Wedding Amok!! A Hommlet Tsle [Temple of Elemental Evil] (Inactive)

Game Master Critzible

Looking up, Boram smiles and waves. The offer of tea sounded wonderful, and they had been walking a bit. Almost accepting the offer, he remembers how difficult it was getting everyone moving once they'd stopped, so he shakes his head 'no,' adding, "Thank you, but we have a long way to travel." He gestures towards the roof, "We'd seen the damage to your roof, may I assume that was caused by the Manticore?"

" Ah yes, it is. If you arent staying, then you kust be after the bandits. Youll need these." she says as she then dissappears dor a minute. Shifting conrinues to happen as she then returns with two vials of yellowish oil.

" Here deary are two healing ointments. Apply to the body. Made it when people spoke of trying to get healing potions down the throats of the unconcious loses too much luquid. So medicinal oil will work better"

She grins then follows it up. " Dont drink it. It will induce vomiting and make you sick for a week"

The others had gone to the house to see Aunt Agnes, and Jairdan was looking around with the others, trying to make sense of the size of a creature that could make holes like that. They were looking to Elmo for clues, having an idea of what it might look like, but not having seen any, except for illustrations. Then again, they doubted that there would be one too close, or it would be trouble that they might not survive. Since it seemed like they would be a few minutes, they took their pack off, leaning on it and resting, since this was a lot of exercise in as many days.

Terion stepped forward, his eyes reflecting both determination and concern. "Aunt Agnes, we appreciate your generosity and the ointments you’ve provided. They will surely be of great help."

He took a moment to glance at the group, ensuring they were all prepared and in position. Turning back to Agnes, he continued, "We’re not just here by chance. Herrod, the father of the young healer Dawn, asked us to check on you. He’s very concerned for your safety and mentioned that you might need assistance."

He gestured to the roof, "Seeing the damage, we can tell that you’ve had a close encounter. Herrod said you’ve been having monster trouble and haven’t been able to come to town. We’re here to help you deal with these threats and ensure your safe return to town. Herrod has room for you, and it would greatly benefit Dawn to have you there to guide her in her healing abilities."

Not being the smartest hobbit in the shire tool in the shed, it took Boram a second to work out that this Aunt Agnes was that Aunt Agnes. As the light bulb went off Boram released a non-verbal 'ahhhhh'.

Pausing for a moment to see if anyone will recommend taking the Aunt to town now or recommend waiting to take her to town once they return victorious from routing the bandits from the old mill.

"He does does he?" the old woman says and chuckles.

'Seems he thinks I can't outlast a Manticore and some bandits eh! Stubborn old Goat!!!" She says as she seemed to get agitated.

"Tell that stubborn pigheaded fool that I ain't movin' in with him. if he wants Dawn to get me to teach her then he needs to realize his durn'd feelin's for Vera his neighbor. The Widow and him had feelings when they were younger, Fool went and married some adventurer though and Vera married Kenneth Black. Vera loved Herrod, and Herrod Loved Vera, but alas until now Vera was married and Herrod well, married alot!!! Durned fool!" She said and sighed.

"Understood" - Terion nodded.

Since Aunt Agnes does not seem inclined to accompany us, I say we press onward toward the bandits investigation.

Chuckling at the old woman's response, Boram wonders what it will take to get her to go back to town with them when they return. Hopefully the bandits will have enough gold or something of value that they can spare to bribe the old woman. Nodding politely, Boram adds. "We'll take you up on that tea when we return from dealing with the Bandits."

Nudging Terion he turns back towards the road where the others waited, figuring if Herala was leaving that Freya would soon follow.

Herala would call out, knowing she had some standing with the older woman, if from village rumor. " Aunt Agnes, please be careful okay? We only care about your safety, so any information you can give us may be beneficial. If you want, and do not mind, perhaps we could trouble you for the tea now, and take care of the manticore also? Is it a big one? It could pose a danger to us traveling, any help is nice."

Herala tries to get her point that if the manticore tries to attack this house normally, it should be nearby and a danger to them currently. Best to take it out now while they can, then fight bandits. It would not hurt to get some experience together either. She would tell the others " If it comes at us while we deal with bandits, we all may die. Best to get it here where we know it comes, rather than at night in camp."

" Thank you, seriously. Shoukd you come back this way stop in for tea and cookies" she says as she waves you all on your way. She was a strange sort, but all in all warm and welcoming. You know aside from the Crossbow at rhe door.

Once you all have sais farewells to Aunt Agnes, the road beckons. About an hour passes and the trodden path dotted with old paving stones falls to grass. Elmo shifts from his axe to a long knife.

Freya heads ro the front, slipping her bow back into the quiver as she takes her unique blade Cleaver and begins to hew through the thick grass.

This begins to impede you as what you were gaining on the path in an hour you were now gaining in three hours. Strangely Dusk hits and the thick grass opens back to rough weather shorn paving stones and dirt.

What do you do adventurers, Dusk is upon you. What do you do

As the group reached the end of the thick grass and stepped back onto the rough paving stones, Terion glanced at the sky, noting the encroaching darkness.

"Elmo, Freya, you've got the most experience in the wilds. What do you think? Is there a safe place nearby where we can set up camp and shield ourselves from the storm?"

I suggest we make camp with the same watches as before.

Elmo and Freya look at each other then begin to make stances in thought.

" Well," Freya says as she points over Elmo's head and gestures."About forty yards that way is a hillock, known as the Miser's Mound. It should have an old mine entrance to hide in though...Monsters like to dwell there"

Elmo blinked and looked around before he shook his head.'Unless we can weave some grass huts quickly...that's the only option." the Ranger says as he sighs and begins to head that direction cutting through the thick grass and brush.

Finding walking through grass taller than himself disconcerting, Boram is relieved to be back on the rough paving stones. furrowing his brow when he hears the only shelter is a mine, he tries to play light of the situation, by adding, "Well we're not monsters, but hopefully the majordomo will let us a room." Gesturing that direction, "Lead on fair Freya."

"Let's go"

"Why me?" the blonde asks as she then sighs.

" Fine, follow me but weapons ready okay" Elsa says as she began to move into the brush. her hands grip the hand and growls something in orc. The blade elongates as she goes into the brush.

Swaths of grass and brush fly into the air. She growls and grunts her way through the brush until she finds a foot path. She scuttles along the game trail stopping at another thicket where she hews through more.

An hour passes until it becomes hilly. Eventually rounding into the area outside old tracks for the mine."We are here, someone with darkvision pop in and see what's what"

With that she says something else in Orcish and the cleaver became an actual cleaver.

Herala perks up, and says a bit sheepishly, not wishing to be judged to harshly for it, but she speaks saying " I.. I can see in the dark. You promise to show me that magic trick you did with that cleaver okay? I'll be back, but if I come running out, perhaps be ready to attack whatever follows. Though hopefully nothing to bad."

Herala would then shift from her crossbow to having her mace out, and would try her best to move to the mine without making all the noise in the world, but she was not the most stealthy person they had. But with a set of her shoulders, and ensuring that her curls were tied back as best she could manage, she would creep towards the entrance, and hope she isn't the loudest thing.

first roll due to disadvantage: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
second roll due to disadvantage: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Terion is a bit puzzled by Herala's actions, even more so when they have Boram, a self proclaimed burglar, with them. With a shrug, he dismisses his concerns, and waits.

"Why me?" the blonde asks as she then sighs.

Eventually rounding into the area outside old tracks for the mine."We are here, someone with darkvision pop in and see what's what"

Raising an eyebrow as Herala moves forwards, Boram looks from the half elf towards Terion. Shrugging he looks up at Freya, "Don't worry, I'll keep her safe."

Moving along with the priestess, Boram keeps as quiet as he can. Reaching the edge of the cave, he asks, "What do you see?"

stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Knowing that he wasn’t even close to being ‘stealthy’, the dwarf held his ground. He concentrated on the mine, watching it intently for any sign of danger. He certainly liked the idea of sheltering there, but he was well aware that both beast and monster alike would recognize the shelter for what it was.

"Oh I thought you just wanted to see my butt" She says with a wink.

At the Entrance. Elmo pops up and stands by the entrance, Freya does the same. Elmo also pulls out a few small spheres and shakes them. As he does he waits as they begin to glow faint blue light until it duplicates a summer day.

"Here these are glow globes, speak the Word Wisp and they will float about you" As he does one hovers over him.

All in all this area is about 8o feet across and 20 feet high. This is clear aside some obvious sign of spiders, insects and rodents. Three tunnels are available with one having an operational cart and track.

You can explore this section with Perception or Investigation, You can investigate anything in here, Using any Skills you want. I can try to answer them based off your rolls. most is DC10 for basic info.

Rolling his eyes at Freya, Boram considered making a comment, but decides there was reason that quiet halflings lived longer.

Blinking as Elmo produces some very magical glowing globes. he takes their 'local drunk' up on his offer. Moving near he speaks the word, "Wisp"

Moving in to the cave, he quickly begins to explore the large area. Making a note of the three 'branches' he figures once they make sure the larger cave is clear they can decide if they want to explore the caves.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Near Kardin, Jairdan also tried to keep an eye out for things that may have been hostile, or more specifically the Manticore, though there was not much that they thought could be done to outright deter such a creature. Sneaking was something that they had little experience in, and did not want to be the cause of something being alerted to their presence. Was there anything out there?
________________________________________
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Jairdan what are you inspecting, the tunnels with Boram, the cavern, or the mysterious pile of discarded rock?

Perception piles of rock: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Kardin moved forward upon seeing there was no immediate threat. With weapon in hand, he went about assisting in seeking what was present.

Int for a knowledge check to see if he can figure out what, if anything, is currently living there? For example, do the cobwebs look like they are from giant spiders or normal sized ones?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Having quickly moved around the cave checking the other three entrances, Boram notes the difference in the level of spider webs. Moving back to the others, he gestures towards the cave with the mining cart. "The cave with the mining cart has the least cobwebs, in my mind indicating possible traffic."

He gestures towards the one with the thick webs. "That one has really thick webs, not just cobwebs. I recommend we avoid it unless we want to try and kill a mess of spiders."

Like all halflings he's afraid of spiders. Not the little ones small enough to step on or swat, but the ones the size of a wagon. He hopes the cave isn't big enough to hold a wagon sized spider, but he'd rather not go looking.

"Aye." Kardin agreed. "Looking at the webs, there seem to have been a couple of large ones here in the past, but the webs be old. But there do be a ton of the creepy crawlies here. I'd wager that the largest be about as big as me hand." He said, holding his hand up to show the others. "If we stay here, we need a solid watch over those who sleep. Not just for threats, but to ensure that we can rest well with these about." Looking around, he added "Quartz be here, with some metal. Nothing excavated with care, and Boram be right about the foot traffic."

He shook his head and sighed. "This be just fine as a place to shelter from the weather. But...let's be well and truly wary. Get plenty of light in here as well, make sure everyone can see well and true."

Herala face drains as the thought of spiders, and while she tries to hide it, Jairdan and Terion both know she is afraid of them, and the others probably do now too. Freya might even remember, because there was one time Herala set fire to a barn outbuilding because a spider dropped in her hair, and she threw a torch at it. She swears she had been attacked by the queen of all spiders, but that was a bit hard to believe.

" So you are saying it is much safer outside? Well that is just a shame, but I suppose it can not be helped. I think we should set a big fire ring around us tonight, to ensure nothing will sneak up on us, and we will be able to see anything that will approach us." She stammers out, while she had elected to look first, she hadn't looked at the one containing spiders, just the empty cavern really. She wasn't experienced enough to look into the tunnels, just the main room. A mistake she hopes to not make again, as something could have came out the tunnels and she miss it.

She is however slightly backing out of the tunnels, clearly not wishing to be near spiders.

Jairdan noted that Kardin caught the footprints around the cart and had a reassuring smile for Herala, completely understanding her desire to not have the attention of any spider, ever. Much less being swarmed as night fell and they became more active. A thought did occur, and a frown accompanied a distant look as details were attempted to be recalled. It really depended on what size the spiders were, but everything living ate something, and it was hard not to think of the spiders as a deterrent keeping something in.

Reading up on the history of the area was something that they had not done to any significant degree, so while they were a bit curious about why the mine was in this state, they instead set about clearing the are as best they could, minor magics clearing the ground and cobwebs in preparation for their camp. Nature was a lot of things, and this was a border between ecologies of the hills outside, and the underground inside.

As they cleaned, a whisper of a prayer hoped that the inhabitants were small and comparatively benign.
______________________________________

thunder and rain could be heard, not right out side but close and moving closer. Wind begins to pick up and blow. The entrance has a faint whistle and whip sound.

You all begin to make preparations for hunkering down in this old spot. As you begin to build a small fire, the rain and thunder comes. Faintly you hear a string of dwarven curses coming from the center cavern. As they do, they are coming closer and closer. Similarly light can be seen faintly at the bottom of the long cavern.

Terion stands watch at the entrance to the cave.

Chuckling at Herala's responce to the 'threat' of spiders, Boram, nods, "A small fire wouldn't hurt I suppose."

As he busied himself trying to build a fire from the different torches people offered, Boram hears the cursing from the center cavern. Recognizing the words a dwarvish, he looked towards Kardin, asking "Should we call out, let whoever it is know we are here?"

Herala is a bit to close to the fire, clearly using it to keep any spiders from her. They didn't like fire, at least she lived under that theory. She was a bit too close though, likely her abnormal heritage to give her some advantage to avoid to much heat from it. She was not a fan clearly of the spiders, despite her ability to see in the dark. " Perhaps we should, but I am not sharing my fire. Well... I will share it, but we must make it bigger. Let to keep out the eight legged fri... the cold. Keep out the cold." She mutters something about spiders being good for torching and nothing else.

"OWE OWE OWE!!!!" One of the voices cries out as it gets closer. In fact a dwarf in shoddy leather, and old dented helm and well a old pick axe comes flying up into the clearing with his pants smoking!

"Dammit Daggit I have to put alcohol on it!" Says another dwarf in a poor chain shirt, a chain coif and a shovel. As he comes in holding a wineskin of alcohol.

As he sees the others he makes for the cart and hides behind it.'This is our mine! Okay! Daggit, get over here or the slime will eat what little backside you have left!"

Kardin burst out laughing as the dwarves appeared. ”What a fooking relief!” He said. Getting to his feet he held up his hands in a sign of peace. ”Name’s Kardin, Clan Shieldshatter. We’re just sheltering before moving on, we make nay claim to this mine.” So long as they remained civil he added ”Who be ye, prospectors?”

Rolling his eyes at Herala's desire for a bigger fire, Boram watches as the two dwarves emerge from the cave. Surprised their first reaction is to hide, Boram's glad his cousin started talking to them. Not that dwarves are xenophobic or anything, they just do better when their talking to other dwarves. It's like they have their own language or something.

Pointing to the stewpot with the stem of his pipe he offers, "Have some stew. Since you're sharing your cave, the least we can do is share our supper."

The one with the wineskin goes over and pours the liquor on the green slime that is spreading over the dwarfs backside. Daggit who was the one now relieved of the gelatinous invader seemed to be lost in that feeling.

"Oh right then, I be Dinger and he be Daggit, both of the Coalfist clan. We've been here, o' about a month now. Durned slew a few spiders, a rat or two, but I warn ya' this here ol' mine seems t' have its own issues." before Dinger could finish the other dwarf Daggit spoke.

"Probably why we got it so cheap, were the shrine and 'em jellys'"

" Yea' specially, when the tunnels be rich with ore! Electrum, Mithral and a variety of other minerals and gems. Just...the Shrine n jellys" Dinger replied a bit sorrowful as he goes over to one of the turned over carts and produces two rusty looking shovels. he taps them together and they turn into hand axes. he tosses one to Daggit and they slip them into their belts. Daggit then grabs crude stone clubs and they sit them beside themselves.

" As for the claim and what not, Me and Dinger don't worry to much. Been a poor investment so far. Thought the worst would be spiders and rats, but these damned jellies and the shrine definitely put a cramp into increasing our operation. The Shrine is near large deposits of Electrum and Mithral. Sadly the Jellies lair there. The funny thing is the shrine ain't to the Lady, but something else. It also is strange craftsmanship. Like no tools were used." Daggit said as he took some of the stew and began to eat.

" If ye want while the storm is a brewin'" Dinger said pointing to the near black entrance that clearly was showing a down pour.

"To hunker down, be our guest. We just ain't sure of safety til them jellies are gone. So be on guard. Though if ye want to help rid us, the best we can promise is 10% of our haul, be in ore, mineral or profit." The dwarf says as he too gets a bowl.

Guys, I am not sure how successful we can be against jellies. Absolutely no idea. But if this would be something we could help them with now, and continue on our journey in the morrow, Terion would be up for it. I guess it depends on the amount of jellies?

"Well met Master Dwarves Dinger and Daggit Coalfist. I am Terion from Hommlet" - he introduces himself - "How many jellies are we talking about here? A night's work?"

Herala takes a moment to warm up to the dwarves that came in, but after a few moments she seems to get into the idea. They were just honest workers, and she always prefered the honest kind. Much better than those store owners they had met, they rubbed her the wrong way. She greets them, though she tries to make sure her horns are well hidden in her hair first. " Hello, I am Herala, also from Hommlet. I would much leave you to both your profit and the metals, but it seems you have a jelly problem. How about we help clear out the jellies, say for a 75 percent stake in your claim? And you can even show me this... shrine? Right a shrine?"

Everyone in the group knew Herala had zero interest in the metals, given her bigger interest in this shrine the dwarves both mention, but she was not sure what all these brothers would know of it, nor its true purpose. Best to keep her interest on the down low for now. She turns to Freya to even booster her position " You never mentioned any working mines, are you trying to surprise me one day with a mine of my own?" The words said one thing, but she was fishing for information on what could be in the mines they didn't know, even rumors would work.

"75 percent...We, erm, 25 percent" Dinger says slapping his hand over Daggits mouth. The other dwarf blinked and grumbled and growled under the hand.

"Only two, now that the green slime is gone" Dinger says pulling his hand away from Daggit.It was an admission he didn't like.

"Happened when we moved into a hidden breach. its beautifully carved, but to some god or being we've never seen or heard of. Well recognize as the stone is still pristine but eh the runes ain't any language me or Daggit know" The dwarf Dinger says.

"If you do help us you can get a stake in the Mine. It is still viable, but the spiders and I assume this shrine are the real problem"

Freya blinks as she looks at Herala and blushes."If their are, we can make a lovely home from the money. Our family will be set with our kids capable of living a happy healthy life! I mean there are a lot of abandoned old forts and manses. and Note worthy creatures around here. They could yield us even more wealth and opportunities!"

Elmo pipes in "We could aid the dwarven brothers and get some of the settlers to help mine giving Hommlet a new industry. Especially if locals are involved"

Listening to the conversation, Boram isn't extremely interested in the shrine and he wouldn't be much help dealing with the 'Jellies.' Eating his stew he was surprised the normally quite chimed in. Almost choking on his stew when she asked for seventy five percent, He coughs and clears his throat but says nothing.

So any idea on which direction you wish to go? Aid these dwarves or ride out the storm and then leave back to the bandits

"Now, I may be biased." Kardin said. "But I'd help these dwarves. Got a good chance to have a payout, and it'll make these lands safer to boot. We all ready to get this work done?"

Shrugging Boram chimes in, "Sure, but how do we kill the jellies?"

"Not a lot of them. Are those yellowish green and about halfling sized. Not many left. We got about..three of them popped like a bubble" Dinger says as he chuckles.

"Smash them?" Elmo says as he points to the outside.

"I think Terion left in the rain?" He says as he eats a ration like a dogged solider on downtime.

Considering their situation, with Terion heading out— back to town, maybe?– Jairdan took stock of what could be seen, and what information on slimes or jellies that they had picked up on in their readings.
_____________________________________
K.Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

You can deduce these are possibly Ochre jellies, not horrible oozes but capable for fledgling adventurers to take care of should they mind its budding ability

"Master dwarves, we shall fight them with you, but first, let us rest, that way no one is tired and unable to fight yes? At first light we take them on, together, as business partners and friends."

Willing to support his fellow adventurers, Boram nods, "Good idea Herala, we attack at first light."

"Oh thats great!!!" Daggit says as he slaps Dingers back.

"Agreed, its great"Dinger says as he then relaxes.

"We have a letter to send to our clan hold. Thane Augar Coppertooth will definitely love to see a new working mine. It won't be for a while if the prospectors that come will hopefully see the potential we do in the mine. then we will be getting e'ry ore,mineral and metal these mines can dish up!" he chuckles as Elmo seems to appear with a few peashants and Freya seems to pull out her rabbit and the pot of soup from earlier.