"Ok, let's go there first. But I feel strongly that we should check out the other directions afterwards too." Brox will hang back 30ish feet to not get them discovered. [Stealth rolled 11+10 = 21 for pass without trace]
You move carefully through the streets Northward, towards the sound of fighting. The smog and dust makes it difficult, but as you get close to the central furrow that runs through the city, you begin to make out what is happening. Duergar, bearing the coat of arms of the Deepking, are rushing to and from makeshift barracks that line the southern edge of the furrow. Weapons are being handed out, orders being given, and soldiers are marching back and forth. You spot in one of the larger tents what looks like the Deepking himself, immersed in some map or document. A moment later, a voice rings out, "INCOMING!" as a fireball lands 20 yards from the main location. You can't see well enough across the furrow to know who is attacking, but it is clear the duergar are under some sort of siege.
After getting a closer look, you venture forth and reveal yourselves. Duergar guards appear from nowhere, breaking their invisibility and holding up their spears as you approach. "Halt!" they yell. The commotion draws the attention of other duergar from the nearby barracks, and a voice from a tent calls out, "Let them pass, they are known to us, though their arrival is unexpected." The speaker strides out of the tent, and you recognize the Deepking. The guards step back, and you are brought back into the tent with the Deepking. A makeshift throne has been set up, and tables with maps of the city, and passages underneath are laid out before it. Several generals stand around the table as well. A duergar woman sits near the throne, dressed in fine robes, a consort to the king.
The Deepking addresses you all. "I don't know why you're back, but perhaps it was the will of the Deep Duerra herself. The derro of the Council of Savants has declared that Demogorgon should be brought to Gracklstugh to cleanse it of its impurities. That would be us." The king pauses a second to clear his throat, and the consort rushes to his side with a mug of dark liquid.
"Drink, my king, your throat is parched!" she says to him softly. He takes a long drink, then hands the mug back to the woman, who retreats back to the throne to refill it. The Deepking continues.
"The Keepers of Flame have all but been killed off by Themberchaud, who now guards his own chambers diligently . We haven't been able to get close ever since that damned egg was destroyed. The stonespeakers have claimed neutrality and retreated to their own caverns. The Derro assault us from the tunnels beneath, and have claimed the Northern regions as well, where they are preparing a ritual to draw the demon lord. I'm running low on supplies, soldiers, and options. If you have business elsewhere, I won't deter you. But if you have any means of helping my people, I would greatly appreciate your assistance as you have rendered it in the past."
Grimnir salutes the King and quickly scans the audience to have a general feeling of the situation. Are they scared ? Do they seem happy that we came here ? (Insight: 3)
"Majesty, it is always a pleasure to visit you. Although it seems we arrive in difficult time. We were not planning on staying, but it seems that you may require our help. The Derros must have fallen under the charm of the demons. Is there anything in particular you would need ?" Grimnir looks then at his companions. "I will have to discuss with my friends here, but we might be able to delay our travel for a couple of days..."
"I am new here, my king, my name is Brox, I am with the light. I have traveled far and wide with this group, and I will follow any decision they take. But I am of the opinion, any demon we can stop from entering this realm, is worth our efforts. Who knows, maybe we'll need your support later on. This war is just beginning, this may only be an early fight."
A wave of relief passes the Deepking's face. He then seems to stumble a bit, and his consort rushes to him. "You're tired, my lord, come, sit, rest yourself. Let these capable fighters serve you."As she says the last sentence, she passes a look to all of you, somewhat concerned, but also a little suspicious.
The Deepking takes her advice and sits down. "I leave my soldiers for you to command. We don't know the full extent of what the Derro are doing, only that they're building something near the lake, and have set up numerous defenses to keep us from pushing to far North of the furrow. We've mapped some tunnels that could secret you into the upper areas of the city, but they have their own demons to deal with." He pauses as the consort lifts a drink to his mouth. "Deep Duerra help us if the Demon Lord is summoned. You might do well to get the help of the stone speakers, or if you could somehow convince Themberchaud that this is his city too, and needs defending. Perhaps you have other allies nearby? Time is short. The ritual may be completed any day n... forgive me. I think I must rest. You have my leave."
Looking a bit flushed, the Deepking and his consort retreat into a private chamber set aside for him. The other soldiers and generals look a bit worried, but turn to you for guidance. "Well?" says a burly looking duergar woman, with a tall pike at the ready. "What do we do now?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Well, this looks bad. Maybe we should try to find more allies. Let's see the stone speakers first, then then Themberchaud second?" Brox suggests to her companions. But she also notices the worried looks and shuffling in the ranks of the soldiers and even the people in charge.
"Well, this looks bad. Maybe we should try to find more allies. Let's see the stone speakers first, then then Themberchaud second?" Brox suggests to her companions. But she also notices the worried looks and shuffling in the ranks of the soldiers and even the people in charge.
Insight, why would Shula look "suspicious": 18
Shula, the Deepking's consort, is dressed in a fine gown of gold coins. It looks heavy and expensive, and was probably a gift from the Deepking. She is keeping a careful eye on you and the guards, while also making sure the Deepking is comfortable. The Deepking seems inclined to do whatever it is Shula wants, including drinking often of what smells like a sour ale from the mugs she carries. You pick up that the Deepking himself is quite drunk, but that anyone who voices objections to his drinking, or the consort's comforts, are quickly removed from the Deepking's presence. When the consort and the Deepking are out of sight and earshot, the generals relax a bit, and proceed to get to work, providing you with routes to the North, and safe passage directions to the Stone Giants and Themberchaud's chamber.
Brox works with the guards, looking at strategic points and battle maps. After a couple of hours, she asks one of the generals: "I am parched. Would I be able to get a drink? Maybe a lovely ale? Was that what your king was drinking? And who is the lady who cares for him so closely? She seems very devoted, like, almost a bit too much!"
Brox works with the guards, looking at strategic points and battle maps. After a couple of hours, she asks one of the generals: "I am parched. Would I be able to get a drink? Maybe a lovely ale? Was that what your king was drinking? And who is the lady who cares for him so closely? She seems very devoted, like, almost a bit too much!"
One of the duergar generals calls over a cart. "Just water I'm afraid, but it's clean. Shula keeps all the ale in reserve for the Deepking. He keeps his consort close, and any who contradict her are sent to the frontlines shortly after. But now they're gone we can get to work. Will you try to rally the giants? Or perhaps the mad dragon? We have basic supplies, but you'll have to figure out how you want to handle them. We've had no luck." the general looks a bit defeated, but startles a bit when she realizes she's let her guard own. "I'm Maive by the way. You can talk to me if you need anything, while the Deepking is resting. Between us, we're worried about him, but the most important thing now is to stop what the Council of Savants is doing. We can't become another Slubloodop."
Grimnir reaches for his flask and hands it to Maive "Here, have a drink. No dwarf, no matter where they are from, should drink water"he said with a smile He then looks at his group and adds: "I'll be tempted to go check on our giant friends first. What do you think?"
"Ok, Maive, my friends have filled me in on what happend in Slubloodop. Let's all try and stop this from happening. We should move. We'll spend a couple of hours to try to get support from the giants and the dragon. Let's start with the giants!"
Brox gives a nod to Grimnir to signal she is ready to head there.
True to their word, the generals send a small group of visible and invisible duergar soldiers to guide you to the cavern where the stone giants reside. You don't encounter any resistance, and it's not a long trip. They set up a perimeter and let you approach the cavern door on your own. Apparently they aren't welcome near the doors.
When you were here last, the doors were kept open. The giants allowed any who sought their wisdom and the stone speaker crystals to come and be enlightened. Now, the doors are shut, large slabs of stone with heavy chains on them. You don't see an obvious way around them, nor do you know if they're locked. Or if anyone's listening.
"This is not a good sign..." says Grimnir. He approaches the door and shouts: "We are friends with the Stonespeakers. Dorhun, it is us. We have returned! Can we see you?"
In the meantime waiting for a response, Oorr casts a divination spell.
Find Traps
You sense the presence of any trap within range (120 ft.) that is within line of sight. A trap, for the purpose of this spell, includes anything that would inflict a sudden or unexpected effect you consider harmful or undesirable, which was specifically intended as such by its creator. Thus, the spell would sense an area affected by the alarm spell, a glyph of warding, or a mechanical pit trap, but it would not reveal a natural weakness in the floor, an unstable ceiling, or a hidden sinkhole.
This spell merely reveals that a trap is present. You don't learn the location of each trap, but you do learn the general nature of the danger posed by a trap you sense.
In the meantime waiting for a response, Oorr casts a divination spell.
Find Traps
You sense the presence of any trap within range (120 ft.) that is within line of sight. A trap, for the purpose of this spell, includes anything that would inflict a sudden or unexpected effect you consider harmful or undesirable, which was specifically intended as such by its creator. Thus, the spell would sense an area affected by the alarm spell, a glyph of warding, or a mechanical pit trap, but it would not reveal a natural weakness in the floor, an unstable ceiling, or a hidden sinkhole.
This spell merely reveals that a trap is present. You don't learn the location of each trap, but you do learn the general nature of the danger posed by a trap you sense.
You do sense traps around you, but not in front of the Stone Giant's door. The duergar actually pointed some of them out to you on your way in. They have detection traps to warn of Derro attacks from various alleys and tunnels, spaced around the edges of the city.
"This is not a good sign..." says Grimnir. He approaches the door and shouts: "We are friends with the Stonespeakers. Dorhun, it is us. We have returned! Can we see you?"
Moments pass with no answer. Just when you're about to call out again, the door shifts, and the heavy stone creaks and turns as the door moves slightly ajar. You were expecting the apprentice, Dorhun, but to your surprise the Stonespeaker himself, Hgraam is the one behind the entryway. "By the dreamlands, you have returned!"he exclaims. "But come inside, it is not safe, no not safe. Madness lurks about."He steps aside to allow you all time to enter, then shuts the door behind you with a heavy boom. It is dark inside the cavern, save for the soft cold light of a Stonespeaker crystal in the center of the cavern.
You see a few other Stone giants. They seem weakened, lethargic. Hgraam addresses Grimnir, "We heard you had returned to the surface. Why return to this realm of madness? The demon lords near our shores each passing moment. It is not safe, not safe."
Grimnir follows the giant and nods I the direction of Hgraam. "It is good to see you Hgraam. There is still a heaven of sanity around here it seems. We have been asked to look out for information on this Demon incursions. We met a wizard , who might have a plan. I do not entirely trust him but it seems that we share a common goal.
It seems the plan is to gather the Lord demon together, let them fight each other and finishing off whoever is last standing. A bit insane, but I like it"
Grimnir pauses for Hgraam to think. "We were only in transit to somewhere called the Labyrinth if I recall. But it seems we arrived in a civil war... Can we help you Hgraam ?"
"Ok, let's go there first. But I feel strongly that we should check out the other directions afterwards too." Brox will hang back 30ish feet to not get them discovered. [Stealth rolled 11+10 = 21 for pass without trace]
You move carefully through the streets Northward, towards the sound of fighting. The smog and dust makes it difficult, but as you get close to the central furrow that runs through the city, you begin to make out what is happening. Duergar, bearing the coat of arms of the Deepking, are rushing to and from makeshift barracks that line the southern edge of the furrow. Weapons are being handed out, orders being given, and soldiers are marching back and forth. You spot in one of the larger tents what looks like the Deepking himself, immersed in some map or document. A moment later, a voice rings out, "INCOMING!" as a fireball lands 20 yards from the main location. You can't see well enough across the furrow to know who is attacking, but it is clear the duergar are under some sort of siege.
After getting a closer look, you venture forth and reveal yourselves. Duergar guards appear from nowhere, breaking their invisibility and holding up their spears as you approach. "Halt!" they yell. The commotion draws the attention of other duergar from the nearby barracks, and a voice from a tent calls out, "Let them pass, they are known to us, though their arrival is unexpected." The speaker strides out of the tent, and you recognize the Deepking. The guards step back, and you are brought back into the tent with the Deepking. A makeshift throne has been set up, and tables with maps of the city, and passages underneath are laid out before it. Several generals stand around the table as well. A duergar woman sits near the throne, dressed in fine robes, a consort to the king.
The Deepking addresses you all. "I don't know why you're back, but perhaps it was the will of the Deep Duerra herself. The derro of the Council of Savants has declared that Demogorgon should be brought to Gracklstugh to cleanse it of its impurities. That would be us." The king pauses a second to clear his throat, and the consort rushes to his side with a mug of dark liquid.
"Drink, my king, your throat is parched!" she says to him softly. He takes a long drink, then hands the mug back to the woman, who retreats back to the throne to refill it. The Deepking continues.
"The Keepers of Flame have all but been killed off by Themberchaud, who now guards his own chambers diligently . We haven't been able to get close ever since that damned egg was destroyed. The stonespeakers have claimed neutrality and retreated to their own caverns. The Derro assault us from the tunnels beneath, and have claimed the Northern regions as well, where they are preparing a ritual to draw the demon lord. I'm running low on supplies, soldiers, and options. If you have business elsewhere, I won't deter you. But if you have any means of helping my people, I would greatly appreciate your assistance as you have rendered it in the past."
Grimnir salutes the King and quickly scans the audience to have a general feeling of the situation. Are they scared ? Do they seem happy that we came here ? (Insight: 3)
"Majesty, it is always a pleasure to visit you. Although it seems we arrive in difficult time. We were not planning on staying, but it seems that you may require our help. The Derros must have fallen under the charm of the demons. Is there anything in particular you would need ?"
Grimnir looks then at his companions. "I will have to discuss with my friends here, but we might be able to delay our travel for a couple of days..."
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
"I am staying. The ritual must be stopped."
"I am new here, my king, my name is Brox, I am with the light. I have traveled far and wide with this group, and I will follow any decision they take. But I am of the opinion, any demon we can stop from entering this realm, is worth our efforts. Who knows, maybe we'll need your support later on. This war is just beginning, this may only be an early fight."
She bows to the king.
A wave of relief passes the Deepking's face. He then seems to stumble a bit, and his consort rushes to him. "You're tired, my lord, come, sit, rest yourself. Let these capable fighters serve you." As she says the last sentence, she passes a look to all of you, somewhat concerned, but also a little suspicious.
The Deepking takes her advice and sits down. "I leave my soldiers for you to command. We don't know the full extent of what the Derro are doing, only that they're building something near the lake, and have set up numerous defenses to keep us from pushing to far North of the furrow. We've mapped some tunnels that could secret you into the upper areas of the city, but they have their own demons to deal with." He pauses as the consort lifts a drink to his mouth. "Deep Duerra help us if the Demon Lord is summoned. You might do well to get the help of the stone speakers, or if you could somehow convince Themberchaud that this is his city too, and needs defending. Perhaps you have other allies nearby? Time is short. The ritual may be completed any day n... forgive me. I think I must rest. You have my leave."
Looking a bit flushed, the Deepking and his consort retreat into a private chamber set aside for him. The other soldiers and generals look a bit worried, but turn to you for guidance. "Well?" says a burly looking duergar woman, with a tall pike at the ready. "What do we do now?"
"Well, this looks bad. Maybe we should try to find more allies. Let's see the stone speakers first, then then Themberchaud second?" Brox suggests to her companions. But she also notices the worried looks and shuffling in the ranks of the soldiers and even the people in charge.
Insight, why would Shula look "suspicious": 21
Shula, the Deepking's consort, is dressed in a fine gown of gold coins. It looks heavy and expensive, and was probably a gift from the Deepking. She is keeping a careful eye on you and the guards, while also making sure the Deepking is comfortable. The Deepking seems inclined to do whatever it is Shula wants, including drinking often of what smells like a sour ale from the mugs she carries. You pick up that the Deepking himself is quite drunk, but that anyone who voices objections to his drinking, or the consort's comforts, are quickly removed from the Deepking's presence. When the consort and the Deepking are out of sight and earshot, the generals relax a bit, and proceed to get to work, providing you with routes to the North, and safe passage directions to the Stone Giants and Themberchaud's chamber.
Brox works with the guards, looking at strategic points and battle maps. After a couple of hours, she asks one of the generals: "I am parched. Would I be able to get a drink? Maybe a lovely ale? Was that what your king was drinking? And who is the lady who cares for him so closely? She seems very devoted, like, almost a bit too much!"
One of the duergar generals calls over a cart. "Just water I'm afraid, but it's clean. Shula keeps all the ale in reserve for the Deepking. He keeps his consort close, and any who contradict her are sent to the frontlines shortly after. But now they're gone we can get to work. Will you try to rally the giants? Or perhaps the mad dragon? We have basic supplies, but you'll have to figure out how you want to handle them. We've had no luck." the general looks a bit defeated, but startles a bit when she realizes she's let her guard own. "I'm Maive by the way. You can talk to me if you need anything, while the Deepking is resting. Between us, we're worried about him, but the most important thing now is to stop what the Council of Savants is doing. We can't become another Slubloodop."
Grimnir reaches for his flask and hands it to Maive "Here, have a drink. No dwarf, no matter where they are from, should drink water" he said with a smile
He then looks at his group and adds: "I'll be tempted to go check on our giant friends first. What do you think?"
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
"Ok, Maive, my friends have filled me in on what happend in Slubloodop. Let's all try and stop this from happening. We should move. We'll spend a couple of hours to try to get support from the giants and the dragon. Let's start with the giants!"
Brox gives a nod to Grimnir to signal she is ready to head there.
"Agreed. Let's move on."
True to their word, the generals send a small group of visible and invisible duergar soldiers to guide you to the cavern where the stone giants reside. You don't encounter any resistance, and it's not a long trip. They set up a perimeter and let you approach the cavern door on your own. Apparently they aren't welcome near the doors.
When you were here last, the doors were kept open. The giants allowed any who sought their wisdom and the stone speaker crystals to come and be enlightened. Now, the doors are shut, large slabs of stone with heavy chains on them. You don't see an obvious way around them, nor do you know if they're locked. Or if anyone's listening.
"This is not a good sign..." says Grimnir.
He approaches the door and shouts: "We are friends with the Stonespeakers. Dorhun, it is us. We have returned! Can we see you?"
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
In the meantime waiting for a response, Oorr casts a divination spell.
Find Traps
You sense the presence of any trap within range (120 ft.) that is within line of sight. A trap, for the purpose of this spell, includes anything that would inflict a sudden or unexpected effect you consider harmful or undesirable, which was specifically intended as such by its creator. Thus, the spell would sense an area affected by the alarm spell, a glyph of warding, or a mechanical pit trap, but it would not reveal a natural weakness in the floor, an unstable ceiling, or a hidden sinkhole.
This spell merely reveals that a trap is present. You don't learn the location of each trap, but you do learn the general nature of the danger posed by a trap you sense.
You do sense traps around you, but not in front of the Stone Giant's door. The duergar actually pointed some of them out to you on your way in. They have detection traps to warn of Derro attacks from various alleys and tunnels, spaced around the edges of the city.
Moments pass with no answer. Just when you're about to call out again, the door shifts, and the heavy stone creaks and turns as the door moves slightly ajar. You were expecting the apprentice, Dorhun, but to your surprise the Stonespeaker himself, Hgraam is the one behind the entryway. "By the dreamlands, you have returned!" he exclaims. "But come inside, it is not safe, no not safe. Madness lurks about." He steps aside to allow you all time to enter, then shuts the door behind you with a heavy boom. It is dark inside the cavern, save for the soft cold light of a Stonespeaker crystal in the center of the cavern.
You see a few other Stone giants. They seem weakened, lethargic. Hgraam addresses Grimnir, "We heard you had returned to the surface. Why return to this realm of madness? The demon lords near our shores each passing moment. It is not safe, not safe."
Grimnir follows the giant and nods I the direction of Hgraam. "It is good to see you Hgraam. There is still a heaven of sanity around here it seems. We have been asked to look out for information on this Demon incursions. We met a wizard , who might have a plan. I do not entirely trust him but it seems that we share a common goal.
It seems the plan is to gather the Lord demon together, let them fight each other and finishing off whoever is last standing. A bit insane, but I like it"
Grimnir pauses for Hgraam to think.
"We were only in transit to somewhere called the Labyrinth if I recall. But it seems we arrived in a civil war... Can we help you Hgraam ?"
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