And so it is, with hired cleric in tow, the three intrepid adventurers find themselves once again in search of fame, fortune, danger, and rewards.  Two days of travel along the east coast is rough going at times, over rocky cliff strewn coastal land.  With no real road, only old broken bits of roads, and animals paths, you pass several structures.  On the first day, about half a days travel, you pass an old lighthouse that seems to be falling down and may not long before it is reclaimed by the sea.   Over the next day you pass several stone structures that could have been watchtowers long ago, fallen into rubble and ruin.  They seem like perhaps your destination but are too soon if the ghost is to be believed.   And sure enough, nearing nightfall on the second day of travel,  another ruined tower is found at the edge of a seaside cliff.  A very quick check of the tower finds only a few half ruined rooms, but nearby, the dark entrance to a cave.  Even not being rangers, it is clear something has been coming and going from the dark entrance.

Despite the danger at the end of their journey, Delta enjoyed the journey. The light house fascinated her, and if it didn't fall into the sea first, she hoped to return to it someday. She imagined the view from atop it was wonderful.

She also pondered the ruined watch towers, and wondered, should they survive, if the city might pay them to clean them out and fix them up. Seems like something the city might find value in.

In between the sights to be seen, Delta hummed, and sang, working on her tunes. Once or twice she pulled out her note book to jot down a particularly good turn of phrase and good rhyme.

As they neared they destination however, she quieted down, and became more focused. The tower, and the cave, both caught her eye. She patted her gear absently mindedly, checking to make sure it was all there, out of habit. Things would be getting difficult from here on out she suspected. Unless they could talk the Troll into giving up the hearthstone, which seemed possible. Maybe they could buy it off him.

"What do you guys think, might the troll sell us the stone?"

"He'd probably rather just eat us," Tanyl says.  "I guess it doesn't hurt to try, but he may just be attracted to it because it's a pretty bauble, so mere coin may not interest him."

Tanyl spends the trip trying to stay out of Nargion's way.  And out of his line of sight.

During your days of travel, you find Nargion to be easy to get along with.  Quiet but when prompted, intelligent, and knowledgeable.  Seemingly quite devout.  He appears very healthy and strong, one might wonder why he isn't a true adventurer in his own right, except, he moves very slowly, carefully one might think.  More than once, he stumbles over practically nothing, and is clumsy at times.

"Should we examine the tower first, or head right down in to the cave?"

Smiling at Vala, glad once again to have her strong arm and boundless courage around, Delta looks around the area, looking for signs of any burrowing rodents.

"I'd think the tower, just in case there's something there that provides insight with respect to the cave.

Plus, if we succeed with the cave, we may not want to stop at the tower on the way back."

Sound thinking from Tanyl. Unless Vala has a contradicting idea, off to the tower they go, but before they enter, Delta surveys the exterior to see if it is safe enough to go into without causing it to fall into the sea.

The old watch tower was circular and about 30 feet across.   At one point it had stone stairs that wound up through a second level and then to an open watch rooftop.  Almost all of it has fallen in. Only half of the exterior wall (that farthest from the sea) still stands, and the stairs go up to nowhere.  There is one small room on the back of the ground level that is still intact and fairly sturdy.   It has no door to shut but does offer shelter from the wind and only has a few holes in the ceiling, it 10 x 15 and would make a suitable campsite.

"Do you think we should find a way up to check the second floor?" Delta thought this would be a good place to set up a base camp, should their adventure require it. As it was nearing nightfall, it might be worth setting up now anyway.

Unless some other task or chore comes to the fore, she will gather some firewood, and start cooking something for dinner.

Tanyl eyes what remains of the second floor to see if there's any possibility of climbing up there.

It wasn't hard to climb to the ceiling/roof of the one remaining room, but there is nothing of interest there, and not where higher to climb.  Delta cooks up a fine road meal as usual, and you settle into the small room.


As night deepens, Nargion says, "Tomorrow,, I'll carry only healing spells, but we should all rest tonight, I'll set the watch, sleep well".

Praying for a bit, a shadowy small dragonlike figure appears into the doorway, flapping its smoky wings before seeming to roost there, on guard.

Dimming the fire, and covering it to hide it's existence from those outside as well as possible, Delta gives Angel Eyes a little kiss on the snout, and curls up in a shadow to sleep.

"If nothing else, our detour here confirmed there's nothing to find.  And gave us a place to rest."

Vala, Delta, and Tanyl have a night that reminds them why being an adventurer is worth all the dangers. They feel safe thanks to the strange shadow creature guarding the only entry, and there is the sound of the distant sea crashing on the rocks, the bit of sky and stars peeking through the gaps in the roof, and the small shelter keeps the worst of the cool salty air wafting in from the ocean to a pleasant breeze.  Dawn rises gray but not rainy.

Waking up early, Delta checks to make sure everyone is still safe. If they are, she will stoke the fire and make breakfast for everyone.

Having woken Vala stretches, and gets in a few pre-breakfast practices with her sword. Settling down again she smiles at Delta.

"Worked up any new magics?" she asks. The warrioress had always found her diminutive friend's gift remarkable.

"Not lately, but it is often as much about finding new ways to use what I have as it is new magiks all together."

Nargion is up at dawn and breaks his morning meditation for breakfast.

"With this good cooking and cozy location, I feel I'm on holiday, I do hope I'll earn my stay eventually".

"To be honest, I wouldn't mind if things went easy, and it was just a vacation for you, but it all depends on if the Troll is open to discussion, and from what I hear, that doesn't seem likely."

Sipping at her hot tea, Delta gets a thoughtful look on her face.

"You know, I sort of assumed he would speak common, but just in case, does anyone speak Troll? I, for one, cannot."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Sun 26 Dec 2021.

"I don't, but I speak Goblin, Hobgoblin, Orcish, Gnoll."

Grinning a little, Tanyl adds: "And if we want to hurt its ears, I can always shower it with insults in elvish."

Laughter rings out as Delta was caught off-guard by Tanyl's delightful joke. She considered asking Angel Eyes, but suspected it was unlikely. She looked questioningly towards the Warrior Princess to see if she had anything to offer.

Moving into the mouth of the cavern, Vala and Delta lead with Tanyl and Nargion following behind.  The passageway is ten feet wide and descends into the side of the cliff, widening into a long cavern with multiple exits.  Four of these smaller exits branch towards the Northeast, a large passage continues to the North, and anther smaller exit heads due west.

What appeared to be three boulders, are spooked by your approached and turn and hop away into the northeast passages, looking for all the world lake man sized toads.


ooc: I'll update a map to the maps page shortly!  Hope everyone had a nice holiday.

Startled by the large toads, Delta examines the various options before them.

"I imagine the toads probably would steer away from the troll. I would think we wouldn't need to follow the path they took."

She wondered if there was any way to track the creature, but it was beyond her skill set.

"They were also remarkably calm, for toads, which may mean the troll is not near.  Or, it may mean that I know nothing about the temperamant of toads."

Nodding at Tanyl's deduction, Delta agreed with his assumptions. "Seems reasonable that he would drag his prey further from the entryway, to prevent bodies being stumbled upon, and calling attention to his lair."

Suggesting they move down, she examines each of the passages in time.

"Tanyl, might there me a passage we don't see? That would, Finding one, I imagine, would be your forte."

Do we need light yet, for Vala and Nargion?

Tanyl searches for secret doors . . .

Tanyl doesn't not detect anything secret.

Delta continues to look for signs, while quietly calling out in the language of burrowing animals to see if any respond.

No burrowing animals around, if you don't want to follow the toads, worried someone might croak, you have only west or north.

"I know they aren't furry and cute, but I say follow the toads."

"Fair enough, lead on."

Having fallen fate to the maxim "The person who makes a suggestion is doomed to effectuate it" -- and because he is the party's thief/scout -- Tanyl leads the way in pursuit of the toads.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:52, Sat 08 Jan 2022.

With a grin to Vala and a thumbs up to their cleric, Delta followed along.

"If they aren't actually attacking us let's follow them," Vala says, following Tanyl and Delta. "Besides I like toads. They remind me of my first boyfriend."

Delta almost chokes smothering her laughter at Vala's comment.

The four adventurers follow the passageway down for several hundred feet.  It is widens and narrows, has frequent areas of boulders that have fallen in, and is only slightly muddy (despite the footing being decent, Nargion twice slips and falls, scrambling back up with an apologetic grin).  As you approach what appears to be a slightly wider but possibly ending chamber, four boulders come flying at you, three of them striking their targets, Tanyl, Delta, and Nargion take minor wounds.  Almost immediately you recognize these aren't boulders but big and hungry toads!!




Toads:  AC: 6  HP's:   x/x     x/x    x/x   x/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         3    22/22     2     12
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   11/13     4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   13/15     2     13
Nargion  Cleric          3    22/25     7     14

PC's are up and in range


This message was last edited by the GM at 18:48, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

Shocked and surprised at the sudden onslaught, Delta stabs wildly out with her short sword, but fails to draw ichor!


14:16, Today: Delta rolled 9 using 1d20.  short sword.

Tanyl groans, mostly out of annoyance, and stabs the toad twice.


09:18, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 19,1 using d20-1,d4.  Dagger (15 to hit).

09:18, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 19,4 using d20+1,d8.  Sword (15 to hit).

The dagger was a natural 20, which normally would mean damage of 4 -- but I'm at a disadvantage with the dagger because it's in my off-hand.

I don't know how that sorts out.

Vala looks momentarily disappointed at having to fight the lovely toads but quickly buries that. With a lusty battle cry she charges into the fray, bastard sword swinging.

---

OOC: 10:40, Today: Vala rolled 9 using 2d4+2.  Damage.

10:38, Today: Vala rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

10:37, Today: Vala rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

The cleric lets out a bit of a sqeal as the toads attack but regains his nerve and smashes one with his warhammer.


14:56, Today: Nargion rolled 8 using 1d8.  damages.

14:56, Today: Nargion rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  attack.

Battle stuff.



Toads:  AC: 6  HP's:   D x/-2     T x/-8    V x/-9x   N x/-8


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         3    22/22     2     12
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   11/13     4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   13/15     2     13
Nargion  Cleric          3    22/25     7     14

PC's are up and in range


This message was last edited by the GM at 18:11, Mon 17 Jan 2022.

Tanyl tries to finish his toad, but misses with both weapons.


14:06, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 2,1 using d20-1,d4.  Dagger (15 to hit).

14:06, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 6,3 using d20+1,d8.  Sword (15 to hit).

Stabbing at the toads, striving to avoid their attacks (because face it, who needs warts) Delta manages to connect, though not very deeply.


12:19, Today: Delta rolled 2 using 1d6.  damage.

12:19, Today: Delta rolled 16 using 1d20.  short sword.

Vala hissed with frustration as her blow cleaved only the air.

---

OOC: 2:53, Today: Vala rolled 8 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade.

Nargion tries to follow up on his success but misses quite widely.  He does yell out,

"Go away, bad toad, bad toad!"

Delta manages to draw blood on her toad but its minor cut.  Everyone else misses.  The toads do little better, only one of them managing a decent bite on Tanyl (-5).  Nargion's yelling has no effect on the toads, they are simply too stupid to care and so far, you taste pretty good.



Toads:  AC: 6  HP's:   D x/-2     T x/-8    V x/-9x   N x/-8


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         3    22/22     2     12
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   06/13     4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   13/15     2     13
Nargion  Cleric          3    22/25     7     14

PC's are up and in range

Tanyl grunts; the pain in his arm from the toad bite leaves him strong but shaky; he swings hard but cannot connect.


12:26, Today: Elorin Dacar rolled 1,1 using d20-1,d4.  Dagger (15 to hit).

12:26, Today: Elorin Dacar rolled 8,8 using d20+1,d8.  Sword (15 to hit).

How could they hope to best a troll when a small group of toads was about to defeat them without issue?

Delta attempted to stab another, but it easily jumped out of the way.

10:29, Today: Delta rolled 10 using 1d20.  short sword.

Nargion misses again, seeming to lose his positivity after his initial success.


15:32, Today: Nargion rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  attack.

Though she finds it difficult to hurt the (to her) adorable giant toads Vala keeps her sword arm working, cleaving through air and amphibian alike.

---

OOC:
20:37, Today: Vala rolled 9 using 2d4+2.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

20:36, Today: Vala rolled 13 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

20:36, Today: Vala rolled 9 using 2d4+2.  Damage #1.

20:36, Today: Vala rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

The next few moments consist of much noise with little impact.  Vala alone out of all the people and toads manages to draw any blood this round, and hers is a fatal hit, cleaving the head off the toad in front of her.



Toads:  AC: 6  HP's:   D x/-2     T x/-8    V dead   N x/-8


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         3    22/22     2     12
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   06/13     4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   13/15     2     13
Nargion  Cleric          3    22/25     7     14

PC's are up and in range

Tanyl attacks with his weapons.  His dagger appears to be on target but . . . somehow, he manages to knock his dagger aside with his own sword.

"Probably couldn't do that again if I tried," he mutters.


15:09, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 2,1 using d20+1,d8.  Sword (15 to hit).
15:10, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 12,1 using d20-1,d4.  Dagger (15 to hit).

Nargion swings again and this time delivers a punishing blow, which staggers the toad a bit but it does not fall.

"Somebody help me over here, this THING will not die!! Bad, bad, toad!".


16:49, Today: Nargion rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  attack.
Max damage: 8 

Stepping over to try and aid Nargion, the Gnome stabbed vigorously at the toad.

Ka-snick! Her blade sliced into the flesh of the toad, which she did not in the least find cute!

14:04, Today: Delta rolled 14 using 1d20.  short sword.
14:06, Today: Delta rolled 3 using 1d6.  Damage.

Vala stepped over to aid Tanyl but to the barbarian's frustration her bastard swords slid off the toad's rubbery hide without properly connecting.

---

OOC:
23:13, Today: Vala rolled 6 using 2d4+2.  Damage.

23:13, Today: Vala rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade.

Vala moves over from her dead toad to help Tanyl, and together, they both manage to miss. Delta and Nargion face the other two, and Nargion lands a heavy blow on a toad but it does not fall.  The three remaining toads continue to bite and croak, seemingly hungry but without success.



Toads:  AC: 6  HP's:   D x/-2     T x/-8    V dead   N x/-16


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         3    22/22     2     12
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   06/13     4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   13/15     2     13
Nargion  Cleric          3    22/25     7     14

PC's are up and in range

He does try to withdraw and let Vala take over for "his" toad, and potentially free himself up for something else  . . . like the dangerous tactic of throwing daggers into melee . . .



13:58, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 13,2 using d20-1,d4.  Dagger (15 to hit).

13:57, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 6,4 using d20+1,d8.  Sword (15 to hit).

Things were desperate, but Delta intended to try and keep what little eldritch power she had for the troll, so she continued to stab out with her short sword.

Luck was against her however, as her blade failed to even glance off a toads rubbery skin, simply slicing the air.

15:42, Today: Delta rolled 2 using 1d20.  short sword.

Scarcely able to believe they were doing so poorly against toads, no matter how big and/or cute Vala slashes again and again with the Starblade.

---

OOC:

01:32, Today: Vala rolled 4 using 2d4+2.  Damage #2.

01:32, Today: Vala rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

01:32, Today: Vala rolled 6 using 2d4+2.  Damage #1.

01:32, Today: Vala rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

Still on the verge of panic, Nargion swings again and again slams home into the toad before him.


13:01, Today: Nargion rolled 7 using 1d8.  damage.

13:01, Today: Nargion rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  attack.

Battles, as they so often seem to, change from stalemate or a razor's edge, to a rout.  Though Tanyl and Delta both miss, Vala strikes twice, and though neither alone is deep, combined, they are too much and kill the toad.  Nargion, hitting yet again at the "bad toad" also manages a killing shot.  Suddenly, only one stupid toad remains and it misses Delta, not realizing it is left alone.



Toads:  AC: 6  HP's:   D x/-2     T x/dead    V dead   N x/-dead


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         3    22/22     2     12
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   06/13     4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   13/15     2     13
Nargion  Cleric          3    22/25     7     14

PC's are up and in range

"Die, damn it!" Delta stabbed out again...

Again connecting, she finds the rubbery skin of the toad hard to penetrate, and only manages a solid but lackluster thrust.

13:56, Today: Delta rolled 3 using 1d6.  damage.

13:56, Today: Delta rolled 14 using 1d20.  short sword.

Free of foes, hurt, and the only enemies left are engaged (making missile weapons unwise); Tanyl backs a bit from the fray lest the sole remaining toad decide he's a better target than Delta.

Nargion gamely tries another swing, but his luck runneth out.


19:27, Today: Nargion rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  attack.

Vala tries not to laugh at how formidable these toads (toads!) had been. With a barbarian yelp the warrioress leapt over and slashed her blade down against the oversized amphibian.

---

OOC:
00:27, Today: Vala rolled 21 using 20+1.  Attack with the Starblade.

Natural 20!

Delta let out a yelp of glee at the prowess of her warrior princess pal!!!

The last toad dies in a glorious arc of blood as Vala puts an end to the fight.

The passageway continues but ends in a lower cavern and a short examination finds lots of bones, bits of bodies, and likely, if you spend hours digging, possibly a few trinkets.  A wise guess says most of the bodies were torn to pieces long before the toads got them based on the broken and snapped nature of the bones.  More like, something was feeding its pet toads down here.

"I'm kinda hurt; I could use some healing before we progress much further."

Nargion moves to the wounded Tanyl and sets about praying and laying on of hands.  A few scratches heal up but nothing much to speak of.  Frowning, Nargion tries again and this time, all of Tanyls' wounds heal.




10:23, Today: Nargion rolled 1 using 1d8.  CLW.

10:23, Today: Nargion rolled 6 using 1d8.  CLW. 2nd attempt

"Thank you, Nargion.

Now then; let's make sure this is really a dead end."

Tanyl has no interest in searching the toad corpses, but he does look about for anything obvious or that might indicate a secret door.

He doubts he'll find the latter, but might as well close the book on the matter.

Vala looks sadly at the giant toads. While it had been a good fight (and she always enjoyed that) she felt a little guilty at slaughtering the poor dumb, ugly-cute amphibians.

"I wonder if it would be worth digging thru this spot, our goal might be here." She glanced down at the pile of bones and such, and wished for the ability to spot magical auras and residue.

"Perhaps not right this instant. We may end up coming back, if we survive the Troll though."

She had been injured, but it wasn't enough to want to rest or ask for healing.

It is very much a natural cave and shows no signs of secret or hidden doors.

"Alright -- back the way we came."

Clearly, Tanyl does not wish to muck around in the . . . muck.

With a desultory kick at the bones and muck, Delta peeks at what this reveals for a second before following after Tanyl, gesturing for Nargion to follow. Vala, she suspects, doesn't need the suggestion.

Returning back to the entrance cavern, there are two passageways not yet explored.  One going almost due north, into the heart of the cliff, the other heading westward.

"North?" suggests Delta with no more reason than the flip of a coin.

She examines the ground before both paths to see if there are any tracks.

Tanyl shrugs and, once Delta finishes her examination (and assuming she finds nothing of note), he begins scouting the northern passage.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:02, Thu 03 Feb 2022.

Heading North,  the passageway widens into a much larger cavern, that again splits.  The large cavern continues to the North as far as you can see, and a smaller tunnel heads to the west.

(if confused, I updated the map)


To the north, off in the distance, is a flicker light, like a campfire.

"So... what will we say if we have to explain to the owner of the toads why we chopped up his pets?" Vala asked the others as she glanced in the direction of the (possible) camp fire.

"They started it," the gnome replied with a tight grin. "Tanyl, think you can spot who sits around that fire without being seen. The light from the flames should hamper their dark vision, should they have any."

"And mine," Tanyl points out.

But he creeps up quietly, sticking to the shadows as best as he can, to confirm that they are seeing a campfire and find out who is enjoying it.

Tanyl sneaks forward, staying to the shadows.  Moving in short bursts, he sees what appears to be four figures sitting around a campfire.  It is a larger fire than it looked in the distance, but has burned low.   The figures are in a circle around the fire, so one has its it back to Tanyl, and only one is facing him.  At first, he things he sees movement but a longer wait, reveals, it is just the flickering flames casting motion of shadows.  Hearing and seeing nothing, he risks moving a bit closer, what he sees then, is harmless, yet somehow chilling.

The figures are pieced together bones, with some patches of arms and armor, and hair for effects.  It is clear they are poorly constructed imitation of a cleric, elf, female warrior with a helm, and gnome, made from mismatched bones of the long dead.

Tanyl studies the macabre scene for a few moments, to determine if there are any exits and to determine if there are any signs of a trap.

Tanyl sees another tunnel leading west just his side of the campfire.  Beyond the campfire, the large passage narrows but continues into the darkness.

ooc:  Updated on the maps page, with the spot of the campfire being marked.

Tanyl goes back and reports.

"I couldn't see a trap," he concludes after describing the macabre scene.  "Still, I can't shake the feeling that it's all one big trap."

Upon hearing Tanyl's description, Delta could only agree.

"It is at least a warning, but certainly designed to upset us. Maybe it means the troll is afraid of us? It is a pretty obvious display, mock-ups of the four of us, as corpses."

Shuddering at the though, she glanced at Vala and Nargion, expecting courage from the first, uncertain as to what the second would make of such a display.

"I still want to try to make talking to this beast our first try. Unless we feel we are also here to kill the foul beast, and protect passing travelers?"

Posing the question, she also pondered which spell would be the most effective, should it come to that.

"I don't think killing it needs to be our first option.

I wonder if it is meant as a homage?"

"Whatever it is, it does imply the thing, or some thing, has been watching us. I wonder, did the campfire resemble out own camp last night?"

Hearing the description, Nargion pales.

"It is an unholy act of evil, disturbing the bones of the dead...cruel desecration.  Whatever did that, should perish".

For a long moment Delta considered trying to convince the cleric that the bones were actually their own, from some twisted, distorted future, but opted against frightening him.

"We will see how things fall, Nargion, but at the very least we will try to see that the bones get a decent re-burial."

She still wasn't dedicated to fighting if any other option were presented. But it didn't seem unlikely he would get his desire.

"So -- we approach the campfire?" Tanyl asks.

"Good question. Feels like a trap, but sometimes walking into one is the best thing to do.
"Lets pause in the shadows just outside of the circle though, I want to try something."

If there is no further delay, she will crouch in the shadows and try to get some sense of where a watch night be, including looking upward. Once she gets a sense of the room, she will cast a cantrip.

She will say very quietly, "in we go" while waving her hand in a circle.

From the party's vantage, it will look like nothing happens, though the Gnome will be staring intently into the area, concentrating on her spell.

Delta's spell elicits no response from the bones, or any one else.   All remains quiet but the soft crackling of the fire.

She holds the spell for thirty seconds, then a few more, then lets it drop.

"If this spot is being watched, they are canny enough not to fall for that. Should we be concerned that it it might be trapped?"

She looked to Tanyl for guidance.

"As you said: walking forth is the best way to find out."

Cautiously, and on full alert, Tanyl advances.

Tanyl moves forward slowly, on the watch and nearly stops into a simple trip wire before he notices it.   Simple, and crude, and poorly done but the campfire and spectacle could easily have caused someone to miss it.

Checking it further, it runs to the side of the chamber, tied to the trigger of an old heavy crossbow.  The bolt is old too and rusty, but drips with poison.  Had it hit someone, it would have been dangerous, despite its sorry construct.

"Maybe we should call out and see if whoever is watching us would like to talk?" Vala suggests. The warrioress is visibly uncomfortable around the bones and keeps her gaze shifted to avoid looking at them straight on.

Tanyl lets Vala and Delta debate the wisdom of calling out and looks to see if the trap can be simply avoided.

The trap is easily avoidable, but easier still to disable.  Only the nastiness of the poison is worth worrying about.  A close look, smell, and investigation, would lead you to think its from a scorpion. Or similar.  Not deadly but will rot the flesh from your bones.

"Not just yet I think Vala. Let us examine this sight more closely first."

Drawing her short sword, Delta clearly stepped forward, staying behind the scout.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:55, Sun 13 Feb 2022.

"This isn't much," Tanyl says confidently, as he disables the trap.

Tanyl has no problem disarming the crude trap, and a look around the creepy campfire reveals little past it being disturbing.  The fire itself has burned down considerably and you'd make a rough guess it was built at least 12 hours ago, certainly before you ever entered these caverns.

"It seems we were watched last night then. Surprised it didn't attack us while sleeping. I am certain there is something here we should try to speak too. Though if it is the troll, I am not certain."

She asks Nargoin if he wants to bury the bodies.

Meanwhile, Tanyl continues moving through the room, looking for traps, enemies and exits.

Vala sat down and began polishing her sword. "I agree with Delta, we should bury the bodies. It is a poor sort of death to be posed like this in a trap."

Taking Vala's words to heart, Delta again turns to the cleric.

"Should we bury them here, or take them outside? Or even back to the city?"

She had the storage bag, and though it was for a different purpose, it should work for this as well.

"I am curious what message is being sent though, there is clear intent here."

Noble a thought as burying the mimic bodies is, it is not practical.  For one, the tunnel floors are tough, if not all stone, very hard, so it would require dragging them all outside.  A close look at them though reveals they've been pieced together to look like the party, from multiple bodies, and not all the same ones.  Time would be needed to puzzle the parts together and find the rest of the missing pieces somewhere in these tunnels.

There is still a northern and a western passage that are unexplored.


ooc: we'll say Delta grabbed the toads.

"North?" Tanyl offers, in a voice that suggests he's just guessing.

To be honest, burial was only an issue for Delta if it was one for Nargion, as he didn't seem to stressed over it, she was willing to move on.

She did wish there was some way to tell how old the tableau was, had they been the focus of an ancient prediction? Or had they been watched as they slept outside the night before.

It mattered not however.

"North is as good as any other direction I guess. Lead on, Tanyl."

With a smile for Vala, Delta followed along.

Vala nodded and returned Delta's smile. "North is always good. It is where I'm from."

With a final wistful glance at the mimics she moved on.

Vala-a warrior seeking to find her own glory and restore her family legacy, Tanyl-an elf who has skills and wants to use them to rise above the only life he’s known and is determined to make it so,  and Delta-a gnome with a  big heart and stories to share making her way in the wide world, have formed a team of sorts.  One that has grown in reputation, helping thwart blackmailers, clear ghastly cemeteries and catch grave robbers, rescue a sea creature, possibly a sea goddess, save the life of unicorns, and even drive out the Mighty Tegroth.   Now, down in the caves along with a hired cleric, they seek the HearthStone with the magic to heal a mighty library.  Now, in the lair of a notorious Troll called BoneGnasher, they move Northward, leaving the macabre bones made to look like themselves camped around a fire.   To what fate, once more into the fire.

ooc: standard two by two marching order, or does someone scout?

Vala has her trusty bastard sword firmly in hand as the tall warrioress moves forward, her strong features set with confidence.

"Tanyl can you scout ahead?" she asks, looking to her friends.

Tanyl nods and quietly pads forth, head on a swivel for danger.

Tanyl moves off trying to be quiet and stick to the shadows.  As you watch him go, you realize he's still quite visible, but you don't hear even a footstep.  Moving northward, he enters a large chamber.  Having just eluded a poisoned arrow trap, he almost isn't surprised to find the crushed body of a large scorpion near the entrance.  There is one passage leaving the chamber to the north west, but more importantly, there are three more living scorpions in the middle of the room.

Tanyl backs away as he tries to ready his bow.

Nervously gnawing on her fingernails, Delta crouched in the shadow of a stone, her head on a swivel watching all entrances, and sparing time for directions that aren't, like the ceiling.

Vala winks at Delta and takes a practiced swing with her sword. "I think we can handle a scorpion or two don't you? Shall we?"

Tanyl manages to back out of the chamber, but he does notice the scorpions are alert to something as they start to move about, exploring and scuttling forward as they move.  They will be in bow range this round.

OOC Do we see the scorpions?

As Tanyl retreats, bow in hand and tells the others what he's seen, first is heard the strange  clicking of insect legs on rock, and then the three six foot long scorpions come into sight, their claws frontward and their ominous tales held high.


This message was last edited by the GM at 20:29, Wed 21 Sept 2022.

Motioning Delta to stay behind her in safety Vala tries to position herself with the tunnels so the scorpions have a limited field of attack, hoping to force two or better still one to face her sword.

Tanyl fires two arrows pointless across the cavern.


17:05, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 5,6 using d20+1,d6.

17:05, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 5,2 using d20+1,d6.

Standing back, Delta folds her fingers into a pyramid, and whispers into it. Suddenly, from behind the scorpions comes the sounds of their mortal enemies, the birds, the rustling of wings, and squawking, very close to dropping right on top of them!
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Thu 22 Sept 2022.

The Starblade tightly gripped in her hands Vala gives a barbarian whooping warc cry and slices at the advancing arachnids. Her first blow goes wild but adjusting the swing her sword crunches into chitin!

---

OOC: 00:19, Today: Vala rolled 20 using 1d20.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

00:19, Today: Vala rolled 5 using 1d20.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

Vala is trying to actively avoid the stinger.

Two of the scorpions press into the passage, Vala and Nargion both step forward to block further entry.  Nargion clearly scared of the poisoned tail, swings quite wildly.  Vala also misses once but her second swing is mighty (14pts!).  Tanyl misses with his arrows, and Delta casts a spell.  The one scorpion in back seems confused, moving in a defensive circle.

The two scorpions attack with speed and accuracy.  Nargion takes two hits from the claws, and luckily the creature swings wild with its tail.   Vala is also struck twice with claws, and likely would have tasted the poison tail too but at the last moment, she dodges it.


ooc:

AC:4    a/ -14/x    b/  x/x    c/  x/x (confused)


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    15/22     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3    15/25     7     16


PC's are UP 

Pleased that her attempted distraction seems to have worked, Delta plucks three darts from her belt and hurls them at the scorpion that is not engaged.

Still keeping careful to avoid the stingers Vala tried to match defensive fighting with injuring the things, this time with litle luck.

---

OOC:
13:23, Today: Vala rolled 8 using 1d20.  Attack with the Starblade.

Nargion swings again and this time hits with a solid crunch on the scorpion's armor.


04:48, Today: Nargion rolled 5 using 1d8.

04:46, Today: Nargion rolled 17 using 1d20.

Tanyl is overly concerned about hitting his companions, and as a result he hits nothing.


09:24, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 8,2 using d20+1,d6.  #1.

09:24, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 10,6 using d20+1,d6.  #2.

Vala and Nargion both again hold the passsageway and press with attacks.  Vala misses but Nargion lands a decent blow. Tanyl misses again with his arrows, and Delta tosses a trio of darts towards the scorpion in the back.  Two of them hit their target, doing damage but also seeming to break its confusion from the odd bird noises.

The two scorpions attack again but aren't nearly so successful, landing only one minor scrape on Vala with a claw (1hp).  What they thought would be an easy meal, is turning into a fight to survive!


ooc:

AC:4    a/ -14/x    b/  -5/x    c/  -3/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    14/22     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3    15/25     7     16


PC's are UP 

Her mind racing, Delta gauges the risk versus reward of spending more of her magic at this juncture. Things seems tight, but manageable, so she opted to hurl three more darts.

She connects twice, for minimal damage, but hopefully the little stings add up!

Vala looks more annoyed by the miss than by the minor scrape against her leg and with another Amazon warrioress warcry comes on a full attack, her gleaming hand and a half sword slicing through chitin with ease!

---

OOC:
21:22, Today: Vala rolled 20 using 1d20.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

21:22, Today: Vala rolled 20 using 1d20.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

Two criticals in a row! If her first blow kills the most injured scorpion the second attack falls on the one beside it!

Wanting to cheer the Barbarian Princess and her heroic deeds, Delta holds her tongue, afraid to distract those doing the real work in the battle.

Nargion swings away, and manages another hit, although tis but a glancing blow.


05:23, Today: Nargion rolled 2 using 1d8.

05:23, Today: Nargion rolled 16 using 1d20.

Tanyl acts like he's never seen a bow, and drops his.


10:13, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 2,6 using d20+1,d6.  #1.

Vala and Nargion continue to hold the line.  Vala, with expert aim, cuts the scorpion before her in half, before turning landing a huge blow on the one fighting Nargion.  Nargion, for his part, also hits that scorpion, but barely damaging it. Delta manages a few more dart hits on the last creature, and Tanyl appears to be re-evaluating his bow training.

The third creature rushes forward to attack Vala, but with no luck piercing her armor.  The other manages only the lightest of snips on Nargion.  It becomes clear the scorpions aren't smart, they are losing badly, but don't consider running away.




ooc:

AC:4    a/ Dead/x    b/  -21/x    c/  -6/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    14/22     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3    14/25     7     16


PC's are UP 

For what little help she is, it's better to be of little help then, none. The gnome hurls three more. The last, sadly, sails across flew room, but the other two are at least in the direction of a scorpion.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Thu 29 Sept 2022.

To her chagrin Vala's next attack skims harmlessly off the scorpion's glossy carapace. A clear sign not to assume the fight is already ended!

---

OOC:
00:55, Today: Vala rolled 12 using 1d20.  Attack with the Starblade.

Tanyl picks up his bow, sighs, and nocks another arrow for next round.

Nargion swings again, but his luck fails this time and he misses.

Just when things seemed to be going so well, the tide turns again.  Vala and Nargion both miss.  Tanyl gathers up his dropped bow, and Delta's darts bounce off the shell of the
creature.

The first scorpion misses Vala as well, but the second scores two hits on Nargion, and one
from its deadly tail. Nargion lets out a scream, staggers back and drops flat upon the ground.




ooc:

AC:4    a/ Dead/x    b/  -21/x    c/  -6/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    14/22     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3     0/25     7     16


PC's are UP 

Distracted by Nargion's fall Vala's next swing misses the scorpions entirely, rebounding off the wall and connecting with her hair with a hollow sounding *dong*.

Fortunately the barbarian is wearing a helmet so no damage is done (except to her pride...)

---

OOC:
20:42, Today: Vala rolled 1 using 1d20.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

20:42, Today: Vala rolled 1 using 1d20.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

What the heck is up with my dice??

Things had gone south, Delta needed to up her game. Tossing a pinch of colored sand from her pouch into the air, and calls out syllables of a language both ancient and powerful. A brilliant spray of colored lights assaults the senses of the scorpions.... or so she hopes!

Tanyl tries not pulling the bowstring so far; perhaps less tension will improve his aim.

It does; it also decreases the force with which the arrows fly.


20:04, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 16,1 using d20+1,d6.  #1.

20:05, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 14,1 using d20+1,d6.  #2.

Vala swings twice, missing badly, Delta casts a spell sending waves of color flashing into the scorpions who immediately seem to blinded.  The one fighting no one, snaps and stings at the blank air, and catches two arrows in its side for its reward.  The other scorpion wildly snaps out with its claws and by "blind" luck, hits Vala with two deadly blows, she falls bleeding to the ground (-15hps).




ooc:

AC:4    a/ Dead/x    b/  -21/x    c/  -8/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    -1/22     2     14   (unconscious, bleeding)
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3     0/25     7     16   (poisioned)


PC's are UP 

Her best magic used, Delta draws her short sword (which is sadly not +3/+5 versus scorpions) and attempts to hit the most damaged looking scorpion from behind, as even it's tail seems designed to strike forward, her blade striking true.

Tanyl realizes he no longer has the luxury of providing supporting fire -- two scorpions will quickly engulf Delta, brave though she may be.

He draws his sword and dagger as he dashes toward the more injured scorpion, hoping to quickly improve the party's odds.

Alas, he is just as hapless with his sword and dagger as he is with his bow.


18:37, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 1,3 using d20-1,d3.  dagger.

18:36, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 3,6 using d20+1,d12.  Long Sword.

With both Vala and Nargion down, Delta and Tanyl draw blades and engage the scorpions.  Delta lands a solid blow while Tanyl is less fortunate.   The good news is both the scorpions are still blinded by Delta's spell and snap and sting wildly about seeking out foes they cannot see and miss completely.




ooc:

AC:4    a/ Dead/x    b/  -25/x    c/  -8/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    -2/22     2     14   (unconscious, bleeding)
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3     0/25     7     16   (poisioned)


PC's are UP 

Nargion lies there, pale white with a sheen of sweat and breathing very shallow.  Some part of him that is far off thinks quite nasty thoughts towards the scorpions!

Dancing around to try and avoid stingers and claws, Delta wonders if they are vulnerable to each others poison. A nice though, but time to swing...

She connects, a solid blow!

Vala lies unmoving and pale, her blood flowing from her wounds. Even unconscious the warrioress is keeping a firm grip on the hilt of her blade.

Tanyl gets a little better with things, landing a blow and possibly inflicting some harm.


07:52, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 4,1 using d20-1,d3.  Round 2 (dagger).

07:52, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 15,2 using d20+1,d12.  Round 2 (sword).

Delta lands a solid blow, killing the scorpion in front of her.  Tanyl lands a blow further
injuring the scorpion fighting with him.  The remaining scorpion misses again, but it seems like it is now able to see Tanyl as its vision clears.




ooc:

AC:4    a/ Dead/x    b/  Dead/x    c/  -10/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    -3/22     2     14   (unconscious, bleeding)
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3     0/25     7     16   (poisioned)


PC's are UP 

She knew her magic had limitations, this was another of them, sadly.

Uncertain if trying again was worth, Delta opted to again swing her blade, continuing to move in such a way as to avoid the creatures line of sight as much as possible.

Her efforts to remain out of sight threw off her concentration, however, and her swing went miserably wide.

Tanyl was momentarily encouraged.

That moment has passed.


09:22, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 9,1 using d20-1,d3.  Round 3 (Dagger).

09:22, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 8,1 using d20+1,d12.  Round 3 (sword).

Delta and Tanyl take turns missing the scorpion, and in turn, it returns the favor. Although, it is clear its aim is better now, at its tail connects hard with Delta's armor, sending poison searing across its surface, Delta is unhurt by it.  Time begins to become an issue as Vala continues to slowly bleed to death.




ooc:

AC:4    a/ Dead/x    b/  Dead/x    c/  -10/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    -4/22     2     14   (unconscious, bleeding)
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3     0/25     7     16   (poisioned)


PC's are UP 

Panic for her warrior Princess courses thru the young Gnomes veins, and she hopes, (without being able to spare a glance) that the cleric can offer her some aid. Continuing to maneuver as best as she can out of the creatures line of sight, she continues to try and hack off the creatures tail.

The fates are against her, however, as she slips a bit on the poison puddled on the floor, and her blade goes well wide of it's target.

Tanyl is worried.  Very worried.  Worried about Vala.  Worried about Nargion.  Worried about Delta.  Above all, worried about himself.

All that worry makes him miss.  Badly.

Seeing Delta slip, he says: "Help revive Vala!  That may be our only chance."


I can't even get close enough to make using an Action Point viable. :(

06:51, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 5,2 using d20-1,d3.  Round 4 (dagger).

06:51, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 2,2 using d20+1,d12.  Round 4 (sword).

The battle continues with a lot of sweat, effort, and slowly tiring muscles, but neither side managing to actually do any harm.




ooc:

The players have averaged 4.6 over their last six attack rolls, yikes!!


AC:4    a/ Dead/x    b/  Dead/x    c/  -10/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3    -5/22     2     14   (unconscious, bleeding)
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3   13/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3     0/25     7     16   (poisioned)


PC's are UP 

Taking Tanyl's words to heart, Delta disengaged and rushed over to check on the other two.

OOC:
Uncertain what is the best course of action, would an action point do anything for Nargion? If so, I feel like a CLW would do more good that for Vala. I have no clue if he has used them all already. As I have no time to decide, I will bandage Vala to stop the bleeding this round, and ask the cleric what he thinks. I will use the action point next round.

ooc: Delta does have an AP she can still use this adventure.  Nargion is also unresponsive, but due to poison.  He cannot speak or cast, in fact, is struggling to stay alive at the moment.  Binding Vala will bring her to 0 and stabilize her.   Action Point vs Poison, hmmmmm, would be interesting if you try it. 

Ah, she was listed as unconscious, he wasn't, threw me. The action point would need to max out to get Vala awake though. Torn. Will think on it.

Tanyl remains consistent.

Consistently ineffective.


19:48, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 14,2 using d20-1,d3.  Round 4 (dagger).

19:47, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 7,1 using d20+1,d12.  Round 4 (sword).

Binding Vala, Delta stabilizes her friend, and stops the bleeding.

Tanyl misses again but the scorpion this time lands a heavy snip with its claw.  Luckily narrowly missing with its poisoned stinger!   Delta binds Vala's wounds, bringing her back from the brink of death thought still unconscious. Nargionm rolls onto his side and is sick to his stomach but his eyes are open as he retches.  Oddly, it seems a sign of improvement.





ooc:




AC:4    a/ Dead/x    b/  Dead/x    c/  -10/x


PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 4

Vala     Fighter         3     0/22     2     14   (unconscious)
Tanyl    Mage/Thief     2/3    7/13     4     17
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   2/2   15/15     2     15
Nargion  Cleric          3     0/25     7     16   (poisioned)


PC's are UP 

Summoning her hearts desire, Delta takes a deep breatyh, and sings a song of love, life and encouragement to Vala, (though Nargion is welcome to listen as well, of course)

"Life is not over, death must not win this day, find your hearts desire, and rise again, rise, again, rise again..."

The blow seems to snap Tanyl out of whatever funk he's been in -- but not enough to matter.


15:55, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 13,2 using d20-1,d3.  dagger.

15:54, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 13,3 using d20+1,d12.  Round 5 (Sword).

Delta says her lovely words, and Vala takes a deep breathe, and her eyes open.

Nargion, eyes open and coughing, whispers, "Strike my vengeance, consign the beast to..." and passes back out.

Heroes Luck,


14:07, Today: Nargion rolled 5 using 1d6.

Tanyl hits and kills the last scorpion with his sword.


The battle has ended, Nargion appears alive but in a coma. Eerie silence falls on the room after so close a brush with death.

Thrilled (and stunned) at Tanyl ending the battle so abruptly, Delta works to help Vala and Nargion to some place with a bit of cover, and sees to their comfort, brewing them both a bit of ginger tea. She will also look to Tanyl's wounds, seeing if he needs any aid.

Once done, time permitting, she will take a dagger and collect what she can of the scorpions, gathering meat, eye, and poison sacs if possible, and placing them into her special pouch, thinking something there must be worth some money when (of) they get back to town.

As the scorpion sags, lifeless, Tanyl stumbles backwards and nearly falls into a heap himself.  It's not wounds (which he has, in abundance) or poison that makes him nearly collapse: it's a combination of exhaustion and relief.

He remains panting and slumped over for a few minutes, allowing energy and strength to return.  Once it does, he wipes his weapons of blood/ichor and sheaths them.

He then half walks, half staggers, to Vala and Nargion.  He's not sure if they're poisoned but if they are -- he tries to recall anything useful from his father's books about what he could do about it.

Which is likely nothing, but it's all he has at the moment.

Vala comes to to the smell of brewing ginger tea. Struggling to sit up - she feels weak as a kitten - she smiles at Delta. "My hero!"

Climbing, very carefully, to her feet she looks at the others. "We'll have to rest, at least until Nargion comes too. We can't handle another fight."

ooc: made a quick few days trip,  thought I'd have wifi but didn't so I'm back...do you plan to rest in the caverns, or leave and return to the fort outside?

If I remember correctly, the effigies we ran into were of us in the fort, making that seem less than safe to me. According to the map in post 115, there appears to be a nice little niche not too far away to the north, which would also is a defensible from, though no way to escape should we need to. North of the camp, to the right.

As the fort seems to be compromised, Delta suggests that niche.

This also allows for fewer changes of being attacking while half the party is weakened or down.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Tue 18 Oct 2022.

The party retreats, carrying Nargion with them, to the relative safety of the niche.  Falling into light and sometimes deeper sleep, Delta trusts her little rat friend to squeak up a warning if anything moves nearby.  Eight peaceful hours pass before Nargion opens his eyes and sits up, hungry and thirsty.  Clumsy he may be but blessed with a near dwarven constitution that saved his life this day.

After a few minutes to fully awaken, he sets about healing.


occ: Nargion has one Cure Medium Wounds left after casting.  Vala is now at 21 hps, Tanyl back a full, Delta was not injured, and Nargion himself is up to 17.   He would need to rest and pray again to regain all his spells.

"I think I need some better armor, and weapons for that matter..." said with a weary smile.

"We need lots of things," Tanyl says morosely.

"Oh buck up, everybody," Delta chides, pulling out her lute, and tuning the strings.

Running a such thru the neck, to act as a bit of a muffler, she plucked at it, generating quiet but pleasant tones.

"We can do this, things have gotten rough, but we have come out on top so far, and we can see this thru to the end."

She sang a little cheerful ditty about overcoming adversity, sung with the accent of the rough and tumble west country and with a hint of bawdiness. Just a hint, no point upsetting the holy man.

Afterwards she cooked up a hearty meal, gentle on the spices for those still recovering, then spent the rest of the evening sharpening her darts, which she recovered from the battle with the scorpions, and chatting with any who aren't lost in their own thoughts and hand-feeding her little rat friend.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:17, Fri 21 Oct 2022.

Vala grins. "You always know just what to say Delta, and as always I love your cooking."

The warrioress seems quite recovered from her brush with death. "It is true we suffered but I know we can carry on."

The only exit past the scorpions lies to the Northwest, and the adventurers, carefully continue their explorations.  The next four hours prove to be tense, but both tiresome and somewhat disappointing.  Passages and caverns are found and explored, small cave crickets, a small pool of water with tiny white fish, mud and dripping water, and a huge cavern full of normal and squeaking bats, all noted, and the passages end up looping back upon themselves all the way back to the entrance.   No more attacks come, no trolls are found.

Not ones to give up, a long and slow search of the cavern walls for secret passages begins.  It takes another full day, requiring another night of sleeping in the caves before Tanyl's elven senses discovers on what looks like the thumb of some passages that form a hand, a door hidden in the wall.  It is unlocked, untrapped, and opens onto a carved set of stairs leading steeply down.  Far below, torchlight flickers.

ooc:  I decided to advance through some stuff rather than make a slow process of searching the rest of the upper caverns.  Everyone gets a full nights rest so are back to full HPS and Spells.

OOC: Thanks GM!

The corridors are fascinating to the Gnome, having spent much of her life underground. These are different from what she is used to, but she still see's things that are familiar.

If any of the fish seem worthy of more than two bites, she will try to capture a small handful and store them in her special bag.

She would like to sing, sensing that the others might not be so comfortable buried away from the sky and the sun, but stifles the urge as any sound she made would probably echo and attract danger.

Once Tanyl's skills once again saved the day, she peered down the stairs nervously.

"I have to imagine this is the way," Delta said in a low voice.

"Yeah," Tanyl sighs.  "I suppose it is."

He advances down the stairs cautiously.

Getting on her hands and knees, Delta watches carefully as Tanyl descends, a spell on her lips should he need assistance.

The stairs end in a small square foyer, it used to have door which has long past rotted away.  Beyond the door are the crumbling remains of a fort or temple, the walls are half standing, have rubble.  The center once likely housed several rooms but the walls are all collapsed into piles of stone and rotted wood.  Bones are strewn about throughout the large room, along with firepans seemingly randomly placed that cast the room on orange flickering glow.

At the front of what used to be the entrance to the inner rooms, two scaled lizard like creatures lie sleeping.  In the very center of the room, on a large chair made from piled stones, is a large troll.  One of its arms ends below the elbow with bone sticking out, and half its face is sunken in, the eye socket on that side just a black hole.  With its whole arm, it motions for you to come closer.

Much here is puzzling: An injured but not-healing troll . . . beckoning the party over . . . while lizard-things nap?

"Get a torch ready," Tanyl whispers as he cautiously advances a step (but no more) while giving the troll a quizzical look.

The room seems well lit, but Delta lights a torch anyway, then follows slowly behind the elf. There is certainly strangeness here. She drank it all in, cataloguing every detail for a future saga. This was truly a moment fraught with potential...

The troll speaks with a deep voice, in the common tongue.

"Ugh, an elf, and a priest too, now a warrior and a gnome, that's not too bad.  So, are you here to gawk at what's left of the great BoneGnasher, to soak in the splendor of my lush
final home, to make away with my great wealth, or just to try to finish the job others have
started and finally kill the rest of me?"

As he speaks the two lounging lizards stir and open their eyes, but don't move in any other way.

Stepping out from behind Tanyl, Delta lowered her torch and spoke, her sympathy for the Troll clear in her voice.

"We are just looking for an item of importance to deceased man spirit. We would help it rest easier, and it is thought that you have it. Once we have that, we have no further business here, unless you too need help resting easier?"

At least his unease is normal, Tanyl thinks.

Despite his misgivings he doesn't interrupt Delta's attempt at parley.

The BoneGnasher laughs, and its a dreadful sound, and waves his hands around.

"I don't think I have any magical or valuable items, but feel free to look around.  If you find it, I'll trade it to you.....for the elf"

The two lizard creatures flick through tongue and make some hissing noises, perhaps in approval.

"Oh great BoneGnasher, your sense of humor was not one of the things we had learned from the legends of your greatness. Would you like to hear some of tales? I can sing for you, while my friends search for the Hearthstone of the library of the advisor of Timiteus the First, then we can discuss who will whom a favor for it's return home."

Unless sudden action of some sort ensues, the Gnome pulls out her lute, plucks at it's strings to ensure it is in tune, and begins to sing a
song.

The rhythm is simple, almost a cadence, and while the words sing of the Great BoneGnasher, it is mixed heavily with nonsense sounds, as she is making it up as she goes along.

It discusses, in vague terms, the prowess of the troll, and the legend of it's fame, with few details or specifics. It also discusses his wisdom, and his legacy, that he may be remembered, should his song be sung, or forgotten if that chance never came.

The very words of the song seem to ask the question: does he wish to be remembered? Does he wish to live on in the tales of the bards, and the frightened stories of the children? Would such a gift be enough to trade for such a simple thing as a hearth stone?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Sun 30 Oct 2022.

Vala says appreciatively to the sound of Delta's music, hoping the troll has unusually good taste.

Tanyl keeps his distance from the troll and his lizard friends.

Nargion whispers to the others, "If this object is magical, I can cast a spell that might show me its location, should I?"

The lizards watch, flicking their tongues as if to taste the song, while the Troll sits
quiet, nodding a few times, when the song ends, he merely shakes his head.

"An interested offer gnome, but not at all my style, I must say no, but I'll eat you
last as a reward for your cleverness!"

Rising, he let's out a growl of sorts and the three creatures begin to move forward.

"If you do not wish me to sing about your life, we can certainly sing about your death. You will forgive me if I add a few colorful details about how we found you here, in soiled diapers, pleasuring your lizard friends with your mouth, I hope. Such details will get great laughter at your decline into depravity."

If we couldn't do this peacefully, maybe rage will work in our favor.

Raising her hand she tosses a small handful of colored sand in the direction of the foes, centered on the troll, sand which explodes into a spray of dynamic and vivid spray of colors.

Delta responds first fanning bright sprays of color at the approaching foes.  Almost immediately, the two lizards open their mouths as if to roar but instead belch out blackness, a darkness that spreads out leaving the party completely in the dark, as if blind.

Vala curses and draws her sword - but does not swing it yet. The barbarian warrioress tries to rely on her other senses, hearing, sent, touch to get a feel for the place now that her eyes have suddenly betrayed her.

Tanyl grumbles.  He is unaccustomed to being unable to see and his options in such a situation are few.

He draws his sword and dagger and tries to quietly circle to the left.

Startled by the darkness, a shade of night unusually potent, as she can usually see well enough when night descends, Delta reaches into her pouch and pulls out a small pearly stone. Calling upon her eldritch training, she calls forth magical light, though she is uncertain if it will counter the darkness.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:29, Wed 09 Nov 2022.