Krackor

You kneel down before the desiccated remains of the gnome, grasp Gorm's holy symbol, and incant the spell. Magic flows out of your hand in a barely-visible shimmer and settles into the body. It holds for a moment, and then shatters. Taking a closer look at the body, you realize it has been dead far, far longer than the single month you're able to interrogate.

Torvek watches with interest as Krackor attempts to talk to the dead gnome... and keep watching... waiting for something to happen and somewhat fascinated as necromancy is not his forte.  When Krackor finally stops concentrating on the body, Torvek says "Hmm, that was interesting.  Did you learn anything useful?"

((OK--so we can go down, or we can explore this level.  I feel like on this level they'll be expecting us by this point, so lets go down a level))

"Stopping and going quiet is prudent, and better yet if we can stand on some rocky soil."

((It would also help if we could walk Fremen Walk. Are there any rocky outcrops nearby?))
This message was last updated by the player at 03:13, Thu 21 Mar.

"I am hoping that this staircase was unknown by the ogres, giants and other users of this cave system, especially the little man" says Torvek in response to Corym's suggestion, his emphasis on 'the little man' highlighting his concerns about this unknown enemy that might be running the show.  "I think that's a fair guess as this area seems to have been undisturbed for a long time."

"What's our remit here?  Is the goal to disrupt the enemies and make sure that the place is safe for when the other returns or just to explore more of the complex?"

He pauses for a moment waiting for other contribution before continuing

"We have about three days until our friends come back.  Maybe we have time to do both.  Something happened overnight to the giants' bodies, someone must be awareness our actions yesterday.  However, they should not be aware that some of us are still inside.  From their point of view, a raiding party came, rescued the prisoners and left with them.  Leaving them with this belief for a day or two is no bad thing.  We go down and explore these older tunnels today.  During that time, they might decide that retaking this area is not needed or not worth it or they might come in with sufficient force, ready for trouble in order to secure the area and reinforce the entrance.  Either way, we don't need to be present during that time. Tomorrow or the day after, if they retook control, they will be ready for another frontal attack but would less expect us to arrive from the back.  They might also have relaxed and lowered their guard a bit too."

Kitheras

The Trielta Hills are gently rolling, turf-covered hills. There isn't much in the way of exposed stone. However, you've moved enough away from the river valley that you're essentially in the open in all directions. With Yngvar providing the bulette's course, it would be easy to move perpendicularly away from it.

He almost syrains himself praying from some enlightenment, but little s garnered. "Unfortunately very little, it's been here a very long time though, which is kind f good news, it implies, as with the dust build up, that nothing has been here in a while"

He listens again to Corym then Torvek and agrees, "Let's go down, being mindful that something may have scared the Gnome so much that they hid up here until they died!"

((ooc: Who is leading the way down?))

Yngvar leads the group slowly and quietly away from the bullette for about 3/4 of an hour, wait for a bit, then begin heading for the town again.

"Corym, should you lead the way while invisible.  I'll stay behind with Krackor for now and save my invisibility for later." suggests Torvek.

Ex-Prisoner Escort

Under Yngvar's guidance, the group turns away from the bulette. Instead of trying to keep as much as possible to the more level bottoms, they head directly up the hill to their right, and then go trotting down its reverse slope. After cresting a second hill, Yngvar allows the group to turn back into the easier lowland that snakes through the Trielta Hills. Scared of the possibility of ambush, the group moves spritely, until after the better part of a bell Yngvar holds up a hand and lets the pace slow. There's been no sign of the bulette and the group has been relatively quiet. Unless it does something very odd, he's confident that they've evaded the monster.

Way Down We Go Group

((ooc: Corym, please roll some Find Traps rolls.

Krackor, if you want to roll any dwarven stone abilities, feel free.

I'm assuming you're moving without light, since everyone has infravision, unless told otherwise.))

In reply to DM (msg # 516):

Krackor stops every minute or so to check Corym is ok and how the passage fairs (see below).
Checking all at same time really other than depth, which would be once in a while.

Detect Grade/Slope 1-5 on D6
Detect New Tunnel/Passage 1-5 on D6
01:22, Today: Krackor Steelfist rolled 5 using 1d6 Pass
Detect Sliding/Shifting Walls/Rooms 1-4 on D6
01:23, Today: Krackor Steelfist rolled 1 using 1d6 Pass
01:27, Today: Krackor Steelfist rolled 5 using 1d6 Fail
Detect Stonework Traps etc. 1-3 on D6
01:24, Today: Krackor Steelfist rolled 5 using 1d6 Fail
01:26, Today: Krackor Steelfist rolled 3 using 1d6 Pass
Determine Approx. Depth Underground 1-3 on D6
01:25, Today: Krackor Steelfist rolled 6 using 1d6 Fail

Ulfric makes his way to Yngvar and watches the man for a while as they walk and once the pace slows he approaches.

Hello, I am Ulfric of Waterdeep. I am a Knight of the Mystic Fire. I would like to thank you for getting us all out of there. It would seem I am indebted to you for rescuing us. What is our destination for the moment?  Are we bound for Waterdeep or another small town on the way?

He switches hands with his shield and grimaces.  Shoulder is still not feeling well.  Giant club got me from the side when I wasn't looking.

"We're taking these people home to Triel. We were asked to bring them home. Unfortunately, no, we're definitely not going to Waterdeep. We're helping the people by fighting the rising evil here and righting wrongs. I am Yngvar, Druid of the Reaching Woods." He replies while continuing the trek back to Triel.

Torvek follows Krackor, letting Corym lead the way, ready to act if necessary.

06:25, Today: Corym Ildroun rolled 993 using 20d100 with rolls of 28,3,74,60,79,81,88,74,99,56, 2,83,58,17,40,19,1,32,6,93.  Find Traps/Secrets 95%. – 2,83,58,17,40,19,1,32,6,93.  Find Traps/Secrets 95%' class='helphover'>993
This message was last edited by the player at 11:27, Sun 31 Mar.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Corym says brightly.

Krackor knew he had time to check the walls and the feel of the passageways, as he knew that Corym would also be checking for Traps.

The tunnel slopes down and down and down, running deep into the earth in almost a straight line until even Krackor is uncertain how far underground you are. The floor is bare, save for the cart tracks, and if it isn't dusty, it's merely due to the fact that there's no air movement with which to bring it. Though he's unable to determine how far down you're going, Krackor does spend some time analyzing the construction. This is definitely dwarven work; the way the passed is shored is very distinctive. But it's also old dwarven work. He's not exactly an expert on mines, but this shaft doesn't have as many refinements as the access passages he used to guard back in the old clanhome.

Between Corym and Krackor, your small group is able to advance in safety; quite confident that this tunnel is just as stable, and bare, as it looks. This is dwarven hard-rock mining, built to last for milennia, and so far doing exactly that. The iron torches continue, though the enchantments are failing at a much greater rate than in the level above. Only about one in six or seven is still burning, and the light flickers with more than just the movement of faux flame.

Eventually, in the light of a guttering torch up ahead, you can see the tunnel open into a room. There's been no branching, no traps, no hidden passages. Just one long, sloping shaft from one point to a second.

((Awesome! Let’s keep going))

Triel?  That is just a small camp isn't it?  Is that were they all came from?  Last time I was in Triel it was not much more than a camping spot for merchants on their way to bigger cities.

He continues to move his shoulder like it was injured.  Then places his hand on it under his armor and says a prayer to Mystra.  A glow encompasses his hand and shoulder and he lets out a heavy sign.

"Much better.  Might be back in place now."

"If you were not taken from Triel--where were you captured from?" inquires the august elven woodsman.

'I was traveling north up the Trade Way heading back to Waterdeep to report to my Superiors about the Giant activity along the route to gather others to the cause and return but I was taken in the night when I slept.  They must have taken my horse out first as I never woke from sleep and when I came to I was being held captive. They must have taken my gold and horse or worse yet ate him.  He was a Black War horse pretty large for his size.  He was given to me by my Sister as a reward for completing my first mission for the Church of Mystra which allowed me to enter the Knights of the Mystic Fire.  Good thing you all came along, I might have been eaten next.'

While he speaks he rubs a round circle of stars necklace that hangs from his neck.

Torvek trusting in the expertise of the scouting expertise of Corym and tunnelling expertise of Krackor follow his companions.