Ovirid starts searching the area and the body for anything of interest.
A thorough investigation of the rooms in this back passage reveal that a stairwell went both up and down from here but has long since collapsed. More recent occupants have made no attempt to tidy the rubble and have added to it by throwing refuse amongst the rocks in an attempt to prevent anything crawling through. Shards of metal and stone would make it very difficult to crawl through here. It is, in effect, a deadend.
Much of what is stored in this room is of little interest to humans. Kobolds, on the other hand, would find it fascinating. A lot of it is simply shiny scraps.
The Master of Flame has kept a stash of things of value to him. On the most part though, they would not be of as much value to you. There are two potions that look interesting, a mismatched set of masterwork thieves tools kept amongst trap-making supplies, and a dozen teardrop shaped amethysts (30 gp each).
"Hmm, what would we be havin' 'ere?" Ovirid draws out some gemstones, collecting them in a pile, gathers some other miscellaneous items together, including a pair of small vials.
"Lass, d'ya recognize what these potions might be?"
Yin examines the vials and plucks at the air around them like a harpist playing an instrument. "This one is familiar ... I think it offers protection against fire. Perhaps you should have it," she says suppressing a giggle while handing it to Ovirid.
"And this one is a potion of 'Fly'. See," she says holding up the bottle and pointing to some writing in common on the side. "F ... L ... Y. That spells 'Fly'."
Yin examines the vials and plucks at the air around them like a harpist playing an instrument. "This one is familiar ... I think it offers protection against fire. Perhaps you should have it," she says suppressing a giggle while handing it to Ovirid.
"And this one is a potion of 'Fly'. See," she says holding up the bottle and pointing to some writing in common on the side. "F ... L ... Y. That spells 'Fly'."
"Harumph! Well, you'd not be fer needin' that one, would ye? Yer plenty flighty already, I'm fer thinkin'." He snatches the protective potion from her hand and tucks it into a belt pouch.
"Well, which way do ye think we should be fer 'eadin' now? We're not goin' ta be fer goin' deeper 'ere 'less ye've got a dwarven diggin' crew on the way 'ere."
The dwarf examines the gems and says, "I'm fer thinkin' these 're worth 'oldin' onto." He divides the pile into four sets of three gems each and hands three to each of the party members before tucking a trio into his own pouch.
He also collects up the odd tools and trap-making items (that he finds worthwhile) and tucks them into his pack.
Everybody:
Everyone, but especially Tarren:
"Sir Manfred, what's yer preference fer next?"
Sir Manfred replies;
"My preference would be an open road and an enemy that will face us squarely! But Lord Kerrigan indicated some enterance through these caves somewhere, so I suppose we must proceed as we have been. I could wish for more scouts though; this kobold infestation worries me."
Sir Manfred replies;
"My preference would be an open road and an enemy that will face us squarely! But Lord Kerrigan indicated some enterance through these caves somewhere, so I suppose we must proceed as we have been. I could wish for more scouts though; this kobold infestation worries me."
Rather than post around the various PbP boards, I'm giving everybody a heads up in one place.
After relaxing and enjoying the holidays, I am adjusting to a new lifestyle and job over the coming weeks. I'm still on the boards, but will be less frequent during weekdays (at least until the summer).
This may affect my ability to participate in some PbP, if you DM such a game and want to work out something here, this is the best place to do so as I won't be able to peruse everything.
"Sir Manfred, 'ow 'bout we climb down t' the road 'n scout fer a new cave that's fer bein' more ta yer likin'? I'm not fer bein' sure we're fer wantin' ta start a new'un today, but we could be fer makin' an informed decision back at camp if'n we take time ta look before we return."
"Sir Ovirid, I am with you wholeheartedly. Let us be off then!"
The dwarf snorts at being called "sir," but just heads back out of the cave shaking his head. He uncoils his rope, hook still attached, and finds a place to set it strongly.
"Lass, if'n ye dinnae mind, I'd be fer havin' ye ready with yer spells in case somethin' attacks while Sir Manfred climbs down. I'll be watchin', too, but me crossbow won't be in me hands so I can aid Manfred."
The dwarf snorts at being called "sir," but just heads back out of the cave shaking his head. He uncoils his rope, hook still attached, and finds a place to set it strongly.
"Lass, if'n ye dinnae mind, I'd be fer havin' ye ready with yer spells in case somethin' attacks while Sir Manfred climbs down. I'll be watchin', too, but me crossbow won't be in me hands so I can aid Manfred."
As you peer out of the cave, you see the ashwing gargoyles finish off the last of the baby kobolds.* They 'cawwww' and smile at you as if to say 'thanks' but they still look hungry. The flap up to a point on the cliff higher up and out of the way.
Climb check:
1d20-4=6
Sir Manfred almost slips and falls down again, but with a little help from friends and a knotted rope, he arrives safe and sound on the ground.
"Well Sir Ovirid, I think we should venture up this road and see what this next cave will bring us. Mayhap its slope be shallower than this one."
Continuing up the ancient and almost forgotten road, you pass the piled mass of kobold bodies and the warning posts the orc you slew was capping with kobold heads before you slew him. The road, despite masses of dirt in the edges, remains flat as it winds between sloping grey hills of cinderstone.
A cave high on your right would be challenging to access if iron spikes had not been driven into the rock.
Continuing up the ancient and almost forgotten road, you pass the piled mass of kobold bodies and the warning posts the orc you slew was capping with kobold heads before you slew him. The road, despite masses of dirt in the edges, remains flat as it winds between sloping grey hills of cinderstone.
A cave high on your right would be challenging to access if iron spikes had not been driven into the rock.
Continuing up the ancient and almost forgotten road, you pass the piled mass of kobold bodies and the warning posts the orc you slew was capping with kobold heads before you slew him. The road, despite masses of dirt in the edges, remains flat as it winds between sloping grey hills of cinderstone.
A cave high on your right would be challenging to access if iron spikes had not been driven into the rock.
Continuing up the ancient and almost forgotten road, you pass the piled mass of kobold bodies and the warning posts the orc you slew was capping with kobold heads before you slew him. The road, despite masses of dirt in the edges, remains flat as it winds between sloping grey hills of cinderstone.
A cave high on your right would be challenging to access if iron spikes had not been driven into the rock.
Perception check:
1d20-1=8
"I don't see those spikey rocks either; they must be further up the trail. Let's go!"
Perception check:
1d20-1=8"I don't see those spikey rocks either; they must be further up the trail. Let's go!"
You hear a loud crack to your left as a stone twice the size of your head bounces off a rock and lands a few feet away. It came from the opposite side of the valley. Looking up you see a large misshapen hulk of an ogre bend over to pick up another rock. The ashwing gargoyles cackle, greatly amused by it all though a little disappointed with the ogres aim.
Just a bit further down the road, pushed tight against one of the cliff walls, you see a wagon of some sort. The thick grey net covering it makes it difficult to see what it is.
Sir Manfred pulls up.
"What do you think Sir Ovirid? I dislike retreating in the face of that foul beast, but it seems like the most prudent course at the moment. I know I have no missile weapons to harry it in any case."
Sir Manfred pulls up.
"What do you think Sir Ovirid? I dislike retreating in the face of that foul beast, but it seems like the most prudent course at the moment. I know I have no missile weapons to harry it in any case."
Ovirid spits in the dirt. "Aye, retreat 'ould be prudent. I do 'ate ogres, though. 'N I'm fer wantin' t' know what's under yon tarp. Dinnae be wastin' yer spells 'n ammo on th' big block'ead. We'll be fer returnin' tomorrow - if'n 'e's as stupid as most, 'e'll be 'ere waitin' fer an easy meal. Let's be fer gettin' agin' the wall and move back up the road." And the scowling dwarf moves off in just that direction
The ogre bellows as you retreat but does not waste any more of his stones on you.
The ogre bellows as you retreat but does not waste any more of his stones on you.
"Well, lad, 'at's th' type o' information we're lookin' fer, ain't it? If'n we're t' be fer gettin' into another cave, we're needin' t' be fer takin' care of tall 'n ugly there first. Let's be fer goin' back t' th' camp 'n work out a plan. What d'ye say?"
"So it is. Let us be off then; I am beginning to dislike this place..."
Yes. Back to camp to rest, plan and make whatever personnel changes we need to.
The journey back to camp is uneventful. The Ashwing's fly a bit behind you cawwing and mocking you for cowards but there's more than enough meat to keep them fed. They descend and start tearing apart the headless kobold bodies stacked by the entrance to the road.
When you arrive at camp, you see the pelts of three cinderwolves hanging from branches. Larjen Widebottom, Kornelius, and Burp are grinning widely. The other guard is resting in one of the tents. They invite you to tell your tale before they tell you theirs but it seems everyone had a bit of an adventure today.
"Welcome back from your journey. We had quite an adventure here. I was lying down in the tent and these three cinderwolves came running at us. Everywhere we went, they went. It wasn't easy and we got injured but three cinderwolves ... I think Yin might enjoy these cinderwolf skins. How was your adventure?" asks Kornelius.
"Oho! 'at looks t' be some fine work ye've been up t', there. Our day wasn't fer bein' too excitin', but we were fer seein' some combat, fer sure."
Ovirid sets his pack down in the camp area and inspects the pelts.
"Manfred 'ere dropped th' first orc we saw with a single blow. A thin' of beauty, that swin' of 'is. Ah'll let 'im tell the tale. After that, we were fer scalin' a wee cliff 'n enterin' the first cave we found. Within was another orc corpse - a welcome sight, I must be fer addin' - and some wee treasures. Wouldn't ye know, but a wily kobold had been fer trappin' the body, an' Ah et me some fire. See 'ere on m' beard?"
The lads from the keep are pretty pleased with themselves and ask you to recount your adventures but keep interjecting with stories of their own. Larjen is quite curious about the attack on the kobold caves. "The orcs have been keeping to themselves, really. Just a small tribe. Why attack the kobolds now?"
The lads from the keep are pretty pleased with themselves and ask you to recount your adventures but keep interjecting with stories of their own. Larjen is quite curious about the attack on the kobold caves. "The orcs have been keeping to themselves, really. Just a small tribe. Why attack the kobolds now?"
"'at's a good question. We weren't fer askin' many questions o' the first orc. The second one was already dead when we found it. The kobold shaman 'ad a couple of nasty fire traps set fer th' likes o' us. 'e was a clever one, I'll wager, but 'e's not 'ere to answer any questions anymore, either. Maybe the ogre we saw, eh?"
Larjen suggests that Yin and Janrith could help him to take the wounded guard back to the keep. Burp and Kornelius remain here.
How do you spend the remainder of the day?
How do you spend the remainder of the day?
How do you spend the remainder of the day?
It is still early. Yin, Jaenrith, Larjen and the wounded guard head off for the Keep. Larjen said he could attempt to purchase needed supplies and return by nightfall.