Behold, Got-miraj! The real one backs up startled when your form shifts, but then seems to come closer again and be ok with it. It is making the same purring-ish noise like when you were feeding it. It likes you and seems to be accepting you as one of them.
Got-miraj. as you take in your surroundings with your new senses, you are quite confident that the only beings that seem to be alive around here right now is the party and all of the almiraj. If you were to go close to the door in the almiraj form, you'd get the same sense about what's beyond the doors. You aren't sure, but you're almost certain that nothing is stirring about in there waiting for you or anything.
Eku does not take that form yet but flutters her wings around Got-miraj in amusement.
Azaka smirks.
Phillip, you don't think there's any type of magical interference or illusions around the perimeter, but Eku had mentioned that she did sense abjuration magic with her detect magic spell beyond the doors when she did her fly by.
She says now as well "Phillip, that magic I sensed, I think it's on the floor of the shrine just beyond the doors."
<There's animosity between almiraj and zorbo, at least according to the story. I take that to be a tale to explain zorbo being a predator to them? They seem to like me fine, but I wonder if there's anything to you playing the role of the 'villain'? I suppose it might just terrify them, but if I were to 'scare off' one of their enemies, it might gain me enough trust that they are more likely to let me into their burrows? Maybe it's nothing, just an idea I had. Should probably see if they let me without startling them.>
He hops over he the almiraj, purring as well, and hops in the direction of one of the burrows to see if it objects.
Got-miraj, as you hop over to the almiraj, it purrs with you and it doesn't object to you going close to the burrow. It does not let you enter though, you can tell by its body language. It's not being hostile or anything, it's just... you're not part of the family.
Then, Eku responds to Got-miraj:
<ha! I love it! Perhaps this plan of yours will bring down its guard further and allow you into their home. Alright. Let me fly away and then return in the zorbo form. Oh, I should tell the others first I suppose.>
<and Gotur, do go easy on me! Those horns are big! And don't worry. I won't claw you.>
Eku then flies around the party and says out loud, "Everyone, Gotur has an idea which just might get him into the almiraj burrows. It's worth a shot anyhow before we actually try the main door. Regarding the idea. Er, well, maybe just stay put and enjoy the show."
Eku then morphs into a zorbo. The same creatures you saw in that tree on the way to Omu.
She approaches Got-miraj and the burrow.
Got-miraj, you see most of the almiraj sprint like lightning into their various holes.
They are terrified.
A few of them remain out of their holes, but basically right on top of them, growling something fierce.
Eku isn't really even doing anything, her mere presence is really freaking out the almiraj.
It's clear zorbos are predators, and almiraj are prey in the wild with this relationship.
Azaka looks at Alton and says "Is this ACTUALLY happening?"and she draws her longbow just in case.
Orvex loves it. he says "HA! This is priceless! I must admit, I wish I would've met all of you sooner as this already is more entertaining than travelling with the Red Wizards!" and he watches on.
<The horn's not magical, so even if I tag you, you'll be fine, right? I guess I hadn't asked if it still hurts.... sorry about that, I'll take it easy. Feel free to claw me a little, but not enough to pop me back to half-orc or this play is all for nothing!>
Got-miraj mimics the almiraj's fierce growls and stalks towards the evil zorbo before darting forward, a feint to the left then driving the horn directly towards the zorbo, screaming and spitting ferocious almiraj growls, slapping around with the horn and clawing and snapping his teeth, chasing the zorbo a short distance when Eku flees before limping back towards the other almiraj's and purring.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
<Yes, I'll be fine, but still. Look at that horn!>
Got-miraj, you move forward towards Ekzorbo exactly as you've described. Ekzorbo plays along with the trick and she pretends to fight back but purposefully missing each claw she attempts. She knows better than to accidentally hit Got-miraj with the zorbo's claw. The almiraj after awhile seem in awe of what's going on here. None of them have ever been able to take down a zorbo, let alone even try.
Got-miraj, as you limp back to the other almiraj's after 'defeating' the intruder, they also purr and welcome you with open arms and paws.
You notice that they would welcome you into their burrow now.
Will you go in?
Azaka is shaking her head at this point.
Orvex is giggling.
Eku has morphed back into her couatl form and she speaks telepathically to Got-miraj
<that was fun! let me know if you get into trouble down there.>
<Good point. I never thought of that!>Eku responds.
Got-miraj, you head into the burrow.
It is more complex than you would've thought! Or, maybe you were anticipating what you see when your little Got-miraj body scuttles into the burrow. It is complex and intricate given their lack of opposing thumb. You get the idea the horn was a very useful tool in the construction of their underground network of pathways and different larger burrows which seem to be for different families of the almiraj.
Got-miraj, you cover the entire network. It goes around the shrine and maybe 10 or 15 feet deep in some of the larger home parts, but you don't see any section that leads into the shrine. You see a few pathways that end into the stone wall and some also run parallel to a few parts of the wall, but definitely no entries.
You get the sense that the stone wall is pretty thick too.
Got-miraj, one of the almiraj starts to get close to you and starts to act funny.
It seems it wants you as its mate.
Eku sends <everything ok in there, little guy? Haven't heard from you in a bit. Team's getting antsy. Especially Azaka.>
Orvex says out loud "guy's having too much fun in there I tell ya! ha ha ha!"
Got-miraj, the burrows are quite complex and there are a lot of horny almiraj's wanting to mate with you.
Word has gotten around fast of your bravery with the zorbo.
Please roll a d20. I'm not sure of the modifier yet, but I want to get an idea of how well you remembered the way out as well as how fast you are at trying to do so. Like a mix of DEX ability and perception skill.
Roll a 1 and there's going to be problems!
Meanwhile on the surface, Orvex would respond to Evo"Well, I mean Eku did say there's no magic on these doors, right? Just beyond them? I mean, it wouldn't hurt to try the door while we wait for... for him to do his thing down there?! ha ha ha!" and he laughs out loud again.
Azaka joins him in laughter.
Eku says "We should wait" but she will not object if someone does try the door.
What next? Will the party wait for Got-miraj to come back out, or will someone try the door while he's in the burrows?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Roll to fork?: 11
<Ummm Eku? I can't find any burrows that connect to the shrine. Did you get a sense that they wouldn't like us approaching the doors? I... um.... I might be able to keep their attention down here... but I don't know for how long, if you don't see any up there watching the approach, you might be able to find a way in? "
<Ah, there you are. Hmmm, alright. It was worth a shot to check. They seemed indifferent about us approaching the doors.>
<They are getting impatient up here. Especially Azaka. If you can't see any way in, might as well come back up and join us. I think we might just have to try the door.>
Got-miraj, you make it to the surface without any issues.
There are a few almiraj's still around, and they look quite happy.
Eku says out loud "Welcome back! Well, like I said, it was worth a shot. Thank you, Gotur for doing that."
Orvex finishes up his giggles and he and Evo move slowly to the doors of the shrine.
As a reminder, you'd see sculptural reliefs decorating the doors of the shrine. The almiraj's and the zorbos. A cuneiform message is etched above the doors. The message is written in Old Omuan and Orvex can translate it. It reads, “I’jin teaches us to take the path least expected.”
Orvex would explain "According to the legend of the nine gods, I’jin taught her followers to live unpredictable lives, always changing course and never sticking to a plan."
"If there's no other way in, maybe this message is more for what's actually inside?"
Azaka follows and she says to Alton"Hey, want to give those doors a try?"
Phillip reports on his findings and then responds, “No, no obvious way in, at all. Hmmm… I checked! Uh huh, uh huh…”.
”But isn’t that what a trickster would want us to think?! Hmmm???….”.
He is obviously puzzled. He did SUCH a thorough job, but there must be another way…
He circles again checking for any signs of magical interference or runes or any indication of illusions…
Arcana check (anti-clockwise again): 17
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Behold, Got-miraj! The real one backs up startled when your form shifts, but then seems to come closer again and be ok with it. It is making the same purring-ish noise like when you were feeding it. It likes you and seems to be accepting you as one of them.
Got-miraj. as you take in your surroundings with your new senses, you are quite confident that the only beings that seem to be alive around here right now is the party and all of the almiraj. If you were to go close to the door in the almiraj form, you'd get the same sense about what's beyond the doors. You aren't sure, but you're almost certain that nothing is stirring about in there waiting for you or anything.
Eku does not take that form yet but flutters her wings around Got-miraj in amusement.
Azaka smirks.
Phillip, you don't think there's any type of magical interference or illusions around the perimeter, but Eku had mentioned that she did sense abjuration magic with her detect magic spell beyond the doors when she did her fly by.
She says now as well "Phillip, that magic I sensed, I think it's on the floor of the shrine just beyond the doors."
What is next?
Got-miraj has an idea!
He hops over to Eku, purring excitedly, before raising a paw to tap the side of his head.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Eku hovers above Got-miraj, and she opens telepathic communication with him.
<what is it, dear?>
She can't help calling him that given his cuteness level and how he purrs excitedly.
<There's animosity between almiraj and zorbo, at least according to the story. I take that to be a tale to explain zorbo being a predator to them? They seem to like me fine, but I wonder if there's anything to you playing the role of the 'villain'? I suppose it might just terrify them, but if I were to 'scare off' one of their enemies, it might gain me enough trust that they are more likely to let me into their burrows? Maybe it's nothing, just an idea I had. Should probably see if they let me without startling them.>
He hops over he the almiraj, purring as well, and hops in the direction of one of the burrows to see if it objects.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Got-miraj, as you hop over to the almiraj, it purrs with you and it doesn't object to you going close to the burrow. It does not let you enter though, you can tell by its body language. It's not being hostile or anything, it's just... you're not part of the family.
Then, Eku responds to Got-miraj:
<ha! I love it! Perhaps this plan of yours will bring down its guard further and allow you into their home. Alright. Let me fly away and then return in the zorbo form. Oh, I should tell the others first I suppose.>
<and Gotur, do go easy on me! Those horns are big! And don't worry. I won't claw you.>
Eku then flies around the party and says out loud, "Everyone, Gotur has an idea which just might get him into the almiraj burrows. It's worth a shot anyhow before we actually try the main door. Regarding the idea. Er, well, maybe just stay put and enjoy the show."
Eku then morphs into a zorbo. The same creatures you saw in that tree on the way to Omu.
She approaches Got-miraj and the burrow.
Got-miraj, you see most of the almiraj sprint like lightning into their various holes.
They are terrified.
A few of them remain out of their holes, but basically right on top of them, growling something fierce.
Eku isn't really even doing anything, her mere presence is really freaking out the almiraj.
It's clear zorbos are predators, and almiraj are prey in the wild with this relationship.
Azaka looks at Alton and says "Is this ACTUALLY happening?" and she draws her longbow just in case.
Orvex loves it. he says "HA! This is priceless! I must admit, I wish I would've met all of you sooner as this already is more entertaining than travelling with the Red Wizards!" and he watches on.
Ok Got-miraj what is next?
<The horn's not magical, so even if I tag you, you'll be fine, right? I guess I hadn't asked if it still hurts.... sorry about that, I'll take it easy. Feel free to claw me a little, but not enough to pop me back to half-orc or this play is all for nothing!>
Got-miraj mimics the almiraj's fierce growls and stalks towards the evil zorbo before darting forward, a feint to the left then driving the horn directly towards the zorbo, screaming and spitting ferocious almiraj growls, slapping around with the horn and clawing and snapping his teeth, chasing the zorbo a short distance when Eku flees before limping back towards the other almiraj's and purring.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
<Yes, I'll be fine, but still. Look at that horn!>
Got-miraj, you move forward towards Ekzorbo exactly as you've described. Ekzorbo plays along with the trick and she pretends to fight back but purposefully missing each claw she attempts. She knows better than to accidentally hit Got-miraj with the zorbo's claw. The almiraj after awhile seem in awe of what's going on here. None of them have ever been able to take down a zorbo, let alone even try.
Got-miraj, as you limp back to the other almiraj's after 'defeating' the intruder, they also purr and welcome you with open arms and paws.
You notice that they would welcome you into their burrow now.
Will you go in?
Azaka is shaking her head at this point.
Orvex is giggling.
Eku has morphed back into her couatl form and she speaks telepathically to Got-miraj
<that was fun! let me know if you get into trouble down there.>
Got-miraj will head into the burrow, purring back at them.
<I hope that doesn't give them any wild ideas if zorbos actually show up here!>
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
<Good point. I never thought of that!> Eku responds.
Got-miraj, you head into the burrow.
It is more complex than you would've thought! Or, maybe you were anticipating what you see when your little Got-miraj body scuttles into the burrow. It is complex and intricate given their lack of opposing thumb. You get the idea the horn was a very useful tool in the construction of their underground network of pathways and different larger burrows which seem to be for different families of the almiraj.
Got-miraj, you cover the entire network. It goes around the shrine and maybe 10 or 15 feet deep in some of the larger home parts, but you don't see any section that leads into the shrine. You see a few pathways that end into the stone wall and some also run parallel to a few parts of the wall, but definitely no entries.
You get the sense that the stone wall is pretty thick too.
Got-miraj, one of the almiraj starts to get close to you and starts to act funny.
It seems it wants you as its mate.
Eku sends <everything ok in there, little guy? Haven't heard from you in a bit. Team's getting antsy. Especially Azaka.>
Orvex says out loud "guy's having too much fun in there I tell ya! ha ha ha!"
What next?
"Okay, so seems like we've lost 'hero' Gotur for a while. He seemed happy though, like with that snake. Should we head in? Or someone lead in?"
Gotur is feeling like the trick might be backfiring, and tries to make his exit from the burrows after having explored them fully.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Got-miraj, the burrows are quite complex and there are a lot of horny almiraj's wanting to mate with you.
Word has gotten around fast of your bravery with the zorbo.
Please roll a d20. I'm not sure of the modifier yet, but I want to get an idea of how well you remembered the way out as well as how fast you are at trying to do so. Like a mix of DEX ability and perception skill.
Roll a 1 and there's going to be problems!
Meanwhile on the surface, Orvex would respond to Evo "Well, I mean Eku did say there's no magic on these doors, right? Just beyond them? I mean, it wouldn't hurt to try the door while we wait for... for him to do his thing down there?! ha ha ha!" and he laughs out loud again.
Azaka joins him in laughter.
Eku says "We should wait" but she will not object if someone does try the door.
What next? Will the party wait for Got-miraj to come back out, or will someone try the door while he's in the burrows?
Roll to fork?: 11
<Ummm Eku? I can't find any burrows that connect to the shrine. Did you get a sense that they wouldn't like us approaching the doors? I... um.... I might be able to keep their attention down here... but I don't know for how long, if you don't see any up there watching the approach, you might be able to find a way in? "
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
<Ah, there you are. Hmmm, alright. It was worth a shot to check. They seemed indifferent about us approaching the doors.>
<They are getting impatient up here. Especially Azaka. If you can't see any way in, might as well come back up and join us. I think we might just have to try the door.>
(the 13 allows you to get out without any 'interactions'. Unless you want them, of course. haha!)
LOL @ roll to fork
Gotmiraj makes his way to the surface.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Evo starts moving to the doors with Orvex.
Got-miraj, you make it to the surface without any issues.
There are a few almiraj's still around, and they look quite happy.
Eku says out loud "Welcome back! Well, like I said, it was worth a shot. Thank you, Gotur for doing that."
Orvex finishes up his giggles and he and Evo move slowly to the doors of the shrine.
As a reminder, you'd see sculptural reliefs decorating the doors of the shrine. The almiraj's and the zorbos. A cuneiform message is etched above the doors. The message is written in Old Omuan and Orvex can translate it. It reads, “I’jin teaches us to take the path least expected.”
Orvex would explain "According to the legend of the nine gods, I’jin taught her followers to live unpredictable lives, always changing course and never sticking to a plan."
"If there's no other way in, maybe this message is more for what's actually inside?"
Azaka follows and she says to Alton "Hey, want to give those doors a try?"
Gotur will stay almiraj for now, in case his small size is needed inside.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock