Grond ducks into the narrow cave and begins moving forward...
While the rest of the party stays in the room anxiously awaiting a sign from Grond, the latter sneaks ahead, searching the floor as he goes for traps or other points of interest.
After about 30 feet Grond finds himself in a small natural empty cave without any interesting features. Visible exits are to the left (north) and to the right (east). The north passage is slightly wider (about 8 feet across) and goes for about 15 feet before branching left (west) and right (east). The east passage (about 5 feet wide) twists to the left after about 15 feet so he can't make out where it leads. All is still.
Do you summon the group before going on, and do you want to go north or east?
Grond will return to the group to tell them of the branching of the ways, and wait for consensus. Grond mentions he has an uneasy feeling about the cave netwrok and thinks we should stay closer together while in the narrow confines.
Grond will return to the group to tell them of the branching of the ways, and wait for consensus. Grond mentions he has an uneasy feeling about the cave netwrok and thinks we should stay closer together while in the narrow confines.
I believe we were staying back to allow your darkvision to work for us. However, if you get the feeling we should stick together, that is fine by me. Thus far north has worked better for us than east. I vote north.
Grond slumps his shoulders and nods, returning to his place at the point. He waves to the others and stalks back into the passage, veering northwards. His falchion strapped to his back, Grond prods the ground with his javelin and moves slowly, ready to stop.
Perception: 4+5=9
Stealth: 8+7=15
Initiative: 15+3=18
When Grond comes back, Roylenna detects a note of worry in his normally unemotional demeanor - unless he is raging, but that is different - and she walks up and gives his hand a squeeze.
"It sounds like we might become lost with so many turns and choices. Does anyone have a piece of chalk or something we can mark our return path with?"
Grond proceeds warily down the north corridor, tapping the ground with his javelin while Roylenna uses her magic to stain the walls as you go. But after only a few steps you hear a twanging sound and some sort of spiked club comes crashing out of the wall, hitting Grond squarely in the chest .
You all spring into action, but it seems that the club is not wielded by anyone but was rigged as a booby-trap. The club swings faintly back and forth, but apart from that, all is silent.
"Ouch! I knew something was wrong!" After any patching up, we will continue on as before. New rolls:
Perception: 6+5=11
Stealth: 9+7=16
Initiative: 18+3=21
The passage only goes on for about 20 feet before splitting to the left (west) and right (east). There is also a 3 feet wide hole in the ceiling, forming some sort of chute going up. The left passage twists slightly to the left and the right twists to the right, so you can't really see where they lead. They are both about 10 feet wide.
Proteus moves up to where the wounded half-orc stands. Resting his holy symbol on Grond, he says "Curatio minorus."
"If you wish for the group to stay together, Grond, that is fine."
"It's not that, Doc, this place just gives me the creeps is all." Grond strecthes, barely feeling the wound.() He casts a scornful look at the device that nearly tore him in half a moment ago. "Yes," he thinks, "I could get used to this.
"So, father.." Gond brings up before stalking back to the front,"you must tell me about these powers of yours sometime."
Perception: 18+5=23
Stealth: 7+7=14
Initiative: 13+3=16
So, left, right or up?
"So, father, you must tell me about these powers of yours sometime."
I would consider it an honor and a privilege to discuss the munificence of Asclepius.
So, left, right or up?
left is a new choice (which looks like west).
Could you repost the link to your fabulous map, WorsT? I had to re-format, lost alot.
I was planning on continuing the same direction, i.e. past the trap.
Grond proceeds warily down the north corridor, tapping the ground with his javelin while Roylenna uses her magic to stain the walls as you go. But after only a few steps you hear a twanging sound and some sort of spiked club comes crashing out of the wall, hitting Grond squarely in the chest .
You all spring into action, but it seems that the club is not wielded by anyone but was rigged as a booby-trap. The club swings faintly back and forth, but apart from that, all is silent.
Everyone does? Or Grond does?
Rana tells the half-orc, "You do honor to yourself by being strong. You do well to protect us, especially the w... the little one. Do not let these tricks of a coward," motioning toward the still-swinging club, "be your downfall. Take your time and know that you do not have to do everything."
Startled by his own long speech, Rana doesn't wait for a response, but moves over to the now-exposed trap and investigates to see if there is a way he can prevent it from being used again easily.
Could you repost the link to your fabulous map, WorsT? I had to re-format, lost alot.
I was planning on continuing the same direction, i.e. past the trap.
I guess up is a new direction, too. But, I wasn't sure how we were gonna get up there with our only length of rope behind us.
Rana doesn't wait for a response, but moves over to the now-exposed trap and investigates to see if there is a way he can prevent it from being used again easily.
The trap needs to be reset manually, and simply removing the spiked club would make that impossible, so that is what Rana does.
The trap needs to be reset manually, and simply removing the spiked club would make that impossible, so that is what Rana does.
Having removed the club from the framework, Rana hefts the thorny cudgel, considering it. He shrugs, puts the club over his shoulder, and looks to the rest of the group to determine where they plan to go next.
Standing at the junction, Roylenna conjures up another set of Dancing Lights to send into the unknown. DL #1 goes straight up until it comes to a ceiling, someone spots something and asks her to stop it, or until it reaches 100'.
DL #2 goes right under the same conditions.
For Dark Arioch:
But here you are, holed up in a small damp cave, huddled around the campfire drinking cheap liquor while listening to Heck Pogin's endless bragging. Apart from this little cave you haven't even entered the dungeon, and it looks increasingly unlikely that you ever will. The man is obviously both a coward and a liar. If his tales about the Green Tree Bandits are even true, it is no wonder that they bandits kicked these losers out.
Trying to relieve your boredom somewhat you find yourself idly wondering where the small chute in the floor of the back of the cave leads. The Pogins are too lazy to even investigate it and you toy with the thought of going over and checking it out yourself.
Then, to your great consternation, suddenly four shining globes, about the size of torches, emerge from the chute and gather near the ceiling, just hanging there motionless.
"I was never very good at mazes," Sandros observes, looking with dismay at the various choices presented to the group, and glancing over his shoulder toward the passages already passed. He watches Royl's lights with interest, but does not lose his frown.
She is able to tune out the clumsy steps and mutterings behind her and focus all her attention on the chute and lights...
For Ka´kara:
The chute looks easy enough to climb , but who knows what made those lights. Carefully you look down and are startled to meet the eyes of a white-haired young halfling woman who is peering curiously up at you.
As Roylenna watches her lights disappear up the chute and form a small cluster as they hit some kind of roof about 30 feet up, she suddenly finds herself locking eyes with a fierce-looking blonde woman who stares down the chute from about 20 feet above her. The metallic sheen of the lights reflecting off her hair makes her look like some kind of celestial being.
Grond shrugs non-comitally as the faerie fires dart away, interfering with his natural darkvision. He looks towards the way un-lightened, and will creep forty feet down the hallway (1o ft out of the light radius) and do the usual searching bit. Falchion 'pon his arched back, a javelin with a fire-blackened point in hand, he slinks forward, hugging the walls, and ever aware for danger.
Perception: 8+5=13
Stealth: 19+7=26
Initiative: 14+3=17
As Grond starts moving down the right passage, he suddenly freezes as he hears the twanging and thudding noise of crossbows being fired, several of them but rather small, judging by the pitch of the sound.
The sound seems to be coming from somewhere not too far ahead. You can see about 25 feet before the corridor veers to the right, blocking your line of sight. That's also about where Roylenna's lights are hovering.
Looking down warily at the little witch-girl Ka'Kara carefully asks in a surprisingly gentle voice, "How did you get yourself stuck down this hole little girl? Do you need help out?"
Sandros stares in surprise at the woman crouched above the party, drawing his rapier out of reflex. "What in the Nine Hells?" he says in a shocked voice. "What are you?"
Looking down warily at the little witch-girl Ka'Kara carefully asks in a surprisingly gentle voice, "How did you get yourself stuck down this hole little girl? Do you need help out?"
Roylenna calls up the chute, "No, we're not stuck down here, how did you get stuck up there? Are you an angel?"
Sandros stares in surprise at the woman crouched above the party, drawing his rapier out of reflex. "What in the Nine Hells?" he says in a shocked voice. "What are you?"
Seeing the elf step out of the shadows suddenly her eyes narrow initially but then her face turns to one of amusement upon seeing his sword. "Only going to get yourself in trouble with that little twig you are holding. I am Ka'kara of the Eastern Tribes and am on a spirit journey."
Roylenna calls up the chute, "No, we're not stuck down here, how did you get stuck up there? Are you an angel?"
Realizing her mistake that this is no little girl she flips her braids back as she laughs, "Angel? HA! No, far from it! I entered through the cave behind me. If you are not stuck....than what, as your friend says, in the Nine Hells are you doing down there?"
I am Ka'kara of the Eastern Tribes and am on a spirit journey."
Roylenna calls up the chute, "No, we're not stuck down here, how did you get stuck up there? Are you an angel?"Realizing her mistake that this is no little girl she flips her braids back as she laughs, "Angel? HA! No, far from it! I entered through the cave behind me. If you are not stuck....than what, as your friend says, in the Nine Hells are you doing down there?"
"Greetings, Ka'kara of the Eastern Tribes. I am Roylenna. I don't have a tribe. We are looking for someone. Where is your spirit journey taking you?"
Seeing the elf step out of the shadows suddenly her eyes narrow initially but then her face turns to one of amusement upon seeing his sword. "Only going to get yourself in trouble with that little twig you are holding. I am Ka'kara of the Eastern Tribes and am on a spirit journey."
Having become used to people mocking his rapier, Sandros ignores that part of the comment, studying the strange woman for a moment before nodding and sheathing the weapon smoothly. "Your pardon, Ka'kara of the Eastern Tribes. We have found much to prompt an attitude of wariness in these caves, but I meant no insult. If you offer us no harm, we offer you none." He offers a slight bow, made slightly awkward by the angle between them.
Realizing her mistake that this is no little girl she flips her braids back as she laughs, "Angel? HA! No, far from it! I entered through the cave behind me. If you are not stuck....than what, as your friend says, in the Nine Hells are you doing down there?"
"Greetings, Ka'kara of the Eastern Tribes. I am Roylenna. I don't have a tribe. We are looking for someone. Where is your spirit journey taking you?"
Sandros nods at Royl's answer before adding his own, "I am Sandros Highmount, and this is our companion Proteus, a priest of Asclepius," indicating the cleric. Grond goes unmentioned, for now. A perceptive soul might notice a speculative glint in Sandros' eye as he studies the barbarian woman above them.
Proteus remains out of sight in pensive watchfulness as the friendly banter takes place trying to gauge the situation as well as keeping an eye out for Grond.
Proteus remains out of sight in pensive watchfulness as the friendly banter takes place trying to gauge the situation as well as keeping an eye out for Grond.
"Greetings, Ka'kara of the Eastern Tribes. I am Roylenna. I don't have a tribe. We are looking for someone. Where is your spirit journey taking you?"
"Greeting Roylenna. Ah, you have lost someone down this hidey hole then? So far my journey has brought me here and as of this moment you are part of it. We shall see where it leads." You can see that she has a greatsword casually resting across her lap.
Half-elf. ;)
Having become used to people mocking his rapier, Sandros ignores that part of the comment, studying the strange woman for a moment before nodding and sheathing the weapon smoothly. "Your pardon, Ka'kara of the Eastern Tribes. We have found much to prompt an attitude of wariness in these caves, but I meant no insult. If you offer us no harm, we offer you none." He offers a slight bow, made slightly awkward by the angle between them.
"Will you come up into the light? I assure you that these buffoons skulking around behind me will offer you no harm. They care only to protect their own skins from any possibility of glory and make up stories to amuse themselves."
Sandros nods at Royl's answer before adding his own, "I am Sandros Highmount, and this is our companion Proteus, a priest of Asclepius," indicating the cleric. Grond goes unmentioned, for now. A perceptive soul might notice a speculative glint in Sandros' eye as he studies the barbarian woman above them.
Sheathing her greatsword across her back she holds one end of a rope and drops the rest down. "Greetings Sandros Highmount and friend Proteus." Peering into the darkness to see if she can spot the latter. "Once again, will you come into the light for a proper greeting?" Glancing behind her. "I grow weary of the company of fools."
You hear muffled voices somewhere behind Ka'Kara:
"I am not a fool." "Who are you calling buffoon, you... [Ka'kara turns briefly] ...er, nevermind." "I'll have you know that I am a member of the famous..." "Sssch!"
To the east, where Grond is hiding, the sound of crossbows being fired falls silent and is replaced by ominous silence.
For Ka'Kara:
Proteus remains out of sight in pensive watchfulness as the friendly banter takes place trying to gauge the situation as well as keeping an eye out for Grond.
Apprehensively, Proteus will make his way to where he may look up and see Ka'kara. He looks upward through the hole, smiles at Ka'kara and waves. "We have been here so long, I know not whether to wish you good day or good eve," he says up through the opening. "But it is nice to see a friendly new face.
"As my friend, Sir Highpoint, has already told you, I am Proteus."
Grond makes sure of his concealment and positioning. If something is going to come down this hallway, he want to be there right behind it unseen, ready for a backstab! If possible, he will try and signal the others to silence, but his main concern is being ready for whatever might come their way. He will slowly switch from javelin to Falchion, a sure sign of trouble for anyone watching him.
"Will you come up into the light? I assure you that these buffoons skulking around behind me will offer you no harm. They care only to protect their own skins from any possibility of glory and make up stories to amuse themselves."
Sandros smiles. "Alas, our business takes us in another direction, Ka'kara. But if it is glory you seek, we might be able to show where to find some..."
She shrugs at Sandro's response and then says, "I think you are in the same hole some little scaly dog-like critters use for a home. Can't imagine they would be very dangerous though." She looks back one last time at the Pogin gang, "Last chance boys, going to make a real name for yourselves?" Looking back down, "Looks like your headed my direction." She pulls up and gathers her rope and then swings her fur lined suede boots over the edge allowing herself to slide into and down the chute. Standing back up from the crouch she lands in she looks up at the lights along the ceiling, "You bringing those? I don't see too well in the dark." Her accent is definitely from the tribes peoples but she speaks common suprisingly well for it not being her native tongue. "Way I see it, those traveling with a priest of Asclepius can't be all that bad. Which way you headed?"
You hear more voices from above. "Hey, what are you doing, you crazy b****?" "Let her go. We're better off without her." "Yeah, but did you see those..." "Shut up, Bo."
At the sight of Ka'Kara, Rana, who has turned increasingly pale during the exchange, suddenly turns and runs away at top speed, giving no explanation.
Grond keeps making furious signs for you to keep quiet, but his form melts into the shadows so well that you barely notice him.
Now what?
"Rana! Rana!!" Sandros shouts after the fleeing warrior in shock, taking a few steps toward the door through which he ran before hitting the edge of Royl's light. He looks toward the doorway through which Grond vanished, then back at the door through which Rana ran (the larger man's footsteps already fading, even to his sharp ears). "Damn! Fool's going to get himself killed!" Sandros spins back to face Ka'kara, eyes narrowing. With a sharper edge than could be heard before, he demands, "Who are you? Why did Rana flee your presence?"
At the sight of Ka'Kara, Rana, who has turned increasingly pale during the exchange, suddenly turns and runs away at top speed, giving no explanation.
Watching after the unknown man run into the darkness with a faint smile. "A man of action." she begins to follow only stopping when it quickly becomes to dark to see. Turning back, "You coming?"
Grond keeps making furious signs for you to keep quiet, but his form melts into the shadows so well that you barely notice him.
Sandros spins back to face Ka'kara, eyes narrowing. With a sharper edge than could be heard before, he demands, "Who are you? Why did Rana flee your presence?"
Ka'kara turns toward Sandros, "I little elf am exactly who I said I was. Would you like me to run him down and beat it out of him? Maybe he fears the tribes, many do." This last she says with a suddenly much less friendly smile.
At the sight of Ka'Kara, Rana, who has turned increasingly pale during the exchange, suddenly turns and runs away at top speed, giving no explanation.
Seeing Rana run away , Roylenna "yanks" the lights back down the chute and sends them after the fleeing man. "Rana, come back!"
Roylenna watches the departing man with some dismay, but doesn't try to follow. When opportunity arises, she studies the new arrival, especially the considerable skin art she displays. "Wow, this art is very well done. What does it mean?"
Moving into the left passage to keep out of the light, after only about 20 feet Grond enters a large cavern (about 40 feet across), the southern (left) half of which is covered in sand. There are no visible exits.
Rana ran back the way you came in. Where do you want to go next?
I thought you might've sent me the wrong way, but wasn't too worried about it.
Grond will give the sandy room a cursory examination before the twanging, miraculously heard over the antics of the party behind him, send him running swiftly and silently down the other passage. He mutters "Excuse me" as he dashes past the shananigans at the hole in the ceiling, pausing only long enough to give the hot blonde a once-over, before continuing with his mission: to stalk and wait for an opponent to backstab. He is now crouching down the RIGHT-hand passage. (right?)
I thought you might've sent me the wrong way, but wasn't too worried about it.
Grond will give the sandy room a cursory examination before the twanging, miraculously heard over the antics of the party behind him, send him running swiftly and silently down the other passage. He mutters "Excuse me" as he dashes past the shananigans at the hole in the ceiling, pausing only long enough to give the hot blonde a once-over, before continuing with his mission: to stalk and wait for an opponent to backstab. He is now crouching down the RIGHT-hand passage. (right?)
That works for me.