mood music

Stepping out of the portal the ground under your feet gives a little and cracks like ice. Looking around, you find yourselves high on a mountain where the wind is gusting and snow falls all around you. Nearby are ruins of small buildings, who purpose is lost to time and the elements, though tattered banners of Kalazanbaar and Korim still fly a top one of the ruined buildings.

Directly head some twenty or thirty feet of you the ground gives way to an abrupt ravine, a drop hundreds of feet to distant icy peaks below. The other side of the ravine is a good hundred feet away. You can see the once grand entrance to Jzadirune. It had caved in, a rubble-strewn wreck some of which has obviously been cleared.



Once there was a mighty feat of impossible engineering across this ravine, a bridge built in sections on titanic chains, but one of the chains gave way a long time ago taking the bridge with it. Only one giant chain remains as a way across, slick with ice and snow.

Dozens, maybe even hundreds, of old skeletons lie dead on the ground around the entrance way, the site of some great battle. The bodies and ground are peppered as though with a great swarm of arrows. A path on the other side of the ravine splits off to the right, one path headed north, up beyond the entrance way, and the other to the east, to the ruins of a once towering observatory.

MAP
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:32, Mon 03 Oct 2016.

As he get out of the portal, Marik feels a cold breeze and shivers, something he wasn't expecting. The Gedonnwer'fen being mainly Underdark dwellers, he was expecting the portal to open on a cave system or inside the settlement, not on a mountaintop.

Far away an eagle cry. Marik readjust his scarf and looks around to see if Filimena and Raszire are still with him. Both appears to have made their way successfully across the portal.

He looks at the great chain giving access to the ruined settlement. It was large enough to contain them all and serve as a bridge. He had passed on much narrower roads with Rani. The snow and ice, however, worries him greatly. Could the Gedonnwer'fen really use this as a bridge to get around? Even Rani, with her claws, would have trouble on a metal road this curvy and full of gaping holes.

[Private to group Elf: "Let's try to find tracks. Maybe there is another entry"]

He turns to the others.

"Wait here. I wouldn't be surprised if they were fond of traps."

With a gentle signal from Marik knees, Rani begins to walk around, while the elf search for tracks and traps.

OOC: Marik is looking for recent (a week or less) humanoid footprints in the snow, and for traps. So Survival (with advantage using Favored Enemy) and investigation, correct?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Mon 03 Oct 2016.

OOC: Perception for spotting tracks or traps, survival to identify tracks and investigate/thieves tool to disarm traps found

OOC: Marik rolled 19 for Perception for spotting tracks and 12 for Perception for spotting traps.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Tue 04 Oct 2016.

Raszire had never experienced snow or cold, he had heard the tales and read about such places but this was a grand delight. He slowly picked up a handful of snow and watched as it slowly melted in his hand "I had always wondered what such a place would feel like."

Filimena tries not to let on how disoriented she is at suddenly having been whisked away onto a frigid mountaintop. Well, she thinks, shivering. So much for being underground.

"We should certainly look out for traps," Filimena tells Marik and Raszire. "I was -- uh -- informed this place would be full of them." She walks over to the bridge, watching her step along the way, and inspects it for any sign it might be rigged to give way.

OOC: Natural 20 checking for traps (23:05, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  Perception for traps.)

Also, does Filimena recognise the banners of the Kalazanbaar and the Korim? Keeping in mind she passed a history check earlier and knows who they are. I'll roll a history check anyway, just in case:

23:06, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  History check for banners.

Not great :p

The wind ebbs and swells, causing small snow tornadoes to swirl past before dying off after a few moment. Marik does find a set of prints, very faint due to the snow fall, but he's able to estimate them as being four days old which fits with the stories from orphanage. The prints head towards the massive chain.

Filimina recognizes both banners as both are well known within the world. These are the Dwarf  kingdoms who's civil war which combined with the fight with the drow and duergar brought down the kingdom of Kalazanbaar.

OOC: As part of his inspection, Marik will try to identify the tracks to gain information (The number of creature that passed, the kind of creature, the presence of children tracks or not). Marik roll 16 on his survival check

OOC: What is the large brown area to our right? A road? A large plaza?

Hearing Raszire, Marik glance at the dragonborn. A smile crosses his lips at the adorable sight of the great warrior discovering snow and cold weather for the first time. He fully understands Raszire. Rani and him have always been fond of the winter season themselves. He loves the landscapes created by the snow and the ice dangling from the old oaks and the pines. Tracking also becomes child's play in the snow. Even the haunted woods feel safer as numerous beasts retreat to their lairs in the face of the cold weather. For as long as he can remember, winter has been a moment of silent beauty and peace of mind.

"You should see the winter season in Tal'Onarafel." says Marik to the Dragonborn. "The Winter Solstice auroras are a sight to behold, especially with a glass of ice wine in hand."

Following this, he then goes to join Filimena, who is making her way toward the bridge.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Thu 06 Oct 2016.

The area to the right appears to have been some sort of cobblestone road which has has been cleared to allow for easier movement in the area. Marik notes that there are four sets of small humanoid foot prints, several human-sized foot prints and smaller hoof prints. Between the human-sized and hoof prints Marik determines that there are some half-dozen creatures have moved through this area in the past week.

Filimena senses Marik following, and pauses to wait for him. "Incredible," She says to him, once he's close enough to hear. "I'm not sure how we're going to get across, though. I assume we have to at some point."

"Given the tracks, they passed this way by foot...even the children" reply Marik, still with a smirk on his lips. "Rani and I will lead the way. If you feel like you will slip or can't make it, signal me. Rani is strong enough to carry us both to the other side should the need arise."

Assuming Raszire is following, Marik then pets the big cat and signal her with his knees

[Private to group Elf: "Follows these tracks"]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:34, Fri 07 Oct 2016.

The mountain panther makes a low growl, which Marik interpret as excitement to be on the chase, and follow the trail up to the bridge. She will then start crossing the chain at a low pace under Marik command if that is where the tracks lead.

Filimena gestures in the direction of the big cat. "Lead away," she says. "I am no stranger to snow and ice."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:29, Fri 07 Oct 2016.

Snow and wind grab at you with cold fingers as you near the edge. Rani steps onto the lone remaining chain and slowly pads out, looking back a few times to check with Marik as though going themail way she believes right but not wanting leave the elf behind.

OOC : to cross you'll have to go at half speed or make an athletics check vs DC15 for each 30 ft you go in a round.

OOC: Just a small clarification. Marik is mounted on Rani's back at the moment. Basically, he is always mounted unless he is forced to go on foot. I was referring to the fact he was on her back when I said he was commanding her with his knees in the first post. Sorry if wasn't clear!


"Don't worry about me, girl. I'll be fine. " says Marik, adjusting his stance on the saddle while petting the big cat head. Using subtle commands, he direct the panther to go a little below half speed, to pace with Raszire and Filimena. As Rani walk, Marik occasionally turn around to check on the others and point dangerous spots of black ice to avoid.


OOC: Marik and Rani go forward 20 feets (Their Max distance is 50 feets)

OOC: I would also like to do a Perception check to see if I can spot enemies in the ruin on the other side of the bridge. Marik rolled 19.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:20, Sun 09 Oct 2016.

Ooc : no worries, I see where you mention/hint at it but I missed it.

I'll post an update after Raszire posts or tomorrow afternoon

Raszire followed the others as they approached the massive chain and watched as they moved out on to it. Looking out across the chasm and gingerly testing his footing on the chain "May St. Fenwyn protect us." Then eased out on the chain slowly following the others.

Seeing the big cat step out onto the chain with Marik on its back, Filimena gingerly does the same, silently cursing the situation she's gotten herself into.

OOC: Could Filimena possibly try to use her acrobatics skill instead of her athletics skill to try and travel across the chain? Basically walk it like it were a thick tightrope?

OOC: The chain is wide enough but the wind it beating at you so it is more like you're bracing against the wind than balancing on a beam.

---

Up high in the sky you all hear a roar! an inhuman unnatural scream of rage unlike anything any of you have heard before. The outline of something with wings flashes through the clouds heading toward Marik and Rani. Whatever this thing is it about the size of a horse and dive bombing through the air.

OOC: If you'd like to know more about the creature then please roll Int/Arcana check.

MAP

What are you going to do?

Hearing the roar, Marik turn the head toward the clouds. His eyes becomes wide in horror at the sight of the white würm diving toward them. Rani trembles in fear and ROARS to warn of incoming danger.



He quickly turns to the others.


"GET OFF THE CHAIN NOW!" he shouts, as he draw his bow. Invoking the unseen magical energies surrounding the mountain, he puts a mystical mark of the creature and let loose an arrow.

OOC: Marik cast Hunter's Mark on the Dragon.

OOC: Marik will attack but will wait and ready his movement action until the others have moved off the chain.

OOC: I calculated 16 squares in diagonal between the Dragon and Marik, which would be JUST the 80 feets normal range limit for my bow. I will roll the disadvantage just in case I would be mistaken. Marik roll 17 for the normal roll (and the disadvantage in case, as the second roll was a 27).

Marik does 8 damage to the creature if I pass his AC.



OOC:  Finally, Marik makes a intelligence check to know more about the creature. Marik rolled 16.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Mon 10 Oct 2016.

Marik realizes this is a white dragon, which cries out as the elf's arrow strikes hard into it's scaly hide.

[Private to Marik: Based on the size you believe this is a Wyrmling White Dragon.

White dragons are the least intelligent of the dragon species, they are known to lack the cunning and tactics of most other dragons. However, their bestial nature makes them the best hunters among all dragonkind, singularly focused on surviving and slaughtering their enemies. Even with their moderately intelligent, white dragons have extraordinary memories. ]

OOC: AC is 16! So that's a hit

[Private to GM: 42/50]

As fast as possible Raszire moves back to solid footing and gets out of the way so Filimena can get clear. Once there he takes out his crossbow and begins loading it.

21:23, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 1 using 1d20.  Arcana.

OOC: Raszires brain must be frozen from the cold.

Cursing under her breath, Filimena hops off the chain onto solid ground. Looking back up at the creature, she fires off an eldritch blast at it, before turning around and surveying the area to see whether there is anywhere they might be able to retreat to.

OOC: Don't know if you'll allow this many checks in a turn, but I'll roll first anyway.

17:04, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Arcana check.

Pfft. Seems Filimena's brain is a bit frozen too.

17:06, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 9 using 1d20+6.  Spell attack.

And also I guess the cold is affecting her hand-eye coordination.

17:10, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  Perception check. Hiding spots?


This message was last edited by the player at 09:10, Tue 11 Oct 2016.

Following Raszire and Filimena, Rani twist and pivot on the chain using her fronts paws. She lunges forward, running on the chain and jumps on the ledge to close off the distance, landing just besides Raszire and Filimena as they reach sure footing. Not stopping there, the panther continues to run.


OOC: A slightly cinematic way to say Rani and Marik use all of their remaining movement to get off the chain and run south-east (so, 30 feets counting 20 feets of difficult terrain and 10 feets of normal movement, right?) .
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Tue 11 Oct 2016.

Filimena and Raszire see a dragon but aren't exactly sure of the type and have little experience with such beasts.

OOC: 12:18, Today: White Dragon rolled 13,15 using d20,d20.  Initiative Party vs Dragon.

Round 1
Dragon
PCs

---

The beast diverts itself from the chain bridge and lands on the cliff side not far from the group.

OOC: Move 60' then dash action for 60' more

MAP

[Private to GM: 42/50]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:11, Wed 12 Oct 2016.

Marik rein in Rani, who stops momentarily and see that Filimena is looking in all directions. He understands she's looking for cover.


"Filimena, climb up!" he says, signaling her with the head to climb on the saddle. "Let's keep it off Raszire" shout the elf while firing another arrow. He then extends his right hand toward the halfling, ready to help her climb up should she need it.


OOC: Marik rolled 26 to hit and do another 8 points of damage.

OOC: Marik will hold his movement until Filimena act. Should she decide to climb on Rani or not, Marik and Rani will use all their movement (50 feets) to go east toward the ruins.

This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Tue 11 Oct 2016.

Filimena hesitates momentarily before reaching out to take Marik's hand. The big cat looks like it would be able to move faster than she can at least.

OOC: If she can, Filimena will fire off another Eldritch Blast at the dragon.

10:04, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Spell attack.

10:05, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 6 using 1d10+4.  E. Blast w/ Agonising Blast.

Marik nods from the head.

"Great. We'll give Raszire time to get cover while we run circles around that lizard and take him down from afar."

He taps with his hand on Rani flank.

[Private to group Elf:  "Come on, girl. Show me what you can do. RUN!"]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Thu 13 Oct 2016.

Growling, the panther unleash a loud "WAWAHRRR" and lunges forward.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:22, Thu 13 Oct 2016.

Filimena gulps nervously, eyeing the dragon. "Right. He'd better be quick, though. I'm not sure we're really prepared to handle a dragon."

Raszire raises his crossbow and fires at the dragon, then turns and makes his best speed toward cover.


20:44, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 20,9 using d20+3,d8+1 with rolls of 17,8.  Crossbow att. & dam.

The massive beast roars as it's body is pelted with projectiles and magical energies. Blood dripping from the various wounds, the dragon growls looking at each of you as though trying to memorize your faces then the massive beast jumps into the ravine, a moment later spreading it's massive wings which take it into the skies heading away from the group.


OOC: Combat Over!

[Private to GM: 19/50]

Despite his attempts to put on a brave face, Marik can’t help but feel the same as Filimena. His heart is pounding like a hammer in his chest and his right leg shakes like a leaf in the wind. All he has ever known of Dragons, he heard it from the teachings and stories of elders or hunters. The teachings spoke of creatures of legendary ferocity, whose appetite for power and destruction rival only those of demon lords. The stories spoke of near-invincible monsters, on whom hail of arrows would break as easily as summer rains of a toad skin, and who could leave trails of destruction spanning entire kingdoms. In the case of a Dragon encounter, the only guidance given could be summed to one word : Retreat. The sight of an adult Dragon flying above the forest had always inspired a sense of dread and the recommended course of action was always to not engage it and disperse in the safety of the woods when possible.

However, as far as Dragons size could go and the information he received form his teachings, this one appears to be very young…a wyrmling even maybe. And his two arrows stuck into his hide more easily than he thought at first. Actually, based on the cries of the beast, Marik feel he did some serious damage to it already. Maybe they could stand a chance…

“I think this one is very young. If we wound him enough, we could scare it and force it to flee” respond Marik, trying as much to persuade himself as Filimena.

Then, the sound of a crossbow unloading and the beast roars anew, Marik look back and see the creature retreat into the ravine.

He rein in Rani. The panther paws suddenly dig into the snow and slides as she break her run.

Marik listens for a few seconds. The beast cries sound farther and farther.


"It's fleeing! Raszire made it retreat!"


Marik signal Rani to go back and she runs to the Dragonborn.


"Raszire! Are you hurt?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Thu 13 Oct 2016.

"Nay Marik, thankfully the dragon decided we were not worth the effort or that we were not what it was looking for. Either way we should cross as quickly as possible. If the kidnappers didn't know we were coming I am sure they know something is wrong now." Raszire heads back toward the great chain bridge.

"Yes. Let's make haste..."


OOC: Marik offers Filimena the opportunity to disembark, should she wish to do so.


As he makes his way back to the chain, Marik look at the sky in the direction where the Dragon left.

"Dragons have a long memory. I doubt it's the last we will hear of this one."


OOC: As they are closer, Marik and Rani will take the lead and advance 25 feets on the chain.

Some movement seem to be happening across the way.

OOC: The bridge is 20 squares (100ft) long ... the winds and snow/ice mean its difficult terrain. How are you lot going to cross?

MAP

Filimena hops of the big can and makes her own way towards the chain. As she nears it, however, some movement on the other side catches her eye.

OOC: Can Filimena make a perception check to see what exactly the movement is?

16:23, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 20 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones.  Perception check.

OOC: I'd like to join in on that Perception check. Marik rolled 9.

 Marik and Rani will also move another 25 feet (half-movement) whenever it's my turn again (unless some trouble is revealed) .


As Rani carefully advance on the chain, Marik stare blankly forward, lost in thought. The high tension he felt when the Dragon attacked is now dropping  and he takes the full measure of what happened. They actually survived a Dragon attack... Even better, they made it flee! He hunted and fought a lot of creature in the past, but never game this big. His heart is racing in his chest and he is still sweating in fear. But at the same time, he feels exhilarated and proud. He feels stronger than he ever did before and...

Below him, Rani starts growling, as if she sensed something further ahead, but Marik is too lost in thought replaying the battle with the Dragon in his head to notice immediately.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Fri 14 Oct 2016.

Raszire move up to where the chain is anchored to the ground and readies himself to try this crossing again, stopping to see if he can make out what Filimena is watching on the other side of the ravine. "Do you see something Filimena? I am afraid I can make out little in this snow."

8:28, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

Filimena sees a shimming movement in the distance [Private to Filimena the Gentle: which reminds her of the thing that attacked her in Ghelve's shop. ]

"I see a strange shimmering," she observes, before turning to Raszire with a troubled expression on her face. "That thing that attacked us at Ghelve's Locks. It might be more of them."

"That would not be good. We could wait here to see if they cross but that would mean giving the kidnappers more time to complete whatever they have in mind." Raszire pauses for a moment, "We shall deal with them if the time comes." He then slowly heads out on to the chain, picking his way carefully along.

Suddenly feeling alone up ahead, Marik stops Rani and look back at Raszire and Filimena. He see them talking but isn't able to pick up any of the conversation with the wind howling around him. He is about to signal them to hurry along when he see Raszire get on the chain and starting to make his way across. Marik nod with the head and signal Rani to go forward.


OOC: Marik and Rani will advance another 25 feets as planned on the bridge, bringing them probably halfway.


OOC: Can Marik and Rani attempt another perception check to see if there is something ahead? Marik rolled 23, and Rani rolled 23 with advantage (Keen Smell).



OOC: Guys, I think the DM want you to precise the number of squares (or feet) that you intend to move each turn on the chain. With your current speed, you could probably move around 3 squares at half-speed or your normal movement with a athletic check.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Tue 18 Oct 2016.

OOC: I'm assuming unless you specify going quickly - you're all taking your time and moving half-speed to compensate for the conditions.

---

Neither Marik nor Rani see anything on the other side of the bridge.

MAP

OOC: Alright! Since they don't see anything, Marik and Rani will advance another 25 feet on the chain on their turn.


Turning back once more to check on the others, Marik see that neither Filimena or Raszire appear to need any help crossing the chain. He decide to go scouting ahead.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:12, Tue 18 Oct 2016.

Filimena nods and steps gingerly onto the chain, and moves carefully forwards.

OOC: 08:45, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 17 using 1d20-1, rerolling ones.  Athletics check.

Moving over the chain, Marik and Rani pass over some of remaining stone work that was once this bridge and can see now that this must have been a rather impressive work as the stones massive and each has the runes of Jzadirune carved into them at regular intervals. On the other side the ranger's eyes can make out what was once the rather imposing entry way, now it is little more than a sad looking ruin.

Filimena and Raszire make it to the midpoint and see the runes as well.

OOC: Another round of perception checks folks

Rani doesn't get advantage as this would be sight only due to distance

MAP
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:15, Wed 19 Oct 2016.

09:37, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Perception. Raszire must be concentrating more on crossing the chain than looking around ;)

OOC: Got it! Marik rolled 11 on his Perception check and Rani, 14.

OOC: little flavor text incoming later.



OOC: Unless they see something, Marik and Rani will advance the final 25 feet to cross the chain.

Filimena pauses and continues to look ahead.

OOC: 23:11, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

Filimena will also move ahead on the chain, unless she sees something which might cause her to pause and reconsider.

23:17, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 15 using 1d20-1.  Athletics.

I've stopped using the Reroll 1's feature, because halfling luck only lets me reroll 1s once, and I realise I'm not sure if thats what Reroll 1's does, or if it keeps rerolling over and over. Anyone have any idea?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Wed 19 Oct 2016.

I am pretty sure it just lets you reroll it once per roll, so if you roll a one and decide to reroll and get another one thats it, you are stuck with a one.

OOC: Here's what teh PHB says
So if you roll another 1 that's what you get.

mood music

Filimena notes that something moved near the entry but isn't sure what. The wind has kicked up some causing alot of snow to whirl around limiting visibility. Raszire moves along behind the halfling, nothing little as he does his best to ensure the pair make it across.

Marik and Rani find themselves standing at the steps of a once imposing entry. The roof has long since fallen and bodies of dwarves and drow litter the ground - the flesh long picked from the bone by scavengers. Arrows of various sizes are still stuck in the ground here, many still in the bodies they slew. Barefoot and hook prints litter the snow covered ground. Many of the skeletal forms have obvious been moved as where there was once something

A pair of steps and a long ramp lead to the entrance of Jzadirune, a thirty foot round gear door - similar to the portal you entered in Titan's Gate - stands closed holding back the elements and here too the ruins of Jzadirune were carved , these easily three feet high each. To the left of the door it seems someone has dug into the cliff face perhaps to get past the door ...

While standing near the entrance, Marik take a small moment to contemplate the architecture of the gate which he couldn't see clearly before. The design is quite shocking to him and quite the opposite of everything his people strives to accomplish in terms of landscape integration. His people have always preferred light, temporary shelter over long-term construction in order to leave as little traces of their presence in the woods as possible. Even the more permanent buildings, like treehouses, were designed to meld almost completely in the natural landscape.

The Dwarves, in their arrogance, had chosen the other way, constructing gigantic structures and monumental holds as if they wanted to eclipse the mountains themselves behind them. While he heard of them often, Marik never had the chance to see a Dwarven hold for himself before. Despite its predictably garish appearance, he must admit the stonework is impressively detailed. It's a shame such talent couldn't have been put to the service of a more harmonious and respectful natural integration.


Focusing again on the task at hand, Marik direct Rani to go near the entrance to inspect it and check out what appear to be a carved hole in the mountain.

[Language unknown: "Ca e linof werichthe us ie pr k ati aveateday illestpre"]

The big cat passe through the pile of skeletons, sniffing and looking around. Marik can't help but feel a little disgusted when passing near the corpses of drows. He hope they died painfully. The Dark Ones deserved no less for all those they made to suffer.

 Marik look around him suspiciously, bow at the ready with a arrow nocked. He didn't see any enemies on the way in, but he knows they can meld almost perfectly into the environment and that they can attack sneakily. Filimena almost died because of their treachery.

"Let them try to surprise a Sylvan elf, just for laughs. We INVENTED ambushes.". He thinks for himself, confident.


OOC: Marik rolled 19 for a Perception check and Rani 21 for Perception or "Sniff" check, as Petunia the Gnome Barbarian liked to call them ;).

This message was last edited by the player at 00:22, Thu 20 Oct 2016.

Filimena trudges as far as she can along the chain while keeping as far away from the edges as possible. The shimmering she saw before continues to worry her, though, and as she looks ahead she thinks she notices a movement near the entrance.

Marik, watch out. I think I saw something moving near the entrance, she says to Marik and Raszire telepathically once she's close enough to the former, not wanting to alert whatever that something is. She doesn't want either one of them to be caught by surprise.

Raszire follows along behind Filimena. When he hears Filimenas warning in his head he simple nods.

Marik definitely finds plenty of footprints and hoof-marks as well as a dozen or so shoe or boot prints of various sizes. He nor Rani find or sense anyone lurking about.

The makeshift entry to Jzadirune is man sized though roughly created - Rani and Raszire will probably be a tight squeeze to get through.

"I guess whoever or whatever created this hole was a bit smaller than a Dragonborn."

OOC: While waiting for Raszire and Filimena to join him, Marik has been patrolling the entry, looking for any sign of life. As the Dragonborn arrive, he disembark from Rani, trudging in the snow on his wooden legs and is picking up bags from her saddle.He put some on his own back, and rearrange other on the saddle to minimize friction. 


"I sure hope you didn't eat too much this morning..."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:04, Wed 26 Oct 2016.

OOC: Would Raszire and Filimena have reached the other side by now? Haha. Filimena continues to keep a look out for the shimmering. Even if it never attacks them, it'd be a good to see whether it disappears anywhere.

20:01, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 10 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones.  Perception.

Oops.

The carved tunnel leads in a tight curve around the door to a stone staircase on the otherside of the door. The steps are shrouded with cobwebs and dust, descends twenty feet to a ten foot landing before descending farther down into darkness. There are not torches or other light sources. Marik ,with his elf eyes, can see farther down and notes staircase continues downward.

Having done the best he can to make sure Rani could fit in the tight opening, Marik take a look at the others.

"The way is clear from what I can see. Let's go."

He lead the large panther before the opening. Understanding where this is going, the big cat advance reluctantly, growling.

[Language unknown: "Ti whioulble? Ncmi wh lowa evehisthaint e ro dayeaurom tedanyous tic pl itset virrutsan wh. Sonhasill ur een. Ear acnd poelta, p ivst riwer k a"] says Marik, as he lead her to the cavern entrance.

Taking a big sigh, sword sword in hand, Marik enters the tunnel, followed by the big cat.

Raszire looks around for anything to make a torch out of "I should have picked up some dungeoneering equipment before we left."

The dead outside might be a fine place to search for such things...

[edit] Between the bodies of the dead and the groups own supplies a pair of torches are fashioned.

OOC: 10:35, Today: DM5 rolled 2 using 1d4-1.  Torches.

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:36, Fri 28 Oct 2016.

Filimena looks around for a means to light the torch, feeling sheepish and unprepared, as well as frustrated at the thought of Marik already moving ahead into the tunnel while she and Raszire dallied outside.

14:57, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 11 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones.  Perception.

As he is passing through the tunnel leading to the stairs, Marik pupils dilate and adapt to the surrounding darkness, turning what was only black and shadows into dimly lit shades of grey. He can see the stairs leading underground before him, just a few steps ahead.

Then he pauses and look behind, finding strange to not see Filimena or Raszire following him. They were standing just before the tunnel, where are they?

Then a realization hit him. Maybe they can't see in the dark?  He is so used to see in darkness he completely forgot that maybe it wasn't the case for dragonborns and halflings. If that the case, maybe they are looking for equipment outside. He recall Raszire saying something about lacking dungeoneering equipment behind him while he was leading Rani in the dark tunnel.


What to do now? Press on or turn around and wait for them? In any case, he would need to reach the stone staircase behind the entrance. No place for Rani to turn around in that carved tunnel.

"Might as well do some recon while they catch up" He think as he lead Rani toward the stone staircase.


OOC: Upon reaching the stone staircase, Marik and Rani will wait just before the carved tunnel for the others to join. Marik will make a perception check to check for traps or ambushes. Rani will also make a "sniff" check for possible enemies around.


OOC: Marik rolled 22 for Perception. Rani rolled 12 for Perception (smell).
This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Sat 29 Oct 2016.

Marik notices an empty torch holder halfway down the stair. His eyes also spy a half-dozen sets of tracks, both hooves and bare feet created prints, on the dusty floor.

Rani lets out a sneeze at all the dust.

Scrounging around for a bit more, Filimena comes upon an old piece of fire steel, which she strikes against some bare rock to light her torch. Wearily, she motions at Raszire, looks around one last time, and heads into the hole, intent on catching up with Marik.

Raszire nods, "Yes let us see where this leads." and follows through the small opening.

Marik is finishing reorganizing the bags on Rani back when he hear footsteps coming from the tunnel.


"Ah, here they are"

He jumps on Rani back again, ready to press forward.

OOC: Everyone give me a Perception check - I'm assuming you're all actively looking around.

---

The torch light flickers off of cobwebs creating eerie shadows, the ten feet wide stairs decent down into the unknown. Marik notices grooves on the outside of the stairs about 4 inches wide that run deeper than the stair. After thirty feet there is a landing before the the stair decent continues.

OOC: 12:29, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 23 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 20.  Perception.

OOC: Marik rolled 9 and Rani 17.

OOC:  06:27, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Perception .

The staircase descends another twenty feet before coming to a another landing - the third so far. From this landing you can hear strange sounds emanating from the beyond, specifically chirping birds, rustling leaves, and cheery giggles. The landing itself is bare save for an empty iron torch sconce mounted on the south wall. Raszire feels a slight breeze coming from the sconce.

Raszire moves over to the sconce and begins examining it, trying to discern in it opens a secret door or triggers something such as a trap. "Filimena, would you mind holding the torch a little closer please." as he remove a small bundle of tools from a pouch on his side and begins to gingerly probe the sconce and surrounding area.

Filimena carefully holds the torch closer to Raszire, gulping audibly.

OOC: Raszire - roll that thieves’ tools check please

09:34, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 13 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 11.

Raszire starts looking over the torch holder and notices that it seems to be loose. The dragonborn rotates it to the left and hears a clicking sounds, sudden the whole landing tilts violently sending the group towards the stairs down!

OOC: Everyone give me a Dex save DC 12

Marik use Rani's save as this is the floor moving and you can't "dodge it"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:35, Thu 03 Nov 2016.

As he look around with Rani, Marik note the Dragonborn inspecting something in the wall. He watch him with curiosity for a few seconds.


"See something interesting, Raszire? "


Then a clicking sound and the floor suddenly move from under him and Rani! The surprised panther let out a panicked sound as she try desperately to move out of the way, unable to secure her footing. Marik can't do anything but watch with wide eyes as he slip down with the panther, trying to hold himself best he can on her saddle.


"Raszire, what in...!?" is the only thing he is able to get out before the world begin to spin around him.

OOC: Rani rolled 6 on her DEX save. T_T
This message was last edited by the player at 15:44, Thu 03 Nov 2016.

The cat and her rider spill onto the floor of the room beyond the stair...

OOC:
11:46, Today: DM5 rolled 6 using 2d6.  Trap Damage.

Marik and Rani each take 6 damage

Raszire/Filimena - if you save take 3 if you don't then 6

Realizing a little to late that he may be rotating the sconce in the wrong direction and feeling the stairs begin to tilt Raszire turn himself to go with the slide. Upon landing at the bottom he quickly recovered his footing and stood. "My apologies friends, it appears I should have let the mechanism be."

12:05, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  dex save.

The world cease to spin with a loud crash, as Marik feels something very hard hitting his back and shoulder.

"Gahhh,  [Language unknown: Men pa n welin]! Curse these hairy beer-drenched troglodytes and their engineering."

Marik feels Rani moving between his legs, whimpering. He realize he is laying on the floor on his back, still griped to Rani saddle, with his left thigh beneath the big cat.

Rani slowly gets up, getting herself on her belly before rising up with some difficulty. Still on her back, Marik notice a streak of blood running from her head.

[Language unknown:
"Ti out, lin u wicon was siort"] says a worried Marik, while taking the big cat head to examine it. He noticed Rani tried to protect him for the worst of the fall, but apparently still hurted her head pretty hard on the floor.

He notice Raszire appear to have made it almost unharmed, and hear the Dragonborn apologizing. Marik gives him a black look and bites his tongue to refrain from cursing anew.

"Glad to see at least that you made it out unharmed..." says a visibly angry Marik, taking out a piece of cloth and applying it on Rani head as he looks around "Filimena...?"


OOC: Can I get a sense of what the room around us look like now as part of looking around?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:08, Thu 03 Nov 2016.

Filimena quietly curses to herself as she steadies herself at the bottom of the stairs. Already a trap, she thinks. I bet there'll be plenty more.

OOC: 05:23, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 17 using 1d20+3.  Dex Saving.

You all hear a distinct click sound from back up the staircase. Looking around you find yourselves in  a 40-foot-square room with a 10-foot-high ceiling. A slight draft blows into the room from a 10-foot-wide open passage in the far wall, directly across from the stairs.

Two 4-four-diameter circular doors are set into the middle of the south wall. Each door is made of wood framed with a ring of mortared stones. The westernmost door is closed and inscribed with the glyph for "J" per what Keygan showed you. The easternmost door bears the glyph for "A" but rest half-open. The half-open door reveals an iron rim of gearlike teeth, and dim light spills from the chamber beyond.

Mounted to the walls of the room are twelve patina copper masks. The masks are 2 feet tall and cling 4 feet above the floor. Each one depicts a smiling dwarf's visage. The soft giggling, chirping, and rustling noises seem to pour from the very walls.


This message was last edited by the GM at 22:25, Thu 03 Nov 2016.

Marik takes a deep breath and tries to calm himself.

"Apparently good too. Now, let's be more careful than this. Rani is strong but I doubt she could take able another hit like that. And I swear, if something was to happen to her..."


Marik takes another deep breath and stay silent for a moment, preferring not to think of this.


"I think I know where we are. If I'm not mistaken, this should be the center chamber we saw on Ghelve's plan. There should be a corridor with five small chambers ahead. That could be where the children are kept. In the meantime, let's check this room.


OOC: Marik and Rani will slowly pass before the masks, checking them for traps and hidden enemies. Staying close to the wall opposite of the two doors (the northern wall), Marik will also take a peek from afar inside the room behind the half-opened door.

Marik rolled a natural 20 for perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:47, Fri 04 Nov 2016.

Raszire begins to again apologies for setting off the trap but senses that at the moment it would do little good, so he gathers his things a follows the others.

The door that's help open looks to be held by a large stone - and has enough room for most to slip through. The room beyond is dimly illuminated by a sunrod sitting abandoned on the floor, and Marik can make out a roughly made tunnel beyond the small room much like the one that brought the group inside the enclave.

As Marik continues to circles the room he finds no enemies but does find a small knob on the North wall made to look like a hanger for a mask - though based on the layout of the room there shouldn't be a mask there at all.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:30, Mon 07 Nov 2016.

"There's a small knob here... looking like a mask holder. It look like another hidden passage, or something that could open this door" says Marik, while pointing to the closed round door. "Either way, after what happened, I don't think we should activate anymore devices if we are not sure of their utility".

As he says that, part of him would like nothing more than to see what this knob could activate. That and understanding the source of these bird chirping and sounds of laughter coming from the wall itself, quite unsettlign in the context. Thinking of it, he could harness some of the natural energies to verify the presence of magic in the area for a short period of time. That could allow them to verify more easily the presence of traps or hidden passages. But the settlement was so large, and so much remains unexplored... Was it really worth it to spend the last of his magic for the day now? No...better keep his forces for the time being, they could always return if needed be.


"Also, it looks like we're not the first ones to get here" he continue, pointing to the abandoned sunrod. "Think it was those two half-elves working for the mayor the headmistress talked about?"


Trying to decide between going up to the passsage opposite to the stairs or the one inside the half-opened chamber, Marik get out some of the children clothes from his bag and made them sniff to Rani.

[Language unknown: "Oul vor , whe ng nde e wil one. Om pre hawe tic hessee u ratur us eaudaymen she pongsemo?"] says Marik to the big cat.

EDIT becaused I forgot to roll. Rani rolled 14 for Perception (smell).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Mon 07 Nov 2016.

Raszire moved to the center of the room and looked around, the construction was most intriguing. As was the twelve masks and the sounds emanating from them. But for now he merely waited to see what the others wished to do.

As Raszire gets to a mask just south of the tunnel on the far side of the room from the stairs, the mask says :


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:57, Wed 30 Nov 2016.

"A welcoming committee...just what we needed" says the elf, applying a palm to his face. "At least, it confirms we should leave all mechanisms like these untouched as much as we can"

"Raszire, would you mind leading the way? You are the better armored among us and your size will make it more difficult for these creature to flank us in these tunnels. Filimena and me can cover you with spells and arrows, and I can check our rear with Rani.

He looks at the two tunnels

"I admit I have no idea which one to pick, so your guess is as good as mine."


OOC: Marik will make a perception check to try to see if there are traces of molten snow or dirt that could indicate where the creatures have gone in their most recent movements.


Marik rolled 19.

Filimena sees Marik peering around and guesses he must be wondering about the chirping and rustling that seems to surround them. Hmmm... It's nice not being the only one hearing things for a change, she thinks, smiling ever so slightly. All the same, it is unnerving. Could it mean something? And is it really coming from all around them, or do they seem to be emanating from a specific wall?

OOC: I'm back!!!

Could Filimena do a history check to see whether she knows anything that might connect these nature-like noises with the dwarves that built this stronghold? Perhaps something to do with their constructs? Also, a perception check to see whether the sounds are coming from a particular wall.

21:36, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Perception check.
21:35, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 13 using 1d20+2.  History check.

OOC: Welcome back Filimena!

Here's the map you got, so edit/markup as needed, I've noted your current location w/ the X.

---

Rani paces about but looks back at Marik slightly confused, giving the elf the impression that she's not found anything definitive. Marik has the same issue with his search for a definitive direction from the few prints he can locate on the floor.

The noises are coming from the entire room as though a spell was cast upon it. This sort of things definitely isn't common in current dwarf culture, but with the semi-recent civil war and destruction of the Kalazanbaar things have changed greatly.

"Very well then." Raszire moves forward to the doorway that is held open and squeezes through to the next room. Then moves to the tunnel to see where it leads.

Raszire enters and finds a dozen small small cots and chest line the wall of this 10-foot- high dusty room. Cobwebs blanket many of hte cots and chests, and tiny spiders scurry about. Two roughly-hewn tunes, each 5-foot in diameter and tubular, branch the eastern and southern walls. Stony rubble covers the floor near each tunner.

A 1-foot-long iron rod lies in the middle of the floor, its golden tip shedding enough light to cast lurid shadows on the walls. Raszire recognizes it as a sun rod.

OOC: Raszire - give me a perception roll please.

16:34, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  Perception .

Adrenaline pumping through Raszire's veins helps the dragonborn notice the pair of naked men with daggers before they attack.'

OOC: COMBAT! If we need a map I'll make one but currently everyone is within a single move of everyone else.

16:38, Today: DM5 rolled 7,20 using d20,d20.  Initiative - party vs baddies.

Looks like baddies go first

---

The pair leap from their hiding place, daggers slicing at Raszire, thankfully only one of them finds its way past the dragonborn's impressive armor unfortunately it strike is true.

OOC:
16:39, Today: Skulk rolled 13,19 using d20+4,d20+4.  Attacks vs Raszire.
1 hit for 6 damage!


[Private to GM: 8/8, 8/8]

OOC: Welcome back Filimena! Hope you had a great trip. :D



"RAWWWWWWRR" roars the big cat, as she spot the enemy.


"There you are, scum!" throws Marik, as he let a arrow fly straight in the torso of the one who hurted the Dragonborn.




OOC: Marik rolled 22 for attack and did 9 points of damage to the nude dude who hurted Raszire
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Tue 08 Nov 2016.

OOC: Thanks! I had a great time. Ate an impossible amount of food. Haha.

Filimena hisses, recalling having been stabbed in the back by one of these creatures just earlier in the day, and aims an eldritch blast at the creature that attacked Raszire as well.

OOC: 24 to hit, 8 damage

08:01, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 24,8 using d20+6,d10+4

Raszire takes a swing at the creature that hit him.


19:50, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 12,4 using d20+5,d6+3.  Attack and Damage.

The two creatures fall before the heros' attacks. As the adrenaline subsides you each notice the legs of spiders litter the floor, and that the two dead creatures have dark smudges on the their fingers and hands.

Now standing in the dimly lit room, you all can see the two tunnels leading out of the room. The one to the East goes past even Marik's vision while the southern tunnel t's almost immediately.

OOC: Combat over!

[Language unknown: "Ca, iv tr lonti ou ce, watint onsi?"] says Marik.

The panther, still growling, bows the head and grabs one of the creature by the chest with her mouth before lifting him up to show him to Marik.

"Now, what have we here?" says Marik, as he grabs the hand of one of the creature and examine the smudges, to see if he recognizes what substance is this. He also take a look at the spiders, trying to identify the specie.

I'm guessing it would be a investigation roll for the smudge and a survival one for the spiders. Marik rolled 6 for Investigation for identifdying the smudges, and 20 for Survival for identifying the spiders.Disregard the roll if it's not.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:27, Thu 10 Nov 2016.

Filimena approaches the big cat and crouches beside in order to more closely examine the vile creature in its jaws.

OOC: Filimena is intrigued and disgusted enough by the creatures that she will help to investigate the smudges too, even though she's not particularly proficient at such things usually. She rolls a 13 for investigation.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Thu 10 Nov 2016.

Raszire looks around at the floor and room, "I may be mistaken, but I would venture to guess that these creatures have been eating the spiders."

Raszire's instinct seems correct both Filimena and Marik. Marik believes the spiders are small cave spiders, sometimes call the nightshade spider due to their coloring, often found in the Underdark.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:47, Thu 10 Nov 2016.

"I think you are entirely right, Raszire." Marik says with a face of disgust as he looks the hand and release it after a few seconds.

[Language unknown: "Sa cehose. Achat en ithavesan"]

With glee, the big cat swing the head and trows the corpse aside, letting it hit the floor with a flat sound as it hit the rock. Rani growls and spits a few time, as if she was trying to remove the awful taste from her mouth.

"Disguting scum...At least it makes two less to care about. Let's move on"


OOC: Can a make a quick perception check to see if the creature dropped anything? Like a key for instance? Marik rolled 8.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:39, Thu 10 Nov 2016.

Filimena winces at the thought of the creatures munching on spiders. As if they weren't vile enough. She glances up at the two carved passages, curiously.

OOC: without getting too close to either of them, can she see anything inside them that might be of interest? Also, can she tell how long ago they were dug? Perhaps based on the presence of any digging tools that might be lying around?

She rolls a 17 for perception.

Raszire slowly move over to the corpses and begins helping check them for clues or useful items, "I meant to ask earlier, does either of you know what these creatures are."

"We call them Gedonnwer'fen... which you could roughly translate as "The shadow humans" or "humans of the Deep Dark". Most people call them simply Skulk from what I've heard. They are notorious hunters of the Underdark, whose skin can change color to easily blend with the environment. They can see in almost complete darkness as much as you and I could see under the midday sun...Long story short, they are perfectly adapted to a hunt in dark tunnels like these...

He pause.

"And they apparently have no faen standard concerning their meals..." he finished, grimacing at the thought.

The pair of dead skulks are naked, so they have nothing of use upon their persons. Filimena looks at the the tunnels and determines that they were definitely recently dug probably within the last year or so, exact dating of the digging is difficult.

Filimena takes in what Marik has said about the creatures and stores it aside to think about a bit later. Right now, it's the tunnels that draw her curiosity. "These tunnels look like they were dug fairly recently," she wonders aloud, then turns to look at Marik and Raszire. "In the grand scheme of things anyway." She points to the one heading east. "This one looks like it goes pretty deep as well. I wonder what's at the end of it. Does it concern us, do you think?"

OOC: PC MAP I've edited your map to correct things that MIGHT not make as much sense from a pure description

Looking again at the tunnel, Marik realize it appears to be a dead-end instead of a passage to another room, as he once thought.

"I do think so, yes. I will go check it out in case they hid something in there. I won't be long."

Marik guides Rani into the tunnel and check out for traps or hidden objects.

OOC: Marik rolled 21 for Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Tue 15 Nov 2016.

Raszire move to a point where he can keep an eye on all exits. "I have never much cared for the underground places."

The tunnels are roughly carved and don't seem to have any place to locate traps. To the east the tunnel goes on farther than Marik's vision can see while the one to the south t's.


OOC: rough map

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:22, Tue 15 Nov 2016.

"All right. I think we learned what we could here. Let's continue along the wider passage and follow the original map of the settlement." he says pointing to the westward passage. "I would rather avoid trying to crawl in those tunnels as much as we can."



OOC: See in map. https://docs.google.com/drawin...E00oQktTY6-IwhU/edit.

OOC: Sorry I'm terrible at these things. How can I put an hyperlink or a image in a post?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Tue 15 Nov 2016.

Filimena glances once more curiously at the tunnel, but then turns to Marik and nods. "Fair enough. I agree, that would be best."

Heading through the room with masks, the group moves Westward down a ten-foot hallway which continues for thirty feet before coming to a t-intersection going North-South. To the north there are a series of doors on each side and to the south the hall dead ends with a door flanking the end on each side.

OOC: PC Map

"Rani and me will go check these rooms. Cover me. " says Marik, as he signals toward the first door before him.


OOC: Marik will make a perception check for enemies and traps (Rani will also make a sniff check) and will go open the first door before him.

OOC: Marik rolled 9 for Perception for enemies and traps. Rani rolled 12 for enemies.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Thu 17 Nov 2016.

Dust and debris covers the floor of the hall, no real footprints are present. Each of the doors has a rune upon it - which Marik recalls means they require a specific key to open.

On the door directly across from the hall you entered from is the rune for Z, North there are four doors with those on the west side you see runes for D and N on them, to the east are I and E.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:12, Thu 17 Nov 2016.

Raszire watches as Marik checks the doors, "I wish we had had time to recruit someone more specialized in these things, but we will have to make due."

"Really? How specialized do you have to be to find a key and a hole of matching shapes?" ironise Marik. "Even two-years old can do it at home...I don't see why a grown dragonborn wouldn't..."


Seeing he won't be able to open any of the doors, Marik turns around with Rani and direct her toward the southern tunnel, keeping an eye for anything suspicious. His thoughts are however filled with images of Raszire before a child toy trying to fit a sphere in a square shape hole, and he try so hard to refrain from laughing that he loses all focus.


OOC: Marik rolled a natural one for Perception.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:34, Thu 17 Nov 2016.

The pair pass a door with the J rune then ...

OOC: Marik give me a Dex save please - as your riding Rani use her dex.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:38, Thu 17 Nov 2016.

Raszire give Marik a large toothy grin, "I was actually referring to someone who had been trained in the art of finding and removing traps as well as opening locks without the proper key, some of us may have some experience in the matter but you have to admit it is far from being a primary skill."

OOC: *gulps...

"Well, you know..." starts Marik, before being interrupted by Rani, who JUMPS aside.


OOC: Rani rolled 14 for Dexterity
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Thu 17 Nov 2016.

As the duo reach near the near of the corridor, Filimina and Raszire see the pair drop and can hear them hit something ... Marik and Rani find themselves in the bottom of a 20 foot deep pit with spikes piercing their bodies.

OOC : 14 is JUST a fail ... you each take
14:15, Today: DM5 rolled 6 using 2d4.  Pit trap.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:26, Thu 17 Nov 2016.

"Guhhhh" let out Marik, as he regain his senses, a spit of blood gurgling out of his mouth. He realizes he is on his back, again, and feels something sharp between his ribs. His head is ringing like a bell.

Besides him, he see Rani, his longtime companion, collapsed on her side, her spotted white fur covered in crimson stains. She weakly extends her paw trying to reach him between the cruel spikes, whimpering.

“No….No! Raszire! Help her….Help her, please!”


OOC: AAAHHH! O_o Rani is at ONE hit point...fuuuuuuu.

OOC (suite):Really, there's nothing that quite reminds you of the inherent fragility of life than dungeonnering at level 2 ^^

Filimena mutters a curse under her breath again, carefully peeking over the edge of the pit to see if Marik and the big cat are alright. So many traps! Unfortunately, there's not much she can do to help by way of spells. She doesn't even have a rope. Instead, she peers around and listens for if triggering the trap might have caught anyone's attention.

Ooc: 11 for perception

Raszire quickly moves to the edge of the pit. As he looks for a way to climb down, "Filimena do you have any rope?"

"Rope....I have rope" thinks Marik, mind muddled by the pain.

He needs to get to Rani backpack. He tries to get himself up. Using his arms, he pulls himself away from the ground. A wave of acute pain shocks him as he removes himself from the stake that pierce him.

"Guh...Gyahhhhh"

In pain but free, he makes his way toward the panther, crawling between the spikes. He put her hand on the big cat head. She's seems scared and in pain, but relieved he seems to be okay.

[Language unknown: "Ouseauoutalland pe nc blerutstr.P son ted cetr ta in was. Fotr hi."]

Marik plunge his hands into the backpack and gets out the 50 feets of rope he kept rolled in it, attached to a grappling hook.

"Raszire, Filimena...Catch this!" he says, as he stabilize himself on his knees and loose the rope. Taking a deep breath, he then make the grappling hook and the rope twirls around as fast as he can, before throwing it with all his might upward.


OOC: I'll make a strength check as I feel it would make sense to use muscle power more than aim in this situation, but please tell me if you want me to roll something else.

OOC: Marik rolled 16 for his strength check. EDIT: Sorry, it's 16 and not 18. I  took the saving trow by error instead of the actual check.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:47, Fri 18 Nov 2016.

OOC: I did a dexterity check to see if Filimena might catch the rope, but rolled a 10. Haha. Er... maybe Raszire also tried to grasp the rope? Or maybeMarik threw it so hard it just went right over the side and landed on the edge? =P

Between the two up top, Marik and Rani are pull from the trap. They do notice a body also in the trap.

Once they have Marik and Rani back up in the corridor Raszire kneels and takes up his holy symbol "St. Fenwyn lend me your gifts." He then proceeds to channel his gods direct energy, then cast thre healing spells. When he is finished he sits down and leans against the wall to rest. "We all, except for Filimena, should be at full health now. Unfortunately I am out of spells, other than minor cantrips."

(OOC: Channel Divinity - Life 10 hp returned to be split between Marik and Rani up to half you original hp, so Marik would get 3 and Rani would get 6. Then seeing that everyone except Filimena are still injured to a undesirable degree he proceeds to cast three Cure Wounds spells:
Rani - recieves 9
Marik - recieves 13
Raszire - Recieves 12

12:59, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 12 using 1d8+6.  Raszire.
12:59, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 13 using 1d8+6.  Marik.
12:59, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 9 using 1d8+6.  Rani.)

As Marik and Rani come out of the pit the floor tilts such that the hall appears normal again.

OOC: Can I make a survival check to identify the body that was also trapped in the spikes? Marik rolled 20 on a survival check. (I rolled with advantage and would have als putted the second number in case the creature was a humanoïd, but the first roll was already higher)


"Thank you, Raszire. " say the crippled elf, once again on the back of the now fully healed Rani. The white fur is still stained with red under the belly, but all wounds have been closed by the divine surge of energy. "Let's hope we find them soon. I wouldn't want to have to stop and rest in this hold."

He turn to Rani below him, who is still looking at the dragonborn that saved her.

[Language unknown: "Ai thu ioeeiv caunit str wil linantore ri, ndetiowhi? Ss k, herithand il oulsheday" ] says Marik.

Still uncertain on whether to trust this stranger or lick him in affection, the big cat finally lurch forward and rub her head against Raszire while purring, her large mass pinning the priest to the wall for a small moment.

[Language unknown: "Saith isicte, wasad omelessan, ticnc prth hatlatect." ] says Marik, while signaling the panther to pull away.

"Despite this, we need to continue. The children are still waiting, if they are still alive. I'll try to see if Rani can pick a scent now." says Marik, as he lead the panther toward the westward door up a few feets south from them. He try to keep a eye for any other traps of ambush while doing so, a difficult task while his mind is still clouded with visions of Rani bloodied and on the verge of dying. He pull the children clothes one for time from his bag and makes then sniff to Rani.

OOC: Marik rolled 10 for his Perception check for traps and enemies.

OOC: Rani rolled 9 for her perception (smell) check.

The creature was a skulk, as were the creatures previously encountered here. Marik recalls seeing some gear on the dead skulk - a rapier and light crossbow among them. Rani seems to be unable to find any scent nearby.

Raszire climbed to his feet and followed Marik, keeping his eyes open for any evidence of traps.

20:33, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

Where the map you were given shows a passage there is only a stone wall.

OOC: PC Map w/ DM adjustments

OOC: Are any of the doors to our left or our right opened?

OOC: No open doors - all of them are close with various runes on them.

Going from the top of the hall to the bottom

 wall
N    E

     I

D

Z    hallway you came from

J

 trap

A    R

 wall

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:50, Tue 22 Nov 2016.

Faced with a dead-end, Marik stop for a moment, appearing to ponder on what to do now.

OOC: Can I try to make a history check to see if Marik can recall some teachings about the Dwarves, namely if they often use runic magic in their construction or just plain engineering? Marik is trying to assert whether there could be some magic in the door runes and the keys that he could track in the dungeon with his Detect magic spell.

OOC: Marik rolled 15 for a history check.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Tue 22 Nov 2016.

Filimena is growing annoyed. Barely into the ruins, and already, so much puzzling, so much getting stuck, so much falling for traps. She isn't built for this kind of work. She frowns and turns away from Marik as he appears to ponder upon the stone wall ahead of them, and walks slowly down the corridor, wary of traps, and inspecting the closed doors, to see whether there might be any clues indicating they might have been opened recently.

OOC: Rolled a miserable 8 for perception check for traps. Rolled a natty 20 for investigating the doors.

Marik's knowledge of dwarf construction is limited but so far other than the masks everything seems to be purely engineered/built.

As Filimena moves along the hall she finds no traps save the one Marik had already so skillfully located. While at the south end of the hall, Filimena does notices that there is a bit of dirt on the floor at the wall and puts her hand through the wall ... the illusionary wall!

OOC: PC Map w/ DM adjustments

Lost in thought, Marik follow Filimena with a distracted eye. From all he knows, it would probably be too much of a risk to spend his remaining energies trying to detect magic in inert matter. An idea is forming in his head. Maybe going back to the tunnels, he could try to petition the masks for help. After all, they had given them warning when they arrived. At this point, it was worth a shot.


 He is ready to tell the group to go back, when he watch Filimena inspect the wall before him...and her hand going through it!

"What?" he let out in surprise, as he realize what is happening. The wall is an illusion!

A large grin form on his face.

"Well done, Filimena! Wait up, we'll go make sure nothing is waiting for us behind." he says, pushing Rani forward.

The big cat appear a bit relectant to head headfirst into a solid wall, but with a little bit of convincing, she and Marik slowly pass their head through the wall, not going further, to inspect the room behind.


OOC: Marik will make a perception check for enemies and traps.

Marik rolled 14.

Rani rolled 20 for Perception (smell).
This message was last edited by the player at 18:41, Thu 24 Nov 2016.

As Rani approaches the wall, the big cat growls - no particularly loud but definitely noticeable.

The room beyond the wall is a 30 ft square with a door on the east and west wall. Both door are closed and have runes carved into them. Carved into the south/back wall is a large map showing various interconnected rooms and corridors. The lines of the map glow faintly but do not shed enough light to illuminated the entire chamber.

"Keep you guard up. I think there is something in here." whisper Marik to the others, as he makes his way into the room.

Marik signals Rani and make her slowly advance into the room, looking to go inspect the map. He makes her follow along the west wall instead of going in a straight line by the middle, seeking to prevent being flanked should there be  hidden enemies he hasn't yet seen. Rani is still growling.

[Language unknown: "Ilpo dayon ll deressted, tin. Utpl p"] he whispers to the ears of the panther.

Raszire readies himself and steps through the illusion, Keeping low and his back to the wall he waits for Filimena to enter.

Filimena carefully tiptoes through the wall, her eyes darting around her, expecting at moment for the ground beneath her feat to disappear, or poisonous gas to shoot from the walls. Once through, however, it's the map that catches her attention.

OOC: Does Filimena recognise the map that Ghelve gave the group in the map on the wall? Or is it a completely different one?

Just a couple of rolls in case necessary:

19:44, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 9 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones.  Perception (traps).
19:43, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 17 using 1d20, rerolling ones.  Investigation.

Filimena does recognize the map as being identical to the one that Ghelve gave the group. Rani's growling seems directed at the illusionary wall.

OOC: PC Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:42, Tue 29 Nov 2016.

Marik sigh and shakes his head, petting the big cat head and directing her toward the map. He takes a glance at it, and see it is the same map Ghelve's gave them.


Marik nods and then direct Rani to make a circle around the darkened room, looking for other carved passages they could have missed in the darkness or anything that would look like a key on the floor. He will also check which are the runes on the door when he pass near them.


OOC: Marik rolled 8 for Perception.

Aside from the two doors in the room there are no other runes or obvious carved messages.

"Another dead-end... I can't believe they would put a illusionary wall to hide a simple map, especially with all the doors locked..." thinks Marik.


Marik ponders his options for a instant.

[Language unknown: "Iv, plfont th..."] he says in a "fuck that shit" tone, before muttering something looking like an incantation and doing a small set of quick gestures with his gloved hands. When he open his eyes again, they seems to glow with a strange blueish hue.


OOC: Marik cast Detect Magic on himself.

OOC: Is it wrong that my headcannon for the Detect magic spell really looks like Detective Vision mode in the Batman Arkham series :P

Raszire slowly circles the room, wary of any traps, and inspects the map. "So friends which way do you wish to continue?"

Marik's spell shows him the wall from the corridor is an illusion, and the map has evocation magic upon it.

OOC: I can dig that idea
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Tue 29 Nov 2016.

Marik take a look around him, before sighing, disappointed.


"Nothing. At least I can maintain this spell for a while" he thinks.


"I think we have exhausted our options in this part of the ruins. I don't like it, but using the carved tunnels we saw in the room with the masks appear to be our safest bet for the moment, and..."

A little idea spring to his mind.

"And...maybe I'll try something along the way... Let's go..." he says timidly, as he turns back with Rani, making his way toward the illusionary wall.

Rani keeps quiet as she head through the wall. Marik experience walking through the illusionary wall can be best described like walking through a curtain of water without getting wet.

OOC: PC Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:29, Wed 30 Nov 2016.

Filimena sees Marik turn and head back through the illusionary wall and frowns. He's probably right, she thinks. Crestfallen, she slowly makes her way back through the wall too.

The trio heads back the way they came, avoiding the pit trap with ease. The room still has the giggling, chirping, and rustling noises echoing from the very walls.

Marik sees the room with the masks has an illusion cast upon it. Illusionary magic has an purple hue while the evocation was red. The magic on the mask which spoke earlier also has an illusion cast upon it and is a brighter (more powerful) shade of purple than that which seems to linger on the room like a layer of smoke.

OOC: PC Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:49, Wed 30 Nov 2016.

Back into the room with the mask, Marik separates from the others for a moment. Taking a deep breath, Marik timidly push Rani toward the mask shining a deep purple color, the one that welcome them earlier. Maybe if asked in a proper way, it could extend it's help in other ways?


Marik takes a moment to organize his thoughts, then lift his head toward the mask and begins to recite a small poem.

"Golden Guardians of this stronghold
Thankful we are, for advice told
Alas, again we seek counsel
To clear the evil staining thy hold

Gilded wardens, We ask guidance
To save some youth from cruel chance
We seek the keys of Jzadirune
So that no door slows our advance
"


As he speaks, Marik makes a real effort to remember the correct pronunciation of all the words in Common. Despite his tendency to fall back on the melodious tone of the Elvish language while speaking, he thinks he managed all right. It could have gone worse.


OOC: Since Marik can sometimes have a lot of trouble recalling words and pronunciation in Common,  I had prepared a "good" and a "shitty" version of this poem, and choosed between the two with a performance check I did for myself. I'll post the shitty version in the OOC for comparison. XD

The mask 'replies' only with the greeting it said earlier.

Marik let out a small sigh and turn back to the others.

"Well,it was worth a try..." he says. He look at the room with the carved tunnel ahead. "How do you want to proceed, friend Raszire? I can lead us into those tunnels or I can support you with Filimena from the rear.  Your choice."

"I will go first, may need your help in pulling myself free should thinks get tight." Raszire grins as his says this. "Did either of these tunnels show recent traffic?"

 Marik look at Raszire with a deadpan stare (much like the avatar picture) and just point with his finger the corpses of the two Skulk slain earlier before the tunnel entry. A few second later, a large grin cross his face too.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Wed 30 Nov 2016.

Seeing the tunnels again, Filimena recalls her earlier curiosity concerning them, mixed with trepidation of what they will find within. She says nothing at first, only rubbing her hands together as if warming up for an eldritch blast.

"Well, as I noted before, they are both relatively new, in the grand scheme of things. If it's a matter of choosing between them, the one ahead of us does lead to two dead ends. Unless we want to check those, we should presumably try the one on our left."

"I doubt these creatures would create a tunnel with two dead-ends. I'd be more inclined to think these tunnels fork to lead to other chambers, but that we can't see the rest of the passage from here, in this obscurity. That being said, I agree with you. The left one appear more promising for the moment."

"and offers better protection against ambushes from what I can see" also thinks Marik for himself.

"Lead the way, Raszire." says the elf, nodding to the Dragonborn and putting himself in position.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Thu 01 Dec 2016.

The tunnel heads east for some 100 feet at a decline until it turns to the left then back to the right, finally ends at a T intersection which goes north-south. The north passage has a western turn approximate forty feet ahead while the south has a Ts west forty feet down but also keeps heading farther south.

OOC: PC Map Updated with how I THINK you're going.

OOC: Your thinking appears pretty much spot-on!


As he leads the panther through the tunnel, Marik frequently turn to watch their back, keeping an eye out for any sign of movement. He feels nervous  in this dark passage. As he see Raszire stopping for a moment ahead, he understand they are at a crossroad. Marik try to look at the ground, looking for tracks on recent movement, but doesn't say anything and leave the choice of direction to Raszire. He's feeling a bit claustrophobic and is just eager to get out of those cramped and dark passages.

OOC: Marik rolled 11 for Perception (tracks).
This message was last edited by the player at 01:17, Fri 02 Dec 2016.

Filimena senses Marik's mild discomfort and smiles discreetly to herself. There advantages to being small.

OOC: Filimena also looks around for tracks. Additionally, she's interested in whether anything might have been left on the walls. Blood, for example, or perhaps a bit of cloth or thread caught on a particularly sharp rock.

Rolled a non-natural 20 on perception. Also, wasted a natural 20 on insight detecting Marik'a claustrophobia. Haha.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:38, Fri 02 Dec 2016.

"Which is your preference, left or right." Raszire eye both passages.

Marik is surprised to be asked for directions. He was expecting Raszire to lead the way. He think for a few seconds and then lean in to whisper to the others.


"Take the right and then follow it to the end. It should lead us to a small chamber. That could be where the children are kept.If that is not the case, we should take the tunnel leading to the great hall afterward. The poem mentioned a place where life is bought with gold. I think such a hall would be a fine place for a marketplace, if that's the case."


edit: Made a few edit to precise Marik thoughts
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Mon 05 Dec 2016.

Raszire turns right and  follows the tunnel to the next intersection.

The tunnel goes right and continues straight. To the right you make out what looks like a forest.  Four great trees sprout from the grassy floor. [Private to GM: , their leafy crowns fanning out twenty feet overhead to form a roof of deciduous leaves through which rays of sunshine filter.  Brambles and thickets form impassible walls, although bramble archways set into the north and south walls lead to dark passages and chambers beyond.  Two mounds of stony rubble flank a hole in the middle of the east wall that appears to be a tunnel through the underbrush.  A gentle zephyr causes leaves to rustle, and birds chirp merrily in the boughs above.]


OOC: PC Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:30, Tue 06 Dec 2016.

Raszire moves past the intersection so that the others may get a better look, "Shall we investigate this underground forest or continue on?"

"Let's go to the end of the tunnel first. If Ghelve's map was correct, We'll have to pass though that "forest" anyway to go further in the settlement."

OOC:  Do I pick up any sign of illusion magic from the little peek I have of the trees?
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:02, Tue 06 Dec 2016.

Marik see LOTS of illusion magic! The trees appears as though Marik is looking into the matrix with a purple hue rather than green.

As he finish his sentence, Marik lip tighten and raise on one side in contempt. The tone of his next sentence express disdain, but also sadness.

"Besides, I've seen painted forests that looked less fake than these "trees". Life must have been depressingly sad here to have to rely on such cheap tricks to see some greenery."

Filimena glances at the tree as she passes by the opening. They don't look that sad, she thinks, and shrugs. To each their own, I guess.

The group heads southward until the tunnel comes to its end. Debris from the roughly hewn tunnel spills into a large thirty-by-thirty room.  Near the opening are heaped the shriveled husks of three enormous spiders. In the middle of the room stand two stout tables covered in old webs, while against the south wall rests a dilapidated wooden cabinet on the verge of collapsing under its own weight. Two stone hearths fill the east corners of this room.  Stone shelves, barren and dusty, fill the wall space between the blackened fireplaces.


OOC: PC Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Wed 07 Dec 2016.

"Probably where they made their bread" thinks Marik.


"Filimena, could you hold your torch above those debris" says Marik, as he makes Rani takes some steps into the room.

OOC: Marik will take a quick loom among the debris looking for anything that looks like a key.

OOC: Marik rolled 13 for Perception.

FIlimena nods and does as Marik says, also glancing into the room, amongst the debris.

OOC: Filimena assumes Marik is looking for signs of traps, and does the same.

21:49, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 17 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones.  Perception.

The debris at the entry is simply the results of whatever carved this tunnel - just rock and dirt. Looking across the room you both are rather sure that the cabinet on the far side is definitely going to collapse if it is messed with it

[Private to GM: Collapsing Cabinet Trap: DC 10 Dexterity, Wisdom (Perception) DC 8 to spot, Dexterity DC 11 to disable ]

"Nothing to see here" thinks Marik.


He simply turn the head toward Raszire and Filimena, and exchange with them a "No" movement of the head, before turning back with Rani and going back to the tunnel toward the hall with the illusionary forest.

OOC: Marik will go back into the tunnels and will make a perception check to look out for enemies (Rani is on guard too). As they make their way toward the great hall, he will step aside to let Raszire go first should the Dragonborn wish to do so.

OOC: Rani get 17 for her Perception (smell) check and Marik 8 for his Perception check.

Raszire nods and moves past Marik, when he gets close to the great hall he slows watching and listening for any signs of movement or traps.



11:10, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

Heading back to the forest is easy enough, though the tunnel is tight for Raszire at seven foot tall and the tunnels are all of five feet.

Four great trees sprout from the grassy floor, their leafy crowns fanning out twenty feet overhead to form a roof of deciduous leaves through which rays of sunshine filter.  Brambles and thickets form near impassible walls, although bramble archways set into the north and south walls lead to dark passages and chambers beyond. A door to the southwest has the glyph for D on it, the door is closed. A gentle zephyr causes leaves to rustle, and birds chirp merrily in the boughs above.

OOC: PC Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:19, Fri 09 Dec 2016.

Raszire slowly moves into the strange room looking around, "I must admit this is rather impressive."

"Shh...later" whispers a serious Marik as he passes next to the Dragonborn while putting his index on his lips. Better not doing any talking before making sure they are alone in there.

Marik makes Rani paces a bit around the room, eyes peeled for any traps or enemies around.

Sensing the nervousness of her rider, Rani makes a low-key growl while sniffing around. Those foul-tasting two-legs better not mess with her master or they'll get the groundhog treatment...



OOC: Marik rolled 18 for Perception. Rani rolls 15 for Perception (smell)

As Marik's spell begins to fade the trees begin to solidify rather than look like magical constructs. Due to everyone knowing the room is filled with illusions, all of the forest and underbrush appear to be almost see through. To the south is a ten-foot wide opening heading to a large hallway. There is a D door in the southwest corner and to the north is a stair way heading upwards.

OOC: PC Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:05, Mon 12 Dec 2016.

Marik turn to the others and point with his thumb in the direction of the south hall, with a look meaning "This way?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:39, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

Marik turn to the others and point with his thumb in the direction of the south hall, with a look meaning "This way?".

Filimena stays away from the "trees". Curious as she is about them, she's weary enough of traps she decides it's better to be safe than sorry. After all, Marik is sort of right: wondrous as they might be, they're not real trees.

Filimena glances in the direction Marik is pointing. It's dark enough she can't really see very far into the hall, but she shrugs, "Sure. That's where we're meant to be headed, right?"

Marik feels a slight breeze coming form northwest corner of the room...

OOC: PC Map

Marik turn the head toward the northwest corner of the room in reaction, intrigued. He raise his hand to signal the others that something it up and make Rani walk toward the northwest corner to investigate.


OOC: Should I throw an investigation check?

OOC: Yes please

OOC: Marik rolled 17 for Investigation.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

After a few moment of looking at the area where he believes the breeze is coming from, Marik notices a slightly raised piece of stone and an outline on the wall which he's pretty sure is a door or some type.

Marik smiles and signal the others to come with a movement of the head, pointing them the stone and the outline. As they get closer, he will inspect the door and the raised stone for possible traps.


OOC: Marik rolled 22 to look for traps.

There are no obvious traps though Marik is pretty sure that pushing the raised bit of stone down will open some sort of door on the wall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:16, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

When Filimena and Raszire are close to him (I assume they came when Marik called for them), Marik, still grinning, push the stone with his hand and draw his bow toward the door...

OOC: And that ends my actions today. Your move, gents...

As Marik's hand presses down the raised section causing a four foot square section of the wall pivots along what must be a pole in its center. Beyond the opening is a 10-foot wide 20-foot long span with a gear door which has an R rune in its center, directly across from the opening Marik just opened.

OOC: PC Map

You have a pair of 2' openings

Raszire moves forward with the others, looking over this new chamber "The dwarves certainly seemed to like their puzzles, wonder what type this is?"

Marik also wonder why the dwarves would make a such a secret entrance to a chamber already accessible through a regular door, especially in a small settlement like this. After a while, just about everybody in the settlement would inevitably know about the door. If the idea was to restrict access to names door only to people with specific keys, such a entrance would appear counter-productive. A emergency door, mayhaps, leading to safety in case of attack? That would be the most plausible explanation at the moment.

Marik put down his bow and put the arrow back in his quiver.


"I don't think it's a puzzle...more like a emergency exit known only by those familiar with the stonework. It should lead to a small round chamber from what I recall. Let's see if that is still the case."

Marik enters the small passage, (Can Rani fit through this?) and go check if the passage indeed lead to another chamber to the north.


OOC: As always, Marik is wary of possible traps. Marik rolled 12 for his Perception check.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Wed 14 Dec 2016.

Marik and Filimena slips though the opening without issue, Raszire and Rani squeeze in. The space is ten by twenty with two gear doors, one to the north with a D rune on it and one to the west with an R rune on it. The floor is a bit dusty but other wise free of debris or foot prints.

OOC: PC Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:43, Wed 14 Dec 2016.

"No footprints...Sounds like another dead-end." he says. He is about to say to turn back before remembering the hall is all enclosed with doors according to the plan. The other option would be to go back all the way to the room with the mask and take the other carved tunnels in hope they eventually find what they're looking for.

If only they could open one of those door. According to the tunnel pattern, there would be another carved tunnel leading to the room just beyond that door with the R rune. If only they could open that door instead of going all the way back in those dark passages...


Marik thinks for a moment. Maybe he's approaching the problem the wrong way. Instead of headbutting their way on every closed door like rats in a maze, maybe the solution simply require a bit of study. Maybe Raszire was right... Maybe the doors mechanisms aren't all that complex after all and could be opened by other ways than a specific key. If he, as a explorer couldn't find a way, maybe he could as craftsman? It could be tried in any case...

Marik tap his pocket and feel something like a small metal rod. Patch's lockpick. He remember he had kept one.

"Could any of you approach me a light, please? I'd like to test something."  he says, as he approach and kneel in front of the door with the R rune on it. He takes out the lockpick and begins to study the mechanism to see if he could try to force it open.

OOC: Lockpick callback! XD What do I roll for this? An investigation check? A sleight of hand one? I don't have any proficiency with thieves tools
This message was last edited by the player at 01:07, Thu 15 Dec 2016.

OOC- Dex at disadvantage as you don't have the right tools as a single lockpick isn't enough
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Thu 15 Dec 2016.

OOC: Marik rolled 9. Well, that was to be expected...


After a few tries, Marik (who never tried to lockpick a door before) quickly realize he would need another tool to actually try to force open the mechanism. For a moment, he think about crafting one from a arrow. From what he has seen from Patch's instruments, he would need to craft one with a slightly different design...of which he isn't quite sure. He never used these tools before. He decide it would be a waste of time and get up.


"I don't have the right tools for this...There doesn't appear to be anything of interest here. I think we should stick to the areas where the carved tunnels lead to look for sign of activities. Should we explore the rest of the hall?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:07, Thu 15 Dec 2016.

For a moment Filimena is tempted to give the lock-picking a try. Having seen Marik struggle with it, though, she decides she's probably not up to it either.

"Sure, let's check the hall," she says, in a low voice, and steps back out through the opening. While waiting for Raszire and Rani to squeeze their way out, she nimbly steps forward into the hall, watching out for traps and making ready to spring back in case she triggers anything.

OOC: Blah

21:01, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 9 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones.  Perception.

Raszire watches as Marik tries the lock, "Let me give it a try, I have some experience and the correct tools." Raszire kneels before the door and removes a small set of tools from his pack rolling them out beside him and slowly begins work on the lock.


08:44, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Attempt to pick lock.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:46, Fri 16 Dec 2016.

Between Raszire and Marik something in the door clicks but rather than opening a swarm of rats pour out of the lock! They scurry up the dragonborn's armor but their little teeeth can't get past the chain mail links.

OOC: welcome to to a trap!

Round 1 !
09:00, Today: DM5 rolled 11,14 using d20,d20.  Initiative - party vs baddies.
Rats go first!
09:03, Today: DM5 rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Rats vs Raszire.
Nothing!

[Private to GM: HP 24/24
 http://www.orcpub.com/dungeons...nsters/swarm-of-rats]
This message was last updated by the GM at 14:05, Fri 16 Dec 2016.

Marik curses in Elvish and draws his shortsword to swing into the swarm.

OOC: Marik rolled 11 for his attack. (6 damage if he hits).


[Language unknown: "Whe, hifotoha nileof!"] says Marik. The big cat growls and bite on a big rodent.

OOC: I don't know if Rani can also attempt to attack since she's there and there are multiple rats running between her legs. In the case she can, she rolled 14 for attack and 7 points of damage. If she can't, just consider the above text as flavor without effect on the swarm from a gameplay point of view. .

Filimena spins around and winces. Rats. She hates rats. She points at a cluster of the creatures and mutters something under her breath.

OOC:

16 to hit, 13 force damage on hit.

Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 16,13 using d20+6,d10+4, rerolling ones.  Eldritch blast w/ Agonising Blast.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Sat 17 Dec 2016.

Round 2
1 - Rats AC10 - they look rough after the onslaught of Marik, Rani and Filimena! [Private to GM: 4/24]
2 - Heroes!

---

The rodents continue to swarm Raszire but thankfully the dragonborn's armor proves too tough for their tiny teeth.

OOC:
08:31, Today: DM5 rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Rats vs Raszire.

PCs go!
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:33, Tue 20 Dec 2016.

Continuing to wince, Filimena lets loose another eldritch blast, trying to plough a hole through the swarm without hitting Raszire.

21:39, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 22,13 using d20+6,d10+4, rerolling ones.  Eldritch blast w/ Agonising Blast.

Filimena's second blast sends the remaining rats to meet their maker - probably a dwarf with love for traps.

OOC: Combat over!

 Marik wipe some rodent guts from his cheek and forehead with his hand. The lower half of his body and Rani's are all covered by stains of gore and bits of red fur.


"A rat trap...they may protest it, but Dwarves and Goblins have much more in common than they let out..." says Marik with a disgusted expression as he continues to wipe off some gore from his clothes. "Nice shooting, Filimena...". He turns the head to check off on Rani.

Sill holding half of a rat in her jaw, Rani makes it disappear in one gulp and makes a satisfied growl, licking off the blood on her cheek and nose.

"And to think you were refusing rabbit meat the other day..." says the elf while looking at the panther. "Are you hurt Raszire?" he says, while looking at the Dragonborn, who seems unharmed. He then look at the tools "I should have thought about asking you first. You did mentioned growing in the streets and breaking into a church..." he add with a grin. "What do you think, does it appear breakable?"

Raszire dusts of the fragments of rat that are still hanging to his armor "I suppose it may be possible to try again. Or we try a different route." Raszire gathers his tools "I can't help but think that we are missing something."


OOC: Is it possible to try to pick the lock again?

OOC: you can certainly try.

Raszire take a long look at the lock and begins to try to pick it. Half an hour passes when at last he is pretty sure that he can't open this lock without more luck or skill than he possesses.

Marik see the dragonborn letting down his lockpicks after his fifth try and get himself up. He takes the watered-cloth he's been using to clean his clothes from rat blood for the last half-hour and squeeze it, letting some red liquid drip out.

"I suppose not then. Well, let's try our luck with the hall." he says, before leading Rani out of the small chamber.

Filimena follows Marik out of the chamber, but is careful not to stay too close to Marik, just in case either one of them triggers a trap.

OOC: Eew.

OOC: Haha! YOU blasted those rats to pulp with your eldritch blasts, not me. XD


OOC: Can we assume we are making our way back to the hall in our usual formation (Raszire, Marik/Rani and Filimena)?

Raszire gathers his tools and replaces them in his pack, "Yes, it is time to try a different route."

You all head out of the small room back into the illusionary forest. There remains a hall to the south which you can see past a door sized opening. To the north is another opening which appears to lead up to a set of stairs. East is the tunnel you came into this room through.

OOC: PC Map
 

As we make our way to the hall, Marik will check for traps.


OOC: Marik rolled 12 for his first roll of the year. Not easy to come back from seven days of partying and food-induced coma. ;)

This rooms is 30 by 80 feet and contains the wreckage of once-fine furniture.  Two iron chandeliers dangle from the ceiling, while a third – its rope severed – lies amid the debris on the floor.

The east and west walls each have two rune marked doors; the runes are J and U to the west and E and Z to the east.

At the far end of the hall is another door sized opening leading southward.

OOC: PC Map
 
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:46, Tue 03 Jan 2017.

OOC: "Door sized opening"? As in an actual gear door that was opened or a door-size carved tunnel?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Tue 03 Jan 2017.

OOC: Gear door sized

Approaching the opening, Marik direct Rani toward the south wall instead of the door. "That opening wasn't on the plan from what I remember. I don't trust this."

OOC: Marik will touch the wall to make sure it's not another illusion.

OOC: I will also make another Perception check fro traps if that is okay.

OOC: Natural 20!


OOC:I edited the PC map.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:34, Wed 04 Jan 2017.

"No, it certainly seems suspicious," Filimena agrees. She approaches the door slightly, still careful to keep a good distance between herself and it, and peers in, to see if she spots anything.

OOC: 23:09, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 11 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:20, Wed 04 Jan 2017.

The wall is as real as real can be, a similar opening lies on the far side of the hall. Looking over the room Marik notices there are various plates, cutlery, and mugs among the ruin.


OOC: PC Map
Filimena - your door notation is correct
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:33, Wed 04 Jan 2017.

OOC: Does the wall look different in any way from the walls around it that appear on the map? Perhaps. Deer, or of a slightly different material?

Raszire slowly moves into the hall carefully watching for any sign of a trap or ambush.

OOC: The wall appears to be of the same material (stone) as the reset of the place.

Marik direct Rani and also makes his way into the hall. He lowers himself from his saddle for a second to grab a worn-looking mug and look at it.

[Language unknown: "O helabe hitise ure whasto. Alse lastic of lewi allesthis."] he says, laconically, to the big cat while wiping dust from the mug. It could make a nice souvenir to bring back. Especially since the big cat broke two while chasing a mouse in the house last week.

Figuring that sooner or later, they're probably going to have to inspect the wall and the opening, Filimena carefully begins to approach it. After moving a couple of steps, however, she pauses, as an idea occurs to her, and she begins eyeing the cutlery and other items lying in the ruin, looking for something she might be able to toss into the opening, to see if it's even real. Something just on the surface, that she'd be able to reach with minimal digging, and something small and light enough not to make a noise when it inevitably impacted something. Perhaps a small stone, or a tiny shard of a broken plate.

The bit of plate Filimena bushes out of the debris is quite real.

Heading south Marik and Rani find a room where thin wooden walls separate six curtained stalls that stretch across the northern wall, although none of the dividers prevent the stench of this chamber from filling the air.  A fish-shaped fresco carved into the back wall once served as a waterspout to a rectangular pool of now-brackish water, although water no longer pours from its gaping mouth.

Upon entering the room, Marik grimace at the foul stench. He direct Rani toward the fish-shaped fresco, looking for possible traps.

OOC: Marik rolled 21 for Perception for traps.


OOC: Should there be no traps, Marik will take his sword to stir the blackened water from the pool

"Now what have we here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:22, Tue 10 Jan 2017.

Raszire moves carefully through the room, keeping a careful watch as Marik searches the foul smelling room.

The pool is a brownish black liquid and smells retched as though it has been used to urinate and defecate in.

"By the Faen spirits, are these things rotting from the inside out?" says the elf, grimacing even more. "Even Ettercap dung smells like rose compared to this."


OOC: How big and deep appears to be the pool?

The pool is twenty feet long and ten feet wide, depth is difficult to tell... for obvious reasons.

OOC: Thanks! Is there also two doors by each sides of the room?

OOC: I've updated the PC map with where I think we are right now.

OOC: PC Map

Here's the GM map of the area. The pool is the blue grey piece heading south.


The doors on the outer walls are A and R - as I noted on the PC map. While those leading too the pool are non-locking so open w/o issue.

Loathe to enter the foul-smelling room, Filimena decides to keep watch outside, just in case anyone -- or anything -- sneaks up on them.

Marik will investigate the stalls, in hope to find something useful...like a key. He thinks he sees something that looks like it between two of the panels and crouch down to get a better look at it. However, it's just a long and thin piece of dung. The stench is so strong he almost feels like he is gonna be sick. Disgusted, he turns to Filimena and Raszire.

"I don't suppose your voices or St-Fenwyn told you anything about where to find the keys of this settlement, if they still exists, do they?"

He takes a pause and looks at the pool.

"And for the love of everything sacred, should one exist, please don't tell me they somehow threw it in there..." he says, just before restraining himself from gagging


OOC: I rolled a investigation check in case, and came out with a natural one.T_T
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

Filimena wants to tell Marik that's not quite how the voices work, but feels a bit bad. After all, he's the one searching the room while she's hiding outside. She peeks into the room through the horrible miasma at Marik investigating what is apparently an old chamber pot. "If I had a purify food and drink spell, I might be able to do something, but... er... You know, to be honest, I doubt even they would have hidden a key in this mess."

OOC: I'm going to roll a perception check, on the off chance Filimena spots something from where she's standing at the entrance. It's a natural 20.

19:02, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 23 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:03, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

While Filimena doesn't SPOT anything she does hear very faint foot falls coming from behind the door marked with the E rune.

Filimena spins around to face the door through which the sound of faint foot falls is coming and hisses, "Footsteps. The E door."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Thu 12 Jan 2017.

Marik spins the head toward Filimena and gets up at lighting speed. Rani begins to growls, sensing a new excitation in the air, before Marik silence her with a move from the hand. He signal her to come to him and jumps on her back, before making his way to Filimena. As he whispers, his eyes are fixed toward the E door a little farther down the hall, like a beast ready to pounce. Rani ears twitch as she now picks up some sound.


"Let's repay them for their ambush earlier. Follow me.." he says, signaling Rani to stealthily follow the wall of the hall, toward the entry of the tunnel. However, the big cat has some trouble containing her excitement at the perspective of a quarry and growls audibly.

OOC: Godammit... Marik rolled 6 for Stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:39, Thu 12 Jan 2017.

Moments pass but the door doesn't move.

Filimena stands before the door hunched in an aggressive position, her quarterstaff and focus in one hand, her other hand pointed towards the door, ready to let loose an agonising eldritch blast. When nothing happens, her eyes flit awkwardly towards Marik. "Erm," she murmurs.

Raszire moves forward into the room, taking up a position on the far side of the door and waits. Watching the door and surrounding, he glances at Filimena and Marik as the group quietly waits.

Stealth if needed with disadvantage..
10:34, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 7,9 using d20+3,d20+3.
Should have stayed put.

*I assume everybody moved in front of said door if I understand the last posts correctly



Marik signals Raszire and Filimena and point the carved tunnel entry. He wave the hand to show his will to move quickly into the tunnel. Maybe if they move fast, they could corner whatever is in the room and cut off its escape.


Marik signal Rani to rush quickly into the tunnel and will try to block the passage at the T intersection, with his bow at the ready (see PC map).



OOC: Marik will make a perception check in case to look for ennemies. He rolled 19 on his check.

Marik moves quickly to the the tunnel to see a pair of Dark Creepers moving towards him in the tunnel!

OOC: PC Map

Her teeth bare, Rani hisses and growls menacingly as the dark beings approaches them, before roaring loudly in the dark tunnels.


"GROAAROOOOOOO WAAWARRRRR"

[Language unknown: Ion i u, icaatelar ore!]*


Marik draw his bow and let loose an arrow. The projectile pierce the darkness, hitting one of the dark beings straight into the chest.


With a ferocious grin, the elf then put down his bow and draws his shield, as well as his short sword. He puts the shield forward and hold the slightly curved elven blade in horizontal, ready for close combat.


OOC: Marik use his action to attack one of the Creeper and will use his bonus action to switch weapons for his sword and shield.

OOC: Should it be okay to attack, Marik rolled 19 to attack, and did 10 points of damage.

*Marik version of Come at me bro.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

Marik gets the jump on his foes and even manages to really hurt one with his arrow, though not as well as he expected - his target seems to roll with the attack rather well. The second says [Language unknown: Ruthisresers!] which echos through the tunnels

OOC: 16:44, Today: DM5 rolled 17,20 using d20,d20.  Initiative - party vs baddies. Baddies go first!

---

The two roughly clad creature rush at Marik, one misses the elf completely but the other manages to get past his shield and lands a nasty cut just below his ribs

OOC: 16:52, Today: Dark Creeper rolled 9,20 using d20+4,d20+4.  Attacks vs Marik.
That's 7 damage to Marik

PCs are up - Filimena and Raszire are a round away if they double move

[Private to GM: #1 2/7 - #2 7/7]

Marik snarls under the sting of pain and retaliate. The curved blade move in with a precise stab and pierce the flesh of the injured creature.


OOC: Marik rolled 16 to attack and 7 for damage on the already injured one.

OOC: Just to be clear, is the double move required because of the awkward arrangement of the tunnel? Because Filimena's Eldritch Blast has a range of 120ft. In any case, Filimena will try her best to get a clear shot at the injured creeper, and if she can, fire a blast at it.

23:49, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 20,12 using d20+6,d10+4, rerolling ones.  Agonising E-blast.

Raszire moves to assist Marik.

OOC: Filimena - its because Rani has a base movement of 50ft.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:43, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

Marik's blade cleaves the wounded creeper. The remaining foe grunts at the elf before dashing back down the tunnel.

OOC: Marik - you can use your reaction to attack him.

OOC: Marik use his attack of opportunity to attack the creeper. Marik rolled 19 for attack and did 8 points of damage.



Seeing the creature turns back, Marik strikes with his sword and land a precise blow on the creature shoulder. As the creature dashes in the dark, Marik signals Rani to give chase. The panther growls and begin to run forward, as Marik ready his bow and aim.

OOC: Marik and Rani will pursue the creature in the tunnel, and Marik will attempt to shoot it down with his bow as it escapes.


OOC: If attacking is still possible, Marik rolled 21 for his attack with his bow and would do 7 points of damage to the fleeing creature.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:23, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

Marik makes quick work of the fleeing foe.

OOC: combat over

As it falls on the ground bleeding, the creeper turn the head back one last time. His last vision is that of a giant feline jaw opening before his eyes and closing as darkness sets in...


With a satisfied grin, Marik returns to Filimena and Raszire with his quarry. As she carries Marik, Rani is still holding the fleeing dark creeper by the neck, as if it was a overgrown dead rabbit.

They join up with the halfling and the dragonborn near the corpse of the other dark creeper.


[Language unknown: Evles on saet t, dipl, niain. N nowa plhi k entithman een nochou.]


The big cat drop the dark being on the ground, as the smiling elf gets off her back to search the bodies. However, a sudden pain strikes him on the sides as he makes a sudden movement, and his vision blurs.


OOC: Marik will attempt to check the bodies for keys or interesting stuff like potions. Marik rolled 4 for his check T_T
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

Marik recalls the pair having daggers but can't seem to see them...

Raszire looked down at the now dead creature, "I wonder how many of these inhabit this place?"

"No idea...but they were trying to get reinforcements and seemed surprised to see intruders, which means maybe there is still a chance to get the jump on them."

He turns the head toward the direction the dark creeper was fleeing.

"And now we know where to find them..."


OOC: Dear Dm, could you point us on the PC map the direction in which the dark creeper was fleeing?

Ooc : plan south back down the tunnel

OOC: So in the dusty room behind the E door?

In reply to Marik (msg # 273):

Correct!

Marik, still smiling, makes a slight head move to the others, pointing the south tunnel.

"Shall we?"

Filimena nods solemnly.

The trio heads back towards the room they had previously searched.

Without saying a word, Marik will search the room anew, and will inspect in particular the hearth for signs of a hidden passage.

OOC: Marik rolled 14 for his Investigation check.

Marik finds no passage but when looking over the cabinet he notes that the whole thing looks to fall under its own weight. Inside the cabinet appears to be some sort of metal rod among the various clay dishware.

OOC:Can Marik attempt to gingerly take the metal rod from the cabinet? What should I roll?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:38, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

OOC: Sure - Give me a Dex check

Curious, Marik approach the shaky looking cabinet and peer the content. Intrigued, he then slowly and carefully extent the hand in the interior to grab something among the piled dishes.

OOC: Marik rolled 20 with mod for his Dex check

A quick and leap way allow Marik to pluck the rod from the cupboard. Inspecting the rod reveals it to look similar to the rod that Keygan used to open the portal which brought the group here, only rather than the full range of runes this rod only has the rune for Z etched into it.

Grinning, Marik make the key roll between his nimble fingers, while petting Rani under him. While still tense from previous the traps and combat, he feels a little bit of relief. He was beginning to fear all the keys had been lost in the darkness of this hold.


[Private to group Elf: "Nice job, girl."] he says to the big cat, as he turns to the others, showing them the metal rod. "It got the Z rune on it. I'll go try it on the gear door in the hall".

"We will all go, it will be safer if we stay close together." Raszire follows Marik into the hall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:19, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

Filimena allows herself a smile, and follows along as well.

OOC: With Raszire and Filimena following him and Rani, Marik will try to use the key to open the Z door in the hall, right next to the E room.

The rod/key slips into a diamond shaped slot on door frame with ease. Marik tires to turn the key left with no result then to right which works and through a series activated of gears the door rolls out of the way revealing a sizable room some thirty-foot square lined with shelves. The smell of moldy bread and soured food hits the group as the contents of the room seem to be only a few scattered jars, baskets of dried herbs, casks of some kind, and moldy loaves of bread.

OOC: PC Map

"Excellent," Filimena mutters to herself, not meaning at all to be sarcastic, but perhaps coming off that way. "Now we just need to find the remaining eight keys, and we're set." She peers into the room and looks about for signs of recent occupation.

OOC: Filimena rolls a 12 for perception.

OOC: Marik will join in on the efforts to spot anything of interest in the room. Marik rolled 23 for his check.


OOC: Kinda swamped in work theses times, but I'll return to more RP-oriented posts as soon as possible!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:42, Thu 26 Jan 2017.

The room appears to be little more than a rather large pantry...

Raszire looks into the room for a moment, "Well friends which direction do you fancy next?"

Filimena glances between Raszire, Marik, and Marik's cat. "We could go north up the stairs. Although I am slightly curious about what's behind that other Z door we saw earlier."

"I'd go for the other room too. Shall we?" says the elf

The group makes its way back through the previously explored sections of the enclave and come to the other Z marked door. Marik uses the key and opens the door as easily as the previous door. Inside this chamber you find all of the furnishings - three small cots, a small table, and a dresser - have been smashed, the wreckage strewn across the floor. A lonely chain hangs from the center of the ten-foot-high ceiling, and a lantern lies smashed in one corner.

OOC:  PC Map

OOC: Does Filimena find any evidence that the room was recently occupied, or otherwise see any other clues? Can she tell what the chain might have been used for?

Didn't know what to roll, so rolled both a perception check and an investigation check. The latter not so good unfortunately.