Valgrymr's Homebrew Two
Game Master Valegrim

spot 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
listen 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Gloisil

After finishing his discourse on bugbears, Gloisil takes a moment to ponder the chains that are getting nearer. As he does, he takes a moment to look around and listen for anything that catches his attention.

Spot Check: 1d20+6, Listen Check: 1d20+5, wow, now those were some good rolls.

Gloisel and Galen

"Hold on everyone, I can see some movement up ahead and I hear a sound like mice chewing, and the sound of maniacal laughter. I suggest that we be very careful for the next few minutes."

<gm to players to stir the pot>
Gloisil,
Very big mice...if you can hear them at this distance...stories of giant rats and giant cennepeeds and the like; things that live in and stay in trash, these come to mind; stories from your childhood, adventurers tales. Hopefully it is not the extremely viscous and deadly...vapor rat!

Let me see what I can find out.
Searches for tracks. Survival: 10(d20)+7(+2 gob)=17(19 gob)

Party is still a ways from the chains; I am guessing your pausing to look over the situation? out here; dirt and stone; lots of goblin tracks back and forth; large group recently came from the direction of the chains; probably tracks of the ones you just fought.

Gloisil makes sure his crossbow is loaded and ready, and watches as Mogue searches ahead of us, trying to gather additional information.

Spot: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Listen: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Not bad for a little guy.

Bob; read the Gloisel and Galen listen spoiler and the Gloisel spot spoiler as you get the same info.

Mogue; please let me know where your searching and any route you want to take if you proceed forward. Am guessing the party will either watch or follow; so would like that info as well.

Gloisil will follow Mogue and keep an eye out for anything that may jump out while Mogue searches.

"Mogue you concentrate on finding whatever your searching for, I've got ya covered."

As Mogue and Gloisil went ahead to see what the sound was, Desidera decided to remain with Galen, Elsdyn, and Sunset. She was not that great at sneaking around, and she could just see herself trying to sneak around and accidentally getting discovered, alerting the whole place somehow. No thank you very much.

However, when something like this happened, she wondered what was going on, looking to the others to see if they knew.

I'll follow Mogue as Glosil is doing. I have my longbow out and ready to shoot.

With one arm still absently draped through Desidera's, Sunset looks into the darkness, her large pale blue evlish eyes open wide. Her x-bow riding easily upon her other arm.

"Well, so far t'does seem a nice enough place...." She muses softly, blinking at Desidera's glance. "Oh, I en't sayin' I'd be wantin' t' live 'ere, but, y' know, with th' right bit of fixin' uppin', it could be kind o' right homey, like." ^_^

It's the fey grin that steals its way into Desidera's mind that shows Sunset is still doing her best to ease any of her fears.

Desidera also notices that her fine boots are now danging by their laces from the pack upon Sunsets back and it's the elves bare brown feet that are padding silently along the dungeon floor.

Still here an' still bein' ready t' rock an' roll! ^_^

Oops, make that shortbow.

[ooc]I will search towards the chains stealthfully. Bow at the ready.
Move Silently: 20(d20)+7=27
Hide: 7(d20)+7=14
Will also try to figure out what the chains are for.[ooc]

Gloisil will keep about 10' behind Mogue and about 5' to the right side of him, so that if creature appears in front of Mogue, he can get a shot at it.

He will also try to move with stealth so as not to give away the ranger and his searching. Move Silently: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10, Hide: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13. Bah humbug, I hope no one was looking.

Sunset looks on as the leaders of the party move forwards carefully.

Just posting to keep the count up! ^_^

Desidera, Elsdyn and Sunset.

As Mogue and Gloisil went ahead to see what the sound was, Desidera decided to remain with Galen, Elsdyn, and Sunset. She was not that great at sneaking around, and she could just see herself trying to sneak around and accidentally getting discovered, alerting the whole place somehow. No thank you very much.

However, when something like this happened, she wondered what was going on, looking to the others to see if they knew.

The chains are huge; nearly an impossible engineering roll without seeing more of the device, but are obviously for moving something enormous and massive.

lots of tracks in this region;
you notice lot of goblin tracks smaller than the one gobbies you just encountered; also; unlike those; these have unarmored feet or at least no shoes. There are also a fair number of giant rat tracks and at some giant centipede tracks <which are still pretty small regardless of the name, but could be lethal in numbers to humanioids>

[ooc]I will search towards the chains stealthfully. Bow at the ready.

Move Silently: 20(d20)+7=27
Hide: 7(d20)+7=14
Will also try to figure out what the chains are for.[ooc]

As stated before; there are many chains here from floor to ceiling.

There is four loud banging noises; BAM, BAM, BAM, BAM that you can hear through the stone floor; after about 2 minutes; two of the chains start moving in an upwards directions; threee chains start moving in a downwards direction.

uhm; that would be three, sorry hehe spelling.

Gloisil continues to watch for things ahead in the passage as Mogue investigates. Spot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11, unfortunately, distracted by the moving chains he doesn't notice much.

Not sure who jumps first at the the racket the great chains make as they begin their motion, Sunset looks to Desidera and coughs, letting got of the hug she finds herself in.

"Uh, well, that were unexpected..." In the darkness Desidera can't tell if the dark skinned Elf is blushing or not.

"Um, guys? Do you hear that noise...?" She asks, turning her head and trying to make out the other sound over that of the great machinery.

Sunset; looking back you notice little lights at a far distance; swirling in and on the bodies; they are to far off to make out; but they look mystical to you; perhaps something fae; like will o wisp lights. Nothing in your sea experience matches it to a memory, but something stirs; a ancient memory you cant quite reach in your elven heretige.

Sunset; looking back you notice little lights at a far distance; swirling in and on the bodies; they are to far off to make out; but they look mystical to you; perhaps something fae; like will o wisp lights. Nothing in your sea experience matches it to a memory, but something stirs; a ancient memory you cant quite reach in your elven heritage.

Knowledge Check:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Um, whut bonuses does I get fer bein' a bard?

She wonders if her stirring memory is detailing something fuzzy or fanged.

so many stories; you just cant put your finger on it; you gut instinct is that due to the many colored lights; is either a spell or fey; you have heard fey have lots of colored lights. Only way to know for sure is to check...there just isnt much buzzing and colored lights in the ocean; buzzing is usually bees, flies, but colored lights; in stories that is usually a glamour to mislead and entrap the unwary.

Valegrim wrote:

Sunset; looking back you notice little lights at a far distance; swirling in and on the bodies; they are to far off to make out; but they look mystical to you; perhaps something fae; like will o wisp lights. Nothing in your sea experience matches it to a memory, but something stirs; a ancient memory you cant quite reach in your elven heritage.

Knowledge Check:1d20+2 Um, whut bonuses does I get fer bein' a bard?

She wonders if her stirring memory is detailing something fuzzy or fanged.

post for Mogue:

creeps back to Gloisil and with Bob they have a small whispered conversation:

"There are rat tracks; rats the size of a small dog; centipeed tracks; probably from beasts couple feet long; there are lots of goblin tracks; not like the armored ones we just fought. With all this trash and stink; anything could be hiding in here <looks around critically>"

Spoiler:

So many stories; you just cant put your finger on it; you gut instinct is that due to the many colored lights; is either a spell or fey; you have heard fey have lots of colored lights. Only way to know for sure is to check...there just isn't much buzzing and colored lights in the ocean; buzzing is usually bees, flies, but colored lights; in stories that is usually a glamor to mislead and entrap the unwary.

"Um, okeys time t' be movin' along...me thinks." She gently tugs on Desidera's arm and motions/moves closer to the front of the party.

"Well, I'm not really the right person to be deciding on which way we should go, but I sure feel better knowin' what may be in front of us from the tracks that Mogue found, rather then walking into the unknown. So, I would feel better about going forward at this point."

"Let me think for a bit and see if I can recall anything about any of these creatures."

Knowledge (Nature) check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7, Wow! The automatic dice roller don't like me tonight.

"Well, I can't seem to recall anything at the moment, can anyone else? Knowing some of these creatures strengths and weaknesses would be a great benefit."

Mogue suggests:

well, we would probably do better moving along the wall; you guys decide and we should move out; been here a bit longer than I am comfortable.

Shifting the grip upon her x-bow, Sunset nods in agreement with Mogue's words.

"Aye, we should be movin' along a mite quicker. Though I have all th' confidence in'a world of Bob's and Gloisil's abilities t' be findin' anythin' hazardous in our way." She says

I guess I'll get moving, watching for traps or other "life" forms. Or at least anything moving.

:Search: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Spot: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Okay guys lets get going. My perception is at its best.

Gloisil moves out after Bob making his way down the left side of the hallway.

Gloisil whispers to the party, "Everyone keep your eyes and ears open and be ever watchful for those that would do us harm."

With that he checks ahead in the direction they are moving for the signs of anything moving ahead of them.

Spot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Listen: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24, Wow! Now those are some good rolls.

ok; what path are you taking; North wall; south wall or just through the middle?

Walking at Sunset's prompting, Desidera wondered what she might have heard that would have made her more nervous, but went along quickly enough, one hand holding tight to her Quarterstaff. The light was not helping at all, though she was at least somewhat happy that she could see. Unable to contribute to the scouting, she at least kept her eyes and ears open.
Spot1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Listen1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Me an' Desidera is walkin along in'a middle of both th' group an' the hall way.

Sunset pads along behind the leaders of the group, her large blue eyes open and watching the lantern and mage lit gloom, occasionally a long ear twitches.

Spot:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Listen:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Um, I'm fergetin' whut th' bonus is fer Elven low light vision. Double the distance of seenin' in'it?

as for light sources; remind me who has one; most magical melee weapons provide some light, about 5' to 10' radius depending; daggers only 2.5 ft radius.

and elves have double human sight at night with a light source, but cannot see in pitch black; double zero is still zero. I see that most of you have low light; but I dont remember if anyone has a light source or if who does have it. i think if Galen has his sword out; it glows 10ft and all you with low light see double that. I dont remember off hand; but thought Mogues bow gave him some sight too.

once we get this sight thing down...<dm chuckles and rubs his hands>

keep in mind that you can only spot things you can see and in that range which gives the difficult choice of having more light and being seen vs having very little light and not being able to see and perhaps being seen by things with darkvision.

galen has no light source but does have darkvision 60ft

ok; please update your online character; I only see low light on that; thanks.

galen has no light source but does have darkvision 60ft

ok; none of you see anything; but you hear some a short burst of chanted Goblinoid; than all hell breaks loose. With a sqeal; a horde of giant rats breaks out of trash and down the chains and attack the party; so everyone roll initative. Mogue; can get a quick shot off as can anyone who has a loaded readied missile weapon; mogue will fire right before the rest of you can see the rats but gives you warning; so you can shoot them 20-30' away as Galen and the Squire have excellent fighting savy and step closer to the rats between the rats and Sunset and Desidera.

ok; get those pre init shots off; then lets have some initiative rolls and fight the "Battle of the Chains"

some of you got great listen rolls if you got over a 15 you think the chanted goblinoid came from up in the chains across the room; if you got over a 20; remind me and assume you know fairly well which of a couple chains it came from; keep in mind there are like 30 chains going from the floor and cieling. so concealment and cover may apply at various times.

*Frowns* Geeze, don't go writin' us gals off so quick! I has a lantern whuts been out an' about fer quite a while now, I do believe. Plus I'm sure Desidera c'n be castin' some light spells fer people t' be seein' things in'a dark with. *shakes finger at DM* Be nice, less'n I'm liable t' be gettin' nasty on ye.

We has lights, dang-nabbit!

Spot Roll:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Sunset's voice rises over the scrabbling and chittering of the rats in a hearty song of valor

Inspire Courage/Perform Check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

As she deftly lifts her x-bow and fires

Initiative:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"Take that! Ye lil' rat-b@st@rd!" Sunset hollers with vengeance

Ranged Att:1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 = 17

Damage Roll:1d8 ⇒ 8

"That should put paid t' th' lil toerag!" She snarls even as she works through the motion of reloading. "C'mon mates, lets have 'em!" She cries.

Sorry, rilly bad internet connection, been loosin' posts left right an' center all day. :(. I do believe the bard Bonus is a +1 Moral Bonus to Hit and Damage.

nah; am just old and senile; now I remember there was a lantern; hehe; thanks for the reminder; ok; that gives about 30ft of light; those with lowlight can see 60; but reminder there are a lot of shadows from the chains and the trash. ok; so nobody has a darkness penalty.

please let everyone know the effects of your inspire courage and the who is affected if it has a range.

Sunset hit and kills a rat
Mogue hits and kill a rat

9 more rats.

rats are armor 15 (size and hide and dex) and 5 hps; bites do damage and 50% chance of disease.

I know that Bob had a lantern out during the last battle, not sure if he put it away or not, I'll let him verify that.

Gloisil was edging his way down the south wall of the hallway if I remember the map correctly. With Bob just 10' ahead of him, Gloisil can see quite a ways down the hall. (Out to about 50' in front of Bob.)

Gloisil aims his readied crossbow at the nearest rat and fires.

Attack (Crossbow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

"Choke on that bolt you verminous creature!"

Gloisil then begins reloading his crossbow.

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

EDIT:

Forgot to ask which chains the chanting came from, had a listen check of 24 on my last post.

Gloisel hits and kills a rat
8 more rats on the floor, 8 more rats...

Bob lets an arrow fly. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 I then watch as the arrow slide down the hall. I will then step to the back of the party and ready another arrow.

ok; if that is all the preround, readied attacks; lets start with initiative; rats have a 12 and are 20 ft away spread out in more or less a smile shaped line.