GM Dak - RotRL AE (Group 3) (Inactive)

Game Master Dakcenturi

"That creature sure was tough, for being so small."

Ioxeia approaches the upper pool and begins to examine it more closely, but as she peers into its depths her eyes open wide behind her mask and she nearly stumbles, putting a hand out to steady herself against the edge of the pool. I’ve never seen an aura this powerful, she thinks, as eddying currents of magic coil in her spell-enhanced sight. She stops concentrating and shakes her head clear.

Catching Chimaeryus’ comment, she adds, “It was unfortunate that Thorfinn wasn’t able to get any cold iron or silvered bolts in town. If we could get some ore, though, and hire a smithy for a day… I’ve not much skill for cutting arrows, but I might manage with a bit of help, and I’ve got a better eye for spears and swords.”

I don’t think anyone has Craft (bows), but Ioxeia should be able to make bolts for Gabriel and Thorfinn at least, and she could also do melee weapons if anyone wants, though that might take longer.

"Good thing I had the axe, though. Maybe the shopkeeper will have bolts in a few days. Meanwhile, though, if there's nothing else in here I think there might be another tunnel we didn't go down." Can't access the map at the moment, but I think there are also a couple of doors in here. What's behind them?

Checking the room you find little else of interest aside from any gear the flying creature may have.

"There's people up there should know about this place. The Desnan priest can clean it up some. Meantime, though, we have to find Tsuto's special lady, I'm thinking."

Chimaeryus looks towards the dwarf and nods once at his last statement.

This is going to be bad.

“It’s a start, depending on how much he knows about magic. Whatever forces are contained in that summoning pool, they’re a stronger web of conjuration than I’ve ever seen. I wonder if there are any trustworthy mages in Magnimar that could help us learn how it works, unless we want to try activating it ourselves.”

“In any case, we should tell the mayor too, and maybe before we try to track down Nualia I can give that peculiar little man a tour of these tunnels, just the once. I doubt it’s really safe for anyone to be down here – no one should be left alone with that pool especially, I think.”

She shakes her head, wondering how many guards Sandpoint can spare while the group works on other things, before a spark of hope occurs to her. “Perhaps that ranger will be able to offer some guidance as to how we can get to … yes, it was Thistletop, wasn’t it? quickly, if she’s still in town. The sheriff wanted us to maintain a presence to keep people calm while he’s away, so we should find out how easily we can hope to find out what’s going on there before we set out on a grand expedition.”

Gabriel nods as well. "We also owe the scholar a trip down here, he may yet know more as well."

Heading back to the surface then?

Unless there are other tunnels outside of the complex here we haven't taken yet. Wasn't this a side branch?

I think that’s it; from what I remember of the map, I think this is the last accessible part of these tunnels.

As the group gets ready to leave the underground cathedral, Ioxeia catches Chimaeryus’ eye. “It’s a good thing we had your missiles to help us. I suppose you don’t really care for steel, but in case something ever gets close or you need to throw something sharp, maybe you should hold on to this.”

She flips the quasit's dagger in her hand so she can offer the sorcerer the hilt, before she continues on her way.

Chimaeryus gives her an off putting toothy grin.

"Thank you."

Thorfinn nods approvingly at Ioxeia's action, but his expression turns pensive. "Still something we're missing here. We were thinking that the goblins came in through this tunnel, but far as I remember we haven't found an exit that wasn't filled with old rubble. So how did they get in?"

"Good question Thorfinn. Lets check things over thoroughly, then maybe bring the scholar down here and if we're still stumped go check out this 'Thistletop'"

"You're right," Ioxeia says, growing quiet in turn as she tries to reconstruct in her imagination her vision of the tunnels underneath the glassworks. "Just where we came down the stairs from the basement, wasn't there another tunnel to the north with more recent tracks in it? We followed the older tracks here, but maybe the others will lead to where the goblins came in."

"Perhaps the path back is now filled with goblin enemies."

We should be vigilant.

Gabriel turns to Chimaeryus: "You are of course right my friend."

Gabriel then makes sure his crossbow is reloaded.

Gallus nods in agreement with being vigilant. Thorfinn lead the way.

You give the place another look just to make sure you didn't miss anything and all is quiet and you do not find any other entrances or exits. As you head back up the tunnel that lead into the complex you come back to the branch that lead you here. There is a branch that leads south and back to the Glassworks and a branch leading north you have yet to explore.

"Gabriel, maybe you should go back and let everyone know what we've found. The rest of us will check this out." The dwarf turns his attention to the north branch, in particular looking for tracks coming or going.

Survival check, tracking: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Chinaeryus shuffles behind Thorfinn.

Ioxeia falls in behind, keeping watch for any sign of trouble.

"More tracks here than the other way. Watch yourselves." Axe and shield ready, the ranger heads up the north branch.

So off to follow the tracks?

Before he leaves Chimaeryus asks Gabriel for his heavy crossbow, and cure light wounds scroll.

That's where Thorfinn's going.

Gallus falls in behind Thorfinn his Glaive at the ready he mutters to no one in particular under his breath. I really hate not being able to see what is coming until it is right on top of us.

Chimaeryus casts light on the Chelaxians glaive.

You walk for some time, it is hard to keep track without a point of reference but you would guess over 30 minutes. Just before you are ready to give up you come to a dead end.

Thorfinn glares at the rock. "All right, where did the tracks come from?"

Survival check to track: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"You're right," Ioxeia says, looking around, "Why come out this way to a dead end? Could they have wanted to hide something out of the way, or did we miss a side tunnel or crevice somewhere?"

She looks around the end of the tunnel, running her hand along the wall in case the colouring of the rock hides a nook or crack, even checking for a draft. Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Searching isn't Ioxeia's strong point, but she'll gladly lend Thorfinn another pair of eyes, and I suppose we can always take 20 if we want to be doubly sure.

Thorfinn has a cumulative +8 to Perception checks to notice unusual stonework; the Aid Another from Ioxeia will take his total to 30 if he takes 20.

"Hmph. Look there--half a footprint on this side of the wall. This thing has to open somehow--never seen a goblin walk into stone before."

Chimaeryus stops staring at the floor for a moment and looks up at Thornfinn.

"Maybe the activation mechanism is on the other side?"

Ioxeia puts her hand out to where she feels a slight draft. "I can feel a bit of air here, Thorfinn, though I can't detect an edge, myself. I expect you might well have a better sense for these things."

If everyone's up for it, taking 20 should at least tell us if we're on the wrong side of a lock, I guess. If we linger, Ioxeia will see if she can help trace a doorframe or switch.

Gallus looks on as the pair search for the hidden latch. I have a key right here if you cannot find a way to open it. He smiles as he points with his glaive towards the wall.

Taking 20 or anyone else rolling perception?

Thorfinn's got the highest Perception and will take 20; anyone else can roll to Aid Another.

Assist Thornfinn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Thorfinn spends some time searching the area and eventually finds a machanism to slid out the section of the wall blocking the path. Here the tunnel continues north east but there is a branch that leads west where you can see light.

"Shh...." Thorfinn holds up a hand and listens, then slides forward down the branch almost noiselessly despite his armor.

Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Stealth check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

The dwarf waves the others up. "Smuggling tunnel, is my guess. Bet we'll find a beach up that way. Let's check that, then come back and take the northeast tunnel."

"That would have been quite convenient for the raid," Ioxeia considers. "I suppose this will have to be sealed off now, at least for a while. It's a weak point, and we don't want anyone else stumbling across that summoning pool until we figure out how it works."

"Aye, that's for certain."

You follow the tunnel Thorfinn directs and it eventually leads to a cliff overhang over a beach. There is various junk here, it seems from small creatures camping out.

"Little rateaters couldn't keep a decent campsite for anything...." The dwarf's muttered aspersion dies away as he looks over the area for signs of how long it's been since the camp was used.

After finishing that, Thorfinn will lead the party back to the final bit of unexplored tunnel.

Survival check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23