Wrath of the Righteous Table Unwavering (Inactive)

Game Master nightdeath

nightdeath said the shaft was 80ft up and we've spliced two 50-ft lengths together, so I think we should be good, Sarthonn.

With the use of the levitate Scale and more than enough rope, the party manages to get everyone else up the cliff.

The journey from here becomes more treacherous as the path reveals it self to have jagged edges, hidden pitfalls and portholes making every step crucial. There have already being narrow escapes as crumbling rock nearly claimed Horgus as he was crossing a particularly solid looking stretch.

Aneiva herself nearly fell victim to falling stalagmites seemly dislodged when a tremor shook the ground.

In 4 hours, the party manages to find themselves in front of what seems to be a rock fall and 3 mishappen men gathered around a rockfall. Fatigue by this time is beginning to set in.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Stumbling along, one hand on Aravashinal's hand on his shoulder, the other on Oynar's flank, the summoner's head jerks up when he feels Oynar stiffen and stop. He whispers a quick "Hold! to the elf, and looks ahead.

Speaking in a low tone to his companions, Caelus says "I do not know what these folk are...but they seem to be worried about whatever is buried under those rocks. COuld one of their companions have been caught in a rockfall from that tremor we felt back there? If they are not hostile, do we help them? "

After stiffening when she sees the creatures, Oynar waits patiently, as still as a staute, gem-like eyes never leaving them.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"Mongrelmen." Razul murmurs in a low voice, "They are the remnants of some mage's work breeding different races. Not inherently good or ill, simply different. I will approach them alone; watch and aid if needs must."

Razul sheaths his sword and leans on his club as a walking stick. He steps out into the clearing and calls out in Common. "Hail travelers! I mean you no harm. Do you require aid?"

Naravash stiffens but remains out of immediate sight, his bow still at the ready. Until he's sure it's not a trap, he keeps his guard up. Still, he's glad to see Razul step forward confidently.

I hope he's not stepping in over his head. If it is a trap, he's awfully vulnerable stepping out so far in front of the group like that. But, we've seen more than enough bloodshed since we fell down here. It's worth the risk if we can avoid further violence.

They turn and one of them calls out.
"Friend trapped. Large rock. Help please?"

The rock itself is large and when walking closer, it is obvious that there is another mongrelman pinned beneath the large boulder. It seems that it could not be lifted up by any single person.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Razul steps forwards, sees the boulder is too large for him alone and says in a low voice to the mongrelmen, "I need aid to move this. I have friends, many of them, who will come out now. Do not be alarmed. They will not harm you." Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Razul steps back and calls to the hidden party. "One of their number is trapped by a large stone. I will need aid to shift it."

Sarthonn pays attention to the goings on between Razul and the mongrelmen. Well, they haven't stabbed him. At least if there are more of us than them, we will be coming from a position of strength.

Sarthonn strolls forward to the rockfall. "Which rock is it?" he asks.

Morgrym looks among the few that are still back.

Do any of ye have luck talkin' to new people? Unfortunately I come off a bit gruff at times, and don't make the best in'erductions.

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Red Stick approaches, weapon sheathed. "Bad luck for everyone, isn't it? We fell down here ourselves with all the rock falling. It is better if we all help each other. The rocks are the problem, not the people."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

He approaches the rock and prepares to lift with Razul. He calls back to the rest of his party, "How stable does it look? Can we move this one without causing a cave-in?"

Quickly turning back to mongrelmen, he adds, "Cave-ins are bad."

How many can fit around the rock to assist?

As soon as enough people are around, Razul will help the others in lifting the rock off the mogrelman carefully.

All of you can do so.
The mongrelmen will assist 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19, 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

They shift up and the boulder can be seen to be quite large, onl the fact that it's fallen on another rock is all that saved the unfortunate mongrelman beneath from certain death.

Strength DC 25 needed to move boulder. Knowledge Enginneering DC 15 to give a +4 to check. Every 5 to DC beaten grants additional +4

Red Stick does his part.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Or not.

Sarthonn should make the actual check? Does anybody have a strength higher than him?

Sarthonn moves to the boulder and braces his shoulder against it, and pushes as hard as he can.

strength check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

I think between that and the mongrelmen, we just need one more successful aid check.

strength: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Seeing the others struggle with the boulder-like rock, Naravash quietly steps in and tries to help as well.

Aid Another (DC 10): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

With so many pressed into the small space trying to move the stone though, the tiefling finds himself utterly unable to find any kind of appreciable grip.

Strength Aid Another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Razul tries to be of help, but finds his strength unequal to the task.

May we try again?

If yes, Strength Aid Another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Let's just Take 10 on our Strength Aid Another checks. Gives me a 13.

sadly, you can't take 10 on aid another checks

Actually with Sarthonn's god like strength and the mongrelmen's aid another check. It just hits DC 25. Well Done. The Dice were cruel though.

With a heave from Sarthonn's mighty shoulders, the boulder is rolled away, revealing a bruised but mostly fine mongrelman.

"Thank you for help. Bring you see chief yes? He thank you. I Lann. He Cern and He Kern." The mongrelman who first spoke to you introduces himself and then his friends. He seems to be the spokesman for the trio.

"Well met, Lann, Cern, and Kern. Please, lead us to your chief, " Caelus says calmly, smiling disarmingly and laving his empty hadns spread wide.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Sarthonn introduces himself, "I am Sarthonn Elenviel. What brings you all to this cavern?"

Before they leave to go see their chief Sarthonn asks, "Are there any more of you out here? We can try to free them too."

Lann takes Caleus hands and shakes it vigoriously but shakes his head at Sarthonn's question.
"No. Only us around when world shaking."

Morgrym walks up to the group and seeing Lann talking figures him the leader.

Greetings Lann, Cern, and Kern. I be Morgrym Steelhammer, Forgemaster o' Torag. By chance do any of you need healing? Also about how long will it be to get to yer chief, we have wounded with us.

Razul keeps watch over the mongrelmen, but doesn't introduce himself or speak further; he seems to have forgotten how to be social suddenly.

Lann shrugs and starts counting his fingers, than Cern's and then Kern's but runs out of both fingers and toes.
"Many many walks to reach village but we know shortcut that'll take many walks only."

Cern on the hand only has minor bruises.

Red Stick smiles warmly as he approaches. "Lann. Cern. Kern. I'm very glad we could help. Please lead the way. I'm sure we'd all be honored to meet with the chieftain."

Travelling along the passage, the tunnel winds north for about 1,100 feet (about 15 minutes of travel at a speed of 15 feet) before reaching a circular, 20-foot-diameter cavern. Four mongrelmen stand guard here before a large stone door.

“Uplanders aren’t allowed into glorious Neathholm!” One of the guards step forward to stop you in passable common. The others wait though it's obvious their hands on their weapons indicate that they are prepared for trouble.

"These are friends. Gar! They help saved Cern from rocks!"

The now identified Gar looks pensive but still refuses to let you in.

Sarthonn stays on guard but does not draw a weapon and tries not to make any threatening moves.

Not sure exactly who is the group spokesman. Sarthonn can do a passable job at it, but isn't super specialized at negotiations.

"We seek only to find the surface and return to our kin. Do not worry, we are not here to cause problems."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Well, I hope somebody else is a better negotiator than I.

Morgrym whispers to Caelus

Lad come here a second, let me do somethin' real quick, should help with negotiations for about an hour.

When I'm not busy rolling low single digits, my diplo is actually pretty decent.

Caelus sets his spear down and gestures for Oynar to stay behind, then steps forward, hands open.

"greetings, friends. We have no wish to intrude or cause harm, but Cern, Kern and Lann, " he nods at those mongrelmen " said we might speak with your chief. Could one of you bear word to the cheif, and let him decide if we might enter? "

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21.

The One named as Gar looks at all of you and then at your companions.
The guard, Gar, stares but gives in.
"I'll let you in on condition that one of us is always with you so that you don't run amok here. I'll also need you to secure your weapons to your belt or sheath or something. Do you accept?"

Assuming the doors open are you accept

The doors are opened.

Beyond the stone door lies the settlement of Neathholm.

A small, dark lake ripples in the center of this two-hundred foot- wide cavern, the walls and ceiling aglow with thick sheets of luminescent fungi. In the center of the lake, over two dozen low stone buildings cluster on a rocky one-hundred-foot-wide island. Lights glow in the windows of the buildings, giving the settlement an almost welcoming look. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake’s closest shore.

Lann and the rest leads you along the rough paved roads but it's obvious that the inhabitants are either shy or afraid of you.Some of the more nervous citizens retreat to their homes and barricade their doors in full view of the party and soon armed guards arrive and join your inpromtu procession.

The guards escort you to the largest building atop the island’s low central peak—this is the home of Chief Sull, a bloated and unpleasant-looking but mild-mannered mongrel with one clouded white eye.

Chief Sull listens to Lann’s report your part in successfully freeing the trapped Mongrelmen.

His voice is cultured and he speaks well as he turns to all of you and speaks.
"I must thank you for the fortunate circumstances that has brought you to Gar and his company's aid. It is certain Cern would have perished if not for you. For this I thank you."

He pauses a while and gestures for the guards to being in seats, roughly hewn stone that have being rounded and are surprisingly quite comfortable.

"Forgive me for being such a poor host. I am King Sull and I bid you welcome to Neathholm. Now pray tell, what brings you uplanders from above down to this world below?"

The One named as Gar looks at all of you and then at your companions.
The guard, Gar, stares but gives in.
"I'll let you in on condition that one of us is always with you so that you don't run amok here. I'll also need you to secure your weapons to your belt or sheath or something. Do you accept?"

Assuming the doors open are you accept

The doors are opened.

Beyond the stone door lies the settlement of Neathholm.

A small, dark lake ripples in the center of this two-hundred foot- wide cavern, the walls and ceiling aglow with thick sheets of luminescent fungi. In the center of the lake, over two dozen low stone buildings cluster on a rocky one-hundred-foot-wide island. Lights glow in the windows of the buildings, giving the settlement an almost welcoming look. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake’s closest shore.

Lann and the rest leads you along the rough paved roads but it's obvious that the inhabitants are either shy or afraid of you.Some of the more nervous citizens retreat to their homes and barricade their doors in full view of the party and soon armed guards arrive and join your inpromptu procession.

The guards escort you to the largest building atop the island’s low central peak—this is the home of Chief Sull, a bloated and unpleasant-looking but mild-mannered mongrel with one clouded white eye.

Chief Sull listens to Lann’s report your part in successfully freeing the trapped Mongrelmen.

His voice is cultured and he speaks well as he turns to all of you and speaks.
"I must thank you for the fortunate circumstances that has brought you to Gar and his company's aid. It is certain Cern would have perished if not for you. For this I thank you."

He pauses a while and gestures for the guards to being in seats, roughly hewn stone that have being rounded and are surprisingly quite comfortable.

"Forgive me for being such a poor host. I am King Sull and I bid you welcome to Neathholm. Now pray tell, what brings you uplanders from above down to this world below?"

Razul agrees to bind his sword, but his club is sort of a walking stick. He'll stow it if they insist.

"Demons and death. A great demon attacked during a festival and we fell into the earth here. We have been trying to get home since."

"Thank you, King Sull, for your hospitality. Unfortunately, my friend Razul speaks truly: As the city gathered to celebrate Armasse, the Storm King led his demons in a massive attack on the city. Some great Abyssyl beast out of the Worldwound broke apart the very ground of the Catheral plaza, and we few were those that survived the plunge into darkness. This was...well, I'm not truly sure how much time has passed, but I would guess at least three days ago, maybe as many as five. I would not be suprised if your people felt the impact even down here. Since that time, we have been seeking a way back to the surface, to see in what state Kenebares lies."

"If we may ask, King, do you have news of events on the surface? And do you know of a way back to it? We would be most grateful for either. "

King Suli frowns at your news.
"Demons have overrunned the city above? That is ill news indeed. Despite being labelled freaks by you uplanders, my kin and I are decended from Noble stock. We may be outcasts and freaks but our
ancestors helped drive back the demons in the First Crusade. I would ask that you bring our message to the surface—that We mongrels will stand with the inhabitants of Kenabres to defend the city."
He pauses awhile.
"What you do seek is however guarded by a tribe of mongrels who do not have the same opinions as those of Neathholm. This smaller tribe, a group, 'the traitors,' have consorted for some time with cultists. I have ignored them for other pressing concerns but this shall not stand anymore.
I will have a small amount of supplies prepared for you should you accept."

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Red Stick casts a reassuring smile back toward Horgus then replies to King Sull, "We are honored by your dedication. We would be most happy to rush to the surface, bearing the news of your services, and will gladly defeat any cultists we must in order to do so. An alliance between the people of Kenabres and the people of Neathholm against the demonic scourge will be cause for celebration in these dark times."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Sarthonn smiles and speaks up to King Sull, "We are glad to have new allies against the demonic hordes. What else do you know about these traitors? Do you know of their numbers or capabilities?" he asks.

Naravash's eyes flash lambent yellow at the confirmation of cultist activity. "Indeed, if there are cultists influencing these 'traitors' and you wish them eliminated, then our aims align all the more, your highnessness."

Razul simply nods and awaits the battle.

Does anybody wear the Brooch openly?

King Sull nods at your words.
"Your words bring gladness to my heart. Rest for the I'll send word for a place for you to rest from your doubtless dangerous travels. My merchants will have their wares prepared should you need to resupply. The Traitor Tribe on the other hand I have no real idea of their numbers as they keep themselves well hidden and my scouts have indicated that there are robed humans along with them."

Sarthonn is in possession of the brooch.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Naravash nods and turns away from the chief, too caught up in own feelings toward cultists to notice how any of the others are adjusting to the society of mongrelfolk. He clenches his fist tightly as he leaves the chief's home.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"This is more the crusade of which you spoke, Caelus, than maggots and flies. We will help, no?" the eidolon asks, looking up at her summoner.

"Of course, Oynar." Caelus replies.

Level 2 Ppl. Congrats. hitpoints half+1 or rolled. Whichever better.

Once a place for them to rest has been found, Sarthonn accepts the hospitality of Neathholm and tries to make himself comfortable.

Will get myself updated shortly.

Having had their rest and purchased supplies, the party now well rested and fed prepare for the next step in their journey. Any purchases made can be retconned.

From the hamlet of Neathholm, the tunnel winds mostly in a southeast direction for about 2,000 feet (26 minutes of travel at a speed of 15 feet). The tunnel narrows down at this point to a 5-foot-wide passageway, the walls carved with picks and chisels.

During the downtime, Red Stick will approach Horgus.

"Your lordship, I just want to let you know that I think you've held up incredibly well, given the trying circumstances. Traveling underground like we have, trying to find our way to the surface, isn't easy on anyone, but it's especially hard for a noble who specifically has not been trained for hardship. Me? I'm a stable boy. I'm used to hard labor, horrible smells, and all that. But I've also taken care of many nobles' horses, maybe yours as well, and so I am keenly aware that the challenges they face are far different from my own. I know you're entirely out of your element down here. But I also want you to know that I recognize the stoicism and resolve you've shown in enduring this challenge. I have no idea what we're going to see when we get back to Kenabres, but I do know that they're going to require leadership up there. I'm sure you're going to be far better positioned to provide the guidance the city will need, thanks to these difficult experiences."