Argatha's page

Argatha is quiet. Everyone wants to go off in different directions.

He finally says, "We can do the furnace later if that's the will, but let's do something now. Sounds like the tunnels are of interest to the group, so let's go do that."

Argatha is agreeable, though it's clear he doesn't at all like the tunnel option. Still, to get us moving again, he moves toward the tunnels - bow at the ready! :)

... "Then we climb this shaft to freedom." She looks at Brimble, wondering what he thinks of this twisting pathway to escape.

"What does freedom look like at this point?" wonders Argatha aloud. "And what do we owe the Stoneborn, or the GMC for that matter?"

"On the surface, I owe the GMC quite a bit yet. So a rapid escape, while pleasing, creates more problems for me and Rune-that-Destroys." he glances at his bow. "I for one, feel the GMC should be discouraged from this find. They'll gut this place, strip the gold from the walls, and generally peel back the wonder to reveal the wealth. I'm not sure I like that."

"Can we get the government to step in? I mean, they're not much, but maybe they can be convinced to preserve rather than harvest. I'm not against some, ah, looting. But, well, I dunno, stripping this place feels wrong."

He shrugs, "But first things first. Let's check out the furnace. Who wants to be geared up? I volunteer if no other will, though I think you thought you'd head in Raka. If so, I'll be on the other end of the rope to pull you out if something goes wrong."

Argatha is impressed by the quality of the elevator. Wow, the things these folk did well, they really did well!

He suggests, "Powering up the complex is clearly going to happen in the furnace room if anywhere. That said, I'm not sure it's a good idea. There's too much we don't know. How would we open doors, work the elevator, etc? Seems like we'd need to use clan-daggers or their associated amulets. That feels weird too."

Argatha still wants to investigate the furnace room to gain more understanding, but he's not sure about powering everything up until they have a greater feel for what else might also be powered up. Like defenses.

Argatha looks up (and down) the elevator shaft. Though somewhat nimble, he does not relish the careful climbing it requires. Better than the leeches though that's for sure.

"Yes, let's examine the other shaft. It might be easier to climb or give us different options. Unless we want to trap some goblins first, though I dunno how we draw them out."

He'll move with the others in that direction, taking up a guard position in case something jumps out at the group.

Moved on map.

”So, are we checking out the furnace now that we have the gear for it? Happy to be on the other end of a rope to pull someone out if they get into trouble. Who wants to go in?”

He figures they have to eventually check out the furnace room. Now that they have the gear for it, it seems like a good time.

Argatha moves to keep up with Em and provide support, though he wonders why she skipped the last door in the row.

"Hey Em, why'd you skip the last door in the row back there?" he inquires as they walk to the double doors of the common room.

He chuckles as Raka worries, "Oh you're not so big we couldn't haul you out if something goes wrong." he grins.

Argatha is impressed by the find of the heavy gear. "If we do go in the furnace room, who-ever goes first should be wearing all this."

Maybe tied to a rope so we can pull their body out.

He's very pleased at the find, considering it's likely something they're going to do.

"Whoa - cool!" Argatha exclaims as the mountain reveals its secrets. He looks on in awe for some little while.

He studies the various areas so he can have some idea what to expect going forward. Then he'll step back out into the hall to keep watch while others have their turn.

Argatha remains in the hall a while to make sure nothing jumps out at the party. But he will eventually take a turn checking out the workshop/bedroom. While he glances around generally, he’s most interested in the mountain. He can’t help but to wonder if it is a model in some way of the mountain we’re currently in. He looks for hinges, or removable pieces.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Argatha pokes his head in the family living quarters - mostly as he's curious how families lived. Not much room. I mean sure, he's never had the money for much room himself. But still. He has dreams of having more space - and with a window to the outside. The outside is growing more precious to him, trapped down here as he is.

He takes up a position to support Em if need be.

Argatha touches the smooth surface, before eventually tearing himself away from the 'glass' and the view!

"I bet they farm those mushrooms to expand their diet." he mumbles.

He eventually rejoins the others, trying to position himself to support either faction and their endeavors.

Argatha is impressed by the 'glass' wall. If it is glass, it's the largest thickest piece he's ever seen! If it's not - why then it is even more impressive! What could it be?!

He takes his time examining the wonder, and misses Em's door opening...

Argatha does indeed apply the antitoxin to the wound, doing what he can to slow the poison's speed. "Oh, that looks nasty."

In the next round, should the poor kobold still be suffering, he'll try his skills at healing.
Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 vs Poison DC for a +4 on the save

Also, Strength damage isn't as bad as you think. Happy to roll with it for role play, but so far there's no effect, and it won't lower your encumbrance capabilities (link) in any event.

Argatha steps a bit closer to Brimble and whispers, "We need to check it out eventually. How about now? I got your back."

He'll rely on his darkvision and, if Brimble continues up, Argatha will follow quietly.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Argatha follows Brimble, a little behind as usual, but ready to move up.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 vs DC 15

Argatha follows Brimble more closely than the others, intent on providing support and confident of his own quiet nature.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

When he spots the junk in the stairwell he says nothing, preserving his silence. When they have dropped back with the others however, he shares what they saw and conjectures, "Perhaps they are tossing things down the stairwell in the hopes of triggering whatever trap lies there so they may come in force?"

Once on the other side of the leeches, Argatha cleans himself up as best he can. He then draws his mighty bow and follows the others.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 vs DC 20

"Yes, there were more rats. Do you think the goblins are eating them?"

He'll follow Brimble's lead, bow out and ready to shoot goblins, or anything else that jumps out.

Once the hatch is sorted, the kobold is ready to move on. ”OK, I think we need to find out what those gobbos are up to, and hopefully give them a bloody nose. If we don’t, they’ll keep coming.”

"So back through the leeches then? Or do we want to look for another way up?" Argatha is fine rooting out gobbos, but does not like all the leeches.

Argatha rests a moment after the hoisting of the rope, down, then up - though up had less weight he imagines. He's grinning though, very pleased that they at least accomplished something for the dwarves that were here.

"Well then. I'd say they are well secured. At least as good as we can manage."

He ponders, forgetting for the moment what the plan was beyond this - forgetting about the furnace room. So he grows quiet a moment and hopes for others to explain their next goals.

Aside from their own salvation of course. Things have become... complicated. He does not want to surface and have Rune-that-Destroys taken away from him. He does not want to live down here on fish and conjured water. He doesn't see a way out.

He looks at Brimble quietly and waits patiently.

"She," Xira corrects almost absently, leaning a little on Em. "Not sure if 'fight' is the right word, but she is in a lot of turmoil."

”She. Right. Sorry.” Argatha apologizes for his lapse of memory.

"... So says I."

”Thanks Raka. That was very nicely said.”

Argatha adds, ”Rune-that-Destroys says the Courages are fine with this hiding place. Not great, but the best of bad options I suspect. Should be safe though - good find Brimble.”

He does his part to lower the chest, with Brimble on it, down to the water. When Brimble is ready to come back up, he hoists!

Argatha is glad when Xiramona manages to claim the clan dagger. ”Well done. Looks like he put up a bit of a fight.”

He returns to the group and is pleased Brimble is leading again. He hoists the heavy chest and follows the diminutive leader to a new hide-y hole for the Courageous. ”You think they’ll be safe here?” He shrugs, unsure himself, but it feels right. He’ll get into position to lower down the chest, and Brimble, when everyone is ready, hopefully with help.

If they have enough rope.

”Sure. Hrm. There’s little I can do if you’re possessed, but I’ll come and do what I can as well. None of us should travel alone down here.”

Argatha offers to go with and help carry supplies at the very least.

Argatha nods to Raka, "That's what Rune suggested too."

He'll get some rags together (pillowcases? washcloths?) and create water with regularity to wash them. He gets to work cleaning off the worst of the abuse, in as much as he can with such simple tools.

::Yeah it did, Rune. Yes it certainly did. Should we clean it up a bit? Would that help?:: Argatha asks Rune-that-Destroys.

For he too is saddened. He might not worship the dwarven gods, but he reveres them. They are gods after all. There's no need for this.

Argatha sets the chest down to catch his breath while the thoughtful folk figure out where to head next. He fancies the golden arch, though he doubts it'll lead to what they want. He thinks they'll end up in the furnace room for sure.

But Argatha is a patient man. You have to be as a herder. Most of your time is spent languidly watching goats eat grass. But you have to remain alert for that rogue goat who wanders off - or worse, the one to try and eat your trousers!

"You're sure you'll be fine carrying them that much farther?" she asks their herdsman-turned-budding-archer. "I suppose that would be simpler than my idea."

"It's the least I can do for them." Argatha says seriously as he hoists the chest.

"I think we should keep tryin' to get back up. There could be a better place to store the Courageous somewhere that's closer to the surface-- a vault or somethin', I dunno." Raka looks down at the dark water, remembering the panic and adrenaline from the last time they were down here. "I jus' don't want somethin' like that--" she indicates both the water and the trap-ceiling above them-- "to happen again an' get us stuck even further down."

Argatha nods, sharing Raka’s concerns. However, ”A vault will slow them down, but it’s also a target. Underwater, they may be forgotten for a time - and I don’t think the GMC would dredge the entire underwater lake. As long as we don’t tell anyone where they are, they should be safe. But if we find a vault further up that seems safer, we can shift them maybe.” Argatha suggests without thinking the plan all the way through in his head.

He’ll follow the others, and is happy to try other avenues before the furnace room. Every time the party stops to open a new door, he puts down the chest and take out Rune-that-Destroys.

Earlier
Brimble confuses him with his planning, but he nods reassuringly - certain that the little man has his head on straight and won't steer them wrong.

Now
"I could try to swim it. Might be fast enough to get to the boat before the fish get me. But I agree with Em. If there's a platform, there's probably a way to get to it."

"I'm not leaving the Courageous here though. I'll keep carrying them. I don't want to leave them just out somewhere." He grins and will follow the others to the furnace if that plan wins out.

Argatha isn't sure how to ensure the Courageous are safe. "We could just lower down the chest until the rope goes slack. That would tell us about how deep they are. Maybe be enough? If not we try different directions around the platform."

He doesn't know if that will work, but he hopes, since their options are limited...

Argatha puts the bow away, leaves the food sack behind, and hauls the chest instead. When they get closer, he'll tie some rope... er he can't find any in his pack.

"Anyone have some rope I can borrow? I want to tie the chest and lower it rather than try to carry it down. Ladders are tricky."

Assuming he gets rope, he'll tie off the chest, and plans to lower it to the platform when they get there - if it looks safe.

Ready to climb down the pipe-ladder.

"Is everyone alright?" he asks.

Argatha wraps his wound, ”A minor scrape - but I’ll watch it closely for infection.”

”Well that scattered them. Nicely done. Nasty brutes - hopefully they won’t be back.”

He resists the urge to scratch the injury.

”Do you think it’s clear to head back to the water?”

Argatha is overwhelmed by the rats! Nauseated he does his best not to leave a mess as he falls back (move).

Argatha waits a bit for the crowd under the rats to disburse so he doesn’t burn an ally. Then he tosses his oil onto the rats!
Oil Toss: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Damage (f): 1d6 ⇒ 2
Burn baby Burn: 1d100 ⇒ 9

Miss?: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Sadly (I suspect) his oil goes awry anyway, and likely smashes at his feet - but at least it doesn't light. He 5' steps away from the puddle.

Frustrated, he'll try his blunt arrows next, taking out Rune-that-Destroys.

Argatha nods his agreement, puts away his bow, and takes out a couple flasks of oil. He has no burning hands, having traded it out yesterday for extra healing.

I like the idea of blasting them more than scaring them away. They'll keep coming back...

Argatha, bow out, prepares to shoot anything other than Brimble. He nods back.

Argatha is proud of Rune-that-Destroys. His intervention has stopped them from doing something made less effective by guessing.

”Em has the right of it. Let’s put them in a chest, and seal the chest as best we can. Have we found any candles? Maybe we can use the wax to help protect against the water.”

”Then I think the best we can do is plumb the depths where we can reach. We’ll lower the chest into the water near the deepest part, and let it go.” Argatha thinks he has the gist of the plan - though mostly he’s thinking aloud. He’s also quietly glad that his bow said no one should swim in the water. He wasn’t looking forward to that, even though he offered at one point.

If the plan is sound, and he waits for confirmation, then he'll go get one of the sturdier looking chests - though he imagines they're all more or less the same. He'll carry it back to the forge room and the Courageous.

"Despite the best efforts of Brilliance, I do not seem to have any salt." Em turns to Argatha. "I believe you had it last?

”Oh?” Argatha is surprised and unsure. He stops and searches his back for said salt and, presuming he finds it, hands it over with a grin.

She pushes a few stray strands of hair back from her face. "Part of me is inclined to get a dose of antiplague down you and send you straight back to bed, but that's probably not practical. So I need you to tell me how you and your shoulder are feeling, and to let me or Argatha know if you start feeling even a little bit worse. And drink all the water you can; we can refill your skin as much as needed."

Argatha too is concerned, and will stop Brimble several times throughout the day to ensure his waterskin is kept full and fresh.

”So how do we know which of the Courageous want to go in the water?” He’ll ask the same of Rune-that-Destroys. If he gets a clear answer, he’ll start, with great respect, stacking the Courageous who want to leave outside the secret place - before the robot moves into position and blocks it.

He looks at the small pile, ”Are we just going to drop them in the water? Or should I swim around a little first just to see? If the eels aren’t around of course. No sense in going in the water with them about…” He suggests going back down to that level and looking around. Might get a clue.

"I agree with our general planning, and I think we should get the Courageous handled first. A watery burial for some, and protection for the others by the giant construct. Then we search the level, being mindful of the goblins from upstairs."

Argatha agrees with the general plan, but wonders how they'll get deep enough to bury the Courageous.

"Forgewise is gone?" Argatha knew it was going to happen, but is somehow still surprised that it has happened.

"We'll need to secure the other items in the lake below at some point." he remembers, and reminds others.

"But for now, shall we continue the search for those goblins?"

He stands, stretching one more time to shake off the last of the morning weariness. He prepares to follow Brimble into the dark, but perhaps not if everyone is coming.

::Good morning Rune-that-Destroys. Ready to kill some goblins today?::

"I think we'll all get a better quality of sleep if we can remove any threat from the goblins and knowing Altynbekh is looking out for us," Phantrel says emolliently.

Not knowing what emollient means, Argatha takes no offense. He merely nods tiredly. He sleeps well and fitfully, though staying awake during the third watch proves tricky without coffee or tea to help him. Oh he does miss his morning pick-me-up. Even up in the hills herding goats he’d have had a little something hot.

He watches Em perform a few feats of magic, smiling. ”Nice one Em. That’s pretty cool.”

He helps with breakfast of fish and, possibly, mushrooms. Never a picky eater, Argatha digs in with gusto, hungry from the night’s activities. That and his favorite meal is breakfast, though he must admit part of it is the coffee. Still, he eats well and happily.

When he’s done, he looks for Brimble, and the day’s plan. Only the little man isn’t there! Argatha quickly gears up, and asks, ”Has anyone seen Brimble? Has he gone off scouting alone again?” He chastises himself for not being more together and moves to the open north door, peering into the hall, but going no further for now. Rune-that-Destroys is in his hand.

Argatha gets back into bed. After all, they already went to rest very late. And he doesn't think a tour of the facility is a good idea...

But clearly everyone else is going. Sigh.

He crawls back out of his bunk, trying to rub the sleep from his eyes. "We're sleeping in tomorrow. You lot are crazy." he says somewhat angrily, though it's likely just lack of sleep.

He follows Brimble into the darkness - keeping him just within sight as he searches around.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Argatha, concerned about Brimble's ability to do much of anything, pops another cure before he takes watch duties, or sleeps (not sure if it's my turn yet).

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

There it is...

"Easy there Brimble. Sit up easy. The only one who went down was you, but you're not dead yet."

Argatha waits a bit for healing, as he doesn't want to use all of his unless he needs to. Keeping a spell for an emergency seems prudent - though obviously Brimble can't go on like he is.

"One got away, so everyone keep your eyes open. They seemed ready to jump us in our sleep, so it's not like the critter knows anything new about us."

He'll stay close to Brimble, but he dazes off for a second.

::Hey, Rune-that-Destroys, well done there. I mean, we had two misses, but I'm still getting the hang of things. We'll do better, I'm sure.::

Speaking of which, when the conversation is over with his bow, he'll collect his two missed shots and sees if they can be reused.
low is bad: 2d100 ⇒ (61, 9) = 70

1 saved.

Assuming Raka did the job, and I think she did!

Picking over dead and dying goblins, Argatha moves quickly to Brimble and heals him.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Then he’ll take a few seconds (full round action) to bandage him up.
I know this is more than one round, so if we’re in rounds still, this’ll be delayed.
Healer’s Hands: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 vs DC 20 to heal 1hp (If DC 25, heal 3hp)

Argatha shrugs, still having trouble converting his healing abilities from animals to humanoids - but he at least stopped the bleeding.

Argatha moves up and tries for blue, the only goblin really remaining
Rune: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 3 = 13 (combat, PBS) damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 (PBS)

Argatha takes a shot at purple, just within range, and not in melee! No cover either. He hopes for the best…
Rune: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7 (PBS) damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10 (PBS)

Argatha feels the arrow mis-notch before he even shoots it. He stops, re-orients himself, takes a deep breath, and tries again!

Called - which enables me to re-roll a 1 on an attack once a day.

Rune: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25 (PBS)

"Thank you Rune..." Argatha whispers, forgetting he can mentally communicate in the thick of battle.

He then takes a 5' step back to force another double move to get to him.

When Argatha hears Brimble bellow, he knows the gig is up. Instead of sneaking to the corner, he moves with purpose, leaving space for the melee fighters to catch up. He takes a shot at the goblin (who may have cover).

Alas, he is not yet skilled with shooting into melee (damn first level!) and so he shanks a bit trying to avoid Brimble.
Rune: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 3 = 12 (into combat, PBS) damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11 (PBS)

He's surprised at the power of the shot, but isn't sure if it's enough to hit the wily gobbo.

Argatha dons his quiver - shifting it quickly into position (move). Relying on distance rather than stealthy movement for now, he slips out into the hall (move).

Argatha wakes with a start from a heavy sleep. He nods his understanding, once his head clears. He grabs Rune-that-Destroys and his quiver as he gets out of bed.

Those are my actions I think. Move to equip, move to get up.

Argatha puts his head on whatever he manages for a pillow and hopes to be quickly asleep. Between the near fatiguing long day, and the gas, he has a creeping-bad headache which he want to shake before it gets worse.

Finally, she picks up her shield again. "So, uh... I don't think our new friends have been introduced proper. This is Bastion," she says, holding the golden shield up proudly. "He's real friendly an' likes ta help. An' you all saw what he's capable of against the dead dwarf earlier. He keeps insistin' it was me an' not him, but I sure couldn't do anythin' magical before an' now I can, so there you are.

"Anyway... I'm real glad he came with us." Raka beams at Bastion. She looks expectantly at Em's diadem next, being perhaps the most noticeable of their new items; it seems to be able to change Em's entire appearance at will.

Sigh… No rest for the wicked.

He gestures to his bow, resting on his pack next to his bed as he leans up on his elbow. ”This is Rune-that-Destroys. A fine weapon who has already helped me to see in the dark. Oh, also, I can ‘shoot’ some of my spells. I’ll be able to heal from a distance, or even spike some undead with my curing. I look forward to both.” he stifles a yawn as he grins.

"And of course it's a hell-of-a bow. I hope to be worthy."

"It's a gift. For services rendered and rendering." Argatha quips, trying to help, and being honest. Forgewise did after all say he'd help and the party is going to do more too. "Say... that's pretty stuff."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18