In a safe distance from those worms, Grimnir can now relax. "Well, the first task was not too hard. I don't think it will be that easy to harvest the central eye of a beholder " says Grimnir laughing. "Let's have a quick rest so we get ready for the next part of our travel.". The monk then grabs his flask and have a good drink.
As the group gets a short rest and gets ready for a new travel, Grimnir uses his scrying crystal ball to try to pinpoint Karazikar. With the description fro Zhora and knowing its name, the scrying might be easier. (WIS 17) At the end of the scrying session, Grimnir breaks the magical link and focuses on his new ring. He feels now more free than ever, like if a force was helping him to move, he is now unstoppable !
Then, before leaving, Grimnir warn his companion that he will try to forage some mushrooms during the travel. (Survival: 14)
As you rest, Grimnir scrys on the Karazikar, but the spell fizzles out. It appears you're dealing it with quite a formidable creature. Mushrooms are harder to come by in this place, but you manage to find a few of the staples such as Barrelstalk and Bluecap. Enough to keep your party fed for a few days.
"We have a lot more to hunt down, and not as many ideas."
During travel, Oorr will stay focused on searching for tracks, hoping to find signs of the creatures they need.
Survival: 17, in the case of Favored Enemies (Fiends), advantage is applied: 11
You and your party head south, navigating the tunnels in the general direction of the area known as The Vast Oblivion, ruled by a Beholder you now know as Karazikar. It's a two day journey from The Purple Worm nest, but nothing of interest happens along the way. Grimnir continues to forage for mushrooms, and keeps the group well supplied. Oorr, meanwhile, keeps a watchful eye out for their approach.
Late in the second day of your travel, Oorr begins to feel like someone is watching him, and turns to see an eye in the rock peering at him, but as soon as Oorr looks at it, it vanishes, and inspection of the rock reveals no immediate clues. Before long, everyone has a sense of being watched, and vanishing eyes appear more frequently. Eventually the path you are on narrows, and ends at the top of a long cylindrical shaft at least 100 feet tall. It's about 30 feet across, and there is a rope ladder tied to the ground that extends down it. A single eye peers at you from across the shaft briefly, but again vanishes as soon as you see it. Though uneasy, it does seem like the right place.
"Well, it seems that it knows we are here. No point on trying to hide. Come here, so I activate my rapport spores". Grimnir then waits for the group to gather and releases telepathic spores. Once again, each member of the group starts to feel a mental link growing between each other. <<" There, much better to communicate between us. I guess we are going down in this shaft ">>
Somewhat uneasy, Farryl checks his gear, loads his hand crossbow and secure his dagger. Weirdly, Farryl founds it exhilarating. He never thought that, one day, he would be walking right inside the lair of a beholder and even less chasing creatures in the Underdark for ingredients to cast away Demon Lords. <<"I'll make sure bards will sing this story. Farryl Kilmander will be famous">>.
Grimnir contact again his companion <<"we better be ready for a fight, take anything that could be useful">>. He then grabs a Nilhogg's Nose from his bag of holding and eat it in a hurry (> gives advantage to perception test by smell for 3 hours)
After checking your gear, you head downward using the rope ladder. You climb down about 100 feet before hitting another short tunnel. Following this tunnel leads to a massive central cavern, cylindrical again. It extends over 500 feet below you, and hundreds of feet above. You see rope bridges and ladders criss crossing the width of the cavern, connecting tunnels like the one you are emerging from to tunnels on the other sides. It makes it hard to see the extend of the central shaft, as the bridges and ladders are so numerous in this small space.
Several humanoid figures, orcs, goblins, and various other races, move about the bridges. There is a ridge connecting your tunnel, and a figure approaches you. It is a human male, bald, with eyes tatooed on his head. He wears a purple robe and carries a quarterstaff with a large eyeball at the top.
"Greetings, fellow adorers of Karazikar, the Divine,"he greets you. "I am Shedrak, welcome to these halls of our most beloved lord and master. How can the great visionary one assist you in your travels today? What business brings you to the Vast Oblivium?" He bows his head slightly, and seems to have been expecting you. The other figures continue on their paths, though you notice a few send glances your way.
Brox steps proudly forward "We want what is best for the underdark. Being here in this cavern, close to our Karazikar, is where we're meant to be, it is our destiny!" She looks around. "Will we be able to get an audience?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Would Grimnir notice if the humanoids are under a charm spell ?
Arcana: 12 Perception: 9
Grimnir will also contact telepathically Farryl <<"Farryl, when he fight breaks, try to incapacitate this wizard first. We need him knocked-out as soon as possible">>
Would Grimnir notice if the humanoids are under a charm spell ?
Arcana: 16 Perception: 22
Grimnir will also contact telepathically Farryl <<"Farryl, when he fight breaks, try to incapacitate this wizard first. We need him knocked-out as soon as possible">>
The humanoids seem curious about your presence, and some have a fearful look in their eyes. It's hard to tell if they're charmed, but you can tell some of them have been here a long time. In fact, you even notice small children and at least one female dragonborn who is pregnant, so it seems some of these followers of Karazikar are born into this life. You know that Beholder's do have charm rays, but are uncertain of the long term effects.
Brox steps proudly forward "We want what is best for the underdark. Being here in this cavern, close to our Karazikar, is where we're meant to be, it is our destiny!" She looks around. "Will we be able to get an audience?"
Deception: 20
A very thin smile spreads across Shedrak's face at Brox's words. Turning to face her directly he replies, "Ah! How nice to have enlightened visitors to our hallowed halls. It has been so long since anyone has arrived... willingly."He turns and begins walking towards the far side of the bridge. "Follow me, I shall take you to the many-eyed one, I am sure you have something of great value to offer Karazikar." He does not wait to see if you follow, but continues briskly to the tunnel opposite of where you entered, and proceeds to climb up a rope ladder to another chamber.
Cautiously, and watching for any sign of danger, you follow after Shedrak. He walks steadily forward across the bridge, which leads to tunnel with a rope ladder leading up, very similar to the one you came down on the other side. Two halflings dressed in plain cloth and carrying jars, step aside as Shedrak approaches the ladder and heads upward. They appear fearful. You follow, and climb a long way, eventually arriving at another exit to the central cavern, but far above where you were before. At the middle of the bridge, Shedrak stops and turns towards you. "One moment, please wait here." He then proceeds to the opposite side of the bridge and disappears into a tunnel.
You don't have to wait long as you feel a presence drift down from the darkened ceiling above. Closer now to the top, you can see the ceiling does curve inward like a dome. Carved in the stone dome is the gigantic visage of a beholder, and where it's central eye is, there is a hole, just wide enough to fit the creature that is now descending from it.
It floats slowly to your level, but remains about 30 feet distant from the bridge you stand on. Karazikar's large eye sweeps across you, and you feel the magic around you deaden. It utters something in a rumbling guttural tone that is unintelligible. Seeing the confusion, Karazikar says something in a different language, this one more familiar, but still not translatable. Except by Belwar, who recognizes the Undercommon language, though it is rough and broken. "You are either very brave or very foolish to wander into my Vast Oblivium," croaks Karazikar. "Either way you have peaked my curiosity. Perhaps you have brought me something of value, and if not, you may be valuable to me yet." Karazikar awaits your reply.
"So, Karazikar, we have come here in the strong believe that we can make a difference. Have you noticed any changes to the underdark? Have you encountered any demons? Maybe we can help!"
Expectantly Brox looks to Belwar if maybe he would be so kind and translate?
The group hasn't been able to hatch a good plan. Brox is just trying to buy them time. Maybe they can do something for this creature? Maybe when he's talking he'll reveal a weak point.
"So, Karazikar, we have come here in the strong believe that we can make a difference. Have you noticed any changes to the underdark? Have you encountered any demons? Maybe we can help!"
Expectantly Brox looks to Belwar if maybe he would be so kind and translate?
The group hasn't been able to hatch a good plan. Brox is just trying to buy them time. Maybe they can do something for this creature? Maybe when he's talking he'll reveal a weak point.
After Belwar translates, the eye swings towards Brox and squints. Brox feels the magic of Dawnbringer falter, and the voice of Karazikar echoes throughout the cavern. Belwar translates as best he can, using hand motions and making sure Brox can read his lips. "Make a difference. Hmm. I know nothing of fiends, but changes, yes, there have been changes. You are strange creatures. Tell me. Do you have knowledge of the Maze Engine? Surely you know nothing as much as I have learned... yet. If you did, perhaps we can make... an exchange."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Grimnir replies to Belwar's translation: "What exchange does it have in mind. Please, tell it that it would be an honour to receive knowledge from such a creature" Suspecting that Brox is trying to get as much information from the creature before striking, Grimnir plays the game.
He also add telepathically to his companion << I'll stay in its anti magic cone, that should protect me from its rays. But I'd say we should try to slowly spread. Farryl, try to find out where is the wizard and get close to him >>
Perception Farryl (to spot the wizard): 7 Perception Grimnir (to spot the wizard): 13
Belwar relays Grimnir's question to the beholder, while Grimnir and Farryl look to the tunnel where the wizard exited. In the darkness beyond, you can just make out the outline of the wizards form, standing, waiting for his master's command.
Belwar translates back the beholder's response. "Knowledge is not free. You have to work hard to learn as much as I have, but about the Maze Engine, I must know more. We'll make this simple. You will be allowed safe passage through my domain. Something that I do not offer lightly. Bring me the Maze Engine, and I will reward you from my vaults. I have much that you... things... seem to enjoy. Trinkets, gold, and such, but perhaps the most important thing is your lives. I know only this, that that Maze Engine lies far to the South in an area of the Underdark known as The Labyrinth." After saying this, the Beholder beckons with an eyestalk, and Shedrak emerges. "Shedrak will walk you out. Should you return without the Maze Engine, our discussion will be somewhat, shorter."
Belwar does so, and Karazikar grins, pointed teeth showing clearly in the bulbous form. "Why, that's the question, isn't it? It is an arcane device that may be able to shift the gears of reality, or so it has been reported. As to it's size, shape or exact location, I cannot say, but it is in the Underdark, and all of my research points to the Labyrinth. Enough talk now, search the Labyrinth, or find someone who knows more about it, but do not return without it, or any deal we have is off."
In a safe distance from those worms, Grimnir can now relax. "Well, the first task was not too hard. I don't think it will be that easy to harvest the central eye of a beholder " says Grimnir laughing. "Let's have a quick rest so we get ready for the next part of our travel.". The monk then grabs his flask and have a good drink.
As the group gets a short rest and gets ready for a new travel, Grimnir uses his scrying crystal ball to try to pinpoint Karazikar. With the description fro Zhora and knowing its name, the scrying might be easier. (WIS 17)
At the end of the scrying session, Grimnir breaks the magical link and focuses on his new ring. He feels now more free than ever, like if a force was helping him to move, he is now unstoppable !
Then, before leaving, Grimnir warn his companion that he will try to forage some mushrooms during the travel. (Survival: 14)
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
As you rest, Grimnir scrys on the Karazikar, but the spell fizzles out. It appears you're dealing it with quite a formidable creature. Mushrooms are harder to come by in this place, but you manage to find a few of the staples such as Barrelstalk and Bluecap. Enough to keep your party fed for a few days.
"We have a lot more to hunt down, and not as many ideas."
During travel, Oorr will stay focused on searching for tracks, hoping to find signs of the creatures they need.
Survival: 17, in the case of Favored Enemies (Fiends), advantage is applied: 11
You and your party head south, navigating the tunnels in the general direction of the area known as The Vast Oblivion, ruled by a Beholder you now know as Karazikar. It's a two day journey from The Purple Worm nest, but nothing of interest happens along the way. Grimnir continues to forage for mushrooms, and keeps the group well supplied. Oorr, meanwhile, keeps a watchful eye out for their approach.
Late in the second day of your travel, Oorr begins to feel like someone is watching him, and turns to see an eye in the rock peering at him, but as soon as Oorr looks at it, it vanishes, and inspection of the rock reveals no immediate clues. Before long, everyone has a sense of being watched, and vanishing eyes appear more frequently. Eventually the path you are on narrows, and ends at the top of a long cylindrical shaft at least 100 feet tall. It's about 30 feet across, and there is a rope ladder tied to the ground that extends down it. A single eye peers at you from across the shaft briefly, but again vanishes as soon as you see it. Though uneasy, it does seem like the right place.
"Well, it seems that it knows we are here. No point on trying to hide. Come here, so I activate my rapport spores".
Grimnir then waits for the group to gather and releases telepathic spores. Once again, each member of the group starts to feel a mental link growing between each other. <<" There, much better to communicate between us. I guess we are going down in this shaft ">>
Somewhat uneasy, Farryl checks his gear, loads his hand crossbow and secure his dagger. Weirdly, Farryl founds it exhilarating. He never thought that, one day, he would be walking right inside the lair of a beholder and even less chasing creatures in the Underdark for ingredients to cast away Demon Lords. <<"I'll make sure bards will sing this story. Farryl Kilmander will be famous">>.
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Grimnir contact again his companion <<"we better be ready for a fight, take anything that could be useful">>. He then grabs a Nilhogg's Nose from his bag of holding and eat it in a hurry (> gives advantage to perception test by smell for 3 hours)
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Brox takes some time to look around and investigate the entrance. Maybe they can find out how many followers are around (footprints etc?)
Investigation: 9
Then she tries to sense the number of fiends around by focussing on her Divine Sense.
Then she send strong support magic towards her companions Belwar, Oorr and Grimnir, making them tougher. (Casting Aid: +10 HP Max for 8h)
After checking your gear, you head downward using the rope ladder. You climb down about 100 feet before hitting another short tunnel. Following this tunnel leads to a massive central cavern, cylindrical again. It extends over 500 feet below you, and hundreds of feet above. You see rope bridges and ladders criss crossing the width of the cavern, connecting tunnels like the one you are emerging from to tunnels on the other sides. It makes it hard to see the extend of the central shaft, as the bridges and ladders are so numerous in this small space.
Several humanoid figures, orcs, goblins, and various other races, move about the bridges. There is a ridge connecting your tunnel, and a figure approaches you. It is a human male, bald, with eyes tatooed on his head. He wears a purple robe and carries a quarterstaff with a large eyeball at the top.
"Greetings, fellow adorers of Karazikar, the Divine," he greets you. "I am Shedrak, welcome to these halls of our most beloved lord and master. How can the great visionary one assist you in your travels today? What business brings you to the Vast Oblivium?" He bows his head slightly, and seems to have been expecting you. The other figures continue on their paths, though you notice a few send glances your way.
Brox steps proudly forward "We want what is best for the underdark. Being here in this cavern, close to our Karazikar, is where we're meant to be, it is our destiny!" She looks around. "Will we be able to get an audience?"
Deception: 20
Would Grimnir notice if the humanoids are under a charm spell ?
Arcana: 12
Perception: 9
Grimnir will also contact telepathically Farryl <<"Farryl, when he fight breaks, try to incapacitate this wizard first. We need him knocked-out as soon as possible">>
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
The humanoids seem curious about your presence, and some have a fearful look in their eyes. It's hard to tell if they're charmed, but you can tell some of them have been here a long time. In fact, you even notice small children and at least one female dragonborn who is pregnant, so it seems some of these followers of Karazikar are born into this life. You know that Beholder's do have charm rays, but are uncertain of the long term effects.
A very thin smile spreads across Shedrak's face at Brox's words. Turning to face her directly he replies, "Ah! How nice to have enlightened visitors to our hallowed halls. It has been so long since anyone has arrived... willingly." He turns and begins walking towards the far side of the bridge. "Follow me, I shall take you to the many-eyed one, I am sure you have something of great value to offer Karazikar." He does not wait to see if you follow, but continues briskly to the tunnel opposite of where you entered, and proceeds to climb up a rope ladder to another chamber.
Cautiously, and watching for any sign of danger, you follow after Shedrak. He walks steadily forward across the bridge, which leads to tunnel with a rope ladder leading up, very similar to the one you came down on the other side. Two halflings dressed in plain cloth and carrying jars, step aside as Shedrak approaches the ladder and heads upward. They appear fearful. You follow, and climb a long way, eventually arriving at another exit to the central cavern, but far above where you were before. At the middle of the bridge, Shedrak stops and turns towards you. "One moment, please wait here." He then proceeds to the opposite side of the bridge and disappears into a tunnel.

You don't have to wait long as you feel a presence drift down from the darkened ceiling above. Closer now to the top, you can see the ceiling does curve inward like a dome. Carved in the stone dome is the gigantic visage of a beholder, and where it's central eye is, there is a hole, just wide enough to fit the creature that is now descending from it.
It floats slowly to your level, but remains about 30 feet distant from the bridge you stand on. Karazikar's large eye sweeps across you, and you feel the magic around you deaden. It utters something in a rumbling guttural tone that is unintelligible. Seeing the confusion, Karazikar says something in a different language, this one more familiar, but still not translatable. Except by Belwar, who recognizes the Undercommon language, though it is rough and broken. "You are either very brave or very foolish to wander into my Vast Oblivium," croaks Karazikar. "Either way you have peaked my curiosity. Perhaps you have brought me something of value, and if not, you may be valuable to me yet." Karazikar awaits your reply.
"So, Karazikar, we have come here in the strong believe that we can make a difference. Have you noticed any changes to the underdark? Have you encountered any demons? Maybe we can help!"
Expectantly Brox looks to Belwar if maybe he would be so kind and translate?
The group hasn't been able to hatch a good plan. Brox is just trying to buy them time. Maybe they can do something for this creature? Maybe when he's talking he'll reveal a weak point.
After Belwar translates, the eye swings towards Brox and squints. Brox feels the magic of Dawnbringer falter, and the voice of Karazikar echoes throughout the cavern. Belwar translates as best he can, using hand motions and making sure Brox can read his lips. "Make a difference. Hmm. I know nothing of fiends, but changes, yes, there have been changes. You are strange creatures. Tell me. Do you have knowledge of the Maze Engine? Surely you know nothing as much as I have learned... yet. If you did, perhaps we can make... an exchange."
Grimnir replies to Belwar's translation: "What exchange does it have in mind. Please, tell it that it would be an honour to receive knowledge from such a creature"
Suspecting that Brox is trying to get as much information from the creature before striking, Grimnir plays the game.
He also add telepathically to his companion
<< I'll stay in its anti magic cone, that should protect me from its rays. But I'd say we should try to slowly spread. Farryl, try to find out where is the wizard and get close to him >>
Perception Farryl (to spot the wizard): 7
Perception Grimnir (to spot the wizard): 13
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Belwar relays Grimnir's question to the beholder, while Grimnir and Farryl look to the tunnel where the wizard exited. In the darkness beyond, you can just make out the outline of the wizards form, standing, waiting for his master's command.
Belwar translates back the beholder's response. "Knowledge is not free. You have to work hard to learn as much as I have, but about the Maze Engine, I must know more. We'll make this simple. You will be allowed safe passage through my domain. Something that I do not offer lightly. Bring me the Maze Engine, and I will reward you from my vaults. I have much that you... things... seem to enjoy. Trinkets, gold, and such, but perhaps the most important thing is your lives. I know only this, that that Maze Engine lies far to the South in an area of the Underdark known as The Labyrinth." After saying this, the Beholder beckons with an eyestalk, and Shedrak emerges. "Shedrak will walk you out. Should you return without the Maze Engine, our discussion will be somewhat, shorter."
"Belwar, can you ask what the Engine is?"
Belwar does so, and Karazikar grins, pointed teeth showing clearly in the bulbous form. "Why, that's the question, isn't it? It is an arcane device that may be able to shift the gears of reality, or so it has been reported. As to it's size, shape or exact location, I cannot say, but it is in the Underdark, and all of my research points to the Labyrinth. Enough talk now, search the Labyrinth, or find someone who knows more about it, but do not return without it, or any deal we have is off."
Oorr makes a sign to the others that he is ready to go... Beholders are unstable, so better not to test their luck.