"Well c'mon, if you're coming," Ketch grumbled as he paused and turned around. He was pleased to see that it looked like they were, but he scowled to hide it. "The gnomes wait for no Orc, as Gruumsh says." Ketch waited for the others to catch up, and then led the party onward... by letting the talkative little one lead.
John claps both hands to his chest to keep hold of the papers, and stepped aside politely as Ketch shouldered by. Which paper had been the Gnome paper? He wished he'd been paying better attention. He stood a moment considering if he should stick either of the papers back to the board, while the rest of the group began following Ketch. Deciding it wasn't worth getting wrong, he pockets them both again.
"To the Gnomes!" He smiles and inclines his head to Halia in thanks, before striding to catch up with the group. When he was back home, working with others, it was typical for John to'bring up the rear!' For the full Humans. So as they marched along, he did just that. And took advantage of the chance to quietly mull over how he could possibly be both, the biggest and littlest, of them all.
It will take you about two hours to travel to Gnomengarde. If you want to talk further you can
You follow a stream uphill to the base of the mountain, where waterfall erosion has carved out a natural concavity. The roaring waterfall creates a cloud of mist as it plunges into a shallow pool of water, within which rise two small islands covered with two-foot-tall red, green, and purple mushrooms. Several cave openings overlook the pool from rocky ledges twenty to thirty feet above. The mountain blocks any sunlight from reaching this place.
"...Did you know, that white dragons are the smallest and the weakest of all dragons? It would still be very exciting to meet one, as I'm sure it would still tower above little old me! And weak of course is relatively speaking! Unless it was a hatchling, then it would be weak, but adorable I'm sure!"
Chom seems not to have taken a breath since they left Phandalin, a cascade of information, varying from useless to mildly interesting, spilling from his mouth. Upon seeing the entrance to Gnomengarde, he falls quiet and his jaw drops as he takes in the splendour of the setting for a second... before continuing on.
"Well, Horace, these rock gnomes have the right idea! A majestic home to be sure! No doubt as comfortable on the inside as it is magnificent on the outside, oh yes! Well this certainly trumps sitting in a musty library at Candlekeep, make no mistake! Hello! HELLO! Excuse me! Horace, be a helpful bird and check those little caves for little gnomes!" The hawk darts away towards the waterfall, primarily to get away from the incessant noise, but visibly shudders when it continues to hear the gnome's shouts reverberate round the high rock walls.
'Note to self: check behind the waterfall.' Tyrgram thought to himself as they followed the stream to its point of origin.
As their own Gnome called out to possible other Gnomes, Tyrgram walked over to get a closer look at the mushrooms. He had always been fascinated by nature and the red, green but especially purple mushrooms piqued his interests.
John was vigilant on their trek, for the most part keeping an eye out for danger. Only getting distracted by Choms chatter a few times. It made the time pass quickly if nothing else.
When they arrived at the base of the mountain John marveled at the natural beauty of the shallow pool with its two tiny islands of mushrooms. The waterfall rushing loudly, creating the cool mist that encompassed the shaded enclave. His eyes traveled up rock walls with cave mouths at the top, and wondered how hard they would be to climb if he had to.
Tyrgrams movement towards the mushrooms draws his attention back in time for John to notice movement on the closest island of mushrooms. "Careful friend." he whispers right before the high pitched voice called out in what John thought must be Gnomish.
John steps closer to get a better look.
((ooc wondering if my darkvision can help make out anything in the poorly lit area?))
At the sound of an unfamiliar voice form an unseen source, Ketch plants his feet, and gets himself ready for battle. Likely an unneeded precaution, but better than being caught unawares. Ketch doesn't yet pull his Warhammer into battle position but his hand is on it's handle... "Show yourselves! We've a message from town for you!" Ketch booms out in Orcish. "Or perhaps we can speak in the common tongue," he follows it up with, leading by example.
Chom lets out a little yelp of happiness on hearing his own language, and he calls back in the same manner. "Good afternoon! Or is it closer to evening? I do tend to lose track of time sometimes! We apologise for not having an appointment, but might we speak with you please? We have come from Phandalin to ask about dragons, a very interesting subject I'm sure you'll agree! Your mushrooms also look very interesting, and very colourful, perhaps we can discuss them too? And we met a very nice manticore, do you like manticores?"
Chom skips along the ground next to the water, moving closer to the waterfall as he tries to spot his (presumed) fellow gnome.
The movement comes again, then a head pops out. "Gnome?"
A gnome female steps out, looking at each of you in turn as the mist permits. "A dragon? Over here? But why would one be here? There's never been one here."
She wades across to the party, still wary of you and keeping closer to Chom. "You're new to Phandalin. I've never seen you before. Never seen..." She backs up a bit.
"You have no need to fear us gentle lady. We have come on the instruction of Townsmaster Wester. A notice was posted that your kin may be able to assist in the battling of such a beast with a technology that us, less able minds, could never imagine. May we talk, perhaps out of the spray of this lovely waterfall?"
Xel-Thoth makes himself visible, showing his palms to show he is not a threat.
In Common he says: We are new to the town as well and have taken to accepting odd jobs to make ends meet. I understand that we are not familiar to you but given how dangerous the times are the leadership of the town may have found it better to risk the lives of some adventurers over the townspeople. Such is our fate in this story. As my companion has said, may we perhaps continue this conversation inside.
As things seem amicable enough, Ketch relaxes his guard a bit, but keeps an eye out, moving his eyes around the surroundings just trying to make sure nothing is amiss.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
[roll]1d20da+6[/rol
Everyone feels the faintest chills for the space of an eyeblink. Then it is gone and you wonder if it came from the mist that surrounds you, your clothes geting more and more damp.
The gnome keeps her eye on the others, even as there is a smile in her voice as she talks to Chom. "Our mushrooms are why we live here. They give food and drink and light and power. It would be terrible if a dragon came by. That's a good enough reason for you should talk to someone, I guess. I have to finish here. Bye."
She gives a little wave to the party and heads back to through the mist to the island.
"Well c'mon, if you're coming," Ketch grumbled as he paused and turned around. He was pleased to see that it looked like they were, but he scowled to hide it. "The gnomes wait for no Orc, as Gruumsh says." Ketch waited for the others to catch up, and then led the party onward... by letting the talkative little one lead.
John claps both hands to his chest to keep hold of the papers, and stepped aside politely as Ketch shouldered by. Which paper had been the Gnome paper? He wished he'd been paying better attention. He stood a moment considering if he should stick either of the papers back to the board, while the rest of the group began following Ketch. Deciding it wasn't worth getting wrong, he pockets them both again.
"To the Gnomes!" He smiles and inclines his head to Halia in thanks, before striding to catch up with the group. When he was back home, working with others, it was typical for John to'bring up the rear!' For the full Humans. So as they marched along, he did just that. And took advantage of the chance to quietly mull over how he could possibly be both, the biggest and littlest, of them all.
Xel-Thoth says a silent prayer to Mystra and Azuth. Hopefully this job will not as unexpectedly dangerous as the last.
He feels somewhat more secure now that there are more of them in the group.
Hopefully Chom will be able to facilitate the negotiations with the gnomes. Hopefully.
It will take you about two hours to travel to Gnomengarde. If you want to talk further you can
You follow a stream uphill to the base of the mountain, where waterfall erosion has carved out a natural concavity. The roaring waterfall creates a cloud of mist as it plunges into a shallow pool of water, within which rise two small islands covered with two-foot-tall red, green, and purple mushrooms. Several cave openings overlook the pool from rocky ledges twenty to thirty feet above. The mountain blocks any sunlight from reaching this place.
"...Did you know, that white dragons are the smallest and the weakest of all dragons? It would still be very exciting to meet one, as I'm sure it would still tower above little old me! And weak of course is relatively speaking! Unless it was a hatchling, then it would be weak, but adorable I'm sure!"
Chom seems not to have taken a breath since they left Phandalin, a cascade of information, varying from useless to mildly interesting, spilling from his mouth. Upon seeing the entrance to Gnomengarde, he falls quiet and his jaw drops as he takes in the splendour of the setting for a second... before continuing on.
"Well, Horace, these rock gnomes have the right idea! A majestic home to be sure! No doubt as comfortable on the inside as it is magnificent on the outside, oh yes! Well this certainly trumps sitting in a musty library at Candlekeep, make no mistake! Hello! HELLO! Excuse me! Horace, be a helpful bird and check those little caves for little gnomes!" The hawk darts away towards the waterfall, primarily to get away from the incessant noise, but visibly shudders when it continues to hear the gnome's shouts reverberate round the high rock walls.
'Note to self: check behind the waterfall.' Tyrgram thought to himself as they followed the stream to its point of origin.
As their own Gnome called out to possible other Gnomes, Tyrgram walked over to get a closer look at the mushrooms. He had always been fascinated by nature and the red, green but especially purple mushrooms piqued his interests.
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
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The mist from the waterfall swirls around the islands, obscuring and revealing them om turn. The pool at the waterfall's base is only three feet deep.
As Chom calls out, there is movement on the island closest to you before the mist swirls again.
A high voice calls out in Gnomish.
'Who's there? No one is supposed to be coming right now."
John was vigilant on their trek, for the most part keeping an eye out for danger. Only getting distracted by Choms chatter a few times. It made the time pass quickly if nothing else.
When they arrived at the base of the mountain John marveled at the natural beauty of the shallow pool with its two tiny islands of mushrooms. The waterfall rushing loudly, creating the cool mist that encompassed the shaded enclave. His eyes traveled up rock walls with cave mouths at the top, and wondered how hard they would be to climb if he had to.
Tyrgrams movement towards the mushrooms draws his attention back in time for John to notice movement on the closest island of mushrooms. "Careful friend." he whispers right before the high pitched voice called out in what John thought must be Gnomish.
John steps closer to get a better look.
((ooc wondering if my darkvision can help make out anything in the poorly lit area?))
((You can see in the dim light, but the mist is more the factor for visibility or lack of.))
But it was no use, he couldnt make out where exactly the voice came from.
"What did they say?" he asks Chomsky.
At the sound of an unfamiliar voice form an unseen source, Ketch plants his feet, and gets himself ready for battle. Likely an unneeded precaution, but better than being caught unawares. Ketch doesn't yet pull his Warhammer into battle position but his hand is on it's handle... "Show yourselves! We've a message from town for you!" Ketch booms out in Orcish. "Or perhaps we can speak in the common tongue," he follows it up with, leading by example.
You hear movements as Ketch shouts out. Then it stops as he speaks in Common. "Who can speak?" comes the voice again, in Common.
Chom lets out a little yelp of happiness on hearing his own language, and he calls back in the same manner. "Good afternoon! Or is it closer to evening? I do tend to lose track of time sometimes! We apologise for not having an appointment, but might we speak with you please? We have come from Phandalin to ask about dragons, a very interesting subject I'm sure you'll agree! Your mushrooms also look very interesting, and very colourful, perhaps we can discuss them too? And we met a very nice manticore, do you like manticores?"
Chom skips along the ground next to the water, moving closer to the waterfall as he tries to spot his (presumed) fellow gnome.
The movement comes again, then a head pops out. "Gnome?"
A gnome female steps out, looking at each of you in turn as the mist permits. "A dragon? Over here? But why would one be here? There's never been one here."
She wades across to the party, still wary of you and keeping closer to Chom. "You're new to Phandalin. I've never seen you before. Never seen..." She backs up a bit.
Erevan
"You have no need to fear us gentle lady. We have come on the instruction of Townsmaster Wester. A notice was posted that your kin may be able to assist in the battling of such a beast with a technology that us, less able minds, could never imagine. May we talk, perhaps out of the spray of this lovely waterfall?"
Xel-Thoth makes himself visible, showing his palms to show he is not a threat.
In Common he says: We are new to the town as well and have taken to accepting odd jobs to make ends meet. I understand that we are not familiar to you but given how dangerous the times are the leadership of the town may have found it better to risk the lives of some adventurers over the townspeople. Such is our fate in this story. As my companion has said, may we perhaps continue this conversation inside.
As things seem amicable enough, Ketch relaxes his guard a bit, but keeps an eye out, moving his eyes around the surroundings just trying to make sure nothing is amiss.
Ketch. Make a perception check at disadvantage.
((Perception check is 4 and with disadvantage 23))
"As Gruumsh says, where there is mist, you see mist!"
[roll]1d20da+6[/rol
Everyone feels the faintest chills for the space of an eyeblink. Then it is gone and you wonder if it came from the mist that surrounds you, your clothes geting more and more damp.
The gnome keeps her eye on the others, even as there is a smile in her voice as she talks to Chom. "Our mushrooms are why we live here. They give food and drink and light and power. It would be terrible if a dragon came by. That's a good enough reason for you should talk to someone, I guess. I have to finish here. Bye."
She gives a little wave to the party and heads back to through the mist to the island.
((The roll was 12))