The Emerald Spire

Game Master Stormstrider

While waiting for Aldranhald to return to the group or call out, Tamlara looks over at Tangar.

"Is everything alright, Tangar? You seem a bit off."

Aldhranhald calls the group over, pointing out all the areas that are dangerous so they don't step there, and explains everything he's been able to discern to them. "So there you have it." He concludes after his lengthy description of the rigged ceiling, the "secret" door, and the rope.

Alex speaks up: "Well, it seems to me that we need to get over there somehow to check what else may be behind that curtain and in that tunnel, not to mention of course, where does it lead to? You say you are fairly certain there are no pressure plates here to activate this 'falling ceiling' right? (Correct.) So maybe whoever would be the best at dodging falling debris should take a chance and try to go through here? Tamlara, you seem to be pretty good at 'rolling around' trying to dodge things. Maybe you would dare to be brave enough to try going through here? Then again, Boudacia you could try to fly through if you think walking through might activate it and then you could transform back on the other side of this 'falling ceiling' zone and check the curtained area out for us if you feel comfortable going it alone? Or then our strong friend Tangar might be the best to be able to 'take the hit' in the case the ceiling does fall on him? And of course if any of you were to get hurt I would be right here to heal you! But you see, if I went through and got hurt, who would heal me?" As he mentions each of these suggestions he turns to each of the people mentioned with a questioning look as if asking their opinion.

Just a 'helpful' DM making suggestions! :D

"Good investigation Aldhranhald, and sensible thoughts Alex. I am quite prepared to fly over there. But if there is something to explore I don't think going down there by myself is wise. If the area of ceiling is not triggered by a pressure plate it may be triggered by some creature with it's finger or paw on a switch. The other thing we could do is bypass both for now and go through the double doors."

One player wandering off by themselves is always always a bad idea in RPGs. Scouting is OK, solo adventures not so much.

"Alright, then, I have a small amount of skill searching for traps, and therefore well-honed reflexes for getting out of the way Tamlara grimaces. . . I can go see what's over there. Boudacia could come along in bat form, if she wishes, or just send Wayne. I think anyone else should hang back until we verify what it is and how it most likely works."

Tamlara then makes her cautious way into and across the room, watching all around as she goes.

When she gets to the secret door, she looks very carefully to see how it works or what it does:

Tamlara Perception check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

I don't have my bow out, but am carrying my dagger just in case anything should jump out at me.

The secret door is simply a canvas flap that has been very badly painted to try to match the walls. The quality of the paint job is goblin-work-like, so yes, VERY BADLY PAINTED DC 12!. Upon looking in Tamlara sees a rough tunnel heading east. Looking at the rope hanging there she sees it leads up to the ceiling and back towards the trapped section. It seems quite likely that this rope might be the means of activating the trap. Nothing else is in the tunnel as far as she can see.

Tamlara. I went ahead and moved your mini into the room.

Tangar moved up with Tamlara as she headed for the traps and secret door. He shook his head and flashed her a toothy smile. No, just thoughts of my family, and ... How vill dey know if I fall in dis place. Der are dangers I am sure, but ve haf only run into small dangers so far. It is nosing to worry over.. the north-man goes quiet and stops next to Alex and watches Tamlara closely to see she doesn't get into trouble

Looking at the rope hanging there she sees it leads up to the ceiling and back towards the trapped section. It seems quite likely that this rope might be the means of activating the trap. Nothing else is in the tunnel as far as she can see.[/ooc]

Boudacia, back in bat form, and Wayne accompany Tamlara as she moves forward into the room.

After a moment contemplating the rope, Boudacia points at the rope with her nose, then points to Tamlara's hand, then the other hand and back to the rope.

Now you know what a thoughtful bat looks like.

Tamlara. I went ahead and moved your mini into the room.

Thanks, I completely forgot to do that.

"So you want me to go ahead and activate it, huh? I guess I could do that. They might even think they got us somehow.

You two bats wanna climb inside my cloak? It could get pretty dusty/rocky out here. . . Okay, everyone stand back!"

Giving the bats time to climb under her cloak if they want, Tamlara will then pull on the rope and spring the trapped ceiling.

Boudacia shakes her head furiously and then begins to transform into a human.

Boudacia shakes her head furiously and then begins to transform into a human.

Hmmm ... Is she shaking her head in the positive direction or in the negative direction though? And while you were posting that, why not complete your transformation so you could actually say what you meant???

Seeing Boudacia go into some sort of seizure, Tamlara refrains from pulling the rope, hoping she doesn't have to take her friend's dead bat-body back to the group for burial.

Boudacia wrote:

Boudacia shakes her head furiously and then begins to transform into a human.

Hmmm ... Is she shaking her head in the positive direction or in the negative direction though?

In Australia we refer to shaking the head, moving it side to side, indicating "no" and nodding the head, moving it up and down, indicating "yes". So my post is clear to an Australian. Is it different in the USA?

The All-Seeing Eye. wrote:

And while you were posting that, why not complete your transformation so you could actually say what you meant???

I thought Tamlara should be given the chance to react. Exactly because I can't speak straight away, Tamlara can and should get an opportunity to act as she says she will without my verbal input. Is that wrong?

Completing her transformation, Boudacia whispers:-

"We should hold it. That way they can't collapse the ceiling and we won't let on we are here to the goblins."

Boudacia takes hold of the rope, taking care not to move the rope much which could give away the fact the rope is being interfered with. Boudacia then braces to oppose if the rope is pulled. She waits for Tamlara to do the same, then gestures the others to come and join Tamlara and herself.

See the latest couple of posts in the discussion thread. I was mistaken as to where the rope was, so Boudacia's last couple of posts don't make any sense. I got the GMs permission to "erase" my last post and replace it with what follows. Sorry all.

Completing her transformation, Boudacia whispers:-

"Let us not collapse it, just bring the others over and explore the tunnel."

With that, Boudacia turns to the rest of the party, raises her finger to her lips in a "hush" sign, and waives the others to come over and join her and Tamlara.

Watching the flurry of activity between Tamlara and Boudacia finally come to an end with an invite to follow, Aldhranhald keeps a wary eye on the trapped ceiling and makes his way into the chamber to follow his new friends down the "secret" tunnel. Come Tangar, Alex, let us see what new treasures this Emerald Spire has in store for us.

Once he's safely on the other side of the collapse-able ceiling, Aldhranhald takes a minute to take out his map making supplies and jots down a sketch and detailed notes of all that they've seen today.

Craft Mapmaking Take 10: 10 + 4 = 14

The tunnel is 4 feet tall. Medium creatures walking upright can navigate the tunnel by squeezing to move and thus taking a –4 penalty on attack rolls and a –4 penalty to AC. Small and smaller creatures (goblins) can move about normally, as can most quadrupedal Medium creatures (including goblin dogs). :D

Alex will look over at Tangar and whisper, "Come on, I guess we should follow the rest of the group."

And upon getting over where he can see the size of the tunnel he will look back at Tangar again, "My friend, your not going to like this I'm afraid."

When the others arrive, Boudacia whispers:-

"If we go down there, I can return to bat form and go behind the leader. I can try to put each goblin or goblin dog to sleep as it gets into melee range. That will help, but they don't stay asleep long. Maybe our healer Alex should be next, whoever leads may end up taking a lot of damage."

Question to GM. If we go into the tunnel with, say,Tangar leading, how many goblins, goblin dogs or both can engage him at once?
Perhaps just this prospect has Tangar hanging back.

Question to GM. If we go into the tunnel with, say,Tangar leading, how many goblins, goblin dogs or both can engage him at once?

Good question. What you have seen so far, the tunnel is only 5 ft wide, so still only one at a time. Just that - 4 to att and AC that really hurts! But who knows? Maybe there is nothing in the tunnel? I am a nice DM after all right? :D

Holding the rope along with Boudacia, Tamlara will whisper back:

"Also, I could sneak in and wreak havoc from the other side if you're putting them to sleep."

Holding the rope along with Boudacia, Tamlara will whisper back: ...

Did you read my description of the rope posted under the discussion tab Tamlara? There is basically just enough rope hanging down from the ceiling to be able to give a good tug downwards. That is the end of the rope. Not really enough rope for two creatures - who are having to squeeze to be in the hallway at all! - to be teamed up holding the rope.

Then not holding said rope with Boudacia, other still stands.

Tangar moves on into the small confines of the little round room with the rest of the party. "Which vay do you all want to go next?"

"Personally, I think we should check out this tunnel first to see where it leads to. Then if we need we can double-back to go through the double doors."

Just a reminder, technically you are on a timer for the dark-vision, so you want to keep things moving.

"I concur. And out dark-vision will only last so long, so we should be about it I think. Tangar first, followed by me in bat form and Alex, then Tamlara and Aldhranhald in some order was my suggested marching, or crawling, order."

If the others agree, Boudacia will return to bat form and follow Tangar.

How much longer will our scroll of dark-vision last?

"Sounds good to me. Carry on." Aldhranhald says, cradling his quarterstaff in the crook of his arm, and carrying his bow at the ready, arrow nocked.

How much longer will our scroll of dark-vision last?

That is the question isn't it? Do any of the party members know the answer? I'm thinking a really good answer would be, 'Just long enough to walk in the room and see the boss, and then the darkness returns for the big fight!' - heh heh heh !!!!

Putting away her dagger and pulling out her shortbow, Tamlara speaks up: "Then let's be about it. This Grulk character needs to be taken out of commission."

Boudacia wrote:

How much longer will our scroll of dark-vision last?

That is the question isn't it? Do any of the party members know the answer? I'm thinking a really good answer would be, 'Just long enough to walk in the room and see the boss, and then the darkness returns for the big fight!' - heh heh heh !!!!

I was thinking something more like 'what have we done' & 'calculate how long those actions take', but then, ehh, what do I know. ;)

I was thinking something more like 'what have we done' & 'calculate how long those actions take', but then, ehh, what do I know. ;)

Tamlara is actually on the right track of course! The truth of the matter is that right now I'm just feeling too lazy to bother trying to figure out the time involved in the actions you have taken and thus how much time would be left. I do know that when the group started discussing getting this communal dark-vision, I went ahead and made some DM calculations/decisions and I have a 'rough' target in mind. I am just 'reminding' the party so as to try to keep things from 'stalling' too much.

Having a majority decision, the party moves on into the tunnel. It is very cramped and uncomfortable.

After travelling slowly for about 45 ft. Tangar does see another canvas hanging in front of him. It looks extremely similar to the inside of the 'secret door' canvas that you entered in through.

I went ahead and moved the party on into the tunnel.

Tangar stops to listen and also try to see if he can see anything around the curtain.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Tangar is fairly certain that there are no sounds coming from the other side of this canvas/curtain.

Do you all want Tangar to pull open the canvas and walk on onto the room or what?

Aldhranhald takes a moment to see if he either sees or hears anything that Tangar may have missed.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Do you all want Tangar to pull open the canvas and walk on onto the room or what?

I would say one of us sneaky ones should go look, but that would be easier said than done.

Aldhranhald is absolutely certain there are no sounds coming from the other side of either of the canvas 'secret doors'.

Yes, trying to 'switch places' in the tunnel where you are already squeezing and having the biggest party member in the very front will make it very difficult and would be a LARGE negative to any stealth check to switch places silently. BUT as I just wrote above, there is no sound whatsoever coming from the other side of the canvas, so maybe there's nothing there?

I do seem to recall another canvas secret door where someone poked a hole so that Boudacia's could fly through in bat form ... just saying ya know?

"Tangar, maybe you could make a hole so Boudacia and Wayne can crawl through and take a look around?"

Tangar will try to quietly step up to the canvas and cut a hole in it for the bats to go through if they are willing.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Yikes! Sorry! ... but at the same time I can't help but go Hahahahaha! - Cause I know what's happening! and you don't! :P

As he does so, he accidentally kicks a piece of rubble on the ground that goes rolling out into the room beyond the canvas 'door-way' making quite a clatter.

Still, it is very still and quiet in the other room. You hear no sounds.

Boudacia? How was that? Still, very still you know? Hahaha!

"Well, if there is anything in there, they're certainly aware of our presence now. Might as well just file in." Aldhranhald says, pointing towards the canvas with his bow, indicating Tangar should just move on through. "We're not getting any younger or more informed on this side of the 'door.'"

Upon hearing Aldhranhald say this, Tangar goes ahead and walks on through the canvas pushing it aside so that others behind him may see as well.

Tangar walks into the room and sees ... 1

... 2

... 3

... 4

... yeah, 4,

empty chairs sitting around a table that has some leftover 'goblin' quality food scattered on it.

There is nothing else in the room! :)

The official description reads:
From this curving room, doors lead east and west, and a passage leads south. A small table with four rickety chairs sits in the middle of the room. A pair of dice lies on the table amid cups and plates.

I find it quite amusing that it is the long-living elf that says were not getting any younger! Hahahaha!

Once you enter the room feel free to give me another perception check if you want! :D

I find it quite amusing that it is the long-living elf that says were not getting any younger! Hahahaha!

I was hoping someone would notice that. :P

After stepping into the room Aldhranhald takes a quick look around, sees the dice and cup. Picks up the dice, shakes them in the cup and then rolls them on the table.

Actual In Game Cube: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Actual In Game Cube: 1d6 ⇒ 1

"Hmmmm." He says, seeing the small numbers come up. He then takes a quick look around the room for any useful secrets or treasure. He also sweeps the room for any magic using Detect Magic.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Boudacia, in bat form, and Wayne fly into the room and scan the area closely.

Perception, Boudacia: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Perception, Wayne: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Wayne has blindsense, 20 feet.

Tamlara traipses into the room with the others, looking around, and up, as she does so.

Tamlara Perception check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

"It seems pretty empty in here, which way do we go next?"

Tangar also decides to make a perception check.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Alrhranhald and Tamlara, you haven't moved your figures into the room! Please do so!

Alex walks into the room and also looks around the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Everyone except Boudacia hears a clanking metallic sound coming from behind the door to the east.

Tamlara, Tangar, & Wayne just barely hear another voice, also from behind the eastern door, but can't make out what it's saying.

"The room to the east is most definitely occupied, I heard both voices, and some kind of metallic noise coming from beyond that door." Aldhranhald says, pointing to the door he heard the sounds coming from.

Just to be clear, you only heard 1 voice plus the 'metallic' noise. :)

Oh! My bad, sorry. Everyone please replace "voices" in the previous post with "a voice." Thanks!

Walking quietly to the eastern door, Tamlara whispers,

"Didn't we hear the same metallic noises when we came in the other entrance? Maybe I should sneak in and try to see what's going on."