"This one sees wisdom in what you say, brave Edgrin... hrmmm... however, neither this one nor that one," he gestures toward Rogan, "are able to speak with the scaled-ones as you can. This one thinks you are needed. As are the scaled ones. This one also thinks... hrmmm... that the bold one," he glances toward Kimi, "would not be satisfied to simply wait for... hrmmm... her friend's return. This one sees little choice but to let the brave young warriors decide whether they stay... hrmmm... or accompany us further."
How's your back my friend? Hope it's doing at least a bit better.
Yeah, it's a bit better. I've been icing it for 20 minutes, then putting a heating pad on it for 20 minutes and repeating the cycle as soon as I get home from work. That and the muscle relaxants have it feeling quite a bit better, but the drive to and from work is heinous. It's only a 20 minute drive but it does a horrible number on my back. So, we are unfortunately going to have to reschedule the joining of the Triforce.
However, I have finished the traits for the campaign and will be emailing them to you chaps within minutes of this posting. Next up will be a brief introduction to the nation of Skorvia and what house rules I'll be implementing.
Edgrin smirks at the confusion that briefly washes over Omen's face as the halfling speaks in perfect Orcish. He turns to Kimi standing nearby holding the shortspear over her right shoulder after Omen's words. "What do you wish to do, brave one?"
"I... uhm," Her face reveals an apprehension to the notion of venturing further below, but then her stature straightens and she continues, "I will lead them outside and we will wait for you there. I will protect them while you find the others."
Omen holds Kimi's gaze for a few long moments before he nods stoically. He'll approach each of the children, nod confidently to each one, and bestow a virtue orison upon them before they depart for the surface.
"Hrmmm... this one hopes we are not too late to save your friend and... hrmmm... the other child. Come. Let us be as a storm in the mountains - swift and fierce."
Edgrin nods and replies, "Well, lead the way friends. Onward we go into the depths of the Kobold King, and when we emerge, a ballad I shall sing of our triumph in rescuing the children lo, and we will return as champions to Falcon's Hollow!" With this he pulls out his dagger and raises it in the air. You watch as his eyes center on the weapon and then he says, "Perhaps I should take one of these spears."
Kimi inhales deeply as you cast your virtue spell on her. As she exhales, her confidence seems to grow in her facial expression and she grabs tightly onto her spear. "Lets go, guys." The children stand up and line up behind the girl as she heads for the door to the south on out to the surface.
Edgrin watches her as she leaves. "She's a tough one, but I'm worried that she's seen more than most her age." He places the butt of the spear on the cold stone floor. "I will follow whoever is leading the way." After this he turns to Kerrdremak and speaks several words in Draconic. "The kobolds are ready as well."
Rogan nods and unshoulders his bow. "I'll lead. Edgrin, ask the kobolds if they would be so kind as to point out any traps they are aware of as we proceed. Noctem, let me know if you smell anything out of place."
He places an arrow to his bow and steps to the door. "Let's go."
Edgrin sheathes his dagger as he takes an extra spear from one of the warriors while speaking with Kerrdremak. He then steps in behind Rogan with Kerrdremak beside him. "They will assist us in any way they can."
Omen shall follow immediately behind Rogan.
Edgrin speaks up again. "There is a tunnel located the room adjacent to the foundry, and there is also the crevasse we found within the foundry itself." The halfling begins tapping the spear on the ground as he uses it as a walking stick keeping in step with Rogan. "The kobolds say the tunnel is easiest, while the crevasse will be difficult for you two to squeeze into. They say the crevasse leads into a cavern and might be easier as an indirect approach, while the tunnel heads right down into the second floor."
Rogan leads the way back through the underground ruin to where you found Kerrdremak and his warriors. "Where shall we go?" Edgrin asks.
"Hrmmm... this one would prefer a less expected approach and is willing to try this narrow passage the scaled-ones speak of. What does friend Rogan think?"
Rogan smiles at Omen. "That's why I like you. Edgrin, we'll take the crevasse."
Rogan leads the party into the foundry where the steaming forge belches black smoke into the air. The air is hot as you remember it just hours before. Over in the corner to the right you see the opening to the crevasse; the path begins with a long, gaping cut into the floor which then begins to descend as a ramp into the darkness.
Omen follows Rogan into the yawning crevasse, bracing himself against the walls should the passage prove narrow enough. He will proceed slowly and surely, bearing the difficulties his armor causes him in stern silence.
Climb Check: (Take 10) = 10. (plus any modifiers for bracing should there be any)
On his first attempt, Omen finds that he is unable to fit his body into the narrowed portion of the crevasse. The entrance was wide enough, however after sliding sideways a few feet, he finds he cannot move any further.
Omen grunts uncomfortably as he's gotten himself wedged in the narrowing cravasse. He twists and wiggles as he tries to force his body through the slim aperture, reflexively muttering a few colorful words in Orcish as he does so.
Unfortunately the gap is just too narrow for Omen to squeeze his way into and so he curses as he continues to try and angle himself so as to make progress down the passage.
Escape Artist: 9+3+10(grease)=22
Escape Artist: 9+3+10(grease)=22
Omen casts a spell which coats his body and the jagged walls of the crevasse with grease. Using the advantage given to him by the slippery substance, he slowly slips through and begins making his way down to where he drops down to a tunnel five feet below. Crawling another five feet, he finds himself in a large cavernous room, the floor of which is filled with gigantic stalagmites, some standing six feet in height.
Rogan easily slips in through the crevasse and slowly climbs down without any trouble. He crawls through the five-foot passage and steps out into a yawning cavernous room. He can hear Omen struggling as he attempts to make his way down impeded by the tight space, however he eventually crawls out covered in grease. Soon after, the kobolds crawl through followed by Edgrin.
About twenty-feet behind you is a passage leading out of this gaping caverous room.
Rogan
Rogan lifts his bow quickly to fire. "Eyes up - big bat coming down!"
Initiative: 1d20+4=12
Omen sees the bat as it shrieks with it's wings open ready to attack.
If we get a surprise round, Omen will toss a calm animals spell at the angry bat, assuring it that we mean no harm and didn't mean to wake it.
HD affected:2d4(4+2)+4 = 10
If we get a surprise round, Omen will toss a calm animals spell at the angry bat, assuring it that we mean no harm and didn't mean to wake it.
HD affected:2d4(4+2)+4 = 10
Omen raises his hands to speak the words of a spell which seems to immediately affect the bat as it swoops down from his lofty perch. It stops mid-air and flaps it's wings and then turns to fly away towards the back of the room to perch on the edge of another column.
Rogan holds his arrow at the last second as he watches the bat sweep back into the air and harmlessly into a nook in the cavern ceiling. He grins at Omen. "You show much compassion for one with orc blood coursing through his veins. You continue to surprise and humble me, my friend. I don't believe any of my preconceptions of you have proven true." He pauses and then grins wider, tipping back his hat, "Much to my delight."
"Hrmmm... you honor this one with your words, friend Rogan. And now that we have assuaged our sleeping brother... hrmmm... we should press on."
Omen
"Hrmmm... this one hears sounds of hammers and chisels. There are words too... hrmmm... but this one does not understand them. This one recommends caution."
Omen will attempt to sneak along... and will do a very horrible job of it.
"...
...
...
Hrmmm...
...
...
bless this one?"
Rogan stifles a chuckle as he crouches defensively and trains his bow down the hallway, waiting to see if anyone approaches.
Rogan
Rogan, you hear the voice of a gruff-sounding creature bark out what sounds to be some kind of order. Soon after you hear the pattering footsteps of a gaggle of what you imagine to be humanoids judging from the pattern of the steps.
"Bless you, Omen." Rogan whispers. "But we may want to search for a defensible position, or somewhere to hide." He glances over his shoulder at Edgrin and the kobolds. "We've been heard. A patrol of some kind is coming."
"Bless you, Omen." Rogan whispers. "But we may want to search for a defensible position, or somewhere to hide." He glances over his shoulder at Edgrin and the kobolds. "We've been heard. A patrol of some kind is coming."
At Rogan's warning, Omen will take cover behind a stalagmite, and brace himself for whatever he's drawn the attention of.
Rogan and Omen, you both see a gaggle of kobolds round the darkened corridor of the rough passage ahead. They are unarmored, wearing only loincloths and appear to be carrying picks. The two up ahead stop just outside the passage and stop to look around but do not appear to see anything.