3.3.A Down the Stairs
The Frostyear Guardians, Book I:
The Heroes of Adrest
9 Ches, 1491. Evening
Continued from 3.3 The Underbarrel Farm
The two of you make your way down the spiraling stairs in the darkness. By the time you feel as if you've gone 100 feet down you find yourself on level ground again.
You are at the base of the spiraling stairs. The walls are of a totally smooth stone of some sort, it appears to be a much older type of construction that is far beyond anything Ardrest could do.
You see a wooden door in front of you that appears to have been added more recently.
Everything you can make out is in black and white for the record. SALEEK: "Varian...you seeing this?" VARIAN: "Yeah. This is... odd."
"Let me see if this door is safe."
Varian rolls [[1d20+Investigation (Int)]]=6+6=12 to check for traps on the door To the best you your abilities you belive it is a normal wooden door. VARIAN: Varian pushes the latch down slowly and opens the door The door swings on well used hinges and opens into a corridor that travels another 30 feet before curving to the left. It is still dark inside. SALEEK: Saleek holds tight to his dart, and keeps moving forward. The passage curves around, and quite suddenly opens up into a much larger room. Varian and can you both give me perception checks with disadvantage due to the dim light. PERCEPTION:
Saleek rolls [[1d20+Perception (Wis)]]=4+4=8
Saleek rolls [[1d20+Perception (Wis)]]=9+4=13 Saleek you can just barely make out the cieling of the cavern before you with how high it is. While the room looks like a natural cavern, the roof is supported by evenly spaced pillars of that same featureless stone that the previous rooms where made of. You entered through an opening on the south wall, the eastern wall looks like a plain cave wall. The wall to the north is lost in the darkness, but you can faintly make out some sort of person sized opening to your west.
To the best of your perception, the large room is empty and quiet.
You two stand at the southern end of a cavernous hall. To the north the room extends beyond the limit of either Varian or Saleek's darkvision. To the west there is a person sized arch cut into the stone.
In the darkness to the north, Saleek and Varian, you can faintly make out a dim, bobbing light. SALEEK: Saleek flattens himself against a wall, and gets low, attempting to move out of the way of the bobbing lights line of sight. Saleek presses himself against the wall. The light bobs softly right to left somewhere past what you guess is the northern edge of the current room. The light source appears to be far away and likely is only visible because of how dark the rest of the area is. SALEEK: saleek makes his way to the western arch, still pressed against the wall he glances in. You belive that the western arch once contained something like a portcullis or gate, but it is long gone now. It opens into a 20 foot long cylindrical tunnel with a similar archway on the other side. SALEEK: Saleek continues down the tunnel, slowly. The tunnel ends in another arch, beyond it there is a short ledge and the ground falls off into darkness below. SALEEK: "Varian, what do you think about dropping a torch down there?"
Saleek jumps off the ledge and glides down gently. You glide down slowly into the darkness, following the cliff face, you estimate you've glided about 30 feet down before you start to see what look like the rooftops of ruined buildings just at the edge of your darkvision another 60 feet below you. SALEEK: Saleek does a quick flyby, getting within 30 ft of the ruined buildings, to investigate. They appear very old, and very ruined. You might be able to guess that some sort of earthquake seems to have sunk and destroyed this area long ago. SALEEK: saleek turns around and flies back up to varian, he whispers his findings to him, as they walk back to the original room. In that original large room you can still see a faint light in the darkness to the north. SALEEK: Saleek slowly makes his way there. STEALTH AND PERCEPTION:
Saleek rolls stealth [[1d20+Stealth (Dex)]]=8+6=14 and perception [[1d20+Perception (Wis)]]=19+4=23
Varian rolls stealth [[1d20+Stealth (Dex)]]20+5=25 and perception [[1d20+Perception (Wis)]]=9+5=14 You both creep forward, Varian like a shadow, Saleek only slightly less so. The room you are in is like a large hall, with regularly spaced pillars, that over time either became a sort of semi natural cave, or was purposely built to look like one. The construction appears very, very old.
The northern end of the space is an open arch about 20 feet wide. Saleek is the first to pick out of the pair of rough looking men in the darkness. One of them is holding a lantern, and the other a chain. The other end of the chain is wrapped around the hands of a shaggy humanoid figure so large it dwarfs the two men. SALEEK: Saleek tries to get in close to get a better look at the larger humanoid. It is a large creature about 7 feet tall, covered in fur, though it walks upright and though you are still far way, you think you can make out intelligence and sadness in its eyes.
There are two armed men about 50 feet ahead of you in the darkness. SALEEK: (disgusted) "***in whispered tones***
varian, get ready..."
Saleek and Varian: you are able to make your way to the northern edge if the room without any trouble. The next chamber seems to be a large cave that has been converted into a storage room. Boxes are stacked
up at random and could provide you cover. The two blacksash men, being unable to see either of you in the darkness, appear to just be waiting for something. One holds a lantern and the other has the larger furred figure in chains. ADMOIRA: Their captive makes pitiful, sniffling sounds and pulls weakly at the chains on them. SALEEK: from the shadows saleek notches an arrow, and whispers an incantation.
Saleek marks one of the thugs and looses an arrow at him [[2d20D1+8]]11.18=+8=26
Saleek "quickly notches another arrow (thanks to dread ambusher) and let's loose [[2d20D1+8]]=11,2+8=19
Saleek Looses both arrows in quick succession, both find their target, and plunge themselves deep. [[3d8+2d6+12]]=2+7+2+5+3+12=31 Of the two thugs, the one holding the lantern scream out in pain briefly as two arrows embed themselves into his chest. He has a momentary look of confusion before slumping to the ground. The lantern falls from his hands. VARIAN: Varian rolls to attack [[1d20 +5]]=9+5=14
Varian rolls to damage, with automatic crit [[2d8+4d6+3]]=6+1+4+2+2+2+3=20
Varian dashes forward, still silent in the dark as he plunges his rapier into the other thug. The man cries out in pain, clutching at a serious wound on his neck. All 3 of you can give me initiative rolls as the one thug reaches for his club. INITIATIVE:
Varian rolls [[1d20 + Initiative]]=11+1=12
Blacksash rolls [[1d20 + Initiative]]=18
Admoira rolls initiative [[1d20+Initiative]]=4+2=6
Saleek rolls initiative [[1d20 + Initiative]]=3+6=9
Saleek rolls Initiative advantage [[1d20+Initiative]]=20+6=26 SALEEK: Volleys two more arrows at the remaining thug [[1d20+8]]=20+8=8 [[1d20+8]]=8+8=16
Sends his first arrow into one of the thugs shoulders [[2d8+2d6+6]]=6+3+2+4+6=21
The other to his knee [[2d8+2d6+6]]=6+3+5+1+6=21 The armed Blacksash man raises his club high into the air preparing to bring it down hard on Varian's skull, just then another pair of arrows appear in his body from the darkness. The man slumps to the smooth stone floor with a pitiful gurgle.
Admoira would feel the chain binding her go slack, there is just enough light from the Blacksash's fallen lantern to make out a lean elven man with a rapier in his hand. ADMOIRA: The large humanoid holds their hands up in a placating gesture, indicating the bindings.
(scared) "Please... I'm not with them..."
She takes a couple steps back, away from his weapon. Around the figure's large hands are simple manacles, Varian shouldn't have much trouble opening them but he glances back at Saleek's location in the darkness. ADMOIRA: (desperate) "Do you not speak Common? Please, I know not these men. I will give you everything I have if you release me." SALEEK: (confident, elvish) "varian, release her bindings, if you will. if she gives us trouble, well pump her full of holes."
saleek steps into the light from the shadows, almost appearing as if from nowhere.
(curious, elvish) "tell me, what has brought you here..." Varian proceeds to undo the manacles around Admoira's wrists. SALEEK: saleek awaits a response, a hand on his shortsword. ADMOIRA: (scared, elvish) "I am passing through the area, bound for lands south. I was ambushed by these men as I was about to make camp for the night. They would not tell me who they were or why they were here.
The large creature keeps her hands where they can be seen, and seems hesitant to move very much at all. SALEEK: saleek studies her...[[1d20+Insight (Wis)]]=18+2=20
DM WHISPER TO ADMOIRA: That's being honest right?
ADMOIRA WHISPER TO DM: Yes, completely Saleek you sense no sense of deception at all in the creature's soft voice. SALEEK: saleek lets his hands fall to his side, and sticks his hand out to shake.
(confident) "i am saleek, if you join with us, i promise you we will find the bastards who did this to you. we can take them down together." ADMOIRA: The large woman nervously shuffles, looking at Saleek's outstretched hand.
(anxious) "I abhor violence unless absolutely necessary. I am tasked with protecting the wilds, and am heading south because something strange is happening there. I feel it here, too, and I worry these men may be cause or symptom of this inbalance. Though it pains me, force may be needed to correct what is happening here. I will join you, if only until this is handled. I am named Admoira."
She holds her hand out as well, apparently not knowing what a handshake is. SALEEK: saleek raises an eyebrow, and grabs her hand, shaking it heartily.
"firs things first, how in blazes do we get out of here..." DM WHISPERED TO ADMOIRA: Admoira would know that the men have some sort of hideout entered through the east of the cavern you are currently in. For a time, she was chained up there in a room with other prisoners, but the others were eventually taken away somewhere. ADMOIRA: Admoira blinks in surprise as Saleek grabs her hand and shakes, then she allows a small, amused smile to show.
Admoira rolls perception [[1d20+Perception (Wis)]]=13+5=18 Admoira because you've been stuck inside here so long, or perhaps because of your natural senses, you can feel a faint stirring of the air and a fresher smell to the West indicating there is probably an exit. ADMOIRA: (anxious) "I know those men have a shelter nearby. I spent time chained in their with other captives. They eventually took the others away, I know not where."
(detached) "I do believe there might be an exit west of here, though. I can smell it on the air." (Saleek of course would also know the way he came in was behind him to the south)" ADMOIRA WHISPER TO DM: Are my belongings on one of the dead thugs, or will I just start without equipment and worry about it later?
DM WHISPER TO ADMOIRA: I can say he had them or they're in the next room, whichever you like better for story.
ADMOIRA WHISPER TO DM: We can say the next room, since I think it would be conspicuous for a couple thugs to be carrying a big staff and extra backpack. Thanks! ^^ ADMOIRA: Admoira tucks her hands into the folds of her dress and nods, stepping off in the direction Saleek points. She watches around her warily. The room you are in it a large storage area filled with crates and what you assume are stolen goods. On the western edge is another portcullis, this one of modern construction. It is open, and two carts sit just on the other side of it. ADMOIRA: (apologetic) "Those thugs stripped me of my travelling gear, might we pause for a moment to see if I can find a replacement for them here?" Without waiting for a response, the large Firbolg starts quickly rummaging through the objects stored here. Although it is still dark in the room, there are some low burning torches in the corridor beyond the portcullis, giving just enough light to make out a large pack in the back of one of the wagons.
Inside the sack, Admoira can find her basic equipment. Perhaps the Blacksashes had thought it suitably exotic enough to take with her wherever they were planning to take her. ADMOIRA: (relieved) "How fortuitous, my belongings are here. Thank you for waiting.
The Firbolg girl smiles at her companions as she slings the pack over her back and hugs her large staff to her chest.
(curious) "Should we continue, or do you wish to check these items as well?" You can investigate the wagons. You'd find that the boxes stacked on them are filled with straw, and arranged in such a method as to leave the center of the cart open. There are also several tarps that look like they would be stretched across the top. SALEEK: Saleek takes the tarp down and investigates. There is nothing under the tarps but an empty space in the wagon. It was probably used to conceal whatever these wagons would transport.
To the west of you you can make out where someone has cut switchbacks into a cliff, presumably leading out of the underground. To the east of that is a large storage room. Admoira indicated that the Blacksashes had a hideout east of there. To the south of that storage room are the long hall and the staircase that connect to the brewery. To the west of that long hall was a tunnel leading to a crevice and ruins. ADMOIRA: Admoira waits patiently for her companions to search the wagons, then nervously fidgets with a bunch of holly berries growing on her staff.
(anxious) "I hope it not too bold of me to ask, but I wondered why you two gentlemen are here?" SALEEK: "There is a chance that these *"men"* have taken a child hostage, were here to get that kid back home, and make sure the black sashes get what's coming to them." ADMOIRA: (angry) "If that is true, then these men are a great threat and are a higher priority than my journey. I will assist you in dealing with them, if you will allow me." SALEEK: "The more the merrier." ADMOIRA: Admoira nods solemnly to Saleek before following the two men towards the next destination. Which way are you all headed then? West and up? East? Back south the way you came?
You turn back behind you to the room with all the boxes and the two slain Blacksashes. Give me a perception check you two. PERCEPTION:
Admoira rolls perception [[1d20 + Perception (Wis)]]=11+5=16
Saleek rolls perception [[1d20 + Perception (Wis)]]=5+4=9 Admoira you hear faint voices echoing off the stones to the south, and if you look in that direction, you can see several faint lights, far off in the darkness. ADMOIRA: (tense) "{Battle to the south, are there others with you?} As you watch, the lights all slowly wink out. You believe they were somewhere in the long southern hall. SALEEK: "Yes, we must hurry..." ADMOIRA: Admoira quickly follows Saleek towards the din of battle. Only Saleek can make out anything in the darkness of the hall. It is a singular long hall with irregular stone pillars placed at regular intervals. DM rolls [[1d20]]=9
DM rolls [[1d20]]=1+4=5 You both can make out the lights partially concealed behind the nearest pillars.
Are you both still staying in darkness by the way? SALEEK: Saleek whispers to admoira and Varian.
"I'll go around and take a look...I'll let you know when it's clear."
Saleek moves forward, slowly, and sticking to as much darkness as possible. ADMOIRA: Admoira huddles close to Varian, watching Saleek until he vanishes into the darkness.
(nervous) "***To Varian*** {Will he be okay alone?}" Saleek it is very clear that four people are lying in ambush in the small room.
Give me an investigation check, Saleek. VARIAN WHISPER TO DM: "Hi! Just wanted to reach out and tell you I've been going through some rough times, and wanted to apologize for disappearing... Really been enjoying the game so I hope to return to it when times are better again."
DM WHISPER TO VARIAN: Thanks for letting me know! I hope they're resolved soon. Any idea how long it might be if that's not prying?
I'll keep your spot regardless. Saleek rolls investigation: [[1d20 + Investigation (Int)]]=10+3=13 SALEEK: Saleek makes his way back to admoira and Varian. Looks to be about 4 people, trying to ambush us...I believe we have the element of surprise...Varian, let's take advantage of this opportunity and take them out quickly and quietly.
Given that you had seen him cast the spell, you can just barely make out that one of the Blacksashes looks an awful lot like the one Randal disguised himself as earlier. SALEEK: Saleek draws a shortsword and makes his way back to the figures, he advises Varian and admoira to follow, but to stay in the shadows, in case his hunch wasn't right.
He makes his way behind the group waiting in ambush.
(curious) "Randall?"
Randal rejoins the party from 3.3.C Randal and the Blacksashes
Saleek as you call out, you notice the man step forward into the darkness of the large room. As he does his form begins to blur and shimmer. As the effect of his disguise self fades away you can recognize Randal. He cannot see you or any of the others in the total darkness of the room. Admoira would be similarly blind this deep underground.
Saleek give me an arcana check as well if you are trying to maintain the disguise self spell on you at this point. If you are even bothering. SALEEK: "Randall, it's me, saleek. I'm here with Varian, and...well, I've picked up a stray.
Saleek reaches into his pack and pulls out a torch, lighting it. Just to be 100% sure you're light the torch next to Randal and the 3 Blacksashes he was with?
Fair enough. Between your torch and the sudden flashing of lights released by Randal's magic, I'll say that while not surprised, the Blacksashes are caught off guard enough to go last in initiative.
The party will go first then the enemies. Having seen thier ambush fail they all turn toward the sort of the light, and now Randal who moments ago looked totally different. They do not look happy. RANDAL: Randal wipes his rapier off as though to wipe the blood from a fallen foe.
"“Yer friend is perished. Th’ battle ye seek is nigh. Draw!”"
Randal produces a sparkling rod, sending it flying to the feet of the blacksashes, where it detonates in an eruption of blue and green lights. *(He casts faerie fire, giving advantage against the enemies who fail their dexterity saving throws)* FAERIE FIRE:
Blacksash A dex save [[1d20+DEX Save]]=3
Blacksash B dex save [[1d20+DEX Save]]=5
Blacksash C dex save [[1d20+DEX Save]]=3+2=5 There is a sudden flash of light, and as it fades the area of the large room you are in is outlined in glowing light, making all three Blacksashes clearly visible.
Still up are Saleek, Admoira, and Varian (NPC for the moment) ADMOIRA: bites at the Blacksash: [[2d20k1+5]]=6,20+5=25, possibly dealing [[2d6+3]]=3+2+3=8 piercing damage.
As the Blacksashes illuminate, Admoira snarls and runs at the one closest to her. Mid-stride, her form blurs and reforms into a massive Dire Wolf (AC14, HP37).
Admoira rolls crit damage for an extra [[2d6]]=3+6=9 piercing.
Blacksash A rolls str save [[1d20+STR Save]]=4+2=6 Where once there had being the giant sized woman there is now a snarling giant wolf which proceeds to tackle the closest Blacksash to the ground as it savages him. (He is now knocked prone.) SALEEK: Saleek backs up a step and draws an arrow, shooting it at one of the glowing black sashes.
Shoots two arrows in quick succession. [[2d20D1+8]]=9,3+8=17 [[2d20D1+8]]=2,20+8=28
Both arrows find their mark, piercing the black dash deep in his chest [[5d8+3d6+12]]=6+1+1+3+5+2+3+6+12=39 There is a man being attacked by a wolf, another man, and a half orc. For clarification which are you aiming at?
(That dread ambusher damage!) The half orcish man does not even have time to react as the shaft of Saleek's arrow pierces his chest embedding itself in his heart. He falls to the ground in a rapidly forming puddle of blood. Varian rolls [[1d20+3]]=1+3=4
Varian lets loose an arrow from his short bow but it goes horribly wide into the darkness. ENEMY ATTACKS:
Blacksash rolls attack [[1d20kl1+4]]=2+4=6
Blacksash rolls attack [[1d20kl1+4]]=16+4=20
Blacksash rolls attack [[2d20k1+4]]=2,8+4=12 The first Blacksash attempts to beat at the wolf savaging him, but is unable to land a meaningful blow.
The second rushes to the aid of his friend but also cannot land a meaningful blow on the squirming wolf.
Now it's the party's turn again. There are two Blacksashes left both are to hit with advantage and one is prone. ADMOIRA: The large wolf snaps in annoyance at the new attacker before turning her full attention back to the prone Blacksash.
Admoira again bites at the prone, glowing man: [[2d20k1+5]]=18,16+5=23, possibly dealing [[2d6+3]]=3,4+3=10 piercing damage. The man continues to be harried by the wolf's snapping jaws. He is bloodied but still in the fight. Saleek, Randal, and Varian still have thier actions. RANDAL WHISPERS TO VARIAN: Just so you know, while faerie fire is active, you have advantage on attacks. RANDAL: Randal glares at the blacksash attempting to get the wolf off his ally. He steps forward, flicking his rapier like a whip towards his body.
Randal rolls [[2d20k1+4]]=15,17+4=21 to hit, dealing [[1d8+4]]=6+4=10 damage
Randal expends a bardic inspiration die to push back the blacksash [[1d6+5]]=4+5=9 feet
Then, with the excess movement speed gained by his blade flourish, he steps back, out of range of the blacksash. With his casting hand he beckons to the blacksash tauntingly. (threatening) "Ye was called upon t’ draw! Remove yer weapon from its cowardly sheath before I make ye the sheath of mine own!" The Blacksash stumbles backwards, bleeding from a cut to his chest, looking at you with hate filled eyes. Saleek and Varian still have thier actions the 2 Blacksashes remain. SALEEK: Looses an arrow in quick succession [[2d20D1+8]]=15,1+8=23 dealing [[1d8+1d6+6]]=7+3+6=16 Varian rolls [[2d20k1+3]]=4,15+3=18
Varian rolls [[1d8+2d6+1]]=3+3+1+1=8 As Randal pushed the man back, Saleek's arrow finds his chest. Quickly Varian rushes in with his rapier. Between the two the man succumbs to the pain and collapses. Blacksash rolls [[2d20kl1+4]]=11,13+4 to attack
Blacksash rolls [[1d6+2]]=5+2=7 In his flailing, manages to connect his club solidly with Admoira's wolf skull for 7 points of bludgeoning damage.
The party will be up now there is one remaining thugs, still prone struggling with the wolf. RANDAL: Randal watches in disappointment as the blacksash falls to the ground. He wipes his rapier of the little blood it drew, and sheaths it once more. He looks down at the Blacksash struggling against the wolf.
(disapointed) "Perhaps yer allies died standin’, but yer death will lack even that dignity." *he shakes his head, casting vicious mockery on the fallen blacksash*
Randal deals [[1d4]]=1 damage and inflicts disadvantage on attack rolls if the blacksash fails his wisdom save. Blacksash rolls [[1d20 + WIS Save]]=5+0=5 The thug is lit up, but also prone. Randal's words add insult to his being mauled by the massive wolf. SALEEK: Saleek moves in close, unsheathing a short sword.
Slams down his shortsword [[1d20+6]]=6+6=12, [[1d20+6]]=2+6=8
Saleek rolls [[1d6+1d6+6]]=3+5+6=14 ADMOIRA: Admoira continues to play with her favorite chew toy: [[2d20k1+5]]=5,3+5=10, dealing [[2d6+3]]=1+5+3=9 piercing. There is a rewarding spray of blood as Saleek plunges his blade deep into the man. In his pain he looses his grip long enough for Admoira's jaws to find his throat. He beats weakly against her head for a few more seconds before his hands fall limply to the ground. SALEEK: Saleek cleans his blade on the thugs clothes and sheaths it.
"Let's keep moving..." RANDAL WHISPER TO DM: Hey, I was thinking about Randal’s RP aspect. I’m thinking of having him fit the archetype of an overconfident swordsman who is in a little over his head, but the fighting style I chose on my last level up doesn’t really reflect that. When I chose duelling, my intention was to get hold of a shield to increase my defence. Obviously, that defensive style sort of contradicts my concept. My question is: when we return to town, can I switch to two weapon fighting, so that I can pick up some light weapons and have Randal’s style become more offensive in combat? DM WHISPER TO RANDAL: Given that I don't think we've even had a combat since you leveled up and added it, switching it out is fine. ADMOIRA: The large wolf falls into step behind Saleek. RANDAL: (curious) “Hold up, now. I note we’s got a new acquaintance ‘ere.” *he points to the wolf by Saleek* “Is it too much t’ ask fer an introduction?” SALEEK: "This is admoira, shes out to get the black sashes, like us." ADMOIRA: (panting) "Woof." RANDAL: (amused) “Wouldn’t ye say she fought rather *doggedly*? Looks like she, like us, has a *bone* t’ pick with ‘em”
(serious) “Okay, I’m done. Let’s go.” ADMOIRA: The large wolf lets out an amused chuff before falling back into step with the two men.
Continued in 3.4 The Blacksash Hideout
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