GM Fez's Hell' Rebels (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

Casting detect magic on the coins and dagger, then scanning the rest of the room too, just in case.

Perception(w/Alertness): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

"Take the maps Rocco. We need to keep those safe! The rest of the paperwork we can go through later for anything useful. Maybe we can find a way to preserve the papers for a full look then."

At the note for the 'Pet Devil' comes up, Lirotha concentrates on her knowledge of the places beyond the actual...

Know(Planes) w/Book Bonus: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 5 = 24

The Hound points his thumb in the direction of the insect looking statue and adds "Think that thing might be that fella's pet devil?'

Elurius gives Talon a very graceful shrug and utters what might be the most melodic version of ♫"I'unno"♫ ever uttered.

Rocco takes the maps, carefully rolls them, and places them in his haversack for later study. "These will be all kinds of useful," he says cheerfully, "For the rebellion too!"

After getting the maps put away, he joins Lirotha in trying to figure out the situation with Shurshogot.

Aid Know (planes): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 +2 to Lirotha's check

"I'm a little concerned about whether these will even make it to the surface, with the state they're in," Rocco says as he looks over the shelves of ledgers. "Is anybody any good with mending magic? Maybe that would be enough to make it possible to move them without them falling to pieces."

Rocco also tries to recall what he can of the city of Vyre, where Hei-Fen was supposed to go to inform the Gray Spiders' allies of their assault.

Know (local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Assuming you decide to spend a 1d8 ⇒ 6 hours down here studying the documents held inside the ledgers...

Your search reveals the extent of the Gray Spiders’ impact on Kintargo at the zenith of their power. All things considered, their thievery and abduction activities were quite profitable, and you realize the city is much better off without them.
The study of the texts reveals numerous links to the city of Vyre, and it was to this city that most of the abducted victims were sent. Many appear to have been scheduled for sacrifice or sold into slavery.
One particularly interesting ledger, though, is a set of deeds for a number of warehouses and waterfront buildings in Vyre that name one Molly Mayapple as the legal owner. Other notes with the ledgers indicate that these deeds are stolen, and that the Gray Spiders intended to use the deeds to blackmail Miss Mayapple... obviously the raid by the Hellknights cut this plan short.
In one note, a particularly interesting bit of text, written in Tien, reads, “Mayapple may be a fellow rat, but that doesn’t exempt her from being fed on by a Spider!”
One final paper stuffed in a ledger contains a short poem written by the notorious halfling poet Boswyth. One line is circled: “Moonstone, Moonstone, ruby bright / Open turquoise, malachite.”

Handouts updated

”Five gemstones, differentiated by color....that sound like a password or a code to anyone else? Maybe somewhere in this place?”

"Maybe something to remind them about bypassing the pet demon we learned about? Sounds like a trip of Vyre may be in order at some stage. I wonder if Mayapple is still around, or those warehouses are?"

Perform (Sing): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Elurius gives the poem a glance over, unimpressed. ♫"This is just... mediocre at best. I mean the rhythm and ryme are in place but there's no meaning, no depth. What was, just as sec,"♫ She takes a glance at the name listed at the bottom of the sheet and her eyes go wide. ♫"Wait, Boswyth? This was written by Boswth? The halfling poet whose works Barzillai specifically outlawed in his tenth proclamation? The rumored worshiper of Norgorber? Oh, there is definitely something hidden in this. I think Oren might have the right idea there about this being a passcode. Anyone see what kinds of stones were on that insect capstone?"♫

♫"Also a nice trip out of town to Vyre sounds like a great idea! Get some sightseeing in and maybe even try some of Vyre's famous...uh, grilled rat."♫

"A poet of Norgorber? Really? Well it takes all kinds i guess. Kintargo really is odd. Let us move on. We can come back later for the rest of this."

"Yeah, I guess so. Anyway, we done here or what? Do we wanna try to go down the well? I know we're all pretty...nervous about that capstone and the statue, but it seems like just about the only other place left for us to check out down here."

Yeah, that does look like that's it, doesn't it? This could be a really good new base for us however. We need the space, but we need to make sure this place is safe. Double check the plans for secret doors and passages? About the carved seal? Could the poem be for the gems-eyes on its forehead? One of them glows, right? That could open it safely...

As you get back to the room with the strange capstone you renew your study of the strange shape carved into it...

Appraise 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Oren didn’t notice anything unusual, wanting to get out of this cursed place.

Appraise: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Elurius looks over the stones on the carving, but not really having much eperience with gemstones doesn't recognize anything important.

appraise: 1d20 ⇒ 14
"I did a job for a jeweler once. But..." she shakes her head.

"I can't remember what he said about the stones."

Appraise(Unskilled): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Lirotha excitedly moves back to the room with the seal.

"As I thought! My suspicions were correct. The poem corresponds to the gems in the carving's face. I'm assuming that's a face of Norgorber maybe? Rocco? What do you think? You are our resident sneak...does that sound right to you? Do you think the poem refers to only touching the gems in a certain order?"

Without thinking things through, Lirotha taps out the combination on the gems...

Rocco pauses to consider whether the poem might be related to some sort of clue on how to open the capstone safely...

Profession (Burglar): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

But Lirotha goes ahead without waiting for his input. "If you're not gonna listen, why'd ya even ask, ya old hag," he mutters under his breath.

Rocco thinks pressing the various gemstones following a certain order might safely unlock the capstone... but before he can explanin himself Lirotha has done so already, following the instructions left within Boswth's poem.

Despite the rashness of the move it proves to be the right course of action. Once the capstone is opened, a 10-footdiameter shaft is revealed. The old, rusted rungs of an iron ladder descend into the shaft, which is flooded with water 10 feet below the floor level of the chamber you are standing in. The shaft drops an additional 20 feet into the dark river water.
Seems like the level below is completely submerged. You'll have to swim... but can you hold your breath long enough to survive the unforgiving darkness of the watery depths and their bloodthirsty denziens?

What do you want to do now?

"I think some preparations may be necessary." suggests Valrani.

"I can possibly scout down there in a... more comfortable form. With a bit of thought, I'm sure I can help you all breathe down there as well."

Lirotha waves her hand in fron of her nose at the fishy-moist smell coming from the seal.

"Agreed. I am not truly prepared to move or cast magic in such an environment. We should close the seal, until we are prepared."

Edda waves the others away form the seal and closes it again.

"I'm going to talk to Laria Longroad and Rexus Victocora. See if they have any advice on this situation. Laria knows the sewers to a certain extent and Rexus knows the History of Kintargo pretty well. Anybody have any other ideas?"

”Would talking to that ghost one more time help? Think it knows what else is going on down in these parts?”

@Oren: Lorelu's ghost is gone. Your options are Laria, Rexus, Captain Cassius Sargaeta, Lictor Octavio Sabinus, Hetamon Haace and Vendalfek. You could also try to contact some experts like professor Bokar Borhausen.

@Lirotha: Which one first? Laria or Rexus?

Laria. Then Rexus.

@Laria
"We have found a possible new...place to stay. But we have a possible water problem. A sealed one, and we're not sure how deep it goes. Any advice? You mentioned you and your friends often used the sewers for various...events."

@Rexus
"I'm sorry to disturb you my friend, but we have a dilemma I was hoping to get your opinion on? How much do you know about...underwater research? Mainly the part of the river that flows UNDER the city?"

Oren will poke around to see if the Professor Borhasen knew anything about the waterways under our recent exploration.

@Everyone: feel free to chime in

Lirotha will detail to both the current situation with as much information as possible.

@both

"...so you see my predicament? This place has an old underwater smuggling area. Connected to the river according to the ghost we talked to. New caretakers moved in apparently too. I'm not afraid of swimming, but fighting underwater is not normally in my skill set! Any suggestions on what this place is, and what could be living there now?"

"I see your point. As I said you've better purchase some magical equipment for breathing underwater then... I might be mistaken but I think I heard somewhere the Order of the Torrent had the means to fight and thread into deep waters without much effort..." Laria answers Lirotha's question thoughtfully.

Anyone else?

Bokar:

Smiling Lirotha snaps her finger tiumphantly!

"Of course! The Torrent must have something. It only makes sense."

She immediately moves to visit her Torrent contacts again...

"Can you aid us in searching this watery environment Lictor Sabinus? I've heard the Torrent had such devices?"

"We are trying to clean out the remains of the Lucky Bones...at your suggestion...but all that is left are these underwater smuggling tunnels. If you could get us the wand, we would be able to explore the tunnels much more safely than without it. What do you think? Is our cause just? The Ravens could use a larger and much safer location for the future, and the smuggling tunnels could come in quite handy if we explore them properly to make sure they are safe. We would return the wand once we completed our mission of course."

Bokar

Bokar

Lirotha will quickly approve Oren's request! It's a cheap price for Bokar's help.

True to his word the next day one of Lictor Sabinus' agents provides you with a wand of water breathing that he assures you has never been used before. He stresses how this is no gift but merely something that was lent to you by the Seers of Saint Senex and asks you to give it back as soon as you don't need it anymore for your current exploration.

Lirotha and Oren agree to accept professor Borhausen's terms while the other Silver Ravens consider their options...

Before moving forward let's check how many people are still here with us please

Giving the wand of waterbreathing to Valrani so she can enchant everybody, Lirotha straps her everburing torch to her back with it's heat-less flame poking over her left shoulder.

Once the Professor is done with our requested spellcasting, Lirotha will place the code into the sealed cover.

Looking around at her friends,Liroitha smiles.

"OK my pretties! Let's see what we can see. Thank you professor, we will do our best to bring you anything we can on unique species and similar we find down there. Load us up Val."

Once tapped with the wand, Lirotha will hold her breath reflexively then jump into the hole...

Val does indeed do that, blessing each member of the group with the ability to breath water for a couple of hours.

"This won't last forever, but will give us some time... You will still find moving down there hard but... at least you will be able to breathe."

With Kurglunn securely ensconced within his subconscious, Rocco accepts the blessing from Valrani, then gives the professor a grateful pat on the arm. "Don't worry! I'm sure we'll find all sorts of nasty things down there to keep even your brain buzzing for a while!"

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Apparently distracted by the terrifying thought of dying under water, Rocco fumbles with a letter he is trying to secretly stow in the folds of the professor's robes. The letter falls to the ground, and the address is clearly visible on the front...

Master Hardweather
The Rose and Thorn Inn
Kintargo

Oren takes the lead as she jumps into the dark water. She preferred Kurgluun active, but she understood in this circumstance, it couldn’t work that way. She quaffed her Mutagen, and prepared to lead the expedition.

Remember you can't drink potions underwater without special devices or magic! Be careful and don't be afraid to retreat if we need to do so.

Elurius smiles at Valrani as she accepts the blesing. She gives the professor a pleasently curious smile, and courtious nod, clearly having never met the man before. She moves in a little closer and asks, ♫"I don't believe we have met but my companions seem to believe you trust worthy... would you mind holding onto my scrolls while we are diving? I would be loathe for them to get wet. I promise I'll keep an eye out for anything that's anywhere near as glorious as I am!"♫

With this she hands over a pouch and a small bag before apporaching the gaping well. With a look showing jsut how displeased she was to have to go swimming, she twists her sleeves and changes her outfit into a tight fitting garment made of oil cloth and double checks that her ioun torch is still spinning around her head. She gives a scrunch of her face and crosses her arms before diving in feet first.

Come night the Silver Ravens het back to the Lucky Bones hideout. It's the 4th time for them... and this time they'll have to deal with the additional complication of underwater exploration. This time there's a big difference though... professor Borhausen follows them, apparently willing to help the Silver Ravens explore the depths in exchange for the wealth of knowledge they'll be able to recover from them:"As per our agreement I'm willing help you with my magic. In exchange every last book you'll fish out of those waters will belong to me. Now... if we are on the same page tell me what you'd like and I'll see if I can accomodate your request..." the dwarven professor says in his characteristic blunt manner.

Bokar Borhousen is willing to cast 15 levels of spells upon your group, divided as you see fit (for example 5 of you could have a lvl 2 spell cast on themselves and one of you could get a 5th level spell instead. Keep in mind the professor can cast spells up to 5th level and provided you warned him in advance he can memorize most spells in the game (not the most exotic stuff though, that means Blood Money and the like are out of discussion).

Also... I almosty forgot... you are now officially 6th level now! Go and update your character's sheets please!

Led by Oren the SIlver Ravens decide they've betetr start with the exploration they delayed for so long and jump into the cold and dark waters of wghat they suppose to be a stream of the Yolubilis River.

The waters my be dark but thanks to their own magic the Silver Ravens can make out the setails of their surroundings well enough. The ceiling of the entirely flooded chamber they found themselves inside after swimming downward for a good half minute is fifteen feet high, supported by square columns of stone that measure five feet to a side and are crusted with algae. Ruined doors to the south and west provide further access, while to the north, a heap of rusting, algae-caked rubble lies below a tenfoot diameter hole in the ceiling. The water is cold and still, but only slightly murky with mud and silt.

@everyone: please place yourselves on the new map (near the circle) and roll perception... after levelling up though!

Can the professor do metamagic at all? Right now we're looking at probably Communal Protection from Evil for the group at minimum, plus Air Bubble for Talon's gun(s)+ Telepathic Bond for the group + Freedom of Movement on Oren. Maybe Monkey-Fish on the rest of us...? How many levels is that? Maybe Extended duration meta magic if possible for the Monkey-Fish spells?

I can do an air bubble. No need to waste a spell level on that.

I've got Prot. from Evil covered, too! Not having to cover Kurglunn means she can get everyone with one spell. Free swim might not be a bad idea for Oren too, one less spell level.

Elurius tries not to show her displeasure at the dirty water mucking up her beautiful hair and clinging to her outfit, and instead takes a look around the room.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

She catches sight of something and points at it emphatically. She opens her mouth, releasing a bubble of trapped air before stating something her normally resonent and melodious singing voice garbled by the odd acoustics. ♫"Oh̢h͠h͝,̸ l̡oo̕k!̵ ͠A h̷òl̢e҉ ̷i̡n ͠t͏h̨e c͡e̕iling!"♫