** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **
Had Sanriel eyes still in his sockets he might have blinked. Fortunately nothing remained to give his tell to his surprise "And the spider speaks undercommon, why am I surprised that even the creatures I can call are now tainted with magic? We shall see what this creature has to offer, and I shall hope my allies follow through with my request. Though if I can obtain a measure of this creatures power I might very well kill it myself."
Turning his head Sanriel bows respectfully to the insect, sure to avoid touching her with his antlers. He settles himself at a comfortable height to the spider kneeling or sitting as needed before speaking I apologize for my interruption of your day Ancestor, I am new to this area and would not presume to summon you other wise. I am Sanriel and I ask for a boon of knowledge. My allies and I come hunting these halls, to avoid us upturning every rock and inflicting harm on those we do not need to I would ask if there are humanoids in these caverns and where they are. We hunt a legend and such creatures are commonly the starry eyed owners of such things. Leashing a tiger and foolishly believing such an act will keep it from eating them."
For all we know this creature could be guardian of the "Stone" we hunt. She seems old enough and warped by magic to the point she could become very dangerous if threatened. Better to take the circular route and see if there is an answer waiting for us elsewhere. Though I would imagine killing this aged creature would be of little trouble I prefer such things to be on my own terms."
The Spider replies to your polite request in the following manner:
"A stone, one that burns and hurts and scares away the prey for me and my children, that are long gone. The stone that sears the eyes and blinds them so we cannot see and must hunt by vibration. That stone we know of. It is back along that way', pointing with a single claw towards the South Eastern Tunnel. "Easy to find in the place that it was put in many many egg sacks ago. Go take it away and my children will always respect your presence in our caves."The Giant Spider seems to be about on her last legs. Not sure how old it is, but it seems to be ancient for its kind.
Rizzen looks on this peculiar interaction with interest.
Hmmm useful ability.
"Well it seems we have an idea of where to find the stone.
Do tell us, oh ancient one, are there other creatures inside tunnels that we should be aware of? Great hunters or large groups of prey?"
Zorryn's misty form heads towards the entrance the spider pointed towards after listening to it. He seemed to get the idea that this stone could be some sort of powerful artifact. Which made sense if whoever he was retrieving it for was powerful enough to use it.
Down the south eastern tunnel the mist slinks in a sinuous line.
Viktor waits patiently for the called creature to arrive. He was in no hurry, and the druid did not need to worry - slaying someone after giving them an invitation would be most uncouth. When the creature does arrive, he eyes it curiously. Clearly not your run-of-the-mill cave spider...
"Thank you for your directions, my fair lady. We shall be most expedient in our removal of said rock." Gracefully he bows and gives the spider what could pass off as a warm smile. Fate smiles at us!
"Yes, thank you for your directions Old one, hopefully this stone is our desired object. If it isn't I will ensure it is disposed of regardless." The druid states, giving all the decorum needed as he leaves the ancient arachnid's company.
Though that was not what I asked you, as all I said was how we were hunting legends. Seems an oddly specific response for the creature to have. I shall have to see what comes of it.
Ignoring that line of thought he turns to his present allies, noting the suspicious fog bank in the fog-less cave. "I would ask that any of those in our company who explode in the presence of Sunlight not take point in finding the orb that supposedly exudes Light which might or might not be Sunlight. Also, where did Ckkxxchtki go? I was focusing on my ritual and did not note its leaving."
Ckkxxchtki is very curious about the creature of the water, but much too wary to get near the thing, it decides that its weakened and desiccated host has outlived its usefulness...
with a wet crackling pop the chitenous outsider tears free of its stolen body, and begins to scuttle up the wall so it may view from above, the river monster
Bag of Holding I (/w Darkwood Ornate Coffin)
"Somewhere down the wrong tunnel..." The vampire haves his hand in disinterest towards the eastern tunnel. "Shall we fetch him?" He grins "If the stone truly burns away ones sight - he can have the honour of picking it!" Not that I think the rock actually blinds instantaneously - we would certainly have noticed seeping light if that is the case. Perhaps.
The skeleton looks down the tunnel, exaggerating the motion to leave no doubt as it being a shrug.
"We can wait a few moments, but if it doesn't return I will leave a note on the cavern wall. I can only imagine the creature will catch up to us soon enough. If there is a problem I can only assume its screams will echo down the cavern and someone will pick up on it. It isn't as though it becomes our problem if it decides to do something monumentally stupid down here..."
The druid seems to consider for a moment
"No, that is likely to be exactly our problem. Perhaps we should find the creature now before it breaks something important by accident or intent.
"The tiny one wandered off, I do not know where, I do not burn in the light so I can scout ahead safely and silently his scent if familiar so I can follow it if we need." the Drow girl says looking to the various older creatures for what they think while occasionally allowing her gaze to drift back to the spider, a creature that old would certainly make for a good meal, its age meant it might even make for easy prey if she could catch it off guard. Unfortunately it was both helpful and uninterested in conflict which would give her littler ability to simply attack it without causing a problem with the druid.
Regardless of the interests of the others she begins taking in deep breaths in an effort to discern where the goblin had made off to, regardless of if the others decided it best to go search for it it was for the best to know which direction it had gone, if they did want to pursue him then it would speed up things as she could lead the way immediately.
"Fine fine, let's save the little goblin that is not a goblin from itself. It might agitate something we have no interest in agitating."
He walks after the little drow girl.
Rizzen looks on this peculiar interaction with interest.
Hmmm useful ability.
"Well it seems we have an idea of where to find the stone.
Do tell us, oh ancient one, are there other creatures inside tunnels that we should be aware of? Great hunters or large groups of prey?"
It gives you a look like if I was a few years younger and needed to feed some babies you might fit the bill, and then says
"I am the last of my line here. No other large hunters in this area. Only me only short time left. I dry out on the inside. I am the hunter of prey in here and I have no prey to hunt, no little ones to feed, no potential mates to have. I am the last one. There is the wet thing over down that way' points towards the eastern tunnel section, "the one that comes and watches the stone with envy and it is a shadow. Only me, only me."The Spider seems either a bit confused, or perhaps just getting on a little bit.
Zorryn's misty form heads towards the entrance the spider pointed towards after listening to it. He seemed to get the idea that this stone could be some sort of powerful artifact. Which made sense if whoever he was retrieving it for was powerful enough to use it.
Down the south eastern tunnel the mist slinks in a sinuous line.
[dice=Perfeption]1d20+23
Presuming you will keep going until something happens.
After about 10 to 15 minutes of what would be a normal walking pace the passageway dead ends in a solid iron door. Reinforced with steel bands and with a simple door handle. To each side, just a few feet back, there are two alcoves to either side of it, one per side of the passageway.
Zorryn can feel a pressure, an emanation, from the other side of the door. Not a pleasant feeling to him at all.
What are you doing?
Ckkxxchtki is very curious about the creature of the water, but much too wary to get near the thing, it decides that its weakened and desiccated host has outlived its usefulness...
with a wet crackling pop the chitenous outsider tears free of its stolen body, and begins to scuttle up the wall so it may view from above, the river monster
If you wish to drop on top and attack I would give you a free attack and initiative.
Which ever one is greater, not stacked.
** spoiler omitted **
The goblin lurks close to the wall, wary of the liquid and what it can potentially hold.
Ckkxxchtki lurks quietly, using its hosts uncanny ability to remain utterly silent and see in the dark.
1d20+7+3+1-2
Which dice roller are you using?
[spoiler = For Clik]
Your scent perception roll really is not helping much at this point.
The trail seemed to be lost like just outside of the tunnel where you saw the Goblin go down. That said.
Do make another perception check to notice Rizzen following along (not critical here)
Down the Eastern Tunnel it is about the same size. This one is less developed, less cleaned up for the stone walls and floors. Still easy for navigation of course. The passage opens up a few times into larger spaces, however it still has the feel of a tunnel. There is more of a draft here than in the northern portion or that main section. Still little in the way of an airflow.
A few hundred more feet and The Hunter can hear the sound of running water. It might be an underground river. It is not very long before Clik makes it up to the underground river. The section widened at that spot and it can see by the phosphorous light of lichen and mold that it is about 30 feet wide, slowly moving water of an underground river.
I need you to make 2 Visual Perception Checks Please
[/spoiler]
In front of you you can see the Drow Girl walking down that section.
Down the Eastern Tunnel it is about the same size. This one is less developed, less cleaned up for the stone walls and floors. Still easy for navigation of course. The passage opens up a few times into larger spaces, however it still has the feel of a tunnel. There is more of a draft here than in the northern portion or that main section. Still little in the way of an airflow.
A few hundred more feet and Rizzen can hear the sound of running water. It might be an underground river. It is not very long before he makes it up to the underground river. The section widened at that spot and it can see by the phosphorous light of lichen and mold that it is about 30 feet wide, slowly moving water of an underground river.
I need you to make 2 Visual Perception Checks Please
Making sure I have this right
Ckkxxchtki is down the Eastern Tunnel
Clik and Rizzen are following down that way
Zorryn is in the South Eastern Tunnel right now
No one in the Northern Direction
Sanriel and Viktor are still talking (sort of0 with the Giant Ancient Black Widow Spider
The Monkey Skeleton is on Sanriel's Shoulder hiding from the scary spider.
The Nightmare is just basically standing around, or did it go back to it's home to await when it is needed again?
Sanriel nods his thanks to the spider ignoring its rambling and begins walking toward the east passage with his allies. "Yes it would be troubling if we were unable to see the little creature get eaten." the druid says, looking toward Viktor when he does "It would not do to have to rely on second hand testimony for that." the Sibrae states dryly. Seeing the mostly empty cavern he raises an arm to reassure the small companion on his shoulders " The ancient one has no interest in you, you no longer have flesh for it to try to eat."
Once Sanriel and Viktor are out of hearing range of the spider he speaks again.
"I have this suspicion that the ancient one is going to try something foolish once we have removed this stone. Her age appears to have done her mind a disservice."
Proceeding down the tunnel that the goblin's scent was last down the little drow moves with little care for stealth at this point the elderly spider having given them the information that it was the only predator in the tunnels at least until they had arrived and as the present 'mission' was to find and confirm the status of the goblin she felt there was even less risk to moving without caution, as they moved further through the tunnel the sound and smell of water more specifically running water.
Entering the more open cavern she takes a look around finding the phosphorescent molds to be quite interesting though not nearly as much as the river itself "Maybe he fell in." She spoke bluntly tilting her head to one side as she awaited her follower to pop up, she'd been so focused on the tracking that she'd not bothered to note which of her 'companions' had chosen to join her.
Rizzen moves after the goblin in the company of the others, not after the drow girl alone.
Seeing he is alone for now, Zorryn becomes a little more cautious. He sets down his Bag holding his possessions in the left alcove, then goes back to the door and if there is a gap under he will go under in gaseous form, otherwise he will slowly open the door to have a look inside.
"You think? But probably not until we have removed the stone." mused the vampire as they move towards the passage. "But, more interestingly, it mentioned the 'wet one' lusting after the stone. Can this be our 'rivals' or perhaps even the intended recipient? The 'goblin' wandered off in that direction - perhaps they met!"
|
Xizor's cloaked form follows Sanriel away from the spider. After they're out of approximate earshot, it attempts to speak to the undead druid (and anyone else around) in Elven, "Do you speak this tongue?"
Upon finding a mutually compatible language less common than Common and Undercommon, it provides a warning about the spider: "That matriarch of these caverns has been tainted by long exposure to the energies of the plane of shadows, or perhaps that of nightmares. That may be why the light of this stone affects her so, or it may be the effect of the stone itself. We should be cautious in handling it, regardless."
All of those that went to find Ckkxxchtki will definitely discover the corpse that he no longer inhabits, but Ckkxxchtki does not wish to foolishly tangle with an Abolith, and decides to continue on, reconnoitering for the stone that he seeks.
Ckkxxchtki stays on the ceiling, because many predators forget to look up.... a fatal mistake
OOC:Updating after work tonight
[dice=Perception vs Rizzen]1d20 + 12
[dice=Visual Perception 1]1d20 + 12
[dice=Visual Perception 2]1d20 + 12
Proceeding down the tunnel that the goblin's scent was last down the little drow moves with little care for stealth at this point the elderly spider having given them the information that it was the only predator in the tunnels at least until they had arrived and as the present 'mission' was to find and confirm the status of the goblin she felt there was even less risk to moving without caution, as they moved further through the tunnel the sound and smell of water more specifically running water.
Entering the more open cavern she takes a look around finding the phosphorescent molds to be quite interesting though not nearly as much as the river itself "Maybe he fell in." She spoke bluntly tilting her head to one side as she awaited her follower to pop up, she'd been so focused on the tracking that she'd not bothered to note which of her 'companions' had chosen to join her.
Closer to the water she will find the Goblin body lying there. It looks sort of like something had sucked all of the fluids out of it. Like it was deflated. Very obviously dead and as an experienced hunter it seems like it has been dead much longer than could be accounted for in the just short amount of time.
She is able to note there is something moving in the water out there. Like it is fishing perhaps, similar sorts of movement to it. She is not able to directly identify it from this distance and at this angle, except it is obviously larger that her Drow body is.
What is she going to do?
Close in on the water
Head back
Examine a dead Goblin
Something else
Rizzen moves after the goblin in the company of the others, not after the drow girl alone.
[dice=perception]1d20+20
[dice=perception]1d20+20
So far no one else is moving in that direction with you so I am presuming you are closer to the main cavern with the others
Seeing he is alone for now, Zorryn becomes a little more cautious. He sets down his Bag holding his possessions in the left alcove, then goes back to the door and if there is a gap under he will go under in gaseous form, otherwise he will slowly open the door to have a look inside.
Immediately you need to make a DC 25 Will Save
Let me know if you do or do not succeed.
Either way this will progress the same.
I will presume Zorryn will turn around.
Just inside that alcove he will see a stranger that seems to have just stepped out of a shadow or the darkness in there it's self.
Size is Medium, standing about 6.25 feet tall, slender like a rail. Looks somewhat elvish or fey in the bone sharp facial features. Long straight black hair, skin white like a bloated corpse floating in a river, dressed in strange clothing (think top hat, trousers, vest and cream colored shirt, the other clothing is all a dark grey shade). He, obviously, has a cane of some sort in his hand and seems startled to see someone standing right in front of him.
"Ohh pardon me, I didn't notice you were there, hello. My name is Mr Bone Drone, an entrepreneur from afar, who might you be?"
Zorryn can see he has long hooked nails on each hand, and he takes out a straight razor and starts to clean under them just as he gets done with that introduction.
All of those that went to find Ckkxxchtki will definitely discover the corpse that he no longer inhabits, but Ckkxxchtki does not wish to foolishly tangle with an Abolith, and decides to continue on, reconnoitering for the stone that he seeks.
Ckkxxchtki stays on the ceiling, because many predators forget to look up.... a fatal mistake
Ckkxxchtki can see the Aboleth seemingly hunting fish in the river. It moves back and forth in a fairly erratic fashion.
Make a visual perception check as well please?
Rizzen starts floating towards the ceiling to get a better view of the water and the area and places an orb of deeper darkness on himself (only those with see in the darkness ability can see through it). Something deflated the goblin and is still around here, would that be the thing that controlled the goblin or just killed the goblin.
Xizor/Viktor
With a bit of back and forth it is determined that the only languages that the two (Xizor/me) share are common, undercommon and Draconic.
Hrmmm... It is good to know where the influence stems from. Though it does make me wonder where the influence is entering this world at. Though I would make the guess that a great light casts a mighty shadow.
If this "Wet one" is capable of words I might attempt to parlay with it. If it is a beast I will speak with it and if it is an aberrant threat I will kill it. "
"Shall we go and join the rest of our allies or had you desired to discuss the ancient ones corrupted nature further?"
Once the conversation ends Sanriel will move with his little group of friends towards the "Wet one".
Finding the corpse of the Goblin the tiny Drow crouches nearby to inspect the carcass sniffing and poking at the body in order to ensure that the goblin is well and truly dead and not simply in a transitional state of life similar to some of the others in the group, finding that the goblin not only IS quite dead but also appears to have been so for far longer than should be possible a frown forms on the Drow girls face. What exactly happened to the goblin?
The shifting in the water brings her attention away from the goblin for the moment as it becomes increasingly more obvious that in the river is another creature likely the 'wet one' that the ancient spider mentioned. With the corpse of the goblin seemingly devoid of fluids perhaps it was the work of the aquatic creature? If the goblin was presumably of a similar level of power to herself and the others the creature hidden beneath the waves would need to be quite impressive to deal with it alone.
Grabbing hold of the Goblins corpse she begins to drag it a bit closer to the entrance so as to keep it 'safe' for later inspection and consumption. With that task complete she moves closer to the river in order to try and get a better look at what is likely the 'wet one'
Zorryn quickly turns around. Seeing the strange 'thing' standing there near his bag he hesitates.
He stands up tall, matching the thing for height. "Zorryn. How have you come here? I was looking for a way out. I am stuck here for now. You look capable enough, do you know what is through that door?" Zorryn points to the door as he finishes his sentence.
Keeping pace with the druid and the ... *other one*, he speaks calmly when the conversation flows in a language he masters.
"The exact nature of a dying spider holds little interest for me. And if I learned one thing of the Darklands - that if the things that crawl in the shadows and caves are bad, then what lurks in the water is malice incarnate." He grins "So I'm sure we can figure something out!"
He twirls his polearm in one hand, more cautious now when they approach the 'wet one' and the area it occupies.
All of those that went to find Ckkxxchtki will definitely discover the corpse that he no longer inhabits, but Ckkxxchtki does not wish to foolishly tangle with an Abolith, and decides to continue on, reconnoitering for the stone that he seeks.
Ckkxxchtki stays on the ceiling, because many predators forget to look up.... a fatal mistake
Ckkxxchtki can see the Aboleth seemingly hunting fish in the river. It moves back and forth in a fairly erratic fashion.
Make a visual perception check as well please?
The scuttling creature continues to explore the chamber, moving with on the ceiling and looking for passageways out of the place.
"Yes, thank you for your directions Old one, hopefully this stone is our desired object. If it isn't I will ensure it is disposed of regardless." The druid states, giving all the decorum needed as he leaves the ancient arachnid's company.
Though that was not what I asked you, as all I said was how we were hunting legends. Seems an oddly specific response for the creature to have. I shall have to see what comes of it.
Ignoring that line of thought he turns to his present allies, noting the suspicious fog bank in the fog-less cave. "I would ask that any of those in our company who explode in the presence of Sunlight not take point in finding the orb that supposedly exudes Light which might or might not be Sunlight. Also, where did Ckkxxchtki go? I was focusing on my ritual and did not note its leaving."
After the conversation is ended with the Giant Spider, it seems like everyone ignores it.
She just seems to mope about and after a short while places herself in a corner, closer to the SW side of this space, and just watches all of the goings on. Especially she has an eye (or 2 compound ones) on Rizzen.She could be heard to mutter to herself in what ever it is that Giant Black Widow spiders speak, if anyone with Tongues or the like were in closer proximity to her.
She does not seem to be aggressive at all. Actually she seems pretty much run down.
Rizzen starts floating towards the ceiling to get a better view of the water and the area and places an orb of deeper darkness on himself (only those with see in the darkness ability can see through it). Something deflated the goblin and is still around here, would that be the thing that controlled the goblin or just killed the goblin.
As Rizzen drifts upwards towards the ceiling he will see Clik move over to the Goblin body and place it into an impossibly small bag. After the body disappears from sight you can see her moving closer to the water. In the water you do see something swimming in there. As a long time underground dweller he would recognize the size and shape of an Aboleth swimming in odd patterns in the water. Either it is demented, or it is chasing something or somethings in the water. At one point he will see a large albino fish in the water and realize, I presume, that the Aboleth is hunting fish and eating them.
No sign of what must have killed off the Goblin. First tasking and 17% of the party seems to be down.
What is his next action?
Finding the corpse of the Goblin the tiny Drow crouches nearby to inspect the carcass sniffing and poking at the body in order to ensure that the goblin is well and truly dead and not simply in a transitional state of life similar to some of the others in the group, finding that the goblin not only IS quite dead but also appears to have been so for far longer than should be possible a frown forms on the Drow girls face. What exactly happened to the goblin?
The shifting in the water brings her attention away from the goblin for the moment as it becomes increasingly more obvious that in the river is another creature likely the 'wet one' that the ancient spider mentioned. With the corpse of the goblin seemingly devoid of fluids perhaps it was the work of the aquatic creature? If the goblin was presumably of a similar level of power to herself and the others the creature hidden beneath the waves would need to be quite impressive to deal with it alone.
Grabbing hold of the Goblins corpse she begins to drag it a bit closer to the entrance so as to keep it 'safe' for later inspection and consumption. With that task complete she moves closer to the river in order to try and get a better look at what is likely the 'wet one'
As posted with Rizzen yes you are able to stuff the dried out dead Goblin corpse in your Bag. There seems to have been a large old wound in the back. Perhaps it had succumbed to an old attack that eventually killed it?
Once the body is stuff away for later 'examination' by way of fangs and claws, what is Clik going to do?
To all characters, would we all please make an Initiative Roll for upcoming needs
Make a visual perception check as well please?
[dice=stealth]1d20+25
The scuttling creature continues to explore the chamber, moving with on the ceiling and looking for passageways out of the place.
[dice=Visual Perception]1d20+9Thanks for the rolls.
The Aboleth has no idea, it seems, that you are above it on the ceiling. The river goes down for a ways, hundred or so feet, before disappearing underground. There is no exit that he can determine except the way that he came in from.
About this same time he spots (thanks for the die roll) the little Drow Girl examining the former host body.There is a deep pool of darkness as well coming up behind your party teammate as well.
What does Ckkxxchtki do?
Update
So right now
Ckkxxchtki is in the eastern passage
So is Clik
Rizzen is there as well
Viktor and Xizor are moving into that passage as well. It should them them about a minute or so at normal walking pace to get mostly caught up.
Zorryn is in the SE Passageway
[dice=Will]1d20+8
Zorryn quickly turns around. Seeing the strange 'thing' standing there near his bag he hesitates.
[dice=Knowledge Religion]1d20+10
He stands up tall, matching the thing for height. "Zorryn. How have you come here? I was looking for a way out. I am stuck here for now. You look capable enough, do you know what is through that door?" Zorryn points to the door as he finishes his sentence.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+11
The stranger in front of him, cleaning his nails, looks him over and smiles a wicked fang filled mouth smile and says, 'Yes in fact I do know what is behind that door. I have indeed come down here to remove what is in there. It is interfering with some operations of mine and I plan to remove said interference. Say are you with Her by any chance?"
A second straight razor just appears in his other hand while he keeps working on grooming his nails (that are more claw like than anything else)
"Hey would you like to do me a favor and go in and get it for me. I plan to dispose of it myself but your aid would be a boon."
Zorryn shakes his head of the unpleasant thoughts that rushed to his mind as some form of magic tried to influence him. Then he smirks at the strange fey man. "Who is she? I have not met her nor do I know her plans or anything about her."
"You try to scare me away but now you want my help? What happens to those that step inside the room? I have heard a rumour about it's effects."
Sanriel nods in agreement and continues to follow along with his group of allies.
The Aboleth has no idea, it seems, that you are above it on the ceiling. The river goes down for a ways, hundred or so feet, before disappearing underground. There is no exit that he can determine except the way that he came in from.
About this same time he spots (thanks for the die roll) the little Drow Girl examining the former host body.There is a deep pool of darkness as well coming up behind your party teammate as well.
What does Ckkxxchtki do?
Ckkxxchtki waits and watches, wondering how the allies will react to the Aboleth, and not too worried about the darkness, after all... darkness is common here...
Initiative
