Onyx steps back, lowering his weapon. These ghosts were stuck, but not enraged. Here, finally, were spirits that were not trying to kill them. He closes his eyes as they talk, wondering what they would have looked like in life, taking in their words and listening for another opinion.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
Sho looks down at the two child skeletons snuggling up to each other, their bony frame slim and vulnerable. Starved to death must have been a horrible way to go. “There is something tethering you here. Unfinished business, vengeance, something you cannot let go, something you love…” Sho states, “Why do you stay?” He asks again.
His gaze follows Thorn, then looks back at Rose “Is it the dollhouse?" He asks slowly, "Or your dog that you can’t leave behind? Is the… ‘monster’ in the basement keeping you here?”
“Can you tell us any more about the monster down there, and how to get down there, to the basement?“. As he talks, Erven walks over to the doll house and looks to see the way to get there, demonstrates to the house with his hands. “We want to seek vengeance for you, Rose and Thorn. About what they did to you. What can we do? What can you do to help us?”
Rose points to the dollhouse. As you look at it, you notice all the secret doors are also visible on this replica, including one in the room to the south and west. In fact, as you study this house, you even see little replicas of yourself in the attic level. [you all know the entire layout of the floors in the house. Reminder there is a description of the dollhouse on the previous page ;) ]
@Sho Rose and Thorn don't know why they are there, why they haven't moved on into the afterlife, where they think people go after they die. But knowing what you know about ghosts, it's likely that they need to be set at rest to fully move on. Rose and Thorn smile at the mention of the dog and both go over to Bear. "Hey Lucky! Lucky!! What a good girl!" they say to the dog, who you know as Bear. Bear wags her tail furiously at the kids and whines, but the kids can't touch Bear nor can Bear touch them, as the kids slip in and out of corporeality. Rose looks at you, "There is a terrible monster in the basement! It cries and growls and roars all the time..." and as if to punctuate her statement, you hear a loud roar, heavily muffled, from somewhere far below you...
As Talion watches the dog and the children interact the last of the distrust that he harbours for the dog dissipates. He crouches down and pulls some food from his pack, "Lucky is it?" he tosses a small scrap to her. "A good name, considering". If she takes the food he throws her some more, then stands and nods. "You're a survivor, Lucky. You and me both..."
At the mention of the monster he focuses on the children, "And the cultists? Are they still down there?"
"We will have to lay them children to rest. It may be the only way." Sho says to the others quietly, and finally stands up as the ecstatic children are rushing over to greet with Bear/Lucky, and Talion who apparently is surprisingly good with kids. He lets his silent gaze linger on the joyful imagery a bit longer than he’d like, before turning around.
He moves to the dollhouse, "anything?" he asks Erven, lowers his eyes and inspects the basement carefully, wondering where the growling sound is coming from.
(Do we see any miniature 'monsters' in the basement?)
Erven takes the small knife from under the bed and walks over to the dollhouse. First, he checks for any traps that he can see. Then using the small knife, he peels up the caulk and tries to get at the compartment that would represent the basement to see what is inside.
Perception: 6
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Talion watches the crazy elf closely. He had been wanting to investigate the caulking further, but did not want to upset the children by breaking their toys. He frowns, troubled by the elf's rash action, but does not try to stop him. He keeps a wary eye on the children while at the same time watching whatever Ervan finds. He tries to inch away from the table, absent-mindedly throwing a little more food to the dog, as a sense of doomed fascination settles upon him. Better him than me...
@Talion The kids don't know anything about any "cultists" that you're talking about. @Erven You lift the house up gingerly and set it on the floor. While the kids don't like you moving their things, they know you're trying to help. Peering into the cavity, you can see that there are actually two levels below the first floor of the house [they're below] @Sho No, no miniature monsters to see!
(( @DM: looking closely at the maps, the lower level has one set of stairs (up?), but the upper level seems to have a lot of stairs...where do they go? ))
"Well it seems then that are next step is going to be the basement. It will likely be dark so we need to make sure to bring light sources." Bertolt says as he looks to the group.
Talion moves cautiously forward and stares at the map for a long time, his practiced eyes trying to commit its details to memory, studying the corridors and rooms, making as much sense of the layout as he can. As he does so, he also looks at the house plan, making sure that they have not missed anything, and trying to see how the pieces all fit together.
After a time he whistles softly, "This place is big. Two levels, more rooms than we have already visited...I'll give you odds that the monster at the bottom, though."
He studies Onyx for a moment, and it's not hard to guess the warrior's likely thoughts. With a wry smile, he winks at the warrior, then continues "While it might be tempting, I reckon rushing to the end is a trap. There may be more equipment -- my armour, Ervan's bow -- and there may be more clues about the monster that may help us defeat it. We should still search thoroughly. Also..." he glances at the dog, "...if the cult was active recently or if we are not the first through here, there may be other survivors. Or information they gathered."
Again he smiles at Onyx, "Not to mention the occasional trinket..."
At the last statement he looks around the room, momentarily distracted by the annoying lack of valuables. Turning back to the map, he points at the stairs in the east. "We should investigate these. I always like more than one way out..."
(( Can we see what’s in the other two rooms of this floor? ))
Sho swept his long hair back behind his ear, bracing his hand on the table and examining the model of the house, studying the floor plan for each level. His eyes followed Talion's finger down the stairs at the east. “Sounds good,” he says softly, “especially if we can avoid the mist along the bottom.”
He turns to the children, “we will be going to basement shortly. You could come, or you can wait here.” He explains patiently, “...but I would like to put you to rest before that, because there is reasonable feasibility that we are not going to make it back.”
Talion stares at Sho, eyes wide, shaking his head, "We've got Onyx, you, me, the crazy elf and now a good luck charm." He throws another piece of rations to the dog. "How can we fail? A priest should have a little faith!"
He points at the model, a big grin on his face, "We've even got a map and a way out."
Sho says nothing, arms crossed, fingers of one hand drumming his elbow quietly, he watches as Lucky waggly snaps off another piece of ration, and he lets himself briefly entertain the notion of they all making out of the house.
“Sure,” Sho yields softly, finding an fleeting smile unconsciously appearing on his lips, before turning to face Talion and the others, “I still would like to lay the kids down first.”
Erven studies the dollhouse for a bit, committing it to memory and looking at each of the levels. "Hmm. I see what look like coffins there on the first level of the basement. And here, (pointing to the watery area on level two) is likely where the "monster" lives. Hmmm." He pauses and turns to Thorn and Rose and says "Thank you for showing us. We will do our best to help. If there is any advice you have to give us, we would appreciate it."
Erven looks through the rest of the room and the area around the dollhouse one more time. He agrees with Sho's suggestion. "I would like to see what remains on this floor, then we will head to the basement. And deal with what lies beneath."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Finding the children's true bodies and the reason why they died, searching the doll-house and finding it is a useful replica of the Durst House, and finding the secret stairs that will lead to your uncertain futures, you feel accomplishment; you feel a small measure of success and...dare it be thought? Hope. Bolstered by these thoughts and knowing each other better, you also feel stronger, faster, more alert, sharper.
[You have made it to Level 2 - congratulations! To enjoy the benefits of leveling up, you'll need to take a long rest.]
Erven studies the dollhouse for a bit, committing it to memory and looking at each of the levels. "Hmm. I see what look like coffins there on the first level of the basement. And here, (pointing to the watery area on level two) is likely where the "monster" lives. Hmmm." He pauses and turns to Thorn and Rose and says "Thank you for showing us. We will do our best to help. If there is any advice you have to give us, we would appreciate it."
Erven looks through the rest of the room and the area around the dollhouse one more time. He agrees with Sho's suggestion. "I would like to see what remains on this floor, then we will head to the basement. And deal with what lies beneath."
Rose pouts a little at the mention of you leaving. She looks at each of you and says, "You shouldn't leave us! You should rest and gather your strength. We'll make sure nothing bothers you."
Onyx steps back, lowering his weapon. These ghosts were stuck, but not enraged. Here, finally, were spirits that were not trying to kill them. He closes his eyes as they talk, wondering what they would have looked like in life, taking in their words and listening for another opinion.
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
Sho looks down at the two child skeletons snuggling up to each other, their bony frame slim and vulnerable. Starved to death must have been a horrible way to go. “There is something tethering you here. Unfinished business, vengeance, something you cannot let go, something you love…” Sho states, “Why do you stay?” He asks again.
His gaze follows Thorn, then looks back at Rose “Is it the dollhouse?" He asks slowly, "Or your dog that you can’t leave behind? Is the… ‘monster’ in the basement keeping you here?”
Talion remains still, well away from the spirits, happy to let the others do the talking.
Rose points to the dollhouse. As you look at it, you notice all the secret doors are also visible on this replica, including one in the room to the south and west. In fact, as you study this house, you even see little replicas of yourself in the attic level. [you all know the entire layout of the floors in the house. Reminder there is a description of the dollhouse on the previous page ;) ]
@Sho
Rose and Thorn don't know why they are there, why they haven't moved on into the afterlife, where they think people go after they die. But knowing what you know about ghosts, it's likely that they need to be set at rest to fully move on.
Rose and Thorn smile at the mention of the dog and both go over to Bear. "Hey Lucky! Lucky!! What a good girl!" they say to the dog, who you know as Bear. Bear wags her tail furiously at the kids and whines, but the kids can't touch Bear nor can Bear touch them, as the kids slip in and out of corporeality.
Rose looks at you, "There is a terrible monster in the basement! It cries and growls and roars all the time..." and as if to punctuate her statement, you hear a loud roar, heavily muffled, from somewhere far below you...
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
As Talion watches the dog and the children interact the last of the distrust that he harbours for the dog dissipates. He crouches down and pulls some food from his pack, "Lucky is it?" he tosses a small scrap to her. "A good name, considering". If she takes the food he throws her some more, then stands and nods. "You're a survivor, Lucky. You and me both..."
At the mention of the monster he focuses on the children, "And the cultists? Are they still down there?"
"We will have to lay them children to rest. It may be the only way." Sho says to the others quietly, and finally stands up as the ecstatic children are rushing over to greet with Bear/Lucky, and Talion who apparently is surprisingly good with kids. He lets his silent gaze linger on the joyful imagery a bit longer than he’d like, before turning around.
He moves to the dollhouse, "anything?" he asks Erven, lowers his eyes and inspects the basement carefully, wondering where the growling sound is coming from.
(Do we see any miniature 'monsters' in the basement?)
Basement is not visible - see comment about the dollhouse description.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Erven takes the small knife from under the bed and walks over to the dollhouse. First, he checks for any traps that he can see. Then using the small knife, he peels up the caulk and tries to get at the compartment that would represent the basement to see what is inside.
Perception: 6
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Talion watches the crazy elf closely. He had been wanting to investigate the caulking further, but did not want to upset the children by breaking their toys. He frowns, troubled by the elf's rash action, but does not try to stop him. He keeps a wary eye on the children while at the same time watching whatever Ervan finds. He tries to inch away from the table, absent-mindedly throwing a little more food to the dog, as a sense of doomed fascination settles upon him. Better him than me...
((If Erven sees the children become agitated at all he stops what he is doing...))
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
18
15
(ignore rolls if they come out wonky)
@Talion
The kids don't know anything about any "cultists" that you're talking about.
@Erven
You lift the house up gingerly and set it on the floor. While the kids don't like you moving their things, they know you're trying to help. Peering into the cavity, you can see that there are actually two levels below the first floor of the house [they're below]
@Sho
No, no miniature monsters to see!
1st basement level
2nd basement level
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Talion tries to smile reassuringly, "Is there anyone -- or anything -- else in the basement? Other than the monster."
(( @DM: looking closely at the maps, the lower level has one set of stairs (up?), but the upper level seems to have a lot of stairs...where do they go? ))
"Well it seems then that are next step is going to be the basement. It will likely be dark so we need to make sure to bring light sources." Bertolt says as he looks to the group.
Talion moves cautiously forward and stares at the map for a long time, his practiced eyes trying to commit its details to memory, studying the corridors and rooms, making as much sense of the layout as he can. As he does so, he also looks at the house plan, making sure that they have not missed anything, and trying to see how the pieces all fit together.
After a time he whistles softly, "This place is big. Two levels, more rooms than we have already visited...I'll give you odds that the monster at the bottom, though."
He studies Onyx for a moment, and it's not hard to guess the warrior's likely thoughts. With a wry smile, he winks at the warrior, then continues "While it might be tempting, I reckon rushing to the end is a trap. There may be more equipment -- my armour, Ervan's bow -- and there may be more clues about the monster that may help us defeat it. We should still search thoroughly. Also..." he glances at the dog, "...if the cult was active recently or if we are not the first through here, there may be other survivors. Or information they gathered."
Again he smiles at Onyx, "Not to mention the occasional trinket..."
At the last statement he looks around the room, momentarily distracted by the annoying lack of valuables. Turning back to the map, he points at the stairs in the east. "We should investigate these. I always like more than one way out..."
(( Can we see what’s in the other two rooms of this floor? ))
Sho swept his long hair back behind his ear, bracing his hand on the table and examining the model of the house, studying the floor plan for each level. His eyes followed Talion's finger down the stairs at the east. “Sounds good,” he says softly, “especially if we can avoid the mist along the bottom.”
He turns to the children, “we will be going to basement shortly. You could come, or you can wait here.” He explains patiently, “...but I would like to put you to rest before that, because there is reasonable feasibility that we are not going to make it back.”
Talion stares at Sho, eyes wide, shaking his head, "We've got Onyx, you, me, the crazy elf and now a good luck charm." He throws another piece of rations to the dog. "How can we fail? A priest should have a little faith!"
He points at the model, a big grin on his face, "We've even got a map and a way out."
Sho says nothing, arms crossed, fingers of one hand drumming his elbow quietly, he watches as Lucky waggly snaps off another piece of ration, and he lets himself briefly entertain the notion of they all making out of the house.
“Sure,” Sho yields softly, finding an fleeting smile unconsciously appearing on his lips, before turning to face Talion and the others, “I still would like to lay the kids down first.”
Erven studies the dollhouse for a bit, committing it to memory and looking at each of the levels. "Hmm. I see what look like coffins there on the first level of the basement. And here, (pointing to the watery area on level two) is likely where the "monster" lives. Hmmm." He pauses and turns to Thorn and Rose and says "Thank you for showing us. We will do our best to help. If there is any advice you have to give us, we would appreciate it."
Erven looks through the rest of the room and the area around the dollhouse one more time. He agrees with Sho's suggestion. "I would like to see what remains on this floor, then we will head to the basement. And deal with what lies beneath."
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
@All
Finding the children's true bodies and the reason why they died, searching the doll-house and finding it is a useful replica of the Durst House, and finding the secret stairs that will lead to your uncertain futures, you feel accomplishment; you feel a small measure of success and...dare it be thought? Hope. Bolstered by these thoughts and knowing each other better, you also feel stronger, faster, more alert, sharper.
[You have made it to Level 2 - congratulations! To enjoy the benefits of leveling up, you'll need to take a long rest.]
Rose pouts a little at the mention of you leaving. She looks at each of you and says, "You shouldn't leave us! You should rest and gather your strength. We'll make sure nothing bothers you."
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons