Drow War Team 1

Game Master Tarlane

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Knowing what he does about Hobgoblins, and this tribe in general so far, Mogwai considers for a moment. It's true that the Hobgoblins would be making out better, but he didn't mind that so much. It would be impossible, he decided, to sell the villagers on this outcome. And since we're already dealing with impossibilities, he decided to produce a counter-offer.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

The Watchman's Bless favors your trial, granting you +2 on that check!

Brutus hears the shock in Morton's voice as he translates Mogwai's proposal to Talks-With-Fists. It is the same shock the strikes deep within him. The flame of truth that he has been focused on, that has brought about a calm he has been missing, begins to waver as the shock threatens to sweep him away. Through many years of repetition, Brutus somehow manages to hang on, and slowly, begins to feeding his shock to the flame thought by thought.

"Living side by side? What is Mogwai thinking? We have already seen the brutality of these creatures, kidnapping kids to use as leverage. Then again, they haven't killed the kids, and though frightened, it doesn't look like this one child has been hurt at all. But still, hobgoblins living next to humans, how could that ever work? What would keep them from attacking and destroying one another? Why are these hobgoblins even worth the effort. There is the tribe that this Split-Ear already runs, adding more danger to the region isn't what we need, it is less right?" Even as the thoughts were running through his mind, another thought, clear as day, comes on him with the force of a hammer. "Who decided that humans were worth protecting and hobgoblins weren't?"

Standing stoically, processing the information and the conversation that has taken place so far, Brutus though still outwardly calm, continues to wrestle with the confusion that Mogwai's proposal has left him with.

Talking through Mogwai makes normal diplomacy difficult, yet still the Paladin does what he can to help "If the mighty Talks-With-Fists agrees to this plan, I will act as mediator and negotiator to make sure your tribe is treated with the honor and respect it deserves for taking such a bold action. While it may be seen as not only unconventional and perhaps a betrayal, if Talks-With-Fists agree, gladly would I work my utmost to bring peace and prosperity to your tribe."

Let me know if I need to actually roll Diplomacy here or not.

Talks-with-fist frowns a bit immediately at the notion proposed, though he does take the time to actually consider it.

You all have gotten him to actually listen. I'm interested right now to see what kind of bargain you are able to work out, depending on how agreeable it is(or if it devolves in the other way) we might need one more diplomacy check.

Drombar listens to Mortons translation. Good He thinks. Mogwai can see we need strong warriors. He is thinking clearly.

"Chief Talks-With-Fists, I have some skill as an Engineer. I can help you build a big fortress. Then you can protect humans and your people."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

The chief raises his brow slightly at Drombar's proposal, answering in common. There is a bit of amusement in his face, he clearly feels comfortable enough in having the upper hand in the current situation that he can joust a bit verbally, speaking the language surprisingly clearly for the fact that many of his fellows don't seem to know it at all. He seems to take some enjoyment in the back and forth.

"A fortress, hm? You would make us so strong? Then why would your humans trust us? We do not have a reason to trust them if we are settled in their huts, but if we are given so much power why would they not rise up and try to take it? They are weak, but they are many. I know what many can do."

He raises up to his feet slowly, letting the blade leave the child's throat as he does. There has been enough time to have made it clear that the other child is not in sight so he doesn't seem to feel the need for the hostage as immediately.

"You wish us to give back the piglets. To guard the village. To take their troubles as an affront to our own honor and perhaps need clash with our own people in order to protect yours. This is many things to ask. What do you offer in return? My people are not mercenaries. They are soldiers. We take land, we build, we grow. Our strength comes from one another and from our honor. How does serving village, being guards for humans rather than our own kings make us more? I know our power, but I know our weakness too. I do not wish to take a shield that exposes our flank to a blade."

Mogwai is pleased to hear Talks-With-Fists actually listening and considering, and more pleased to hear Drombar and Vorik's support on the matter.

Oh right, forgot the Diplomacy check. I also thought about using Guidance to raise it by 1, but I don't want the Chief to think I'm using magic to trick him or anything. And it's only +1.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

The chief paces back and forth slowly, thinking on the offer and his own position from it. He lowers down to sit again, resting a hand on the shoulder of the child, keeping him near him as he speaks again.

"Our position... Is weaker than we would like. Your offer for a shaman is a good one, but we are putting much trust in you and these humans to accept it. This mine will not hold us long, but whether we would be safer near the village I am not sure."

He stops for a moment, finally admitting. "If we are to come to the village, we will need to have reason for them not to form a mob after us. We would need to bring both the children. The other, broke and ran just after we got them here. He went further into the mine and we have scouted that way, the tunnel splits and dead ends so he has no where to go so we have not sent any of our few guards to collect him. The tunnels raise again before they end so when the water started, he should be safe. I have needed to secure our home before we secured the child. You have given me much to think on. My men will stay out of your way while I consider your proposal. You may fetch the other piglet and do with him as you wish as a show of trust from us. This one remains. Return and if I feel I can trust your word you will be given him as well, though I need time to decide where my people will go."

Aetherni speaks to TWF:
"You're more honorable than we thought. Thanks to Mogwai, we tried the diplomatic way. So you and us can all get out of here alive. It is a pity our paths crossed on this circumstances, but I guess we will have time to fix things later.
He adresses the kid:
"Are you Jed or Callum?"

After the answer he moves in.
"So let's move!"

The child stammers a bit "Callum, sir."

Morton adds to the dwarf. "Jed's the older one. He's a feisty one. We should likely hurry. He gets reckless even up around the village and farms. If he is trying to get out and save his brother I can see him taking some big risks. The chief said he got away quick so he's been alone down here for a couple days. Could be hurt."

"So, Morton, since he will likely recognize your voice, you may start screaming now. I think the sound may carry on for miles down here, so we may have that help in making he come back to us."

If anything could be learned from this pursuit, it is that Mogwai is without a doubt, not a normal goblin. Brutus listens to the give and take back and forth between his companions and the chief of the Hobgoblins. Sizing up Talks-With-Fists, Brutus is surprised to see a much more cunning and intelligent creature than he expected. "There goes yet another of my assumptions out the window."

As the proposal goes further, a fortress in return for an armed guard of the town, Brutus calms a bit. The initial shock, it is true, rocked him significantly, but seeing the perspective of Mogwai, desiring to see races work together, actually spelled out into words, was beginning to make more and more sense. Not that he necessarily agreed, but at least now he understood. As to his own position, Brutus couldn't help but think, "I am not even ready to begin trying to determine what I think of something so radical..." However, he doesn't make a move to interrupt the proceedings, so in some small way, maybe out of appreciation for the creativity behind the idea, or maybe out of respect for his companions, his choice not to interrupt could be seen as Brutus condoning what was being done.

The emotion though, returns quickly when Talks-With-Fists reveals that one of the kids got away and is trapped deeper in the mines. Brutus wants to yell, he wants to scream, he wants to rebuke and ridicule this hobgoblin who seemed to show little appreciation for the lives of those not his own. But he knows that it won't help. As he quickly connects the dots, he knows that there was no time before now to reveal that information, without risking his entire tribe. As much as Brutus hates the thought of one of the children trapped, stuck in some deep corner or recess of the mine, he knows that now is not the time to be playing the blame game. Now is the time to act.

"We will finish this when we get back, but I would say, if I were you, I would be praying we find that other boy alive and well." Brutus looks to his companions and says, "No time to waste, we must go."

From where you are the only tunnel that continues off moves on along the same route as the tracks go, so it will take getting back into the water. Morton can carry Callum for now, though between him and the torch his hands will be full.

Following Aetherni's guidance, Morton calls down the path ahead of the group for the boy, though you don't hear any response.

Just so we don't push ahead too quickly, I'm going to give others a chance to respond with any other ideas. From what I can see so far it looks like you are going to push on as you are, bringing Callum with so you can find the other as quickly as possible.

Morton can carry Callum for now, though between him and the torch his hands will be full.

I thought Callum was staying with them for now?

Blast! You're right. Sorry, my brain has moved too far past being tired to the point of getting confused. Disregard that part.

lol, nm. happens to the best of us.

Drombar listens to the translation provided by Morton and as they leave he turns to Callum,

"Don't worry, we'll be back with Jed soon". Then he turns to Chief Thinks-With-Fists, "You are wise leader to your people. You will make them strong. We will discuss this further when we return."

Mogwai stands up and bows deeply to the Hobgoblin chief, and thanks him in Goblin. He feels that he has said enough and that the decision rests with the other man now. The understanding between them is clear - any further insistence on his part may seem an insult to the Hobgoblin's intelligence or honour.

Mogwai follows after the others, saying nothing for some minutes. Once they are out of earshot of the Hobgoblins, he turns to them, unsure of exactly how they are feeling at the moment. "Mogwai apologise not inform you of plan sooner. Wanted to know what type man is Talks-With-Fists before telling. Many of his people would not have spoken as he did. Same would be said of my people. Same may even be said of many of yours. Mogwai know Chiefs would eat our skin as we screamed. Wanted to be sure."

Moving forward, wading slowly through the water(presumably with the goblin retaking his place on Brutus' shoulders) the tunnel narrows and you stop feeling the cart tracks beneath your feet. Its likely that you are nearing the point where the miners finally gave up the tunnels for lost.

The tunnel ahead of you ends abruptly at a section of rock much darker than the rest of the walls. If you approach it you feel the ground start to drop rapidly under the water. Whatever the stone is, apparently the miners decided it was easier to tunnel under than go through.

Near where the tunnel drops beneath the waterline another short tunnel branches east. Its been some time since you have seen any exploratory shafts, as if they had given up looking for new veins of ore so this one certainly stands out. The end wall is cracked and has been worked upon, but it seems that it was stopped mid-effort.

As a side note of purely metagame information that I think you might find interesting since you seem to have taken interest, talks-with-fist sounds like he's a brawler but his name actually is meant to imply he strikes with his words. He's a talker. I really enjoyed that interaction with him and all the discussion that came from it on the other thread, hope you all did too.

Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"This wall is all cracked. This rocks may shift and allow a small being to pass through! Damn! So, or he is in a flooded chamber back there, or maybe as a kid it came through this cracks, do you think that's possible?"

"I think I'm gonna go for a swim!"

Well, I liked it, but I would never guess the name meant the opposite of what is said.

Brutus moves along with his companions slower than he would have liked, knowing that Jed's life was possibly at stake. However, he knows that now is not the time for rash decisions and possible errors in judgment. As the water level rises, he can't help but be concerned about the missing boy. "I hope we get to him in time." He mutters.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

As they get near the cracked wall, Brutus holds his breath and then exclaims, "I hear something on the other side of this wall, like water falling or flowing or something."

------------------

For my understanding, and before we continue, help me out here. We are traveling straight down a tunnel, and it now ends at a cracked wall. The tunnel continues but only by going down and under the obstacle to (presumably) the other side. The exploratory tunnel goes off east, but we can't see the end, or we can? I am confused over where the cracked wall(s) might be and what possibilities we have.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have a pretty good swim check and I could take a sunrod and try and see whats on the other side of the wall (depending obviously on which walls we are talking about here lol

For what it is worth, anyone who has the mechanics to be a good talker, I always assume they are a bard, not because they are, but because I love bards who can talk their way out of EVERYTHING lol. So now I like TWF more than before because in my head, he is a hobgoblin bard lol.

"Some can take the rocks out of this wall, while Brutus and me go down in the flooded tunnel. We will cover more ground that way."

I have +1 to swim, but as the water would be probably calm on the tunnel, we may take 10, and holding breath would be the hardest thing, and I can do that pretty well ^^ Unless someone else think its better in swimming.

Brutus, you will be happy to know that I have picked up a cartography program and am practicing a bit, so very soon we will actually have legitimate(if poorly done) maps to accompany my(poorly done) descriptions.

Your perception of how things are laid out is slightly incorrect though. Currently, you are walking north down the tunnel from the hobgoblin's lair. The path you are following hits the odd colored rock and then drops down underneath it. Just before the drop off the tunnel split into a short path that ends at the cracked wall.

The water is pretty placid. None of you should have trouble swimming through it if you take 10(though those who don't have swim checks won't be able to accelerated swim). So the biggest concern is that you don't know how long the tunnel is under water and being able to see. Brutus mentioned the sunrod for light, but the water is murky enough you will still only have a short area in front of you that you can see.

Hopefully the last paint map you will have to deal with.

Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Engineering: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"It's too risky. You don't know how far you will need to swim. Let's see if we can open up this wall first. I can definitely hear water on the other side and this wall is unsupported on the other side.

Drombar begins pulling rocks out carefully, checking to make sure he does not cause a collapse.

Engineering: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

The Drow, able to see a bit in the dim light, worries about his companions inability to do so "Shall I provide us with some light?"

"Or maybe we will remove rocks that are blocking the water from flooding the place? Besides, the water could be much more low before this rain started, so there may be some upper chamber dry. And if the kid is down there it is probably alone in the dark. Argh, whatever. Let's remove those rocks..."

Taking care not to let water flood the whole place, Aetherni helps Drombar.

I have a sunrod in hands, but Daylight is always welcome...

As a few of you begin to pull away rocks, you can see that the worked wall is not terribly thick, perhaps a foot deep, so it doesn't take many stones to be tossed aside before you are able to see into some sort of chamber beyond. It is difficult to make out clearly through tiny gaps, that now have water overflowing through them into the next room, but it appears to be another tunnel though this one has walls that are smoothly and carefully carved and it slopes downwards at a steady angle.

There isn't much of a chance to investigate further however, as the sudden influx of water in the newly opened gaps begins to pulls away more stones on its own, leaving wider channels that only accelerate the process. Its only scant seconds before the entire section of wall splits and is swept away by the quickly developing current that threatens to pull you along too.

The monk and paladin are able to grab onto the walls as the water comes rushing past and the dwarf has just enough of a chance to plant his feet as he's pushed along, but Drombar and Morton are sent sliding through the new opening and a surge of water bowls Mogwai off Brutus' shoulders toppling after them.

The three find themselves tumbling down a steep slope that seems all uncomfortable angles, bouncing along about 10 or 15 feet before the water has dispersed enough to have lost much of its strength and they find themselves lying sprawled on a well carved staircase.

Water trickles steadily down the steps over the lip of the stones that once made up the broken wall out of the mineshaft above, the sudden surge having been enough to drain a foot or so from the pool you all had been wading through, its still deep enough to be uncomfortable but it is quite a noticeable difference and wherever cavern this staircase goes to must be quite voluminous to have taken that much water from the entire area above without you being able to see where it went.

Basically the cracked wall opened into a staircase going down, the staircase is carved by someone who knew what they were doing and even the walls are smoothed. The staircase stretches down beyond the range of darkvision. All of you were bullrushed by the water, it knocked those mentioned down and pushed them some but there was no damage done.

Why waste the sunrod though? and its not Daylight, but Light

So, as much as I understood, the 1-foot-tick wall was made by rocks and earth, but the water washed the earth leaving it as a rock wall. We opened it up. My question: Were the cracks large enough for the kid to have gone into it? Cause if not we only have the flooded tunnel as an option.

None of the cracks you saw were big enough for a kid to have crawled through. Since the kid came through here before it was flooded, it is possible that he moved some of the rocks, crawled through and re-piled it behind him to hide, but that does seem pretty unlikely. It looked more or less like it had been that way for a long time, other than water erosion weakening it.

"Damn! Another freaking mistery! Are you ok guys? Well, I am pretty sure this is NOT the way the child came, we should go to the flooded corridor and try to move in it."

I have a hypothesis that might make us worried, but better leave it for later.

A staircase. in a mine. Why was it walled up? to keep something out? or to keep something in? Who placed the wall? was it the humans from the city? or was it someone else? If only we had time to investigate further!

"Well, I'm pretty sure the boy won't have come this way. If we are wrong, we can always come back. Now we need to try the flooded tunnel. I suggest someone swims through, giving occasional tugs on a rope tied around their ankle. If they reach the other side quite, they can tug twice. If they get into difficulty, we can pull them back. Anyone any good at swimming?"

drombar reaches into his pack and pulls out a silk rope. he expertly begins to create a slipknot big enough to put a foot through.

Letting you all figure out who is going to do the swim or if a different plan is going to be tossed out there, but to add a little detail to answer some of your internal thoughts Drombar- When you first arrived the weak wall looked like it had pick marks on it without having the stone fully broken through as it is in the rest of the tunnel like they started making an exploratory dig and then stopped in the middle of what they were doing. Unless someone has been working down here since the mine closed, its unlikely that the wall would have been that weak when it was originally done, with how the place floods the channels formed by the digging would let the water make all the cracks as it found its ways through to the other side.

"We screwed it up. I hope nothing comes out of the hole while we're here. To the swimming then. I'm not fast, as you all know. I am also not practiced at swimming, but I can hold my breath for a long while. I AM going. Who else?"

^_^

He looses his shield and stores it at his back.

"Hmm, that staircase is rather odd and interesting. I definitely think we need to investigate it further. However, the child needs to be found first. I will not be swimming though. I will stay here and guard this position."

Knowledge Dungeons: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

As the group passes by a bit of wall, Mogwai stops for a second and sniffs at it. "Ore." He says. "Adamantite. Town could use."

When the influx of water floods in, Mogwai panics, and is knocked from Brutus, shrieking as he is swept away. He relaxes only when the water has dissipated and he finds himself standing on dry land.

Knowledge Dungeons: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Mogwai turns to Drombar and Morton to make sure that they're okay, before sniffing where they've landed. "Air old." he says, before pointing to the staircase. "Not normal rock. Built."

At Drombar's suggestion of swimming back, Mogwai's ears curl downward and he seems to shrink. "Mogwai stay."

It looks like we are quickly approaching volunteering Brutus to swim through and try and drag the dwarf along, so I am going to wait for him to post. Do you want Morton to stay or go? He is in light armor and has some skill at swimming.

"Morton, it would probably be good for you to go, if you have any skill at swimming. The child will respond better to a friendly face. Whoever goes, they should scure the rope once they reach the other side, then give two tugs. I will follow once the rope has been secured."

Who's got the rope, by the way? 100ft or more would be nice.

Brutus barely has time to react as the wall gives way and the water pours down the stairs. Grabbing hold of the wall, he holds on as the water rushes past. As the flow begins to subside, he takes stock as quick as he can. The Drow and Aetherni seem to be alright, waterlogged, but nothing more. "Where are the others?"

Brutus moves down the steps until he finds the others in a wet pile. Picking up Mogwai, he joked and said "Well, I am glad to see you didn't get swept away friend."

Moving back up to the top of the stairs, he can't help but ask, "Why in the world is there a staircase here? This isn't from the mine is it?"

"As odd as that is, that is something we need to deal with another time." Looking at the dwarf he laughs and says, "I guess it is us three going for a swim." Setting down his pack and his bow and quiver, he reaches out and takes the rope from Drombar and gets into the water at the flooded tunnel. "Ready when you are Aetherni. Hopefully we can find Jed not to far ahead. Morton, you ready?"

"I was born ready!" - says the dwarf, lighting a second Sunrod and handing it to Brutus. He then sucks air thrice and jumps into the water.

It was mentioned to connect several ropes and since it looks like three of you have them I will just assume they are joined.

Morton gives a silent nod towards Brutus, indicating his readiness though he stays quiet and simply stares at the dark water before finally moving forward with the other two into the water.

...like stone dropped on stone echo deeply up the stairway you found.

Up the stairway?

"JED!" - calls the dwarf, letting the light illuminate the kid. "We came to save you, boy! Can you hear me? Are you ok?"

Yes, you wouldn't have heard it from where you are, but the echo came from somewhere down the stairs.

We should go back before it's too late. Boy, can you hold your breath? Here, take this - He hands him the sunrod, while tying the rope on the kid's waist - Let's move!

As he's being tied and dutifully takes the sunrod, the boy comes out of his shellshocked state enough to ask "Callum? I was trying to find a way out and couldn't get any further and those people talking, all the time..." He shivers a bit.

All those who went into the water are heading back(those of you outside would notice the rope loosening as it returns) but I am going to let those who were still outside get up a pose before I press forward since I haven't heard from them yet. Took about a minute for them to get through the water, messed around for a few seconds and then a minute for them to get back. You would have heard the noise in the middle of that, so feel free to react however you would.