As much as he is driven to explore the wider world, Stig acknowledges the natural feeling that comes over him when moving through subterranean spaces. He feels more comfortable under ground and even recognises the craftsmanship used to create these tunnels. This environment just feels right, which adds to his anticipation of what they are about to encounter. Looking excitedly at his warrior companion, Stig realises just how much he wants to crack some skulls.
LSA and Asmodean are at the back of the group moving down the tunnel. LSA is still watching their backs - concerned that a rearward attack may still occur. With the greater likelihood of front fighting LSA feels somewhat "marooned". The tunnel is narrow so the opportunity for her to contribute to the a fight may be limited. Firing her bow forward would invite disaster - the chance of hitting one of the party by mistake being too great to risk.
To ease the feeling "maroonedness" she attempts to engage Asmodean in conversation. "Hey, Asmodean" she says (always a good ways to start a conversation). "Tell me more about the wonders of your lute. I have heard that it has great power. How is that so?". She pauses in speaking and waits for Asmodean to reply, while they both move down the tunnel towards the unexplained source of light.
You arrive at what opens up into a surprisingly large cavern. From his previous sketch, it resembles the crevasse-area mentioned by the young Redbrand, Shawn, although this entrance seems to be in a location not depicted. A cold breeze fills this large natural cavern, carrying with it the faint scent of decaying flesh. The crevasse divides the cavern and is flanked by two rough stone columns that support the twenty-foot-high ceiling. Two arched wooden bridges span the chasm.
@Naivara
As you approach the tunnel's end, your magic detects a strong malicious presence - an aberration of some kind. You are able to detect it lurking, out of sight, on the other side of the nearest stone column.
On catching a glimpse of the cavern, and recognising features from the young Vegan's map and description, Bwrb is both pleased that sparing Shawn, and their 2GP, appear not to have been wasted; and apprehensive that here, possibly, be monsters. Piss-your-pants-ugly monsters with one eye.
Silently, he signals to Stig that they should withdraw a short distance back into the tunnel and confer (silently) with the merry band. Hopefully the chatter toward the rear of the crew has fallen silent and they are now focused on what has been / is being revealed.
[OOC: To be continued by some other in our Merry Band. But perhaps we will pause here to plan our group approach?]
Between them, Stig, Bwrb or any other, one will keep a weather eye on the cavern to make sure nothing is moving in there.
Naivara whispers to the group “It is definitely an aberration. I thought we had avoided it by coming around the back here, but clearly Shawn’s brain is backwards. We should be careful of that. The Gods May be messing with us.”
“I’m concerned of the noise we will create if we take this monster down. Maybe try some long range magic? But we do not want to use up all our spells before we meet the wizard, either.”
”I feel it would help to think on this being... perhaps a beholder? Try to remember more.”
@ Naivara - When you think back to your old teachers, you vaguely remember them speaking of creatures with a single gigantic eye. Once capable wizards, they were turned by greed into foul aberrations - powerful and insane. A Nothic, they would threaten, is what becomes of the greedy of heart... Their original selves lost, replaced by a hunger for flesh and need to seek out to places of magic.
Noting Virran's "ticking clock", Brandy thinks hard - "2 weapons and more damage? Or shield to block out the Eye that so scared Shawn". He decides on the shield and rapier - no change.
Hearing Naivara's concern, he stifles a tiny chuckle. He whispers "My lady, whatever we fight will cause noise and bring whatever else is down here to us. Much better to kill the one they are all afraid of first. And did we all notice? There are multiple exits off this cavern that Shawn said was off limits to the Vegans, for fear of the eye. When the eye is gone, they will not be off limits to us".
Brandy makes eye contact with Stig. He senses Stig is in for a now-stoush. He makes eye contact with Night Hawke and senses the same.
But for now, he awaits the return of that surprisingly stealthy half-orc Virran. While he keeps watch into the cavern, he muses to himself (but for Brandy, simple soul that he is, it's hard for the brain to work without also working the lips and voice) (very sotto voce) "I wonder if we push the thing into the chasm, will that kill it, or just deliver us a wet and angry eye?"
Naivara, disappointed in her memory, because sure, now we know it is a nothic but she is certain there would be more she knows about Nothics. Like its strengths and abilities? Weaknesses? The Gods are rubbish in all that they let her do and remember. She is quickly losing faith. Her arcana check was pretty useless, but it wasn’t lowest level.
”Let’s let Virran distract it.. It’s the path he chose. If you wish to battle it, stay in the shadows and let’s try to go around and flank it.”
Naivara moves as far forward in the tunnel as she can so that she can see towards Virran and waits for the right moment to move forward.
Acrobatics roll 10 Athletics roll 3 . Hahahaha. It looks like Naivara muscles past Brandy. And is he pissed! Actually, the Athletics roll fouled up. Athletics 6 Boohoohoo - and she still muscles past. These rolls are so going into my "gripe" log.
But ever the stoic, Brandy muses to himself ... (remember, brain, lips, voice) "The gods must wish this powerful, insane, greed enraged Nothic gaze on Naivara before me". Not all that subtly, he hustles Naivara just that little bit further out of the tunnel entrance.
“Why did the elves show any fanfare for this fighter.. ever?” Naivara thinks to herself. He is certainly hard to work with. She says a quiet prayer and hopes that the others have her back if this goes awry.. unlike Virran, this wasn’t her choice. She was basically thrown out of the tunnel. She tries her best to keep out of the monster’s sight. Perhaps it has already spotted Virran? And moves forward, as stealthily as the heavens allow.. Stealth check 15
She is now on one side of the rock, knowing the nothic is on the other. She shakes her head, thinking of the past day she has spent with this “team”. “How foolish we must appear.” She thinks.
Brandy, catches Stig's eye and rolls his eyes, sure Stig will get the message ... "Elves!"
Ah well, with Naivara bustling into the chamber before Virran is back it looks like the fight will be on sooner rather than later. So be it.
Brandy checks his preparation again and readies his shield to protect him from any wicked gazes. Wryly, he thinks to himself, "and that could be from 2 of the three now in the cavern".
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Out from behind one of the columns partially appeared a hideous beast with fierce claws and spikes along its body and a single huge eye dominating its face. At the same time, an uncomfortable pressure inserts itself into your mind - a series of harsh whispers, mad cackles and, as best you can discern, gibberish.
"Caaaaaa food theyz bringz me food theaf iel niber em hungers sreflesh theyz givez food or dinez jeg on pa theirz flesh." The pressure continues on your mind, although the creature never utters a sound aloud. He turns his gaze on Naivara, "Secretz iz knowz itz secretz it givez me tssss tsssss tssss itz secretz."
Naivara feels a slight more pressure on against her thoughts as the creature pushes its influence further onto her. (OOC: Naivara - roll a Charisma (Deception) Check. This is a direct contest - whoever rolls highest, wins. This is also not an attack).
You see also this creature step out from behind the pillar. You focus on sensing traps has limited your other perceptions, however the creature has not noticed your presence.
[OOC: DM ... how do you want to handle this "encounter". It's not clear if all our players are active at this time. I didn't understand the "Lee" reference - but it least it answers the "will hurling it in the crevasse kill it?" question.]
[OOC: DM ... how do you want to handle this "encounter". It's not clear if all our players are active at this time. I didn't understand the "Lee" reference - but it least it answers the "will hurling it in the crevasse kill it?" question.]
OOC: not sure on that one ;)
Roll for initiative, then do what you want and we will see what happens.
As much as he is driven to explore the wider world, Stig acknowledges the natural feeling that comes over him when moving through subterranean spaces. He feels more comfortable under ground and even recognises the craftsmanship used to create these tunnels. This environment just feels right, which adds to his anticipation of what they are about to encounter. Looking excitedly at his warrior companion, Stig realises just how much he wants to crack some skulls.
Naivara still concentrates on her spell. Can she sense anything?
LSA and Asmodean are at the back of the group moving down the tunnel. LSA is still watching their backs - concerned that a rearward attack may still occur. With the greater likelihood of front fighting LSA feels somewhat "marooned". The tunnel is narrow so the opportunity for her to contribute to the a fight may be limited. Firing her bow forward would invite disaster - the chance of hitting one of the party by mistake being too great to risk.
To ease the feeling "maroonedness" she attempts to engage Asmodean in conversation. "Hey, Asmodean" she says (always a good ways to start a conversation). "Tell me more about the wonders of your lute. I have heard that it has great power. How is that so?". She pauses in speaking and waits for Asmodean to reply, while they both move down the tunnel towards the unexplained source of light.
https://schoolsnsw-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mitchell_allen10_det_nsw_edu_au/ETSOE4vMcKRKr6iOmb5E8pIBH0o0O3Y5zr4cZx5yWY5snQ?e=TopXmy
You arrive at what opens up into a surprisingly large cavern. From his previous sketch, it resembles the crevasse-area mentioned by the young Redbrand, Shawn, although this entrance seems to be in a location not depicted. A cold breeze fills this large natural cavern, carrying with it the faint scent of decaying flesh. The crevasse divides the cavern and is flanked by two rough stone columns that support the twenty-foot-high ceiling. Two arched wooden bridges span the chasm.
@Naivara
As you approach the tunnel's end, your magic detects a strong malicious presence - an aberration of some kind. You are able to detect it lurking, out of sight, on the other side of the nearest stone column.
On catching a glimpse of the cavern, and recognising features from the young Vegan's map and description, Bwrb is both pleased that sparing Shawn, and their 2GP, appear not to have been wasted; and apprehensive that here, possibly, be monsters. Piss-your-pants-ugly monsters with one eye.
Silently, he signals to Stig that they should withdraw a short distance back into the tunnel and confer (silently) with the merry band. Hopefully the chatter toward the rear of the crew has fallen silent and they are now focused on what has been / is being revealed.
[OOC: To be continued by some other in our Merry Band. But perhaps we will pause here to plan our group approach?]
Between them, Stig, Bwrb or any other, one will keep a weather eye on the cavern to make sure nothing is moving in there.
Virran moves to the front of the group and whispers "I'm going to scout a bit. If I'm not back in 3 minutes come in after me."
With that he sneaks forward staying low and silent.
Virran sticks to the left hand side of the wall and when he reaches the opening aims to slink to the left still keeping to the wall.
While moving forward he is keeping an eye out of any more traps or anything that would have been alerted by the previous trap.
Stealth 9
Investigation 12
Naivara whispers to the group “It is definitely an aberration. I thought we had avoided it by coming around the back here, but clearly Shawn’s brain is backwards. We should be careful of that. The Gods May be messing with us.”
“I’m concerned of the noise we will create if we take this monster down. Maybe try some long range magic? But we do not want to use up all our spells before we meet the wizard, either.”
”I feel it would help to think on this being... perhaps a beholder? Try to remember more.”
Arcana Check: 8
@ Virran
15 - no reason
@ All others, besides Virran
@ Naivara - When you think back to your old teachers, you vaguely remember them speaking of creatures with a single gigantic eye. Once capable wizards, they were turned by greed into foul aberrations - powerful and insane. A Nothic, they would threaten, is what becomes of the greedy of heart... Their original selves lost, replaced by a hunger for flesh and need to seek out to places of magic.
Noting Virran's "ticking clock", Brandy thinks hard - "2 weapons and more damage? Or shield to block out the Eye that so scared Shawn". He decides on the shield and rapier - no change.
Hearing Naivara's concern, he stifles a tiny chuckle. He whispers "My lady, whatever we fight will cause noise and bring whatever else is down here to us. Much better to kill the one they are all afraid of first. And did we all notice? There are multiple exits off this cavern that Shawn said was off limits to the Vegans, for fear of the eye. When the eye is gone, they will not be off limits to us".
Brandy makes eye contact with Stig. He senses Stig is in for a now-stoush. He makes eye contact with Night Hawke and senses the same.
But for now, he awaits the return of that surprisingly stealthy half-orc Virran. While he keeps watch into the cavern, he muses to himself (but for Brandy, simple soul that he is, it's hard for the brain to work without also working the lips and voice) (very sotto voce) "I wonder if we push the thing into the chasm, will that kill it, or just deliver us a wet and angry eye?"
[OOC to be continued .... tomorrow]
Naivara, disappointed in her memory, because sure, now we know it is a nothic but she is certain there would be more she knows about Nothics. Like its strengths and abilities? Weaknesses? The Gods are rubbish in all that they let her do and remember. She is quickly losing faith. Her arcana check was pretty useless, but it wasn’t lowest level.
”Let’s let Virran distract it.. It’s the path he chose. If you wish to battle it, stay in the shadows and let’s try to go around and flank it.”
Naivara moves as far forward in the tunnel as she can so that she can see towards Virran and waits for the right moment to move forward.
Acrobatics roll 10 Athletics roll 3 . Hahahaha. It looks like Naivara muscles past Brandy. And is he pissed! Actually, the Athletics roll fouled up. Athletics 6 Boohoohoo - and she still muscles past. These rolls are so going into my "gripe" log.
But ever the stoic, Brandy muses to himself ... (remember, brain, lips, voice) "The gods must wish this powerful, insane, greed enraged Nothic gaze on Naivara before me". Not all that subtly, he hustles Naivara just that little bit further out of the tunnel entrance.
“Why did the elves show any fanfare for this fighter.. ever?” Naivara thinks to herself. He is certainly hard to work with. She says a quiet prayer and hopes that the others have her back if this goes awry.. unlike Virran, this wasn’t her choice. She was basically thrown out of the tunnel.
She tries her best to keep out of the monster’s sight. Perhaps it has already spotted Virran? And moves forward, as stealthily as the heavens allow.. Stealth check 15
She is now on one side of the rock, knowing the nothic is on the other. She shakes her head, thinking of the past day she has spent with this “team”. “How foolish we must appear.” She thinks.
Brandy, catches Stig's eye and rolls his eyes, sure Stig will get the message ... "Elves!"
Ah well, with Naivara bustling into the chamber before Virran is back it looks like the fight will be on sooner rather than later. So be it.
Brandy checks his preparation again and readies his shield to protect him from any wicked gazes. Wryly, he thinks to himself, "and that could be from 2 of the three now in the cavern".
Mysterious DM Stuff... For DMs... not players...
17 (perception)
2 (initiative)
Out from behind one of the columns partially appeared a hideous beast with fierce claws and spikes along its body and a single huge eye dominating its face. At the same time, an uncomfortable pressure inserts itself into your mind - a series of harsh whispers, mad cackles and, as best you can discern, gibberish.
"Caaaaaa food theyz bringz me food theaf iel niber em hungers sreflesh theyz givez food or dinez jeg on pa theirz flesh." The pressure continues on your mind, although the creature never utters a sound aloud. He turns his gaze on Naivara, "Secretz iz knowz itz secretz it givez me tssss tsssss tssss itz secretz."
Naivara feels a slight more pressure on against her thoughts as the creature pushes its influence further onto her. (OOC: Naivara - roll a Charisma (Deception) Check. This is a direct contest - whoever rolls highest, wins. This is also not an attack).
Nothic: 18
@ Virran
You see also this creature step out from behind the pillar. You focus on sensing traps has limited your other perceptions, however the creature has not noticed your presence.
[OOC: DM ... how do you want to handle this "encounter". It's not clear if all our players are active at this time. I didn't understand the "Lee" reference - but it least it answers the "will hurling it in the crevasse kill it?" question.]
OOC: not sure on that one ;)
Roll for initiative, then do what you want and we will see what happens.
Deception check what’s the point of rolling? 14