Admiria's culture requires a walkabout for its people just entering majority. Admiria is on her walkabout as she hears her Goddess' voice on the wind leading her to join this bardic troupe heading toward Stonefair. The soon to be retiring Master of the Troupe is from Stonefair and wants to retire at home.
     On the way, the troupe stops in various towns and learns all the stage craft and her magic of the dance and speechcraft appears. By the time she gets to Stonefair, the troupe leadership value her skills and abilities and think of her as more than just a cat who follows them.  The troupe eventually makes it to Stonefair.

     As the train of wagons finished crossing the Gibli Plains, they arrived at the southern gate of Stonefair just as the sun was setting.  The city's high walls hid most of the buildings within, save for the spire of a great cathedral.  To the far right of the gate, the troupe had seen torches along the wall and what looked like scaffolding.  Seems the wall was under repairs.
     Outside the gate was a ramshackle town of tents and parked carts made up of peasants and riff raff that either couldn't get inside or preferred to cater to travelers.
     "We'll park here tonight," said Piersym, the troupe master.  He was a halfling who's particular skill was portraits.  He nervously rubbed the luminous green crystal he always wore around his neck as the wagons found a place to park and began settling down.
     "Would you care to drum up some business?  Check the local mood?" he asked Admiria, his green eyes flashing as he winked.

Admiria sashays over to Piersym after kissing some stage crew person's forehead and strokeing his chest.
"Yes, sure I could do that."
She then sashays toward the city speaking flirtatiously to anyone.
"Come see our show we are just at the south gate."

     As she got closer to the city gate, the number of parked carriages, ramshackle tents and temporary structures increased.  The gate itself was protected by two human guards on the ground, and two guards up on the wall itself.  They seemed to be interrogating and searching anyone who tried to enter the city.
     Her dancing and her unfamiliar appearance turned many heads.  Some looked with interest, while others sneered in derision.
     "What kind of show?  A cat show?!" a dwarf in a wide-brimmed had scoffed, drawing laughs from his companions.
     Nearby, Admiria could see a tavern tent that seemed to have some lively music playing.

Admiria holds back a sigh and summons up some stage laughter.
"Haha, funny, but no our troupe has entertainers of all race of intelligent beings."
OOC: Performance: 10


     Admiria's performance drew a few eyes and a few coppers tossed her way.
OOC:  Roll for 1d10 copper pieces
     Otherwise, the rough and tumble crowd didn't seem terribly impressed.
     Save for one female human with a feathered hat who was completely dazzled by her.
     "Are you really one of the Catfolk from the southern jungles?" she asked.  She had black hair and bright green eyes.

Admiria sashays over to this woman and pets her cheek.
"yes I am. any other questions you have sweet one?"

     The woman looked over every part of Admiria's body appreciatively.  She shuddered at the touch on her cheek and blushed.
     "Is your tail really a magical divining rod for finding gold?" she asked hopefully.  A man nearby busted out laughing and chugged his ale.

Admiria purrs.
nah me tail is mostly useless

     The girl looked confused.  "Oh, I'm sorry.  I mean ... I'd heard stories," she said, peering longingly into Admiria's eyes.
     "You're eyes are so pretty," she insisted.
     A bearded man strolled in and tugged at Admiria's tail. "Hey!  Wench!  Fetch me an ale!" he insisted, looking around for a table.

Admiria spun and slapped him.
I do not work for this establishment and my Tail is not to be touched. or maybe I remove what's left of yours?
Admiria turns back to the woman and sits in her lap.
you may look at them as long as you desire but remember keep the copper clinking.

     The man was stunned and staggered by the unexpected slap, which also drew a few hoots of interest from the other patrons.  The girl stared at Admiria in shock as well.
     "Gods spit!  Someone needs to tighten your collar, woman!" the dwarf said, stepping over, grabbing her arm solidly and yanking her to her feet.
[Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: OOC: 14:51, Thu 19 Mar 2015: NPC Ziri, rolled 19 using 1d20-1 ((20)).
Roll for initiative.  Then declare your action and roll if necessary.
14:53, Today: NPC Ziri, rolled -1 using 1d20-2. Initiative.]

Admira turns to look at him and casts  dissipate whispers him as she whispers.
I wear no collar, but maybe when I am done with you, you should wear mine.
[Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: OOC: Initative:19, damage:  14 will save for half]

     The Dwarf's eyes went wide as he looked all around, seeming to hear voices all around him.  He swatted at the air, spinning around in place and drawing laughter from the other patrons.  He then put his hands to his ears and ran out of the tent screaming.

     The woman sat with her mouth agape.  "What did you do to him?" she asked in baffled awe.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 6):

" Nothing just whispered to him something his mother should have taught him. "

     Her eyes widening, the woman glanced around suspiciously and then leaned in closer to Admiria.  "Are you a warlock?  Because the guards don't take kindly to magic these days," she said in a low whisper.

Admiria leans in to her and whispers.
" Maybe. Although I would never admit to being one. Because I am actually a Bard. "
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Sat 29 Apr 2017.

     "A bard?  Teller of wild tales of heroics and daring deeds?  Have you been on many adventures?" she asked.

" Not many yet. "
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Sat 29 Apr 2017.

     The woman raised an eyebrow?  "Would you like to?  Me and a group of friends are heading out in the morning on a rescue mission to the south," she suggested, still whispering.

Admiria smiles.

" That would be purrrfect. "
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Sat 29 Apr 2017.

     The woman chuckled and offered her hand.  "I'm Relba.  Do you ... Have a place to stay tonight?" she asked.

Admiria takes her hand and with what's seems  like more intrest pulls her close and kisses her hand then hugs her.

" Not yet. I am Admiria Moonwhisper, Novice storyteller and Shaman, of the Callers of the Moon spring Tribe. "
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:19, Sat 29 Apr 2017.

     Relba blushed slightly, glancing around nervously.

     "Charmed.  Literally.  My party has rooms at a nearby inn, if you would ... Care to join us tonight," she breathed, her bosom rising and falling with a shuddering breath.

     Admiria spotted three dwarves entering the bar.  One of them looked very familiar.  When he spotted her, he pointed and they all began to stride toward her.

" seems we may have trouble. Let's leave quickly. "

     Relba noticed the dwarves as well and took Admiria's paw to lead her out the back.  Once in the alley, they made doubled back to the main road.

     "Looks like your 'friend' brought some company.  Angry skeletons I can handle.  Angry dwarves are another thing entirely," she joked.

     Weaving through the crowd, the soon came to an inn with a picture of a griffon hanging outside.  Relba led the catgirl inside and immediately upstairs.  They entered a private room with four beds.  The single window in the room showed a setting sun over the walled city.

     "This is our room.  Corra, Franna and Zokkara are probably still out getting supplies," she said, motioning to the beds.  "You can ... share my bed, if you like."

Admiria takes off her leather armor, cape, weapon belt and boots then gets in bed.

" Of course sweetie.  "

     Relba smiles and hung her cloak and pulled off her boots.  She unlaced her pants and pulled them off.  Just as she was pulling her straps off her shoulders, the sound of heavy footsteps and chatter approached the outer door.

     Rushed, Relba replaced the straps of her top and jumped into the bed next to Admiria, pulling the covers over her legs.

     The door opened and a blonde halfling woman came in and paused when she spotted Relba and Admiria.  A blonde human woman in studded leather came in behind next, crashing into the first and causing her to tumble to the floor.  Then an enormous brunette half-orc-looking woman in chainmail and a blue tabard ducked through the door carrying a sack over her shoulder.



     "Franna!  Watch where you're going," the big one said, looking down at ... Everything.

     "I'm sorry!  Corra!  Are you okay?" the human said, kneeling down to help the halfling.

     "Get off!  Get off!  I'm fine!" the little one griped, getting to her feet and looking right at Relba.  "Good evening, Relba.  Who's your friend?!"

     The blonde gasped, noticing Admiria for the first time.  The big one chuckled and set the bag aside before closing the door.

     "This is ... Admiria.  She'd ... Like to join us," Relba said nervously, glancing at the catgirl for her reaction.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 20):

Admiria purrs.

" Yes, I would love to join all of you. "

In reply to Admiria Moonwhisper (msg # 21):

Admiria is a little disappointed Relba and her couldn't get closer but is happy to have an adventuring party. Especially one of such beauties.

     "A new recruit?!  Well met, little cat-woman," the big one said, starting to disrobe.

     "Join us?  Like on our mission, or ... For the night?" the little one asked suspiciously, crossing her arms.  Relba signed and rolled her eyes.

     "Are you really a catgirl?  I've never seen one of you before?  Where do you come from?" the blonde asked, clearly curious.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 23):

" hmm on the mission for sure, and for the night. The Great Mountains is where I am from."

     The tall one climbed into an oversized bed of her own.

     The little one nodded, beginning to remove her armor as well.

     The blonde sat at the foot of Relba's bed, shifting uncomfortably in her leather armor.  "The Great Mountains to the West?  I've heard many stories of those lands.  What's it like?" she asked.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 25):

" okay, I guess. "

     Relba pushed the blonde away, telling her to stop badgering Admiria.  Reluctantly, the blonde got changed and put herself to bed, like the others.

     Once the candles were out, Relba snuggled under the covers against Admiria, rubbing her soft fur.

     "Sorry we can't have more privacy.  Maybe it's best if we just rest for now.  Surely there'll be time to get to know each other later?" Relba whispered.

     Somebody else in the room make kissy noises, and someone else giggled.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 27):

" Enough, maybe I can switch beds every night. Right now let's rest. "

--- The Next Morning ---

     Admiria awoke when Relba climbed out of bed.  The sun was up and the lithe human stretched before tying back her hair and washing her face in a basin of water at the back of the room.

     The short redhead was sprawled out on her bed, snoring, while the blonde was tucked under her own covers with her head buried deep in a pillow.  The large one was missing.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 29):

Admiria gets out of bed and wraps her arms around Relba.
" You left to quickly. "

     "Hurk!" Relba gasped as the catgirl grappled her.  Then she looked down and smiled, patting her head.  "Well, good morning to you too.  Don't worry, Kitten.  Now that you're a part of the group, we'll have plenty of time together."

     The movement and talking caught the blonde's attention, and she peeked out of her pillow.  "Relba!  You're awake!  Thank goodness!  Is it time to eat?" she asked, blushing when she saw the naked, grappling catwoman.

     Relba sighed and nodded as she dried her face and hands.  "C'mon, Kitten.  Let's get dressed and find some breakfast before we head out on our mission."

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 31):

Admiria not even flustered as her fur covers everything. She only wear clothes to keep her armor from chaffing. She sighs and puts her clothes and armor on.

" I keep forgetting you unfurred have issues with how Nature and the Gods left you uncovered with fur. "
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Wed 31 May 2017.

     Admiria's unashamed attitude as she walked around the room naked only made the blonde more nervous.  She herself turned away from everyone and quickly got dressed.

     Relba woke up the short one and everyone was soon getting dressed.  Just as they were all almost done, the door opened and the tall one came in with a platter full of food.  She was wearing a short cloth robe.

     "Eat, eat, eat!  It might be the last real meal we get for a few days, so enjoy it while you can," she said.

     "Goodness, where did you get strawberries?" the blonde squeaked as she dug in.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 33):

Adria, after dressing, returns to the table and eats.

     Once everyone was filled and dressed, the party headed out on their journey.  Traveling south out of town on foot, the large one lead the way.  No one challenged her right of way, and she gave them a clear path through the city crowd until they were moving through farmland.  Even some horse riders and carriages moved to give her way, but she politely stepped to the side of the road when there wasn't room for both.

     Franna continued to pepper Admiria with questions about her homeland and how she had come to Stonefair.  Relba was somewhat curious herself and listened intently.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 35):

Admiria takes a deep breath.

" My Homeland, The Jungle of Jynd, is very warm and humid. Most of the sentient dwellers are one of the followinga sub race of Dwarves called the Jynd, The Children of the Cat Mother, The Kenku,  The Grippli, and various goblinoid races. I am obviously a Child of the Cat Mother. The Children have various tribes. The Simba, The Khan, The Qualmi, The Tabaxi, The Tibbits, and The Panthri. I am a Panthri. I am from one of the few non Jynd Cities in the Jynd. Felinholm as named by the Jynd originally. "

Admiria travels with her companions.

     As they traveled, Relba explained that they had been hired by a merchant, Lady Hucrele, to investigate the disappearance of her children.  They young adults fancied themselves adventurers and set off a month ago with two hired mercenaries, a Paladin and a Ranger.  They were last seen heading south toward a famed ruin called the 'Sunless Citadel,' which was also said to be the home of a dragon cult.

     The group comes to a crossroad, but the Southern path is clearly unused and overgrown.  Relba says their informants have told them this is the Old Road to the citadel, and they proceed down it.

     At about noon, the woods along the Old Road open up on the west, revealing a narrow ravine.  Shortly, they come upon a collection of broken and unbroken stone pillars.  They seem to indicate an old entry, but the ravine cracks open between them, leading wider and wider to the west.  A sturdy, knotted rope is tied to one of the pillars nearest the ravine.

     Looking over the edge, they can see a landing about 50 feet down, and a series of stairs proceeding even lower into the gloom.

     "Um ... Why don't you scout ahead, Relba?" Franna the blonde suggested.

     The big one fingered the rope.  "This will not hold me.  I will have to find another way down," she said in a matter-of-fact tone.  She began looking alone the edge of the ravine.

     The short one also seemed hesitant to go first and hung near the big one.

     Relba sighed and moved to the rope.  She smiled at Admiria.  "You with me, Kitten?" she asked with a wink, then proceeded down the rope.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 37):

Admiria purrs softly in Relba's ear.

" Sure, but you are probably closer in age to a Kitten then I. "

     Relba smirked and proceeded down the knotted rope.  It still looked to be in fairly good condition, and couldn't be more than a month old.  The human climbed the 50 foot cliff easily, reaching a flat landing that seemed to be strewn with debris.

     "C'mon down!" Relba shouted up as she moved near a pile of rocks.

     Then Relba suddenly shouted in alarm, and Admiria could see two large rats charging at her.  Relba spun in surprise as one of them nipped at her leg, drawing her shortsword and falling on her butt.

     "RELBA!"  Franna shouted over the edge, seemingly frozen with fear.  The big one was already partway over the cliff, looking for handholds and descending slowly.

     Relba swung wildly at the creatures as they advanced, clipping one in the nose as it let out a screech.

     Admiria could see another rat hiding in the shadows behind Relba.

In reply to Relba (msg # 39):

Admiria sings out. Inspiring Relba with her Bardic Inspiration ability.

" Nothung is impossible of Relba. Nothing is impossible for her. "

Admiria then whispers. Casting Dissonant Whispers on the enemy fighting Relba as she runs up behind Relba.
wisdom save dc 13, on failed save 3d6 psychic damage and use reaction to move directly away Admiria. Successful half as much damage.

" son of a dog, son of a dog I will eat your heart"

     As Admiria sang down to Relba, the rogue pulled herself to her feet and gritted her teeth with determination in the face of multiple attackers.

     Spotting the third rat, Admira whispers a psychic spell, and it's hair stands up on end before it's eyes glow purple and it falls over dead.

[Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: You are still on top of the cliff at the top of the rope.  You can climb down 15 feet of rope per turn, or with a successful DC 12 Athletics check, you can move 25 feet per turn.]

     Bolstered by Admiria's song, Relba jabbed at the first rat, stabbing it right in the throat.  Blood gushed and it let out a gurgling squeak as it died.

     The second (and only remaining) rat snapped at Relba but came nowhere close to hitting her.

     To Admiria's left, the short girl let out a grunt as she heaved a javeling down at the remaining rat.  However, the distance was too great and she missed, sending the javelin clattering down a set of stairs.

     To Admiria's right, the big one continued to climb down a corner, and the blonde knelt at the edge of the cliff biting her nails.

[Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: Back to your turn in the initiative.  You can describe your last turn's move, and make your move for this turn.]




Initiative:

Admiria
Relba
Rats (1, 2, 3)
Corra
Zokkura
Franna

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 41):

Admiria tries to climb down freely but grabs the rope in the last second. She then continues down the rope.

     Admiria is about halfway down the rope, still 25 feet above the ground.

     Relba is up.  There is a giant rat next to you.

Her bosom heaving slightly at the initial exertion from combat and the sudden surge of well being, Relba eyed the rat through slitted eyes, intent on doing some serious damage.  She had caught the first one with a slash to the throat, and hoped she would be able to do likewise to this one.  Springing into action with a sudden lunge, Relba hoped to cut the rat down with one deft and swift stroke of her shortsword.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 11:42, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Attack.  11:42, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 7 using 1d6+3.  Damage.]

     Relba's strike hits true, gutting the rat with a gurgling squeak.

     The threat removed, Admiria was able to continue down the rope easily.  Franna and Corra followed down the rope as well.  Zokkara finished her decent down the wall and soon they were together on the landing.

     There wasn't much on the small landing except strewn bones and an old ring of campfire stones that looked like it hadn't been used in over a year.  It would seem the rats had come from small cracks and holes in the cliff walls.

     Corra's javelin was sitting on another landing down a short flight of cut stairs.  The stairs continued downward, winding back and forth a few times into the gloomy chasm below.  In the darkness there were faint hints of broken columns and ruined towers leaning in various angles between the cliff walls.

[Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: Do you have darkvision?]

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 45):

[Private to GM: Yes, I do. Also I put link to race in Private Message.]

" Can anyone else see. "

Having cleared her blade of the creature's blood, Relba waited for the others to make their way to her and in doing so, took in her surroundings proper.  She was curious about both the chasm and the darkness which proceeded it to the columns below, but she was studying the holes where the rats had come through.  If they were to return this way, there would be more to face, and more than just the three, most likely.

"Aye, Kitten.  A perilous journey lies ahead of us, it seems.  If not more of these rats, then the possibility of collapsing columns.  We will need to remain vigilant through this particular part of our journey," she replied absently as she looked forward and ahead.

The bubbly blonde swordswoman seemed a bit more subdued than normal, but she still tried to keep a cheerful smile in the face of adversity.
"Well, this is exciting....from a certain point of view."
Her words were probably more enthusiastic in her head, and mostly hid the quiver in her voice that she tried to hid further with a well timed cough.

"Should I light a torch?"

Relba sheathed her blade and turned to Franna, a smile on her lips as she did so.  "Not as yet, Franna.  Though light is what we seek, I wonder if others in the gloom will be attracted to it.  If so, I would not like to give them fair warning from such distance," she replied, then turned to their Half-Ogre.

"Zokarra?  How good are those eyes of yours in gloom or darkness?  I would like us to get as close as we can to the columns using the shadows as our cover, only lighting a torch if we really need to," she said, then had a thought.  "Perhaps our kitten here has eyes that penetrate darkness and could put them to good use?  What say you, Admiria?" asked Relba.  She had already sidled up to Admiria, gently resting an elbow on the shoulder of the Catfolk female, her hand stroking the side of her face.

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 49):

Admiria licks Relba's Face.

" My Baby Girl, should know this Momma Cat can see in the dark. "
This message was last edited by the player at 18:47, Thu 20 July 2017.

[OOC: Sorry, Admiria.  Are you licking your own face, or Relba's?  Just need to be sure].

     The noontime sun it at its peak, but it is low in the sky this time of year.  The depth of the chasm casts the bottom in a bit of gloom.

OOC: Like this without the floating islands.

https://assets.vg247.com/curre...asm_102412_jpeg2.jpg

Franna averted her eyes from the sensual face licking.  She wasn't sure how she felt about it, Or how it made her feel.
Just another of the strange and new things she'd seen as an Adventurer.

"I can see in the dark well enough - as well as a dwarf, I'd warrant" said the tall woman. She quirked an eyebrow at Relba and smirked. "What about you? I know the darkness is a bother but I'd hate for you to walk into danger... distracted."

     The halfling Barbarian unsheathed her battleaxe and bounced it in one hand.

     "Are we here to rescue people or discuss everyone's visual acuity?  Zokkara and Kitty can see in the dark.  Relba, Franna and myself can't.  They lead the way, or someone lights a torch before it gets too gloomy," she insisted.

Franna nodded,  making a little scowl that meant she was thinking really hard about something.
"I can bring up the rear...."
She paused and winced,  that phrase sounding much more suggestive 9ut loud than it had in her head.
"I mean....I can walk rearguard,  and light a Torch when it's needed.  I only need one hand for my sword,  if need be."
Granted,  it was WAY more work to swing her sword one handed, but she didn't want to admit that.

Relba smiled back at Zakorra and gave Corra a little glance of mock shock when the Halfling piped up.  My oh my, was she a grumpy one.  "Then it is settled.  Admiria and Zakorra will take point, Franna and myself just behind while Corra, if you would be a dear, brings up the rear.  As has been pointed out, we are here on a rescue mission, so let us onward to rescue," she said, and waited for the group to form up.

Franna blinked in surprise at being summarily dismissed from rear guard,  but hid her disple,  as she presumed it was probably a good decision.
After all, she couldn't even ask for it properly,  for goodness sake, so why should she be trusted with it.
With a somber nod, she took up her position in the second line with Relba

     As the party descends the final flight of stairs, a fortress emerges in the gloom.  The subterranean citadel, though impressive, seems long forgotten.  All is quiet along the lightless windows, cracked crenelations and leaning towers.  A cold breeze blows up from below, carrying the scent of dust and a faint trace of rotting flesh.

     The narrow stairs leads through a field of disparate masonry, down to a small courtyard.  The masonry stretches north and south along a crumbling wall, and looks difficult to cross.

     The courtyard seems to be the top of a crenelated battlement.  The castle has sunk so far into the earth that the battlement is now level with the surrounding area.  A ruined tower with a closed wooden door lies on the west side of the courtyard.

From just behind the lead two, Relba was studying everything around the group, looking for weaknesses here, solid footing there, and making general observations about the environment and the terrain.  The path they were on seemed true enough, but they most surely did not want to venture outward from it.  At the courtyard, Relba whispered to Zakorra and Admiria to be extra vigilant as they approached the tower door.  Once there, she moved to the front and made certain to give the door, and everything around it, solid scrutiny in hopes it was just a door and not booby trapped in some way.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 11:06, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 18 using 1d20.  Investigation.]

Franna moved carefully through the broken masonry, not wanting to fall on her face in front of the other women.  She was supposed to be a deadly warrior after all, and picking bits of stone out of her teeth would seriously undermine her gravitas.

     In the dim light of the courtyard, Relba could just barely make out some footprints in the dust that seemed to avoid a 10-foot square area in front of the door.  Closer investigation revealed a subtle crack that was evocative of a pit trap.  Bending down close, she could hear very faint squeaking underneath.  Any pressure place on the panels would cause it to open.

     There did seem to be a safe 2-foot wide section to the left of the door.

Relba relayed the information she had obtained to the rest of the party, certain that there would be more traps like this ahead.  She said as much to the group and told them of the new formation, which would consist of Relba taking point to locate and disarm traps, Admiria and Zokarra just behind in case of ambush by parties unknown, leaving Franna and Corra to bring up the rear.  If everyone was in accord, she would carefully make her way to the door and inspect that also, both for traps and as a way to gain entry if normal methods were not available.  Of course, this would all go more smoothly if they had some light, and Relba asked, finally, for a torch to be lit, hoping it would not be noticed by any others.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 17:12, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 19 using 1d20. Investigation.]

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 63):

Admiria would also be looking for traps having brought out her thieves' tools.

Franna lit a torch, trying to provide light for the others,  and watched what they did

     The safe catwalk to the left of the door is about 2-feet wide, easily used by all of you.

     Relba finds the wooden door unlocked and not trapped.  It swings out making it easy to enter.

     Inside is dark, but the thick smell of decaying flesh wafts out of the open door.  There is no trap inside the doorway and you hear nothing out of the ordinary.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 66):

" The stench of death hmm could be interesting. "

In reply to Admiria Moonwhisper (msg # 67):

Franna wished she had a perfumed handkerchief to block the smell, and raised an eyebrow at Admiria's comment.
"You and I have very different definitions of that word."

Zokkara slaps her maul's head into her left hand, and takes the lead, stepping into the dark room. "It could be just rats", she notes, though she doubts the words as soon as she speaks them.

"Death is death, and where-soever you find it, know that it cannot be a good thing.  Be aware, everyone, for if the scent of death rushes out of this place, just imagine what might have stayed behind," remarked Relba, clearly going from bright and breezy to staunch and focused instantly.  Her whole demeanour had changed, also, and she brought out her own Thieve's Tools in case she spotted what she was certain she would find in here eventually.


[Private to Omni-Tent: Is it only Investigation to spot traps, or will Passive Perception do?  Maybe there is another Skill Relba could use?  Thanks.]

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 70):

Admiria pets Relba's arm.

" Let me clearly reiterate my position. The Stench of Death is interesting doesn't mean good. It usually means bad or old. If it is old Death then it just needs a good airing out. A Bad Death needs a different kind of cleansing. Both situations are interesting. As they both can provide knowledge. "

Franna nodded at the sage words, trying to incorporate them into her own emotional state, rather than "ignorance is bliss"

     The room is circular and has the bodies of four dead goblins, apparently slain in combat.  One body stands with it's back against the western wall, held up by a spear through its chest.  Two wooden doors lead to the northwest and southwest.  The walls of the tower reach up about 30 feet, with the hole-filled remains of higher floors overcome with rot.

     As the half-ogre checks one of the bodies, she sees it has already been looted and dead for quite some time.  Much of the body has been chewed away by rats.

  [Private to Relba Nightswain: Both Investigation and Perception can be used to find traps.  Perception (even passive) is kind of a hands-off approach.  You perceive with your senses.  Investigation is more hands-on, using clues and hints to discover something.  If anyone's passive perception is high enough to spot something specific, I'll tell you right away.  Otherwise, you need to make an active check.]

Franna saw the bodies, and started to gasp with surprised terror.  She had enough presence of mind to stifle it, for the most part, and it ended up only being a mostly squelched "meep".  She then tried to disguise that further by coughing a bit,  presumably from all the dust in the place.
She moved into the room further.

As usual, Relba took in everything around her from the floor up.  The dead bodies were not a surprise, nor was the fact they had already been looted.  What was interesting was the two doors leading from this very room.  She had known many a Keep or Castle to have several doors leading from one room to various places within.  Conjecture here would do them no good at all so instead, she walked to both doors and studied them thoroughly.  This would determine which door they entered.


[Private to Relba Nightswain: 09:49, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 17 using 1d20. Investigation.  Thank you for the information.]

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 75):

Admiring also being alert but wanting Relba to shine stands back watching the scene waiting like an animal about to pounce.

Zokkara shoves one of the goblins with her foot. "These have been dead for awhile. Whatever's killed them is likely not still here. And it means no one's come around to pick the bodies up, either." She looks up to the door. "Might not be much alive here. Well, rats. Definitely rats."

Franna shivered a bit.
"Ugh...Rats...I hate those filthy,  evil things..."

After watching Relba examine the doors for a moment, Corra walks up close behind her and adopts a thoughtful look.  "I'm seeing... boards, built into the walls.  With hinges, and those... knob, things.  I'm guessing doors?  What do you think?"

With a half smile while facing the door, Relba turned to their Halfling, smile now gone in favour of a mock stern-like look, and replied.  "Your observation is quite astute.  Had you not mentioned this, I might have taken it for something else entirely.  What would we do without you in this merry band of ours, Corra?" she said, and broke into a beatific smile.



[Private to Omni-Tent: In case you missed it, this is the Roll I made for the investigation of the second door, which I posted in a PM so as not to clog up the Thread too much.

23:17, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 6 using 1d20.  Investigation.]

     Checking each of the doors, Relba found nothing out of the ordinary.  Neither of them was locked nor trapped and she could hear nothing beyond them.

     Franna is sure, however, she can hear the skittering and chittering of rats behind the walls.

Relba turned to look at everyone, noting the expression on Franna's face, but ignoring it, for now.  "A decision we have, it seems.  I can detect no traps from either door, but do we go left, or right?  It might make a difference, might make none at all, but I do not see splitting up as an option," she said simply.

"For the love of Torm, I am not standing in this stench staring at doors all day," Corra declares.  She steps forward and opens the door on the left.

Franna shrugged, giving a rueful smile.
"There are probably more rats either way, but as the old Bard Tales say: 'When an Adventurer is in doubt, Go Left'. "

"Let's hope they're ordinary rats, then", Zokkara said as she moved into position next to the door Corra was opening, ready to invervene should something nasty slip out. "If, not, well." She slapped her maul into her free hand.

In reply to Zokkara (msg # 85):

Franna nodded, then looked at Zokkara, a worried expression on her face.
"Okay,  that's.....Wait!  Do they make 'non ordinary' rats?!?"

"Sure," Corra says, not looking back.  "There're giant rats, poisonous rats, flying rats, infernal rats... there's all kinds of rats."

Franna didn't respond, but her eyes became HUGE with dismay.

     Corra flung open the wooden door, causing it to bump the upright goblin corpse behind it, causing it to shift slightly.  The halfling stepped just inside the room as Zokkara came up behind her and the others gathered near the door.

     The twenty-foot-wide hallway was in poor repair, much like everything else they'd seen so far.  It looked like an old entryway, but the far end had collapsed and was piled with loose rubble.  The western wall was in surprisingly good condition, and had a stone door on it.  There seemed to be something sticking out from the door, but there was little light entering the room from Franna's torch.

Relba turned and winked at Admiria, then stepped forward and past everyone to stop just behind Corra, then forward and past the Halfling once she had taken in the area.  Again, her eyes scanned this interior with keen interest, looking for any and all things out of place.  If Corra got impatient again, maybe she would trip a trap Relba had missed.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 10:25, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 15 using 1d20. Investigation.  Relba will be investigating not just the door, but the path, passage and walls leading up to the door as well.]

Franna brought up the rear, walking rear guard and watching for anything sneaking up behind them

     As everyone entered the room and glanced around, Relba moved along the Western wall toward the door.  She noticed the wall was very well constructed and didn't show signs of aging like the other walls they'd seen so far.  It was either Dwarven constructed or enchanted.

     As she approached the stone door, she saw there was a sculpture of a dragon's head sticking out at about eye level.  Before she could get closer to examine it, three giant rats rushed out of the rubble and started to surround her.

OOC:  Would everyone like me to roll everyone's initiatives at the start of combat, or do you want to roll them yourselves?  If you roll yourself, please send in a Private Message and I will update here.  Once all initiative are set, posts may continue.  If I don't hear from you in 48 hours, I will roll initiative for you and proceed.

Initiative:


Relba (9/9)     - 13
Rats            - 12
Admiria (9/9)   - 9
Franna (9/9)    - 8
Corra (14/14)   - 5
Zokkara (10/10) - 2



This message was last edited by the GM at 00:19, Sat 05 Aug 2017.

"See?" Corra says, hefting her battle axe.  "All kinds of rats."

[Private to GM: Initiative rolled 5.]

"Ewwwww!!!"

Relba took a step or two back, but the rats were swift and she found herself isolated between them.  They seemed to be everywhere and although she had only faced three so far, another three was really starting to strain her tolerance of them.  Drawing her shortsword, she faced them down (those she could see), her expression showing pure intent.  "The soon to be dead kind," she said, focusing on the one closest to her.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 11:06, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 13 using 1d20+3. Initiative.]

"Well then. Maul it is." Zokkara lifted her maul to her shoulder and strode forward, aiming to block the rats from skittering towards her friends -- and getting close enough to squash them.

OOC: I rolled now but in the future I vote for the GM rolling initiative at the start of combat - I think it will save time.

Having had enough of rats from just a little earlier, Relba was not in the mood to be delayed by these ones.  Unlike her thrust from before, however, she was irked enough to attempt to hack into and through the beast nearest her, either cutting off its head or slicing right through its body, or both.


[Private to Omni-Tent: Today: 23:35, Relba Nightswain rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Attack.  23:36, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 6 using 1d6+3. Damage.]

     Relba's target squeaked terribly, but still lashed out at her with the little life it had left, scoring a desperate bite on her leg.   Taking advantage of her distraction, another nearby rat jumped out of the rubble at bit her hard as well.

[Private to Relba Nightswain: -6 HP, Roll CON save vs. Disease (DC 10)]

     A third rat skittered over to Corra and snapped at her, missing it's mark.

Initiative:

Relba (3/9)     - 13
Rat 1 (1/7)     - 12
Rat 2 (7/7)     - 12
Rat 3 (7/7)     - 12
Admiria (9/9)   - 9
Franna (9/9)    - 8
Corra (14/14)   - 5
Zokkara (10/10) - 2



This message was last edited by the GM at 00:40, Sat 05 Aug 2017.

Franna rushed forward, her face pinched in disgust and effort, and swung her sword at a rat.

OOC:19:50, Today: Franna Padlock rolled 7 using 1d8.  damage.

19:50, Today: Franna Padlock rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  attack.

Corra swings her axe, but swishes it through the air.  She gives Franna an irritated look, as if she made her miss.

[Private to GM: Attack roll got a 9.]

The first bite from the rat was unexpected, but Relba managed to continue through the hurt.  However, the second rat attacking caused her to snarl in both rage and pain, though it was the rage she focused on more, even as she watched the rest of her party attempt to eradicate the remainder of the rats.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 10:49, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 21 using 1d20+1. CON Save.]

In reply to Corra Farborne (msg # 100):

Franna made a frantic and quick look of apology to the doughty warrior

    Franna's lucky blow killed Rat #3 with a bloody squeak.  Franna's sudden rush to action threw off Corra's intended attack, and left her swinging early to miss Rat #1 when she stepped forward.

    Relba felt a slight burning from the rat bite, but it quickly faded.


This message was last edited by the GM at 00:46, Mon 07 Aug 2017.

Zokkara dashes forward, raises the maul from her shoulder, and swings it in a lethal downward arc upon the nearest rat!

OOC: Attack on rat #1

22:15, Today: Zokkara rolled 23,10 using 1d20+4,2d6+4 ((19,1,5)).

That's a hit (I hope!) and 10 points of damage on it.

     Rat #1 explodes under Zokkara's massive maul!

     Rat #2 turns to run.  Relba gets to attack the fearful beast twice.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 105):

Admiria finally smiles as she draws her rapier and swings her rapier at number 2.

" Take that!


08:20, Today: Admiria Moonwhisper rolled 6 using 1d8+3.  Rapier damage.
08:20, Today: Admiria Moonwhisper rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Rapier attack .

Relba was not annoyed that she had gotten bit, she was annoyed that she was the only one to get bitten.  Perhaps the rats did not like her attire, but regardless, it was in poor taste to attack her alone when others of the party made perfectly good targets also.  So, when the last remaining rat turned to flee, Relba made sure she would not allow that to happen.  First, she lunged at it, then slashed across it with her short sword.  Perhaps they would think thrice before ganging up on her again.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 16:43, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Attack.  16:44, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 7 using 1d6+3. Damage.

16:43, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 21 using 1d20+5. Attack.  16:44, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 5 using 1d6+3. Damage.]

Franna waited for room to attack

     Admiria and Relba's (3/9) combined efforts put the final rat down.  The sounds of squeaks in the walls disappear immediately.

     The area clear, Relba could finally get a look at the stone door.  There is the head of a dragon carved into it, it's muzzle sticking out about a foot from the wall.  There is a single keyhole inside it's open mouth.

     The door does not appear to be trapped, and seems to be locked with a combination of magic and mechanics.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:36, Mon 07 Aug 2017.

Relba shook her head and sighed.  Rats this early on, and now a door that required both magic and mechanics to open?  Sheathing her short sword, Relba turned to the rest of the party and relayed the information.  "Do we have anyone who is proficient with the mystic arts in our midst?  This door may well be a challenge to get through," she asked and said, even as she searched around for anywhere there may be a key.



[Private to Omni-Tent: 10:26, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 17 using 1d20. Investigation.]

"Stone, too. Nothing I can use my magic on." Zokkara slaps the maul in her hand. "It seems we'll be needing to find the key."
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:48, Tue 08 Aug 2017.

"So much for always going left," Corra grumbles.  "Fine, next door.  Hey," she pauses a moment to clap Relba on the arm.  "Good job with those rats."

Turning, she walks back out, waits just long enough to make sure at least somebody has come along with her, and throws open the door on the right.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:49, Tue 08 Aug 2017.

     Relba searches around in the nearby rubble and crevasses for a key, but finds none.

     The blustery barbarian storms out of the room and throws open the other door.  Beyond is a corridor with three more doors, two wooden, one stone.

Franna was tempted to point out her own contributions to the fight, after hearing the congratulations given to Relba, but she kept quiet, her thoughts chiding herself.

'Knock it off, Franna!!!  You're an adventurer!  You're not some kind of pampered school girl ... Anymore ... And you don't need a pat on the back whenever you, um, 'lay low your vile foe', or whatever the terminology is.'

She followed up the rear of the group.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:17, Tue 08 Aug 2017.

Reba mostly ignored the compliment as she was too focused, in vain, finding a way through the door and into whatever lay beyond it.  She sighed when she could not, as now her curiosity was piqued.  Still, there was nothing for it and, before she could lead the way to potentially find more traps, Corra was at it again.

'Perhaps I should allow the impatient one to find out what happens to those who are impatient?' she thought to herself, but could not do that to one of the party.  Besides, every group needed a Halfling Barbarian ... if only once.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 22:17, Tue 08 Aug 2017.

"Hey, Relba!" Corra calls back.  "I found more doors for you to stare at!"

[Private to GM: Just noticed you've been color-ifying my speech.  I'm... um, bad about that, I'm afraid; it's not something that comes naturally to me.  But I'll try to remember.]

Relba stepped forward and towards Corra, glancing left and right as she advanced.  "You mean doors that have the potential to cut your life short if you trigger a trap as you crash through rather than study it?  Why, thank you, Corra.  I appreciate that very much," Relba replied, being as dead pan as she was able, but could not resist a short, sweet smile to the Halfling.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 09:49, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 9 using 1d20. Investigate.]

     Stepping forward, Relba sees a stone door on her left with a relief sculpture of a dragon turtle swimming, and it is locked.  On her right is a wooden door that appears to be stuck.  At the end of the hall is another wooden door that is not locked.

     Only the door at the end of the hall shows any sign of use, although not recently.

OOC:

Seeing as how the party had formed before the game began, and they knew their mission beforehand, I'm gonna go ahead and give the party three potions of healing (2d4+2, PHB).  I'll leave it to y'all to decide who's holding them.

Relba relayed the information to the others, but suddenly felt a little weary.  She had taken two bites too many from those pesky rats, and she felt low, drained of her usual energy.  "Before we go exploring further, I must request a short rest period.  Rats and bites do not a good combination make," she said by way of explanation.


[OOC: If is OK with everyone, Relba will take a thirty minute rest to recover some Health.  She is very low right now].

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 120):

Franna nodded and tried to look nonchalant.
"Take your time, The ruins aren't going anywhere."


OOC:   I'll volunteer to hold a potion, but I'm okay either way.

"Silly me. Let me look at those bites. I can at least clean them and bandage them."

OOC: Zokkara has Medicine skill, which I didn't realize until I thought to look now. Premade characters. :)

She's also going to have healing magic, so it makes more sense for other people to carry the potions.

"What kind of bites do you prefer?" Corra asks, teasingly.  Waving a hand, she leans up against the wall.  "That's fine.  We've got door-staring to do."

She's quiet for almost a whole minute before she shakes her head.  "Seriously, what do you see in these things?"

OOC: Thirty whole minutes??  You know we don't get paid by the hour, right? grin  Corra will definitely be carrying a potion.  Two, if Relba doesn't claim the third.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:42, Thu 10 Aug 2017.

"None of the physical kind ... unless they are tasty treats, and then the more the merrier.  Well, when the wine and mead starts to flow at the very least," Relba retorted as she leant back against the wall.  She was quiet herself until Corra, being Corra, could not contain herself, and Relba bit back a reply that would contain the words 'for someone so small' and 'from a mouth that large'.

"These things?  By that I take it you mean these doors?" she asked, but she did not stop for a reply.  "I see nothing in the doors themselves ... unless they are made from a precious substance.  What I am seeking to gain is knowledge, knowledge that will allow me to ascertain whether or not the door, or anything else, is booby-trapped so that I may circumvent it," she finished.


[OOC: We don't get paid at all unless we take what we want or complete a job, none of which come with a timer as far as I know.  :P  :)

Relba will take a Potion if no one else wants to claim the last one].

     The party returns to the circular room to relax while Zokkara helps tend to Relba's wounds.

     Zokkara notices some festering among Relba's wounds and realizes that at least one of the rat bites was infected with some sort of disease.  Relba looks okay though, so it's lucky she didn't get infected.

OOC:  Relba, Franna and Corra have healing potions.  What is everyone else doing during the rest period?

[Private to Relba Nightswain: Roll 1d8+1 and add to your current HP (3/9).  You have 0 Hit Dice remaining.  Hit dice are recovered during a long rest.  REMINDER: You speak Halfling,
 Elvish and Orc.  XP=100/300 (Rats/Traps)]

[Private to Zokkara: Medicine is rolled to stabilizing the dying or diagnosing illness.  It does not have any healing abilities.  A healer's kit (PHB 151) can be used to stabilize the dying without a medicine check and has 10 uses (Corra has one).  REMINDER: You have 5 Lay on Hands points that can be used for healing or curing disease.  You speak Goblin, Orc and Giant.  XP=50/300 (Rat, RPing)]

[Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: Admiria, being a curious sort, inspects the spear pinning the goblin to the wall.  When she gets close, she notices some writing behind the goblin.  She can't see all of it unless she pulls out the spear to let the goblin fall away. REMINDER: You can change out one of your known spells when you make level.  Also, at level 2 you gain 'Song of Rest', which you can use during short rests to increase anyone's healing by 1d6.  XP=100/300 (Rats, RPing)]

[Private to Franna Padlock: Franna stays away from the decaying bodies.  As she leans against the southern wall, she notices a brick sticking out slightly from the others.  REMINDER: You have two additional undefined language proficiencies and an undefined gaming proficiency.  You can choose them now, or keep them unknown until a more opportune time.
 XP=50/300 (Rat, RPing)]

[Private to Corra Farborne: Corra hears skittering and scratching just outside the first door that brought them into this room, now on the far right.  REMINDER: you have a healer's kit that can be used to stabilize the dying (x10) without a check, but cannot actually heal anyone.  You speak Halfling, Dwarf and Giant.  XP=50/300 (RPing)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:26, Thu 10 Aug 2017.

"No, I mean..."  Corra tilts her head.  "I know what you're doing.  I mean doors.  Humans and dwarves, seems like you put these things all over the place.  Not enough to have one up front so nobody can come in and say hi.  Every. single. room. has to have its own door.  It's just weird.  Hey."  She picks up, looking around.  "You hear that?"

Holding her axe, she moves back over towards the door we came in through.  "I hear something.  I think it's for you, Franna."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:46, Thu 10 Aug 2017.

Franna was trying to touch any of the grimy surfaces or dead bodies, and was looking up at one section of the wall.   She noticed one brick that was slightly protruding from the rest, leaving an uneven surface.
Was this a thing?   Was it some secret door?  Or some deadly trap?
She was about to turn to say something, but second guessed herself, her thoughts racing.
~oh my gods, you dingbat...of COURSE there are bricks out of place!  This entire complex sank into the ground, after all!  It's probably nothing, and saying anything about it will just reveal you as the rank beginner and fraud that you are!  Still....~
Even though she didn't want to risk looking like an idiot in front of her new friends, Franna's slightly compulsive propensity for neatness and order made it impossible to just leave the brick sticking out, even a little, to one day fall and break.
She heard Corra's call to action, though she wasn't positive it was sarcasm or not, and nodded.
"Coming...."
The blonde warrior gave the brick a quick push back into its proper place before heading over to the barbarian's side.  When it didn't move, the frowned in annoyance and moved to join her friend.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Fri 11 Aug 2017.

     Franna moves over to the main eastern door with Corra.

     Meanwhile, Admiria pulls the spear out of the 'standing' goblin corpse on the west wall.  The body crumpled to the floor in a heap of bones and ichor.  Behind where the body had been was were some runes scratched into the stone.




This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Sat 12 Aug 2017.

"These rats are not in any way sanitary", says Zokkara as she cleans and bandages Relba's wound. "I don't think any of that gunk got into the wound but let's all try to avoid rat bites in the future, I wouldn't want anyone to come down with the Red Death or something."

She looks up at Corra and Franna. "What do you hear?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:08, Sat 12 Aug 2017.

As Franna comes over to her, Corra's eyes widen and she holds a hand up.  "I was kidding!" she says, relieved when Franna just stops next to her.

"I hear scrabbling on the other side of the door.  Probably more rats," she explains, to both Franna and Zokkara.  "But since that's between us and our way out, we might want to deal with them."

When Zokkara asks what it says, she squints at the runes.  "I think it says... zphtft?  Maybe another goblin turned on this one and stabbed him, so he scratched the name of the goblin what turned on him - Zphtft, a goblin name if I've ever heard one - into the stone as he died, to tell the other goblins not to trust him?" she hazards.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:00, Sat 12 Aug 2017.

In reply to Corra Farborne (msg # 131):

Franna rolled her eyes.
"Of course I knew you were kidding!  I'm here to help with the bad guys!  Sheesh!"

She positioned herself to be able to help Corra, sword ready.

     Opening the door, there are no rats, but Corra, Franna and Zokkara can clearly hear the scratching coming from underground just outside the door.  It seems there is something inside the trap that they avoided.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 133):

Admiria looks over the runes trying to figure them out.


16:44, Today: Admiria Moonwhisper rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Religion.
16:44, Today: Admiria Moonwhisper rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Investigation.
16:44, Today: Admiria Moonwhisper rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  History .
16:43, Today: Admiria Moonwhisper rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Arcana.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:45, Sat 12 Aug 2017.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 133):

Franna looked at the trap uncertainly.
"Should we try to see what's there, or leave well enough alone?"

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 135):

" Draconic, a language this story teller doesn't know. In goblin blood, very interesting. "

Admiria studies the area around the runes to see if anything else would help her solve this mystery.

"I.. don't know," Corra admits, reluctantly.  She drops down onto her hands and knees in the doorway, leaning down and pressing her ear to the floor.

[Private to GM: Probably don't need to explain this, but.. she's trying to get some better idea of what's in there.  Like, if it sounds like a person, or an animal, mainly.]

In reply to Admiria Moonwhisper (msg # 136):

Franna looked back at Admiria in confusion.
"Did you say Draconic??  I speak that."

[Private to GM: Nicely done, my friend.  :)   ]

"Then you might want to give those runes a look. Written in blood, it must be a warning or a spell of some sort. It'd be good to know what."

Curious,  and a little creeped out, Franna went to examine the rune.

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 140):

Admiria hugs Franna.

" Good. "

Admiria let's Franna go but stays close so she can date her curiosity in this one thing.

In reply to Admiria Moonwhisper (msg # 141):

Franna looked at the cat girl with surprise when she was hugged, but smiled politely.   It threw her off, a bit, but she supposed it was just her way.  Trying to concentrate,  she focused on the rune

     Careful not to trigger the trap door, Corra listened to the floor and could hear a large rat skittering around and scratching down in the pit.  But some of the sounds were like metal on metal, indicating more than just stone down in the trap.  She could also smell something rotten.



     Franna's Draconic training was a bit rusty, and the runes were crudely scratched into the stone, but she could tell the runes spelled the word 'Ashardalon.'  She knew it was a draconic name.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 143):

Franna looked at it, her face scrunched up in confusion.
"I think it says 'Ashardalon'.  That's a draconic name.  But Whose name, I have no idea."

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 144):

" Ashardalon, hmmm? "

Admiria racks her brain to see what she knows about Ashardalon.

"OK," Corra announces.  "That's definitely a rat in there.  And something else that died a while ago.  The rat is moving things around a little.  I can hear metal clinking, but I don't know if it's anything worth prying this thing open to see..."  She stands up as she speaks, and trails off when she turns and sees that attention has, by and large, moved while she was listening.

She wipes a brief scowl off her face, and walks over.  "Whatcha got?"

     Corra joins Franna and Admiria near the blood-stained runes.  Zokkara is left near the main door and the trapped rat is practically forgotten.  Relba has finished bandaging her wounds and getting a quick bite to eat and is feeling much better.

[Private to Franna Padlock: After racking your brain, you realize Ashardalon is the name of an Ancient Red Wyrm Dragon.  Thousands of years ago he was practically revered as a god.  You remember old strories of a grand castle built in his honor that had suffered a great catyclysm after his death.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:05, Thu 17 Aug 2017.

Relba, who had been sitting patiently while her wounds where tended to, took the time to grab a bite to eat, whilst listening to the current conversation.  She had not a clue herself as to what it all meant, completely oblivious, in fact, but maybe one of the others had some information implanted deep in their memory and simply needed a nudge to bring it to the surface.

"I know nothing of which you speak, not even with the knowledge I possess, but perhaps one of you may have heard of the name in a historical context?" she asked and suggested.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 12:30, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 1 using 1d20. History.  12:30, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 3 using 1d8+1. Recovery.  so, 6HP in Total.]

Franna looked at Relba, shaking her head in disappointment.
"No....I don't remem......"
Then she frowned in confusion.
"No, wait....."
She started bobbing her head, slightly, humming to herself, trying to remember some obscure song.  Then she started singing to herself.
"...dah, dah, dah daaaahhhh....dah dah....
The people FEAR his ire...
The people FEAR his fire...
Ashardalon the Dread
Ashardalon the Red
In his castle spire...."
She thought hard, bobbing her head again to get back more of the song
"The dragon sits on high
In his castle in the Sky
Seeing all
Knowing all
He hears our mournful Cry...."

She shook her head.
"That's all I remember.  It's an old story I heard years ago, about Ashardalon, an ancient Red Dragon who either ruled over the land or was worshipped, thousands of years ago.
They said he could see everything that happened in the land he ruled.
 There was a huge castle built in his honor.  There was some kind of cataclysm after the dragon finally died, and the castle was destroyed, I think"

[Private to Franna Padlock: How is that?   I can change it if you'd prefer.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Thu 17 Aug 2017.

"...By Tyr's missing hand. You don't suppose this is the castle from that song, do you? At least we're not in any danger of finding the dragon." She shoulders her maul. "The dragon's treasure, now, maybe?"

Franna, who'd been working to remember the old tune she'd heard from a tutor long ago (though she'd say it was a drunk warrior in a bar, if asked), had totally forgotten the possible implications of the song.
She blinked in surprise.
"Wow....that's....that would be fantastic!!!"

"I guess falling out of the sky would explain why it's so broken," Corra suggests.  "On the down side, it doesn't look like we're the first people to find it.  Doors that are still magically locked, though... seems likely nobody's been through those yet, eh?  We should find that key."

She grins up at Franna.  "Good job!  I had no idea you knew so much about dragons."

In reply to Corra Farborne (msg # 152):

Franna blushed with pride at the other woman's words, and smiled humbly.
"Well, they make great stories, right?"

Relba, who had been watching Franna closely as she recited her tale/poem/song, beamed widely as the Warrior finished and all was revealed about the strange name.  It was certainly good to kow, especially about the Dragon no longer being among the living.  As Zokarra had stated, no one wanted to deal with a winged beast of legend.  When Corra spoke, Relba stepped forward and addressed everyone.

"So, we have some knowledge of this place, thanks to Franna, but we still do not know where we need to explore, either to gain a treasure that might well have been picked clean by those before us, or reveal it's secret hiding place.  With that in mind, we have two options: explore the trap where that rat is, perhaps it is guarding something valuable.  Or ... continue forward and see what lies ahead of us," she stated, looking at each of them in turn, before indicating the three doors in this corridor.

Franna, perhaps still riding high from her story, shrugged.
"I'm not one to start trouble, but I think that we shouldn't, you know, leave any proverbial stone unturned, right?"

Corra nods.  "If we press on, we'll forget about the trap.  If we check under there now, it's not like we won't still go exploring afterwards.  OK, I suggest Franna and I keep our weapons ready, while you and Zokkara figure out how to pry it open, and you," she looks at Admiria, "Keep watch, make sure no more rats or goblins sneak up while we're working."

     Franna and Corra seemed inclined to investigate the trap out the front door.  From what Relba had investigated earlier, she knew it was a simple weight-activated, downward-opening pit trap.  More than likely it would open if anyone stepped or applied pressure to it, then retract closed immediately or after a few moments.  If necessary, it should be easy enough to rig the mechanism to stay open, or even to be jammed shut so it wouldn't cause any danger in the future.

"I agree. Let's approach this methodically and make sure we don't miss anything before we proceed. None of us are in any hurry, are we?" said the half-ogre.

"The we are agreed?" Relba asked the party, but mostly, she was looking at Admiria as she was the only one not to have voiced an opinion in this particular matter as of yet.  Relba had to admit to herself that she did want to find out what was in the trap beside the rat, and the thought of copious amounts of treasure almost made her blush with excitement.

For what it was worth, Franna nodded.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:53, Sun 20 Aug 2017.

Admiria smiles at Franna until she mentions rats and hisses. She calms down and nods.

     Franna and Corra have their weapons ready and Admiria is standing nearby to assist with her own thievery skills if necessary.  Relba and Zokkara can approach the trap.

Franna nodded that she was ready, hoping that her grimace of nerves would be mistaken for a scowl of fierceness

Relba, in turn, nods to Zokarra, and with the silent acknowledgement of what they were to do, moves toward the trap.  Relba readied an object that would make sure the trap stayed open, even as she took the step that would set the trap in motion and drew her shortsword once more.  She, too, was ready for the rat.


[Private to Omni-Tent: Not sure if I should be rolling something, if anything, here.]

Zokkara approached alongside Relba, hammer held ready with its head above her shoulder. She spread her glances between the rat and the door beyond. It wouldn't do to be so focussed on the rat that they were surprised by a more un-trapped enemy.

     With everyone at the ready, Relba steps on the trap door and it swings down and to the north, revealing a 10-foot deep pit with two skeletons, a dead goblin, and a surprised-looking giant rat.  The creature hisses angrily and makes to crawl up the walls toward the party.

[Private to Relba Nightswain: You can make a Dex check to wedge the door open, but a subtle ticking gives you the impression that the trap is going to reset in a minute or so.]

     Since you were all prepared, you all will have a chance to act before the rat can make it out of the pit within biting range.

Trying not to get in everyone else's way, Franna tried to use the reach from her sword to kill the rat.

OOC:


21:28, Today: Franna Padlock rolled 8 using 1d8.  damage.

21:28, Today: Franna Padlock rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  attack.

     With a shout, Franna squeezed between Relba and Zokkara and swung her longsword down into the pit as the rat was scrambling up the wall, slicing it in half.  The pieces fell back into the pit, leaving a nasty bloodstain on the inside wall of the pit.

Slightly surprised by the ferocity of Franna's attack (she should not be, after all, Franna was a warrior, was she not)? Relba put away her shortsword but cocked her head to the side a little.  It should be obvious to anyone she was listening to something, but before any could speak, Relba was already addressing everyone.

"This trap has a timer.  If we wedge something against it, I believe we will only have perhaps one minute to enter the trap, search, and climb back out again before it resets itself.  Do we have enough time?  Who is the swiftest amongst us?" she asked.  She had to.  Who would want to get stuck in a trap such as this for who knew how long?


[Private to Omni-Tent: 12:24, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  DEX Check.]

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 169):

Franna frowned and shook her head sadly.
"I'm not that mind of quick, I'm afraid. "

Corra shakes her head, pulling her rope out of her pack.  "No time to talk about it.  You should go," she points at Admira as she shakes the rope out of its coil with her other hand.  "Zokkara and I will hold the rope, help pull you out if it gets close."

Corra shakes her head, pulling her rope out of her pack.  "No time to talk about it.  You should go," she points at Admira as she shakes the rope out of its coil with her other hand.  "Zokkara and I will hold the rope, help pull you out if it gets close."

Corra shakes her head, pulling her rope out of her pack.  "No time to talk about it.  You should go," she points at Admira as she shakes the rope out of its coil with her other hand.  "Zokkara and I will hold the rope, help pull you out if it gets close."

     Relba worked at the trap mechanism with her Thieves' Tools as Corra lowered the rope into the pit and urged Admiria to descent into the 10-foot pit.

     From what they could tell, the goblin had been dead for about a day and was covered in bite marks from the rat.

Franna looked around nervously.
"Uh, Oh....Does that mean there could still be goblins around here??"

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 173):

" You are lowering me into this trap. Really? "

Admiria steps over to ready herself into trap.

"I have a question. Maybe it's a dumb one." She lifted an eyebrow. "If the trap does close, what's to keep us from simply opening it again? And freeing up whoever's down there like we did that rat?"

Relba smiled, but it was not because she thought the question was dumb in any way.  It was because she had thought the very same thing.  "It is a good question, Zakorra, and one I have been grappling with myself for a little while.  To my mind, there are two things to consider here.  The first is that the trap is set on a timer, and we have no way of knowing how long before it can be activated again.  I only know that we have mayhap a minute window of opportunity before it closes.  The second consideration is ... do we wish to take that chance?"  There may have been a few more things to consider, but these were the two Relba was more concerned with.

     As Corra held the rope, Admiria easily climbed down into the trap.  The dead goblin's armor was worn and worthless, but there was a Scimitar, a wooden shield, and a belt pouch.  The skeletons crumbled apart from any activity.

[Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: You don't see any additional openings in the pit.

Do you grab the items or climb back out?]

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 177):

Admiria grabs the items and like the cat she is climbs out Half with the rope and half on her own.

     Admiria scrambled up the rope, her tail just clearing the trap door before the timer ran out and it swung up and shut again.  This startled Relba, who thought she had wedged the mechanism to keep the door open.

[Private to Relba Nightswain: XP=110/300 (attempted disarm)]

[Private to Zokkara: XP=60/300 (RPing)]

[Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: Dirty Scimitar with Gnome designs, Worn shield of Elvish make, and the pouch holds 4 gp and 23 sp. XP=125/300 (Good Scramble)]

[Private to Franna Padlock: </b>XP=100/300 (Rat, RPing)</b>]

[Private to Corra Farborne: XP=75/300 (Rope, RPing)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:46, Sat 26 Aug 2017.

Franna let out a breath.
"This place is definitely giving me the creeps."

"See?" Corra says, as Admira clears the closing door.  "Knew you were the right one for it.  Good job!"

In reply to Corra Farborne (msg # 181):

Admiria stares at her.

" yes cause as I child we learn to climb anything. Just to survive in a jungle. "

Relba let out a sigh of relief, even as her hand went to her mouth to stifle a possible shout of "watch out!"  Seeing Admiria was fine, she looked back to where she had 'wedged' the trap open, only to find the object she was supposed to have placed there was still in her hand.  She quickly hid it behind her back and dropped it at the most convenient moment.

"Well, now that we have the spoils of the trap, shall we proceed?" she asked.

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 183):

Being as the floor is stone, and what Relba was going to use to wedge a metal trap was not paper and would have made some noise.

Passive. perception for hearing is 18

Admiria hears the thing drop and walks over to Relba kissing her cheek.

"We will discuss the potentiality of damage you just put me in, later."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:42, Mon 28 Aug 2017.

OOC:  Is everyone okay?  The trap is dealt with, so you can proceed to the hallway and the doors now ... If you like.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 185):

Admiria walks further in our direction.

Franna was glad that everyone was okay,  and joined her friends as they headed onwards

Corra looks up at Franna.  "So, you really don't like rats, huh?" she asks, conversationally.

Walking back to the hallway with the three doors, she raises an eyebrow, looking at Relba.  "These were your specialty.  Which one's next?"


OOC: I am a little overwhelmed in RL right now, but definitely still here!

In reply to Corra Farborne (msg # 188):

Admiria purrs.

" Yes, my Relba. Which door? "


OOC: Dogs have owners, Cats have servants.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:43, Tue 29 Aug 2017.

Franna looked at Corra with surprise.
"Doesn't everyone hate rats?  I think even other rats hate other rats"

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 190):

" actually rats can be quite tasty. What I hate is Nezumi or Lupins. "

In reply to Admiria Moonwhisper (msg # 191):

Franna looked confused.

"What are Nezumi?  And Lupins?  Lupins are lovely! "

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 192):

" Nezumi are ratfolk. "

Admiria pulls Franna close and playfully sways her bottom.

" Lupins are stupid dogs. Barely considered people. "

Franna froze up as she was swatted, squeaking ever so slightly,  and trying not to jump. She smiled politely and tried to stay professional.
"Rat people and dog people?   Wow....I've got so much to learn, it seems"

Relba looked back at Admiria with an almost blank expression on her face after the Cat Woman stroked her cheek and spoke of potentialities.  Relba was not sure how to take that, but she did not dwell on it.  As everyone continued onward, and Corra and Admiria asked their questions, Relba was back in concentration mode.  She studied each door in turn, then searched each door carefully.  There could not be another mistake this time.

[Private to Omni-Tent: 10:53, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 9 using 1d20-1. Perception.  10:53, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 10 using 1d20-1. Perception.  10:52, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 5 using 1d20-1. Perception.  10:51, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 3 using 1d20. Investigation.  10:51, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 6 using 1d20. Investigation.  10:51, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 8 using 1d20. Investigation.

Now those, all of them, are some terrible Rolls.]

"Wait until you meet the starfish people", Zokkara said. "Those are quite something." She held her straight face for a moment, then let a smile creep on her face, showing she was teasing.

"Anyhow. If we're going to work systematically", Zokkara offered, "perhaps we should try the door closest to the entrance first." She pointed in the direction of that door with her free hand.

     Relba sneaks forward to inspect each door carefully for several minutes while the others hang back in the hallway.

     The wooden door to the north is clearly stuck and has not been used in some time.

     The stone door just opposite of the first on the south wall has a relief sculpture of a swimming turtle dragon.  It is in much the same style as the carved dragon's head door they had seen in the other room.  This door is sealed with a rusty lock.

     The wooden door at the end of the hall is not locked and is the only door looking like it has been used at all in the last year.

     None of the doors are trapped.

Franna looked up.with wide eyes "Starfish people? ??  Wow....."
She looked bewildered as she moved to watch their backs

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 198):

" No such thing although I have heard of winged ape people, Rabbit people, bird people. "

Admiria steps closer and slides a hand in one of Relba's front pants pockets, if she has some or just the area if not.

Franna, though not a bad student,  flat her head swim a bit at the crazy influx of information to sort through.   Also, the flirty cat girl was a bit...distracting

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 200):

Admiria notices Franna being distracted and blows a kiss to her.

In reply to Admiria Moonwhisper (msg # 201):

Embarrassedby being caught staring, Franna blushed and triedto look professional and watched for trouble

Relaying what she learned of the three doors to the others, Relba was obviously concerned, for she did not try and hide how deep in thought she was about the situation.  Hand to her face and cupped under her chin, she eventually turned to the others.  "I am uncertain about these doors.  The only one that seems usable is that one," she said, indicating the door at the and, "but that, in itself, is what worries me.  Also, none seem trapped, and that is also troubling.

"So ... force open the door that appears to be stuck?  Break the rusty lock on the stone door?  Or move forward to the end door?  Whatever we choose, I recommend caution.  I believe there is something amiss here, though I can not detect it as yet," she said.

Franna frowned in thought.
"Do.you think that the easier door is a trick to lead us into a trap?"

Relba frowned slightly in thought, not enough to wrinkle her brow, but enough to show she did not like the situation.  "That is a possibility, Franna.  I have heard, from someone or somewhere I may have forgotten, a saying that states: if it seems too good to be true, it is likely too good to be true.  I can not say with certainty that is the case here, but I also can not allow the thought to simply drift from my mind," she replied.

The blonde fighter shrugged.
"I'm sure you're right,  but we also don't want to overthink things,either.   How about we start with the easier door, and work our way across? "

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 206):

Noticing Relba is ignoring her, Admiria swats her back side playfully and steps over to Franna swaying her hips all the way.

"You're upset they're not trapped?" Corra asks, blinking.  "Now I don't know what to get for your birthday.  That one," she points at the stone door, "Looks most likely to get us the key to the other one, but Franna's right.  The easy one's most likely to let someone behind us."

She frowns a moment.  "I'm not sure that's really what she said, but whatever.  We can either start with that one, or stand here talking about doors till we starve."

Having given what she considers adequate time for anyone to object, she steps up to the described Easy Door, and flings it open.

Franna Blinked In surprise at the casual and sensual approach of the cat girl,  not sure how she felt.  It was a cross between seeing an approaching decadent dessert in which she'd surely regret indulging,  and an approaching instructor with a surprise quiz that she knows she's going to probably fail in an embarrassing way.

Before she could say anything, though,  the petite barbarian opened the "safe" door, and she readied herself for possible action.

     Corra barged forward and kicked open the wooden door at the end of the hallway, and it jammed against the floor little more than halfway open.  The light from Franna's torch spilled into the room, revealing a wooden bench in the middle, a large metal cage to the south, and a very large firepit to the north.  The bench was draped in a green cloth and had a few items on top.  Red embers are still glowing in the firepit.

     The room was about 60 feet across, and irregularly shaped.  There was an open archway on the far side that seemed to lead to another hallway, and a closed wooden door on the other side of the firepit.

[Private to Corra Farborne: You barely hear some kind of wimpering on the far side of the bench.]

Franna looked at the firepit with concern.
"Looks like someone is home....or was"

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 211):

Admiria leans into Franna.

" Perhaps we should go check it out. "

OOC: Everyone please indicate to where you are moving in the room on your next post.

Current Positions

Corra:    G9
Relba:    H12
Zokkara:  H13
Admiria:  G14
Franna:   G15

Franna will stick to the back of the party, or to G7, whichever comes first

The swipe on her rear end had Relba pulling herself out of contemplation mode for a moment, wondering if Admiria was somehow feeling ... frisky, because of the near closed in experience, but that was quickly out out of her head as Corra The Immortal ignored all talk of caution and simply bashed the door in.  With a sigh, Relba moved forward and just behind the Halfling as she neared the door and took a look inside, studying what she could see with some intent.


[OOC: Relba will be at H10 or H9, whichever makes more sense].

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 215):

Once the door is opened, Admiria will lean in and kiss Franna's cheek and run in to the room, playfully slapping Relba's backside in the way by.

" You are just to cute. "



Admiria will go to F7

This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Thu 31 Aug 2017.

Corra stays where she is, resting her axe on her shoulder.  "I can hear you," she calls into the room.  "That bench won't protect you, but we're not murderers.  Why don't you just come out and talk to us?"

     As Corra calls out, Admiria slips by everyone and into the room, her darkvision giving her a good view of the space.  Franna steps up behind Corra as Relba moves up to the opening.
 Zokkara lingers behind in the center of the hallway.

     Admiria can clearly hear wimpering on the other side of the bench and sees some slight movement on a pile of hay.  She sees several additional wooden doors around the room.  The large cage on the south wall is empty and appears to have been torn open.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 218):

Admiria slides to her right.

" there is whimpering behind the bench and someone on the pile of hay. "

F6
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:18, Fri 01 Sept 2017.

Franna bit her lip indecisively, wanting to help someone in distress, but wondering who could be worthy of sympathy in this awful place
'Perhaps I could talk to them? "

     As Admiria moved, she could see around the bench better.  She saw a small shivering form wrapped in a tattered blanket, laying on a pile of hay.  From the whimpering and twitching, it looked to be asleep and possibly having a bad dream.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 221):

" Come out young one you are safe now. "

"Careful" Zokkara said quietly. This all could be a trick, after all; what manner of creature could be lingering in such a place, whimpering so yet having made it past the giant rats?

"Let me get in front", the big half-ogre requested.

In reply to Zokkara (msg # 223):

" Come up, beautiful. "

Zokkara walked up the row of adventurers and entered the room. Trying to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Admiria, she gave the door a strong push from her shoulder, but the door wouldn't budge. "Damn thing is really stuck", she whispered, taking a position a bit away from it.

E8

     The form does not acknowledge Admiria's words.

     Zokkara squeezes past everyone and through the threshold of the door and into the room.  Peering over the cloth-laden table, she sees a small form huddled under a ragged blanket on a bundle of straw on the far side of the room.  It is shuddering and whimpering and appears to be asleep.

Not sure what else to do, Franna stood back, trying to hold her torch to light as much as she could of the room.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:30, Sun 03 Sept 2017.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 228):

PM
[Private to GM: The brown and green thing in the center of the room what is it?]

Admiria goes to all fours and jumps. She lands on the table with a superhero landing.

" We are here to help. Come out, young one. "


 Acrobatics: 12
Lands on C7

This message was last edited by the player at 05:05, Sun 03 Sept 2017.

Relba looked on curiously, even as she continued to study the room.  Where she got this sudden need to worry about everyone she did not know, but their current situation did not help matters.  She saw danger everywhere, and even the sleeping form posed some threat, for she imagined that, if they woke it, they would unleash something terrible.  Perhaps the thing from the pit yonder.  "Be careful," she said simply to Admiria, hand already on the hilt of her shortsword.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 09:52, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 8 using 1d20. Investigation.  Just looking around the room.]

     Admiria sprang high into the air and landed on the far edge of the table with a dramatic THUMP!  Several of the objects on the table clattered off to the floor, and one sounded like a shattering glass bottle.  The crash roused the sleeping form.



     "aaugh!  what want?" squawked a frightened and heavily scarred kobold with a black eye.  He immediately saw Admiria and Zokkara and scrambled back against the wall behind his 'bed.'

     "who you?  what doing here?  no hurt meepo!" it insisted, cowering in fear.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 232):

Admiria smiles.

" We are not here to hurt you. "

Franna stayed in the back, but was ready to move forward when the chance presented itself, listening carefully to what was being said.

     The kobold's panicked expression softened slightly, but then he notices Admiria standing on the table and gets agitated.  "get off!  get off shrine!  where is elders?" he moans, moving forward a bit and looking all around the floor around the table.  He finds a shattered bottle and a spill of green ink.

     He moans again, glancing around, and when he noticing the empty cage, he looks mournful. "no.  all meepo's fault.  bad meepo," he weeps.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 235):

Admiria jumps down.

" Slow down and tell us what is wrong? "


D8
This message was last edited by the player at 19:48, Mon 04 Sept 2017.

OOC:

I don't want to have to redraw the map every time one or two characters move.

Meepo is on his knees at C8.  Where is everyone moving/standing, and what are you doing?

[OOC: Relba will stay where she is, hand on the hilt of her shortsword as she continues to look around the room].

Franna stayed in the doorway

The sound identified and seemingly pretty harmless, Corra slips in and takes a closer look at the cage, curious what happened there.

OOC: Moving to E9.  Sorry - very busy weekend!

Realizing her size made her intimidating, Zokkara stayed in place and kept a watchful eye on the kobold.

Relba simply waited for the conversation to reach a point where they could get as much information as possible.  It seemed odd to her that anything was left alive, especially considering the state of all of the dead Goblins, but perhaps this Kobold knew of ways to intersect this place in safety.  Hopefully, they would find out soon enough.

     As most of the party stayed in place, Corra squeezed past Zokkara and moved over to the broken cage.  [Private to Corra Farborne: The cage is made of iron and has been cut and bent apart.  Inside there is hay, some stray bones, claw marks, and the smell of some kind of animal. You would need to go inside and make a Perception check to learn more.  You do not have darkvision, and are dependent on light from Franna's torch.]  [Private to Zokkara: The cage next to you has been cut and broken open.  It looks like it used to contain some kind of animal.  There are some carved green figurines on the table to your right, knocked over when Admiria jumped up.]  [Private to Relba Nightswain: There are some carved green figurines on the table in front of you, and on the floor, having fallen off when Admriria jumped onto the table.  The large firepit to the north is barely smoldering, and seems to have the remains of bones and rocks.  You are limited by Franna's torch.]

     Admiria hopped off the table and tried to console the Kobold, asking it what was wrong.  [Private to Admiria Moonwhisper: You also landed on a cold stone of some sort.  At quick glance, you see it is one of the figures that fell off the table when you jumped up.  It looks like it might be carved.  The other figurines on the table next to you are green and shaped like dragons.]

     "all wrong.  meepo's fault.  nasty goblins steal our dragon.  they take calcryx," the kobold said.  Then he looked up at Admiria and Zokkara, awe and eagerness in his eyes.  "you big!  you stronger than goblins!  you rescue calcryx?  get our dragon back?"

Relba stepped further into the room, looking around as was her wont, searching for something, anything that might either tell them more about this place, or perhaps reveal a secret door of some kind.  Upon hearing that the Kobold was missing a dragon and the name of said dragon, she searched her memory for anything she believed would prove useful.

[OOC: Relba moves to E6 and peers into the pit].


[Private to Omni-Tent: 10:37, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 18 using 1d20+2. Investigation.  10:37, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 20 using 1d20. History.]

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 244):

" We will help you recover your missing Dragon. But you must come with us. This seems like your sacred charge. "

     Relba moves closer to the smoldering fire pit and glances around.  [Private to Relba Nightswain: On the East wall, you see some chalk runes roughly scrawled in Draconic.  To the north on that wall is a wooden door.  In the firepit you see the burnt remains of bones and small-sized armor.  The name Calcryx is clearly draconic, and reminds you of a story you heard once of a white dragon named Cealavyx.  You also remember that Franna is knowledgable in Draconic and old fables.]  [Private to Franna Padlock: The name Calcryx reminds you of a story you heard once of a white dragon named Cealavyx.  If Relba asks you about it, feel free to make something up.  OOC: The cage used to hold a white dragon wyrmling.]

     "wonderful!  Meepo take you to Yusdrayl, our leader.  you get safe passage, if you make nice," Meepo said, hopping to his feet and moving toward the open archway to the West (A5).  He beckons them all to follow him.  "this way to Yusdrayl!"



     He then shouts something in Draconic down the hallway.  [Private to Franna Padlock: He said 'Ticklecorn' in Draconic.]

     [Private to Corra Farborne: To learn anything more about the cage, you'll need to go inside and make an Investigation check.]

     [Private to Zokkara: You see the figurines on the table are green carved dragons.]

Corra steps into the broken cage to look around.  "Yeah," she says, half-listening.  "Happy to help."

[Private to GM: Investigation rolled 16.]

Franna spoke quietly to Relba.
"That name....Calcryx...I think it's another dragon.  It reminds me of the story of a...white dragon....I think."

"And we just casually agreed to rescue a dragon?" Zokkara gives a great belly laugh. "Well, at least it's unusual. It'll make for a grand tale, if we live."

In reply to Zokkara (msg # 249):

" We agreed to help find a wyrmling. A baby. I don't care if it is a dragon. Baby's shouldn't be left alone. "

Corra nods. "It's just little," she ageees.  "'Course, they keep it in a cage, so I'm not sure how much a rescue that'll be."

" seeing the size of the cage and assuming Meepo and his people want Calcryx comfortable. Also hearing they have a King that isn't this Dragon all lead to the dragon being a  Wyrmling. "

OOC:

     Meepo is waiting near the archway.

     What do you all do?

Relba absently noded to Franna, but then turned to the Warrior when she mentioned a white dragon.  "I believe I remember something about a white dragon, also.  Let us hope that Admiria is correct when she asserts the dragon is a wyrmling.  That aside, can you read the runes over yonder?" she asked Franna, pointing them out.

Having been watching the strange kobold so closely,  Franna hadn't noticed the runes.  She moved to look at them.

Franna was smiling at Relba, happy to be of help, and looked at the runes.  Then her smile fell away like rotton fruit falling from a dead tree, and her pretty blue eyes widened with alarm.
She looked at her leader, with an alarmed sense of apology.
"Um...it says 'Here there be Dragons'....."

Relba continued to look around the room until her eyes fell on the table yet again, so she stepped forward and inspected it closely.  When Franna told her what the runes said, she frowned and looked concerned.  "Dragons?  You mean as in more than one?" she asked.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 09:05, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Investigation.]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:07, Sun 10 Sept 2017.

She shrugged and smiled, somewhat sheepishly.
"Well...if this was a castle built for a dragon specifically, then perhaps it makes sense that it would have invited some friends and family around?"
Franna had some experience with large families, certainly

Relba looked at Franna curiously, but it was not a withering look, simply one of mild confusion.  "Do dragons invite friends and family over for the occasional feast and pleasantries?  I had no idea they were fond of forming social circles," she quipped, but again, she was not making fun of Franna, simply expressing her doubt based on what she knew about dragons, which, admittedly, was not much.

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 259):

Franna blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed, despite Relba's words not being obviously mocking.  She worried the woman would think she was trying to be some kind of 'know it all'.  She'd had that reputation at school as well, being called "Chatty Frannie" by annoyed girls at the academy.
She shrugged, almost apologetically.
"Well, I mean, I'm no expert, goodness knows, but if the dragon who lived here was a king, then perhaps it makes sense that a 'king' would have 'courtiers', or at least other dragons who had to come and bend a knee in supplication."

     Relba discovered that the table was a simple wooden table covered in a tattered green cloth.  Both looked very old and partially rotted.  On top of the table was a old, used paintbrush, and two toppled green statuettes of dragons, each about the size of a chess piece.  On the floor nearby were two more statuettes, a stoppered black bottle, and a shattered black bottle that had spilled green ink.

     Meepo bounced in place, glancing among the party members eagerly.  "come!  you see yusdrayl!  then we find calcryx!  no worry.  meepo make safe," he said, turning and shouting down the hall in draconic again. [Private to Franna Padlock: "Ticklecorn!"]

     This time after he shouted, the wooden door on the other side of the fire pit (B3) opened from the inside, and another, slightly larger kobold peeked out hesitantly.  It saw the party members and quickly closed the door again.

     Hearing the door, Meepo shouted toward the door again in draconic.  [Private to Franna Padlock: "ticklecorn!  no attack!  they here to save Calcryx!"]  Everyone recognized the word he'd been shouting, and the name Calcryx at the end.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 261):

Admiria picks up Meepo and puts him on her shoulders.
" Let's go. "

Franna squinted her eyes, her mind working hard to keep up with the kobold's thick accent, as she translated to Relba.
"He's talking to someone named 'Ticklecorn'..?   Telling them we're here to help find the dragon."

     Meepo gives a bit of a yelp when Admiria unceremoniously picks him up, but once he grabs her head and finds his balance, he let's out a bit of a laugh.

     "this way!  go right!" he instructs, guiding the party down a short corridor into a hallway flanked by columns and lighted by torches.  Meepo shouts out the codeword again, and a kobold in armor next to a door (1) glances up.  He regards the party, and especially the huge Zokkara with a slack jaw.  To the right, they see another kobold peeking out another door (2).  This one looks very old, and quickly closes the door.

     "left.  past our forefathers to yusdryal," Meepo instructs, leading the party up between the columns.  They can see they are carved with reliefs of dragons, but they are long neglected and heavily worn.  They pass two more kobolds in armor, and they stare in shock at the party.  Another door shows a peeking kobold, but again quickly closes (3).

     On the west wall sits a kobold in a tattered (but clean) white robe with a large amber-colored ring.  She sits on a short throne made of broken masonry, stacked in front of a high (6 feet) altar.  On the top of the altar sit a variety of items.  Sticking out from the altar, just above the kobold, is a carving of a dragon's head.  A metallic key is held firmly in the carving's jaws.  [Private to Relba Nightswain: This resembles the dragon head on the locked door.  ]Two additional kobolds in clean leather armor stand proudly on either side of the throne.

     About 15 feet from the throne, Meepo urged Admira to put him down.

OOC:
Out of combat, especially during conversations with NPCs, I regard things happening in 'rounds' of about 30 seconds.  Yusadryal is has first initiative here, so each round starts when she speaks.  I prefer for everyone to at least indicate what they're doing during each round, even if it's just standing there.  If you make a perception check, please indicate what it is you're looking at. 



     "great yusdryal!  humble meepo brings champions to recover calcryx!" he insists, falling to his knees and bowing to the throned kobold.

https://orig03.deviantart.net/...gadrebas-db5o357.jpg

     Yusdryal raised an eyebrow at Meepo and regarded the party.  "Who are you?  How can we trust you to rescue our beloved dragon, Calcryx?" she asked regally.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 264):

Franna held her tongue, letting their leader speak for her, but she tried to be a good warrior and looked around for where any potential adversaries were.
OOC:
21:06, Today: Franna Padlock rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  perception.

In reply to Franna Padlock (msg # 265):

" You have my word as a Celebrant of Mother Cat. A white Dragon Wyrmling is better in your care and guidance then on its own. "

Before everyone hurriedly left the room, Relba bent to one knee to examine the green fluid more closely without touching it.  It could simply have been ink they used to write with but, as was her suspicios self, she wondered what, exactly, that ink was made of.  There was no time to examine further as everyone exited and began the walk down the hallway and into a large area where she immediately spied the dragon head ... and the key.  She did not as yet approach, for even though she believed the party could defeat these Kobolds, she did not want to start an unnecessary incident, but she did look at it as best she could while Admiria did the talking.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 10:10, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Investigation.  For the fluid in the other room.
10:15, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 17 using 1d20-1. Perception.  Looking at the key in the dragon's mouth.]

Zokkara trailed the rest of the party, casually turning her head and torso left and right to make sure the kobolds weren't surrounding them - more than they already had, anyhow. If a fight broke out she'd be facing the largest number of enemies, which was probably for the best.

And that didn't count who was hiding behind the doors.

She left her maul with its head on the floor, holding it loosely so as to not appear threatening, or more than the half-ogre, already towering above the kobolds, already did. She left those in front do the talking; she'd intervene if they needed menace rather than diplomacy.

"Also," Corra adds, "We're champions.  What've you got to lose?"

     Yusdryal looked perplexed at Admiria's initial answer, but softened somewhat as she seemed to realize that the cat-woman was implying that the group would recover the dragon as requested.  She smiled at Corra's response as well.

     "Very well.  I accept your help and will grant you a reward when you return with Calcryx.  I did not lead my people to this ancient holy site only to be bested by filthy, Outcast-serving goblins," she said.  "Meepo can accompany you into the goblin's hall, if you wish."

     [Private to Franna Padlock: Franna did not notice any hostility from the Kobolds.  The guards on either side of Yusdryal stood rigidly at attention.  The others they had seen were all in shock at the sight of the battle-hardened (and very tall) warriors.] [Private to Relba Nightswain: Relba could tell that the green fluid was ordinary ink, possibly made from some kind of moss.  They key in the dragon's mouth was a little rusted, but could be easily removed from the statue.  It seemed to be the right size and shape to fit the keyhole of the door she had examined earlier.] [Private to Zokkara: Zokkara could see over everyone's heads and could tell there were five items on top of the high stone altar.  One was blue, three were browish tan, and the last one was red.] [Private to Corra Farborne: Corra remembered that they had originally come to this fowl citadel in search of four adventurers who had set out from Stonefair nearly a month ago.  Two of them, Talgen and Sharwyn, were the children of a town noble, Kerowyn Hucrele, who is very interested in learning their whereabouts.  The were traveling with a paladin, Sir Bradford, and a ranger, Karakas.]

So, they were now rescuers of wyrmlings, were they?  Also, it seemed to Relba, that they had gone from potentially fighting Kobolds, to definitely fighting Goblins now that rescue was on the table.  This had better be worth it, she thought to herself.  With one last look at the key in the dragon statue's mouth, Relba turned and waited for this Meepo, and the others, to be ready.

Admiria walks to Franna, first and strokes her cheek with the back of her paw then embraces Relba and whispers.

" Did my Relba see something she liked? "

Relba might have blushed, would have smiled, but she was more concerned with the key and the door that had the lock with which the key opened ... she hoped.  Instead, she half-smiled, half-frowned, then replied.  "I Have seen many a something I have liked over the years, but none more so than a certain key in a certain statue's mouth.  Let us discuss this more when we are further away," she said as if she were deep in thought and only spoke absently.

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 273):

Admiria responds to Relba while slapping her backside playfully.

" You like something more then me. We will definitely have to discuss it. But business first."

She spins around and speaks at a normal voice.

" Yusdrayl, anything you can tell us about the Goblins would be appreciated and might speed up the mission. A map would also be useful. "

     "The goblins are servants to the Outcast, who lives down below.  He also has plant creatures that serve him.  The goblins come from two ways.  One is just off the hall of our elders, and we keep it trapped," she said, waving over their heads at the columns behind them.

     "The other is off Calcryx's cell, the way they took him.  Meepo can show you both," Yusdryal said, pointing at the penitent kobold.  Meepo bowed even lower.

Relba returned a wry smirk at Admiria, but otherwise held her tongue ... at least until she heard the reply from this Yusdryal, which got her thinking.  "Why would Goblins want this dragon of yours?  What makes Calcyrx so special?  Why, if your dragon was such a prized property, did you not guard it accordingly?  Just how much trouble have these Goblins caused you over the years?" she asked.

     Yusdryal lowered her head slightly, looking as regal as she could on a pile of broken masonry.  "How dare you imply we did not cherish our Calcryx!  He was guarded day and night, but the goblins overwhelmed our forces to steal him and vanquish our spirit.  But we will not be frightened away from our birthright," she growled.

     "We have been at odds with the thieving goblins since we returned to this temple of our forefathers.  We have fought to reclaim these halls and push back their stinky presence for months," she said slowly, reining in her temper.  "Now, is there anything else?"

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 277):

" Relba, be quiet. Yusdrayl, my apologies for the inappropriateness of my colleague. "

Admiria grabs Relba's arm and attempts to pull her out of the room.

Franna followed her leader, giving a somewhat appropriate curtsy to the kobold monarch as she left.
"We will do our very best to save your dragon, Your,  um, Greatness.  Thank you for this honor "

Relba disengaged Admiria's hand on her arm and faced the Kobold Queen, Elder, or whatever she was, squarely.  Relba said nothing, however, simply gazed back at the one they called Yusdaryl then, when she was ready, turned on her heel and left with the others.  Only once they were past the hall and out of earshot of other Kobolds did Relba quietly speak.  "There is something I do not like about that Elder," she said, but would say no more and would not explain why she thought so.


[Private to Relba Nightswain: 16:46, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Insight.  I think this is the right Skill to study facial expressions, body language and the like.]

Admiria steps in front of Relba and hugs her. She whispers in her ear.

" Of course you don't. She is evil like most kobold. And a domineering bitch like most evil queens. "

Franna shrugged almost sheepishly
"She may be evil,  but she seems to be the lesser of two evils."

Admiria pulls Franna close and licks her lips.

" Besides we have to save the Baby even if we don't return it. It is an innocent. "

Corra pauses before leaving the room, and turns back to the kobolds.  "Actually, there is one other thing.  Not about Calcyrx, but... did another group kind of like us pass through here, about a month ago?  Four of them?"

Zokkara sets her maul back on her shoulder. She elects to let her body language be more intimidating, now that they've established themselves as Champions. Best to look the part - and dissuade these kobolds from trifling with them after they've played nice.

Seeing Zokkara 'strike a pose', Franna quickly does the same, standing with her sword laying casually on her shoulder, to better be the other half of the group's warriors.  Granted,  compared to the mighty half ogre, Franna probably looked like a tiny half ogre groupie holding the real warriors second weapon for her, but she did her best.

     As Admiria and Relba moved away from the throne to converse among the decaying dragon-carved pillars and Zokkara and Franna stood looking imposing to block the discussion, tiny Corra posed her question.

     Yusdryal, clearly done with lengthy conversation, waved her hand back down the hallway.  "They went to fight the goblins and never returned," she said plainly.

     The white-clad kobold then jabbed a finger at the keeper of dragons, "Meepo.  Go with them.  Lead them to the goblins."  Meepo bowed again and again as he backed away, eventually turning to find Admiria.

     "meepo show you goblins.  which way you choose?" he asked.  (Two options circled in blue)



Complete Map so far: https://i.imgur.com/4tJjLLq.jpg

Relba ignored most of what was said, purely because she was so deep in thought, and positively annoyed, that she did not hear most of it.  That was, until Meepo spoke up.  Relba lifted her head from the floor she was staring at so intently and indicated the nearest door with a thrust of her chin.  "That one.  It seems as good a door as any," she said in reply, and waited for Meepo to lead the way.

Franna nodded in agreement and moved to join the others.

     Meepo stared blankly at Relba as she spoke, seemingly stunned.  Then he glanced to Admiria for some sign of approval and agreement.  It seemed the mobile had imprinted somewhat on Admiria, and took hid orders from her.

Relba sighed and rolled here eyes in her head.  This would be annoying if it continued, was what she was thinking.  She was also thinking about strangling the Kobold with her bare hands, but perhaps that was going a little too far.  "Admiria?  Would you be so kind as to tell Meepo here to lead the way so we may arrive before the wyrmling comes of age?" she asked sarcastically.  Relba was not in the best of moods.

In reply to Relba Nightswain (msg # 291):

" Meepo guide us."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:45, Thu 28 Sept 2017.

Franna couldn't decide if Meepo's single minded devotion to Admiria was tactically dangerous,  or just super adorable.
Still, there seemed no good way to change it

     Meepo guided the group to the door, and most of the kobolds near it scurried away from the imposing figures.  One guard remained, looking only slightly shaken.

     Meepo somewhat nervously said a codeword, and the guard nodded.  He pulled a silver key out of his pouch, and unlocked the door before swinging it open.

     Inside was a small room about 20 feet long and strewn with hay.  There was another wooden door door at the far end.

     "this lead right into goblin camp.  we lock and trap, see!  walk around trap!" Meepo said, feeling around the middle of the room with his foot until he revealed the edge of a trap door.  It seemed similar to the one they had encountered at the entrance.  After a few moments, Meepo had revealed enough of the edge that they could see the trapdoor did not straddle the whole room.  There were 2-foot edges on both sides.

Corra reaches up to give Relba a jovial light punch to the arm.  "Sounds like you picked the right door!" she says, cheerfully.

"And I did not have to look at it for half an hour," she quipped to the Halfling, but it only slightly brought her out of her mood.  The five of them (she was not going to count the Kobold), against however many Goblins were down there, just to find a young dragon.  It did not seem the best of options, yet here they were, rushing headlong into their lair.  "This had better be worth more than just a key," she said to herself, but it was loud enough for everyone else to hear.

Nervously, but with determination, Franna followed.

     Admiria stands inside the door with Meepo.  Relba is in the doorway.  Franna, Corra and Zokkara stand just outside the doorway.  [Private to Relba Nightswain: Relba figures she could rig the trap to keep it from opening if she wanted.]  The near edge of the trap door is now visible where Meepo has cleared away the dirt and hay that was disguising it.

     Meepo steps to the left of the trap and hugs the wall as he shuffles across the room.  "you see?  no trap on sides," he says eargerly.  Once he reaches the other side, he pulls on the door but it does not move.  He seems confused.

     "door locked?" he says, scratching his head in confusion.

Relba found herself looking at both the trap door and and what lay beyond it.  It seemed odd to her that the trap door would take up so much of the space of the floor.  However, it was only when Meepo tried to open said trap that suspicion crossed Relba's mind ... again.  She found herself thinking that everything in this place was suspicious.

"Have your Kohbold step back from the trap door, Admiria, and be prepared for anything.  This," and Relba spread her hands to emphasise the entire room, "does not seem as it appears to be.  Let us hope I am wrong," she said.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 09:41, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 15 using 1d20+2. Investigation.  Checking the door at the back.]

Franna raised an eyebrow and smiled sweetly.
"You're suggesting that our esteemed guide might not be prich to all the secrets of his people? "
It was clear by her slightly deadpan tone that she was trying to talk over Meepos head.

Relba opened her mouth to reply, stopped and thought for a moment or two, then responded.  "I am uncertain of the creature's knowledge, either what he knows himself or what he has been told.  I do know that it seems odd this trap door is as wide as it appears, and that the Kobold seems bemused by the fact it does not open for him.  Mayhap the Goblins have advanced further into their realm than they know," she said ominously.

Franna Blinked In surprise.
 "You think perhaps they booby trapped the booby trap??  That's a bit chilling.   But you're right,  we can't take anything for granted "

     Meepo scurried out of Relba's way as she edged around the floor trap and investigated the door.  It wasn't locked, but it was jammed and physically blocked from the other side.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:58, Sat 30 Sept 2017.

In reply to Omni-Tent (msg # 303):

"He may know the traps from this side, but remember Goblins and something else beyond the Goblins.  So the other side is probably behind Meepo's knowledge. So everyone on High Alert. Once Relba opens the door, Zokkarra or Franna in first."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:38, Sun 01 Oct 2017.

Franna put on an almost convincing smile of bravery at the words 'Franna first,' but prepares to go.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 00:38, Sun 01 Oct 2017.

Corra walks easily along the sides of the trap door.  "Might be better if our bravest fighter makes sure nothing comes up from behind," she suggests.  "Nothing against Meepo's folk, of course, but they didn't seem completely convinced.  Besides, I'll fit through the door alongside Zok better."

"So how about it, Relba?  Can you get it open, or do we need to ram it?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Sun 01 Oct 2017.

In reply to Corra Farborne (msg # 306):

" Zokkara and Corra, Meepo and Relba, then me and Franna. seems like a good Order to me. "

Admiria says as she steps back to Franna.

Not sure if she were relieved or disappointed,  Franna took up position as rear guard

     Relba reveals to everyone that the door is jammed and blocked from the other side.

     Zokkara moves forward and gives it a mighty shove, but even her half-ogre bulk is not enough to budge it.  It's like there's a piece of stone behind it.

     Meepo was very apologetic.  "goblins came this way last month.  we trap and lock to stop them from coming again," he explained.

"Looks like now they've got your dragon, they decided they didn't want you coming through now."  She eyes the door thoughtfully, bouncing her axe lightly in her hands.

"There really are too many of these stupid things around here," she muses.

In reply to Corra Farborne (msg # 310):


Admiria speaks from the back.

" Corra and Zokkara, do you ladies think we should chop through. "

Zokkara smirked. "Well, if nothing else, it plays to my strengths. Or strength, in this case." She pushes the door to try to get a feel for where it is stuck, if it is a bar or anything. Then she draws back her maul, and swings it with all her might where she believes the obstruction to be.

Franna prepared for trouble, hoping there weren't some nasty surprises behind the door.

While everyone else was deciding what to do about marching orders and attempting to break down or through the door at the end, Relba took a knee and looked over the trap door.  She was searching for why the door would not open, and if there was the possibility of a trap on or around the trap door.  Either way, if she could bypass any obstacles, it would be the easier route to take.


[Private to Omni-Tent: 09:50, Today: Relba Nightswain rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Investigation.
Also, what are these Thieves Tools Relba has?  Can she open and/or disable Traps with them, or are they strictly for thieving purposes?  Thanks.]