The Dales and Beyond

Game Master littlehewy

As the consensus turns away from the ceiling and towards the illusion of silt, Nilelane leans closer, passing her hand in and out with some deep thought. Next she performs something like a cross between an experiment and a ritual, testing various physical matter and energy with the hidden screen.

She passes different objects through conjured with her prestidgitation: an open flame, a translucent crystal, a handful of water, a small mirror, a feather, a boar-hair brush, and the scent of spring. After each one, there are subtle flickers and *pops* that only a madwoman would interpret to have any meaning. A madwoman...or a wizard.

Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Just trying to understand this in general or deactivate/change.

My only experience in 5th edition has been modules so they are kinda of rail roaded early on to not overwhelm 1st level guys is why I asked. I will switch gears moving forwards.

Sorin does her best to assist Nilelane. Her knowledge of the Arcane however is lacking.

If the wizard determines it not to be dangerous, can Sorin somehow sneak in?
Stealth if so: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Nilelane tests the cave-in with her floating objects, and discovers that the entire thing is, in fact, some kind of permanent illusion. Emboldened by this discovery, Sorin carefully pushes through...

As she does, the image of the cave-in slowly fades, Sorin sees that the cavern is actually three times bigger than it first looked. There are no exits in sight, beyond the three holes in the ceiling.

Going to assume that everybody will interact with the illusion and thus be able to see through it.

Shrugging at the emptiness of the expanse beyond the illusion, Nilelane throws a huge rock up at the rope trying to knock it down...

Toss: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Nilelane narrowly avoids the rock on its way back down. The rope remains unimpressed.

Nilelane starts crying again. *sniff*

In a few minutes she pulls it together somehow, taking out her map and carefully indicating the illusion. She then walks the perimeter of the cave trying to get the little nooks and crannies just right on her sketch.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Nice roll!

Along the southeast wall of the cavern (you have entered from the south), just inside the area of the illusion, Nilelane spots a section of the rocky wall that appears... different. Moving up to it, she repeats the prestidigitation trick and discovers that this part of the wall is just another illusion. A 5 foot wide, 8 foot tall tunnel is hidden behind this second illusion.

Secret door! So, as far as exits go, you now have the option of climbing up one of the shafts, or taking the secret tunnel.

Impressed with how fast Nilelane deciphered the illusion., Sorin will continue into the tunnel. Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

I liked my first stealth roll much better lol.

"Good going Nilelane! Careful there Sorin...maybe I will go in with you...just in case we run into anything, OK?"

Jack slips into the shadows and enters the hidden passage.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"Kraz thinks we should try the secret passage."

He attempts to be stealthy.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Seeing everyone creep mysteriously down the hallway Nilelane raises an eyebrow before nodding understandingly...she knew what to do in times like these. Pausing a moment, she retrieves a little face-black from her disguise kit and hits under her eyes and across her forehead before cracking her knuckles and slowly, carefully raising and stepping through the illusory window she has conjured, perhaps pretending to be a thief from some kids story...

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The passage heads SSE for 20 feet or so, then turns back on itself to the left, now heading NNE. The occasional sound of dripping water is the only sound to punctuate the dark silence. After about 60 feet the tunnel forks, one leading left to the northwest, one leading right to the northeast.

Pick a path mes amis.

"hmmmmm, I've alwasy been followed right as i follow Torms right hand." as Beerg peers into the left tunnel.

"Right it is then", Jack whispers. He continues down the passage, his crossbow loaded and ready.

The party takes the right tunnel and follow its winding for about 60 feet. The tunnel then opens up into a junction of sorts, with a multitude of small tunnels opening up to the left and right. From here, you can see the some of them seem to interconnect. It looks like the tunnels now begin to form a complex web of passages and small chambers in every direction. Your visibility is cut short in most directions by the sheer amount of small walls, stalactites and stalagmites.

So this is a crazy complex of small, interconnected tunnels. To get you to tell me exactly which ones you want to follow would take forever. So, in general, which direction do you wish to go? Left or right?

Sorin indicates that we should keep right. ”We need to be careful not to get lost here.” she says with a concerned look.

Nilelane hurriedly copies down the details of the complex passages while taking on the voice of a school teacher, her eye twitching as it jumps from reality to page "Now remember class, stalactites cling tight to the ceiling while stalagmites grow on the ground..." meandering behind the others.

Right worked before, no reason to change

'Good work on that mapping Nilelane, Let us know if you need us to slow down at all. Lets continue right and we can track back if needed. 1 tunnel at a time. Lets not get lost or split up. Beerg looks a little overwhelmed with the options and possibility of getting ambushed

Okay, let's get some marching order happening again. Same as before? Do you want Jack scouting? Feel free to discuss how you want to proceed, lighting, what things you want to be doing, tactics etc. I'll move on when you're all happy :)

I'd be all for Jack scouting, but not sure we have a concealable light source for him. I suppose I could send dancing lights ahead and he could stealth in the dim light behind. Nilelane will take same position as before.

[/ooc]Yes, lack of darkvision is certainly an issue for Jack.[/ooc]

I’m happy to scout, but my perception/stealth is crap. Kraz, how is yours?

Jack is an expert in stealth making him the better choice but Sorin is willing to scout until Jack comes up with a solution for darkvision. Otherwise, she is fine to stay in the rear.

I like Nilelane's idea with the dancing lights, especially if they look like torches as it might confuse any creatures laying in wait for us...the lights 10 feet or so ahead of Jack and Jack 10 feet or so ahead of the party...what do you all think?

Sounds good. 4 torches shedding dim light. Will keep 3 near you, and 1 maybe off to the side. Monsters might attack the isolated one first.

Nilelane tosses 4 balls of energy from her hands like circus daggers into imaginary targets in midair. The long luminous orbs stretching and warping into the rough shape of torches.

Kraz keeps his sword at the ready..

"Kraz figures murknurk's we be coming for us soon."

He uses his darkvision to scan outlying areas as they move.

Jack stops and strains his eyes and ears to see if he can locate where the noise came from.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"Kraz heard a rock get kicked! Murk Nurks inbound.."

He strains to see as well.

Perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 with darkvision.

Here is a map of the current environment (also linked at the top of the page). You have travelled to the right (south, south east) for about 100 feet. You are now heading due south into something of an intersection. The circles represent Nilelane's dancing lights, with three together ahead of Jack, one by itself off to your right (to the west). No one can currently see anything that would cause alarm. Jack can only see within the circles, which are areas of dim light - the rest is pitch black to his eyes. The rest of you can see up to 12 squares away in dim light, and within the circles as if bright light, thanks to darkvision. What would you all like to do?

Nilelane grabs at the flickering shadows with her magics, bending the edge of light into a prism like structure that rapidly takes on color and depth. Far to the south-east she creates the illusion of a treasure chest filled with solid gold bars and cut diamonds, and a gentle squeaking noise as the lid opens to reveal it all. "...just take that and leave us alone..."

Ill mark location of illusion on map in sec. This is minor illusion again, 30 ft range.

Sorin continues to keep up with the others. She stays mostly to the shadows hoping to get the drop on anything that tries to attack us.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Sweet treasure chest Nilelane :)

The silence is almost like a physical presence as all party members crouch, ears straining for a hint of danger. The seconds stretch on, and silence remains unbroken.

Sweat rolls down Jack's forehead, his eyes glued to the sudden image of a treasure chest that has appeared in the circle of dim light before him, his ears almost swivelling on the sides of his head as he waits, rapier in hand, doing his best to hide in a fold of the rock wall beside him.

After about thirty seconds, just as Jack is about to begin moving again, he sees a flicker of movement at the edge of the light. What appears to be an orc, although a large, strong-looking one partially covered in shaggy white fur, begins to creep towards the chest.

Who's doing what?

Jack will switch out his rapier for his crossbow, but otherwise will remain motionless...for the time.

Kraz says..

"Kraz can't believe that worked.."

Before moving to swing his sword at the orc thing.

"Surprise beastie!!"

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Adv: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Assuming advantage with surprise..

Dam: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Kraz, Aren’t you technically an “orc-thing” maybe Beerg too. Might be able to get some info outa this guy

Sorin calls out from behind Kraz as he charges off ”Try to keep him alive, we may be able to find out what’s going on down here. ” she then scans for additional enemies.

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Hoping to use my perception roll from previous post.

Full surprise round for everybody. Post up your actions for surprise round. I'll roll initiative now for those who haven't.

INITIATIVE ORDER - SURPRISE ROUND
Jack
Nilelane
Beerg
Kraz
Sorin

Sorin will try to flank the creature(s) by sneaking around the stone outcropping. using the i column for her movement.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

[ooc]action to hide, move action

Sorin will try to flank the creature(s) by sneaking around the stone outcropping. using the i column for her movement.

[dice=Stealth]1d20+5

[ooc]action to hide, move action

I've placed you at i6, that okay?

From his hiding place, Jack fires at the white-furred orc with his crossbow, then melds back into the darkness.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Adv. Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Nilelane *knock knocks* at nothing in midair, making the little knock sound with her mouth clicking "Hello?" *knock knock knock* "Old man winter, are you there?" she then alters her voice to respond "Yes...my name is Lord Dhalmass Rayburton of Cormyr, what do you want?"

Still acting she feigns shyness "Oh well, its kind of embarrassing to ask really, but if you wouldnt mind my friends and I were wondering if you could..." her voice suddenly ramps up exponentially "...summon the DEATH ICE to ERADICATE this transgressor!!" and a beam of the essence of winter solidified into a razor sharp line streaks forth from her imaginary door...

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Frost Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7 +10 ft speed reduction

Beerg sees Kraz fly into battle with Orc and presses of his feet after him.

Coming in with his weight behind him Beerg swings with a big bat wind up.

argh!!!!! Beerg screams as he follows Kraz's attacks
maul: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
maul: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
dam: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 3 = 14

Now that the decision has been made, Jack fires his crossbow with cool composure, striking the orc-thing in the right side of its chest. It howls in pain, and then gurgles as Nilelane's razor-sharp ray of frost slices into the other side of its chest. It drops to the ground, moaning.

While Sorin sneaks around the other side of the dividing rock, Beerg and Kraz rush forward. They see their foe down, but with their darkvision they see four more figures standing just outside the light, around a corner of rock wall. Three of them appear to be similar to the creature that just fell, some kind of hybrid between orc and the shaggy white creatures you faced earlier. All four stare at you with wide eyes before their faces scrunch up into hideous snarls.

Beerg and Kraz, you can move to engage the newly discovered enemies (but not attack), draw ranged weapons, or retreat from where you are... whatever. You have one action each remaining. Then we'll go to the next round.

Kraz will hold his ground and ready an attack if they draw near.

Okay, Beerg still has one action to go, but Jack and Nilelane feel free to post up your actions at the top of Round 1.

INITIATIVE ORDER - Round 1
Jack
Nilelane
???
Beerg
???
Kraz
Sorin

Can Jack see any more enemies?

No, not without darkvision :/

No being able to see anything else, Jack slowly makes his way back to the others, staying quiet and hidden, if possible.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Sorin creeps around the stone trying to get a better view now that the sin of battle has abated.
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

moving to M10