Celador crouches down and plucks a few blades of grass. He lifts them to nose and inhales deeply. He tosses the grass in the air and then takes two fingers and pinches a bit of dirt and then touches his fingers to his tongue. He looks at the deep gnome, then the halfling. He thinks they make a funny short duo. He wonders if they know any jokes or dance routines. He tries to remember the time a traveling show came to Glenvendale when he was just a young boy. Maybe they were halflings. Or gnomes. Either way they stood as tall as he had. It was great fun, they knew a little dance and sang funny songs. The rogue doesn't seem to be much of a singer.

He looks at the tabaxi who seems to be impatient.

"Hmmm. I'm not sure I'm much help."

00:22, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  survival.

Sorry, I have been a bit distracted. I'll get my head back into the game.

In reply to DM (msg # 49):

Thorfire sees the elf give him a rather quizzical stare and it appears that he may be thinking, which is rather unusual after all...Reaching for his trusty rapier, Celador, can I help with something?

In reply to DM (msg # 49):

Shaking his head at the elf, Therarak says, Thanks for the help Laz and Thorfire....Therarak studies the ground looking for an indication of the way to the fork and sees some clues on the direction they seek.

15:49, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 15 using 1d20+8.  Nature.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Tue 04 Sept 2018.

Therarak stands on the river bank, high above the rapidly rushing water below. He considers the advice from his companions, looks at the crude map provided by Bobbin Goodfelllow for a moment, then leads the group back downstream for about 20 minutes. The terrain is difficult, but they make their way without anyone plunging into the frigid water.

After the hike is completed, they see the inlet of the other stream and the long narrow point between them that comprises the fork in the river. At the end of the point stands a large stone statue of a grotesque face, some 20 feet from top of head to the end of his chin, looking downstream with mouth open to display a row of large square teeth. Aside from that, there is little of note on the point aside from a few scraggley trees.

Probably most notable from their position on the bank is the rapid flow of the river. Crossing to the other side will not be a simple task, and the rocks sticking out at various angles suggest a mistake could be painful if not deadly!

OOC: will take a dc15 dex/athletics check to cross the river without falling in. Once one has made it, a rope can be used to give all others advantage. Falling in will cause 1d6 damage and a dc12 str save to get back out. Each failure on str check will cause another 1d6 of damage. 3 failed str checks will lead to further issues and ultimately possible drowning.

Other means of aid or assistance that you can dream up are possible, too.

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:08, Wed 05 Sept 2018.

In reply to DM (msg # 53):

Lazaret reaches into Celador's bag and takes out a rope. Tying it around his waist he leans in to his Elven friend and says, "I never liked getting wet. I'll jump from rock to rock. Should be easy. You hold onto this end and the others can follow my lead.

"Now wish me luck!" Lazaret touches Celador on the shoulder and casts Enhance Ability giving the Elf Cat's Grace.

"That's one!" he yells as he leaps on the first rock. "And two. And three. This IS easy!"

21:08, Today: Lazaret rolled 10 using 1d20+8 ((2))

"Oh shit!"


21:13, Today: Lazaret rolled 4 using 1d6.  Fall Damage.
21:13, Today: Lazaret rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Strength save.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:14, Thu 06 Sept 2018.

"Laz!" Celador calls and the cat man falls into the rushing water, stifling a laugh, "Are you ok?"

He sees the tabaxi is struggling and starts to pull on the rope.

Does pulling on the rope give Laz advantage in his strength save against getting out of the water? or should I roll to pull him out?

Lazaret bravely attempts to cross the rushing stream. He makes good progress over the first couple stones, but eventually finds his way to an opening wider than his stride. He bounds across the gap, but slips upon landing and plunges into the frigid water. The rushing water pushes him into a patch of jagged rocks and then under the surface.

But while brave, the tabaxi isn't careless. The rope he attached to his waist prevents him from washing away from help. Celador heaves on the cord and sees Lazaret resurface with a gasp and flailing of arms.

OOC: Yes, the rope will give advantage on the strength check, so Laz can roll a 2nd time for strength. Success gets him back to the original side. Failure is another 1d6 of damage.

In reply to DM (msg # 56):

Lazaret, surprised at how slippery the rocks are falls under and is smashed against a jagged rock. His slender arms are not up the task of pulling himself out of the rushing water, but a firm tug on the rope reminds him that there is another way out.

07:45, Today: Lazaret rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  Strength save.

As Celador pulls the rope, Lazaret grabs it and pulls as well. Soon enough he is back on dry land. Soaked head to toe looking a lot skinnier than he cares to look. Laz rises to his feet standing next to Thorfire and shakes the water loose from his wet fur drenching the halfling in tepid and hairy liquid.

With Celador's help, Lazaret finds himself back on the river bank, coughing and choking a bit from his unexpected dip in the rushing water.

OOC: Laz can try again with a +2 bonus due to a bit of experience (he at least knows where one of the slippery rocks is). Same deal as before: DC15 DEX to cross, 1d6 damage on a fail and a DC12 STR check (with advantage due to rope) to get out without further damage.

"Laz, why don't you stay here and dry out and I'll carry the rope across," the elf offers the wet tabaxi.

Celador cautiously steps down to the rivers edge and quickly follows Lazaret's first two jumps to the relatively flat and dry rocks, but using his momentum is able to leap across the slippery rock and land at the edge of the next dry rock. He teeters momentarily and then regains his balance and continues to cross the rest of the river.

"See how it's done?" he calls back smugly, "Now tie that rope to the tree there and I'll tie it to this tree here and that should help the rest of you cross."

23:03, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  athletics.

In reply to Lazaret (msg # 57):

Thorfire's hand slides to his dagger and he seriously contemplates driving it into the Tabaxi's eye...then there would be an empty eye socket.  What would he do with that?!?  Coming back to his senses, he says, I thought cats always land on their feet...not only do you suck with your spells, you also suck as a cat.  Are you good at anything?  Do it like this.

Thorfire takes one last look at Laz and quickly runs across the rope tied to the trees, although it is not as easy as it appears.

12:28, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 18 using 1d20+7, rerolling ones with rolls of 11.  Acrobatics.

12:28, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 9 using 1d20+7, rerolling ones with rolls of 2.  Acrobatics.

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 59):

Thanks for taking the rope across, I might need it.

Therarak cross the river too.

12:30, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 20 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 5,18.

In reply to Therarak Gemfinder (msg # 61):

With the rope firmly in place, a now dry Lazaret sprints across at lightning speed arriving almost instantly next to Thorfire.

"It's a good thing that my magic helped Celador place that rope. Without it, you would have been dashed against the rocks too.

"Now let's look at this statue and get down to business."

17:50, Today: Lazaret rolled 18 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 4,10.  Acrobatics.

Celador nimbly crosses the rushing river with an elven grace. He fixes a rope to his side and sends the other end back to the others. With the help of said rope, passage is much improved and Thorfire, Therarak, and finally Lazaret make their way across with no further splashdowns.

Once on the opposite bank, the heroes make a quick survey of their surroundings. They stand about 100 feet from the giant stone statue and they realize now that it is much bigger than they originally thought. Closing in on it, they leave the scrubby cover of scattered pines and find themselves on a long sandbar that terminates where the two streams join into one.

The statue is cylindrical in shape and rises out from an patch of rocks. The cylinder is about 15 feet in diameter and almost 50 feet tall. From the very tip of the sandbar, the face on the stone cylinder stares directly at them, mouth agape to reveal what looks like an opening into darkness. Entering the opening requires crawling over the bottom row of the statue's teeth which, while flat, are still menacing due to their size.


OOC: See game map for a very crude sketch of the statue.

In reply to DM (msg # 63):

Lazaret approaches the stone head. "He looks a little angry."

Approaching the mouth, Lazaret pauses. "Umm. Perhaps I'll toss a small stone in first." He looks over the ground and selects the perfect stone, a smooth gray one about the size of his paw.

"I'll call you Malcolm. Your cousin Cornelius would be proud of what you are about to do." Lazaret gives the stone a quick kiss, then tosses it gently into the mouth.

Celador cautiously approaches the statue for a closer look, drawing his sword just in case. He stands about 15' to the left of Lazaret as he tosses a stone in the statues mouth.


23:28, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 65):


Thorfire also looks around for anything unusual.

17:07, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 18 using 1d20+2, rerolling ones.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Wed 12 Sept 2018.

Malcolm flies bravely through the air into the mouth of the statue. When he hits the ground, there is a flash of light and he disappears, leaving behind nothing but the faint scent of brimstone.

Thorfire notices what looks like the edge of a large chalk circle inside the statue. From his perspective, however, he can only see a small part of it.

In reply to DM (msg # 67):

"That was incredible! Cornelius would be proud. And probably want to join him."

Lazaret carefully steps inside the mouth of the statue being careful not to touch the chalk circle. His feline vision scans the space for an exit.

Lazaret climbs over the statue's teeth into the dark interior. As his feet hit the ground, there is a flash of light and the tabaxi disappears!

As with Malcolm a few moments earlier, the remaining three catch a waft of brimstone, but see no signs of Lazaret.


OOC: Lazaret has disappeared! His adventure continues in Chapter 11. At this point, only Laz should have access to this thread.

In reply to DM (msg # 69):

Turning to Celador, Looks like the crazy cat wanted to join his pet rock, this looks like a good way to rid ourselves of his annoying antics.  Any suggestions on our next steps?

"Laz!" Celador exclaims as the tabaxi disappears. "Damn it!"

He looks back at the halfling who appears to be shrugging.

"We must go get him!" replies the elf as he grabs his shield and hurdles the statues teeth.

00:27, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  athletics.

Celador leaps into the statue's gaping mouth in pursuit of Lazaret. Like his feline friend before him, he disappears in a flash of light, leaving only a puff of brimstone and a once again empty statue before Therarak and Thorfire.

OOC: Celador has also disappeared! His adventure continues in Chapter 11. At this point, Laz and Celador should have access to the thread... but are they in the same place???

In reply to DM (msg # 72):

Therarak looks at Thorfire and shakes his head. Stupid cat...damn elf!  We might regret this, but let's follow our companions.

Therarak and Thorfire climb into the statue.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:02, Wed 19 Sept 2018.

Uncertain of what lies before them, Therarak and Thorfire agree to keep the group together. They climb over the statue's lower teeth and step into the circle.

And like the others before them, there is a flash of light and the dimuntive duo disappears.

OOC: Next stop, Chapter 11!