heat of battle.
The moment we started to fight, those cursed opportunistic wererats would be on our rear.
There's nothing else for it. We must evacuate.
After two centuries of exile, I'm not leaving now. I'd rather die here.
Bah! What would you Adamantlepieces know of warfare?
Oh, and I suppose you consider yourself one of the legendary Burrow Wardens, eh?
There's not the time or the manpower to fight the wererats AND the oozes.
One does not simply walk into Rockblight!
I'll be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf! Never trust an elf!
The cacophony continues on and on, with Dorbo and Senni looking a little unsure of how to proceed. At any rate, the prospect of procuring a guide to the surface is looking more remote than ever...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Kings" or "queens" were some abstract categories for Sekkar - "chief" sounded as a right word for a ruler, so all the nuances of chief's face expression passed unnoticed by the lizadman. What he did noticed were two things - first, the sphere was not an alive being (he honestly thought that was the actual demon they were about to fight), and second - there are bands of wererats waiting for an opportunity to pounce on the city. That part was much more comprehensible than the magic happening in the sphere so he asked about the things he understood.
"Is there any way to direct the slimes towards the rats? A round about tunnel may be? And is there a place all your people can hide in for some time, letting the oozes pass? If all is "no" - what do you know about that were rats - numbers, places, goals? Are they all can control your elemental or one one of them and if he is dead, so is the threat?"
The questions were many, but it seemed like gnomes were ready to face the endless army of oozes with the daemon attached if the rats were taken care of, and he would rather face those rats.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
For such a little fellow Dorbo has a big voice, and as he shouts out for quiet, the noisy rabble starts to calm down and listen. We must consider all these things carefully, and decide on the best course of action. Let us consider one thing at a time. Sekkar voices his questions first, to which Dorbo responds: There are many tunnels joining the northern burrows to the House Center. How the wererats have avoided the slimes I know not. Perhaps they too have barricaded themselves. Perhaps they are in league. We have not been able to determine their numbers, but they have been here for many, many years - longer than those of us who have come to reclaim the city - so their goals, if they have such, are most likely to remain here squatting in our ancestral home. It is not the wererats however that corrupt the elementals. The blame for that lies on Ogremoch's Bane, a malevolent force in the south-eastern burrows - the Rockblight. He seems to pick up on Sekkar's line of questioning and adds: If you and your companions are willing and able to help neutralise either or both of these threats, then I believe we could mount a realistic offensive against the slimes, and avoid having to evacuate. It is more than we would ask of a guest, but it would also free us of the worst of our current problems...
It isn't hard to see that the gnomes are stretched thin with their current problems, and haven't been able to maintain the status quo and also tackle any of these antagonists. The assembled throng looks to Sekkar and the others with bated breath, to see if these surfacers could prove to be their salvation...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
After listening to the chiefs, Rhayna makes her way to the shrine, and she looks for Gurnik. (If Gurnik is there) "Gurnik, Blingdenstone is in grave danger. I would like to ask for your permission to use the Speaking Stones to commune with the Goddess, the Moonmaiden." Rhayna sits down in the center of the circle crossing her legs. She then takes out the Stonespeaker Crystal, and lay it in front of her. She closes her eyes, and pleads the Goddess for guidance. (Uses the crystal to cast Augury as ritual)
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."
As Rhayna casts the ritual, she knows she must focus on a "specific course of action that you plan to take within the next 30 minutes". What might that be?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"If the gnomes can tackle this issue and their concern is watching their back and taking care of the wererats and this issue in Rockblight let us do these things for them so they can focus on their own defense. We can deal with the wererats while they take care of this." Kaylyn offers
In her mind, Rhayna thinks about this "Rockblight". As she communes with her deity, she tries to remember if she ever heard of that specific term.
(OOC: I hope I got this right... Meaning, hopefully Rhayna took the right action.)
(OOC: @Paladin. Sorry, I didn't see your post when I posted mine.)
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."
Pax raises an eyebrow at Kaylyn, "I don't suppose you've ever been in a sewer. Rats breed. If they've been down here for...many many years....we could easily be walking into a nest worse than the slime situation. Plus...they're wererats. If we get bit by one....well....who wants to be able to turn into a rat? Not me. So, I'd certainly vote to start with Rockblight and Ogremoch's bane. Though, based on how things go in the underdark, I won't be surprised if it's an army of corrupted rock elementals plus a demon of rock worshipping...."
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
She said it - Pax - and as unpleasant as it sounded, Sekkar was thinking the same thing - that Ogremuch ought to be another demon lord. And still - slimes were calculatingly worse. "At least rats and that ogre do not eat up your armor and weapon, give you a chance to die decent." He licked his lips with the long tongue and added "They might be eatable themselves, unlike oozes. Just need to cook them well."
"So, how do you get to this Rockblight?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Rhayna concentrates a little more. “Goddess, should we deal with Rockblight first?”
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."
"So to get elementals, we need to fight. For werewolves, we may fight or may negotiate," Kastix talks out loud as he consider his options, "But the enemies are slime so combat abilityof an element is greater but to probably need to fight off elementals....dammit to all the nine hells. I say we go for this bane and get the elementals,"
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 AnnihilationDoneRhayna casts her augury and waits, seated amongst the standing stones and clutching the crystal... but no answer comes. She wonders whether she performed the ritual correctly, or if the crystal is somehow not functioning as needed. Just at that moment Gurnik Tapfinger, the elderly priest, arrives at the small shrine. He doesn't seem surprised to see Rhayna there and says: Something told me I'd find you here. Please, I have something to ask you, and something to give you, and he hands Rhayna a moderate-sized ruby. This is a spell gem, containing a prayer of sanctification. Should you decide to enter the Rockblight, I would ask that you seek out the Steadfast Stone and place this gem in the menhir. It should awaken the three temple guardians and cleanse the sanctuary.
Rhayna holds the gem up to the light as Gurnik continues: I must warn you however... once the gem is placed, Ogremoch's Bane will be sure to send its servants to stop you. If this is so, you must withstand or defeat them until the guardians awaken. The choice is yours, and no burden of duty is upon you, but I am confident that my god will bestow his blessing upon those who hallow his temple. And with a small bow Gurnik departs. Wondering whether this was the answer to her petition, Rhayna looks down and sees the crystal in her hands glowing with the soft light of the moon for just a moment.
Having consulted privately and then made their decisions known to the chiefs, the group are brought to the mid-eastern area where the largest of the adamantine gates within in the city is guarded by eight deep gnomes - the largest group of armed gnomes within the city - as well as four cave badgers. The keys are again produced and the doors begin to be unlocked. There is no crowd of onlookers this time, as every able gnome is helping in preparation for the upcoming battle - many have been sent out to the surrounding mines and quarries to muster their rest of the warriors and gather more elementals.
Senni is there however with a number of her advisors, including Nomi Pathshutter, the gnome mage the group met in the quarry. Nomi steps forward and says: So, you have offered to seek out Ogremoch's Bane. None of us have ever seen it, but the old tales tell of a powerful and evil force from the Elemental Plane, with command over rock and earth. I do not know by what means it can be defeated, but as long as it remains it will continue to corrupt our elementals. Good luck to you.
The door is being unlocked by one of the guards - a relatively wiry and hardened veteran by the looks of it - who introduces himself as Sark Axebarrel. Good luck in there, he says. My brother Vort went in three months back and never returned. No-one's been since. The emotion wells up and the tough old soldier pauses to gather himself for a moment before continuing: It might be a lot to ask, but if you should discover what happened to him, I'd be most grateful. The heavy door is well-oiled and makes no sound as it is swung open, revealing a short tunnel which stops at another door. Sark leads the group inside and closes the first door behind everyone, locking it again. For security, he explains. He then approaches and unlocks the second door. Before opening it he adds: I'll stay here on watch with the door open a crack, in case you need a quick exit. But I'll have to close it if anything else comes near.
The inner door opens with a loud creak. A tunnel to the left ends in a rockfall, and another to the right extends into the darkness. Every step echoes against walls beyond range of vision. The air is cold and damp, and the sound of a waterfall can be heard somewhere in the blackness, along with faint echoes of battle.
(Sorry, that's a lot of info-dump. I'll pause here in case anyone wants to do anything in between)
Map of Bligdenstone with new areas:
Rockblight only:
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
(Sekkar would appreciate a short rest - to get to full health before we are going. But may be it was done anyway while Rhayna was devinating?)
HD: 12 11
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Sounds good. Short rest for everyone.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Pax enjoys the short rest, using the time to meditate as one of her commanders had taught her. At the end, she lets the magical energies around her flow back into place...filling her with potential. (arcane recovery). She also spends the time to 'suit up'...putting her makeshift armor back on over the padded under armor. As they rest Pax talks to the others, "So, we're headed into this place to look for the ogremoth's bane? I guess we have no info, so we'll just sorta make it up as we go?"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
After Sark Axebarrel closes the second door, Rhayna declares to the group. "Actually Pax, the gnome priest Gurnik gave us something that might not only help us, but Blingdenstone itself." Rhayna shows her companions the moderate-sized ruby. "According to Gurnik, this is a spell gem that contains a prayer of sanctification. We are to seek out a "Steadfast Stone", and place this gem in the menhir..." Rhayna pauses for a second. "He left before I could ask him what does it look like... At any rate, before we place the gem on the Steadfast Stone, we should prepare ourselves. This Ogremoch's Bane might... Well, most likely will try to stop the gem from sanctifying the stone, so we must protect it. Once the ritual has been completed, it should awaken the three temple guardians, and cleanse the sanctuary."
(Rhayna recovers: 10 HP)
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."
During their short rest Kaylyn gives Rhayna the Handy Haversack and the Sekkar the Ioun Stone of Protection and he should have time to attune to it. She hands Kastix and Sekkar a Potion of Greater Healing and holds onto the Driftglobe for the moment.
Pax looks impressed, "Well....look at you. Nice work. Sounds like it'll be easy then." She grins and winks at Rhayna. "So, we're looking for the Steadfast Stone. I'm sure it will be labeled...." She nods to Sark, "Thank you....we appreciate it. We'll find your brother if we can...but three months...well...I don't need to tell you the chances." Pax takes point, her sword out....looking around the passage and their options as the outer door opens.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.