The noxious fumes released by the goat's head drift away, the room beginning to smell more and more like old paper from dusty pages, and of the sickly ichor used to preserve the dead.
Its become both nostalgically quaint and nauseatingly clean smelling, like a normal alchemist's lab.
With this normalization you have a sense that while there may be some hidden truths and treasures, only the most laborious studies will yield any further gains in this room...
Arbon looks at the horse on the door and scratches his chin. "You sure, my bookish friend? Given what we just found, I'm inclined to think we'll find some goats in there. One of those books was about raising animals. But then there was also some studies on transmutation magic, so while they may have raised animals normally, they may not be so anymore." Arbon looks to the others, "I am happy to traverse through the horse's quarters unless someone has another idea?" Arbon makes his way over to the door and inspects it closely before preparing to open it should everyone agree to enter.
Onyx nodded. "Goats would be easy. We'd be better off going through the easy doors first, taking whatever we find that's helpful, then going through the others."
He pointed as he finished, "That one with the plague mask? I'd personally do that one last."
Grahl and Chazrael, when the other two leave the room...
the red finger floating in a jar of embalming fluid animates slightly, as if a jolt of electricity ran through it for a moment before returning back to still life. (passive perception)
Arbon and Onyx, when you leave the room...
the door that Arbon is standing in front of has sounds coming from behind it. Even the worst listener could define it as screaming, and you two are certain that they are screams of agony. (passive perception)
Arbon stops as he stands at the door, hand on the handle, and he looks to the others. "I hear screams of pain behind here. What is making them is unknown, but I don't think it's goats. We should be ready for anything back there."
When the door opens, the entire room is treated to a cacophony of gushing throaty gurgles followed by an equally mighty scream,
"DUKHAL! I WILL SLAY YOU IN THE NAME OF-"
Another throaty gurgle and scream.
Arbon looks in the room...
A wretched stable now decrepit down to the last rotten straw. Four burning red eyes leer out back at you from four equally spaced slots, wooden fencing keeping them in shadows and divided. At the back of the room, a fierce looking orc with a missing eye and arm is chained to the wall. Muscles rippling hard, a black goat chomps hard on flesh torn open at the stomach. The orc is clearly the cause of the screaming, wrestling hard with the thick iron of his chains, and trying to swat the beast with his missing limb.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Arbon quickly assesses the room. Each of the red eyes glaring at him from behind what he hopes are secure enclosures, he charges forward towards the feasting goat. "What has this place done to you that you would eat the flesh of an orc, little goat?!" As he gets near the goat, Arbon uses his momentum to swing his mace upwards, trying to hit the goat and bat it away from the restrained orc.
A wretched stable now decrepit down to the last rotten straw. Four burning red eyes leer out back at you from four equally spaced slots, wooden fencing keeping them in shadows and divided. At the back of the room, a fierce looking orc with a missing eye and arm is chained to the wall. Muscles rippling hard, a black goat chomps hard on flesh torn open at the stomach. The orc is clearly the cause of the screaming, wrestling hard with the thick iron of his chains, and trying to swat the beast with his missing limb--
Or at least, that's what you saw for a moment.
Arbon ran and swung his mace at the animal. Perhaps too hard-Its heavy metal tip smashes into the goat's fragile skull, killing it instantly.
There is a weak whimper as it drops to the ground, the Orc quickly interjects,
"SMALL ONE, FREE ME! NOW!!"
The goats stare to bleat one after the other. BAAAAH. BAAAAH. BAAAAAH. BAAAAAH.
YOU KILLED OUR BRoOTHER!!!
The goats begin to bleat all together,
"OUR BRoOTHEEER!! BAAAH! BAAAH!! BAAAH!!!"
The goats begin to ram and crash against their holdings, far more violent then even this war torn Orc. He screams!
Arbon briefly looks to the chains that hold the orc, hoping to find a quick way to free him. However, if he cannot find an easy way to free the orc, he backs up with shield up to defend the captive.
A dense knocking continues to grow louder and louder behind the door until its pounding throughout the gate chamber as well. Several hard crashes, like battering rams through great wooden doors finally giving way in a siege, and it evolves into mighty bleets and ungodly goat screams.
Behind the door, the unholy scene plays out...
When the goats break through, Arbon knows that, while he could make the keys, he doesn't have the time to do so for three locks before they get out.
Jumping in front of the Orc, ready for the fight, Arbon stands firm!
At the other end of the room, just before the doorway, Onyx took in the sight for the briefest of seconds ready a respond!
And then you both see them crash through snarling and bleating but they aren't actually attacking either of you or the orc.
It appears that, If left unattended, they will attempt to very aggressively drag the fifth goat into a single stable.
The Orc uncharacteristically remains completely silent in the process-perhaps not wanting to continue to be the one being eaten.
Transfixed by the sight, and unsure of what exactly is transpiring, Onyx decided to simply wait--he didn't have enough information to act without possibly causing trouble, he felt. Then, apparently struck by an idea, he bolted into the room.
@DM and Arbon:
He will simply watch the goats drag the (dead?) fifth goat into a stable, to see what they do.
On second thought, while watching, he will also rush toward the orc and cast Protection from Evil and Good on him, to keep him safe from all aberrations, elementals, fey, fiends and undead (he's excluding celestials.) Also, if the orc is charmed, frightened, or possessed of any of them, he has advantage on his next saving throw against the effect.
Standing in defence of the orc and watching the goats, Arbon speaks back to the orc, "I see no way to unlock your chains and while I might be able to make a key for the locks, I need the original key to start the process. Do you know how to free yourself? Is the key here somewhere?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Having stood guard outside Grahl now enters the room. Seeing the full blooded orc in chains makes Grahl pause a moment. The sight of it angers Grahl, not granting the orc a warriors death disgusts him.
Grahl ignores the goats for now walking up with big strides towards the orc and lifting his axe high he aims to hit the chains with the blade of his axe. Grahl free orc!
Reckless Attack on chains while ignoring possible goat enemies : Attack: 26 Damage: 6
A small amount of metal dust or holy water evaporates into vaporless steam in Onyx's pocket before ripples of energy surround the orc, protecting him magically from the nearby hell. Accepting further assistance, the Orc quietly watches Arbon for any type of deception. As Arbon finishes, the Orc must trust you somewhat as he whispers back,
"There's another small one, she's has the key ring..." He looks over to the direction of the Eaten Apple door behind the walls and door currently entombing you all.
"She knows magic-" Before he can add further, Grahl crashes through the door and takes the meanest backswing up before slamming his ax on the chain near the orc's foot. It lands into the metal hard but bounces off, nearly catching Arbon in the ricochet. A thunderous bending groan, the handle vibrating hard, you can see a marble sized V shaped piece in the middle of the is blade missing.
"HA!! I tried that too Kazaht. Must find key-metal has magic writing on it."
The goats finish dragging the fifth to the back of the nearest stall, completely covered in darkness. The redness of the eyes fades and you can hear the sickening feast continue on. The orc shudders but breathes a sigh of slight relief. He speaks again to Arbon,
"Hurry now small one, as before, run and get the key. That will not hold them long."
Chuckling, he remarks,
"You are very brave, your honor is larger than your body."
He motions to Grahl with his half arm,
"Tell me Kazaht, do you serve Gruumsh? I felt the strength of your weapon, and though the witch's magic is strong, the will of Gruumsh will always endure. That would have shattered a normal warrior's blade."
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The noxious fumes released by the goat's head drift away, the room beginning to smell more and more like old paper from dusty pages, and of the sickly ichor used to preserve the dead.
Its become both nostalgically quaint and nauseatingly clean smelling, like a normal alchemist's lab.
With this normalization you have a sense that while there may be some hidden truths and treasures, only the most laborious studies will yield any further gains in this room...
Onyx left the room, turning to Arbon. "Suggestions on the next door? I still say the one with the horse, but I'm open to alternatives."
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Arbon looks at the horse on the door and scratches his chin. "You sure, my bookish friend? Given what we just found, I'm inclined to think we'll find some goats in there. One of those books was about raising animals. But then there was also some studies on transmutation magic, so while they may have raised animals normally, they may not be so anymore." Arbon looks to the others, "I am happy to traverse through the horse's quarters unless someone has another idea?" Arbon makes his way over to the door and inspects it closely before preparing to open it should everyone agree to enter.
Onyx nodded. "Goats would be easy. We'd be better off going through the easy doors first, taking whatever we find that's helpful, then going through the others."
He pointed as he finished, "That one with the plague mask? I'd personally do that one last."
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Grahl and Chazrael, when the other two leave the room...
the red finger floating in a jar of embalming fluid animates slightly, as if a jolt of electricity ran through it for a moment before returning back to still life. (passive perception)
Arbon and Onyx, when you leave the room...
the door that Arbon is standing in front of has sounds coming from behind it. Even the worst listener could define it as screaming, and you two are certain that they are screams of agony. (passive perception)
Arbon stops as he stands at the door, hand on the handle, and he looks to the others. "I hear screams of pain behind here. What is making them is unknown, but I don't think it's goats. We should be ready for anything back there."
Chazrael motions to his bow. "I'm ready when you gents are."
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Onyx simply nodded to Arbon to open the door.
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
When the door opens, the entire room is treated to a cacophony of gushing throaty gurgles followed by an equally mighty scream,
"DUKHAL! I WILL SLAY YOU IN THE NAME OF-"
Another throaty gurgle and scream.
Arbon looks in the room...
A wretched stable now decrepit down to the last rotten straw. Four burning red eyes leer out back at you from four equally spaced slots, wooden fencing keeping them in shadows and divided. At the back of the room, a fierce looking orc with a missing eye and arm is chained to the wall. Muscles rippling hard, a black goat chomps hard on flesh torn open at the stomach. The orc is clearly the cause of the screaming, wrestling hard with the thick iron of his chains, and trying to swat the beast with his missing limb.
Arbon quickly assesses the room. Each of the red eyes glaring at him from behind what he hopes are secure enclosures, he charges forward towards the feasting goat. "What has this place done to you that you would eat the flesh of an orc, little goat?!" As he gets near the goat, Arbon uses his momentum to swing his mace upwards, trying to hit the goat and bat it away from the restrained orc.
Mace Attack: 25 Damage: 5
Arbon rushes into the back of the room and disappears from sight...
Arbon swings his mace hard at the animal. Perhaps too hard-Its heavy metal tip smashes into the goat's fragile skull, killing it instantly.
There is a weak whimper as it drops to the ground, the Orc quickly interjects,
"SMALL ONE, FREE ME! NOW!!"
The goats stare to bleat one after the other. BAAAAH. BAAAAH. BAAAAAH. BAAAAAH.
YOU KILLED OUR BRoOTHER!!!
The goats begin to bleat all together,
"OUR BRoOTHEEER!! BAAAH! BAAAH!! BAAAH!!!"
The goats begin to ram and crash against their holdings, far more violent then even this war torn Orc. He screams!
"NOW!"
A moment or two goes by, and you all here,
"SMALL ONE, FREE ME! NOW!!"
This is followed by a few seconds of...Goat bleating?
What happened what's--another scream!!
"NOW!"
"What in the--" muttered Onyx as he rushed in behind Arbon.
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Onyx witnessed the sinister view first hand...
A wretched stable now decrepit down to the last rotten straw. Four burning red eyes leer out back at you from four equally spaced slots, wooden fencing keeping them in shadows and divided. At the back of the room, a fierce looking orc with a missing eye and arm is chained to the wall. Muscles rippling hard, a black goat chomps hard on flesh torn open at the stomach. The orc is clearly the cause of the screaming, wrestling hard with the thick iron of his chains, and trying to swat the beast with his missing limb--
Or at least, that's what you saw for a moment.
Arbon ran and swung his mace at the animal. Perhaps too hard-Its heavy metal tip smashes into the goat's fragile skull, killing it instantly.
There is a weak whimper as it drops to the ground, the Orc quickly interjects,
"SMALL ONE, FREE ME! NOW!!"
The goats stare to bleat one after the other. BAAAAH. BAAAAH. BAAAAAH. BAAAAAH.
YOU KILLED OUR BRoOTHER!!!
The goats begin to bleat all together,
"OUR BRoOTHEEER!! BAAAH! BAAAH!! BAAAH!!!"
The goats begin to ram and crash against their holdings, far more violent then even this war torn Orc. He screams!
"NOW!"
Arbon briefly looks to the chains that hold the orc, hoping to find a quick way to free him. However, if he cannot find an easy way to free the orc, he backs up with shield up to defend the captive.
A dense knocking continues to grow louder and louder behind the door until its pounding throughout the gate chamber as well. Several hard crashes, like battering rams through great wooden doors finally giving way in a siege, and it evolves into mighty bleets and ungodly goat screams.
Behind the door, the unholy scene plays out...
When the goats break through, Arbon knows that, while he could make the keys, he doesn't have the time to do so for three locks before they get out.
Jumping in front of the Orc, ready for the fight, Arbon stands firm!
At the other end of the room, just before the doorway, Onyx took in the sight for the briefest of seconds ready a respond!
And then you both see them crash through snarling and bleating but they aren't actually attacking either of you or the orc.
It appears that, If left unattended, they will attempt to very aggressively drag the fifth goat into a single stable.
The Orc uncharacteristically remains completely silent in the process-perhaps not wanting to continue to be the one being eaten.
Transfixed by the sight, and unsure of what exactly is transpiring, Onyx decided to simply wait--he didn't have enough information to act without possibly causing trouble, he felt. Then, apparently struck by an idea, he bolted into the room.
@DM and Arbon:
He will simply watch the goats drag the (dead?) fifth goat into a stable, to see what they do.
On second thought, while watching, he will also rush toward the orc and cast Protection from Evil and Good on him, to keep him safe from all aberrations, elementals, fey, fiends and undead (he's excluding celestials.) Also, if the orc is charmed, frightened, or possessed of any of them, he has advantage on his next saving throw against the effect.
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Standing in defence of the orc and watching the goats, Arbon speaks back to the orc, "I see no way to unlock your chains and while I might be able to make a key for the locks, I need the original key to start the process. Do you know how to free yourself? Is the key here somewhere?"
Having stood guard outside Grahl now enters the room. Seeing the full blooded orc in chains makes Grahl pause a moment. The sight of it angers Grahl, not granting the orc a warriors death disgusts him.
Grahl ignores the goats for now walking up with big strides towards the orc and lifting his axe high he aims to hit the chains with the blade of his axe. Grahl free orc!
A small amount of metal dust or holy water evaporates into vaporless steam in Onyx's pocket before ripples of energy surround the orc, protecting him magically from the nearby hell. Accepting further assistance, the Orc quietly watches Arbon for any type of deception. As Arbon finishes, the Orc must trust you somewhat as he whispers back,
"There's another small one, she's has the key ring..." He looks over to the direction of the Eaten Apple door behind the walls and door currently entombing you all.
"She knows magic-" Before he can add further, Grahl crashes through the door and takes the meanest backswing up before slamming his ax on the chain near the orc's foot. It lands into the metal hard but bounces off, nearly catching Arbon in the ricochet. A thunderous bending groan, the handle vibrating hard, you can see a marble sized V shaped piece in the middle of the is blade missing.
"HA!! I tried that too Kazaht. Must find key-metal has magic writing on it."
The goats finish dragging the fifth to the back of the nearest stall, completely covered in darkness. The redness of the eyes fades and you can hear the sickening feast continue on. The orc shudders but breathes a sigh of slight relief. He speaks again to Arbon,
"Hurry now small one, as before, run and get the key. That will not hold them long."
Chuckling, he remarks,
"You are very brave, your honor is larger than your body."
He motions to Grahl with his half arm,
"Tell me Kazaht, do you serve Gruumsh? I felt the strength of your weapon, and though the witch's magic is strong, the will of Gruumsh will always endure. That would have shattered a normal warrior's blade."