Boo, "cough, cough", boo..
~to Maqej~Looks like you've got a touch of filth fever or some such. No surprise there; you surfacers are soft and have weak constitution. You aren't bred for the trials of the Dark. Don't worry though, you'll shake it in a few days and be all the stronger for it. Stuff like that makes you stronger. Hells, look at me!; he smiles grimly the strain stretching and contorting his facial scars into an even more disgusting arraingment.
Before they break camp, Dolgrin takes the time to show Ben how to properly hold a weapon (starting with his Dad's club unless someone has a dagger or short sword to lend). First with two hands, as the club is oversized for the lad, but then with just one. When Ben complains about how heavy the club is to hold at all much less with one hand, You will need to build that strength lad. Fighting styles range from weapon and shield, to a weapon in each hand, to an instrument of death and destruction held with both hands. For you to be effective you will need the strength to crush your foe one way or the other. My folk would have you work the forges a few years to build your strength, but we don't have time for that. Push yourself. Make your Da proud and cleanse his shame with your valour.
On the look out during the next day:
Ben was carrying his father's dagger so he uses that while Dolgrin trains him. He is rather inept but eager to learn. Dolgrin feels satisfied that the boy knows enough not to accidently stab himself after his initial training session.
You make good progress throughout the morning and Dolgrin is certain that the cavern is continuing northward. He figures a few more days of travel will get you into familiar territory if all goes well. You take a break at mid day to rest for a bit and have something to eat. Maqej is sweating rather profusely even in the cool caverns.
Char: "Besides Maqej, is everyone feeling alright? Until he gets better, I suggest that none of us come in direct contact with him unless necessary, no offense Maqej. Tonight when we make camp, I will take a better look at you, maybe I can help you shake this fever."
Perception rolls for the afternoon.
~to Maqej~If we were in my Halls I'd get you some Dwarven whiskey. THAT would shake your fever! Heh. Don't worry, if you get too sick I'll just strap you to my back and carry you the rest of the way. Although that may be a better task for Uncle Gigantor here. ~points to Ben's uncle~
"Don't worry about me, 'cough cough', I'll be fine. cough"
A couple of hours after your break you come across an underground river that cuts across your path. The river is about 20 feet across and the current looks relatively swift and strong. The water is cold and clear and it looks about 3 feet deep in the center. The river disappears into the side of the cavern with about 10 feet of clearance overhead but becomes even more narrow and swift, there does not appear to be any dry land on either side as it disappears into the rock.
Party's action. Feel free to ask questions to clarify situation or to get my take on difficulty or safety of proposed actions.
Is there a way forward on the other side?
Do I see the river turn in either direction w/my 90' darkvision?
How strong is the water (who can traverse it safely)?
That water looks pretty deep...Not a big fan of cold baths...What do you think Maqej and will your firey self be hurt by all this cold water? Ben should be able to take to his uncle's shoulders no problem but Char and I will be needing to breath through a straw in the middle...
"There is a good chance of being swept off our feet and downstream to who knows where of we try to cross the river unaided. Staying in the water for more than about 10 minutes will likely result in hypothermia and eventually death. Maybe we could tie a rope to Donos or Dolgrin and they could power through, of they fall the rest of us could drag them out?"
Dolgrin: the path clearly continues on the other side, you can't see where the river goes or comes from beyond 90' and that is not far enough to tell you anything additional.
~looking unhappy at the thought of getting in the cold water~Well I don't have any problem getting in first. I'll give one end of my rope to Donos to hold and tie the other end to myself. Assuming it's not TOO deep, I'm only 4'5" after all, I should be able to make it across and then Char and Maqej can use the rope to come across and then Donros can tie it to Ben and put Ben on his shoulders and come across.
~looks around~Any other ideas? Otherwise let's get our impromptu bath over with...
Assuming no other ideas, ties off one end of the rope and hands the other to Donros but addresses Ben, Make sure your uncle doesn't let go lad. I don't fancy taking a swim with all this gear on. ~smiles grimly and heads into the water~ YAAAAH! That is freaking COLD!
The river sweeps Dolgrin off his feet and begins to pull Donos towards the water but he digs in his heels and hauls Dolgrin back to the shore.
On his second attempt Dolgrin keeps his feet and makes it across. With Dolgrin on one end and Donos on the other end with rope between them the rest of the party is able to cross.
The river picks up steam again and Donos is swept off his feet but Dolgrin quickly pulls him ashore.
Everyone is wet and cold. DC6 Fortitude save for everyone. -2 for Maqej
Bring it on!
The chill is too much for Maqej in his fevered state. He collapses to the ground exhausted. (-3 on all rolls now)
Char comes over and takes a look at him, then looks at Dolgrin and the others and says, "We camp here for the night, the river will serve as some protection as nothing should be able to get at us from that side."
Char then helps make Maqej as comfortable as possible.
Maqej gets +4 on his next DC12 Fort save to beat the disease he got from the rat, of course he also gets a -3. She also places a fortune hex on Maqej so he can make his saving throw twice and take the better result.
*For anyone interested used CMB/CMD for river crossing.
Wish I was working in the forges now! Stone that's cold...
Get some sleep Maqej. Char and I will keep watch this rest. Just focus on getting better. Think about blasting some djinni with a fireball or something.
Ben, come over here. Time to get some training in before you rest.~continue to work with the lad primarily on hand position and overall conditioning; when the boy complains that he doesn't feel he's learning anything~Listen lad, at this point you won't be able to kill a foe with any single blow unless you are Desna's scion himself and that I doubt if you are stuck wandering the Dark with us. That means that you are going to have be able to keep your strength long enough to wear down your foe, all while not getting killed yourself. The first part of that is building your strength and endurance. Now, first position. Begin!
Char, wake up it's your watch.
"I am up Dolgrin, get some rest."
The night passes without event.
"Everyone up, time to eat, then we need to move."
Majeq still needs to make his save: Maqej gets +4 on his next DC12 Fort save to beat the disease he got from the rat, of course he also gets a -3. Char placed a fortune hex on Maqej so he can make his saving throw twice and take the better result.
thanks for the hex!
You look better after some rest Maqej! Let's get ready to go. I'm almost done with Ben's morning session. looks back at Ben No lad, you keep your hands up high; like this, see? That way you can add the weight of your weapon to the blow. Keepin your blade down is only for when you are fighing defensively, OR when you WANT your foe to think you are fighting defensively. Sometimes tricky is smart...
Char looking over Maqej: "You do look much better this morning, good. Let's move out."
You make good time during your morning march. The group notices very little of note. No one else notices but Dolgrin grumbles at lunch that the cavern while continuing North has started to veer slightly towards the East and slightly downward. He believes that his clan is actually a bit West of due North and more towards the surface.
Party's action:
Give me perception and survival rolls for the afternoon.
~grumbling~This isn't right. Stone! We should be going North still and up, not down and East. Curse my luck-orcs, surfacers, end of the world, now this...GRRRRR.
"Thanks, I do feel a little bit better. Still feel like my heads in a fog, though."
Char: "What are you doing Dolgrin? Shouldn't we be moving on?"
~scowling at Char~Quit your yapping woman! Stone! It's getting so a man can't spend two seconds making sure what's what without your mouth running.
~points behind where the party camped~See there? Those are fresh tracks from two different giant rats. That means they are following us AND were able to make it past the river. That's not good for us; not good at ALL. In all my years I've never seen that kind of vermin follow a trail like this. That means they either swam through that current, unlikely at best, or they made a treacherous climb across the ceiling. Something is directing and driving them no doubt about it and that spells trouble for us. Ben keep close to your uncle. Maqej and Char, make sure you are extra wary on this day's journey. NOW let's go your highness....
Fresh rolls for the day-
I'll double back a few times during the first half of the day to see if I can catch any sight of what's following us. If I see a good ambush spot we will set one up and try and make the hunter the hunted!
muttering "Damn dwarf, has the people skills of a rock."
During your afternoon march, Char and Maqej keep looking behind for any rats but don't see anything. Dolgrin doubles back a few times and sees signs that the rats continue to track the party but doesn't see the rats themselves. They must be backing off whenever he doubles back.
Maqej seems to have completely shaken whatever was infecting him.
The cavern appears to have returned to a Northward direction and has leveled out.
Near quitting time for the day, you find a side passage from the cavern that is about 15' wide and goes back about 35' before ending.
Check for secrete openings, traps, goblin doors, etc. before setting up camp.
"Stonecunning: Dwarves gain a +2 bonus on Perception checks to notice unusual stonework, such as traps and hidden doors located in stone walls or floors. They receive a check to notice such features whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not they are actively looking."
Take 10 or 20 if applicable.
~during Ben's training~No lad. Like I showed you before high to low. EVERY time! Give me 30 push ups and sprint the cave three times and then we'll try again. Yes I KNOW you are tired! You think some huge cave rat is going to give you a breather? No? Then neither am I, now get down there. I want to see you kiss the stone!
~at mealtime~Maqej, tell me more of the surface world. I have only been there a few times and can't imagine what it must be like to live there much less as the scion of an efreeti!
"Well, living on the surface as an efreeti is a lot of people looking at you suspiciously. I don't let it get me down though. Humans can't help but being suspicious."
Why suspicious? Aren't Efreeti supposed to be good luck and grant wishes? I would think you would be welcomed anywheres; especially anywhere that has to do with fire and such. Like forges or smithing. You would be darned handy there, no doubt. Maybe you could get a job as an ambassador for a red dragon or something...
Ben panting out of breath after running through the cave walks up to Char.
Ben: "Dolgrin is mean."
Char: "He's just used to being alone, he doesn't know how to talk to people."
Ben panting out of breath after running through the cave walks up to Char.
Ben: "Dolgrin is mean."
Char: "He's just used to being alone, he doesn't know how to talk to people."
[dice=perception on watch]1d20 +2
~keeps his tongue still as he knows that he does what he must to teach the lad how to survive in the Dark, but gives Char a look that says 'I bet you had worse coming up a hobgoblin than I'll ever show this boy'~
There are no secret doors, the cave is just a cave.
During first watch, Maqej is startled by a wave of attacking rats, 1 attacks him and 4 more scurry by him into the cave towards his sleeping companions!
Maqej: Is caught flat footed and receives a vicious bite to the leg.
A voice shouts out from the main cavern:
"Wakey, wakey my friends, I have a surprise for you!"
The shout gives the companions enough notice that they are not completely surprised at the onslaught of rats, but they are still struggling to their feet, grabbing nearby weapons as the rats strike.
Dolgrin's armor turns the bite meant for him.
Char leaps to her feet but can't avoid the slavering jaws of a giant rat.
Donos is slower to rise and the rat bites his arm as he sits up and gropes for his massive club in the dark.
Ben thinking quickly grabs his everburning torch and speaks the command word "spark" shedding some light, in his other hand he holds his dagger in a defensive manner as Dolgrin has taught him but not until after a rat has bitten his leg.
Party's action.
Dang those bastards are sneaky, cast mage armor on myself
Seeing the rat bite Ben, Dolgrin screams out Get away from him you filthy critter!
Clearly rattled by seeing his protege bitten his flail flies wide.
Dang those bastards are sneaky, cast mage armor on myself
Isn't that if I'm injured while trying to cast the spell? I was caught flat-footed, didn't try casting til after damage. That's the way I read it.
No concentration checks needed unless indicated by DM.
Dolgrin's rat bites him.
You hear a shrill whistle.
"Well done my pets, back to me now, don't dawdle."
The rats retreat as quickly as they attacked.
"Well my friends, I hope you accept my gift this time. It would be best if you didn't fight it or take the craven's way out like the lad's father, it's a new world, you shouldn't fear to evolve. Don't worry, I shan't bother you again tonight, sweet dreams." You hear laughter and the scurrying of rats fade away into the cavern.
Party's action. Dolgrin, you can strike at the rat that bit you as it runs off.
Well, we were all bitten. That doesn't bode well.
PA
Come on back you whistling wuss! I've got more of that for you and your rat friends.
Double move to the where the passages intersect. I know I can't catch up to them, just want to see if I can get a head count and see what direction they went.
Afterwards, come back and check on Ben, Your first scar. Congratulations! Always be proud of your scars. Each one is a testament to your victory. ~seeing Ben look at him curiously at calling this a 'victory'~ Boy, every time you come out of a fight alive you win. Life itself is the victory because it means you always have a chance. Never forget that. EVER.
Char, can you do anything for Donos? He looks to have taken the worst of things. What the hells did that voice mean about evolving? I'd like to see him face me straight up and watch his face evolve into a puddle of mess... Maqej, why don't you get some shut eye. I'm to wired up to sleep now. I'll take the rest of the watch.
if needed
Dolgrin ventures out into the cavern and sees at least a dozen rats and a large shadowy figure moving quickly back into the portion of the cavern that you traveled through earlier in the day.
Char heals everyone back to full using her healing hex.
No more visits that night.
Char: "Whatever it was that called out made reference to your father Ben. Have you seen or heard from this creature before? Was your father sick before his death?"
Ben shaking: "His voice reminds me of a night when we first came into the caverns, but my Da said I just had a nightmare and told me to go back to sleep, I don't think he was sick."
Char to Dolgrin/Maqej: "The rats left as soon as we were all bitten. Evolve? I don't like this one bit, i suspect whatever disease they carry is way beyond the filth fever that these vermin usually spread."
In the morning DC14 Fort saves for all!
All right. Wake up you slugs. Time to get moving.
Wait to see Ben's roll. If he's fine I work him hard as ever. If he seems sick, I act even tougher and meaner (more yelling and verbal abuse) but I don't work him physically near as hard.
That was a trait reroll, woot!
[dice=Fort]1d20 + 3
[dice=fortsecondchance]1d20 + 3That was a trait reroll, woot!
Ben
Char
Donros
Ben and Donros wake in the morning with runny bloodshot eyes and fevers, Ben's entire face is very flush. It definitely appears to be affecting Ben more severely than Donros.
Char
Ben: "I don't feel good this morning, I'm too sick to practice Dolgrin. Right Char?"
Char: "I'll take you at your word lad."
Char whispered to Dolgrin: "I've never seen anything like it and I lived in these caverns and tended my tribe's sick for decades."
~holding Ben's hand to feel his pulse and strength It's alright boy. You just rest. We can practice when you feel better. For now just watch my forms as I practice alone. Step THEN thrust! goes about morning excercises and positions to demonstrate proper technique to Ben as well to exhaust his frustrations over being helpless to do anything~
~to Char Can they travel today? If it was just Ben we could carry him, but I don't look forward to the day I have to haul Donros' hide around. He's a biggun and no mistake! Otherwise, I could scout ahead a half a day and see what the trail holds. If you think it better that we stay here together, I'm fine with that as well.
"I think it best if we move on, though we may have to slow our pace a bit."
I've never seen anything like it either.
You make it to your mid day rest stop. Donos seems unfazed by the sickness but Ben is clearly exhausted as he slumps to the ground as soon as Dolgrin calls for a halt of your march.
Char seems subdued and after checking on Ben remains more quiet than normal.
Any actions during your stop?
~grumbles about the feeble constitution of non-dwarves~
I've done all I can for you without proper equipment or supplies. What you really need is a series of good fresh meals and a place to rest without having to worry about rat attacks. Donos, either you or I will need to carry Ben. I don't know how tired you are but I can take him no problem, I just won't be able to scout ahead.
If Donos seems to tired to carry his nephew then I carry him and stay with the group.
Base Speed: (Slow and Steady) Dwarves have a base speed of 20 feet, but their speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.