DM Fflash's Shattered Star Campaign

Game Master DM Fflash

Vuloo attempts to remain calm and non-threatening.

"Listen, we're not here to hurt you. My name is Vuloo and these are my friends. We're explorers. Who are you and why are you here? Perhaps there's something we can do to help you?"

Vuloo attempts to improve the creature's attitude via diplomacy:

1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 4 = 25

The creature screws up its face as it listens to the halfling and then it's large eyes light up with understanding, and it breaks into a broken tooth smile, "Me Brikbrak. Me only mite to speak biggun's words, so me guard in case girlies come down. You not a girlie. You help? Maybe bow to King Zuuga? Me take you to King. Him be happy to see you!"

Vuloo turns and rolls his eyes at the group.

"We will respect your leader if we are allowed to pass without interference. What can you tell of us about the lower levels Brikbrak?"

Braelex smiles, but keeps her crossbow at the ready.

"You entering da realm of great and powerful Zuuga. Live here long time. Sorta. Mostly running away from goblins few months ago in sewers until find this place. Good n safe if no go down. Down is bad."

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I swear ive seen this movie before.. does he live in a city of emeralds :)

Relan whispers to the rest of the group, "Careful, the last time we met a ruler of goblins was Nat." He listens to Brik's comments and breaks in, "So what is down?

Ready to move with the group, he keeps his hand ready on his sword hilt.

Bribrak eyes Relan warily, "Who dat?"

Note, all requests from here on out will require Diplomacy rolls as necessary per the skill

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"What's down that you're afraid of? Tell us about your tribe and any other creatures on the levels that you inhabit."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 4 + 3 = 29

Secret Door

"I think we should explore behind this door here. If they went to the trouble to hide it there might be something back there. Even if it goes outside it'll be nice to know if we can use it for a quick exit."

Fulmen will start going through the door.

Stairs Down

Fulmen stands by silently watching the exchange between the little blue creature and his associates. He examines the creature carefully sensing the motives behind his meek facade.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Aidon watches Vuloo talking with the creature and nods occasionally at the conversation

He will jump in to assist if Vuloo says something wrong, otherwise he will just nod and smile a lot.

Diplomacy - 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Secret Door

Fulmen, you guys went through the Secret Door, it leads to the ledge that overlooks the watery area below with the seaweed that covers the exit to the outside. To go outside, you'd have to climb down into the water and swim out

The strange little blue man

Will use Aidon as an aid other for a +2 circumstance bonus to Vuloo

Fulmen can't determine anything other than sincerity from the creature.

It looks up at Vuloo, enamored of the halfling, perhaps because of his size and begins ticking things off his hands, "Dere are stickybugs and waterbugs and dirtbugs and Clickylegs, course, but him run away. Dere is King Zuuga and Clakclok, Muglug, Clikclak, Guunga, Truunga, Buunga, and sum other ones we din'name cuz dey not smart."

"Okay, okay, i'm sorry I asked", Vuloo pulls the creature to his feet and dusts him off."How would you like to work for us as a guide? We'll pay you gold and protect you. In return, you take us as far down as you can?"

Diplomacy check:1d20 + 2 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 4 + 3 = 15

The little creature looks at Vuloo for a few minutes, his eyes bulging from his head as he stares. "King Zuuga not like if Brikbrak bend knee to sumone else."

It scratches behind one of its floppy ears, "Me com ... compu ... cormp ... uh ... me have better idea. Me take to King Zuuga, safe safe, and he decide."

He points down the stairs, "Dirtbugs guard down dere. No light ... move quiet. Follow when ready."

He awaits you.

Braelex blinks, ready.

Relan readies his sword and moves to follow the group into the darkness.

"No light," the creature repeats, pointing at your lantern.

"Brickbrak, we can't see in the dark like you. How about we muffle our lanterns to provide just a little light? "

Vuloo will wrap a blanket around the lantern to demonstrate.

"Dirtbugs attack things wit light. You go with light, Brikbrak not go with".

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Vuloo sighs, "Very well then, we will need a rope then to ensure we are not separated. I warn you Brikbrak, do not betray us."

"I don't like this. No light is going to leave us very vulnerable. How many bugs are we talking about it? Brikbak, if we kill the dirtbugs will you be able guide us with light after that?"

"No kill! Dirtbugs our frens! Don't like bigguns"

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"Well this sounds fun, lets do this! I can cast light quickly if we need it and both Amiculus and myself can see in the dark, Amiculus can guide anyone who would like him to"

"We could split up in pairs instead of one long rope. Three who can see in the dark leading one each of the three of us who cant?"

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Fulmen relunctantly nods his head. "Ok, let's do it. Still don't like it. I may be able to see in low light, but if we're in pitch darkness we'll be blind. Have that light spell ready."

Braelex nods, still ready.

OK, who is tied to who and what order are you guys headed down the stairs in? Also need stealth checks from everyone

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Aidon will choose to be in the middle and will guide anyone who feels confident enough to let him

Stealth Aidon - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Stealth Amiculus - 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

"How about I lead with Amiculus. Then Relan with Aidon. Then Fulmen with Andel. And then Braelex with Tarric."

"Let's do it," Braelex agrees.

Aidon slaps Vuloo on the back, "I love this plan! I am excited to be a part of it! Lets do it!"

I hope at least one of you get the reference above

Brikbrak claps his hands, "Ok den, bigguns follow me. Be soft quiet so no wake dirtbugs."

Dousing your lanterns, you let those with darkvision adjust to the dark while the others step carefully, one hand on the wall.

The stairs wind down for a ways and then become a corridor that leads about 30 feet into a chamber

Brikbrak turns immediately to the right and the party steps along with him, the air noticeably staler down here with a slight increase in humidity. The stone floor gives way to a rising hill of dirt that the little blue creature leads you up. On the way up, Aidon slips and tumbles to the bottom, cursing as he clangs down loudly into a pile. A sharp series of clicking noises resonates through the chamber and Brikbrak hisses, "Quick now! Dirtbugs wake!" and he begins pulling on Fulmen and Relan's rope.

Brikbrak shouts now, "Duck head ... into tunnel!"

You essentially have a surprise round of actions here. I'll roll initiative if necessary. The tunnel to the south is 3 feet in diameter. Everyone but Vuloo will have to crawl

Map for those with Darkvision ONLY here

Aidon slaps Vuloo on the back, "I love this plan! I am excited to be a part of it! Lets do it!"

I hope at least one of you get the reference above

"There's definitely a *very slim* chance we'll survive."

Vuloo whispers, "Everyone remain calm. Brickbrak, what's happening?"

I will move to the tunnel and once the last of us get there I will summon some ponies to block the tunnel distract the ants.

Summon Pony - 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Is there a check that would let me know if I cast a light spell away from us if the ants would go attack that?

"I seem to have found some giant ants, we need to move quickly and I will block the way behind us. Short tunnel coming up, we will need to duck and crawl, Move quickly and quietly....faster would be better the quiet though"

"Then shut up and move!" Braelex hisses, shoving the others towards the side tunnel.

Fulmen follows the group as they flee towards the side tunnel.

Scrambling up the hill, some pushing some being pulled through the dark the party crams in single file behind the little mite. Crawling on hands and knees, some of the slower party members wait interminable extra seconds as the fast moving insects zip across the room. Aidon chants a couple quick syllables and 3 small horses appear behind the party. Their otherworldly senses allow them to see clearly and they charge down the hill, intercepting the approaching creatures just before they grab Tarric. The portly priest is the last to clamber up, huffing and puffing as he squeezes himself into the small tunnel.

Safely on the other side, the horrific screams of pain from the ponies ripping through the cavern, Brikbrak allows you to rekindle your light (lantern I assume?) and you find yourselves crammed in a tiny irregularly shaped passage with six other mites carrying hammers and chisels staring at Brikbrak who is waving his hands and speaking to them

Relan glances ahead down the hallway and sees a poorly made door that sorta resembles the surrounding rock. He realizes that it's an ill-conceived attempt at a secret door.

Anything to add for the party here?

Map here

"That was too close for comfort", Fulmen says. He looks intently at the mites as he tries to understand their language.

Not sure what language Alko is, but can I roll to understand what their saying?

Linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Vuloo winces uneasily as the ponies scream. "Brikbrak, let's keep moving."

With a half-grin, Braelex watches the mites carefully. She remains silent.

Fulmen, yes you can use Linguistics to get the gist of what someone is saying ... just not with that roll. Thankfully Andel speaks Aklo

"He's telling the others to leave us alone," Andel listens intently to them. "Gods, his grammar is terrible in a language he's fluent in."

Brikbrak finishes talking with his people and then heads along the tunnel to the east, "Follow dis way."

He leads you to the east into an octagonal room, the ceiling of which is covered in webs. Another passage leads to the east to another poorly hidden secret door. To the north is a set of steps obviously leading back into the ant room.

"Wonder what prevents the ants from rolling in here?" Tarric muses. At that moment, the webs shift from above and a tremendous black bulk, complete with eight legs and a red hourglass on its belly lowers itself to the ground. The massive spider rubs its forelegs together and stares at you with all its eyes. It steps forward hungrily and then eyes Brikbrak and scuttles back up the wall.

Tarric shivers and follows the rest of you to the south down a different set of stairs.

Pillars run down the center of this hall to an alcove at chest height at either end. The eastern alcove holds a silver statuette, while the western one holds an upside down ogre’s skull. Sitting on the skull is a slightly larger mite than brik brak with a gold bracer atop his head, leather straps slapping the back of it as he jumps up and down chirping when Brikbrak enters introducing you to what is apparently King Zuuga.

He speaks to you in a foreign language.

Image of King Zuuga

Map here

EDIT: This is an old map image. Zuuga is actually in the western alcove for what it's worth, sitting on the ogre's skull

Vuloo turns to the group, "Anyone understand what he's saying?"

Bowing to Zuuga and then turning to Brikbrak, "Brikbrak, you will have to translate for us. Please tell your leader that we are honored to meet him and that we appreciate your tribe allowing us to pass through his domain. Please tell him we only seek Thassilonian relics in the lower levels. We are willing to trade gold, equipment or our services if your tribe possesses any relics. Please request that we be allowed to continue through his domain with your guidance."

Vuloo lays down a bag of 50 gp in front of Zuuga as a tribute.

Diplomacy check:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Braelex shakes her head and remains silent, watching every corner for treachery.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Aidon will just watch and listen, he has nothing to contribute since he doesn't understand what is being said

"I can translate for you. He asks if we are the heroes he sent for ..."

Note, as long as Andel is conscious and with the party, we will assume he can translate and you all can read any spoilers he has the languages for

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Fulmen looks at Vuloo then Brikbak then turns to Andel. "Tell the king that we are heroes and ask what need he has for our band?"

Vuloo looks at Brikbak and shrugs. "Andel, please relay what I told Brikback."

Sorry, Vuloo ... shoulda caught that

The royal mite hops up and down and claps his hands as Andel and Brikbrak convey the words.
He runs forward and swipes the bag of coins, opening the bag and sticking his nose in.

In a muffled voice he says (with Andel translating)

He continues to stare into the bag.

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Vuloo nods to Zuuga, "Well yes, we'll certainly keep an eye out for 'Clickylegs' on our way to the lower levels. What is Clickylegs again? Now, we really need to be on our way. Thank you again Sire for allowing us to pass through your domain."

To Brikbak, "You heard the king, let's go find Clicklegs. I suspect we'll find him somewhere in the dungeons beneath this level. Lead on Brikbak!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10