Nic swallows the remainder of his cigar stub then deftly pops another one in his mouth. "Hang on a sec." He strikes his tinder and lights tobacco getting a red hot coal. Exhaling a large smoke ring. "Alright...let's go."
Traveling, talk amongst yourselves
Our heroes find themselves in a large capital I shaped hallway, with a deadend directly ahead, but two doors at the far end of it. Otherwise the room seems empty
Nic detects magic and begins to scan the room.
Room is truly blank
Nic will move forward towards the door on the left. "Try that one." He motions to the one of the doors. "We've gotta be getting close to some answers." The dwarf half-heartedly comments.
open it?
"Ready" - Reknar nods, weapon in hand.
Nic flings the door open...
The door bangs open and inside you find an insectile monster has four legs, a strange propeller-shaped protrusion at the end of its tail, and two long, feathery antennae.
Dungeoneering to learn more. There is a post in the corner, with a half of a chain attached to it, and a bit of brown powder on the floor. In the corner there is a wooden table with a jar labeled "Sedative"
Heroes win initiative go
The bolt skitters off the rubbery flesh
Er...what is that thing?"
"Eeeeesh, it is a rust monster - it can destroy metal weapons..."
Nic changes his instinctive course of action that would include wading and and bashing the creature with his Morningstar. Instead, he calls forth his his divine powers casting a spell,
A glowing longsword appears outlines in bright light and strikes at the rust monster.
;
"Eeeeesh, it is a rust monster - it can destroy metal weapons..."
The spiritual weapon slices into the rubbery flesh and it screams and alien sound
Not wanting to risk another weapon, Reknar simply goes for his mundane longspear, and attacks from reach.
"Guud one, let's hit it again."
The spear sticks deep into the beats's flank
Then it moves forward and tries to bite Reknar, while its antennae reaches for the spear tip
the teeth find his thigh and he takes damage, while the antenna misses
RD 2: Nic
Nic nods at the rust monster and his spiritual weapon slams down on the beast.
;
He proceeds to holster his Morningstar , then unslings and loads his crossbow
The bolt sinks deep into the beasts maw, and it screams and falls silent.
'Place is an Horror Show..'
"Well done lads" - Reknar grunts, then checks the room for anything else of relevance - "Why would anyone keep this here..?"
Reknar apparently forgot to open his eyes before searching
Nic gives the room a walk through using his dwarven senses.
Nic spots a small switch that opens something
Thorin, rifles through the notesand clearly finds that the alchemist, under orders, was attempting to weaponize the compound that allows the rust monster to dissolve metal. It is not clear whose orders
Nic flips the switch. ''ere goes nothin'"
Reknar opens his eyes finally and stands at the ready.
A small panel opens. In side there are 4 glass vials
Will need alchemy to know what they are for sure
They are labeled. Rust Bomb
"Hey Candymak'r can you figure these out?" Nic shows Thorin the vials.
|
"It sounds like someone hired an alchemist who worked from these caves to weaponize that monsters ability to eat metal... that would be a hell of a thing in a big fight or war."
He began gathering all the papers just in case they found a use for them. Who knew who might need it. He looked at the vials and tilted his head to the side.
"Given some time I might come up with something, Im not a trained alchemist by trade, but mixing my batches of candy is simular."
Our heroes move on out of the room, and continue their journey through this bizarre cave complex.
They make their way back to the front of the complex, and have a choice to continue exploring and see if there is more, or to head on out.
"Guys this seems to be gitt'n us off track. Seems like we took care of the obvious threats."
"True, I would like only to make sure this place is as safe as it can be for any others who pass by" - Reknar adds - "One final exploration, then we rest, and depart in the morning?"
Move forward a little farther...ok." Nic continues forward.
The dwarf pulls out a new cigar and lights it. "I'm ready, lets go."
A search of the remaining rooms turns up little of interest. It would appear that after whatever it was that happnned here happened that whomever was running the show has abandoned the place. Which makes sense, since the Rust monster had been left alone and there was no one around at all, other than the orcs and goblins.
Our heroes resume their journey and they travel an uneventful 3 days before arriving at the outskirts of the town.
Do you all recall what the original job was before I sent us off down the rabbit hole?
After spending the night in the cave complex and enjoying a hot meal the dwarf wakes up early. "I'm eager t'git the sun on me face again, let's git moving." Nic casts a light spell in a corner and then goes over to pray to his goddess as the other break camp. With a spring to his step he announces, "READY!"
Reknar got it. Basically you represent the only long distance trade, until you figure out who is trying to take her out, why the syndicate is doing what they are doing
"A sign might work. It'll git us attention." He chuckles a bit. "I suspect we can snoop around taverns and the gambling houses." he looks at the candymaker's cart. "I wonder if you set up yer cart in town, if you'd draw their attention. Maybe they will want a piece of yer profits."