Sophie heard people shouting to go to the cathedral. She let out a gulp. Where's the cathedral? Hands shaking she looked over to the two elves. I think I'll just follow them, she thought as she reloaded her crossbow and checked for more charging monsters. Then suddenly, she felt the ground crumbling beneath her. No! "Help! she screamed as she fell into darkness.
She woke up sore and afraid. Crawling her way through the darkness, she whimpered, "H...hello...anyone?. Reaching for the torch in her bag, she quietly muttered "Illumina", causing it to ignite. She jumped back in horror and let out a cry, as the first thing she saw was a mangled peasant. Tears streaming down her face, she held up the torch, "Anyone?"
Action 1
As it became clear that the dragon was going to lose the battle, Kyarra felt an overwhelming, and almost personal loss. To witness this creature of goodness, of purity, being murdered by such a fell and foul entity, wounded her very soul. And when the dying dragon saved them with her magic, Kyarra bowed her head in gratitude and humility.
Having grown up as she did, surrounded by experienced elven wizards and other magic users, Kyarra wasn't fazed by the slow drop into darkness. Her sight moved from colour to greyscale, and she reached out to find her brother. She found his hand and clasped it. Their destiny was beyond her control at the moment, but whatever it was, they would meet it together.
Action 2
Kyarra went from disorientation to a state of readied alertness in moments, as she'd been trained to do. Jumping to her feet, she surveyed the dark scene and found four other survivors, and no immediate threats. Still, she drew her swords and stood ready over them. "Kyarel? You hurt?"
tag
As the girl's torch flared to life, Kyarra flinched from the light and turned her back on it. She didn't want to loose her night-eyes. As the others began to pick themselves up, she said, "Is anybody injured? Are any of those people able to be helped?" The elf trusted that the others would do what needed to be done, while she kept her eyes to the darkness of the pit and watched for danger.
Action 1
Shiro cried in loss and horror as the great wyrm was cast down from the skies, her body crushing beneath it both people seeking the shelter of the Cathedral and much of the building itself. The loss was a physical blow to the monk - how could a servant of good as powerful as a dragon be defeated? In Tian Xia, the Imperial Dragons were servants of balance and civilization, mentors and protectors of the people. Mysterious, yes, but part of the people's lives. Many were even venerated as gods, after centuries of millennia of sheltering the frail mortals under their wings.
And now, before his very eyes, a dragon was wounded. Perhaps mortally.
In the face of power like that, power capable of that, what could they possibly do?
The choice was quickly taken from him, though, as a vast portal split the earth underneath them and swallowed them whole. But even then, the magnificent silver beast sought to protect them, giving of her life birth to magic to slow their descent into darkness. Shiro raised his eyes heavenwards, a prayer of fervent thanks on his lips... a prayer that died there, as he saw the fiery sword of the demon sever her neck, plunging the whole world into darkness.
Action 2
As the others began to pick themselves up, she said, "Is anybody injured? Are any of those people able to be helped?"
The small Tian man had been quietly rocking on his knees, weeping in soul-wrenching anguish at the loss of the divine protector, but the determined female voice called him back from the abyss of grief. The dragon had spent her last spark of life seeking to protect them. To give in to despair now would be to spit on that unexpected gift.
"Alive, yes," Shiro murmured in his strangely accented voice, taking a candle from a pocket and breathing on the wick, causing it lit up, the reddish flames dancing but producing no heat nor consuming the candle, yet pushed the darkness back. "Unexpected, this. But apologies. Yes, help must be given, to those needful. In his grief, almost lost in. Now, reminded. For that, you have this one's gratitude. This monk has some skill in healing, if you bear wounds."
I, of course have things happening here but I want to give you a chance to start RPing with each other.
I'll jump in to summarize or to prompt further RPing, as needed.
Questions?
Game on!
Sophie let out a sigh of relief as other people started appearing. "I...I think they are mostly dead," she said with a quiet sniff. Then her torch landed on a half-orc whose chest was moving. "Wait! I...I think I found someone else who is alive..."
Action 1:
Eliora had no chance once the ground opened wide beneath her feet. Her armor immediately began to drag her down and then she was falling into darkness. "Noooooooooo!" she howled in frustration as she was physically removed from the battle without her consent. She tried to flip herself over and reach for the sides of the pit in order to climb out but was unsuccessful. She did notice that she was no longer falling as fast as she should but her hands still couldn't find purchase and she continued to descend.
Action 2:
About halfway through the descent, Eliora was beginning to think all was lost because she couldn't stop herself and the rift had shut which cut off her ability to climb out. Shortly after her head hit something jutting out from the wall or maybe it was some falling debris. It hit her just hard enough for her to lose consciousness.
Her body ached, especially her head. She was beginning to hear the rustlings of movement and she felt very disoriented, like she'd fallen asleep for a nap and slept far too long. She already felt groggy but then the recent events came flooding back and she sat bolt upright and raised her sword...there had been demons and she had been surrounded. Looking around wildly she scrambled to her feet and seeing individuals that weren't demons she began asking, "Does anyone need help? Did any of the demons fall with us? How long was I out?"
Sophie extended a hand. "I...I don't know about any demons...is that what they were? I sure hope not...a...and I don't know about how long either. I think I took a hit to my own head too..." She rubbed her brow. "I just don't know...But there's a few of us still alive." She gestured to the others, before sadly looking at the ground, "...and a lot beyond helpin'..."
"A lot, maybe," Kyarra said, "maybe most, maybe all. But we check. Do it quick. If they're dead, see if they have anything that can help us. Take stock. What have we got? I'm Kyarra. Assets - a bow, swords, some food and water, travelling gear." She glanced back, motioned with her head to the half-elf girl. "And you? Who are you? What are your assets?"
Sophie's nervousness and inexperience was evident, as her shot flew far above the maggots.
Just for completeness sake...
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, hit
, hit
, hit
Kyarra grunted as the creature bit her. Is it feeding on me? She would never voice such a thought aloud, but she mentally agreed with Sophie's earlier assessment of both the larvae and their situation.
Drawing one of her short swords, she slashed across the maw of the giant maggot, hoping to cut off its one natural weapon and render it defenceless, or even better, dead.
Eliora growled as the maggot bit her. Her skin felt funny around the wound for a moment but it soon passed.
In response to the maggots attack, Eliora let out a mighty yell and slashed down with her longsword, cleaving it in two.
Sophie felt her heart rate rising as she watched the half-orc and the elven woman, her protector, getting attacked by the horrible creatures. Something was going to escape her soon if she didn't get under control. Hands shaking she reloaded her crossbow and took aim. Terrified, she instinctively shut her eyes as she fired, unable to look at the outcome. However, through dumb luck, divine intervention or perhaps a ripple of her hidden magical potential, the bolt hit its mark. She opened her eyes to se that it pierced through the maggot and shockingly had not skewered Kyarra.
Ooc: maggots are dead. I will post an update tomorrow.
Kyarel cursed offering false hope. "Maybe I could read it to you? Or something?" Still, he let the thought trail off. 'That's a lot of problems with the plan.'
...
Kyarel stepped to the side, realised the crossbow wielding woman behind him had her eyes shut and kept stepping. The bolt whizzed past his head, and as he spun to shoot the maggots he realised all three had fallen.
As politely as she could, Sophie approached Lord Gwerm. "Um...personally I think it would be best if we all stayed together...if we can." She looked over at their injured, "We don't know how difficult it will be to find our way out...and we wouldn't want to risk rescuers not being able to trace our steps back to find them, now would we?" She stared at the noble with innocent eyes, but she knew full well he didn't care about any of them. She only hoped his pride would stop him short of outright admitting he wanted to leave the injured for dead.
Without waiting for Lord Gwerm to respond, she walked over to the blind elf. "Here. Take my hand and I can lead you out. The stronger people should help Anervia..." She held out her arms and helped the man up, "Don't worry the bugs are all gone now..." Though he couldn't see it, she smiled gently. Helping and calming him down was actually helping to quell her own nerves.
Sophie walked over to the silver scales, leading the blind man behind her. She felt magic emanating from them. Dragon scales? Her teacher had told her about those hadn't he? "I've heard that scales of a good dragon can carry magic energy. That if your heart is pure the dragon's spirit can protect you..." She blushed slightly, knowing she probably looked wholly unqualified to be making such statements. "Um...or so I heard..." Still she picked one up, clasped it tight in her hand and felt a little safer. "But stranger things are true..."
Action 1:
Eliora looked dismayed as Anevia continued to experience pain, "You were hurt more than Iomedae's blessing could heal. Would one of my javelins help you walk?" The half-orc unstrapped one of the weapons off her back and handed it to the woman.
The half-orc had mainly been ignorant of Lord Gwerm's selfish expectations but when he began to show anger, she responded in kind. She squared off before him and glared down at him. Her voice came out as a menacing growl, "This stuff doesn't belong to you and you have no say in how it's used. Goodness will prevail which means we help each other and no one is left behind. What's dangerous is being alone and hurt in the dark."
Action 1
"This stuff doesn't belong to you and you have no say in how it's used. Goodness will prevail which means we help each other and no one is left behind. What's dangerous is being alone and hurt in the dark."
”People… us are resources, most expansive of lords,” Shiro said, trying reason to calm the self-centered lordling. ”We not know where we are, what before us. Dangers or challenges. We need skills and knowledge, to survive.”
Action 2
"I've heard that scales of a good dragon can carry magic energy. That if your heart is pure the dragon's spirit can protect you..." She blushed slightly, knowing she probably looked wholly unqualified to be making such statements. "Um...or so I heard..." Still she picked one up, clasped it tight in her hand and felt a little safer. "But stranger things are true..."
”Wondrous,” Shiro breathed as he stepped closer to run one finger reverently over one of the scales. ”Even after death, she continues to serve and protect,” he murmured, bowing his head in deep respect. ”To leave here, in this place of darkness and ashes… great dishonor. We should take, bring back to light and life, build a shrine for her memory,” he went on, struggling with the foreign language.
Yeah, I usually would flip a coin for you guys as well but I thought that there was enough going on for you to provide input on so I let it go one more turn.
I'll move you guys along later today.
Questions?
Game on!
"My gram gram always said to keep to what's right." Sophie clutched the dragon's scale even tighter, "Even we don't know the way out...maybe if we just stay right and he'll show us the way..." She suggested earnestly, as she pointed to the rightmost passage.
Action 1:
"Agreed. If we abandon good people to demons, then the demons have already won." he turned to Gwern and explained the theology "Such an act would weigh heavily on our souls, and likely see us in the Abyss eventually. So long as we are Good our souls are safe; actual lives are secondary."
He turned to the half-orc. "You're a divine? My heart is lightened to know the gods didn't abandon us down here."
Action 2:
"I've heard that too, sort of like relics." Kyrel agreed. "They might have more power, but without a pearl I can't tell more."
"I suggest the injured walk together - if they've the strength. That means we can arm everyone else. Lord Gwerm - what weapons have you been trained in?" 'Damn humans and their eclectic weapon training. He's probably an expert in a meteor hammer or something.' he reflected, before remembering "Longswords are the weapon of the crusade's patron, are they not?"
She covered Kyarra's bite wound with her massive hand and allowed Iomedae's healing to flow through her into the elf.
Kyarra was not unused to divine healing, but was surprised to find it in this new companion. "Truly, you are a gift from your goddess. My thanks to Lady Iomedae for her blessing, and your generosity in sharing it."
"Agreed. If we abandon good people to demons, then the demons have already won." he turned to Gwern and explained the theology "Such an act would weigh heavily on our souls, and likely see us in the Abyss eventually. So long as we are Good our souls are safe; actual lives are secondary."
Disgusted, Kyarra turned her back on the selfish man. "You waste your breath, brother. He has clearly turned his back on the Brightness, and will be rewarded for his failure in the next life. As a dung beetle, perhaps. Or a flea."
Taking up one of the scales, the elven woman held it between her palms a moment, her eyes closed. She knew little of magic, but it did seem that she could feel the goodness within. Stowing it carefully away, she silently thanked the magnificent dragon for her help.
Seeing no real difference between the two paths, she nodded to Sophie. "Right it is. I suggest Eliora or I take point, with the opposite brining up the rear. Have you a preference, daughter of Iomedae?"
Action 3:
"There's no shame in not being a fighter. I'm pretty scared to fight too." Sophie said to Gwern, reassuringly. However, she gently tried to take the silver scale from his hand, "But maybe Ms. Eliora should hold onto this. She's putting herself in the most danger by leading us so bravely after all..."
"Hey, what's that?" She asked pointing to the bag.
Action 1:
Eliora looked slightly embarrassed at the sudden attention from everyone. ”I…I guess you could say I’m divine. My father raised me in the ways of Iomedae and she has chosen to work through me.” Then a look of dismay crossed her face at Kyarel’s last comment, ”I can’t imagine ever being abandoned by Iomedae. I would be severely disheartened should that ever happen.”
Action 3:
"There's no shame in not being a fighter. I'm pretty scared to fight too." Sophie said to Gwern, reassuringly. However, she gently tried to take the silver scale from his hand, "But maybe Ms. Eliora should hold onto this. She's putting herself in the most danger by leading us so bravely after all..."
Eliora briefly thought about declining the silver scale but she couldn’t help herself, she reached down and took the offered scale. ”Shiny,” she murmured to herself. What Sophie had said resonated with the half-orc. She trusted Iomedae to protect her and how she chose to provide that protection, the half-orc didn’t question. She saw the scale as a gift from her goddess.
Action 4:
Have you a preference, daughter of Iomedae?”
Eliora grinned widely, ”First into danger and last out. I will lead the way and make sure it is safe.”
Spotting the backpack, Eliora thought it was more possible resources to help their ragtag group. Years of training in the City Watch made her fairly certain she could scale the rock and retrieve it, but she didn't want to appear cocky. Halting their progression, she unstraps her rope from the side of her pack.
Action 2
He asked, “So… brother Shiro… are you skilled in weaponless martial arts or something?”
”Marital arts?” Shiro repeated, blinking, for a moment confused and concerned, but quickly realizing his own error. ”Ah! Many apologies! No, this was one a middling student at best. Kept tripping on the bo. But, chosen by a kami, the Lord of Cinders. Gifted power and purpose,” he said, smiling happily as he raised one hand and conjured holy power in the form of golden flames to dance on his fingers.
"Every day, a new adventure, full of wonder."
Action 3
[ "But maybe Ms. Eliora should hold onto this. She's putting herself in the most danger by leading us so bravely after all..."
”Offering to defend us, yes?” Shiro asked brightly, nodding his head eagerly while Sophie relieved the arrogant noble from the scale. ”Very brave. Very suitable, yes. A lord, leading from the front, first to face every danger, first to slay every beast. If you wish, this humble monk can give his scale, take a place at the back instead,” he went on, offering Horgus the scale he had picked up, although hoping the man would decline the offer to lead the group into the unknown. While respect for his betters was bred into a Tian citizen, it didn’t mean the respect had to be blind, that he wasn’t aware of the way the man seemed concerned only of his own well-being.
Action 4
Yes, it's athletics and a rope would not help in this case.
BTW, I've added a couple of resources in the campaign tab (a player's and a DM's cheat sheet).
I know the site still is a work-in-progress but I would like to recap today...
Questions?
Game on!
”Offering to defend us, yes?” Shiro asked brightly, nodding his head eagerly while Sophie relieved the arrogant noble from the scale. ”Very brave. Very suitable, yes. A lord, leading from the front, first to face every danger, first to slay every beast. If you wish, this humble monk can give his scale, take a place at the back instead,” he went on, offering Horgus the scale he had picked up, although hoping the man would decline the offer to lead the group into the unknown. While respect for his betters was bred into a Tian citizen, it didn’t mean the respect had to be blind, that he wasn’t aware of the way the man seemed concerned only of his own well-being.
Oblivious to anything but his inflated ego, the lord took the scale offered to him.
"Well, I don't think you grasp the language well enough to understand fully." he slowed down and raised his voice, "I said that I lead from the back of the lines. I am very important in planning so yes, I will keep this from the dragon."
He scoffed, "They were all probably meant for me anyway. She did save me, right?"
tag?
Action 4:
Have you a preference, daughter of Iomedae?”Eliora grinned widely, ”First into danger and last out. I will lead the way and make sure it is safe.”
Spotting the backpack, Eliora thought it was more possible resources to help their ragtag group. Years of training in the City Watch made her fairly certain she could scale the rock and retrieve it, but she didn't want to appear cocky. Halting their progression, she unstraps her rope from the side of her pack.
Anevia shook her head, "I don't think it's worth the risk. That's a nasty fall and we all know what falling can do to you. One lame person is enough."
Horgus laughed, "Some of us managed better and besides, this is a trained city guard we are talking about. They do this before breakfast, right?"
He turned to Eliora, "C'mon soldier. Get that backpack. I need to start having some inventory to manage."
tag?
Action 1:
Kyarel looked on the guard for a second with surprise. "Pardon. I didn't mean to upset you." he paused a fraction of a second and then spoke his mind. "But we - trapped down here in a dark cave filled with twisted bugs - are the fortunate ones! Hundreds of people just perished."
Action 3:
"If we want to wait I cold probably conjure a servant to retrieve it. Dumb, stupid and slow, but tossing a backpack down seems something they could do." Kyarel offers.
Kyarra ignored the words coming from Horgus. As far as she was concerned, he no longer existed. Unless, of course, he did something to endanger one of the others.
The elf nodded at Kyarel's suggestion. "Yes, that seems safer. I would rather do things safe than fast."
Eliora brushed off Anevia's concerns about falling. "You got hurt falling a long way down. If I lose my grip, which is doubtful, I'll only suffer a scratch." With that, Eliora started climbing up to retrieve the mystery bag.
OOC: Eliora is right. The backpack is on a ledge so you do not need to climb to continue further east at this time.
Kyarel was talking about casting the spell as a 'ritual', which does not use up his spell slot but takes 10 minutes to cast.
A 'short rest' takes at least 1 hour and I'm only allowing two such rests (at most) before a 'long rest' is needed.
However, there will be no rest because Eliora climbed to get the pack so Horgus is happy that the group is collecting loot he can 'manage'. :)
@Shiro: you can bring that ability of yours (cast your spells and recover them with a short rest) IC.
I'll work on the recap...
Questions?
Game on!
Sophie let out a whimper of dissent as the half-orc climbed out onto the rocks, but was only able to bite her nails as she watched. Surprisingly the guard returned unharmed and Sophie was thoroughly impressed by her athleticism and heroism. Sophie's face filled with concern as Horgus lay claim to the potion. I wouldn't be surprised if secretly drinks it because he scraped his knee...and we have other people who are seriously hurt already. However, she hadn't risked her life for the items. It wasn't her place to take them from him. I just need to focus on being as helpful as I can...and not setting anything on fire.
She looked at the campfire with interest. "People have been here. That's good right? Maybe its a mine for the city?" she asked the others with hopeful eyes, that quickly fell to the pile of bones. Less confidently she added, "Maybe we are close to finding our way out..."
Action 2
Kyarra shook her head when Horgus laid claim to the potion. "Only those concerned with the good of the group are to be trusted with resources." She made no claim to take it herself, however, and trusted that one of the other fighters would do so.
Action 3
The site of the disturbed "camp" gave Kyarra a prickly feeling in the back of her neck. Holding out one arm, she said, "Hold. Let me check it out."
Picking her way carefully forward, she tried to determine what had happened here.
Action 2:
Horgus extended his hand, “As I’ve said, I am
experienced in managing supplies so I’m certainly the most qualified to keep hold of the potion and other valuables.”
He smiled, “Don’t worry. I won’t drink it unless necessary.”
Eliora let out a hearty laugh and slapped the man on the back to send him sprawling. "You need to eat more and gain strength before you can carry more weight. You will struggle to carry and slow us down. I will carry the second pack because I am strong. It is no bother at all."
Action 3:
"People have been here. That's good right? Maybe its a mine for the city?"
Eliora looked at the remains of the camp trying to determine why it was here. "Are we sure it was people?" She moved over to get a better view of the bones and equipment.
Eliora looked at the remains of the camp trying to determine why it was here. "Are we sure it was people?" She moved over to get a better view of the bones and equipment.
"More like human that the creatures we have seen," Shiro said, keeping his distance so as not to mess up any tracks the others might find. Instead, he chose to keep watch, eyeing the tunnel they had just come through, as well as the limited light available allowed.
"The left turn we passed... connect with the other passage from the first room? We should check before moving on. Enemies at out back... bad business."
"Also, this monk has healing blessings," he added. "Can not return sight, nor mend broken leg... likely... but can help. And bless again, after a bit of rest. Another blessing, stronger but takes more to recover. We have a moment now, if you are still in pain?" he offered, nodding at Eliora and Kyarra in turn.
Kyarel carefully explains the contents to Aravashnial, determined the blind wizard not be left guessing. "Flint and Steel. Two flasks of... oil, I think. Huh. That's a stroke of luck. I think that's probably a healing potion. The Crusade alchemists often tint them red for easy identification. Also..." he points to the rations out of habit "Food. That's likely to be helpful if we're down here for a while."
Suddenly worried he turns to the others "Is anyone carrying water? We can last a lot longer without food than without water. We should keep an ear out."
Action 3:
Kyarel's keen eyes are turned on the darkness, looking for threats - or clues. "Those bones a midden, or the owner?" he asked his sister quietly.
"I have some water..." Sophie replied quietly to Kyarel, not really wanting to advertise it to Lord Entitlement. "I got a waterskin for traveling...and I filled it up at the inn last night...It don't know how long it will last for this many people though..."
Action 3:
Sophie gulped, "Not people...? Not even maybe, messy dwarves or something? But what would that mean?" She gave the others a concerned look, not really wanting to know the answer to her own question. "Maybe we should just keep moving..."
"I've a waterskin. I filled it up this morning, haven't used it much so far - just a few sips." Kyarel volunteers his own supply.
Kyarra examined the bones and tried to determine what happened here.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!