Brilliant Gameologists Forum
Playtime! => Retired PbP Games => Play by Post General => Altea => : Dan2 February 04, 2009, 09:31:07 PM
-
Black smoke leaps into the air, it's birth spectacular in both size and form. It sways a bit, hesitating, then it dives back to earth, swimming through the air and exploring the buildings at the bottom of the gaseous sea.
Like a dirty child, the smoke leaves a sooty, grimy residue on everything it feels, leaving its favorite "toys" terminally black; uncleanable.
The wispy creature doesn't get far before it finds itself falling apart, dissolved in the air like a specter in the daylight.
The smoke's mother is the large building near the center of town. It is here that the smiths work, taking base earth and transmuting it; giving it value and purpose. The objects made here rarely stay for long. They only wait long enough to be counted and loaded onto carts before they leave for the world-at-large.
As you step away from the foundry, you are reacquainted with the nature of the town built around it.
The heart of the town cries out in a Merchant's voice, and calls all to do trade. Everywhere on the streets, people peddle their wares. Preists call for donation and offer healing, while fifteen feet away, an alchemist offers to sell an herb to cure the same thing.
The streets are crowded with people, and help is needed everywhere in different capacities.
[spoiler]The town of Ferond is a busy one, and one based on trade and its metalworks. If you look around, you can find work to be done anywhere.
I leave it up to you what you would like to explore as a group first. Use the OOC thread to introduce your character and his/her motivations, propose options for exploring, and ask questions about the area or different aspects of the town.
Basically, give me a general area of the town that your character might find interesting (or none at all), such as the town history, town safety, trade caravans, leadership, community, economic situation, whatever.
I'll be using what I get in the OOC thread to direct where I go with the campaign.[/spoiler]
-
"Ay, the smiths! 'Sbeen awhile since Ah've been around a forge. Reminds me o' my home in the mountains; we used to pride ourselves on our crafts. Wonder how everyone's been...?" Telchar says to himself as he ponders the armories and weaponsmiths in the town.
-
Sha-Karn strides through the town making his way to the center, taking in his new surroundings en route. "Busy place... reminds me of some of the marketplaces in the cities we frequented... Let's see if this town is any better than that mining camp; at least the people here aren't in rags and chains." The flames dancing along the lines of energy on his head grow as he remembers the incident in the last large settlement he encountered.
[spoiler]1d20 1=4, 1d20 11=12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1926071/) -- streetwise and history, respectively (wow that was bad)[/spoiler]
-
Turning to his new compatriots, Sha-Karn speaks, "So, these drow... where were they last seen? You said that they were oppressive people, yes? We should find them as soon as possible and make them pay." As he finishes saying this, his eyes narrow and the fiery 'hair' erupting from his energy lines flaring up.
-
"Aren't we tracking down Jaedrus? Is he involved with the drow?" Valkon is wondering just how many enemies these people made, and just what exactly he signed up for.
[spoiler]At some point would anyone be willing to summarize the "story" so far?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler=FASTRECAP!]We met in Almark... Eric lost a duel to Jaedrus... He got kidnapped by kobbos... We tried to rescue him, found out something about drow 'employing' him... they disappeared... Introduced gravity to gobbos, it was amusing... Went into tunnels... met a gnome and a white dragon (who's dead now)... Smacked up some undead... drowned a dragon...born. Went to Elden... lost random party members to a bandit leader who turned out to be a pretentious prick of an Eldarin... made a massive-fucking-town come out from the ground by pulling on a lever in some sewers. Went back to Almark... slept... went poof into Feywild... made a deal with a green dragon... came back... smacked up some undead and gobbos... saw greenie, whiteie and blackie fight it up... only greenie lived. We left town to go find drow... and met another Carric :P Also, we each try to use different colors so speech is easily distinguishable... Telchar is red, Dori is... something... I'm orange, now (as I'm fiery and whatnot)... etc etc etc[/spoiler]
"From what I understood, he may or may not have worked with the drow willingly. I say we kill them all, associating with them is bad enough."
-
[spoiler]I shall be...PURPLE: THE REAL MAN'S COLOR[/spoiler]
"Be it just Jaedrus or the entire drow civilization, we still have to actually find these villains. Which brings us back to your question I suppose." Valkon turns to the other adventurers. "Should we go to where these drow were last seen?" Valkon thinks for a moment, looks at the bustling city and then forms a wide grin. "Or perhaps we should discuss or next course of action over a pint at a nearby tavern? There could be clues to Jaedrus's whereabouts within Ferond."
-
"Well.... we know the drow left behind a map.. an' we also know they retreated North after tha battle at Altea several months ago... other than that, Ah dunno what kinda information we got, so that'd prob'ly be a good place ta start... 'course, a quick trip ta the tavern wouldn't hurt neither... " Telchar says as begins walking towards the bar, grinning widely at the prospect of alcohol.
-
After pausing for a moment, slightly annoyed at having to wait, Sha-Karn concedes and joins his new compatriots en-route to the tavern. "Well, the map is a good place to start, then. Maybe we'll come across some travelers in the tavern who might have ran afoul of the drow, recently. Alas, I came from the West, through the mountains, so the northern regions of the continent are still a mystery to me."
-
[spoiler]qq someone is stole my color. Oh well. I guess I'll take TEAL[/spoiler]
Layla assumes a condescending, hand-on-hip pose and addresses the aspiring town drunks.
Or, instead of drinking our way to fame, we could all grow a pair, grab the map, and actually hunt the vermin. Didn't someone say they went north? I'll track them if you girls can't handle it.
-
Oh! Up north is great! There's all sorts of funny things and places and...
Sha-Karn, Layla, Valkon:
For the first time since you've met the group, the little kobold that always seems to be around speaks up.
So far, he's had his head in a book, and his hand 'round a quill.
His voice is a bit shrill, but it he speaks common fairly well.
His outburst is short-lived as his jaw drops open and his eyes widen to impossible proportions.
He stares at Sha-Karn for a second, then
Oh! Quick! Quick! Your head is on fire! Your head is on fire! Quick! get some water! Somebody do something! He's gonna burn his head! Quick, Dori! Quick! Summon some water or something! Hurry!!!
-
Layla chuckles to herself:
A flaming head and a bucket of spirits from that tavern could be a fun combination...
-
Sha-Karn turns to Layla, "Hey. I've been traveling for over a week now. I just slaughtered a town council and put their heads... On pikes. I think I'm entitled to a little drink-y drink." As he talks, he makes a gesture, demonstrating the decapitation and 'piking' procedures, emphasizing the latter. Pausing for a moment, realizing that his new party doesn't know the reasons for his actions.
"It's not like they didn't deserve it... they were enslaving the entire population of the town, forcing them to mine gold in conditions you wouldn't see a..."
At this, he hears a high-pitched outburst, spinning, to try and locate the source, he finds a kobold, pointing at him in fear. "...kobold."
Sighing, he shakes his head. "Yes, I know... my head is on fire. It's because I'm not a human. I am, in fact, a Genasi. These lines on my body, as my parents told me, are where the ancient elementals marked me, and the fire from my head is the culmination of this." As he talks, he gestures to the various visible glowing energy lines, trying to explain that he is not a human, but in fact an elemental, and that the fire is natural for this form.
-
Meepo listens to Sha-Karn's explanation, slowly nodding his head when Sha-Karn pauses.
So... Um... is... is your brother a fire monster? Or your dad?
Meepo looks around to see if anyone else is confused. He freezes for a sec when he sees Layla, then turns to her.
Oh! I'm sorry... Um... right! Up north is great! There's a big, open plains, and a big lake, uh, and, uh, and a jungle! But don't go too far east, or you get to the deadlands. The deadlands are no fun at all.
He fidgets nervously for a second, then determinedly looks elsewhere before diving back into his book nose first.
-
The firesoul raises an eyebrow bemusedly at the kobold's question, "Neither, really... it's a metaphorical thing." He tries to explain, using various hand-gestures, as he thinks, but is unable to come up with a suitably simple one. "Where I come from, the elements themselves have reached out and touched the people, and we genasi are the result of that interaction. There are firesouls, earthsouls, watersouls, windsouls, and stormsouls. Some of us can manifest multiple elements, and even fewer can do it simultaneously. For example, I can manifest both fire and earth, but not at the same time." Sha-karn shrugs, "I think of it as a blessing. It often is, at times. People generally don't try to push around someone who's on fire." he says with a wink, and toothy grin.
"A lake? Lakes are good... I'm assuming the drow need water like the rest of us. It'd be a good place to start, I think. Do you remember where this big lake was,...er... you never did say your name... I suppose I didn't, either. I am Sha-Karn, of the Vabbi." he bends forward and offers the kobold a hand.
-
Meepo grabs Sha-Karn's hand and shakes it. I'm Meepo! I, uh, well, I go around with Dori and Telchar, and, follow them around and stuff.
So, um... are we gonna go up north guys?
-
Telchar returns, having already constucted a mini beeramid by himself. Skar'd be proud... he thinks to himself.
"Alright then, we've 'ad our fun, it's time ta head on out, Ah'm thinkin'. Let's go." Telchar says before heading towards the north end of town.
-
Valkon looks at the inebriated dwarf and sighs. I should have followed him when I could, my spirits are rather low. "If all of you are ready to go drow hunting then let's not delay." Following this he quietly mutters, "Although we certainly might have time for a round at the tavern."
[spoiler]I don't think Valkon is aware of making horrible puns when he thinks to himself.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]You're still the ones making the puns, you will be punished accordingly! :P[/spoiler]
"The more time we spend waving our genitals about out here, the more time the drow have to subjugate! If you want alcohol, fill a spare waterskin like our dwarven friend, here. He knows what he's doing." Sha-Karn follows Telchar to the northern border of Ferond. Upon reaching there, he looks about at the party.
"So... this map... now would be a good time to use it, yes? Get a general idea of where to go and such. Meepo, do you remember where that large lake lies with relation to our current position?"
-
Meepo looks at the map for a second, seeming to study it, then he shakes his head and looks up.
Uhm... Meep-err I'm not very good with maps. And we didn't have one when we were there last time...
He points to a couple of areas. on the map.
I think I've been there, and there, and over there.
One of them is relatively near where the drow's path disappears into the mountain, but the other two are far away.
-
"Hrm, well, the path seems to go near this point... think you can take us there? You have an advantage of having been there before, so you would be leading the way. Layla... you're a ranger... how good are you at making sure at making sure we're going the right way? I know it's easy to get turned about... and going south instead of north would be problematic. If Meepo went here as far back as he's suggesting, an extra set of eyes would likely be helpful, no? Dori, I think that's what you go by..., you're good with maps, too, yes?" The swordmage turns from individual to individual as he addresses them, waiting for replies.
-
"Dori is fine. And yes, if it's somewhere you need to get, I can get you there. I've always had a decent head for stuff of that nature." Dori just kind of gazes around, suddenly missing his other companions, but nevertheless willing to continue his adventure anew.
-
Layla rolls her eyes and mocks Sha-Karn's slight stutter.
Of course I can make sure make sure we're going the right way the right way. Although Jitterbug here (She tilts her head toward Meepo) doesn't seem too confident about his memory of the place.
-
Sha-karn shakes his head and sighs, "Cut the short one some slack. Let's get going, we have drow to kill, and they're not going to go kill themselves."
[spoiler]Nature: 1d20 3=12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1935344/) to assist whomever's reading the map[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] 14 Nature to assist http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1936320/[/spoiler]
"Aye. Let's get a move on. We need ta get ta the bottom o' this before they get a chance ta attack another town."
-
Layla feigns a curtsy glances around the room.
Alright then. Slaying Drow is a sentiment I can get behind. Let me take a look at this map figure out what to do with it
She studies the paper (assuming she's allowed to do so)...
[spoiler] 29 Nature. The map *seems* simple enough to her. 1d20+13=29 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1936360/)[/spoiler]
-
Layla takes the map for a moment, gives it a cursory glance, and is about to tell everyone to follow her when she feels something is wrong with the map.
She pauses, studies the map for a bit longer, where she notices that even though the map seems simple enough, she can't seem to place herself on the map. She turns the map one way, then another, but just can't seem to figure where "here" is on the map.
Eventually, she notices that some of the landmarks are placed incorrectly and even oriented the wrong way.
Either she's unable to read it, or the map is wrong.
The map has to be wrong.
-
"Well? You said you could read it, yes?" Sha-Karn grumbles, wanting to move on from this city... something about it didn't sit right with him, it was all too... clean. "Is that even the right map? I don't see this town on it, anywhere. Someone must have stolen it and replaced it with this... mockery! I'll have their heads for this!" he growls and flares up once more.
-
Layla looks quizzically at the map in her hand.
This map is a piece of crap. It's easy to read but we're not even on it. Where did we get this?
-
[spoiler]After assessing the map, the group determines that the map will be of very little use, and decides to head north, looking for any trace of Jaedrus or the drow.
They "book passage" with a caravan heading north and are subject to a tremendously uneventful trip until arriving at their first stop.
They find the town desolate; all life erased. Fearing the forces' return, the caravan and adventurers spend an uncomfortable night within the morbid town.
The next day, they travel all day, only to see thick, black smoke rising up from the location of the second town. The caravan slows to a stop again, and prepares to make camp a safe distance from the town, but the adventuring group is determined to get to the town and prevent its demise.
They hustle for a couple of hours to get to the town, only to find it perfectly safe.
The time spent in the town is mostly uneventful. The party discovers that Jaedrus had, at one point, found his way up to Gravelstop, but had left rather quickly to the south.
After a short debate, (and a stop in the town's magic shop, the group decides to follow Jaedrus's path south.
They stop by the decimated town to do some investigative work and discover that hobgoblins, rather than drow, ruined the town and retreated back to the south.
With their two leads merging into the same direction the group hurries southward; chasing down the hobgoblins and looking for evidence of the drow or Jaedrus.
The group continues to move southward for two and a half days, motivated both by the threat of attack and the desire to clear up the mysterious circumstances, before they run into the mausoleum of a cranky, old mage.
Having never seen the structure before, new newer party members lead the group into the crypt, only to find themselves ambushed by a small contingent of hobgoblins.
A fierce battle ensued, but one quickly won by the heroes. However, before they were able to continue, the heroes heard a small explosion from below, signaling some unfortunate turn of events.
For the exploration and battle, everyone gets 600 xp.[/spoiler]
-
At the rumble of the explosion, Sha-karn looks about uncertainly, "Now, I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that explosions are bad. Especially when we're underground. And might be crushed by thousands of pounds of... building. We need to stop them from doing anything that would further compromise the integrity of this structure. Right now, this is our only link to the hobgoblins, and we can't afford to have it taken from us."
-
"Ah'm worried about tha hobgoblins that got away too. Ah'm thinkin' we might as well just go in there. I don't trust that explosion, and don't think sittin' around 'ere'll do us any good, Telchar says as he picks up his gear and gets ready to move on.
-
"As much as I like sitting around doing nothing, I get the feeling now would be a bad time do so. I suppose we should hurry our exploration of this Mausoleum before it falls apart?"
-
"Then it's agreed. Forward!" the firesoul makes his way forward through the rumbling depths, both he and his sword acting as beacons in the darkness, causing the party to cast long shadows as they make haste, following the path the archers took.
"Doriavan, Telchar... you two have been here before, yes? What's further inward? Anything explosive?" he shouts back to the party, not stopping for a response.
-
Telchar does not slow down as they continue on.
"Well, it 'as been a while... Ah'm pretty sure there's a second room like this'n, 'cept it's REALLY big. At the end of it, there's a door and a little path, and there was a tunnel comin' out of it, but it collapsed 'fore we could go through. Maybe the explosion has somethin' ta do with that tunnel?"
-
"I just hope there are not too many ghosts in here. The last time I met an apparition one of my companions lost all of his hair and a bet with ogre." The elf seems lost in recollection.
-
Still moving swiftly, the swordmage shouts over to the ranger, who is keeping up without so much as breaking a sweat, "You've explored dungeons like this, yes? Do you know what could have caused that rumbling? Was it an explosion? Or perhaps a great beast? Telchar, you said there was a cave-in, when you and Doriavan were here last? What caused that?"
-
The reply is cut short as you run into a choking cloud of dust. Your lungs force you to stop and try to clear out the area around you.
Slowly, the dust begins to settle and you find yourself in the middle of another large room with six chest-high obstructions placed at regular intervals. A quick look about reveals that these obstructions are sarcophagi, and one of them has been busted open.
The far wall of the chamber has been ruined. There is debris and rubble piled up against a section of the wall.
[spoiler]Please be explicit about what you do in the room. There just might be more traps ;)[/spoiler]
-
Layla slows her breath and focuses her keen senses on the room. She draws and loads an arrow into her bow, crouches slightly, and stalks slowly and quietly toward the edge of the room directly away from the open sarcophagus. She speaks in a hushed half-whisper.
Alright, nice and easy. Flame-boy, take a look at that mummy box and keep an eye out for whatever was in it. I'll search the perimeter and see what I can make of this room. The rest of you be careful and don't wake anything up.
[spoiler]1d20+13=19, 1d20+11=19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1943814/)
[/spoiler]
-
While searching, all you manage to turn up is a dust-cloud that follows you around the room and some theories about the rubble on the far wall. It appears as though the rubble, likely created by the explosion, was designed to seal up an opening in the wall. Who knows what was on the other side...
You realize, after giving the order for Sha-Karn to look at the mummy, or whatever it is in the sarcophagus, that he's probably a bad person to have look. After all, he is partially on fire.
-
"Perhaps I ought to have a look in the sarcophagus? After all, I am not on fire." Valkon looks around at the broken surroundings. "I just hope I do not have to be in another cave in." He moves towards the sarcophagus to investigate.
[spoiler]Perception check to investigate the sarcophagus and a Religion check to try to gather information about who or what would build these graves.
10 on Perception and 26 on Religion, http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1952896/[/spoiler]
-
As you look into the dusty coffin, you don't notice anything out of the ordinary, but you do notice the holy symbols placed in intervals around the rim of the sarcophagus.
You know that one of them is dedicated to Ioun, but the other ones you can't make out.
The mausoleum looks fairly standard as you see it. You get the inkling it was probably used for something else at one point, but then again, what hasn't?
-
"Did you learn anything interesting?" the swordmage shouts to the cleric, as he gazes around the room nervously, half-expecting more adversaries to appear at any moment.
"I get the feeling we shouldn't be standing in one place for too long, here."
-
"I cannot recognize most of the runes, but I do see Ioun's symbol over here." Valkon points to a marking. "Besides, I do not think we will die too quickly if the roof collapses. Perhaps."
-
I haven't seen anything I care about either. Let's keep going and figure out what's up in here.
Layla stows her drawn arrow and motions the group onward.
-
As you motion to the group, you look around, and realize that there is no onwards. The dust in the air has obscured the room, but now that it has settled some, you can clearly see that there is only one exit; the way you came.
It seems clear to you that the rubble on the far side of the room was created to block the path further into the mausoleum.
-
"The fact that our enemies don't want us to venture forth is enough reason for me to want to know what lies beyond... Telchar, do you think the room and passage will hold if we move the rubble out of the way?"
[spoiler=@Dan]If we can, str checks to move rocks? Do we know how long it'd take, etc?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]You can certainly try...
Also, please try to be explicit in what your character does. It'll make things easier.
Don't be afraid to use if-statements and spoiler blocks.
:D[/spoiler]
-
Given his impulsive nature, Sha-karn makes his way to the collapsed passageway, not really giving the dwarf a chance to reply, avoiding any obviously dangerous areas. Upon reaching it, he applies some pressure against the rubble forming the wall, separating him from his quarry.
[spoiler=Rolls pt1]1d20 8=10 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1955323/) Insight or 1d20 3=10 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1955325/) Dungeoneering[/spoiler]
[spoiler=If I think it's stable] Sheathing his kopesh in the exposed scabard [ just straps of leather to keep it in place ] on his back, so the light is still permitted to shine from it, the swordmage grasps a solid looking piece of rubble from closer to the top and pulls back on it.
1d20 6=22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1955330/) -- pure STR check, it's another +5 if it's athletics
[/spoiler]
[spoiler=If I don't think it's stable]Dissatisfied with the stability of the wall, the swordmage lets forth a stream of what one would assume to be profanity [in primordial] before turning to the group, "I'm not sure this wall can take us pulling it apart, as much as I hate to admit it... what are your thoughts, Telchar? I don't like the thought of our one link to the drow escaping... but we can't fight injustice from beyond the grave."[/spoiler]
-
In glancing at it, you're pretty sure that the structure around the rubble is stable.
You move over to it, sheathe your weapon, and heft a particularly large stone over your head, and toss it off to the side.
Nothing appears to happen, and it looks safe to continue.
The rest of you watch as the Genasi uses his impressive strength to start moving the rock away from the wall.
-
Without waiting for any further replies, Sha-karn continues to heave the rubble away from the passageway, tossing it to either side, "Watch out, these are heavy."
[spoiler=@Dan]I didn't know how many rolls you wanted, so here are 10:
1d20 6=26, 1d20 6=12, 1d20 6=20, 1d20 6=20, 1d20 6=18, 1d20 6=17, 1d20 6=24, 1d20 6=10, 1d20 6=22, 1d20 6=18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1956436/)
As before, if it's athletics, +5 to that roll, whee![/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Insight 25, (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1958631/) 25 Dungeoneering, (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1958633/) to help Sha-Karn determine if it's a bad idea to move the rocks around[/spoiler]
[spoiler=(If it's safe)]18 Strength (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1958635/) to use... um... STRENGTH (Telchar can now move boulders!) Nat 20 for 30 Endurance (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1958638/) to continue moving boulders (the roller loves me today).
Well, let's get to it. These boulders ain't gonna move themselves,Telchar says as he begins hurling boulders around, as would seem fairly typical of the dwarf.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Sorry...]I've been super ultra busy this week. I have a 30 minute presentation worth 30% of my final grade that I'm giving to people in the real world, not other students that needs to be good.[/spoiler]
-
As the Genasi and Dwarf are clearing the tunnel of rubble, the swordmage shouts over his shoulder, "Layla, you and Doriavan go make sure there aren't any traps about. Valkon, make sure they don't get themselves hurt."
[spoiler]I don't think anyone has thievery in our group :([/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Overview, lightning style:
moved rocks, found dirt, it was weird.
Found fake wall, went into dungeon, got locked in.
Fought Ghouls, ran into traps, went to rest, but found another encounter.
The map will be up later.[/spoiler]
-
Sha-Karn groans as he sees the dwarf, "As if your toys weren't bad enough... Telchar, I see something which needs hammering!"
[spoiler]Init: 1d20 2=20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1960021/)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler=Initiative]Init = 8. Hooray. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1960070/)[/spoiler]
Telchar fumbles around, apparently having some trouble getting a good grip on his hammer. "Aye... there's nothin' that can't be fixed with a good belt with a hammer. Now if I could only get it out..."
-
[spoiler]For init (1d20+8=21) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1960096/)[/spoiler]
Doriavan holds his staff at the ready.
-
Valkon slowly becomes aware of the situation and stands ready.
[spoiler]http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1960513/
1+4 = 5 :([/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]1d20+7=22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1963497/)[/spoiler]
Layla tightens the grip on her bow, ready for any trouble that might come.
-
[spoiler=Init]Layla -- 22
Dori -- 21
Sha-Karn -- 20
Ettercap -- 19
Bugbear -- 18
Dwarves -- 14
Telchar -- 8
Valkon -- 5[/spoiler]
The swordmage shouts over his shoulder, "Don't fight for victory. Fight for honor, and victory will come on its own."
-
[spoiler]Fastest recap ever:
Battle
Turned knob 2
Skill Challenge
Found a Dead End
Battle
Turned knob 3[/spoiler]
You are currently standing in the moist, foul, formerly-kruthik-ridden room where you have turned the third knob.
-
"Well, as much as I like standing around in the guts of gods know what, I recall a passage we did not venture downward earlier on." Valkon takes a look at some of his weary party-members. "Then again it might be useful for us to wait and recover."
-
"Agreed. Let's get going. Maybe we'll see what these damned knobs have activated on the way." Sha-Karn makes his way to the crevasse and squeezes into it, proceeding to retrace the group's steps...
-
The group retraces its steps, back to where the path diverged, earlier in this godforsaken tunnel.
This second route rounds off to the right of the other path, and shortly opens up into a large, damp, room.
[spoiler=To save you guys some time...]Give me a Dungeoneering check.[/spoiler]
-
Sha-Karn looks about the cavernous area, not terribly comfortable in the moisture.
[spoiler]Dungeoneering: 1d20 3=22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1973724/)[/spoiler]
-
Telchar perceives much about the caverns that surround him, feeling completely at home in the dark, surrounded by stone.
[spoiler]26 Dungeoneering (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1974651/)[/spoiler]
-
Telchar: You know, that if this were your deathtrap dungeon, it'd have a lot better stone.
But beyond that, if you wanted to keep people from proceeding, you would have all of the switches required to get out reset every few hours.
-
"Those switches we... err, switched, mighta reset themselves by now. Seems like if someone wanted ta keep us out that bad, they wouldn't make it so easy on us as ta just press the switches 'n be on our merry way. Ah say we go on an' finish explorin' down this last path and find any more switches or stuff o' value. Then Ah say we run through real quick an' hit all the switches an' see if the door them other bastard dwarves closed on us opens back up, or is anything else opens up," Telchar says as he slings his hammer over his shoulder and gets ready to proceed.
-
"That would make sense, though I hate to admit it... as it means we need to spend more time in this... wet." the Genasi cringes and turns, letting the light from his kopesh brighten the way as he and Telchar lead the way. "We'd best get moving, then."
-
The large area you are in slopes downward, and you can hear the sound of drops of water falling against rock. At your feet, you notice that the rock is actually quite damp.
Ahead, you can see a large pool of water. The water is too dark to see the bottom. You assume that the constant drip and runoff into the pool must keep the sediment stirred up.
Those of you with decent dungeoneering checks know that jumping in could be a deathtrap. Pools of water in caves can be astonishingly deep, and they can immediately disorient you.
-
Telchar drops his hammer, sinks to his knees, and cries out, "WE HAVE FAILED!!!!! IT'S OVER!!! IT'S HOPELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!", weeps bitterly, and considers ending it all in the pool's watery embrace.
-
Slightly taken aback at this display of emotion from the otherwise stoic dwarf, the swordmage says, "Calm down. It's just water... as much as I hate it... have some of your alcohol, it'll make you feel better. Now... what do we now that we're here...? Going in would be... bad.".
-
[spoiler]
"Perhaps the inhabitants of this cave use a boat to travel across this body of water. Or maybe it is another illusion like that wall that took us hours to find?" Valkon sighs. "This dungeon vexes more than the impossible triangle that killed a former comrade of mine."[/spoiler]
"Maybe this is like that illusion that took us hours to find? After all the surprises in this dungeon I doubt this water is exactly what it seems."
[spoiler]I really have to remember to write [/color] instead of [/purple] and to preview my posts before I leave them on the forum for a day.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]It is possible to see the wall on the other side of the pool of water.[/spoiler]
-
The swordmage looks about the 'landing' for a rock.
[spoiler=Perception]1d20 3=23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1980056/)[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Find one?]"Let's find out...", he throws the rock into the water to see if it splashes through and sinks. 1d20 6=10 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1980057/)[/spoiler]
-
You toss the rock into the murky water, and immediately lose sight of it. No sound is heard if or when it touches bottom.
-
"This is baffling. We have hit nothing but dead ends, and have naught to show for it but some near-death experiences. This has to be one of my least favorite death-trap dungeons. At least the other ones I've been in made a point to kill you rather than give the illusion of guarding some secret area we haven't found." Valkon starts to inspect the area closely. "There must be something here we're not catching."
[spoiler]Perception check to see if there is any unusual things on the walls, floors, or on the surface of the water. I don't go into the water but I do try to put my hand in it.
1d20+8=12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1987947/)[/spoiler]
-
You feel the water, let it run over your hand. It seems safe, just fouled up. You brace yourself to shift your pack, so it doesn't slide around and pitch you into the water and you accidentally touch the bottom. It feels as though it slopes down gently, if a little bit steep.