4.5 Lendi's Workshop
The Frostyear Guardians, Book I:
The Heroes of Adrest
10-11 Ches, 1491. Mid-afternoon to morning
You all make your way back to the abandoned farmhouse, it's one slide still forlornly sloping down into the moist ground and the hidden cave structure in its basement. The air is damp, and filled with the smell of abandonment and mold. Are you taking any special actions before you bed down in the rotting house with a tunnel leading to a monster lair in the basement? ADMOIRA: (disappointed)"Oh dear, it appears even more dilapidated than when we first walked through..." RANDAL: Despite the less than comfortable sleeping arrangements, Randal is simply happy to rest while his wounds heal from the battle."I’m happy t’ take th’ second watch. Though I suppose it’d be too much t’ ask fer a fire when the surroundings are so... combustible."
He begins to get comfortable on the old floor ADMOIRA: ((Was there no hearth in here? Or a clay oven or something that might contain a fire?)) Admoira nods in agreement, shivering in her damp clothes. The place is abandoned and neglected, but was once a functional home. You can find a place to make a fire. The place itself has the sort of creepy atmosphere that is born of long abandoned buildings, but at least it has a roof and walls. ADMOIRA: Admoira tends to Flyndak while the others set camp. RINI: "I am able to take another watch, I still have some strength about me." SALEEK: (friendly) "you, all of you fought bravely today, get your sleep, kenris and i will take first watch." I'm going to need a 3 to 4 person watch rotation, if two of your are on a watch one can roll with advantage or both roll. WATCH:
Saleek and kenris keep an eye out: Saleek rolls [[2d20D1+Perception (Wis)]]=11,17+4=21
Randal rolls [[1d20+1]]=4+1=5 perception if he is on watch alone or [[2d20k1+5]]=14,13+5=19 if
Admoira is on watch with him (+5) because her perception score is higher than his
3rd watch: Rini rolls [[2d20k1+Perception (Wis)]]=15,5+0=15 ((Given those rolls I'm sure she will help. That leaves Rini and the now partially recovered Flyndak to have the last watch I suppose.))
You all try and bed down as best you can; you secure the doors and make a small fire in the houses hearth. All and all, it is far from the worst place adventurers have ever slept. As the sun sets finally, a thin fog creeps in off the moors to the north, limiting your vision and giving you all a feeling of isolation within the farmhouse. The problem, if anything is you are all *too* perceptive, every creek, every movement of some small animal, every snap of the fire could be nothing or it could be the "mistress" of the bullywugs creeping up to murder you in your sleep. It is an uneasy night to be sure.
Everyone can give me a wisdom saving throw. WIS SAVE
Flyndak rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=1+1=2
Saleek rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=2+1=3
Randal rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=18+1=19
Rini rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=13+2=15
Kenris rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=5+1=6
Admoira rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=16+5=21 ((My NPC fighter is having a really bad day, haha.))
This house is creepy in the extreme. Saleek and Kenris take the first watch. The mist rolls in, fingers of it twisting around the remains of the houses windows. Time and time again you think you see things moving out in the darkness, you spend your time readying yourself for the attack. But it never comes, even after handing over your watch you both cannot quite shake that feeling that something is just outside in the darkness. Your sleep is fitful. You well get all the benefits of the long rest, but take a level of exhaustion in exchange.
They trade off their watch to Randal and Admoira, with the aid of time, and just their natural personalities, they are able to avoid the paranoia that seemed to consume the first watch. The fire burns low and most of the group gets their rest, Admoria spends her staring out into the night, the place is utterly unnatural, there are far fewer animals then they should be, in fact the night is almost silent save for the croaking of a few (and decidedly normal sized sounding) frogs. She would certainly feel as if something was throwing off nature in this area. Randal for your part, would just feel that this would be the kind of house at the center of a good ghost story.
The second watch passes without incident and is handed off to Rini and Flyndak. Flyndak for her part, is still wounded, covered in drying frog slime, and miserable. As much as she might complain to you Rini, she clearly makes no attempt to get out of her armor and clean up. She keeps her crossbow loaded, but you can watch its point dip multiple times as the halfling woman struggles not to fall asleep on her feet. Rini you are able to focus on the task at hand, push the fear out of your mind, and keep a watch, during which no attack occurs. The morning sun breaks out, dispelling the night fog as the party begins to rise to face the new day.
11 Ches, Morning
(tired) "I slept so rough last night, I pray you had a more restful sleep..." RINI: Reading over his spells, Rini prepares for the day. Before setting off, he speaks his protective incantation as he circles his staff around him to cast mage armour.
"Thank you Admoira, that was an unpleasant night and some warm food is much appreciated"
((My AC should be 14 for the next 8 hours.)) DM WHISPER TO ADMOIRA: Although you have no precise experience with this sort of thing, it would feel to you almost like there is something in the way of your connection with nature; if normally your power was a river, in this area it seems like someone has diverted most of the water and you are only getting a stream. There is still enough to use your magic however.", The house remains crooked and abandoned. The door to the basement leads down and back to the monster lair, and the swim involved. Also, since you now know about the other entrance, it would not be difficult to make your way back around and explore further. If that is what you desire to do. SALEEK: saleek gets up and stretches, his back sore and stiff. RANDAL: Randal rises attentively, clearly well-recovered from yesterday’s trials. He notices Saleek looking uncomfortable.
to Saleek:”Slept poorly?” SALEEK: saleek nods.
(tired) "it matters not. we finish what we started." FLYNDAK: The halfling woman moves up closer to Randal, still grimy and disheveled from the night before.
"I ain't no coward, but call me one fer saying I ain't looking forward to going back down into that dark... Let's be quick about it."
(embarrassed) "to Randal: {T- thanks... It won't have ta happen again.}" Since I imagine the goal is to head back into the cave, which route are you taking? And does anyone other than Rini have any preparations they would like to make first? SALEEK: ((thats a good question, we should vote on it. would we be able to backtrack?)) RANDAL: "to Flyndak: Careful ye don’t make a promise ye can’t keep. This place is cursed by th’ events that happened here. Almost bein’ eaten by a giant frog monster is par fer th’ course."
((Randal doesn’t really have any abilities that need to be set up, so I’ll be ready when everyone else is. As for the route, I’m leaning towards not having everyone almost drown, which means backtracking through the swamp.
That said, I’m not to keen to meet the lizard men again either.)) Saleek, you see no reason it would be difficult for you to locate the cave mouth again, now that you know roughly were it is and what you are looking for; if all else fails look for the pile of dead frog-men FLYNDAK: The small woman visibly shivers at the mention of more frogs, and moves at step closer to Randal. But she grits her teeth and readies her crossbow.
"You... won't need to save me again." KENRIS: ((OK attempt 2 to catch up.)) ((Super quick version: The party went to investigate the farm of a halfling family that disappeared the year before the last Fortnight Festival. When they got there they found it abandoned and falling into the northern swamp, but a door lead down to a flooded basement, and a tunnel there lead into an cave system. Within the cave the party came upon an alter of sorts, where two bone and wood construct became instantly hostile when the party took a small doll off the table/alter that someone had set up. Beating the golems, and finding that they were made of parts of the family you had been investigating, the party proceeded deeper and found a golem workshop of sorts, and then an exit to the cave where they were ambushed by bullywugs and giant frogs. After a very tough fight, the party retreated, for a rough night's rest spent in the Greenvalley farmhouse and is now ready to head back below.))
((Oh, did anyone take the doll by the way?)) KENRIS: ((Ok thank you GM that makes it more clear.)) ((Don't thank me until you see how badly I roll when I NPC you.)) KENRIS: ((I did see and RNGesus was not kind.. didnt die though so i have that going for me)) SALEEK: ((I took the doll, I believe.)) RINI: "Are you sure you are up for this Flyndak?" ADMOIRA: (worried) "to Flyndak: Indeed, there is no shame in not wanting to continue on. Especially after nearly being eaten..." FLYNDAK: (anxious) "*The small, red-haired halfling, snorts at your concern.* They just ambushed me is all... Not like I'm gonna stay out here alone and wait for you all!" ADMOIRA: The large Firbolg holds up her hands in a placating gesture.
(apologetic) "to Flyndak: Fair enough, my apologies." RINI: "I did not mean to offend either. I just wish I was more capable to prepare us for what is to come." The halfling woman does her best to look as tough as a woman under 3 feet who had nearly been eaten by a frog the day before can.
You all leave the Greenvalley farm house, heading north and trudging through the southern limits of the swamp just far enough to get back to the cave you left the previous day. It is not a hard journey. You make it to the cave mouth without incident. The rotting bodies of the frogmen are as you left them, save for a few flies that somehow have already found a feast in the bodies.
The cave is open before you, you know that not far inside the passage forks, the way to your left leading, eventually, back to the farmhouse, to the right leading deeper into unexplored territory. RANDAL: “Well, if yer still happy t’ come along after that, I won’t stop ye. And if ye can take a shot at whatever’s lurkin’ down there, even better.”
He casts a morbid glance at yesterday’s bodies
(amused) "They’re doing it backwards!" ADMOIRA: Checking the Froggy Bodies: checks the corpses, being careful to not get frog slime on herself: [[1d20+Investigation (Int)]]=9+0=9 Bullywugs are a strange race, while they absolutely love fine objects, they are completely unable to keep themselves from ruining them, thus most of their gear is either made of scrap, lashed to other scrap, or crude and useless. You could salvage a set of hide armor from one of the frogmen, if you didn't mind looking (and smelling) like you live in a swamp. ADMOIRA: Admoira stands, wiping her hands before catching back up with the party.
(anxious) "There was not any trinkets or information on them that could have been useful for our current predicament." RINI: "That is unfortunate. Any information regarding what we are heading into would be much appreciated. Onwards then?" ADMOIRA: Admoira folds her arms and quietly falls back in behind the party as they descend into the caves. You all make your way into the cave a short distance, and you come to a Y intersection. One side leads back to the place you have been, the workshop. In the opposite direction the tunnel slopes down into darkness. KENRIS: "we are only left to march on, though i would pray for some more information but i know these will fall on deaf ears" SALEEK: (friendly) "Perhaps you should pray anyway, my friend..." RINI: "Maybe a few of us should approach quietly a little ahead?" ADMOIRA: (anxious) "Alas, I am fairly ungraceful. I could assume a more stealthy form if needed?" SALEEK: "Aye, I'll scout ahead."
Saleek stretches his wings, a shudder of pain overtaking his body as he does. And he flies away.
Do I see anything *yawns*: [[2d20kl1+Perception (Wis)]]=13,1+4=5 With that roll, Saleek, you see that you are indeed in an underground tunnel. It is dark, and does not smell nice at all. It is also hard to fly in an enclosed space.
Anyone who wants to can make a stealth roll to head further into the caverns. STEALTH ROLLS:
Admoira: Sneaky 8-foot-tall Furry Girl: tries to walk quietly: [[1d20+Stealth (Dex)]]=17+2=19
Randal rolls stealth: [[1d20+Stealth (Dex)]]=1+4=5
Kenris rolls stealth, in heavy armor: [[2d20kl1+Stealth (Dex)]]=3,3+0=3
Rini rolls stealth: [[1d20+Stealth (Dex)]]=7+1=8
Saleek rolls stealth: [[1d20+Stealth (Dex)]]=8+6=14
Saleek disadvantage because exhausted level: [[1d20+Stealth (Dex)]]=13+6=19
Flyndak is also exausted [[2d20k1+Stealth (Dex)]]=3,14+3=6 The party makes its way down into the tunnel. The tunnel itself is just large enough for two of you to walk abreast, and just high enough that (for the most part) Admoira does not need to duck. For some odd reason, Randal finds this the perfect time to make a joke. It is not a good joke, but somehow the very fact that the joke was so terrible makes everyone in the group break up laughing, except for Saleek and Admoira. Perhaps, they did not get the joke.
The passage opens out into a single, roughhewn room, again dug without any sort of planned construction method. The room appears abandoned, but that it was once lived in by... something. There is a pile of furs, blankets, straw and other soft things against one wall, all of it looks disgusting. All throughout the room are strewn bones of various animals, most of them broken and intermixed with the bones are numerous glints of some sort of metal. You can make out, there is some sort of rectangular box or alter against the back wall. ADMOIRA: (anxious) "What a disagreeable place..."
Admoira looks around the room, stooping to examine the small bits of metal and bone.
rolls [[1d20+Persuasion (Cha)]]=16+1=17 (oh, I messed that up, I guess I was off my game last night, would be a 21 using your actual perception)
Admoira bends down, picking up a small bone, that likely belonged to some sort of bird. It is split, the marrow sucked out, and shows signs of gnawing. It looks like it has been here for some time. With your perception, you can pick out a pattern, almost as if most of the bones and other objects had been in a pile near the entrance, and a strong hand hand multiple times pushed the contents of that pile over the floor. The best way to describe the state this area is to imagine a room where someone lived, but whenever it was finished with whatever object it was holding it threw it to the ground and forgot about it.
Mixed in with the bones, with seemingly as little care, are a wide variety of coins, small gemstones, art objects, shiny shells, even a few rings. The nicest of the objects have been placed by the small alter in the back, as offerings. In fact you get the feeling that most everything in the room was probably some sort of offering at some point. The alter is a crude, roughly rectangular stone, about 2 feet long, 4 feet wide and 3 feet high. Dark red stains mar its sides. There are a few small, precious metal figurines placed atop it. In the center of it is something covered with a dark red cloth; it looks wet.
Everyone but Admoira can make me a general intelligence check. ADMOIRA: (remorseful) "So much detritus, so much death."
The Firbolg bows her head, praying for the souls of the sacrifices. INT CHECK:
Rini rolls intelligence check: [[1d20+4]]=20+4=24
Saleek rolls [[1d20+1]]=14+1=15
Kenris rolls [[1d20 -1]]=5-1=4
Randal rolls [[1d20+0]]=7+0=7 to recognize aspects of this gory scene With his practiced memorization skills, Rini is immediately struck by a strange sense of similarity; this room, the bones, the offerings, the general disregard for the object within, it all brings back memories of what you found in the depths of the goblin mines several days earlier. The altar in the back bares a particularly gruesome similarity to the stone that the party found Randal's young ward tied to. Saleek, with your experience tracking various beasts and humanoids, you have the distinct sense that whatever occupied this lair has abandoned it for several days.
Collectively as you are all looking around, you have the sense of being watched, although you are as best you can tell alone in the room. Also you could swear the cloth on the alter is moving. SALEEK: saleek takes a sideways stance and looks away, he palms a dart in his hand, and talks quietly to kenris.
(confident) "on my signal, we pounce..."
(serious) "# whoever is out there...**what** ever is out there...show yourself now..." ADMOIRA: Admoira jumps, then looks around in a panic. You wait a moment, and then another, cavern seems almost mocking in its silence.
With your last perception roll, you are almost certain you are the only living things in this room. The feeling of unnatural wrongness feels strongest in here, but also somehow faded, like a terrible smell that is gradually dissipating. RINI WHISPER TO ADMOIRA: "This creature may be invisible, can you hear anything?" ADMOIRA WHISPER TO RINI: (anxious) "I feel like it is no longer here. The taint is fading, like a bad memory." RINI: Rini will slowly approach the alter to have a closer inspection but will be careful about not touching anything. SALEEK: before rini approches, saleek lets loose his dart.
((trying to see if anything is in there.)) ((What is that dart aimed at?)) SALEEK: ((i was aiming at the alter, trying to make sure something wasnt underneath it.)) Rini, the alter itself is a single stone block, though it is hard to tell if it is naturally or very roughly cut. At the center of it lies a single red cloth, parts of it stained black by some thick substance. Beneath the cloth you can make out the shape of something vaguely spherical.
Saleek, your dart strikes the alter with the sound of metal on stone. The dart deflects off into the wall, but takes the cloth with it. On the alter is a single rounds spherical object, a deep red, about the size of a person's fist. From one side of it is protruding the broken shaft of an arrow. Saleek, you recognize the fletching as one of your own. At the base of the orb is some sort of bloody, organic, cord. You all slowly realize, this is an eye. SALEEK: (alarmed) "What in the nine hells did we stumble into..." RANDAL: (disgusted) “I don’t know, but if it can still see, then I don’t think our presence here is a secret anymore.”
Randal looks about the dark room, eyes searching for anything which might be able to be triggered either when they entered the room or when they uncovered the eye-like object on the altar Assuming you all are using some form of light at this point. Randal, give me an arcana check. Randal rolls [[1d20+Arcana (Int)]]=14+1=15 ADMOIRA: (doubtful) "Friends, I do not think the presence is here anymore. Perhaps we jump at shadows?" Randal, with the aid of your light, you can make out faint words scratched into the walls of the room in places, some are in common, many are some sort of profanity, none seem magical. The object placed upon the alter however, gives off a creepy magical feel of a sort that seems strange and alien to you. The eye somehow seems fresh and wet, as if pulled from a living being moments ago, although seem to indicate that this room has not been disturbed for some days. The single blood red orb reminds you of the monstrous female creature you fought beneath the goblin infested mines some days ago. You clearly remember Saleek putting an arrow in the beast's eye.
(anxious) "Very much so, sadly." SALEEK: ((Was it the hag?)) ((Yes, it is the eye of the boss you guys fought some... 8 months ago (real time?))) The eye, though a featureless red orb, like a fish or (as you now know) frog eye, does seem to be following you somehow though it appears to be inanimate. RINI: Rini grabs the cloth and quickly covers the eye again. "We should still be on alert. I fear this eye may still be connected to something or someone." ((Would Rini know anything that could magically keep a connection like this?)) Rini, you would likely suspect some form of divination magic, making focuses to enable that sort of magic if that is what is going on here, is not uncommon, though it is something for mages more skilled than yourself. You have never heard of a focus being this gruesome before, however.
Everyone in the room can give me a wisdom saving throw. WIS SAVES:
Admoira rolls: [[1d20+3]]=7+3=10
Saleek rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=20+1=21
Rini rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=10+2=12
Kenris rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=13+1=14
Randal rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=20+1=21 A voice rings out, so loud and grating that it echoes off the walls of the cavern. It is a voice of intense, inhuman rage. You instinctively try to cover your ears to drown out the din, but it continues. Rage filled voice rolls [[1d4]]=4 Rini, Kenris, and Admoira, you try your best to ignore the noise in your own head, but it is oppressive, draining your will to fight and ability to focus. You each take 4 psychic damage. RAGE FILLED VOICE: (angry) "Bird! BIRD! Pretty bird! I hate hate hate you! You break my toys and took my eye, but mommy says I can't play with you today! I want to play! Break your bones and suck out the marrow!" KENRIS: "Its in my head!"
Kenris Shouts into the space.. WHAT DO YOU WANT! There is a movement on the crude alter, even though it is covered, you somehow feel that the orb-like eye has turned to face you. RAGE FILLED VOICE: "# Pretty man! Hate! Hate, your stupid shiny face! But sister likes you, she gets to play her stupid grown up, naked games when she likes. Stupid! Stupid! Hurt for Lendi! Your hurt feels so good!" KENRIS: Kenris, walks up to the altar and uses divine sense to see what nature this beast is. The object on the alters is powerfully and totally evil in a cosmological sense. It is not associated with a celestial, undead, or fiend. KENRIS: i uncover the orb and prepare a swing at the object. Sure make an attack roll.
Kenris raises his hammer over the alter, prepared to smash the eye, if he feels another sort of attack coming. The featureless red eye, still partially pierced by one of Saleek's arrows seems to stare up balefully at him. KENRIS: "Attack me once more and i will bring this hammer down! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!" Give me an intimidate roll, with disadvantage due to exhaustion. Kenris rolls intimidates: [[2d20kl1+Intimidation (Cha)]]=4,5+5=9 KENRIS: ((Finaly a skill that im proffiencient with.. than i still roll cr*p)) RAGE FILLED VOICE: "# Mommy hates you now too. You won't stop Mommy's plan! I suck out your marrow! I crunch your bones! Stupid! Stupid! Mommy gave me new eye, even better eye! Now I see you!" I'll give the others a chance to react too. RANDAL: ((Looks like that’s the ‘it can see us’ theory clinched. I remember when we were in the goblin caves, shortly after Rini and I joined, there was some mention of a ‘crooked lady’. I don’t recall whether that was the name of the creature that we fought there (and is presumably speaking to us now), but if not, could the crooked lady be that which is being called ‘Mommy’?))
Startled, Randal spins round from observing the walls and stares at the orb on the altar. He levels his voice, trying not to let any fear show to the creature who had once held his ward captive.
"No, ye won’t suck out our marrow. And if ye try, we’ll stick ye with arrows and sharp metal, just like th’ last time." ((to Randal: (Without looking back at 8 month old posts) Randal being used to memorizing and recalling songs and trivia, would remember, that the goblins had described "the crooked lady" as large and green, with thick arms and sharp claws. That did not quite match the description of the pale monstrous female figure you fought. At the time none of you thought to ask the creature its name.))
Randal, it is hard to gather emotions from a featureless fish eye, but you don't think it liked that. RINI: (curious) "Your sister... We have met her? Does she live in town?" DM rolls [[1d10]]=10
DM rolls [[1d8]]=2 RAGE FILLED VOICE: "# Stupid Sister! Hate her! She knows you, plays her stupid hiding games! You kill her, Lendi will be Mommy's favorite!" RINI: ((Just to double check Lendi is the missing child or was it Flyndak's cousin? I can't remember)) ((Lendi Greenvalley would be the name of Flyndak's cousin, who vanished 15 years ago and you are searching their family farm. The currently missing infant is Alma Halfhill.)) SALEEK: "Come on out...let's talk this out."
Saleek places his hand on the pommel of his shortsword. RINI: "And tell us the name of your sister. Perhaps we kill her so you can be "Mommy's favourite". Yes?" GM rolls [[1d6]]=4 I'll give you a persuasion check, Saleek. Rini's help can cancel out your disadvantage. GM rolls [[1d4]]=4 Saleek rolls [[1d20+Persuasion (Cha)]]=12+0=12 RAGE FILLED VOICE: "# stupid pretty! Hate it so much!" SALEEK: (curious) "Are you scared of us?" RAGE FILLED VOICE: "# Hate pretty! Hate! Hate!"
(angry) "# Hate you!" SALEEK: "Why don't you tell me to my face..." RINI: "If you hate your sister so much, tell us where she is. We kill her, you become favorite. Simple." The voice again grow grows to a cacophonous din inside your heads. It is pounding and hard to focus.
Make a wisdom save all. WIS SAVE:
Saleek rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=18+1=19
Randal resists the discordant voice: [[1d20+WIS Save]]=8+1=9
Admoira rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=1+5=6
Rini rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=9+2=11
Kenris rolls [[1d20+WIS Save]]=12+1=13 GM rolls [[1d4]]=4 A wave of pure hatred seems to radiate out of the eye. It causes severe headaches, everyone but Saleek will take another 4 psychic damage. Kenris takes the prepared attack: [[1d20+5]]=7+5=12 Kenris was wait for the creepy eye to do something creepy, and as his voice is filled with noise and pain he brings his hammer down. There is a brief sound of something shattering, then a wet squishing sound. The eye explodes with the force of the impact splattering the area with gore. The cavern grows silent again. RINI: Squinting in pain and rubbing his forehead trying to quell his headache, Rini turns to the group and says
"Well, that was interesting. Seems to me we have a coven of hags in town. One of which lives in Ardrest and who knows us. Flyndak, are you okay? I am sorry to say, but your cousin may not be the same person any longer." SALEEK: ((Have we investigated the entire area?)) FLYNDAK: (tired) "My cousin... she died years ago... is this the sort of thing you lot deal with regularly? I prefer it when I can see what to shoot..." Saleek or anyone else, feel free to give me an investigation roll. KENRIS: ((I would like to help someone that does not have a minus on that skill)) RANDAL: ((I have a +1... Not optimal but I’ll attempt the roll.)) Randal investigates with the help of Kenris [[2d20k1+Investigation (Int)]]=20,19+1=21 RANDAL: ((It’ll do.)) KENRIS: ((Nat 20 yeah it ll do)) SALEEK: ((It will do indeed.)) KENRIS: ((And +1 is 2 better than -1)) RANDAL: ((But 5 worse than 6, which Rini has.)) RINI: Rini rolls [[1d20+Investigation (Int)]]=7+6=13
((+6 doesn't help with that roll though haha)) Though it takes some time, Randal and Kenris begin to systematically search the room. They unfortunately find there are no hidden corners, but looking around they manage to gather 1793 gold, 700 silver, and 15 platinum pieces. There are 3 potions you recognize instantly as healing potions. A strange, heavy clay jug, about a gallon in size, and a staff, made of alternating strips of black and red spiraling wicker.
Also many, many bones. KENRIS: "That is a lot of coin. We can do a lot of good with that." RANDAL: "Aye, plenty of coin, and even more death. I’ve barely spent my share of th’ loot so far. Perhaps we can find a good use fer it upon our return. As fer these remains..."
Randal nudges over one of the bones with his foot.
(pensive) "...I wonder what foul purpose their deaths served here. This altar - I’d hazard t’ guess that they were sacrificed here, but why? Could have been t’ make th’ creature’s new eye, but it’d be an awful waste of life."
(disgusted) "Still, I doubt that we can put ‘an awful waste of life’ past these witches." ADMOIRA: (anxious) "I agree, this is beyond what I would expect from such creatures."
(curious) "So, you have dealt with one of these before? I never thought to question what you three had done before rescuing me from those Blacksashes." RANDAL: "We didn’t know ‘bout it at th’ time, but yes, I’d say that we have. Saleek stuck a shaft through its eye socket, but it sank into th’ depths of a lake before we could put an end t’ it." ADMOIRA: Admoira nods, shivering slightly.
(disgusted) "A shame it lived, I hope you have a chance to finish your work soon. The magics it works are a mockery of my own, I have never seen such a thing." KENRIS: "When we are done here I will see to the remains that they are treated with respect" Looking around at the bones you can see they come from a wide variety of sources. Most seem to be animal, some a sort thick squat humanoid, you guys bullywug, some look disturbingly human. Most show signs of long, vicious teeth marks. RINI: "I would like to have a closer look at that staff and jug but perhaps when we're at a safer location." SALEEK: Saleek digs in his pack, for a palm sized, multicolored stone disc. (serious) "This is what saved us last time...here's hoping it does so again." ADMOIRA: (curious) "I've never seen such an artifact. How did it save you?" SALEEK: "The thing we were fighting, it had me on the ropes, i remember my palms were sweaty, knees were weak, arms were heavy. And as it was going to strike me down, a brilliant light shine, and I snapped out of it..." ADMOIRA: (impressed) "Interesting, how did you obtain the disc?" SALEEK: (brooding) "That's a long story...one I'll tell over drinks...when we get back." ADMOIRA: Adoira nods, folding her arms and looking around the room again.
(nervous) "Have we need of lingering here, or should we move on?" SALEEK: ((Is there anything that we haven't investigated, as far as we know GM?)) KENRIS: "If we have a while I would take a time to get these remains sorted And to say a prayer for these people if they linger" RANDAL: "I’ll watch out th’ front. Be brief, Kenris. They know we’re ‘ere now, and if they come fer us, I don’t want t’ be here when they do. One o’ them was enough fer all of us. If there are more, best we not meet them all at once, and especially not on their home turf." RINI: Saleek, are you able to pick up the tracks of this creature? It has been a few days it seems, but something to point us in the right direction? SALEEK: Bends low to the ground attempting to get a beat on these miscreants. As he bends, his breath is ragged, and his knees, creaky. [[2d20kl1+3]]=19,13+3=16 KENRIS: ((How much time should I need to sort the remains?)) Saleek, as far as you have seen you have all investigated every passage in this cave system. SALEEK: ((Did I pick up any tracks?)) Kenris, to fully sort the bones and identity individuals, given the state of the bones and the various species involved would be quite the project. Gathering up the skulls scattered about and saying some sort of blessing shouldn't take you more than an half hour.
Saleek, this section of the cave has seen a lot of foot traffic. It seems mostly that webbed feet of bullywugs would come to the opening of this room but not enter. Within are tracks that might resemble a human foot, if all the bones were stretched out well beyond their normal length. Additionally the footfalls are hard to follow, the feet never quite seeming to fall where they should for a humanoid creature. SALEEK: "Whatever were dealing with, it isn't a humanoid."
"But I think we knew that already..."
"Maybe we should head back to town...Ill check in with a former...*colleague* of mine, see if they can get us some help." RINI: to Saleek: "we should be careful about who talk to in town. One of those creatures lives in Ardrest and it would be good to not alert her off our knowledge of this. My hunch is on Marti." SALEEK: (pensive) "I agree, we'll have to an our next moves very carefully." KENRIS: I would like to come back at a later time to do this properly. But if it is ok with you I will take the skulls and give them a place to rest as well as a prayer so their souls can be eased. Even if it is a bit late SALEEK: (kind) "How can I help, my friend." KENRIS: "Help me gather the skulls that look human and maybe sit watch with me in town if you want" SALEEK: Saleek gives a slight nod, before sifting through the skulls, looking for the most humanoid. RINI: "Well, if we are taking sometime, I am very curious about this staff Randal, may I?" RANDAL: Randal turns and hands Rini the staff, then resumes his watch. RINI: Rini takes the staff, clears an area on the floor and pulls out house components to begin this identify ritual. Quietly chanting his incantation, he meditates over the item for the next 10 minutes. DM rolls [[1d20]]=5 With the help, Kenris manages to gather up the skulls of 5 humanoids, adult humans you think. And separate them from the various animal and bullywug bones.
You take the time to focus you magic on the staff and jug in turn. Both are magical, and you understand both a little better after the ritual.
DM WHISPER TO RINI: Staff is a staff of charming: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Staff%20of%20Charming#content
The jar is an alchemy jug: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aidedd.org/dnd/om.php%3fvo=alchemy-jug RINI: "Interesting. This staff is one of charming. It has a few spells that can be casted from it including charm person, command and comprehend languages. And this jug can produce an assortment of liquids. Some consumable in addition to acid and poison." SALEEK: (curious) "You think we'll be able to use that to pull off an interrogation...?" RINI: "It could help. They could resist the enchantment. Either way, they will know we tried to alter their disposition, so we could risk losing their trust." SALEEK: "True...but if this person is who we think it is...it might help who her true colors..." RINI: "Good point. Well, Randal, Admoira or myself can use this staff. Though I believe we would have the most success if I were to use it. It requires attunement, so whoever uses, will need an hour before we reenter town" SALEEK: saleek nods at rini.
(friendly) "go for it."
he gives rini a friendly tap on the shoulder. RINI: "Only if Randal does not object. He is the one that found it. Also, Kenris if you have what you need we should get out of here and back to town. I do not know about the rest of you, but I have a killer migraine and fear I would not last long in a fight." RANDAL: "I’m not fussed. My hands are full already without a holdin’ staff. Ye can take it." KENRIS: "I am done with my grizzly work leaving would be preferable" SALEEK: "Let's be off, then."
Saleek begins making his way out. ADMOIRA: Admoira looks sadly around the cavern one last time before turning and following. Kenris gathers up the humanoid skulls and says a brief prayer. There is no obvious effect, but in this age it can never hurt to give the dead a reason not to become undead. You are all able to back track your way out of the cave without difficulty. It is still midmorning, the sun not quite fully dispelling the mist that rolled in from the north the night before. The path to Ardrest lies to the south.
What is your plan for heading back to town? SALEEK: I'll fly ahead and scout. RANDAL: Randal stays to the back and keeps one hand on his dagger, watching for signs of pursuit from either a bullywug ambush or the cave’s past inhabitants. Okay, that'll be perception checks for your way back. Saleek rolls perception [[2d20kl1 +Perception (Wis)]]=15,3+4=7
Randal rolls perception [[1d20 +Perception (Wis)]]=5+2=7 The way looks totally clear. You can make out the chimneys of Ardrest through the mist ahead of you as it slowly fades in the mid morning sun. RANDAL: "Ye know, we’ve spent so much time defendin’ Ardrest, that I’ve lost track o’ who I was protectin’. I left Edward in th’ inn with some money, but he must be worried sick ‘bout where we’ve gotten off to. I think it’s ‘bout time I paid him a visit. Let him know how we’re doin’, ye know?" DM rolls [[1d20]]=17 You make your way back to town, the 11th of Ches is a chilly early spring morning, that gives way to a clear and pleasant day. The way back you come across nothing but a few curious sheep, who are soon shied away by thier shepherd. The town is much as you left it, 5 days since the fateful goblin attack and a mere 2 days since you returned to the town Randal and set your young ward up. ADMOIRA: Admoira lets out a sigh of relief being back in the relative safety of the village. She turns to the others, raising an eyebrow.
(friendly) "What now, friends? I stand ready to assist any of you that might require it." RINI: "I will head to the inn with Randal. I must meditate on this staff for a time to understand how to use it. I could also do with some rest and recover from our encounter in that cavern. Then, we need to figure out who we can trust." ADMOIRA: Admoira nods, then looks at Kenris and Saleek.
(curious) "And what of you two?" SALEEK: (pensive) "I promised you all my story over drinks...how about we reconvene after a rest..."
Saleek spreads his wings and takes off. ADMOIRA: Admoira watches him fly off before looking at Kenris expectantly. KENRIS: "Young miss firbolg is there something bothering you? Wou you help me setup the remains. We still need to do that today especially with the rising sun and all ADMOIRA: (relieved) to Kenris: "Apologies, this has all been so much for me. I would be glad to help, having my mind on a task might give me a reprieve from the last few days." As Admoira and Kenris set about their grim work, and Saleek enigmatically flies off. Randal and Rini make their way to back to the Decrepit Crab for some much earned rest with the comfort and safety that the small town of Ardrest can provide. Flynndak departs the group to make her report.
You are all given the chance to reflect on the knowledge you have gained, both in terms of coming one step closer to defeating whatever evil holds this town in its grasp and in the life skills of being an adventurer.
On the outskirts of town, Kenris and Admoira as you survey the resting place you prepared to those lost soul you never knew and never will know, the sun breaks from the clouds, warming your faces and filling you with a sense of peace and kindness. Perhaps the gods approve of your actions, or perhaps it is merely a ray of warmth after a long exhausting journey.
Above the town, Saleek fills his wings with air again, feeling the freedom he missed after so long in the dark caves.
The Decrepit Crab seems much as you left it, Rini and Randal. Several merchants have settled in for a midday meal of a thick stew the bubbles pleasingly over the fire. Edward is here too, the boy looking more than a little lost as it seems he has somehow gotten himself added to the inn staff.
You all feel better ready to face the challenges before you somehow. **You've all reached level 4.**
Comments