In reply to Dumon (msg # 120):

Fortunately it seems that considering the number of eggs about - much of the traps would have likely already been set off and depleted by the centipedes that once inhabited the area. You step forwards safely, throw a sack over the orb and manage to grab it away and make for the exit of this inner shrine.

But just as you leave this inner shrine, when you make your last step forwards, you hear a rather loud crack coming from the ground, which echoes through the area, but there doesn't seem to be much change after that.

When you return, you see everyone all bandaged up - somewhat battered looking but still able to keep up.
Suryaraj appears to be carrying Dev on his shoulder, and has his greatsword passed to Mathabar.

"Ah, you've returned. What was that sound just now...? I hope it was nothing much," Ba Le'mei speaks as she notices your return. "We should retreat the place for now. I believe we have obtained much more than I had initially expected. Perhaps it warrants a more in depth examination, so I will request more support for future expeditions to this area..."

After nodding to herself, you and the party manage to make it back to the crossroads where you found the large chest, collect the sacked up loot, and exit the area after carefully avoiding the pressure plates you found previously at the top of the stairs.

You notice that many of the members of the party are quite weary after the exertion, and probably would not be able to continue marching back, so for now, you return to the encampment outside the vault to rest for the day.

It is now just after Sundown and the sky is just about to turn dark. The air about the encampment is cool, and surrounded with the chirps of crickets in the jungle grove surrounding the area.

This time, Ba Le'mei, Damodar and Mathabar take turns to keep watch (you may participate if you wish).

If there is nothing else you wish to do for now, time will pass towards the next day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:10, Tue 13 July 2021.

Dumon helps with the wounded so they can keep up as they exit the underground tomb, taking the lead when they need to by past the traps. Once back at their earlier camp site Dumon starts by collecting firewood, enough to last through the night. He then lights a fire and will tend to it until he retires for the night.

Dumon will volunteer to take a watch so that as much people who are wounded can get a proper nights sleep.


-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 122):

You only manage to rest for about an hour before you hear the cry of Damodar.

"WAKE UP WAKE UP!!! S... SOMEONE'S COMING...!"

As soon as you get up and get outside to survey the commotion, you immediately notice opposite the campsite the approach of a few torchbearing cloaked figures.

A quick survey reveals around 7 men, all armed with a Parang (a shortsword for cutting plants that gets in the way in a jungle) and a brassy Buckler with an insignia that you sadly cannot see clearly from where you stand.

But it seems quite telling who they are as the torchlight shines on the one leading the group - a bald, bespectacled lanky man. The same one you saw in the room previously where you took the key from. But he doesnt seem to be wearing a robe but is now in some adventuring garments that are easier to move in, with a plain cloak wrapped around his body. He too appears to be armed with Parang and Buckler.

It appears that they have heard Damodar's cry and are beginning to draw their weapons.

Thankfully, it seems that everyone except Mathabar was woken by the cry. You even heard - thankfully Dev's cry as he finally awoke from his critical wounds and is moaning in pain.

"... The Prowling Cockatrice... This isn't good..." Ba Le'mei speaks. "Let us just hope they are willing to make an agreement with us for now..."

"We should have run into the forest, I would think they would not risk such an endeavour to chase after us." It was too late now so Dumon waited like everyone else to see how this plays out.


-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 124):

"That sounds certainly more like a good idea..." Ba Le'mei says as he motions to the rest.

Based on a quick glance of the rest who have awoken - they clearly don't look like they're in the best condition to fight - and considering Ba Le'mei's reactions to the approaching band, it does seem like quite a reasonable mode of action to escape from this place for the moment.

Nodding to one another, the men begin hauling those incapacitated, heading southwest towards the nearby jungle grove some distance from the encampment...

As you do this, the procession of men gradually arrive at your encampment...

Dumon nods as well and douses the campfire with the water from his canteen. He hoped the sudden extinguishing of the light and the huge plume of steam and smoke he created might also aid them in their escape. Dumon also adds at the top of his voice, "Meet thy doom with my poison gas..." he looms large in the gloom as he does with his arms up high.

Dumon will then join the others in flight, bypassing many to lead them deeper into the forest.



-
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Thu 15 July 2021.

In reply to Dumon (msg # 126):


As the procession of men hear this... you suddenly hear them shout in alert and halt their advance...!

It seems that they were not so certain about who lurked near the vault, and their exceeding caution buys the party time to make their escape.

You make your way some distance from the camp with the rest, and eventually regroup at a small clearing - with everyone intact - thankfully.

"Thanks to your quick thinking.... and sadly parting with half of our find from the vault, I am sure they will not give chase... I imagine their goal was to await our return from the vault and snatch away the treasures we obtained..." Ba Le'mei speaks in a solemn tone after catching her breath.

"It is truly a pity, we will not be able to bring all of it back, but it is a worthy trade for our lives...!"

After taking a short rest until dawn.

In the morning, Ba Le'mei suggests that the party make the journey back using another route. Considering how the Prowling Cockatrice likely took the well known route that Mathabar guided us through before - it was highly likely that they would encounter the adventurers on the way. Not to mention, the party no longer has the luxury of waiting it out as most of the supplies they had were left at their previous encampment!

As such the party now faces a dilemma - whether the brave the unknown by finding another route back to the Yellow City - or to take the same route back and risk encountering the band of adventurers out after them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:21, Fri 16 July 2021.

The loss of some of the loot was regrettable, but retaining ones shell was always the better option. That being said forging a new path through the ruins in the hope of not meeting a group of mercenaries was somewhat problematic.

"It depends if they go inside.... if that is the case I could almost guarantee far fewer will be coming out. That is all speculative, but I suggest we go the way we came in and keep a tight watch on the rear.... perhaps leave some sharpened bamboo stakes along the way ?"


-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 128):

"Well, I am not sure if there would be time to construct bamboo traps - but I think its safer to go back the same way too!" Mathabar says as the rest of the party nods in agreement.

...

But just two hours after making your way back to the former route, just as you return to the corridor of statues where you fought the squidmen two days ago, you are greeted by that same group of seven adventurers lying in wait for you!!

"There you are... I've been waiting for his moment..." the bespectacled robed man says as he folds he taps his parang on his shoulder with an fuming expression on his smooth countenance.

"You've really made a fool of me not just once, but twice...! Do you think I'm just going to let you go - you crafty terrapin...?"

"Men, get them...!" the bespectacled robed man motions towards his men, and the adventurers begin their advance in twos until they are around 120 ft from the front of your party!

As everyone gets ready to fight for their lives though, you notice a strange sight coming from behind the bespectacled man's party - the approach of 6 dog sized giant ticks from the adjacent jungle!!
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:55, Sun 18 July 2021.

Dumon lowers his crossbow and fires at the man who disrespected him. The sight of the other threat comes into view and seems to cause him to mistime his shot.

"Hold back men, let the ticks do our work. Missile weapons only and target the bandits. was all he was as he reloaded his crossbow.

Dumon rolled 5 using 1d20.  Attack.



-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 130):

As you fire your shot, Mathabar too nocks an arrow on his shortbow, and looses a surprisingly deadly shot towards one of the advancing mercenaries. And with deadly precision, the arrow goes right through the right soldier of a fighter at the front and he collapses to the ground groaning in severe pain!!

As both of you finish your shots, Suryaraj and Chandra take positions in front of the both of you, brandishing their Greatsword and Greataxe respectively and take a defensive posture, intending to parry the frontline advance...!

And it would seem that this tactic paid off, as one of the fighters tries to strike Suryaraj with a mighty swing of his Parang, Suryaraj parries with a well executed glissade, causing the Parang to be dashed out of the attacker's hand and flying a almost 30 feet behind the attacker!

Chandra on the other hand is not so skilled, and just manages to fend off another fighter taking a small cut to his arm.

Bhimsen, on the other hand - clearly ignoring your tactics - goes on a mad frenzy, attacking one of the frontline fighters with his guandao! The fighter whom he is attacking seems to be quite well armored and looks quite experienced - but despite this, he is extremely pressured by Bhimsen's attack and suffers a severe wound from Bhimsen's flurry of guandao swings! The veteran eventually succumbs to Bhimsen's attacks and falls to the ground cleaved into half!

His companion too, tries to take down this battle frenzied guandao flailing madman, but too is unable to find an opening to attack!!

You notice the bespectacled man make an unsightly expression as he sees Bhimsen - thinking that him to be your party's main force!!

Making an incantation, you see an bolt of energy begin to form in front of him and with a "Hah!!" he releases the bolt towards Bhimsen and it goes into Bhimsen's chest releasing a cloud of magical smoke, effectively putting an end to Bhimsen's rampage! As he collapses to the ground, you see the bespectacled man begin to laugh with glee!

"This fellow really gets on my nerves..." Ba Le'mei says as you notice her expression too turning sour.

Making an incantation herself, Ba Le'mei manifests 3 energy bolts of her own and sends them flying towards the bespectacled man, and two other fighters.

The bolt strikes the bespectacled man, wounding him and causing him to cough out some blood, while another bolt instantly vanquishes a mercenary standing in the line behind the front. The final bolt strikes the veteran fighter engaging the now fallen Bhimsen, causing him to fall to the ground dead as well!

In just a matter of 6 seconds, 3 of the bespectacled man's party has fallen, leaving 4 remaining and 1 severely injured!

It is at this point you notice the ticks pounce towards the two men guarding the bespectacled man and the man himself!

"What the!?" the veteran guards shout as they finally notice the ticks - but perhaps due to sheer luck - the men avoid the attacks of the 6 ticks, with only one managing to bite at the bespectacled man!!

It bites with its mandibles and sticks itself onto the bespectacled man's calf! The man can only yell in all manner of expletives before screaming, "GET THIS THING OFF ME!!"

You notice the guards try to hack away at the Ticks, but they all deftly evade their strikes!
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:49, Sun 18 July 2021.

Deciding the man in the glasses was the greater threat at this point Dumon levels his own crossbow and lets another bolt fly in his direction. He utters some instructions to Mathabar, "Fire on the man in the glasses."

With the mercenaries at their front line he then drops his crossbow and with his flail in hand moves to engage the closest non wounded bandit.


Dumon rolled 11 using 1d20.  Attack.
Dumon rolled 2 using 1d8.  Damage.



-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 132):

Your flail strikes the last standing fighter in the opponent's frontline - and he collapses to the ground badly bruised by your flail battering him in the neck!

Following your instructions, Mathabar tries to fire an arrow at the bespectacled man, but his persistent flailing causes the arrow to miss its mark!

The rest of your party catch their breath as you watch the ticks skirmish with the bespectacled man and his 2 guards!

With a hurried incantation, the bespectacled man releases a bolt of energy at the Tick latched onto his leg! The bolt damages the tick, but it latches on persistently!

The two guards try to strike at the the tick on the bespectacled man's leg, but the all miss!

In response, the tick seems to drain blood from the man's leg, causing his muscles to visibly shrink! In a scream of terror, the bespectacled man loses all strength in his leg, falls to his bottom as you see that Tick regain its vitality!

Meanwhile one of the ticks manage to bite at the leg of one of the remaining guards, latching onto it!
Another jumps onto the other guard's leg and latches to it as the guards screams in fright!!

It appears that all that is left of the opponent's party are those two guards desparately fighting for their life!

"....Those ticks do look quite dangerous... I think it'd be best for us to retreat for now than face them head on!!" Ba Le'mei speaks with a worried expression.

"I agree we can return and recover our loot and whatever else they have on them when the ticks are finished with their meal." Dumon picks up his cross bow and pulls its string taunt as he seats a bolt while walking to the edge of the clearing and waiting until everyone else is in cover.

He takes a knee and aims at the man with the glasses, he pulls the trigger and lets the bolt fly from behind a stone column.

Dumon rolled 16 using 1d20.  Attack.
Dumon rolled 8 using 1d8.  Damage.


-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 134):

Your bolt flies towards the motionless body of the bespectacled man and it lodges into the top of his skull!!

As the man produces no scream nor yell - you can tell that he is most likely dead.

"By the gods Dumon... As wretched as he was, let that man rest in peace... Surely he has been punished enough - for having died from his blood sucked from that terrible Giant Tick!" Ba Le'mei whispers to you as the party begins to retreat, leaving the remaining two guards to fend for their lives.

The party decides to retreat from the place and wait for two hours before returning to the passage of statues where you fought.

And fortunately, you observe that the ticks have indeed left the area and all that remains are the fallen adventurers and the shrivelled up blood drained corpses of the bespectacled man and his two veteran guards.

"Phew, what a relief that we didn't have to engage those Ticks... I wouldn't want to end up dried up like those fellows!" Mathabar exclaims as he casually looks towards the corpses of the dead men.

Apart from the corpses, you find a few sacks containing the travel supplies of the men, and another larger bulging sack that you recognize to be the other half of the treasure you managed to procure from the vault.

Dumon gave a nod to Ba Le'mei before adding "In my experience it is smart not to take any chances with those that wield magic." Dumon spent the time waiting guarding the group so those who needed it could get some rest.

When they returned to the group of corpses Dumon searched the fallen magic user first and then as long as no one else had beaten him to it the rest of the fallen guards.

Then he said "Let us push on back to the city."



-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 136):

Having overcome the obstacle of the 7 adventurers, you gain 133 XP!

After searching the bespectacled man's corpse for things, you manage to find a fancy pouch containing 10 GP, alongside a dagger and a fancy leatherbound book with a yellow zircon studded onto it.

In one of the man's pockets, you also find a medallion indicating the bespectacled man's name - Sundar alongside the symbol of a cockatrice. Also in his pocket is a folded up piece of parchment which seems to be a very rough map of the Old Town that indicates the location of the vault alongside a number of other sites circled in red. The circled sites bear the names, "Temple of the Rooster", "Shrine of the Python", and "Library of Crickets". As for the one that looks like the vault you visited it seems to have the name "Pyramid of the Lizards".

As you look at the other bodies - you see clearly that they're being searched by the rest of the party still alive, with their weapons and bucklers bundled up and hauled by Chandra - likely intending to be sold later in the black market.

When the party is done looting the corpses, you fortunately find that the rest of the journey is safe and uneventful! And just some time after nightfall, the party returns to the Crusty Shell Tavern.

After paying the rest of the mercenaries for their services, Ba Le'mei asks you to help haul the treasures back to the Molten Eye.

Clearly weary of the long march, Ba Le'mei orders a Rickshaw and invites you to join her as six men wheel the both of you to the headquarters of the Molten Eye.

Upon depositing the treasures in the two large sacks to the Molten Eye's treasury, Ba Le'mei reports to the Administrator about your contribution to the adventure, and upon hearing that you have personally slain a few of the adventurers of the Prowling Cockatrice, you notice a rather pleased expression on the otherwise stern countenance of the Slugman Administrator.

After a few moments, he agrees to officially recognize you as part of the Molten Eye, and hands you a medallion indicating your membership as an Associate.

As an Associate, you may peruse the tomes and records in the unrestricted Archives, and take part in more of the secret tasks that the Molten Eye requires to be done.

"T'was truly an exhausting adventure, Dumon! I think I will be quite out of steam for the next few months...! Either way, congratulations on being an Associate of the Molten Eye, I look forward to seeing what else you will contribute to our fine organisation!" Ba Le'mei praises you over a small glass of wine at the lounge.

She passes you a purse of 30 GP as payment for your services before retiring to her residence for the night.

The treasures you have brought back to the city are of considerable value, and you gain 2473 XP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:04, Wed 21 July 2021.

Dumon gives a rapid series of clicks of happiness as he descends the stars out the front of the Molten Eye building and then out the front gates. He moves into the city proper as he buys a bag of the freshwater snails he likes so much to tide him over until he arrives at the night food market.

Shells crunching Dumon walks through the hustle and bustle of the city enjoying the sights and sounds as he strolls along. Once at the market Dumon finds a favourite stall with only three seats directly out the front of the cart. He has to wait which gives him time to finish his snails and continue his crowd watching. When a seat becomes free he order three dumplings as he takes his seat, they arrive in a short space of time before he rattles off another order of spicy cabbage, a dozen fresh water oysters, egg noodles and a bowl of flaked fish.

He then sets to eating, concentrating on his food....

Very much refreshed Dumon will retire for the night, returning to the lodging house he had previously stay at.

OOC: Just wanted to check whether Dumon can keep the items he found on the bespeckled man ?



-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 138):

It is now Day 6.

You awaken to the sound of much squelching - and you find that  from one the sacks that you've brought back - a mass of worms seems to have burst out from within!

It seems that only the few sacks of treasures left at the trapped room in the vault were deposited in the Molten Eye, and Ba Le'mei likely did not even know that you possessed the pink orb you found in the shrine-like structure deep in the vault.

On your table you have the purse of 30 GP pilfered from the bespectacled man's corpse, alongside his dagger, rough map and fancy leather book.

Sunlight streaks from curtains left slightly open, and you can faintly smell the scent of steamed shrimp buns from the neighboring restaurant.

OOC: You still have the belongings of the bespectacled man with you. The only treasures deposited are those from the trapped room.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:19, Thu 22 July 2021.

Dumon removed the worms from his accommodation and deposited them out the window. He suspected if he kept the thing he might get friendly with the local birds. He needed to find someone who would be able to tell him what it was.... so that would be today's task.

As he prepared Dumon picked up the book and looked it over, he suspected what it was, but probably would also need this confirmed. Lastly he adds the dagger to his belt and puts the rough map, Prowling Cockatrice and Molten Eye medallions inside his tunic.

he leaves his lodgings and takes a seat at the restaurant next door. He orders the steamed shrimp buns, two portions of Pancakes with Eggs and Rice Porridge or Congee.  Also a pot a clove tea as well as the usual small bowl of extra cloves. Dumon takes his time eating as he as no very pressing plans this morning other then trying to get the items in his possession identified.



-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 140):

Inside the book you see in Trade Tongue Script various incantations, magical circles and diagrams. This appears to be a spellbook of some sort. The only diagrams you can recognize is a diagram of a spider and its webs and what seems to be a prism diffracting various rays of rainbow colors. The rest of the magic diagrams are undecipherable to you.

While casually enjoying your breakfast at the Lotus Pavilion restaurant, you manage to overhear a few a few rumors.

1. The Venerable Green Monkey Sect is holding a grand funeral for their Eldest Grandmaster Panapan who just passed away. There is talk of a wake banquet open to all the peoples in the Prosperity District, with some tables offered to the public from which they may obtain food for free.

2. A group of Crab men with spiked carapaces have begun a mutiny in the Balamar Market district, terrorizing people in the night and freeing their slave brethren. The sheriff at Balamar is willing to pay 2 gold pieces for every rebelling crabman head obtained. There are rumors that these rebel crabmen have also started moving to other districts to cause trouble, resulting in the death of a few workmen, including a merchant.

3. The Murkskippers - a group of infamous assassins have struck again, killing the wealthy merchant Kang Qu in his own residence. Due to this there has been an uptick of employers looking for those able to provide security services.

After your meal, you take a casual stroll down the streets of the prosperity district, attempting to gather information about people able to provide identification services. Based on the words of the few that have the time to answer your queries you learn of three possible places that offer such services:

1. Crystal Silver Pavilion - Located in Yeong Prosperity District. A family business of magi who offer top grade magic services especially indentification for which they can divine considerable detail regarding a magic object. Naturally the cost of such services are quite high indeed. Apparently they also run an auction house where many rare magical goods and herbs are auctioned for almost insane prices.

2. Swaminth's Arcaneum - Located in Mahir Scribe's Street. A shop run by a young wizard and his apprentices. The services here are much more economical, but still hefty. This shop also offers scribing and various book copying services alongside selling copies of ancient books.

3. Sufu's Hut - Located in Dravir Slums. Not a shop in name, but apparently a madman named Sufu resides in a small hut filled with nothing but rotting barrels and he has apparently managed to identify quite a few items with astounding accuracy based on anecdotes by a few adventurers on a tight budget. Although how reliable this rumor is is rather questionable, as it is said that Sufu doesn't accept any payment and simply identifies objects for as part of his savant obsession.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:10, Fri 23 July 2021.

Dumon made a mental note of what he had heard, though collecting Crab men heads or standing at some rich merchants door did not interest him, he may pay his respects at the funeral.

Firstly though he needed to get the items in his possession identified so he would try the Crystal Silver Pavilion first and depending on their prices and general demeanour he would make up his mind whether or not to use them or find an alternative.


-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 142):

You make your way to Mirror Street an uptown area of the Yeong Prosperity District which seems to be extremely rich and refined, with many tastefully designed pools, fountains, and perfectly manicured jasmine hedges and angsana trees. There are apparently even well dressed human boys who seem to be in charge of keeping the streets clean, sweeping up any of the fallen angsana leaves and seeds the moment they see any fall onto the ground from their vast crowns.

Eventually into your vision arrives a towering compound comprising buildings built with pearl white bricks and brassy roof shingles, fitted with silvery windows bearing very extravagant patterns of flowers - with some of the windows even being tinted with bright colors - all off which bear the symbols of orchids.

It is this very building that is the Crystal Silver Pavilion, and you notice that many of its patrons are either wizened fellows in very fine robes, and the occasional formidable looking master dressed very well who hold themselves with considerable martial poise.

Some of them gaze at you suspiciously as you notice that the customers here must be very rich.

But suddenly you see a rather unkempt and messily dressed dwarf hauling a large sack of what appears to be coins, alongside numerous well crafted chests stacked up on his right shoulder.

As he enters, you notice numerous attendants dressed in silver gilded robes of black approaching the dwarf with postures of servitude, helping the dwarf carry his things before ushering him into the central large hall.

Based on a large sign outside, it seems that an identification of an item costs 100 GP, while auctioning an item costs 10% of the starting price of the item you want to put in an auction.

Dumon studied the the sign for a time before asking one of the attendants, "Does the fee have to be paid up front or could the item be sold to cover the coast of your services and the auction fee ?"

The surrounding area was certainly a nice part of the city, he might take a longer stroll around when he was done here.


-

In reply to Dumon (msg # 144):

A well dressed human attendant stops as you call to her and she glances at you and your overall attire.

After staring at you for a few moments with a disdainful expression she eventually speaks.

"It has to be upfront of course... and I would advise you to be dressed properly before you enter our establishment..."

After giving a curt nod, she returns to her duties.

While you stroll about the fine parks and gardens, you find your mind at peace and the sheer serenity and beauty of this place.

But suddenly, as though shattering that little slice of paradise upon which you tread, you hear a gurgling sound as you see suddenly splattering on the ground in front of you the head of blue shelled crabman from which large bubbles of form emerge from its mouth.

As you look up you notice a finely dressed swordsman gaze at his fine sword covered in blue blood with a look of disgust as you see the beheaded body of a crabman fall to the ground motionless.

The swordsman notices you and beckons to you.

"You there, come here for a moment," he speaks in a very clear and regal tone.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:57, Sun 25 July 2021.