Once again, as the party shoves, pulls, and drags the mass of tentacles and its rocky housing out of the passage, the cave opens up into sand and blackness. As the party exits the narrow tunnel the light of the servant's torch touches the rockface which housed it and falls along cliffs to the west but in all other directions, even upward, the light reaches nothing but sandy desert. Somehow, within the depths of the Black Hill is a world unto itself.

Without close rock or steel to quietly echo every step and breath from the band of adventurers and no ambience of wind, flora, or fauna the blackness is eerily quiet and oppressive as if at any moment the ground will fall away beneath them and they will discover themselves in complete nothingness. As wonderment settles in the party, a closer look at the sands around them reveals a grooved path with a frozen wake coming from the north and to cave, likely carved by the beast they just fought, and a line of tracks made by several pairs of feet trudging through the sands and off towards the east. Speckled and scattered about the sands are the remains of more coral-like, branching structures likely once inhabited by creatures like what they had just fought and far in the distance, to the southeast, is the faintest of glowing light on another cliff. [Private to Kalasha Roadsworn; Zorden: As you look around, taking in the strange sights, you catch a glimpse of something watching you from around the rock wall to your south ... something bone-white and with empty eyes. ]
Group 0 Map Updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:50, Fri 21 Jan 2022.

Zorden reached out and put a hand gently on Cain's shoulder to pause his advancement.  His tail distinctly wavered its tip lazily in a southerly direction as he remarked on the trail before them.

"Whatever is here, they may have walked right into its quad armed embrace."  He stated quietly in warning.

"We should be ready for the same if we follow, or perhaps we could cut in the other direction and attempt to circle in if we wish to investigate the source of that light."

With Zorden’s gesture along the rock wall to their south directing his attention (Call it Aid Another) Cain can make out the oversized, white skull of some strange creature around where the cliff turns out of sight; watching them with large, hollow eye sockets. Morin and Sesla still don’t see what the fuss is about.

Seeing Cain and Kalasha turn in the direction of Zorden's tail was enough to finally clue in Morin that the gunslinger might not just be talking about a hypothetical four-armed embrace.

"You see something out there?  Something dangerous?"  He whispered, doing his best to seem casual.  After a second, his face broke into a wide grin.  "Oh man, that's great!  I'm so happy for you.  This whole time we've been getting jumped in tight hallways, and you've been stuck trying to use that boom-stick of yours in the middle of a swordfight.  But now, you can just take your time, line it up all careful and...*pow*"  Still whispering, Morin accompanied his sound effect by making a little "explosion" gesture with his hands.

He gave Zorden an encouraging pat on the arm.  "Go on.  Show us how it's done!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

"Well that's something you don't see every day." Cain comments on their new surroundings as he looks around. When Zorden draws his attention he quickly focuses and tries to figure out what they are dealing with here. "Looks like it. And if we follow their tracks we'll do the same, whatever that thing is."

Decision time, I guess. Do we fight, look around some more or turn back now? Personally, I would like to see Zorden try that shot. I mean, what's the worst thing that could happen?

Zorden unslung his weapon and took a look at it.  He hadn't reloaded it after clearing the half burnt powder and lodged round from when he'd attempted to shoot the tentacle creature right before Kalasha split it open like an under-ripe melon.

He held it up and sighted quickly down the barrel, then re-shouldered the weapon.

"If I hit it, which is a big if, I probably won't kill it.  Then it, and however many of them there may be, will be on us pretty quick I think."  He stated quietly, but matter of factly to the others.  "Is that how we want to try and take them?  We could try drawing it, or them, into the passageway.  That might be effective if they're all claws and fists and such.  Though that's up to Kalasha as I imagine she'd be primarily holding them at bay."

As Zorden and the party confer over whether to risk using the Tiefling's damaged musket, a pair of haunting green lights flicker to life within the empty eye sockets of the waiting stalker and it seems no longer content to just watch.
Combat begins. Only Cain and Sesla won Initiative; only Cain may act.

15:47, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 26,14,12,22,17 using d20+6,d20+1,d20+9,d20+3,d20+5.  Initiative Cain, Kalasha, Morin, Sesla, Zorden.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:05, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

"Heads up! Whatever that thing is, it looks like it's coming over to say hello." Cain give a warning as he steps between the creature and the rest of the party.

5' step SE, ready attack when it comes in range.

The sands are deep and heavy beneath Cain's feet, but he trudges into position to defend the others from the coming skeleton. The stalker soon reveals itself from behind the rock wall--the animated skeleton of some bipedal creature with a large, elongated skull, wide jaw, four arms each with a large, four-fingered hand, and long, digitigrade legs. It marches quickly through the sands, into the light of the torch, and right up to the Half-elf who lashes out with his dueling blade--which the skeleton barely sidesteps. The green orbs of light within the skelton's sockets then wink out ... and reappear in the sockets of another skeleton not far away which pulls itself up from beneath the sands and begins to close on the party before the green lights move on once again.
New Combat Round, Everybody may act.
Group 0 Map Updated.
All sandy terrain within the desert is difficult terrain.
14:46, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Cain, rolled 13,6 using d20+5,1d8 with rolls of 8,6.  Readied Attack.

With Zorden hesitant to use his musket, Sesla pulls the strap of her loaded crossbow from her shoulder,holds the weapon out for the tiefling to take, and offers, "Here, take it, you'll put it to better use."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

"Don't be so certain."  Zorden wryly commented as he accepted the weapon.  "Though, thank you, I will certainly try.". He then did just that, raising the weapon to use against the newly awakened skeleton.

Zorden rolled 17,4.  Attack, (Potential) Damage.

"Huh!" Morin pondered as the skeleton eyes lit up and the creatures started moving forwards.  "Wonder what that green light is?  Is there a necromancer around here casting spells on them?"

With a mental command, Morin sent his invisible servant closer to the second skeleton, waving it's torch around wildly to attract it's attention.  That trick hadn't worked against the gremlins they'd fought earlier, but maybe a mindless skeleton would be stupid enough to swing at the nearest moving object?

And if not...well, Morin still had a few healing scrolls handy.  If things got really desperate, he could probably use the jolt of positive energy they held to finish off a damaged skeleton.  Morin pulled one of the scrolls out just in case, holding it ready in his off-hand.

MOVE: Direct unseen servant 20 feet west, and have it move around wildly to attract attention.
STANDARD: Draw scroll of CLW.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:49, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

"That light is very strange.  Does anyone know if there are necromantic spirits that would look like that?  "  She asked as she stepped up next to Cain and prepared to attack any foe that approached.

Move: 10' East
Standard: Ready to attack any enemy that comes near.

Attack if needed: 22:34, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 16,12 using 1d20+5,2d6+9 with rolls of 11,2,1.  Readied attack if needed.

Knowledge religion on skeletons: 22:35, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 25 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 20.  K: Religion for skeletons.

"Son of a..." Cain curses as he slips on the shifting sand, nearly falling when he tried to strike at the undead. "Let's worry about what those things are when they are dead again!"

Damn you, dice roller!
13:55, Today: Cain rolled 6,3 using 1d20+5,1d8 with rolls of 1,3.  Attack, Damage.

Zorden fires the borrows crossbow at the approaching skeleton--finally a target presenting him with a clean shot--and the bolt strikes true against one of it's ribs ... but then rattles around harmlessly within its chest cavity before dropping into to the sands. But as the four-armed skeleton draws nearer, completely ignoring the floating and swing torch, Kalasha is there to meet it with her trusty blade--the combination of its weight and her strength proving a perfectly adequate substitute for a proper bludgeon as it crashes through the monster's collar bones and ribs violently enough to dispel whatever held the bones together and sends them scattering about her feet. Cain, however, is no so lucky. The half-elf's blade swings wide and leaves him off-balance and ill-prepared when the strange skeleton leans forward and lashes at him with each of its four clawed hands; two of them breaking through his magical ward and raking through cloth and flesh alike. (-3, -5 HP)
[Private to Cain: As Morin's unseen servant carries the torch deeper into the desert, the furthest edge of the dim light catches another skeleton coming at the party from the northeast.]
[Private to Kalasha Roadsworn: Kalasha is extremely well-versed in the matter of skeletons. Quick but generally not any more dangerous than the creatures they once were--and generally lacking any of that creature's experience. Resistant to slashing and piercing weapons and immune to cold. But other than the four claws being dangerous in close combat Kalasha can't tell anything about the creatures they once were or any other abilities they might have kept. As for the glowing lights it is reasonable to assume it is some necromantic or divination effect, but too little to guess anything more.]
New Round, Everyone may act.
Group 0 Map Updated.

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:51, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

Seeing Cain in distress, Sesla drops her quiver of bolts at Zorden's feet and moves up behind Kalasha. After briefly pausing to focus the divine energies gifted to her, the oracle reaches out and touches Cain--granting him a Shield of Faith. "Here, this should help keep you safe." (+2 Deflection bonus to AC for 1 minute.)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

"Bludgeoning weapon, anyone got?" Kalasha asked holding out a hand.

OOC:
Talk as free action, delaying to see if anyone's got anything.

Morin raised an eyebrow as Kalasha asked for a blunt replacement to the greatsword that had just completely annihilated the first skeleton.  Then he shrugged.  He wasn't here to question how people lived their life.  "All I've got is this lasso."  He responded, throwing the rope loop in the direction of the remaining skeleton..  "Hi-ya!" The lasso flopped to the ground ineffectually, and Morin got ready for another attempt.

"I guess, you can bonk it with my torch if you're just looking for some variety.  Or...OR I've heard that if you grab the sword by the blade and hit your enemy with the pommel, the weight distribution is pretty much identical to a maul!  But you'd probably need some kind of special practice to pull off a feat like that."  He scratched his chin.  "A gauntleted fist would probably do the job, if you don't mind getting close..."

STANDARD: Make lasso attack, fail.
MOVE: Direct Servant to move near Kalasha, in case she wants to use the torch as an improvised bludgeon?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:16, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

Just because Kalasha knew skeletons were more vulnerable to bludgeoning weapons didn't mean that her greatsword needed replacing.  She shook her head, "Thanks, but I'll just keep going with this.  Hopefully I'll keep getting lucky with it."

She stepped up next to Cain's new four-armed friend and attempted for another bone-crunching swing.



OOC: Sorry, I'm not sure how I mangled the reading of the update so badly, but I definitely managed it.
Move: step up next to the visible skeleton
Standard: swing for the fences - probably not a crit

22:32, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 25,17 using 1d20+5,2d6+9 with rolls of 20,4,4.  Power Attack, Dmg.

22:32, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 10,16 using 1d20+5,2d6+9 with rolls of 5,5,2.  Crit confirm and extra damage.

Zorden smirked as the crossbow bolt landed on target, and did nothing.

Still, nothing for it but to keep on keeping on, and Kalasha seemed to be doing just about fine for the lot of them all by herself.

He grabbed the quiver with his tail as he used his hands to reload, and took several steps more into the open in case there were more of those skeletons heading their way.

Reload, Move 2 squares north

Another four-armed skeleton is returned violently to rest in a shower of bones and shards of bones by Kalasha's heavy blade.

Cain reels back from the skeleton's strikes, more than happy to let Kalasha reduce it to a pile of broken bones. "Bloody hell! Look out, there's another one!" He points northeast with his sword while holding a hand over a bleeding wound.

4 attacks, nasty. Ready action to attack the next one that comes in range, for all that's worth.

Morin glanced at Cain's bleeding wound, then at the healing scroll in his off-hand.  "You good over there, Cain?  Or do you need a patch up?"

Delaying action.

After Morin's missed lasso toss, Kalasha steps in and annihilates the skeleton flaying Cain. Zorden prepares the crossbow for another shot as he moves clear from his party's backs and Cain, buffered by Selsa's blessing, readies himself for the skeleton which soon advances into the light and vision of the others--but still too far to be an immediate threat. [Private to Cain: Still more skeletons are arrayed behind the last--one to the northeast and one to the southeast beyond the reach of the others' vision.]
New Round, Everyone may act.
Group 0 Map Updated.
The skeleton is still about 45 feet out and also hindered by the sands so will not reach you this round.

"Nah, it's just a scratch." Cain answers Morin, despite bleeding profusely. "And another to the south east. Kalasha, you feel like continuing your streak or should we withdraw for now?"

If we are heading back after this and buying a wand of CLW (something I'm all for), then that would a more cost effective way to heal up. And being injured gives Cain a reason to return to town in the first place.

Zorden readied to fire his borrowed weapon, but abstained for the moment as he waited for Kalasha's answer.  No sense in potentially wasting another bolt if they were going to try and not continue to press their luck.

Readying an attack action for if the visible skeleton closes to within 30ft

"Everyone start moving back.  We can push farther and investigate that light once we've healed and resupplied.  I will deal with any that approach as we withdraw, but if you see a shot, take it - it might mean one less to deal with next time."  Kalasha responded.  "It might be good if we got a sling or blunt ammunition for everyone who doesn't want to be on the front lines against these guys when we come back."

OOC: Move back as far as she can while remaining closest to the oncoming skeleton.

"Sure thing!" Morin agreed, moving back into the tunnel.

FULL: Double move into the tunnel.

"Works for me." Cain staggers back to the tunnel as well, blood leaking between his fingers as he is holding his hand over a wound.

Moving after Morin. Wish we had a chance to acquire some more loot, but buying that wand will have to do for now.

Zorden displayed his agreement with Kalasha's plan by backing up into the tunnel as well, keeping the business end of the crossbow pointed towards the desert cavern just in case.

As the party begins to file back into the cave, the skeleton continues to advance on them slowed by neither weighty armor nor the logistics of forming a single-file line and another skeleton enters into the light of the abandoned servant and its torch. [Private to Cain: Cain can see in furthest reaches of the dim light another three skeletons closing in.]
New Round
Group 0 map updated.

Zorden kept the crossbow ready but otherwise devoted his attention to the orderly shuffling through the rocky passage that was occuring.

Continuing to move

Calling the servant back to him, Morin made it back to the steel-floored nozzle room.  He stepped to one side of the entrance, leaving space for his quicker companions to keep moving.

MOVE: Order servant to follow 10' behind Morin.
MOVE: Move 15' west.

"Damn, there's another three behind those." Cain warns as he follows through the tunnel.

That's 5 of them. If they keep coming after us, we might wish to make a stand where they can only get to us one at a time.

Kalasha kept moving back, her eyes always on the incoming threat(s) she could see and her hand clutching her greatsword, ready to grind another skeleton to powder.

The party continues fleeing from the coming skeleton horde, and once all are into the stone cave and metal rooms, the muffled sound of rattling bones slows. Cain and Sesla stumble about in the pitch black as Morin's servant struggles to keep up, but for now at least the skeletons seem to have given up the chase.
Combat over. 2 Skeletons defeated; 100 XP.
Group 0 Map Updated

"Well, that's something."  Zorden remarked at the fact the skeletons seemed to have given up the chase.

He looked about warily in case some other thing has snuck up behind them as he waited for the others to regroup.

Kalasha kept to the back until she was certain the skeletons were not still pursuing.  "Do we think the remaining robot bits might be worth something if we hauled it out?"  She asked anyone who might know more about such advanced technologies.

"I don't know."  Morin replied.  "I don't think so...but I don't know.  I can't really make heads or tails of it.  It might even be dangerous to take that thing underwater.  I hear robots like that tend to be powered with lightning energy, and even a dead one can shock you if you're too careless with the corpse.  Maybe we could ask around, see if anyone wants to buy a dead robot?  Or some alien coral.  Or a tentacle beast in alien coral."

"One thing we should bring back is that dead guy the frogman was eating.  The locals might appreciate it if they can get him buried before he gets too ripe."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:55, Fri 28 Jan 2022.

"Everything like it has value, to the right buyer."  Zorden commented.  "If it weren't the Technic League wouldn't be in the position it is, and do what it does to control it all."  The emphasis he puts on that word makes his distaste quite obvious.

"Morin is correct though.  Unless you understand it, such things can be dangerous.  Still, it may be worth a try.  We can always drag it back to the water, and then figure out a way to get it out without potentially killing ourselves later."

Kalasha went to where they had felled the technology golem and began trying to lug it to the entrance.  "Like tying the rope to it before we leave then pulling it out after us?"  She suggested.

"Assuming it's not too heavy to drag through the muck along the bottom, yeah I reasoned that would be the easiest way too if it works."  Zorden said in agreement.

Cain is in bad enough shape that he doesn't argue about the merits of dragging back a broken machine and a body with no face. "Going to need some healing when we get back. Maybe we should invest those coins the skulks gave us towards that."

Kalahari looked at Cain with concern as she hauled on the golem.  "I believe we were all in agreement about that already."  She said.

Deciding to make their way back post haste, Kalasha grabs a hold of the wrecked metal guardian and begins to drag it along, scraping and screeching along the metal floors. As the party leaves the metal structure and begins to drop down to the cave floor of the Skulk settlement, a pair of green orbs glow within the dark cave at the far end of the metal rooms, watching...

The skulks look on in bemusement as the party makes their way through, dragging their weighty metal prize, but keep their distance. The pass through the winding tunnels of the caves is troublesome--hard edges of the machine's extremities seem to have a habit of catching on the uneven rock. At the frog-beast's lair Kalasha retrieves a blanket and rope from her bag and wraps and ties what remains of the fallen adventurer's body--most of the meat on its flank and skin have been chewed away as well as the liver and kidneys dug out leaving loose, shredded, and disintegrating bits of flesh scattered about and slowly washing down the spring along with whatever other filth a decaying body excretes.

Then, avoiding the nest of slimes, the party begins the long process of navigating the corpses--one of bulky metal and the other of water-logged, putrid flesh--through the tight, precarious pass clogged by stalagmites. And that was the easier of the challenges as next both bodies must be shoved and pulled through the narrow underwater tunnel which finally leads to fresh air--or as fresh as can be expected in a city who's means of waste disposal has been out of service for a week. The party emerges from the rancid pond with the bodies in tow exhausted and sickened from the ordeal and their open wounds stinging badly from whatever is in this water.

After a few minutes of resting and vomiting, a pair of guards from the nearby garrison come to meet them. One seems a bit overcome by the stench of the pond and the sight of the vomit, but the other sticks to business--although he doesn't attempt to get any closer than he needs to in order to be heard--"It's good to see you're all back! Do you have a report for the council?" He then looks to the wrapped body of the half-eaten man and asks hesitantly, "That's not ... Councilor Baine, is it?"

Foul water did nothing to improve the condition of Cain's wounds, or his temper. "No, that's just the body of yet another fool our wise leaders sent down that death trap with nothing more than a promise of a handful of coins. You are welcome to it, plenty more of them down there. As for a report to the council, we'll give one when we have something to report, besides them not paying us enough for this. For now, we need rest and resupply before continuing."

So, we dump the dead body on the guards, sell the robot somewhere, meet our new party member, buy a wand of CLW, and rest to recover our spells? Anything else?

Meanwhile, Morin's manic cheer continued to be undaunted even after swimming through industrial waste again.  "Oh, my companion is too modest, we've got tons to report!  I'd be glad to spin a tale of our exciting discoveries and continuing heroism for the council.  And I'll be doing the same for anyone else who cares to hear, later on at the Copper Coin!"

Morin had a lot planned for the evening.  First, a report to the council.  He'd go over everything that had happened, but his main concern would be discussing the skulks under torch, and the escaped gremlin that might be hiding somewhere in town.  As it was, the party was content to leave the skulks be, but maybe the town council had some business they wished to conduct with the cave-people.  Or maybe they would be willing to offer some kind of reward to anyone willing to bring them to justice for the murder of Parda Garr and the attempted murder of Khonnir Baine.

After that was the shopping.  Buying a healing wand would be very useful, but not very interesting.  The real fun would come from trying to sell the robot.  Even if nobody had a use for it, maybe they could sell it as a curiosity, or convince someone that it might be valuable later, to a more skilled technologist.

After that, came the real work: going to a bar and telling a bunch of wildly exaggerated stories about how great the party was.  That would take up most of his night, but Morin feared there was no way around it.  After all, how could you be a real hero if nobody knew how heroic you were?  Of course, even in his own telling, it was Cain, Kalasha, and Zorden who he would frame as the heroes, with Morin taking the role of comic-relief sidekick.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Sat 29 Jan 2022.

Zorden let the others talk to the guards while he worked on clearing the rest of the no doubt poisonous water from his lungs.

He realized he didn't get much of a description of the man they were looking for when he was at the town hall, so he was relieved to hear the corpse was someone else.  Otherwise it would have been a lot of trouble they'd gone through for nothing.

OOC: Agreed.  There's a few spots the robot might sell, or maybe we could include it as barter for the wand.  If all else fails there's a junk dealer in town who will probably buy it.

Otherwise Zorden's agenda is getting cleaned up, fixing his weapon, and resting up.

The guard frowns at Cain's words and quickly protests to defend the council and the risk the party is taking, "Without the Torch the town is dying. Every day more people who can are packing up and leaving. The League demands a lot for our independence and when they don't get it they'll come to collect. They'll take slaves and lives, and probably occupy the town if you keep finding those." He gestures with a hand towards the metal guardian the party had dragged with them before continuing, "Clearly it's dangerous down there and you and he"--he gestures at the wrapped remains now--"are heroes for going in there, even if you're only after silverdisks." He looks to his partner briefly, who is still silently staggered and gawking at the smell and sorry state of the crew, before resolving, "We can carry the body to the Temple of Brigh to see about finding family or a grave, but you should bring that thing there too and talk to Father Kyte before too many see it."

"Point taken."  Zorden commented regarding the guard's speculation of what might become of Torch.

"Our friend did not escape our last bit of exploration without injury.  It's part of the reason we needed to come back rather than continue searching deeper under the hill.  Do you think anyone at the temple would be able to help him?"  Zorden asked conversationally as the combined groups worked to gather up the corpse and robot for transport.

"Thank you!" Morin replied, clearly only paying attention to the praise.  "We are heroes!  I've been saying that this whole time, and it's nice to hear someone else mention it!  The way some people around here go on, it's like they don't even know how cool it is to swim through a bunch of industrial waste, get shanked in the kidney by a gremlin, chop up a robot while it yells some bullshit about vandalism, then swim through industrial waste again!"

Morin sniffed at his tainted, reeking clothes and hair.  "Oh, speaking of which!"  The gnome focused for a second, spreading his arms wide as he took in a deep breath.  The tainted water rapidly flowed off of his body and down to the ground, leaving him pristine and fair-smelling.  The effect even combed his bushy brown hair back into shape.

"That's better!" Morin exclaimed, before turning his attention to the rest of the party.  "Who's next?  Unless any of you wanna walk into the temple smelling like someone tried to put out a grease fire with a wheelbarrow full of piss?"

OOC: Morin uses his prestidigitation SLA to clean himself and the rest of the party, assuming nobody objects.

Kalasha raised an eyebrow at Cain.  "While coin is key, there is more to a transaction than the amount of coin - goodness to the community and integrity in following through on agreements are irreplaceable values."

When realizing the trouble the golem's public display might give them, she quickly pulled out her bedroll to cover it.  Probably not enough to keep someone knowledgeable from recognizing what was beneath, but hopefully enough to keep too many tongues from wagging.

The guard nods to Zorden as he and his partner begin to haul the wrapped body off to the temple and answers, "You all look a bit the worse for wear. There's usually a priest around the temple who can patch up the bad wounds for a silverdisk."

Cain is glad to leave the body with the guards, even as he continues to argue with them. "It's not the motives of the council I question, but their methods. They should have put far more thought, and frankly, far more money into this, precisely because of what is at stake. Instead of repeatedly sending small and poorly equipped parties to their deaths with little more than a promise of a future pay, they should have organized a larger expedition and paid for everything they would need in advance. But no, instead we have to pay for our healing out of our own pockets while we are fighting to save this damned town. Bah."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 08:52, Sun 30 Jan 2022.

"Hey, Cain?"  Morin asked, as he used his magic to clear the tainted water off of the half-elf.  "I don't wanna be rude, but I gotta ask: what's your deal?"

"I mean, when I turn this whole thing into a play later, I gotta give everyone a character motivation, right?  Zed's got his whole "ice-cold mercenary" vibe going on, Kal's a paladin, and I'm here for the story.  But why are you here?  You keep talking about how the money isn't good enough, and that you don't enjoy fighting, and you don't care about the amazing buried technology down there.  And no offense, but you really don't seem like the altruistic hero type.  If you think this whole endeavor is so stupid, why do you keep going under the Black Hill?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Sun 30 Jan 2022.

Cain shakes his head. "It's not about the money. I know Khonnir from before, and I promised Val I would find him, so I would have gone after him even regardless. It's just that promises of future reward are of little use down there, as all the bodies we found so far testify. The council didn't really think this through."

Mostly Cain just likes to complain.

Mid-Day, Day 2
The party follows the guards towards the Temple of Brigh, passing through much of the town with many passers-by stopping to gawk--either at them or the barely-concealed machine Kalasha drags along--or frown and shake their heads in disapproval--hopefully just at the machine. When nearly there the guards part ways with he group, headed to Father Radli at the Chapel of the Wanderer.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:42, Mon 31 Jan 2022.

Arriving at the Temple of Brigh, the party finds Father Joram Kyte sitting in his workshop, wearing spectacles with a series of magnifying lenses and bent over an intricate array of clockwork gears which he manipulates carefully with long, slender tools. Looking up from his work, the old man pulls off the spectacles and briefly appraises the tattered party and the new metal man before greeting them, "Hmm, back already, and with another of those machines? Do you need this one dismantled and scattered too?"

Morin squinted at the old tinker curiously.  "Isn't Brigh's whole thing the preservation of knowledge?  Why would you destroy something like this?  I mean, you can't seriously believe that in a town built around a giant space-laser, with a magitech water purification plant in the middle of it, that a dead robot janitor is gonna be the thing that tips off the Technic League that there's technology nearby.  I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed."

"Wouldn't it be more reasonable, and more pleasing to Brigh if you took the time to really examine it?  Just imagine, this thing sat untouched by time for thousands of years, in perfect working order, suffering only some minor catastrophic damage from when we murdered it an hour ago.  It talked.  It felt, maybe. Just think of how much it would help your own work if you could understand how it functioned!

We are willing to offer you an extremely fair price on it's purchase."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Mon 31 Jan 2022.

The old man looks down sternly from his seat at the ranting gnome and frowns before he answers matter-of-factly, "You had me dismantle and scatter the last one. You feared, reasonably, that it would awake again and cause more harm. The Technic League can't TAKE the torch and Crowfeather Palace is of no interest to them. We're far from Starfall and, until recently, we were able to pay handsomely to keep them at bay." He pauses, hoping the gravity of the situation will sink in for the arrogant gnome, before continuing, "I would love to learn more about it and see what makes it tick, but never at the risk of Torch's people or independence. But then..." he considers for a few moments before continuing, "You won't find many willing to buy something the Technic League will just take, but there is a travelling merchant, Mister Sanvil Trett, who knows and deals in technological artifacts. He may be willing to take the risk." He turns his gaze to the robot for a time, a tinge of regret in his eyes, before shaking the thoughts from his mind looking back to the injured party. Reaching down to touch the porcelain mask of Brigh on his hip he blesses the adventurers, "May Brigh guide you," and sends invigorating, soothing sensations through them each. (12 HP healed each)
[Private to Cain; Morin Matzylford; Zorden: You recognize the name of Sanvil Trett, he is known as one of the foremost experts on technological artifacts in Torch--when he is in Torch. He usually only stays for a few months at a time, running a stall at the Market Square where he should be now.]
14:29, Today: Joram Kyte rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,4,5.  Channel Energy healing.

"Thanks for the heads up."  Zorden told the priest.

"Guess if Sanvil doesn't want it, we'll haul it to the junk yard.  Figure it'll be safe enough there.  Either the torch gets working again and it gets melted down, or it doesn't in which case it probably doesn't matter whether it gets found by the League."  He added bitterly.

Morin looked at his shoes for a second as Jorum lectured him on the dangers of technology and the Technic League.  His speech had really just been an attempt at salesmanship, done in the hope of squeezing some bucks out of the old man.  But Father Kyte's disapproval, along with the suspicious glares of the townsfolk as they walked by, had reminded him of the real stakes:  The town could be invaded and destroyed, and worse: people might blame him for it!  And really, that was the worst thing Morin could think of

"I..."  Morin started, hesitantly, before regaining his usual absurd confidence.  "You're still going to be able to pay them handsomely.  We're going to turn that torch back on, and soon.  And all the profits you've lost?  They'll be nothing compared to the array of fabulous treasure we're going to pull out of that steel ruin.  Why, we're just about to put six hundred gold back into the economy, and that's just today's work.  And...and when we're done, there won't be any treasure left under that hill, which means there'll be no reason for the League to show up!"

He looked back at the others for approval.  "Right?"  It would be a shame if this amazing machine were to be destroyed for nothing, if no knowledge or profit could come of it.  But on the other hand, Morin would gladly smash the machine if the alternative meant Cain or Kalasha might think less of him.

Kalasha considered carefully.  "Commerce is the lifeblood of civilized society.  If there is someone who would take the risk to buy this, then perhaps we should not deprive them of its value by dismantling it further.  I doubt that anything could come back from this kind of beating on its own, without the healing becoming quickly obvious, like a Troll's.  Similar to how I wouldn't burn a farmer's grain to keep the bandits from getting it, unless it were already needing to be abandoned."

She looked to Father Kyte and said seriously, "Thank you for the healing, your counsel, and your patience.  Would you mind if I kept guard over it here while some of our group went to fetch Master Trett?  I'd rather not parade it through the street again but I also don't want to leave it without guard, on the off chance it might somehow rise again to harm an innocent."

Cain examines the new scars where his wounds used to be and thanks the priest as well. "Well, thank you for you the healing, anyway."

Counsel and patience may be cheap, but healing, that costs money.

We are splitting up?

Cain's implied insult towards Kyte drew a surprised laugh from Morin, which the gnome did his best to pass off as a coughing fit.

"Well, we might not know much about this robot, but one thing we do know is that it can't beat Kalasha in a fight.  We'll be back with Sanvil Trett right away, and see if this wreck is worth anything to him."

OOC: I guess so.

Zorden nodded to Kalasha and then went out with the others to find out where Sanvil had set up his shop this time around.

"Alright, let's see if this heap of junk is worth something to somebody after all." Now healed, Cain will join Zorden and Morin looking for Sanvil.

I forgot, did Sesla leave us already? Or is she still hanging around us?

The old councilor nods to Kalasha and responds, "That'd be fine. Probably best not to parade it around the streets and stir up the people." He then smiles lightly and responds to Cain, either not picking up on or ignoring the slight, "You're welcome. I dedicate most of Brigh's blessings to keeping the waters clean and the people well, but your work is just as vital to Torch's survival."

Leaving Kalasha behind to watch over the seemingly dead robot, the rest of the party heads to the Market Square. As expected Sanvil Trett is there despite the smell of the nearby Seven Tears River, the declining foot traffic and business in Torch, and several remaining stalls closed up and abandoned. His stall is little more than a wooden stool and a small table with a few odd-but-fancy-looking tools placed atop it. Sanvil is a broad-shouldered and muscular man--unusual for what one would expect of an archaeologist, intellectual, and merchant--dressed in finely made clothing with a chainmail tunic, numerous pouches on his belt and bandoleer, and with long, straight, black hair pulled into a bun at the back.

Spotting customers approaching, the recognizable crew exploring the ruins under the Black Hill at that, Sanvil stands up quickly from his seat and welcomes them smarmily, "Hello and welcome, Black Hill heroes Aleed and Company! I am Sanvil Trett, expert and trader in Numerian Relics and oddities! Have you brought me a relic to identify or sell? Maybe I can interest you in some batteries? Ion Tape and a Zipstick? Maybe some Cyberart?"

Zorden gave the merchant a nod of greeting.

He then stopped a bit short to keep himself clear of the verbal fusillade he was all but certain Morin was about to unleash on the man.  Though he suspected, perhaps, one such as Sanvil Trett might be well suited for surviving such a thing.

"Aleed and Company?"  Morin asked confused.  "No.  Maybe you're thinking of the last batch of adventurers?  I don't know anybody name Aleed.  Plus, that's just a terrible name for an adventuring party!  We're the..."

He turned to Zorden and Cain, distracted by this new, more pressing task.  "What are we calling ourselves?  I was thinking maybe The Black Hill Boys?  But maybe Kalasha would have an objection there.  She's not a boy, and she seems like a stickler for proper terminology.  Black Hill Heroes maybe?  If we want to get clever, we could call ourselves The Hearse because we deliver dead bodies.  But that would get confusing in regular conversation.  Maybe something self deprecating, like Fortune's Fools?"

"I dunno.  I'm not married to any of these names.  You guys got any ideas?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

Cain snorts. "I've heard of miners carrying birds down mine shafts, so that they know to get out when the bird drops dead. So, how about The Canaries? Anyway, we are not here to buy but to get rid... I mean, to sell a priceless relic we found down below."

The merchant grins, both intrigued and bemused, and asks jokingly, "Selling a priceless relic? Either I can't afford it or I accept your gift!" He then looks between the party members expectantly for a few moments before putting the pieces together, "Ah, you must mean the heavy, covered thing your partner was dragging by not long ago? It may be too much relic for me, but I'll come have a look." The burly, well-dressed man takes a minute to gather up the tools he had set out for display and stows them away in his various pouches before gesturing for the four to lead the way.

---

Entering the workshop within the Temple of Brigh, Sanvil bows slightly to the priest and greets him with due respect, "Councilor Kyte, I hope you are well," and also nods to Kalasha and sizes her up with a grin and raised brows--something about her piquing his interest, "And Lady...?" Once introductions are out of the way, the merchant takes a moment to check out the half-cleaved metal guardian and whistles, impressed by both the husk and the damage done to it, and figures aloud, "It looks like this would be capable of dishing out some real hurt, but not as much as you did to it! You might have some real, live ruins downs there if this thing was roaming about. What all did you see down there?"

---

After considerable time carefully digging around the 'innards' of the machine and looking beneath the protective plating, Trett explains his findings, "Well, it looks like its primary function may have been to repair other relics. Even now it looks like it is very gradually repairing itself--though it may take weeks before its up and running again." He shakes his head, somewhat confused, as he adds, "It is drawing power to do so, even now. If those ruins were generating power the Technic League would have taken over years ago." Sanvil and Father Kyte exchange concerned looks at the revelation, but soon the merchant stands up from his examination and gets to brass tacks, "So it's a nice find you have here, but dangerous to just leave about. I could keep it ... asleep ... but these things have minds of their own. The League have their Gearsmen, but no one knows how they control them. There's simply no one for me to resell it to. And if someone were able to control them, they'd pick meaner ones than this. And if the market value weren't dismal enough already, the League is sure to confiscate it if they see it--and their attention is riskier than just losing your relics." He pauses for a few moments frowning, considering, and letting the implications that this is really a buyer's market sink it, before offering, "The best I can do is forty silverdisks."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

Zorden looked to the others and gave a shrug.

It wasn't much but then the merchant had a point.  Unless they wanted to put in a lot of effort it would be hard to find someone else willing to buy it, even if it was potentially worth ten times what he was offering.  Some money was better than no money, and 40 disks was probably a better price than they'd get selling it for scrap.

Cain doesn't have the skill or the will to haggle for the broken machine. Sanvil's observation that the thing is somehow drawing power from the ruins is news to him however. Most unwelcome news. "So, you think something has woken up down there, and that's where this machine is drawing its power from?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:10, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

"Sold!" Morin exclaimed, doing a poor job of hiding his surprised excitement at the price.  40 silverdisks was enough to nearly double their haul from the last expedition, and the little gnome had almost resigned himself to the idea that the robotic corpse was worthless.  He reached out to shake Sanvil's hand, before adding.  "And of course, if you're buying our robot, I'm sure you're going to want to take it's accessories."

Opening one of the party's bags, he pulled out the polymer nets.  "These were loaded into the robot's arm, like ammunition.  They're made of a strange, ancient material, and much stronger than normal rope.  I'm sure if you ever do get our metal friend into selling condition, it would fetch an even better price if it came with a built in net gun.  And if you can't get him to work, you could still sell the nets separately.  We've got four nets to sell, for maybe...let's say 50 gold each."

---

Once the haggling was done, Morin moved on to the more interesting questions raised by the tech-merchant.  "Strange that it's still charging up here.  When we found it, it was sitting in a dark, ruined tunnel with no power at all, but the lights on it showed that it was still charging up.  Maybe a robot like this doesn't need a power source, but it can just trickle charge itself from...I dunno, the universe in general?"

"Or maybe our pink-haired friend brought some sort of generator down with her?  She could be trying to power up...whatever it is that's in those ruins.  Come to think of it, maybe you could help us figure out some things that are down there?"

Unless someone else in the party stopped him, Morin filled Sanvil in on their findings.  Hopefully the technology expert could shed some light on what they had found.  In particular, Morin was curious about the strange nozzle room, and the ID cards the Skulks had shared with the party.

OOC: Morin tries to negotiate a better price on the deal, using the addition of the robot's nets. 14 total on the diplomacy roll.  He's selling 4 nets, and keeping one for himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:03, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

"Kalasha Roadsworn, Master Sanvil."  The paladin responded simply.

When the technologist discussed his price and the reasons for it, she muttered, "Damn the Technic League and their oppression not just of technology but of commerce throughout this region.  Their crimes are being counted on the Scale, and it cannot be too much longer before they begin to reap the poverty and misfortune that they have sown."

Sanvil considers Morin's offer for a few moments, rubbing the stubble on his rugged chin as he explains, "Well, rope isn't exactly my area ... but it's a deal." He opens up a large pouch at his side and begins to count out sixty silverdisks for the exchange as he answers Cain and Morin's question, "That's what I think, at least. The amount of power it's getting isn't much, but it's enough that the League would have detected it if it were there before. That and the torch going out don't seem coincidental."

Listening to the gnome's description of the nozzle room, Sanvil shrugs and shakes his head apologetically and answers, "Without getting a look at the inner workings, or maybe an Androffan label, I can't guess what that is about any more than you ... nozzles are meant for spraying. Gas? Liquid? Nanites?" He pauses and adds, "Nanites are like constructs too small to be seen or do much individually, but large groups of them can act as a gas or liquid ... they're how this fella is slowly repairing itself."--he gestures at the crippled machine. Returning to Morin's questions he continues, "But these cards I know ... they act like keys in active Numerian ruins. They can be used to open, close, and lock doors and other devices--if they still work--by just swiping them through nearby panels."

"So, I'd assume the colors on the cards have to do with identifying which doors they work on?"  Zorden asked.

He didn't remember seeing any colors in the metal portion of the caves, but then maybe he just hadn't been looking for them.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Tue 08 Feb 2022.

Cain examines the key cards more closely. "Hmm, speaking of keys, do you have for sale some means of opening those weird locks without these cards?"

Yeah, we need an e-pick for those, don't we?

"Basically," Sanvil answers the Tiefling, "Except they seem to work on tiers ... brown unlocks brown but black unlocks black AND brown, and then white opens all three of those. And it goes on..." He pauses to recall, looking to the ceiling as he lists the colors one by one and extends fingers as he goes, "Grey, green, red, blue, orange, and prismatic." He shakes his head and shrugs, admitting, "I've only heard of some of them and the color order makes no sense to me."

"It sounds like an e-pick is what you're looking for." He checks through a couple of pouches on his bandoleer before pulling out what looks like a soft, brown hilt of some tool with a flat, large coin-sized steel end. The steel end is pitted and grooved as it contains a number of delicate instruments which extend out from it when needed and around this end and along the length of the device are a number of buttons which manipulate these instruments. "Brown E-picks are pretty common, but don't let the color fool you. They're color-coded and rated like the doors, but a brown one will open a black or other color lock just fine. This one's fully charged, too, only three silverdisks."

"That is a weird color order."  Morin agreed.  "It really bounces all over the colour wheel, doesn't it?  Maybe it has something to do with rarity?  You know, sorta like how we sometimes show importance with gold, silver, and bronze?  Maybe orange was a rare and fancy color for the people who built those ruins, and brown...well, brown's not really fancy anywhere."

As the party distributed the wealth, Morin gave the the tech merchant another proposition. "I'll tell you what, Sanvil.  If you can find out anything more about that power draw, we'll make it worth your while: first pick of the loot we bring out of that cave, sold at friend prices.  And, uh...maybe don't tell anybody else about the power thing, okay?"

Sanvil shrugs at Morin's guess and adds, "Some cultures are just weird. I hear out west they used to worship a peacock. And some people juggle geese." He shakes his head, resigned to not understanding the 'why' of things as much as the 'how.' At Morin's offer he grins and agrees, "That sounds like a fair price, but I think you'll be in a better place to figure it out than I will. And yes,"--Sanvil glances over to Father Kyte as he agrees again--"It's definitely not news we want spreading around. The League could have ears anywhere."

"Alright, I'll take one of those picks. Could be useful down there. Fully charged, you say? Does that mean I have to charge it after use?" Cain asks Sanvil.

30 gp for a brown e-pick then?

Kalasha let everyone talk about the technological items, though she herself had little interest.  As she considered that disinterest, she felt a pang of regret.  This was commerce.  Could she truly ignore this entire realm of potential commerce, especially if she were ever to be rid of the Technic League?  Probably not, she concluded.  She started paying more attention and asking about the purpose and use of each item.

"Are there items - technological or not - that would more easily allow traversing sands?"  She inquired of Sanvil and the party.

"Oh, there's a spell for that," Morin answered helpfully.  "It's called Feather Step.  I don't know how to cast it myself, but I could do it with a scroll.  I was just about to go scroll shopping anyways, so if you pay for the scroll I'll cast it on you when we get back to the desert.  Free of charge! Assuming your god doesn't think gifts are, like, anti-commerce or something?" 

OOC: 11:49, Today: Morin Matzylford rolled 7 using 1d100 with rolls of 7.  Feather step scroll (0-75).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Wed 09 Feb 2022.

"Like most tech items, it holds ten charges and spends a charge when used. You then need a battery or other power source to recharge it." Sanvil explains. He considers Kalasha's question for a moment before shaking his head and shrugging, offering only a feeble suggestion, "Snowshoes?"

Seeing that the group is ready to depart and carry on with other business, the merchant bends down to begin dragging the robot away, but pauses to ask with a flirtatious grin, "Maybe Miss Kalasha could help me carry this back to my room at the Evercandle?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Thu 10 Feb 2022.

  After departing from the Temple of Brigh and roaming about the town's markets to prepare for the next day, the party returns to the Foundry Tavern's tavern to find a young man, or maybe just a tallish boy, dressed in simple and slightly muddied tunic and breeches and with rope cords wrapped around his knuckles [Private to Cain; Morin Matzylford; Zorden: An affectation of the prolific local gang, the Ropefists. Parda Garr and her expedition were Ropefists so they're not all bad.] sitting at a table and chatting with Val. As the party arrives, he stands up quickly and introduces himself, "Oh, hello! I'm Endak. Are you the crew going into the caves to fix the torch? Mister Ulreth sent me to invite you to Silverdisk Hall, and to give you these,"--he holds out a small stack of 5 slips of parchment--"which you can redeem at the hall for a hundred gold pieces towards games and entertainment."

  Garmen Ulreth is one of the more influential people in Torch—an impressive quality, given the fact that he’s neither a councilor nor a legitimate merchant. Indeed, Garmen’s considerable pull in town stems from the fact that a number of Torch’s citizens owe him money in either small or large amounts. [Private to Cain; Zorden: Garmen is associated with what passes for Torch’s thieves’ guild—a gang of thugs and roughs called the Ropefists—and that the owner of Silverdisk Hall may even be the gang’s leader. He certainly employs enough of the Ropefists as bouncers and guards at his gaming hall.]

Zorden looked somewhat surprised at the young man's presence but as he seemed to be a messenger bearing no ill will, there didn't seem to be a reason not to take him at face value.

He accepted one of the slips and took a look at it for whatever might have been written on it.  "That's real kind of Mister Ulreth."

Zorden didn't have much intention of putting it to use in any immediate fashion, though he reasoned maybe he could keep it safe and dry and make use of it later.  For now his intention was to see about servicing his weapon.  As useless as it had proven his pride was such that he felt the need to see it back in, mostly, working order so he'd be prepared when they went back down under the hill.

Kalasha shook her head to the bard.  "That's too much for too little for regular use, though if you wanted a scroll in case there was an emergency, that might be worthwhile."

Kalasha turned the snowshoe idea over in her head, trying to decide if it were serious or in jest.

She politely returned the merchant's smile, answering him. "Of course I can help you move it.  But coins on the table, I'm going to be expecting to get to learn some about technology or have some interesting conversation from you on the way."

Morin took the slip, along with the one for Kalasha who was busy hauling around Sanvil's robot.  Thinking about that, Morin grinned slightly to himself.  He honestly couldn't tell if the paladin was pointedly ignoring the merchant's obvious attempts to hit on her, or if she legitimately didn't notice.  Still, she was a big girl, and could take care of herself.  Morin just hoped Sanvil didn't get too handsy when they were back at his room: the man would be a lot less useful to them with a shattered jaw.

Looking up at the ropefist messenger, Morin raised an eyebrow. "Hey Endak?  Quick question: when you say these are worth a hundred gold towards games and entertainment...what does that mean?  If we take these papers down to silverdisk hall, will they give us 100 real gold coins that we can just pick up and walk away with?  Or is this more of a..."store credit" sort of deal?  Don't get me wrong, I like a good game of dice.  But if you ain't risking real money...I mean what's the point, am I right?

Looking back down at the promissary notes in his hands, Morin scrunched his brow in thought.  If this was real money, the most practical move here would be to walk into Silverdisk hall, cash out, and then leave and spend that money on some fancy new gear for the group.  Maybe he could find a nice, light darkwood buckler somewhere, or a few more scrolls?  Morin was never the most practical man of course, but disrespecting a powerful man like Garmen Ulrith like that would still be good for a laugh.  Or...maybe the most practical thing to do would be to walk into the Silverdisk, gamble all that money and win big.  Then they could buy even more gear!
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Thu 10 Feb 2022.

Cain examines the piece of paper given to him before pocketing it. "Somehow I doubt we would be allowed to just walk out with that cash. But hey, maybe I'll stop by for a card game or two. Need something to take my mind of those damn skeletons we'll be facing again tomorrow."

"Hey Val. Don't worry, we're still working on finding the old man. Almost got killed, so we had to head back to town for healing."

Cain is always in a mood for a card game. But I'd like to make a quick shopping trip before that, on account that there's a good chance he'll be broke after it.

Earlier
"Oh I'll be happy to help you in any way..." Sanvil alludes as he and Kalasha carry the metal corpse off towards Evercandle inn. The merchant lays the charm on a bit thick throughout the time the two spend together and makes clear he is impressed by Kalasha's strength and bravery, but is also helpful in explaining the basics of technology and battery usage to her.

---

At the Tavern
The slips of paper are little more than hand-written notes which says, "This certificate entitles the members of Aleed and Company to one hundred gold of entertainment, bets, and buy-ins at Silverdisk Hall. Non-exchangeable. One certificate per person."
The boy shrugs at Morin's question and answers uncertainly, "You'd have to ask Mister Ulreth or the dealers. They don't really let me hang around in there."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:22, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

Morin raised an eyebrow as he looked over the paper.  Like Sarvil before, the writer of the paper seemed confused about who he was even talking to.  Who was this Aleed guy, anyways?  As for the rest of the message, it didn't do much to clear things up.  "So...if we make a bet and win, we get paid in real coins?  But I guess first we gotta give Ulreth a chance to take his money back." Either way, his curiosity was piqued enough by the offer that one way or another he determined to check it out.

Reaching into his coinpurse, Morin flicked a gold coin through the air for Endak to catch.  "Thanks for the message, bud.  I'm sure we'll put this to good use."

---

Once the messenger was gone, Morin excitedly gestured the rest of the party to come join him at a table.  Sitting down with them,the gnome grinned wildly as he prepared to talk, then he paused.  Sliding off the chair, Morin ran to check outside the windows and make sure nobody was eavesdropping.  Once satisfied the ropefist kid had actually left, he returned to the table and raised a finger dramatically in the air. "Guys, I have the best plan.  What would you say if I told you we could take these 500 gold coins worth of funny money and double it, easily.  We just...Actually, wait.  Cain, you're a local.  Do you know if the Silverdisk Hall has, like, a wizard on retainer?  Or really, uh, anyone capable of hypothetically detecting an unseen servant in the building?"

"You know, just hypothetically." he added, though his shit-eating grin made it into the least convincing denial possible.

OOC: Using knowledge (local) to try to guess what kind of protection the gambling hall has against cheating.  In particular, the kind of cheating where someone uses an unseen servant to nudge a die roll, or to move a betting marker when nobody is looking.
This message was last updated by the player at 22:14, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

Zorden shook his head.  "I don't think anyone would stay in business long if they didn't have a way of dealing with cheating, of all sorts."

He then added, "But if you decide to try it with your share of scrip, make sure you let us know how it goes."

Endak catches the coin, somewhat clumsily as many rapidly growing teens seem to be, and raises it as he offers, "Thank you, Sir." And with his message delivered, he nods to Val and heads out.

It is common practice for a gambling house to employ at least one person capable of detecting magic and knowledgeable enough to spot the most common tricks, but none of the party has been in to case Silverdisk Hall yet.

A worried look spreads across young Val's face at Morin's talk of cheating and she soon urges, "Please don't do anything to get in trouble, or hurt. My dad still needs you..."

"Fiiiiine.  You're right."  Morin replied with weary resignation as Val urged him not to do anything stupid.  "I suppose there's enough excitement around here without trying to rip off the biggest gang in town.  Saving the town and saving your dad is priority one, and that job would get a lot harder if the Ropefists hauled me into a backroom and smashed all my fingers with a hammer." 

Despite his words, Morin couldn't hide the twinkle in his eyes as he continued to think through the many possible ways a man of his talent might be able to rip off a casino.

Cain eyes Morin with suspicion. "Hmm, just remember that I am likely to be there with you, and I like my fingers unbroken, thank you very much."

Before we go there, I'd like to pick up some stuff, if it's available. A brown e-pick if I have not done so already, and another scroll of Mage Armor, those should not be a problem. But is Holy Weapon Balm available? If yes, I'd like to buy two of those.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Mon 14 Feb 2022.

"All right, all right!" Morin relented, throwing his hands up in defeat. "I said I wasn't gonna do it!  Besides, we're a team now.  I would never go pulling a caper like that unless I had the rest of the Canaries on board!  We'll just go, do some regular gambling, and then take whatever we have left at the end."

As they packed up to leave, Morin couldn't help himself from adding.  "But...should we really be afraid of these Ropefist characters?  I mean, their whole thing is wrapping rope around their hands and punching people, which is just the lamest shit I've ever heard of.  Like, most people have real weapons?  Speaking as someone who uses rope as a weapon: it's not very good."

"Plus!  Plus, their best and bravest, Parda and her crew? They already died under the Black Hill!  Not to be disrespectful of the dead or nothing, Parda and her crew were heroes.  But that does kinda remove them as an immediate threat.  I mean, we were fighting four-armed alien skeletons earlier today.  We'll be fighting four-armed alien skeletons tomorrow.  Really, wouldn't the safest, most responsible course of action be to take those dopes for all they've got, then walk back into that buried world with a bunch of fancy armor and masterwork weapons?"

OOC: So, finish shopping if we already haven't, then pick up Kalasha and head to the casino?  I assume we'll find Vin there, somehow?

For those who choose to go to Silverdisk Hall...
After some shopping and rest as evening nears and the sun drifts towards the horizon, some of the party make their way down the street from the Foundry Tavern, past the Copper Coin and Marrymaid, to Silverdisk Hall. The building is stone, like most in Torch, and possibly the largest of the four entertainment spots near the town's entrance with a few run-down looking men who have started drowning their sorrows early and dolled-up ladies from the Marrymaid trying to talk them into parting with what little coin they have left loitering outside.

Inside a man plays a lively tune on the piano, helping the patrons forget about the dead torch and dying town as the seek a bit of joy and maybe some coin huddled around various tables set up for games of cards and dice. To the side of the entrance stands a pretty-looking girl behind a sturdy desk--both largely sealed off from the rest of the establishment with Numerian steel bars--who greets the party as they arrive, "Hello and Welcome to Silverdisk Hall! How can we make your evening great?" When presented with the invitations she explains, "Oh, what an honor!" before turning to a rough-looking bouncer nearby and telling him, "These are the adventurers Mister Ulreth wanted to meet." The bouncer nods and steps away, passing through a nearby door and closing it behind him, as the girl stoops down to retrieve stacks of wooden coins and place them on the counter with an explanation, "These are as good as gold while you're here tonight, good for drinks, bets, buy-ins, and time with a Marrymaid if you like, and we can keep a tab for you if you leave without spending them, but we can't accept any from outside."

A man soon walks in through the nearby door, followed by the bouncer who fetched him, and welcomes the party as well, "Ah, the local heroes! I am Garmen Ulreth, proprietor of Silverdisk Hall, but you can just call me Garmen. It's fantastic to meet you! I really must tell you that you did a great service to this town by returning Parda. She was a dear friend to many in town. And putting your lives on the line to restore the torch and rescue our missing councilor is a deed worthy of celebration and reward!" He looks the party over for a moment, worry spreading across his face as he points out, "But you don't look much like Ms. Freddert described ... I hope you haven't lost any to those caves?"

Cain picks up one of the wooden coin to examine it closely. "Not in the caves as such, though there have been a couple of close calls. But out group has seen a few changes, as the smarter among us decided to cash out early rather then keep risking their lives below. And speaking of cashing out, can we do the same with these?"

"Well, better lucky than smart as the saying goes!" Garmen proclaims before dismissing his question, which likely means 'no,' by encouraging the party, "Come now, please, enjoy yourselves tonight and leave your worries under that foul pond!"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:55, Fri 18 Feb 2022.

After those who were going left, Zorden commandeered a table in the Foundry Tavern's empty main room and settled in for the evening.

He first pulled out his roll of tools and laid them out.  He then began to meticulously disassemble his damaged weapon so he could begin the process of trying to salvage and repair the bits and pieces to put it back to functioning again.  He didn't think it would perform much better than it had been, but at least it wouldn't be at risk of blowing up.

"Wait wait wait."  Morin chimed in almost before Ulreth had finished talking.  He held up one of the wooden coins to the light and examined it, looking sincerely baffled.  "I feel like I'm not getting something here.  You're saying...we can bet all we want, but we can't cash out?  What's the point of gambling if you're not winning real money?  Are we just supposed to play pretend?  Because Sir, I'll have you know I'm a trained bard: I can pretend to have a hundred gold without any props."

"Here, allow me to demonstrate." Morin patted the coinpurse at his waist for a moment, before making a facial expression that perfectly encapsulated the emotional state of owning 100 gold pieces.

Garmen looks over to the pretty girl distributing the wooden chips with a confused expression and begins to ask, "Did you not...?" The girl looks just as confused at the gnome's misunderstanding, shaking her head and shrugging defensively. He then stoops down to one knee to get closer to the gnome as he explains, in simple terms a child might understand, "As soon as you place a bet with that wood coin you have there, the dealer or host takes it and changes it with a real coin. You can buy drinks and girls with those wood coins too, just like metal coins. You see, you get coins as good as gold AND my business and I get the benefit of you spending your time here. Win-win!"

Vin made his way into the building, his stern face difficult to discern, though something in his demeanour seemed to say "You people are all crazy" to everything going around him. His mouth was a thin grim line.

His strange pale hair and face marked him as immediately unusual. His height and stock build might lead the uninitiated to believe that he was a dwarf, but dwarves, or those who had knowledge of the underdark, would recognize his features as the mark of a druegar: not pleasant people. He went out of his way to always stand far away from any dwarves.

He wore armour that seemed to be carved of stone, with strange geometric designs that seemed foreign. Weirdest of all was the scar on his forehead: it had obviously been carved onto his very flesh, and fairly recently by the look of the jagged wound, and a large steel shield and axe, all of strange but immaculate manufacture.

He had the same 100 disc marker that the others had and made his way over to the chip exchange to collect the strange money/not money. He was clearly eavesdropping on the conversation. His voice was cold and monotone.

"This is the strangest thing I have seen among you strange people.
Money that is not money. Made of WOOD. Literal organic fibers that bugs live in.
Odd. I do not understand. I rarely do up here.
You sell girls here? This is a slaving establishment?


There was no moral judgement in his words. There was hardly any emotion in his words... other than a bit of negativity on Wood.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:38, Fri 18 Feb 2022.

Cain is looking around for a card game and flipping a wooden marker absentmindedly in the air when the strange dwarf makes his remark. "Wooden or not, it's more than what we got paid for going down there so far. Which is nothing yet, really. Ah, I see you are another courageous volunteer ready to join our mission to save this town from certain doom?" He asks the newcomer with almost no sarcasm in his voice. Almost.

Kalasha appeared at the hall rather later than the others, and quickly tracked down Morin for her paper now that her wits were more about her.  She stayed to hear Ulreth's explanation before moving on.

She made her way through the hall observing first - getting a hang for the atmosphere, and more importantly for the rules of the games.  She looked mostly for games that involved more direct personal interaction, while avoiding games of simple chance.

She carefully considered whether or not she could and should play these games.  She thought carefully before determining that there was no rule against it.  She would be operating in accordance with the rules of both the business and the game.  Furthermore, while there was no material exchange, there was commerce going on - some were paying others for the experience of the game, while others were paid for their participation.

She would seek counsel on the moral implications and long-term economic effects of gambling in the future, but for now she was willing to bring the credits she was sponsored with to the table.  If she played, she could help cheer those present.  If she won, she would use the money to better equip herself to secure the town's continued existence.  If she lost, others would be more able to spend in the local economy.  Either way, it seemed good for the town.

She took a seat at a card table and, after ensuring that everyone at the table knew the rules, began doing her best to make the evening enjoyable for everyone.

[Private to GM: 15:21, Today: Secret Roll: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 14,9,17,12 using 1d20+5,1d20+7,1d20+7,1d20+9 with rolls of 9,2,10,3.  At the games: Appraise, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Intimidate.
14 Appraise - evaluating the risk and reward of the games
9 Diplomacy - putting the other players at ease and helping them have a good time, win or lose
17 Handle Animal - watching for base animal reactions on people's faces as they discovered information, as well as making herself seem more like prey when her position was strong
12 Intimidate - making her position seem more formidable than it actually is]

Vin did not pick up on the sarcasm, or chose not to acknowledge it. He looked at Cain as though to study him for a few moments before answering.


"Yes. Of course, you must be the adventurers.
Who else would have the strange tokens?
And what else would such an assortment be other than adventurers?


He looked at each of them, and gave a solemn nod of greeting.


"I am Vin, the Betrayer, so named for betraying my people.
My people enslave almost other races, except less- I mean surface dwarves.
Surface Dwarves are tortured to death, you see.
It has been my experience that most surfacers do not like my people.
Therefore, I am upfront with my status as a betrayer of my people."

He paused for the inarguable perfection of his logic to reach the strangers minds. He had no idea if they had trained in rhetoric and logic as he did.


My god has deemed that the torch by relit and that my holy work continues.
That work also happens to require coin.
I hope my share of the future profits will be more than nothing.

This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Fri 18 Feb 2022.

Morin nodded along enthusiastically as Garmen Ulreth's explained exactly how to turn the tokens into real money.  His guileless face showed neither embarrassment about his misunderstanding, nor irritation at the man's obvious condescension, just a polite and belated understanding of the rules.  Honestly, the gnome wasn't the least bit embarrassed about being confused by what seemed like a pretty harebrained system, and he was more than happy to let the gangster keep believing he was dealing with an idiot.  After all, Morin did still have an eye on ripping off the casino one way or another.

Giving Ulreth a thumbs-up of acknowledgement, Morin turned his attention to the newest recruit to the Canaries.  Vin's explanation also drew an enthusiastic nod.  "Yeah yeah, that makes sense.  Plus, "Vin the Betrayer"?  Super catchy name.  Everybody is gonna remember a name like that.  Welcome to the Canaries!  It's always good to have another big guy to hide behind."   

Morin paid for a drink with a wooden token, making sure to tip the waitress generously with a real coin.  "So, tell me about you holy mission, Vin the Betrayer.  Which god sent you here to re-light the Torch?  You guys usually go for..."  Morin tapped his chin in thought.  "Droskar the Dark Forge, right?  But then again, Droskar isn't usually big on helping others, is he?"

Good! This man got it, mostly. He was worried that those on the surface were completely mad, but logic did not escape this man.

"I am a forge master, but I am no servant of Droskar.
His ways are a part of the path I have betrayed.

The new god spoke to me through the sky metal.
It has granted me wisdom and power, but it has not yet revealed its name to me.
It is not time yet. Perhaps when I have more sky metal and the torch is lit.
I refer to it as the voice of metal or metal voice, for now.
It showed me its symbol, which I have carved into my forehead that I might show the world."

He tapped his brow, upon which was the odd, rather fresh scar in a very weird shape.
It probably does radiate magic though, as it's both a holy symbol and a foul brand.

Once I have more sky metal and can forge it, the voice will be clearer.
I cannot state the metal voice's long-term plans, but I know it involves creating armaments of awesome and terrible power. Else why would you choose a Forgemaster?


He looked at Morin's gear with something as close to pity as Vin could manage.

When we restore the forge and have time, you should let me fix your gear.

And by fix, Vin meant to throw it away and remake it.
At least the tiny man's mind was sharp. That could not be fixed.

"Glad to have you on our team, Vin the... actually, mind if I just call you Vin?" Cain welcomes Vin to the group as well. He picks up his tokens and is ready to do some serious gambling. And like all true gamblers, Cain knows when to walk away: never.

Cain plans on finding a card game and keep playing until he loses all of his tokens or (unlikely) wins so much he is thrown out. Either is fine. I'd like to use the following skills:

Bluff (to, well, bluff in a card game)
22:11, Today: Cain rolled 17 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 10.  Bluff.

Sense Motive (to figure out if others are bluffing)
22:11, Today: Cain rolled 14 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 10.  Sense Motive.

Profession: Gambler (general skill in playing the game)
22:12, Today: Cain rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Prof: Gambler.

Perception (to spot others cheating)
22:12, Today: Cain rolled 25 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 18.  Perception.

DM can figure out how long it takes for Cain to lose all of his tokens (he will not gamble away anything else).

Vin watched Cain, partially to gauge the man, partially to

"Vin is acceptable.
Betrayer is only to make my allegiance true.

As I am unfamiliar with these games, and I have no need for chattel, I will order some
drinks and food for now.
"

Every word Vin spoke seemed to make Morin more and more interested in the Pale Dwarf.  "Let me get this straight."  He asked.  "Up until recently, you were living a normal Duergar life down in the Underdark, until you started hearing this Metal Voice.  And you don't know anything about this mystery god: what it's called, what it wants, anything like that.  Just that it wants you to come up to the surface and help fix some high-tech foundry in backwater Numeria.  So you abandon your whole life and everyone you know, betray your people and carve a gear into your forehead, then head off into unknown lands pretty much just to see where the whole thing takes you?"

Morin's broad face broke into a huge grin.  "Finally, someone who actually makes sense around here!  Most bigguns, I can't make heads or tails of them.  It's like there's no fire in their hearts, no mania.  Like this mope."  Morin gestured to Cain, right beside him.  "Guy's risking his life down in those caves, and it's like he couldn't care less!  But you?  You've got a proper gnomish obsession, from the sounds of it!  And that, I completely understand." 

Morin muttered as he moved to join the rogue at the card tables.  Cards usually meant a nice, slow game, which would give him time to scope out the place carefully.  Besides, he figured if Cain and Kalasha were going to lose all their dough, they might as well lose it to him.

Or vice-versa, he realized as the game went on and Cain steadily moved chips from Morin's pile to his own.  Despite the bard's confidence in his bluffing abilities, the distractions of the gambling hall seemed to get to Morin, and his level of play was far from his best.

Fortunately, Morin had his eyes on bigger fish.  As the game went on, he kept his attention on the employees of the Silverdisk Hall.  He tipped the wait staff and dealers exceedingly well, and always with real money to make sure Garmen couldn't cheat them on the exchange.  He kept up a constant patter of conversation, subtly and skillfully turning the topic to the gambling hall itself: How was it run?  What was it like working there?  Were there any spellcasters on the payroll?  Exactly how tough and how ruthless were the Hall's security staff?

After that Morin began to work on his plans to cheat.  It wouldn't be easy, but if he could figure out exactly who was capable of detecting magic, Morin figured he could go outside, cast unseen servant, and smuggle it into the building by avoiding the gaze of the mage-narc.  He figured the best, safest way to pull it off would be to bet everything he had left on a game of twentybones, then use the servant to rig the throw.  But could he pull it off?  And more importantly, could he convince one of the others to go along with him?  After the discussion with Cain, Morin had decided he would only go through with the plan if he could convince at least one of the others to back his play.  Besides, with the kind of risk involved, it seemed a waste to only double one person's stake.

With that idea in mind, Morin turned his attention to Vin, who seemed hesitant to spend more than a few of his chips.  Keeping his voice low to avoid being overheard, Morin made his proposition.  "So, I know you're not a Droskarite anymore, but what's your view on the subject of...how should I put this?  Harmless, yet lucrative criminality?  The kind that might turn those wooden coins into twice as many real ones?"

OOC: I still really want to try and cheat the casino, so I'm spending most of my rolls on that.  I'll wait to make my last skill check until after seeing the results of these preliminary checks.

Attempting to bluff at cards, using Versatile Performance to roll my Comedy skill instead.  14 total.
Using diplomacy to gather information on the Silverdisk Hall.  17 total.
Using spellcraft to identify spellcaster/plan best way to cheat with magic. 23.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:54, Sat 19 Feb 2022.

"You heard its voice. Seen the beauty it promises, but your recitation of the facts are reasonable."

This man was mad, but understood the logic of his decision at least.
Other Druegar considered him quite mad.

I have no moral issues as described.
I do have concerns that there will be significant societal consequences, but you would know these better than an outsider than I.
I will stake you my chips. You may keep 20% of the winnings.
Well, 90 of my chips. I will try some of these drinks.


He wasn't going along with this because he wanted to.
However, the coins were next to useless to him.
The camaraderie and trust of one of his party members was worth much more.
Even if he lost, he won.

He looked around and quietly tried to identify the guards.. both obvious and hidden.
If HE was running such an establishment (not that he would) he would certainly have at least a few quiet patrons who would keep an eye on others. Of course, he wasn't very used to the surface yet, at least not towns.

Aiding Morin by spotting guards, identifying motives of anyone suspicious that might be undercover.

21:06, Today: Vin the Betrayer rolled 10 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 5.  Sense Motive +5.
21:06, Today: Vin the Betrayer rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8.  Perception.

This message was last edited by the player at 17:10, Wed 23 Feb 2022.

The plan was set, and Morin had (arguably) fulfilled his promise to Cain by not going into his harebrained scheme completely alone. Now he just had to seal the deal.

Ducking out of sight with the excuse that he had to use the privy, Morin pulled out his newly bought scroll of unseen servant and cast it.  He then made his way to the twentybones table, doing his best to avoid the eyes of anyone who looked like they might be a ropefist spellcaster.   The servant itself stayed up high near the roof, trusting in the axiom that people never really looked up.

The security mage couldn't be everywhere at once.  Eventually he had to turn his attention elsewhere, and when he did Morin made his move.  He bet everything on a single roll of the dice: all he had left after the card game, and the 90 gold Vin had spotted him.  Then, as the dice clattered and rolled, the unseen servant darted down, giving the "bones" a little nudge or two to encourage them to land the way they should.

OOC: rolling stealth to do the deed.  16 total

The house's proprietor reels back and looks aghast at the dark dwarf's question as he answers soundly, "Absolutely not! The slave trade is banned in Torch, the ladies merely trade a good time for a bit of coin ... you'll have to ask them or their madame, Miss Dalrorn, for the details--it's not my business." He looks the party over once more before gesturing them towards the tables and apologizing, "Now I must return to my ledgers, but please enjoy yourselves tonight, and good luck to you--both at the tables in those caves." And without further fuss Garmen exits back through the door from which he came.

The party go their separate ways to spend the evening--Morin with his casing and trying to cheat the joint, Vin backing him up from afar while taking part in the house's entertainment, and Cain and Kalasha seeking out card games to test their skill against other townsfolk.

Kalasha is careful in her choice of game and opponents and when seated attempts to treat others fairly and kindly ... but it seems to be her warrior's posture and subtly bestial gaze that truly throws others off of their game. It is difficult to tell whether she plays her hands well or others are letting her win, but as night draws to a close she finds herself considerably ahead.

Cain, exceedingly familiar with this kind of establishment, finds little need for any special tricks or strategy. After choosing a table other than Kalasha's he proceeds to clean house--every hand seems to be either a winner or a strategic sacrifice under his mastery as he draws out every bit of coin his opponents can part with.

Morin spends much of the evening moving about, sampling each of the games as he surreptitiously watches the various bouncers--most of which bear abrasions and rope-patterned bruises on their fists--but especially the one who stands fairly central to the den and watches newcomers and winners with subtle, glowing blue eyes--a common affectation of a number of divination spells. Through the night he learns their habits, what draws their attentions, how the manage shift changes, and how long it takes the magi-narc to recast Detect Magic. When he is finally comfortable and confident, the gnome begins to make his plays using subtle magics to bend the odds in his favor, distractions to hide his cheats, and never winning too much coin or attention at once.

[Private to Kalasha Roadsworn: You manage to finish the night with 164.5 GP.]
[Private to Cain: You manage to finish the night with 179 GP.]
[Private to Morin Matzylford: You manage to finish the night with 205 GP.]
[Private to Vin the Betrayer: You finish the night with 35 GP more than you started.]

Trying her best to be a consummate host to the people risking their lives to save her father, Val prepares a dinner for Zorden as he repairs his weapon. She tries not to disturb the tiefling to greatly, but she sits and watches him work--occasionally asking questions about the various parts and how they work, intrigued by the strange weapon.

Morin understandably came away from the tables elated at the success of his cheating, seeming not to notice that the others had found comparable success without any of the unnecessary deception and risk of his system.  After splitting the take with his new teammate Vin, Morin swaggered home to the foundry pub with the rest of the Canaries, looking to grab a little beauty sleep before the next trip down into perilous darkness.

Zorden gratefully took a break when Val surprised him with a meal.

Though he wasn't a stellar conversationalist by any means he did his best to answer her questions and explain what he was, at least trying, to do.

He reasoned this sort of thing was likely fairly crude compared to what her father did but perhaps all of the councilor's efforts had given her a curiosity for such things.

Cain is a bit suspicious of Morin, but since nobody left the place with their fingers broken, he decides to ignore it. And since he now has some cash to spend, he's thinking on what else they could use tomorrow.

Guess we are resting up until morning? DM, is Holy Weapon Balm available for purchase? What about Tangleshot arrows?

After an evening of gambling, shopping, and introductions the party settles down to sleep on the cots set up in the Foundry Tavern and, unless you count the raucous snoring from the new dark dwarf or Sesla getting up in the middle of the night to commune with the stars, the night passes peacefully. Come morning, and over a hearty breakfast prepared by Val, Sesla explains to the group that the stars have directed her to not return to the ruins and to instead seek out Sanvil Trett again to learn more about what they have found. She hands her brown access card to Vin and, as one would expect of her taciturn nature, departs without much fuss besides wishing the others well.

Morin blithely accepted Sesla's explanation that "The Stars" didn't want her to get stabbed again, as he gobbled down the bacon and eggs in front of him.  It was a shame to lose another body, but the quiet oracle had never really seemed cut out for the adventuring life in the first place.

Finishing up his breakfast, Morin suited up and prepared for the party's next foray underground.  "So, what's the plan?"  He asked as they headed out the door.  "Are we charging right back into skeleton city for round two?  Or do we wanna clean up the caves first, before we go deeper?"

Vin had was his usual hard to read expression and neutral tone, though he seemed motivated to help.

"My god is unclear, and I know little of the dangers of the cavern.
You have the experience, so you may decide.
I should point out that I have no special powers over undead as some of your clerics do.
Power is channeled into weapons and armor, not radiant life energy.
The undead will have to be overcome via other means."

"We should make sure we didn't miss anything important in the caves."  Zorden suggested.  "If we get across the sandy area where we turned back last time and find the councilor on the other side, it wouldn't be great to get surprised on the way out by something lurking in a dark corner we ignored, that decided to come out and have a look around."

Cain shrugs. "I doubt we have missed Khonnir so far. From what the skulks told us, his party went through the tunnel to the east, so they had to have passed by those damned skeletons. Maybe we can pick up their trail once we deal with them. But if the rest of you really wish to deal with that mold or whatever else is lurking down there first, fine. I'll just sigh wearily and follow along."

Before we head in, I'll be buying 10 Tangleshot arrows, with the discount that's 160 gp? Cain is kinda useless in dealing damage right now, but maybe he can help out this way. Other than that, I'm fine with moving things along.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Sun 27 Feb 2022.

Once everyone has finished their morning preparations and last-minute shopping the party heads out to the Temple of Brigh to receive her blessing in the form of a spell of Water Breathing. Old man Kyte is immediately suspicious of the new arrival--a dark dwarf bearing a possibly blasphemous carving of a gear in his forehead within the temple of Brigh--but without much trouble they journey once more to the foul pond. This being his first trip, Vin is sent in ahead of Kalasha so that she can lend him an arm of guidance as the party drags themselves along the submerged rope and through the narrow tunnel. Emerging from the rank water in the cave lit only by the dying light of squashed, luminescent beetles, the party takes a moment to recover from the ordeal and prepare for their continued adventure. (Fort Save DC 15 or be Sickened for 1 Minute.)

Group 0 Map Updated ... with an old map from the last time you were here.

10:56, Today: Vin the Betrayer rolled 8 using 1d20+3 ((5)).

Vin wretched and spat as he left the water. Still, his expression was blank and his tone neural once he'd washed his mouth out, though it was clear he didn't enjoy the exeirence.

"Disgusting. A truly uniquely terrible experience."

Zorden emerged and began wringing himself out and then pulling equipment from his waterproof bag.

Perhaps getting dunked in the foul fluid enough had blunted its effects, or perhaps he'd simply gotten better at holding his breathe, as he somehow was spared the typical coughing and spluttering this time through.


Zorden rolled 22.  Fort.

Kalasha arrived to receive the water breathing with a new long-handled hammer and some strange leather-webbed, wooden hoops.  She had a single question for the priests - whether they had heard of glowing green eyes that could fly from one lifeless skeleton to another to animate it, and whether there was anything to be done about it.

She then went to the entrance and after helping Vin through, proceeded to empty the contents of her lungs... and perhaps in part her stomach... onto the dry land.  She took a minute to recover, then spitting, swishing some water from her flask, then spitting again, she looked ready to continue.

"Shall we? She asked, stepping forward to take the lead toward the corners they might have missed on their first trip through to ensure a safe path of retreat in case it should prove necessary.

"Just... give me a moment." Cain says as he tries to settle his stomach. This dive is not getting any easier for him.

Failed as usual. Once we proceed I'll cast one of my scrolls of Mage Armor on Cain.
22:47, Today: Cain rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8.  Fort save (15).

"Take your time."  Morin encouraged magnanimously, unpacking his own supplies from their containers.  He took a moment to wash out his mouth and brush off the worst of the filth before continuing.

"If we're gonna be thorough, our first job is to squash those slimes just over there." He pointed to the outcropping slightly downstream from where they had surfaced.  "They didn't really react to us earlier, so we could probably just wade out into the stream a bit, then shoot them."

"Hmm.. I lost my crossbow before I made it to the surface.

Perhaps I should acquire a slingshot."

He took a moment to check the sigils on his armor: they were still holding magically, despite the trip through water. Though realistically, if they werne't his armor would weigh a lot more right now and he'd be able to feel it.

"Well, I guess it would be good if we need to come back this way through the water for whatever reason."  Zorden offered in support of Morin's suggestion.

"Though if they're stuck in place, might not be worth the effort and better to just leave them."

Morin shrugged.  "I dunno if they're stuck, so much as it is they're still digesting the corpses they're squatting on.  We don't gotta squash them, I guess.  I'm just worried one day we'll be coming back from a hard fight, and run into a couple fully grown slimes blocking the path."


The gnome scratched his chin.  Come to think of it, he wasn't sure how realistic that fear was.  Normal, non-abberant slime molds didn't exactly digest food fast, after all.  But the bard had no idea how long it took these giant versions to consume prey and grow to full size.  Or did he?

OOC: Using my new dungeoneering ranks to estimate how likely these slimes are to be a problem if we just leave them there.

"Well, are we killing them now then, or are we leaving them for later?" Cain asks as he finishes casting his spell. He's feeling better by now, though he still can't get the awful aftertaste out of his mouth.

Wait, Sesla is still with us? Huh, I assumed she would have left us back in town.

Zorden shrugged and moved to follow Morin into the water.

He reasoned they wouldn't know if they would have issues crossing through the watery tunnel until they tried doing so.  He moved slowly and kept to the opposite side as the creatures came into view.

The party lines up and begins to pass through the water and into the small cavern where the mold-covered halfing corpse lay sprawled out. Looking carefully, Cain and Zorden can make out the subtle movements which betray the growing mold as anything more than common flora but the rest of the party, Morin included, can only trust the gnome's report from the day before. But as Kalasha takes the lead and passes by the first halfling corpse the mold filling and spread over its chest cavity quickly contracts into a smoother dollop of slime, losing the leafy, viney texture it has been displaying, before lashing out at the Paladin with a briefly elongated sliver of its mass--to little affect against the half-orc's armor.
Everyone's aware of each other, so no surprise round, but Kalasha's movement provoked an AoO which the slime took advantage of.
Group 0 Map Updated.
Everyone except Kalasha beat the slimes in initiative and may act.

14:47, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 18,9,20,20,19 using d20+6,d20+1,d20+9,d20+0,d20+5.  Initiative Cain, Kalasha, Morin, Vin, Zorden v 11.

14:40, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 13,1 using d20+1,d3 with rolls of 12,1.  Slime Attack Kalasha.

Vun could not make out the slimes through the throng of people in the narrow corner. There was little he could do.

"I see no way through.

He hopes they didn't die.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:20, Tue 08 Mar 2022.

Seeing the slime splat it's pseudopod harmlessly against Kalasha's armor, Morin decided they probably weren't worth expending any of his more valuable resources on.  So, he resorted to his fallback plan: throwing his lasso at the nearest enemy to give his allies an easier time.  He wasn't exactly sure how the rope lariat would interact with the gooey body of an ooze, but they seemed solid enough that getting a rope caught in/around them would be some kind of hindrance.


STANDARD: Throw lasso at nearest slime.  11 vs touch AC.

18:46, Today: Morin Matzylford rolled 11 using 1d20-3 with rolls of 14.  lasso nearest slime.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Tue 08 Mar 2022.

Cain slashes at the nearest slime, hoping that whatever they are made of will not corrode his blade.

12:09, Today: Cain rolled 12,5 using 1d20+5,1d8 with rolls of 7,5.  Attack, Damage.

Zorden took a step backward, to make room between himself and the slimes.

Rather than attempt to hit the closest creature that was quite surrounded he readied his weapon and waited to see if either of the others would get on the move and try to close the distance.

OOC: Taking a 5ft step westward, which should give Vin room to move up if he so desires.

Readying an attack action to fire on either of the other slimes should they move into LoS.  Don't know if I'll be able to get one before it moves into melee with the rest of the group or not, but will prioritize that target if that opportunity presents itself.

Zorden rolled 8,2.  Attack, (Potential) Damage

Cain unconventionally swipes at the nearby mass of slime with his rapier and manages to sever a good deal of the muck from the main dollop (-5 HP) while Zorden lets loose another blast from his musket at one of the other advancing slimes but despite getting a clear line of fire fails to connect. Morin also throws his lasso into the fray but fails to catch anything. The slimes quickly close in, abandoning their camouflage and homes within the chest cavities of the fallen halflings, and whip out slivers of their bodies at the invaders. The one wounded by Cain lashes out at the half-elf and manages to catch him right in the knuckles (-3 HP) while the other two gang up on Kalasha--one of them managing to strike her shin in such a way that she loses her footing in the shallow, foul water and twists her ankle (-3 HP).

Group 0 Map Updated
Everyone Up


This message was last edited by the GM at 03:00, Sun 13 Mar 2022.

"If one of you needs to slip back, I can step in.
Otherwise, I pray for the swift destruction of your enemies."

Said Vin, and remained stationary.
He didn't think this fight really required use of his few spells, and he had no way of getting to the front line at the moment.

Morin winced slightly as the slimes' seemingly feeble attacks nevertheless managed to leave some nasty marks.  Oh well, those kinds of bumps and bruises were the reason they had brought a healing wand with them this time.

The little man whipped his lasso around once again, trying to trip up the party's gooey assailants.

STANDARD: Throw lasso at nearest slime.  13 vs touch AC, including penalties for throwing into melee.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Fri 11 Mar 2022.

Zorden wordlessly began to reload.

At least his weapon hadn't attempted to self destruct this time.

Cain swings his sword in the general direction of the slime that just wounded him, with a complete lack of success. "Goddamn, I hate these caves and everything in them."

19:43, Today: Cain rolled 8,2 using 1d20+5,1d8 with rolls of 3,2.  Attack, Damage.

Morin manages to snag the nearest attacking slime in his loop of rope but the gnome's tugging does little to help Cain land another slash with his rapier. But before the half-elf has even finished cursing the caves their new duergar friend steps in with a downward swing of his battlaxe and cleaves the dollop in two equal halves--the various bits still quivering and twitching but unable to take any threatening form. Almost as an afterthought and more in frustration at the nuisance than a reaction to an actual threat, Kalasha sweeps her great blade through the water at her feet and splits another slime it two--sending the separate bits each flying across the cave and splattering against the rock walls--before advancing into the cave to make room for the others. The last remaining slime, almost hesitantly if such a creature is capable of fear, lashes out at the Paladin once again but only manages to leave a bit of itself on her armored shin.

Group 0 Map Updated.

With the sudden apparent destruction of most of the slimes, Zorden waited as the violent division of the remaining creature seemed imminent.

Irritated with the creature leaving bits of itself on her shin, Kalasha swung hard again, hoping to end the creature with no further ado.


14:04, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 16,19 using 1d20+5,2d6+9 with rolls of 11,4,6.  Sword Attack on slime.

Kalasha's blow, rather than slicing up the slime as other strikes have before, instead seems to vaporize the mass, sending bits and small chunks spraying out in all directions and coating most of the nearby party like the fur of a white-haired dog.

Combat over, 100 XP each for defeating the slimes.

Kalasha looked around to see if there was other "mold" around hiding its slimey nature, and poked any similar-looking mold she found stiffly with her sword to confirm.

Morin gave Cain and Kalasha each a quick tap from his healing wand, figuring there was no point in being stingy.  Then he moved to inspect the bodies, making sure to cover his mouth with a cloth, and avoid touching the bodies with any bare skin.

"Well, that was simple enough.  I don't suppose anybody has any cold magic to deal with the Brown Mold next?"

"No.  Though we should probably locate it and see if it's potentially an issue."  Zorden suggested.

"If it will be highly problematic to deal with, and is out if the way down a dead end tunnel or something, perhaps it will be enough to mark that it's there so we know not to go that direction."

Cain is suitably grateful for the healing. "Yeah, I got nothing like that either. Maybe we can focus on dealing with those skeletons for now and leave this mold for later? I doubt it's going anywhere."

Maybe Ray of Frost would work? Just stay back and keep hitting it from a safe distance? Moot point though, as I didn't prepare the spell.

When the plan of heading toward the skeletons was brought up, Kalasha pulled out a new, oddly shaped pack.  She pulled out several teardrop hoops, each criss-crossed with leather strands.

"These are snow-shoes, but they will work on sand as well.  I got a set for each of us who are slower because of armor or physical frame."  She handed a pair to each to try out.  "They will allow us all to move the same speed as the skeletons - as long as we keep moving, they can't mob us."

Zorden took a pair of the foot contraptions Kalasha offered and gave them a look over.

After a long moment he gave her a grin and a nod.

"It's a good idea.  Hopefully they work as expected."

"Could work. After my last close encounter with those skeletons I've also picked up something we could use." Cain takes out a couple of vials out of his pack.

"You use these on weapons to make undead things dead again. Supposedly they are very effective on bolts and arrows. If anyone wishes to try it, they are welcome to them."

Got 2 Holy weapon balms. These are not very good in melee, but they really shine with missiles as they can be used for 10 attacks. That's a lot of extra damage for 30 gp. If anyone wishes to try it on their arrows or bolts, they are welcome to them.

"Sounds like we're ready for those skeletons this time!" Morin agreed, taking a pair of snowshoes.

He didn't touch the weapon balm of course, on account of not actually carrying any weapons.  Still, the balm would certainly give some punch to Cain's arrows and Zorden's bullets, and should let them pick off the approaching skeletons with relative ease.

After taking care of the wounded(-2 Charges), Morin inspects the remains of the fallen halflings. Their exposed skin and much of their chest cavities have been digested by the young slime molds as well as the more mundane mold which has grown rapidly over them and much of their gear has been looted already, but tucked into the belt of one of them the bard finds a well-polished agate the previous looters must have overlooked. Kalasha, with a keen eye for currency, notes the stone could fetch a good bit of coin(55 GP.)

Moving on, the party approaches the path they had not taken before and presumably the last bit of these caves they haven't explored. The temperature drops noticeably in this passageway, and a rime of white frost lines the walls and floor leading into the cavern beyond. Shortly into this cavern the ground drops away into a 10-foot deep cliff and below is what seems to be a light layer of brown dust carpeting the cave floor beyond. A body of some sort sits slumped against the eastern wall beneath the party's feet.

Leaning out over the edge, Cain recognized the man as Gerrol Sonder, a skilled adventurer who was a member Khonnir's expedition and the fiance of Emelia Otterbie--a niece of Councilor Bazlundi Otterbie and daughter to Orm Otterbie III, the best weaponsmith in Torch. Gerrol's body is nearly frozen solid from days resting in the brown mold below.

What is the lighting situation? Everyone but Cain has Darkvision, Vin has Light, and torches are an afterthought.
Group 0 Map Updated

*Vin began muttering a few invocations for those in his party not blessed with dark sight*

Cast light

"So you said we'd need cold to clear this?"  Zorden asked Morin.

"This stuff doesn't look like it's going to sneak up and ambush us.  So as long as we don't get turned around and trapped in this tunnel, we should be fine leaving it well enough alone, yeah?"  He asked, looking to the others for their opinions.

Morin nodded.  "Yeah, from what I read any cold magic at all will make brown mold just *POOF* and disappear into nothing.  It sucks the heat out of things for energy, I guess, so if you give it cold instead it just dies.  But if you give it fire, the whole thing doubles in size."

He scratched his chin thoughtfully, peering over the edge of the small cliff.  "We could probably hook the dead guy with a rope and pull him up, but odds are he'd bring some of the mold with him.  If we make it back to town, we could buy a scroll or something to zap the stuff off of his body."  The little man dusted off his hands as if to say "that's that."  "Next time, I guess.  Listen guys, thanks for humoring me.  I know poking around with all this slime and mold didn't wind up being the most rewarding experience, but it would bug me if we just left this kind of thing laying there there without at least taking a look.  Now let's go fuck up some skeletons."

With Vin providing the light, Cain squints at the frozen body from the distance, not really eager to get any closer. "If what you are saying about that mold is true, we could be able take care of it later with a help of a cantrip I know. We'll see."

Does Zorden wish to take one Holy Weapon Balm then? If there are no other takers, Cain can use the other one.

"Agreed.  Let's handle it later when we're prepared for it.  For now, let's head out and see what we can find."  Kalasha strapped on her snowshoes and tried to acclimate herself to the odd way of walking.  When everyone was set, she led the way out onto the sands.

Leaving the frozen corpse behind, the party backtracks to follow the more familiar tunnel and emerge into the skulk lair. The grey people, having heard the party's voices from afar, are prepared for their arrival and have gathered in the large chamber to meet them. The sight of the Duergar newcomer has them instinctively reach for their blades, but just as quickly they stay their hands out of trust for the rest of the group. Their leader, the female Sef clad in daggers, steps forward and plays at making conversation before getting to the point, "Hello, friends, a new day for you, yes? We have decided: we are too few and these caves too small for us to stay. But without Xesi the way is too risky."--she gestures with her empty hand to the gaping hole in the ground to the south of their camp--"Brath followed to the water you come from and saw the rope you placed. If you bring us lots of rope like that, we have much to offer."
Group 0 Map Updated
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:02, Thu 24 Mar 2022.

"How much rope?"  Zorden asked with a glance towards the hole.

He wasn't about to get close enough to take a look and see if the bottom was visible, but he figured the skulks might have tried to figure that out when they formulated their current relocation plan.

Morin nodded.  "Yeah, it makes sense you would want to leave.  There's not exactly a lot of food down here, aside from the occasional beetle.  And...the slimes maybe?  I mean, I wouldn't eat them, but fungus is probably the main food source down in the under-dark already, from what I've heard."

Morin was a little relieved to hear that the skulks would be leaving:  The danger of pushing forward into ancient ruins was excitement enough to feed the gnome's thirst for adventure, without the addition of having to carry their loot past a band of killers at the end of the day.  And if there was some kind of reward involved in seeing Sef off, so much the better.

"Anyways, heroes that we are, we'd be glad to help you out!  Besides," He added with a wink to Kalasha, "I have it on good authority that fair exchange is the key to all humanoid endeavors." 

Kalasha was not certain whether Morin was mocking her, citing a truth in a mocking way, or actually saying he believed.  Nevertheless, she nodded in response to his assertion - it was generally true regardless of the joker's point of view.

"In addition to length, would you prioritize lower price or lower weight for the rope?" She asked the skulks, wanting to make sure that everyone ended up as happy as possible with the exchange.

Cain has some rope in his pack, but he will not offer any until they know what exactly the skulks want. Mere 50' of rope may not do anything for the skulks, but it could come in very handy for the party as they venture deeper under the hill.

I got 50' of silk rope, but I'm not sure that's enough for them. Plus, we could need it ourselves later on. Maybe we can buy some for them the next time we are in town?

"At least ... five hundred feet?" Sef says uncertainly as she looks to the other skulks about her, who nod in agreement. She nods herself and adds in response to Kalasha, "We're not carrying it with us; as long as it can carry it's own weight and one of us at a time ... that's all we need."

"If we somehow find such a thing, or fetch it from town and bring it back, assuming we don't die down here, what's the trade?"  Zorden asked.

"Everything we claimed from the other invaders. More than fair." Sef proclaims although the other skulks don't seem very happy about the generosity.

Kalasha eyed the other skulks, not wanting to have Sef disappear before they got back... nor wanting the deal go fall through.  She hesitated for a moment, deeply suspecting that Morin would not like what she was about to say.

Bracing herself for the inevitable response from the gnome, she called out:  "I am afraid that Abadar would frown deeply on us taking advantage of your need to gouge you on the price of rope.  A good trade is one that both parties walk away from pleased.  If we deem the materials from the other "invaders" more valuable than the rope plus the work it takes us to bring it here, are there any other supplies we could bring you for your journey?"

Morin let out a reflexive "Hmm?" as the paladin responded to Sef's initial offer by insisting the party pay MORE than had been asked.  Judging from the expectant look Kalasha had shot him before making her counter-offer, it was clear she was worried about him speaking up and interfering with her plan.  Taking the hint for once, Morin called on every speck of his willpower to resist his natural urge to jump in and share his own opinion.

He wanted to see where she was going with this.  Besides, squabbling openly with one's own people was a bad idea when both conducting trade and staring down dangerous killers, and the Canaries were doing a little of both at the moment.

Vin blinked and his head angled slightly, but he said nothing.

He was quite surprised and puzzled, but there were clearly customs or plans here he was unaware of.

Perhaps they were possessed by another God? Or they were just crazy. Surface dwellers frequently were, by his standard.

The four skulks look among themselves, clearly confused by all the generosity going around, before Sef finally breaks the silence with an uncertain, "We could take food ... but we travel light. We're not giving you what we took,"--she looks to the other skulks as she makes her point--"We're leaving it behind."

Cain shrugs. "I doubt we will find that much rope just lying around somewhere, but we certainly should be able to buy some the next time we are in town. The way our search has been going so far, that should be soon enough."

If they wanted to help these people, he would offer his services.

"If you need something repaired, I can also do that.. very quickly."

He said.

If his labor reduced the demand on his party's supplies, it was probably worth it.

"Sounds like they just need the rope," replied Morin with a shrug.  "And it sounds like a fair trade.  Something they need for something we want."  He turned to the skulks.  "Give us time to do some more spelunking, then we'll go grab you all the rope you need.  Ooh!  And a cake to celebrate you leaving!  I'll get you guys a pastry so sweet and delicate, you'll curse my name when you have to go back to eating...I dunno, mushrooms and raw flesh or whatever you people eat down there."

Morin considered going back for the rope now, but dismissed it.  He'd already delayed the party enough with his dithering, and Cain seemed to be getting noticeably impatient to save his friend.  Besides, the other expeditions had been just as slapdash as his own, from what he could tell.  If the previous expeditions had brought the right gear to save them from the dangers of the cave then they wouldn't be dead, would they?

Leading from the skulks to the sand, Kalasha broke the silence once they had made it out of earshot from the skulks.  "The principle of Abadar that I cited was true, strictly speaking.  That said, did you see the looks the other skulks made when Sef made the offer?  I definitely did not want to come back to a clan of murderous humanoids that had decided to off their overly-generous leader and maybe try their luck at getting the rope for free from our corpses."

"Well, either way, guess we'll worry about that once we make it back to Torch and actually have to buy the stuff."  Zorden commented as they walked.

"I doubt we're likely to come across that much lying around.  Which means we have to survive doing what we came here for before worrying about giving the skulks a chance to stab us in the backs."

"The good news there," Morin responded cheerfully, "Is at least we know they won't stab us in the back until after we get the rope they wanted."

Parting ways with the skulks, the party makes the trek back to the desert within the mountain. They climb back up into the raised portal into the metal structure and as the pass through the metal rooms careful not to stumble across and new threats Morin spots something interesting among the rubble of the room where they had encountered the metal man--a few bits of technology buried there which they had overlooked in the excitement the day before. After digging through the scraps more thoroughly, the party uncovers an e-pick with a black handle, a set of what appear to be tongs with a powerful gripping and locking mechanism, and two batteries glowing with charge.

With their new spoils packed or distributed, they proceed once more unto the breach. As Kalasha takes lead through the rocky tunnel at the other end of the metal rooms, she creeps slowly towards where they had faced the four-armed skeletons the day before. The bones of the two they had felled lay scattered about and tracks of several bony feet have criss-crossed and churned the sand at the entrance, but there appears to be no sign of the others--save for a pair of green, glowing eyes watching from the distance.
Group 0 Map Updated
Loot Thread Updated

Zorden more or less brought up the rear as they began to file into the narrow tunnel towards the sandy area again.

As the group collectively paused to survey the scene he waited a few moments for people to see what there was to see.

He then asked, "Do you think we should try putting on those shoe things Kalasha got now?  They might be awkward to walk in if we have to retreat again but I don't think those skeleton things will let us be long enough to strap them on if we wait until we get onto the sand."

"Might as well prepare as best as we can before we fight them again." Putting his words into action, starts dipping his arrows in the balm he bought just for this occasion. Remembering how the fight went last time, he decided to stay as far away from those claws as possible.

I'll use one Holy Weapon Balm on my arrows, Zorden has the other one, right? I think I'll have Cain stay back and use his bow to do some holy damage this time. It will be another level before Cain actually becomes useful in melee.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:33, Mon 11 Apr 2022.

Morin gave the watching eyes a friendly wave to the green-eyed skeleton watching them from the desert.  Sure, they were almost certainly going to have to destroy whatever ghost or necromancer was controlling the skeletons, but there was no point in being rude about it.

Keeping an eye on the distant enemy, Morin started to put the snowshoes on.  He wasn't entirely sure if they were even going to work: snow and sand made for two very different walking experiences. But he was definitely willing to give it a shot.

"Okay, what's the plan?" He thought out loud as he laced up the strange contraptions. "Set up here like last time and crush them as they get closer?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:26, Sun 10 Apr 2022.

Kalasha halted the group well before the sands to don their shoes.


She suggested a strategy: "We make straight for our objective.  With the shoes, we can match pace with them, so they cannot close on us... and with reach weapons,"  She hefted her new Lucerne Hammer, "Or ranged weapons, we can destroy any that attempt to block our paths or come in from the side more quickly than we can reach our destination."

"Okay." Morin nodded thoughtfully.  "Our objective being the glowing light up on that cliff, right?  I don't mean to be a downer, but what do you think the odds are that light is coming from like a big robot that's going to try to kill us the moment we get close to it?  50/50?  Do we want a bunch of skeletons coming in behind us while we deal with something like that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:04, Mon 11 Apr 2022.

"If you know when the foe is coming, I can use the strength of stone to make myself larger than any of you. It is a trick common to most of my people, but it does not last long.

But this would give me about the same reach as you, paladin.

I know another trick to increase the strength of my weapon, and a blessing that I could put upon all of us. If we are aware of such a danger, I will cast this before we engage in battle. however, these blessings do not last long.

But with them, we will crush our opposition with the certainty of stone."

His bravado lacked any emphasis or emotion. He was merely stating facts, in his own mind.

Morin nodded thoughtfully at Vin's suggestions.  "Yeah, those are all pretty useful tricks.  I wouldn't use more than maybe one of them for this fight, though.  These skeletons didn't seem very tough.  They can scratch you up pretty good if they get a chance to really lay into you, but that mace of yours should go right through them."

Seeing that Cain had already started dipping arrows in his magic balm, Morin hopped into action.  "Oh shit, we've gotta get a move on.  That stuff only lasts for like a minute." Walking over to the remains of the previously killed skeletons, he picked up a couple of long bones and started banging them together, giving off a hollow *clunk* that carried surprisingly well through the open space of the underground desert.

"Skeletons!  Come out to play!" The bard called, putting his loud theatrical voice to good use.  "Skelllletooons!  Come out to plaaaayyy!"

Kalasha sighed as Morin pointed out what Cain was up to.  Her jaw dropped completely when he ran out and started trying to have a fight right here, wasting her investment.  From the glance of her eyes and  the look on her face (when her jaw came back up), it definitely appeared that she was thinking about just walking away and coming back when the skeletons had quieted the jester down.

After a moment's hesitation, she hefted her new hammer and stepped out between the mouth and the bones.  "Sunk costs fallacy strikes again."  She said, looking at Morin.  "In the future, let's not throw good money after bad."

Zorden pulled out the sling he'd acquired and wrapped it loosely in his hand so it was at the ready.

Based on the trajectory of things thus far, it seemed foolish to waste either the balm or his bullets against the skeletons.  He could miss the damn things just as well with stones.

He then fell into line waiting for Kalasha to decide if she was going to move down the pathway towards the skeleton they could see or wait for it to come to them.

Vin cast an incantation as they approached, and became significantly larger.

<orange> Enlarge Self racial effect. <orange>

Spurred to action by the gnome bard's rashness, the party makes quick preparations and move out into the open. Their stalker stays in place just beyond the sight of most of the party, visible to them only by the glowing green of its eyes, but Cain can faintly make out the skeleton crouched behind the cover of a rocky outcrop. It takes no action as it sits and watches, but the green lights in its sockets soon wink out and leave it only visible to Cain's elf eyes.
We're now in action time, posts should include a round of actions
Group 0 Map Updated

"Huh. Looks like they are waiting for us to get closer this time. Let's see if we can get their attention." Cain steps forward, draws his bow and looses an arrow in the general direction of the skeleton.

Move 5' forward and fire.
11:59, Today: Cain rolled 6,5,6 using 1d20+3,1d6,2d4 with rolls of 3,5,4,2.  Shortbow (Attack, Damage, Holy Damage).

"It ain't a sunk cost fallacy."  Morin quipped, walking closer to the hiding skeleton.  "More like striking while the iron's hot.  If you gave me some time, I might be able to put it in a financial metaphor like every single thing you say, but for now the smithing metaphor will have to do."

Looking over the ridge where the glowing eyes had disappeared, Morin yelled at the unseen skeleton.  "Hey!  Spooky!  Just because you turned your eyes off doesn't mean we don't know where you are!"  Despite his casual tone, Morin kept his eyes open as he advanced.  He wasn't quite sure how smart these ancient piles of bones were, but this felt an awful lot like a trap.  Then again, maybe this time the skeleton was just holding back until the others could get into position for an attack.

MOVE: Walk 15' to the east.
STANDARD: Total defense.

Kalasha was angry enough that she tightly clamped her mouth shut, but nevertheless continued to try to keep the gnome safe.  She moved to stay in the lead and prepared to hit anything that came near.

OOC:
Move - 15' east
Standard - ready to attack

[Private to GM:
14:44, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 16,10 using 1d20+5,1d12+9 with rolls of 11,1.  Readied Lucerne Hammer.
14:44, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 15,18 using 1d20+5,1d12+9 with rolls of 10,9.  AOO Lucerne Hammer if needed.  ]

Zorden followed the others onto the sand as they moved out.

He kept his weapon, such as it was, handy and ready but otherwise just kept an eye out for a return of more eyes.


Moving 10ft east, 5ft southeast
Readying an attack action if a target presents itself within range

Vin walked towards the skeletons, weapon in hand, ready to smite them down.

Move 15 east, standard, ready to attack.

Cain fires a shot at the distant skeleton while the others advance cautiously. The arrow flies wide and disappears in the oppressive darkness that surrounds them--the delay before the sound of it hitting sand reaches the party signals just how vast this submerged desert is. Soon, the green lights flicker back to life within the distant skeleton's eyes and it begins to move in quickly towards the party, but more alarmingly the sands behind them begin to shift and four more of these four-armed horrors climb up from beneath. [Private to Zorden: You can take your readied attack. Would have rolled for you but wasn't sure whether you'd use Deadly Aim.]

Group 0 Map Updated

Zorden whipped the fabric strip about and sent the rounded metal ball towards the lead skeleton as it came within range.

Taking readied action

Zorden rolled 24,1.  Attack, (Potential) Damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:27, Sat 16 Apr 2022.

Kalasha whirls about to face those coming from behind.  "One with me.  Everyone else take down green-eyes!  She called.

She moved back past the gnome and again prepared to smash some skeletons with her new hammer.

OOC:
Move - 15' west
Standard - ready to attack first skeleton in reach

17:32, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 16,21 using 1d20+5,1d12+9 with rolls of 11,12.  AOO Lucerne Hammer.
17:32, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 22,19 using 1d20+5,1d12+9 with rolls of 17,10.  Readied Lucerne Hammer.

Morin let out a surprised chuckle as the rest of the skeletons clambered out of the sand behind him.  "Okay Spooky, you got me!"  He laughed, waggling a finger at the green-eyed skeleton. "I wasn't expecting that one.  Clearly you've got a couple of funnybones left over there.  But you lot should have stayed in the ground where you belong."

STANDARD: Activate inspire courage (+1 to attack, damage, and saves vs fear.  10/10 rounds left.)
MOVE: Move 5' west
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Fri 15 Apr 2022.

Though satisfied with the accuracy of his sling powered projectile, Zorden realized taking down a skeleton by such a means would be a slow and arduous, and therefore dangerous prospect.

So he swung his rifle into position and drew a sight on the advancing skeleton, waiting to depress the firing mechanism as soon as it got within range.

Swift Action: Grab sling with tail.
Move Action: Draw weapon (Rifle)
Ready Action: Standard attack vs East skeleton (once it closes within 30')

Roll for Ready Action (If triggered)
Zorden rolled 23,1.  Attack(Inspire Courage, Point Blank Shot), (Potential) Damage

"Gods damn it, how the hell did we manage to get ambushed again?!" Cain trudges east through the sand and sends another arrow flying at the same skeleton.

Move 10' east, again shooting the skeleton to the east. Ugh. Dice roller is being particularly uncooperative today.
09:59, Today: Cain rolled 8,5,7 using 1d20+5,1d6,2d4 with rolls of 3,5,4,3.  Shortbow (Attack, Damage, Holy Damage).

Cain's second shot at the same skeleton goes wide again, but between a quick throw of a sling bullet(-1 HP) cracking a few ribs and a shot with his un-trusty musket(-3 HP) knocking a few vertebrae apart, Zorden brings down the skeleton as it trudges at the party through the deep sand. Kalasha moves towards the greater threat closing in on them from behind and with a measured but powerful swing of her long hammer fells two skeletons in one blow(-22 HP, -20 HP) and sends a shower of bone shards against the rock wall to their south. The giant-sized Vin follows Kalasha's lead but meets with much less success--one strike turning completely and the other glancing away from the tough bone(-1 HP.) After making it past the grey 'dwarf's' attacks, the two skeletons lash out at him, but the two claws are turned away by the great barriers of steel his armor and shield now present.

Group 0 Map Updated
22:32, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Vin the Betrayer, rolled 16,14,56,7 using d20+6,d20+6,1d8+4,1d8+4 with rolls of 10,8,1,3.  Vin Attack/Damage x2.
(Bonuses from Enlarge added after.)
22:42, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 13,17,4,5 using d20+1,d20+1,d4+1,d4+1 with rolls of 12,16,3,4.  Skeleton attacks v Vin.

Zorden was quite surprised they managed to fell one of the skeleton creatures before it reached them.

He didn't let it show however and instead concentrated on reloading.  With how effectively Kalasha applied her new weapon against the undead creatures he wasn't as worried the remaining enemies would survive much longer.

Kalasha pulled the hammer back in from its sweeping blow and then lashed out too quickly at the next skeleton in line.  She frowned at the failure to connect and focused on lining up her next shot.

21:25, Today: Kalasha Roadsworn rolled 8,14 using 1d20+5,1d12+9 with rolls of 3,5.  Moar Lucerne Hammering.

Coming around the side from Kalasha, Morin roped the skeleton Kalasha had just missed with surprising skill.

MOVE: Walk 5' north, 10'west.
STANDARD: Throw lasso at nearest skeleton.  16 vs touch AC, entangles on hit (Lasso has 2 hp and AC 10)
FREE: Maintain Inspire courage, +1 attack and damage, 9/10 rounds left.

23:53, Today: Morin Matzylford rolled 15 using 1d20-3 with rolls of 18.  Lasso! (forgot +1 from inspire courage)

Cain tries to get a shot from behind Vin, and predictably misses again.

Huh. For some reason these guys seemed tougher the last time. Anyway, shooting into melee and the skeletons have soft cover as well.
17:19, Today: Cain rolled 10,7,5 using 1d20+2,1d6+1,2d4 with rolls of 8,6,2,3.  Shortbow (Attack, Damage, Holy Damage).

While Zorden reloads Morin manages to rope the nearby skeleton, but even with their target bound attacks from Cain, Kalasha, and Vin fail to land. Rather than taking the full brunt of the skeleton's attacks, the enlarged duergar backs off, drawing futile attacks from the pair but forcing them to advance through the extended reach of both he and Kalasha. Kalasha's mighty swing hits the bound skeleton solidly and scatters another set of bones(-18 HP) and Vin's blade lands solidly as well, breaking off several lower ribs(-7 HP) but failing to down the final skeleton, which manages to get a claw beneath a plate of armor when it closes in(-3 HP).


Group 0 Map Updated

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:07, Tue 26 Apr 2022.

Vin raised his arm and smashed the one nearest, trying (and mostly succeeding) to prevent showing pain on his face from his new injury, his huge battleaxe smashing down upon the skeleton.

His the one near me
16:31, Today: Vin the Betrayer rolled 9 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 2,3.
16:31, Today: Vin the Betrayer rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  vin attack skeleton.

The final skeleton collapses beneath Vin's great axe and adds another pile of bones littering this small patch of sand in the vast, underground desert.

Group 0 Map Updated
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:06, Tue 26 Apr 2022.

Zorden kept his rifle ready, having regained a little faith in the device, and prepared to cautiously trek across the sand to wherever the trail lead.

Morin got his lasso loosened out and ready to throw again, with a look of satisfaction on his face.  "Right then!"  He said cheerfully.  "On to the next chumps, I guess."  At some point, the amateur archaeologist in him wanted to do a thorough exploration of this strange underground desert, but for now it seemed like following the trail was their best bet at finding Khonnir's remains.

"Huh." Cain prods a broken pile of bones with his boot. "They seemed a lot tougher the last time."

Moving east then?

"See, that's the power of theatrics!."  Morin replied, completely in earnest.  "A seemingly endless wave of skeletons coming from every direction, shrugging off bullets and blades, that's intimidating, no matter who you are.  But when the baddies are all lined up formation?  Well...it's probably more effective.  But it's not as scary, because now you're dealing a known quantity.  There's probably some kinda lesson to be learned from that."

Kalasha took the lead in trudging east along the path.  "More tactics, less theatrics, Morin."  She replied to the gnome.  "We updated our equipment to give us the advantage and we worked in concert while they just piled in."

After a moment, she commented thoughtfully.  "I am curious about those green lights.  At first I thought it was a necromantic spirit, animating the skeletons.  But then it moved from one skeleton to another that was already active when the first died.  Its presence didn't seem to strengthen the skeleton it inhabited, either.  I wonder if it's gone or if it just ran out of bodies nearby."

"With all the rumors that surround these sorts of places, it could be anything."  Zorden commented in regards to Kalasha's theory.  "Though I wonder, if you're right, and it's some sort of... spirit or something that was controlling them, why it stayed here and didn't venture out to try and inhabit any of the other dead things in these caves."

Vin faded down in size to normal, noted there were no more foes, and nodded.

"I know not of your previous encounter, but may all our fights be so blessed."

It looked like things were going well and his allies were reasonably competent.

The party trudges eastward through the sands, following the foot-trail carved out presumable by those who came before them. Eventually the rock wall and the cave they came through are consumed by the oppressive blackness as it closes in behind them. The trail follows along a rocky outcropping to their north and as they move they can make out ominous pillars of more coral-like structures among the sands--although fractured and scattered by some catastrophe which claimed the lives of many other tentacled beasts. Eventually the trail comes to another rock wall and follows it south, ever closer to the glow they had seen when they first entered this desert. The party arrives at the source of the light--a cave much like the one they had passed through to enter this place but which leads nowhere. The otherworldly light--pure white and steady much more like Vin's spell rather than a torch or bio-luminescent glows--seems to have no source but pours out from the cave's dead end.

Group 0 Map Updated

Kalasha looked at the dead end emanating light.  "Well we could... or... huh."  She muttered as she thought.  She was stymied.

Zorden looked for a moment, and then pulled out one of his sling stones and chucked it down the lit tunnel towards the end wall to see what might happen.

PM[Private to Morin Matzylford; Zorden: Zorden's tossed stone strikes the strangely lit rock wall and falls into the sand, although the clatter of the stone striking seems ... delayed.][Private to Cain; Kalasha Roadsworn; Vin the Betrayer: Zorden's tossed stone passes straight through the wall at the end of the tunnel. The image seems to suddenly fade and reveal more metal rooms beyond--these well-lit by unnatural white panels within the ceilings.]

"Alright, who wants to walk to the end of this tunnel?"  Zorden asked.

"I think that's the only way to figure out what this is, because I think it's not what it looks like.  But what it is, no idea, so... might be dangerous."

"Dangerous, eh?"  Morin replied, opening up his scroll kit.  "I think I've got a volunteer for that sort of work right here in my pocket!" 

Reading the words from his newest scroll of unseen servant, the bard summoned his invisible construct once again.  Handing the servant a torch, he sent it ahead of the party to explore the strange cave, tapping at the floor and walls as it went in case there were any ancient traps lying in wait, unsprung and thirty for blood.

He also cast another spell to detect magic, and scanned the cave up and down for any unexpected auras.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Thu 05 May 2022.

Deeply surprised, Kalasha looked at the two who had just spoken.  "Can you not see the hall and lights past the former back wall, now that Zorden's stone has broken whatever was blocking our sight?"  She asked as she strode forward - lucerne hammer in hand - to explore the hallway.

Zorden cocked his head.

"No."  He answered.

"Whatever is, was, whatever, making the tunnel look like a dead end must not fool everyone at once.  I still see the rock."

He still let Kalasha and Morin's spell creature lead the way, but nonetheless he did begin to follow.

"Still, I don't think it's a dead end tunnel, and if you say it's definitely not a dead end tunnel, good enough for me.  Just hope I don't look like an idiot trying to walk through a wall and bounce off of it."

"Looks like some kind of an illusion, alright. But wherever this tunnel leads, at least we will be out of this sand." Cain follow after Kalasha as well, bow and a clumsy tangleshot arrow in hand.

With the insistence of the others and a fair amount of squinting, soon Zorden and Morin are able to see see wall for the figment it is and see through it to the metal rooms beyond--well-lit by sterile, white lights emanating from the ceilings. Morin soon finds that despite not being a real wall, it is not a magical one either--aside from his servant and the minor magical auras and items possessed by the party there are no signs of any magic he can detect. The party ventures through the cave tunnel towards the metal rooms--which become clearer as they pass the translucent, figment of a wall--with Morin's unseen servant leading the way, thumping the lit torch about to test for traps.

Just beyond the illusory wall is a room very much like the one leading to the desert to the west with complex machines consisting of spiral tubes and nozzles flanking on each side. Unlike the other room this one is lit clearly by the pale light from above and the machines on either side seem ... almost alive. The nozzles twitch and spasm and the mechanisms behind them give off an ominous, growing and heightening hum. The party holds back for a moment, wary of the activity, and rightfully so as soon an arc of lightning jumps between the two machines and bathes the party in heat and light before the machines settle back into twitching and humming once again.
[Private to Cain: Cain isn't confident he knows what is going on with the mechanisms. He may figure it out and disable the hazard with trial and error--or by getting lucky--but he might end up shocking himself too. (Taking 10 won't get you there.)]

Group 0 Map Updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:29, Thu 05 May 2022.

"That looks like a very clear STAY AWAY sign to me. We could risk running through just after a lightning hits, but I don't like our chances. We're better off figuring out something to turn it off." Cain inches closer to the strange mechanism and looks for a way to get them through the room without getting them fried by lightning.

Disable device. I was counting with +1 from that black e-pick we found, but if the battery is dead on that one, Cain will use the brown one he bought earlier (-1 to this roll).
07:52, Today: Cain rolled 22 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 10.  Disable Device.

Vin's usual stoic demenor remained constant, but those who had become use to him would notice that, for a Druegar, he was terribly excited.

"The Metal Voice has whispered many strange things abut these holy places. Perhaps one the many strange visions and prayers I have learned may help in understanding what we are facing."

He began carefully examining the mechanisms and applying his limited understanding to help Cain.

Would an engineering test be appropriate to aid other?
If so...
18:03, Today: Vin the Betrayer rolled 14 using 1d20+8 ((6)).

This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Sat 07 May 2022.

Morin joined Cain and Vin in crowding around the entrance to the more dangerous nozzle room.  "These are supposed to be some sort of chemical sprayers, right?  That's what Sanvil said, at least.  Liquid or gas or something fancier.  Either way, it looks like there's power in that room, which is exciting!  Hmm.  There's no power on our side of the ruins, so the energy is probably coming from the room behind it.  Maybe we could break the connection with a well-placed ball from Z's musket?"

18:29, Today: Morin Matzylford rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8.  knowledge engineering?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:49, Mon 09 May 2022.

Cain enters into the sparking room and quickly pries a panel off the face of one of the machines to expose its inner-workings. Using the black e-pick the party had recently recovered he begins to test and fiddle with the connections and flow of power within, but after some tense moments with the machine's humming steadily growing he has made no headway in disabling the coming spark.

While Cain works, with some advice from Vin which isn't particularly helpful, Morin examines the hallway beyond but sees little of use--the hallway walls are fairly featureless Numerian steel with regular buttresses protruding inward slightly. The large doorway at the end of the hall is closed while the nearer two are open, but all three have panels on the nearby walls which glow a light brown.

4 rounds spent attempting to disable the hazard, 1 charge spent from black e-pick.
Disable Device check failed. I'll rule Engineering could be used to Aid Another with a check of 15 or higher.
09:33, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 4 using 2d4 with rolls of 2,2.

"Dammit all." The machine's growing hum is starting to really worry Cain, so her retreats back to the hallway for the moment. He figures he'll try again after the... whatever this thing is discharges again.

Not sure I got this right, but the humming could indicate it's going to blow. So Cain will do a tactical retreat, and then come back to give it another go when it does so, if that's possible.

Btw, did I mention that the dice roller really hates me?
19:35, Today: Cain rolled 13 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 1.  Disable Device.

edit: Aaaand I just rolled another 1 in another game I play here.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Fri 13 May 2022.

"You think it's getting ready to do the thing again?"  Zorden asked Cain as he saw the man retreating from his first attempt at disabling the nozzles and not looking pleased with the efforts.

"It's getting ready to do something."  Morin reasoned.  "After it goes off again I'm going to run through to the hallway on the other side.  Maybe I can use that panel by the door to shut off the lightning.  It's a brown light, and I've got a brown card, which means I'm authorized to do something."

OOC: After the next shock, Morin's moving through into the long hallway, and examining the panel by the doorway between the hall and the lightning room.
19:22, Today: Morin Matzylford rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8.

Zorden had been about to volunteer to attempt something similar to Morin when the gnome had spoke up.

However if the small man was set on going Zorden decided not to point out why he'd be less likely to be zapped should the nozzles go off while crossing and less likely to be injured if he did get caught by the machines.  That sort of verbal exchange with Morin seemed like it would be more effort than dragging him back to Torch in the event he didn't make it to the door on the other side.

Just as soon as Cain steps out of the room another bolt of lightning jumps between the strange machines with a loud *crack,* narrowly missing the half-elf. Wasting no time, as the time between the shocks seems to be of the essence, Cain turns around and reenters the room to continue his attempt to disable the hazard while Morin passes through the room to examine the panel on the far side of the next set of doors. The panel seems rather simple from the outside--a plain, smooth, white face of some strong but translucent material with a glowing, brown light behind the surface and a simple groove running across the side through which an access card could slide. As Cain fiddles with the exposed innards of the humming machines, he manages to cross two wrong circuits with the extremities of the e-pick and immediately the growing hum shifts into a screech and another arc of lightning jumps between the machines--bridged by the unfortunate tinkerer. (12 Electricity Damage to Cain, Reflex DC 16 for half)

1 charge spent from black e-pick
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:11, Tue 17 May 2022.

Cain just barely gets out of the way of the arc before it fries him. "I meant to do that."

He gathers his courage and again start tinkering with the device.

Evasion for no damage.
20:06, Today: Cain rolled 17 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 8.  Reflex save DC16.

And finally a good roll.
20:07, Today: Cain rolled 29 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 17.  Disable Device.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Tue 17 May 2022.

"Aw geez!"  Morin yelped as a blinding arc of electricity filled the nozzle room, originating right from the spot Cain had been tinkering.  The gnome reached for his healing wand and steeled himself to rush into the room and try to revivify the charred half-elf.  Only, once the bright flash faded and Morin could see into the room again, Cain was totally fine.

"Oh."  Morin muttered, momentarily relieved and embarrassed until his usual cheery persona took over.  "Well...I guess you know what part's doing the sparking, now!  And that's half the job, right there!"

Coming back to the machine, now with a good idea of what is causing the malfunction, Cain makes quick work in rerouting the power feed and ending the dangerous hum and putting the twitching nozzles to rest. Cain reckons it is only a temporary fix, but it should be safe to pass through the room for some time.
100 XP each for overcoming the hazard.
1 charge depleted from black e-pick.

"Sounds safe now."  Zorden remarked as the sound changed.  He took a few tentative steps into the tunnel and when the space didn't try to kill him he gave Cain a nod of thanks for remedying the situation.

Morin shot Cain a thumbs-up as the rogue's efforts seemed to pay off, and the dangerous hum died down.  "Nice work.  On to the next one, I guess."  He took his place at the back of the party, letting the more martially-inclined types move towards the front.  "The door panel seems pretty simple.  No buttons or switches, just a light on the wall and a spot to slide a card through."

OOC: Moving to the back, to keep out of the melee characters' way and protect against ambushes.

Kalasha didn't yet understand what was going on with the metal and electricity.  However, she was interested, so she watched closely and sought to learn what she could.

When Cain dealt with the sparking threat, she gave him a respectful nod and began to move forward to see what else this strange cave held.

"What can I say, I am a man of many skills, brave and handsome. Oh, and humble as well." Cain states absentmindedly as he examines the tool he just used before moving on. "Maybe one of those cards we have can help us with the next door."

How many charges are left on the pick? Don't know if it started full or not.

Also, who's carrying the cards?

The party continues on with Morin's unseen servant leading the way. As the hallway reaches the closed, circular Numerian steel door it zags to the east before continuing north at a slight curve. Ahead, down the curved hallway is an open doorway on the eastern wall which seems to lead to another, parallel, curved hallway and further north in their hall is another open doorway at it's northern end. Beyond that doorway seems to be a larger room but little can be made out from the party's current angle and distance. More pressing, the door nearest them at the zag of the hallway remains closed with a translucent panel nearby, softly glowing brown.

Cain looks down the corridor, then back to the closed door, clearly unsure which way to go. "Let's... let's try the door first. Without a clear trail to follow, we might as well be methodical in our search."

He will try whatever cards he is carrying. Maybe one of them opens this door?

"Sounds right."  Zorden commented.

He kept looking up and down the corridor as Cain worked on getting the door open with one of the brown cards.

Kalasha nodded her agreement as well, and took up a position near the door.  From the grip on her new hammer, she seemed concerned with the possibility of the door opening to reveal new threats.  Dealing with potential threats had been foremost in her mind pretty much since coming through the water, so that was nothing new.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:19, Mon 23 May 2022.

After some brief consideration of his brown-striped card and the brown-glowing panel with the slit, Cain slides the striped end of the card through the slit of the panel and in an instant, is if by magic, the Numerian Steel door rises quickly into the ceiling with a hiss of air.

The air in this room seems to buzz and hum with energy. Strips of glowing rectangles light the room from above, while strange flickering windows line the east and west walls. A large glass-topped circular table sits in the middle of the room. To the north sits a large metal desk covered with blinking lights, while a humming pillar of purple-and-black metal stands nearby, its sides flashing with tendrils of violet energy. A single golden panel flashes with a soft but incessant light on the side of this pillar. A thick layer of dust coats everything, diffusing the lights shining from the various surfaces, and many of the machines seem to be damaged, cracked, or otherwise ruined.

Group 0 Map Updated.

Morin moved to the back of the group as Cain opened the door, doing his best to stay out of the way of the melee fighters in case things got ugly.  Seeing the empty room filled to the brim with tech gadgets, however, he immediately regretted not standing closer to the door.

"Ooh, nice!" He exclaimed. "That stuff looks important!  I bet we can find a lot of clues about what these ruins are meant to do.  If it doesn't electrocute us, that is.  Some of that stuff...kinda looks like it might electrocute us."

As usual, Morin sent the unseen servant ahead of the party to poke and prod at the machines on his behalf, while he tried to figure out what in the Hells he was even looking at.

23:30, Today: Morin Matzylford rolled 25 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 18.  knowledge engineering?
This message was last edited by the player at 05:31, Tue 24 May 2022.

"This stuff just looks dangerous to me." Cain stays outside the room, not wishing to risk another electrocution so soon. To him the room is a disappointment - no sign of Khonir and nothing obviously valuable or useful to swipe either.

Zorden took a look inside, but left it to Morin to puzzle more deeply over.  There was no doubt fortunes in knowledge and artifacts to be had in these caves, if you could avoid the Technic League coming down on your head.  However now wasn't the time to do more than take a cursory glance.

He stepped over so he had a line of sight down the arcing hallway in case anything should come thier way.

The unseen servant enters the room and does it's best to be disruptive to any traps, prodding and banging the lit torch against random items. Most of the room seems to abide the abuse, but as it begins to jab at the many lights on the metal desk at the far end of the room it manages to illicit a cacophony of disapproving beeps and buzzes. [Private to Morin Matzylford: Your best guess is that this room was used to do something important ... or else why would it have so many buttons and lights? The pillar to the west of the metal desk seems to be some kind of conduit of great power and the glowing, golden panel on it probably has something to do with that.] Zorden steps to the east to get a better view down the curving hallway, and when he does so he spots someone attempting to hide behind a pillar and watching him from the room at the end. Judging by the size of the head and the two clawed hands grasping the side of the pillar, this is related to what they had just fought--but certainly not a skeleton. It doesn't react as if it knows it's been seen.

Zorden did his best to look bored and otherwise inattentive while actually keeping the potential enemy in his peripheral vision.

When the electronic cacophony started up he called out to Morin, "Be careful how you break things in there.  This is technically someone's home, or whatever, and they are definitely watching us."  He admonished the gnome, while putting a bit of emphasis on his last point.  "So it might be nice not to ruin things."

"I dunno if "home" is the right word there, Z."  Morin replied, eyes focused on the room full of machines.  "And if anyone does live here, I've gotta say their hospitality is pretty lacking.  Ruining their things doesn't seem too bad, if they're just gonna use their things to kill us."

After a moment's thought, Morin stepped gingerly into the room.  He followed the same path cleared by the unseen servant, but without all the banging about.  "There's clearly a lot of energy moving through that conduit in the corner, and I think that gold panel is an important part of it.  I wonder...is this some kind of necromancy machine?  Those skeletons just outside had glowing lights in their eyes, and now here's a room full of glowing lights.  Think about it: a mechanical necromancer!  Wouldn't that be a find!  Something like that would be worth a fortune!  Though...I guess there would be some, uh, moral concerns about selling it."

Keeping an eye out for any hidden dangers, Morin approached the blinking panel.  He looked for any obvious set of controls to it, or maybe a place to swipe an ID card.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:57, Sat 28 May 2022.

With no one seeming to catch the hint from Zorden, Morin follows into the room after his servant to get a closer look at the pillar. Nothing in the room reveals itself as immediately dangerous and as the gnome draws closer to the desk at the northern end he can detect a subtle, quiet hum coming from it. The black pillar is traced with purple lines--mostly straight but with occasional 90- or 45-degree turns as the move along the pillar--much like the innards of the two metal men except these occasionally pulsate as violet light travels along them. The panel on the pillar is largely featureless: a translucent face much like the door panels but without any slot for a card and with a golden light slowly and steadily pulsing behind it.

Zorden wasn't willing to risk alerting... whomever it was, that their cover was blown.  He'd attempted to try and mention it without actually mentioning it, but that sort of social sleight of hand wasn't his forte at all, so he wasn't surprised that nobody had got what he was trying to say.

Instead, while the others continued to poke around in the adjacent room, he did his best to keep an eye on the creature, person, whatever, without making it obvious he was doing so.

Confident that Zorden was covering the entrance, Morin stayed focused on the machines in front of him.  If the golden panel was the same as the one by the doors, it was probably also some sort of access point.  But without a card slot, how was he supposed to use it?

The bard wasted no time before poking and prodding the machines in any way that didn't seem obviously dangerous.  He held up his access card in front of the panel, then in front of the strange pillar, then tried tapping it against anything in the room that looked like it could be some kind of sensor, all the while shouting commands at the machines in ancient Androffan.

[Language unknown: Heilngwi!  Ticiveenc Ain Urleai Notardany o!  Ceta atlldi le e!  Fodiee chusis! Tioillughwhe prendencenti...etmeli?  ]

He had already badgered one robot into talking to him using this method, so as far as Morin was concerned it was a technique with a 100% success rate.  Sure, the robot had more or less immediately tried to kill the party, but that probably had nothing to do with Morin annoying it.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:19, Sat 04 June 2022.

"Try not to get yourselves killed in there! Or worse, get me killed." Cain shouts to Morin from the corridor outside.

As Morin sets about trying to command, impress, and intimidate the inanimate lights and machines he manages to accidentally and simply touch the golden panel and immediately the rooms begins to spring to life; beeps, whirs, hums, muffled clicking and buzzing begin to report from the desk and very the walls of the room. The tendrils of violet light passing along the black pillar speed and soon give off a constant glow while glass panels on the desk and windows on the walls fill with black and white static. Mere moments later the large, circular table in the center of the room flickers before sending blue light up from its surface to hang in the air as some sculpture of light. No, not a sculpture ... a model. Judging by the familiar features of the figment, it is a scale model of the desert the party had just passed through. [Private to Zorden: A subtle, reddish light seems to be added to that of the sterile white light in the room at the end of the hall and the creature watching moves out from Zorden's view.]
150 XP each for ... whatever Morin just did.
Group 0 Map Updated.

"I don't know what you did."  Zorden called over to Morin.  "But whatever it was did something in one of these other rooms."

After a moment he then added.  "Or it was entirely a coincidence, but either way, something changed in there.

Kalasha stepped up to the model.  "How interesting!  A divination spell that displays the results for everyone."  She reached out to touch the model with her hand.

Cain joins Zorden, worried of something creeping up on them while they are distracted. "What do you mean?"

Morin stepped back as the machines whirred to life, with a huge grin spreading over his face once it was clear the machines weren't about to explode in his face.  "Another success for the Matzylford technique!" He declared proudly, moving to join Kalasha in inspecting the light model of the underground desert.

"It looks like a combination of divination and illusion.  Or maybe just illusion, I'm dunno if the picture is current." 

Climbing up onto the table for a closer look, Morin searched the scene to see if it matched the current desert.  The smashed skeletons would be hard to pick out at that "distance", but hopefully the dead tentacle beast by the entrance would be large enough to pick out if it was present.  He also searched the map for any points of interest the party hadn't seen.  He had been meaning to come back and go over the desert more thoroughly at some point, but if the hologram was actually accurate, just looking at it could be just as effective and much faster.

Lastly, he looked for anything that might be a control system for the map and the static-y windows.  He wasn't sure what the static implied, of course. Maybe that was how they were supposed to look, as some kind of alien decoration?

"The room, down on the end of the hall.  The light was pure white."  Zorden explained.

"Then, when Morin did whatever he did, as you can see now, it's a bit red, so something changed in there."

Cain frowns. "Somehow I doubt that's a good sign. We should proceed with caution, once the rest get tired of examining this junk."

Kalasha finds her hand to pass right through the map--it is just as insubstantial as the wall they had recently passed through. Morin's closer examination finds the map doesn't show the remains of the tentacle-beast they fought, the various other coral remains they had passed, or trail carved across the desert which they had followed and added to. The gnome also finds that none of what he would imagine to be controls are marked--either the labels have faded or the beings who made these ruins didn't feel the need.

Cain can see the slightly red hue to the light in the room as well.

Morin shook his head in disappointment when he realized the model wasn't up-to date.  "Looks like just a regular illusion.  Just a curiosity unless we can figure out how to control it, and not even I'm dumb enough to just start hitting random buttons on a gizmo this complicated.  Not when it has so much juice running through it."

He gave the room one more quick once-over, looking for anything both interesting and portable enough to carry away, then returned to the others.  "Onto the next room?"  He asked.  "Who knows, maybe red meant something good for these guys?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:48, Fri 10 June 2022.

Zorden moved out of the way so Kalasha and Morin's floating torch could get out in front.

Cain is ready to move on as well.

Guess we just didn't notice that creature in the room then?

With no caution from Zorden, the party continues on unaware of the creature waiting for them ahead. Morin's torch-wielding servant leads the way ahead of the party, doing its best to trip any traps, with Kalasha and the gnome--unable to direct the servant from too far back--trailing behind it. They pass by the doorway to the east, taking a brief look down the parallel hallway as they do. After the torch has entered the room ahead and the party draws nearer to look inside, they see a large metal table surrounded by odd-looking chairs. To the west, what appears to be a transparent wall looks out over a strange desert valley lit by a bright red sun and sky. Four pillars support the fifteen-foot-high ceiling, while dozens of crude images of a pickaxe made of a skull and bones have been painted onto the walls with some sort of ivory pigment along with several phrases in an unrecognizable language. Standing upon the desk and staring at the western wall is what appears to be a slender, tall, four-armed man with a large head with a long, back-swept cranium and pale skin. It bears on its hips two short blades, two javelins slung over its shoulder, all tarnished with time, and a bright red cape which could be brand new, and at the moment appears fascinated by the view through the wall and is ignoring the party. [Private to Vin the Betrayer: You can tell right away that this creature is undead.][Private to Kalasha Roadsworn: It dawns on you that this creature is not only undead, but a powerful breed of zombie with strong resistances and unslowed by death--a juju zombie. You also recognize the symbols on the walls as the symbol of Zyphus, god of tragedy and accidental death ... but as if drawn by someone who has never seen the symbol before.]
Group 0 Map updated
Previous map moved to Group 9 for reference.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:50, Fri 03 Feb 2023.

"Huh.  I thought I saw something moving."  Zorden mentioned quietly to the others as they came upon the room and its inhabitant.  "Still, it didn't come at us down the hall, so maybe it's... not completely angry we're here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Thu 16 June 2022.

"Maybe? We could try talking to it. Gods know we need as much information on what we are getting ourselves into as we can get. Just be ready in case talking is not a option."

Cain stays by the door, clearly not eager to be the one to first approach the strange man.

Sensing his cue, Morin took a few steps forwards and rapped a knuckle lightly on the metal door to get the strange figure's attention.  He did his best to look relaxed and casual, leaning up against the wall and showing the creature his empty hands.

[Language unknown: "Rutno ble.  Ecdi ou te?"]  He spoke up, betting on the creature speaking the same language as the robots and systems around the ruins.  He had a scroll of comprehend languages on his belt, but didn't want to start casting spells until they had at least established peaceful contact.

"Do you speak common?" He continued.  [Language unknown: "Rutessfor'thehasher?"] [Language unknown: "Nt wiica terest'ersiou an di ntrowe?"]

OOC: Moving 10' forwards into the room.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:21, Mon 20 June 2022.

Kalasha, who seems briefly distracted by the markings on the walls, soon raises her eyebrow in alarm and tries to caution the others, "Wait! It's a powerful zombie and those symbols are of Zyphus, an evil god." But before she can stop him Morin has already made his attempts at getting the stranger's attention. It whips about, the completely unfamiliar shape of its face difficult to read, and shrieks in what must be some kind of language, but is unlikely anything any of the party has heard. It moves quickly but strategically, taking cover behind a nearby pillar as it draws all four of its weapons and then sends a javelin flying at the exposed gnome--striking the unprepared bard and sticking the javelin solidly in his shoulder(-7 HP).
Enemy won initiative, everyone is now up.
Group 0 and 9 maps updated.

14:03, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 26,7 using d20+7,1d6+4.  Attack/Damage Javelin v Morin.
13:58, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 21 using 1d20+8.  Initiative Hetuath.
13:57, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10,18,19,14,16 using d20+6,d20+1,d20+9,d20+0,d20+5.  Initiative Cain, Kalasha, Morin, Vin, Zorden.

"AGGH!"  Morin yelped as the zombie's javelin winged him.  "Alright, have it your way!" Waving his hands in a complex gesture, the bard conjured a thin puddle of oily grease below the dead creature's feet.

MOVE    : Move 10' west.
STANDARD: Cast Grease on ground below Hetuath, centered on the southwest corner of his square.  He has to make a DC 15 reflex save or fall prone, and a DC 10 acrobatics to move.

"Oh, great. Something new is trying to kill us now." Cain steps to the side to get a clear shot, pulls a clumsy looking arrow out of his quiver and lets it fly towards the undead.

Step to the up and right, firing a tangleshot arrow. Cain bought these things, and by god he's going to use them. Plus he is kinda useless in melee until next level at least.

22:53, Today: Cain rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  Tangleshot.

Ranged touch attack, DC to avoid being stuck is only DC 10, but there's no save against being entangled.

"Yeah, well at least that answers the question.  Please remind me that there's no room for optimism in this world next time I get a little hopeful."  Zorden complained.

He moved forward so that he could get through the door.

Zorden then attempted to shoot the thing.

Either moving 10ft forward and 10ft left if Morin can take one more step, or else taking the spot where Morin started.

Zorden rolled 28,3.  Attack, (Potential) Damage.

Zorden rolled 19,15.  Crit confirm, (potential) bonus damage.

Zorden is using point blank shot but I goofed the syntax for the damage in the roller, so I manually added it in correctly above.

In a flurry of action the party rushes into the room; Morin casts a spell coating the ground under the enemy's feet with grease but the creature manages to stay upright, Cain fires a strange arrow at it but the zombie leans aside just in time to avoid the projectile, and Zorden fires a blast from his musket--the explosion from his barrel ringing loud against the metal walls--but the bullets seems to merely bounce off its skin.[Private to Zorden: He's got a high touch AC and cover so it didn't confirm, even with Bless. And the base damage didn't overcome DR. :(] Clearly this is no common, lumbering zombie. Vin steps forward as Kalsha rushes in--the Duergar calling to his strange, unknown god to bless the party and the Half-Orc swinging her great blade at the undead--striking it hard although it doesn't seem as phased at it should. (-8 HP) The strange zombie returns in kind, dropping its javelin and thrashing at Kalasha with two arms while stabbing with the blades held in the other two. It manages to slip one of its blades between the bands of the Paladin's armor and release a large spurt of blood from her gut as the blade is pulled back.(-8 HP)
Group 0 Map Updated
Everyone is up.



13:23, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 23,8,14,6,17,3,16,5 using d20+7,1d6+4,d20+7,1d6+2,d20+2,1d6+2,d20+2,1d6+2 with rolls of 16,4,7,4,15,1,14,3.  Hetuath Attacks v Kalasha.
13:19, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Kalasha Roadsworn, rolled 20,13 using d20+6,2d6+6 with rolls of 14,3,4.  Attack/Damage.
12:43, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Reflex v Grease.

Cain grinds his teeth as his arrow misses its target. "Kalasha, hit it and step back!"

He nocks another arrow and waits for Kalasha to give him a clear target.

Delaying action until Kalasha makes her action, hoping she will then step back (otherwise Cain will be taking a penalty for firing in melee as well). Regardless of whether she will or not, he will then take a step left-up and shoot another tangleshot arrow.

Not that it matters with this roll. Bah.
20:29, Today: Cain rolled 12 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 7.  Tangleshot.

Zorden curled a corner of his lip, and his tail swished back and forth in annoyance as he began to reload.

Reloading.

May take a 5' step once I know how much an issue the table and such will be to getting a clear line of sight on the dead thing.

"Oof"  Morin winced as the monster traded blows with Kalasha.  He was tempted to crack a pun and improve party morale, but recognized that Vin's blessing had already had a similar effect.

Instead he moved in behind Kalasha, drawing his healing wand with his offhand as he did so.  Speaking the wand's command word, he tapped it against the paladin's armor, closing her fresh wound slightly.

OOC: FREE: 5' step to northeast, hugging pillar.
     MOVE: Draw wand of CLW.
     STANDARD: Use wand of CLW on Kalasha, healing 3 HP.

As Zorden reloads, Kalasha does as Cain asks and takes another mighty swing against the undead, nearly knocking it from its feat with the blow(-13 HP) before stepping back and grasping at her wound--sending a glowing light from her hand into her abdomen and stymying the flow of blood(+3 HP). Morin soon arrives as her side to lend her more healing from the curing wand(+3 HP). Cains shot goes wide, but following right behind it is Vin with his battleaxe and shield hefted at the ready. By the power of his blessing he strikes another telling blow against the zombie(-4 HP). The strange creature, now flailing wildly and desperately, fails to find a way past the grey dwarf's heavy armor.
Group 0 Map Updated


20:56, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12,9,17,5,9,4,7,5 using d20+7,1d6+4,d20+7,1d6+2,d20+2,1d6+2,d20+2,1d6+2 with rolls of 5,5,10,3,7,2,5,3.  Hetuath Attacks v Vin.
20:50, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Vin the Betrayer, rolled 19,8 using d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 14,5.  Attack/Damage.
20:41, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Kalasha Roadsworn, rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  Lay on Hands.
20:39, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Kalasha Roadsworn, rolled 24,17 using d20+6,2d6+6 with rolls of 18,6,5.  Attack/Damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:31, Tue 28 June 2022.

Morin also moved back, keeping the two holy warriors between him and the monster as he mocked it.  "Looks like you made a grave mistake, buddy.  You might be a bit smarter than the average zombie, but you could do with a bit more braaiins."

FREE: 5'step to the south.
STANDARD: Activate inspire courage, giving everyone +1 attack and damage.

"Bah!" Cain drops the useless bow, draws his blade and rushes in himself.

Dropping a bow, moving to the square above Morin and drawing a sword along the way. Attacking (and probably missing again):
19:24, Today: Cain rolled 18,2 using 1d20+6,1d8+1 with rolls of 12,1.  Attack, Damage.

Cain rushes in to stab at the zombie but fails to break through its thick hide. Vin hacks at the zombie once again, but seems to be distracted by stifling a the gnome's jokes. His laughter is cut short, however, by the spray of viscera and gore as Kalasha steps back into the melee and lops the creature cleanly in half with another mighty swing of her blade.

13:29, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Kalasha Roadsworn, rolled 24,14 using d20+8,2d6+8 with rolls of 16,3,3.  Crit Confirm.
13:28, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Kalasha Roadsworn, rolled 28,18 using d20+8,2d6+8 with rolls of 20,5,5.
13:28, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Vin the Betrayer, rolled 14,10 using d20+7,d8+5 with rolls of 7,5.  Vin Attack/Damage.

"As I was saying,"--Kalasha continues with a smug grin on her face as she kneels down to wipe her blade clean on the bisected corpse's red cloak--"This was a powerful 'juju zombie.' And those drawings on the wall are symbols of Zyphus, but like it never saw a symbol of Zyphus before."

"That sounds important maybe, but I don't know why it would be."  Zorden commented in regard to Kalasha's observations regarding the drawings in the wall.

"So if it's a zombie, is it now dead for good?  I've heard stories but I can't say I know the rules."

"Dead or not, I'd wager our friend isn't going to be much of a problem anymore.  He's come down with the worst case of "cut in half" I've ever seen.  I'm more worried about whoever seems to be filling these ruins with undead.  Something is controlling them, and this guy didn't exactly strike me as being much of a magician."

Activating his wand to seal up the wound from the zombie's javelin, Morin stepped forwards to search the corpse, and to investigate the room in general.

OOC: Using one more charge of the wand on Morin.

13:14, Today: Morin Matzylford rolled 22 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 18.  perception.
13:13, Today: Morin Matzylford rolled 8 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 7.  wand of CLW, self.

Kalasha looks between the fallen zombie, the seemingly transparent wall overlooking the red-lit desert, and the crude symbols painted on the wall in thought, but ends up shrugging as she answers, "Maybe. Juju's are smart enough to flee to save themselves, or kill themselves if they want death. But the door was open and I don't see any dead from the other expeditions."

Searching the split corpse for anything of value, Morin comes up with the pair of javelins, the pair of finely crafted masterwork short swords, a pouch of what appear to be ancient gold coins with strange markings similar to the writing on the walls, and the red cloak in suspiciously good condition. A casting of Detect Magic shows the cloak to be magical, but it takes passing it to Cain and then to Vin to figure out with confidence that the cloak makes one more resistant to ill effects. (Cloak of Resistance +1)

Further searching about the room Morin finds another card similar to the ones they acquired from Sef discarded beneath one of the chairs, but this one has a black strip and the writing [Language unknown: "Ncurcksssa, Foosas Werat Ckilri Ameichtio ec"] under the picture of another human, and beside the transparent wall is a simple-looking panel with three buttons.

15:30, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8,12,21 using d20+5,d20+7,d20+4 with rolls of 3,5,17.  Spellcraft Morin, Cain, Vin.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:52, Tue 28 June 2022.

Cain picks up his bow from where he dropped it. "Another weird room, another weirder creature trying to kill us, another awful pun, and still no sign of Khonir. Bah. Someone should take this cloak at least. Any idea what those buttons do?"

Still some xp away from level 3 and Cain becoming less useless.

Zorden wandered over to the buttons Cain had mentioned and took a look at them.

"Something to do with the window maybe?"  He ventured, though he really wasn't at all sure.



Zorden rolled 12.  Know: Engineering

Seeing that nobody else had called dibs on the bright red cloak of resistance, Morin pulled it off the bisected monster and threw it around his own shoulders.  "Not bad, not bad."  He muttered, examining his reflection in one of the shinier pieces of alien furniture. "I mean, it's a little big for me, and somebody wiped zombie guts all over it, but there's something inherently stylish about a magical cloak.  Don't you think?"

Realizing the strange tech on the wall was more interesting than his fashion sense, Morin dropped the subject and moved to inspect the buttons with the others.  "Well, at least three buttons makes for a nice, simple set of controls.  Meaning there's probably not much harm in just..." He raised a hand, hovering his finger over the control panel for a moment before bringing it down on the topmost button of the bunch.

[Private to Zorden: Your knowledge of engineering suggests that the panel does likely have something to do with the window.] As Morin clasps the cloak over his shoulders he finds it to be a perfect fit despite being much to large for him only a moment ago.

When the gnome dares to press the topmost button, the landscape visage through the window immediate fades away leaving nothing but a black, slightly glossy wall. A second press brings the image of the desert back while pressing either of the other two buttons causes the wall to flicker before showing glaring, shifting, black and white static similar to the strange windows in the last room. It takes several successive presses of either of these other buttons to bring the image of the bright red desert back.

Cain is indifferent at the wonders of a magical window. They may have not learned anything useful from it, but at least it did not appear to be immediately dangerous. "Well, shall we find out what is going to try to kill us in the next room?"

Next is the corridor to the east, I guess?

Nodding, Morin joined Cain in checking out the door to the east.  "My money's on another robot.  Or the necromancer responsible for our friend over here.  Or, and I'm just spitballing here, maybe some kind of necromancy robot?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:33, Wed 29 June 2022.

"I wonder if this is some sort of magic, and we're seeing another place, or if it's just a fancy sort of painting."  Zorden mused mostly to himself.

Turning towards the door he kept his weapon in hand and at the ready as he waited for Kalasha and Morin's floating torch to once more lead the way.

Cain, Morin, Zorden
After returning to the hallway behind them and passing through the open doorway on its east wall into what seems to be another hallway running parallel to the first, a quick scout to the south finds the hallway continues on for some distance, curving gradually to the west as it runs, before ending in a pile of metal and rock where the ceiling seems to have collapsed. The hallways as it runs north also ends in a pile of collapsed rubble but before it does has another large door on the east wall--this one closed and with a nearby panel strangely glowing black. As the party considered this closed door, the sound of footsteps arises from behind them as two more adventurers approach...

---

Cael, Synn
After arriving in the slowly dying town of Torch and hearing rumors of an expedition into strange ruins beneath the Black Hill to find the town's missing councilor and reignite the torch that is both the town's namesake and center of industry, Cael and Synn have taken it upon themselves to join in the effort. After asking around the two have been directed to Councilor Baine's establishment The Foundry Tavern, but upon arriving they are told that they have just missed the expedition.

After proceeding to the Weeping Pond which is said to be the entrance to the caves, the pair find a tall, well-dressed man contemplating whether he will go in as well. The man introduces himself as Sanvil Trett and explains that he has an urgent message for one of the expedition, 'Miss Roadsworn,' but isn't sure he can stomach a dip in the rank water or overcome the dangers below. He asks that, since the pair is already intent to go in, that they tell Roadsworn that he needs to see her immediately and then stands back to watch curiously as the pair venture in.

Fortunately the expedition has thought to string a rope through the underwater tunnel into the caves and despite the foul stench and burning sensations the passage is fairly easy to navigate. The underwater passage leads to a cavern faintly lit by the still-glowing innards of a few fire beetles. Using light provided by a spell from Synn and following the water they find a small shore with three halfling corpses overgrown with moss and with half-digested chest cavities and walls and rocks splashed with some kind of slime. Continuing on they find some branching tunnels, one of which ends in a small cliff overlooking a very cold room with an abandoned body below, one piled with scrap metal and empty crates of some strange material, and one leading to what seems to be a small shanty-town occupied by thin, gray-skin skulks. The skulks are wary of the new visitors, but their leader, Sef, points them towards a raised entrance into a sheer, metal wall to follow after the expedition.

The raised entrance leads into strange rooms made completely of metal and lit brightly from above by soft, sterile white light emanating from flat panels. The rooms proceed eastward, some with doorways or hallways which would have led north or South if they weren't collapsed or crushed, with the final room leading to a strange, rock tunnel of a different color than the stone caves to the west. The last metal room contains strange contraptions to the north and south with metal tubes and nozzles which seem to hum with life and nearby panels which glow softly.

Proceeding on and through the rock tunnel to the east, the pair finds themselves in an impossible place--a vast, hot desert with a steady, shifting breeze, open skies above them, and a red sun beating down on them. Piles of bones litter the area around cave mouth and nearby, within what seems to be some kind of round, coral shell, a mass of tentacles slowly rots under the blistering sun--exuding a foul stench. The immediate pocket of desert seems to be about 400 feet wide and surrounded natural rock walls about 50 feet in height and scattered throughout are the remains and splinters of more coral-like shells.

The winds slowly shift the sands, but Cael can make out many sets of trails carved through the sand very recently towards the east. Following these trails leads to another cave in the rock wall which the footsteps lead into but do not return from. Careful inspection finds that the dead-end of the cave is illusory and the pair walk through to find more metals rooms lit by sterile light from above and a group of adventurers ahead of them...
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:26, Thu 30 June 2022.

With the paths to the north and south blocked off by rubble, it looked like the only way forwards was through the closed door.  Fortunately, they had just found a black keycard to match the neon-black(?) panel, so the way was clear.

His musings were interrupted by the appearance of two strangers in the corridor behind them.  The diminuitive gnome turned to face them, with a cheerful grin on his face.  Despite his easy demeanor, the newcomers might have been able to sense a slight tension in the way he held his lasso, and how he casually moved the darkwood buckler on his arm forwards to protect his body.  This group was clearly from the surface, judging from the fresh sludge covering everyone who had swam through the tainted waters from Torch.  But that didn't necessarily mean they were friendly.  The purple haired woman who was responsible for the town's troubles had swum through the same passage, after all.

"Well, fancy that, new faces!" the bard called out cheerfully.  "Did Father Kyte and the others get tired of waiting us to die, and decide to send in our replacements early?  Or, uh...are you associates of our purple-haired friend?"

Vin, the gray-skinned Duergar armored in heavy stone lamellar and wielding a heavy shield and battleaxe who brings up the rear of the party is a little less polite than the gnome and calls out in demand, "Halt! Declare yerselves!"

Zorden stayed silent as the newcomers approached.

Between Morin and Vin the request for information regarding their intentions seemed clear enough.  While he still held his weapon out and ready he made no move to brandish it in their direction.

Rather he seemed content to wait for their response.

Cain likewise lets Morin and the others do the talking to the strangers. But with how their recent encounters in these caves went, he keeps his bow at hand.

"Hello intrepid adventurers," Synn approached carefully, noticing some in the group were more than wary. The woman had eyes of blue with silky black hair framing the fine features of her face. She was clad in a black leather and lace corset with two crossed black belts around her hips. Her black leather skirt hugged her hips but otherwise draped fluidly down to her boots. Hanging from her belt was a buckler, a pistol, a dagger and a large pouch. Despite her extraordinary beauty, the aura of something dark hung in the air around her. "I am Synn Mescara, and this is Cael. That is all I can tell you of him as we have just met ourselves. What I can say is that we ave come to aid your cause. Speaking for myself, I hope that my skill can be of some use."

"Cael..."

 The big man simply lifted his hand in greeting, but didn't say much. Cael was covered in furs and tattoos, clearly not from around here. A large sword is strapped along his back as he stands there stoically. He isn't sure what exactly he was here to do, but the mountain does not question the motives of the wind.

Stepping forwards, Morin looked over the new arrivals appraisingly.  Between the lace and the floor-length skirt, Synn seemed to have chosen her gear based on fashion purposes, as opposed to any of the practical considerations associated with crawling through ancient, hostile ruins.  Which, as far as Morin was concerned, would make a nice change from the dour practicality of his current companions.

Cael's appearance, on the other hand, practically screamed "dour practicality."  His kind of burly, taciturn warrior was a dime a dozen in Numeria.  Still, it was always nice to have another biggun to hide behind, in case something happened to their current meatshield.

Nodding appreciatively at the two of them, Morin smiled wide.  "Okay, you'll do.  Welcome to the Canaries!  If the council didn't fill you in when they hired you, I'm Morin, and these are my associates Cain, Kalasha, Zorden and Vin.  So far, we've been finding bits and pieces of the other expeditions the council sent down here, but no sign of Khonnir Baine, which is the only body the town's willing to actually pay us for.  We get a bonus if he's still breathing when we haul him out, so we might as well get a move on."

Morin gestured to the closed door, which he was just about to try the new keycard on.  "Anything you guys wanna do before we crack this door?"

The Half-Orc paladin decked in banded mail armor and lugging around both a greatsword and a lucerne hammer salutes the new arrivals in greeting and introduces herself, "Kalasha Roadsworn, enforcer of Abadar. I hope the skulks didn't give you any trouble?"

[Private to Cael, The Whirlwind; Synn Mescara: Just to remind you of the hook to get rid of the NPCs XD.

Dungeon Master:

After proceeding to the Weeping Pond which is said to be the entrance to the caves, the pair find a tall, well-dressed man contemplating whether he will go in as well. The man introduces himself as Sanvil Trett and explains that he has an urgent message for one of the expedition, 'Miss Roadsworn,' but isn't sure he can stomach a dip in the rank water or overcome the dangers below. He asks that, since the pair is already intent to go in, that they tell Roadsworn that he needs to see her immediately and then stands back to watch curiously as the pair venture in.

]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:18, Tue 05 July 2022.

"Welcome indeed." Cain is very much in favor of reinforcements. Now that it looks like the newcomers are friendly, he turns his attention to the panel by the door, trying to figure out if (and how) it controlled the doors.

He still kept one eye on the new arrivals though, just in case.

I take it we could use that card with a black strip we just picked up?

The Gnome spoke for the group it seemed. He was certainly the most outspoken, but he did get on to business before a proper round of introductions on his side. Yes, he gave names, but as he pointed out that the previous expeditioners were still there in the form of remains, she thought perhaps a better plan than simply going forward was in order. She was about to speak up when the Half-orc jumped in an introduced herself. Synn recognized her name. "Ah, Miss Roadsworn. I have an urgent message for you. Sanvil Trett has requested to see you immediately. He didn't give any explanation beyond that. I assume that means something to you."