"Well, open the door. If you don't lime what you see, close it."
"Probably because I was too busy putting your intestines back inside your belly cavity," Maegge replied in a tone that could only be considered "tart".
"Probably because I was too busy putting your intestines back inside your belly cavity,"
"Well it isnae mae fault that the zombies kept attackin me! Ahh dannae ken whair they came frae, but they are noo friend Ahh mine!"
"Well, open the door. If you don't lime what you see, close it."
"Aye, yae want me tae tak a peek. Well Ahh'll try it, but Ahh dannae want tae hear any bletherin. Draw yer weapons and let's see whats gae'n on."
Tybek slowly and carefully opens the door and takes a peek inside.
Tybek moves over the the door which is barred from this side, but not locked. He carefully raises the bar. At first, the door opens smoothly, but about half way open, the metal hinges complain with a loud screech. Tybek pauses for a moment, but no additional sounds are heard. While pausing, he is almost over whelmed by a putrid stench that comes from the room as though the room has been used as a latrine without frequent cleaning.
"Hold a moment, Tybek, before you open it too far." Ranim lays her hands on Tybek and utters a soothing melody to restore his wounds.
HP 17/17
AC 15 T11 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 1/4/2
Bardic Music 4/10
Elemental Assault 1/1
Spells
1st - 0/3
Effects
Inspire Courage
"Aye, yae're a dear, mae lass!"
"Noo, what dae yae suggest Ahh dae aboot this room with a' the shoutin that has suddenly just gone quiet? Shall we close the door and come back later, or dae yae think we should stop in and see what's happenin! Ahh daennae like surprises, unless Ahh'm the one gie'n the surprise!"
Move over dwarf, you keep getting yourself in trouble leading the way!
My vote is we close the door and come back tomorrow! The door was locked to keep something in I bet.
Arindale puts his shield up and then closes the door.
As you begin to shut the door, you hear a high pitched girlish voice call out:
Wait . . . don't let the monster eat me.
A second later you hear an older male voice: Shhhh.
"Move over dwarf, you keep getting yourself in trouble leading the way!
My vote is we close the door and come back tomorrow! The door was locked to keep something in I bet."
"Wait a moment! Did yae nae hear that?! Somebody is screamin 'Help, dannae let the monster eat me!' Yae must've heard that?! Noo what are we suppose tae dae?! Just when Ahh was gettin tae m' favorite bit o' openin treasure chests tae!
"Shouldn't we do something? Someone may be in danger in there!"
"Aye, yae ken Ahh dinnae like the thought that somebody needs oor help and we turned oor back on them. Let's enter back in and crush the beasties! Are yae all ready? Ahh'm as ready as Ahh'll ever be. Ahh just hope that Ahh dannae get hit! Ahh hope yae still have some healin up yer sleeves!"
"That was my last healing song for today, I'm afraid. But what are heroes if not willing to stand for innocents and victims even when on their last legs? That sounds like a scared little girl, we must help her!" Making sure her whip is securely at her side, Ranim readies her longsword, looking to the others.
The voice sounded like a scared girl.
Fine, let's spell up and be done with it!
He casts light again, then Guidance on himself and Ty before walking into the room with his weapon in hand speaking out, I am Arindale, hero of Cayden and those who champion the cause of good, make your self known or face my wrath!
He turns back to the rest of the group with a grin, I have always wanted to say that!
Maegge slaps his forehead when Arindale spoils the effect his bold statement would otherwise have established.
After almost closing the door, and then hearing the small frail voice, Arindale's noble side takes over. After pausing to cast a few simple spells, he takes a deep breath and walks into the next room. He is immediately attacked by . . . an incredibly horrible smell, which appears to be coming from a pile in the corner where it appears the ogre decided to make his outhouse, without it actually being out. The rest of the room is covered in refuse and filth as well, this includes several humanoids shackled to the walls.
Steeling himself against the smell, Arindale looks around the room and sees five figures. Two are slumped motionless, one is an elf and the other a human. Between these two are an old human male and a young human female. On the other side of the motionless human is a red haired gnome. The old man, the girl and the gnome all stare at you in utter fear. They are covered in filth and all have been severely beaten, apparently the ogre liked its meat tenderized, with their clothing torn so that nothing but rags remain.
The room is 20x20 and has no other apparent exits. There are several other sets of shackles on the walls which are currently unused.
Your best guess is that the ogre is using this room as a combination bathroom/food storage. Not a combination that any of you would have considered viable.
Sorry if I scared you, we are hero's of Hommlet, here to rescue you of course.
Check the Ogre for keys, looks like we have some innocents in here chained up. Don't worry we will get you out safe!
Wow it really stinks in here. Braden do you have that magic that gets rid of the smell?
Arindale will help the others free them. He will check them for injuries as well as check if the two other's chained up are alive.
And don't worry about the Ogre, we made him pay for what he did to you!
The girl, who could not be more than 8 or 9 looks up at you. Thank you, that terrible monster was going to eat us. He already ate the nice lady.
Checking the prisoners, the elf has taken a pretty good beating, but is still alive, barely, although unconscious. The human was not so fortunate and is dead.
Seeing that you are not attacking, the gnome speaks up. Pointing at the elf. Thank you, Berashel, the elf, and I were captured while travelling to Homlett. We had two other companions. Halloi, the woman the little girl just mentioned. As he says her name, his face pales. I cannot even describe what that monster did to her. I do not know what happened to our other companion, a brave warrior named Kaedth, as I have not seen him since we were attacked.
The gnome then looks at the older man and the young girl. I believe he is Naern, a merchant and the one that has kept our spirits up is Eelin, his granddaughter.
Once he is freed, the gnome stands up and stretches.
Thank you again. I think that my adventuring days are just about over without any real adventure. Almost becoming an ogre's dinner is a bit much for this little guy.
The older man continues to watch you warily without speaking. On the other hand, the young girl is just full of questions.
Are you saving us?
Where are you from?
Can you do magic?
Did to kill all the mean men that captured us?
Can you take me back to my mom in Yanmass?
etc.
Come over here and see our magic little lady. he says to the young girl.
Arindale uses the last spell he has on the Elf.
We are here to save all of you. We are sorry we weren't in time to save the other one, but we will bring his body with us if we can.
Yes, we plan to kill all of the evil villains in the area, just like in all of the stories!
As far as taking you back to your ma, we might be able to help make arrangements for that, but let's get you safe first! Now we have lots to do before we can leave.
Ranim summons a bit of magic to help clean everyone, as well as to help entertain as best able given the situation. "As Arin has said, we are here to help. My name is Ranim, that's Tybek, Maegge and Braden."
While aiding the released prisoner's, Ranim attempts to help answer the girl's questions as best able, smiling the entire time and even trying to cheer up her grandfather.
After the healing energy washes over the elf named Berashel by the gnome, his eyes flicker open. He startles for a moment instinctively retreating when seeing new faces but calms when seeing the holy symbols presented
"Wha- Who are you? Is Halloi safe? Did you find Kaedth?"
Berashel looks like an elf with long white hair and purple eyes. On closer inspection however, Berashel is stronger and bulkier than an elf and his skin has an almost metallic gold tint to it when the light hits it a certain way
Berashel feels at his chest, My brooch! Have you seen it? It is gold and looks like a dragon's foot!"
The gnome looks up at Berashel and shakes his head.
My friend, it is no nightmare. You passed out just after that monster t . . . t . . . tore off . . . off her arm . . . and . . . and ate it. At this poing the gnome breaks down into a rain of tears. As he does, the little girl runs over and gives the gnome a hug. It will be ok, the good angels will protect us. They always do.
When you next see the gnome's eyes, they are haunted and fearful. Her returns the girl's hug before looking at the party. The screams will haunt me forever.
While Arindale is healing the elf like person, the hobbits decide that the stench from the next room is going to ruin their appetite for weeks and proceed to close and bar the door again.
Being the ever efficient dwarf, Tybek quickly heads over and finds that the ogre's chest is not locked or trapped. Inside he finds a number of worthless baubles, several partially chewed bones, many of which appear humanoid, a broken holy symbol to Aroden, a slightly dented golden dragon foot brooch, 734 caps, 233 wolves, 73 sails and 3 falcons. Everything else in the room appears rather broken and considering the ogre's hygiene, disgusting. The place is a mess, so who knows what might be hiding in any of the piles about the place.
"Come over here and see our magic little lady."
"Yae better not be gie'n awa some o' the magic ale that Cayden supplies yae wid! We'll be need'n that b'fore long!"
"Wha- Who are you?"
"Are yae talkin tae me?! Did yae nae hear the lass?! Ahh'm Tybek. Tybek Odeon, Clockmaker. Ahh didnae catch yer name, Elf? We're happy tae rescue yae frae the ugly ogre, but dannae expect any share o' the treasure. We're tryin tae pay off oor debts in Hommlett and they arenae makin it easy fer us!"
Is Halloi safe? Did you find Kaedth?"
"Ahh cannae mind any o' the names o' the people we met. Yae better ask the lass, she is much better at rememberin stuff like that. Ranim, mae lass, dae yae ken someone by the name o' Halloi or Kaedth? The elf is lookin fer em!"
"My brooch! Have you seen it? It is gold and looks like a dragon's foot!"
"Ahh cannae mind seein a brooch, but then again Ahh'm nae tae gud at rememberin such things! Ahh'll tell yae what. If Ahh find it, Ahh'l offer yae a gud price fer it!" Tybek pulls out his pocketwatch and comments, "Well, Ahh'l leave yae tae yer work and Ahh'll get tae mine."
Tybek quickly heads over to the ogre's chest and pretends to unlock it after making a dramatic display of pretending to disable the traps on it. After opening it, he tosses out the worthless baubles as well as the several partially chewed bones. He then begins loading the coins into a small sack. He looks at the broken holy symbol to Aroden and calls out, "Any o' yae worship a deity by the name o' Aroden?" He then pulls out a slightly dented golden dragon foot brooch and says, "Ahh think Ahh found something yae might be interested in, elf! Is this yer lucky charm?! It looks a wee bit dented, but Ahh'm sure the gold is still valuable. What's it worth tae yae?!"
0 Falcons (p.p.) + 3 falcons = 3 (p.p.)
1 Sail (g.p.) + 73 = 74 (g.p.)
18 Wolf (s.p.) + 233 = 251 (s.p.)
20 Caps (c.p.) +734 = 754 (c.p.)
1 Ring (worth 30 gold)
Braden will use detect magic to scan the ogre lair.
Leaving magic behind is his main fear.
Braden is excited to meet an elf. "Braden, wizard and scholar, at your service. I think the brooch was in the ogre's chest."
"Ahh Ahh think Ahh found something yae might be interested in, elf! Is this yer lucky charm?! It looks a wee bit dented, but Ahh'm sure the gold is still valuable. What's it worth tae yae?!"
Ranim looks sharply at Tybek at mention of the charm. "Tybek! After what these people have been through? Berashel even mentioned it by description, it obviously belongs to him." The bard walks over to the dwarf, holding out her hands for the brooch to return it to it's owner.
"Tybek! After what these people have been through? Berashel even mentioned it by description, it obviously belongs to him."
"Ahh Crivenns, Lass! This couldae been worth a few falcons!" Tybek reluctantly hands the brooch over to Ranim. "Well, Ahh hope we dannae end up in the poor hoose and hae tae sleep oot in the barn oot back of the Welcome Wench! Ahh dannae even hae mae drum tae play fer mae supper!"
"We also need to set aside funds for scrolls."
"Ahh Crivenns, Lass! This couldae been worth a few falcons!" Tybek reluctantly hands the brooch over to Ranim. "Well, Ahh hope we dannae end up in the poor hoose and hae tae sleep oot in the barn oot back of the Welcome Wench! Ahh dannae even hae mae drum tae play fer mae supper!"
"Better to end in the poor house than to treat people such! Imagine if it were reversed and it was your pocketwatch that was taken from you. How would you feel if Berashel rescued you and decided to keep it instead of returning it?"
"Imagine if it were reversed and it was your pocketwatch that was taken from you. How would you feel if Berashel rescued you and decided to keep it instead of returning it?"
"Aye, stop the torture, Ranim! Spare me the thought! Ahh cannae even put a price on mae watch. It was given tae me by my father, Hybek Odeon, who was the most prestigious clockmaker in all o' Maheto. Ahh suppose yer richt! Mind yae, Ahh just cannae believe that an auld dented brooch is worth sae much tae the elf. Ahh mean, it daesnae even tick."
"Aye, that's the way tae tak doon a bunch o' zombies! Are yae alright, mae lass?" Tybek asks Ranim. Once Tybek is reassured that the bard will live, he continues to look around the chamber inspecting all of the torture equipment, but also looking in every nook and cranny for traps and/or anything of value.
[dice=Perception] 1d20+6
Searching the torture room
Although the room looks quite empty, other than signs that a bunch of dead zombies may have been stashed in the southern area, probably the first ones that attacked you.However, upon closer scrutiny by the ever vigilant dwarf, he spots some dark spots on the ground which appear to lead toward the more northern pillar where they disappear.
Probably a secret door to the lower levels and where the evil Necromancer lives. In the books there is always a Necromancer around with the zombies.
Let's pack up all of these weapons and armor and get out of here! he says for about the third time...
We put a little mark that's hard to see above the more northern pillar and load up the mule with said gear...
Don't worry we will make sure you get back to town safe. Say Bershel', you look like you got strong arms, you want to help?
You should tell us your story on the way back to town. Hommlet is very nice, although a bit expensive.
"Aye, stop the torture, Ranim! Spare me the thought! Ahh cannae even put a price on mae watch. It was given tae me by my father, Hybek Odeon, who was the most prestigious clockmaker in all o' Maheto. Ahh suppose yer richt! Mind yae, Ahh just cannae believe that an auld dented brooch is worth sae much tae the elf. Ahh mean, it daesnae even tick."
Ranim smiles as she takes the brooch, giving Tybek a reassuring pat on his shoulder. "Just consider how others may feel."
Ranim then takes the brooch to Berashel and returns it to him. "As Tybek said, it's been dented, but at least it has been returned. Perhaps Braden can repair it with magic, if he is willing?"
Ty, enough with the gold for a moment, remember these poor sods almost got eaten by an Ogre.
I remember when my last group got eaten by Goblins, I was heart broken for weeks! Poor Pilp, he was my favorite. That one was dumb he was, but he had a heart of gold.
Here you all should drink from my holy cup, it runneth over!
He makes sure all of them drink at least one beer, including the girl, if grandpa will let her, to lift their spirits of course.
Braden casts Detect Magic not expecting to find anything. However, upon scanning the room, he is surprised to detect a faint aura of illusion which appears to emanate from somewhere within the pile of disgusting ripped and torn clothing which appears to have been the ogre's bed.
Ranim smiles as she takes the brooch, giving Tybek a reassuring pat on his shoulder. "Just consider how others may feel."
"Aye, yer a special lass, Ranim. Ahh dannae ken many folk that think o' other people's feelins o'er the wealth they can get. That's the way mae ma always was. Tae bad she was killed by frost giants."
When Tybek is finished with the chest in the ogre's room, he returns to the dark spots he noticed earlier and follows them to the northern pillar.
"Ahh dannae ken where these dark spots are gae'n, but they lead straight tae this pillar. Mebbae its a secret passage or a hidden nook fer treasure."
"Probably a secret door to the lower levels and where the evil Necromancer lives. In the books there is always a Necromancer around with the zombies. "
"That's because necromancy is the study of the dead, and yae cannae get mair dead than a zombie, yae nimwit! Noo, Ahh'm just gonnae tak a peek and see what's here. If it descends, then we will need tae save it fer later, but if it's treasure, then we'll be bringin it along!"
At the pillar, Tybek takes his time and searches for secret passages or openings.
Braden nods at the Aari's words of wisdom:
"Let's save further exploration for another day. We can explore past the pillars later. Now we have innocents to transport back to the town. Maybe they can help move the armory we discovered? Ty, no shirking, now that you are healed up, grab as much of that gear we found as you can carry. Put those muscles of yours to work and stop talking about watches. Everyone knows time can be easily distorted by magic, so it is no use tracking."
"Ty, you go further and you are on your own. Help me search this ogre's bed, as I detect some magic in it."
Braden looks through the hobbits stinking bedroll with a wrinkled nose and face.
The hobbit adds, "Dinner at the Welcome Wench, sure could use some of those quail eggs. Maybe have them make a meat pie. They should really know the recipe."
"Let's save further exploration for another day. We can explore past the pillars later. Now we have innocents to transport back to the town. Maybe they can help move the armory we discovered?"
"Gimmae jist a minute! Ahh promise tae nae tak very long, but Ahh've got tae see what's hidden in this here pillar! Mebbae there's a secret map or a shiny suit of mithral chain mail fer me tae wear! Gae ahead and started movin the stuff frae the armory. Ahh'lll be along shortly tae help yae."
"Ty, enough with the gold for a moment, remember these poor sods almost got eaten by an Ogre. I remember when my last group got eaten by Goblins, I was heart broken for weeks! Poor Pilp, he was my favorite. That one was dumb he was, but he had a heart of gold.
Here you all should drink from my holy cup, it runneth over!"
"What are yae sayin, priest! Yae cannae ever hae enough gold, especially if yer visitin Hommlet! Noo, wid yae stop runnin yer cup o'er and save some fer when we get back tae the Wench. Ahh refuse tae spend mae hard earned gold on their watered doon ale!"
Tybek carefully looks at the spots on the floor and decides that they are dried, and not very old, blood. Following the drops to the northern pillar, he examines the post carefully looking for the telltale outlines of a secret door, and pressing several stones. After several frustrating minutes, he realizes that this is no secret door at all. He then pulls one of the stones and it easily pulls away from the pillar revealing a hollow behind. He also sees that several other stones can be similarly removed providing an approximately 2' opening which appears to drop straight down into the ground under the torture chamber.
"That's because necromancy is the study of the dead, and yae cannae get mair dead than a zombie, yae nimwit! Noo, Ahh'm just gonnae tak a peek and see what's here. If it descends, then we will need tae save it fer later, but if it's treasure, then we'll be bringin it along!"
Ranim puzzles over that statement for a moment. "Now then, wouldn't dead be closer to dead than a zombie? I mean, zombies are walking about as though they're alive. The dead just kind of sit there, all dead and not moving." Realizing she may be scaring Eelin, she quickly changes topics, "Of course Arin can destroy zombies really good! He gets them so drunk they fall to pieces!"
"Now then, wouldn't dead be closer to dead than a zombie? I mean, zombies are walking about as though they're alive. The dead just kind of sit there, all dead and not moving."
"Deid is deid but zombies are beyond deid. They are what Ahh like tae call undeid. Dannae be fooled intae thinkin they're alive, because many o' the undeid are likely tae suck yer life oot o' yae. All Ahh can say is thank Cayden Cailean that we hae one o' his followers wid us tae mak sure that the undeid are nae tae much o' a bother! Besides that, he provides us with free beer!"
Tybek then pulls one of the stones and it easily pulls away from the pillar revealing a hollow behind. He also sees that several other stones can be similarly removed providing an approximately 2' opening which appears to drop straight down into the ground under the torture chamber.
"Aha!" Tybek declares with a great smile. "Ahh found it. Look at this, my friends. Once again, they cannae keep their secrets from Tybek Odeon! By movin this rock here, it opens up tae a wee hollow that descends down under the chamber. Ahh suppose we will need tae come back here after a gud night's rest and see where this leads tae. No doubt it's gonnae be dangerous, but if it isnae dangerous, then yae cannae expect much in the way of rewards!"
Tybek closes up the opening and decides to save it for later.
"Ty, close up that tunnel. We are going back. These people need to get help in town NOW!!"
Braden is off Dworkin and standing on his tiptoes with his finger pointing at the dwarf. It appears as if Braden is trying to get come 'topspin' on his finger so it can appear more intimidating by constantly hopping on his toes as he speaks and thrusting his finger into the air.
"You can think of others for once. We are the only ones left to protect these folks."
"Ty, close up that tunnel. We are going back. These people need to get help in town NOW!!"
"Hauld yer horses, Braden, or at least yer wee dug! Ahh'm closin up the entrance noo. Can yae nae see! The pillar is back tae lookin like a pillar. Noo stop yer bletherin and let's get Arin's mule loaded up with whatever yae think we can get some sails fer. Ahh wanntae tae feel loik a king tonight!"
"You can think of others for once. We are the only ones left to protect these folks."
"Ahh, stop yer worryin, mae wee friend. The ogre willnae be comin back tae life anytime soon. Speakin o' ogre, Ahh think Ahh forgot tae check its pockets. Ahh'll be richt back."
Tybek rushes off to search the ogre and see if he carries any treasure on himself.
Braden - Holding your nose you begin to carefully work your way through ogre's bed, you find a number of things. First, you find a large lump which you assume the ogre has been using as a pillow. Pulling it out, you discover that it is a worn backpack (Berashel's equipment) and a breastplate. However, this is still not the source of the magic. After pulling off several more layers of stinking, and you are pretty sure rotten, old clothing, you find buried in the middle of the pile a shimmering nearly clean, relatively speaking, cloak.
EDIT - Tybek, in the ogre's pocket you find a dead rat and what you are pretty sure is a human woman's hand. Probably being kept for a snack later on.
Berashel accepts the brooch with reverence, "Tybek, if it makes you feel any better, this was my father's before me. It was he that put me on the path to worship Apsu. I never saw him a day without this, and since he has died I haven't been apart from it either. You have done me a great service this day which I will never forget."
He closes his eyes for a brief moment and gets a look of determination and says, "Now, I am a warrior of Apsu and I have the magic of dragons surging in my blood. I came to this place with a suit of breastplate with the dragon sigil on it as well as wielding my trusty greatsword and an elven longbow with a strong pull to it as backup. If we see anything else of mine around or find something suitable for me to fight with, I would seek to aid you at least until we return to Hommlet. I came here to find adventure and fight evil, and I have seen some things that may mean something to you. Either way, I am at your service and will do what I can to help."
As the group begins to gather the weapons and armor in the storerooms, Berashel's sharp eyes suddenly catch a shiny glint from behind a rack of spears. Looking there, he notices that someone has carelessly tossed his greatsword and longbow there. There is no sign of his arrows, but there are lots of other arrows available amongst the armaments.
Berashel casts a spell and cleans himself off as well as what remains of his clothes. He also does the same for the others that were incarcerated with him.
Berashel then goes about properly arming himself as well as retrieving his gear and getting his armor on . He searches through the arrows finding the best of the lot, but he clearly isn't impressed with most of them. "Well these arrows will have to do for now. I feel much more like myself since the last few days I have been stuck in here."
"Tybek, if it makes you feel any better, this was my father's before me. It was he that put me on the path to worship Apsu. I never saw him a day without this, and since he has died I haven't been apart from it either. You have done me a great service this day which I will never forget."
Tybek is ready to compain about something, but is taken aback as he learns of the brooch belonging to the elf's father. A small tear comes to his eye, but the dwarf quickly wipes it away before anyone notices it. He then returns to rough demeanor.
"Ach! It was nothin. But it wouldnae hurt fer yae tae buy a round o' Kings ale fer the lads and lass back at the Unwelcome Wench! Fightin ogres can make yae thirsty!"
"Now, I am a warrior of Apsu and I have the magic of dragons surging in my blood."
Tybek thinks a moment longer about what the Aasimar said and then comments, "Apsu?! That's a name Ahh'm nae tae familiar with. Dragon blood in your veins, yae say? Are yae sure that's a wise rumor tae be spreadin aroond? Ahh mean, Hommlet is a backward toon and they dannae hae much tolerance fer people that are different, specially when yer talkin aboot dragon blood runnin in yer veins. Ahh think yer gonnae hae a hard enough time with yer white hair and purple eyes without mentionin the dragon thing! But stick wid me and Ahh'll show yae how tae handle the locals!"
"I would seek to aid you at least until we return to Hommlet."
"Aye, that's nae a problem. We can get yae back tae toon, but dannae expect tae ride the donkey, cause that's what we're usin tae bring back oor plunder."
"I came here to find adventure and fight evil, and I have seen some things that may mean something to you. Either way, I am at your service and will do what I can to help."
"Aye, we'll put yae tae work while yer here, but what is this that yer bletherin aboot things that may mean somethin tae us? Are yae talkin treasure? What hae yae seen? There cannae be tae much tae look at hangin oot in a repulsive cell o' an ogre!"
Good, more spoils. Once we figure out what it is someone can claim it! I got this nice shield so someone else get's it.
Arindale spends the next hour or two loading up the gear after he brings Caily to the dungeon. Once loaded he leads her back to town.
So tell us your story Berashel!
The return to town is uneventful. I will try to get experience calculated and try to get a full post up later this morning.