----------------

Myra will head towards the light with Bhelmyr ready for a fight should there be one.

----------------

The MAP !

D15 : spiral stairs UP
D26 : spiral stairs DOWN

----------------

D15 : Lower Landing

Spiral staircase leading up to the dungeon level already explored.
A doorway in each of the five walls. A large black rune, identical to
the one in the room above, but with a smaller rune floating above it, hangs in
the air. Each rune is located above a small glowing dot.

1. A very faint light source exists down the passageway, lighting up a nearby chamber ... very faintly.
The light flickers a little bit, making Myra think it may be somehow natural, or, if magical,
less magically-consistant than the strange magical darkness engulfing the otyugh chamber.
Nothing can be heard or smelt.

2. Pitch black darkness. Numerous odd smells remind Myra of recent times walking through an
open-food market in Greyhawk or Hardby, with many exotic smells hitting the nose. The smells
do not smell like food ingredients that Myra would use, however.
Some smells are rather unpleasant.

3. This led to D16 and D17 : Prison, where the adventurers are now.

----------------

Myra and Bhelmyr head down the dimly-lit passageway, and into ...

D19 : ENCHANTMENT FOYER

This room is furnished with large pieces of stone that probably served
as tables and couches. Two rectangular slabs are arranged on opposite
ends of the room, with a taller round pillar and an exit near each one.

Myra and Bhelmyr can see some things strewn about the room,
such as pillows, blankets, and drinking utensils.

A single lit candle rests upon one of the stone slabs.
A small amount of wax seems to be melted, but not much.

The adventurers can also see the two unexplored exits on opposite sides of the room.

(three passages leading from this room, including
the one Myra and Bhelmyr entered through)

Tali follows Myra and Bhelmyr, down the hall slowly and comes to a stop behind them. "Looks like some communal sleeping area" She muttered, looking at the candle, she nodded towards it. "Maybe someone was here recently?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:18, Wed 06 Apr 2022.

Bhelmyr moves into the room and has a closer look at the
lit candle resting upon one of the large stone slabs.

Bhelmyr notices that the candle is actually a very
life-like marble sculpture / carving ! It has a
small magical flame burning just above it,
making it look like a real partially-lit candle.
(until a closer look is taken, obviously)

Bhelmyr examines what must be the latest in home decor, and says, "This is a magic candle, made to look like a partially melted candle. What will they think of next!"

Matrim enters the room slightly after Bhelmyr appraises the decor, and having no eye for furnishings himself, tries to peer down the two new exits.

Perception: Matrim Rogthor rolled 19 using 1d20

Matrim peers down the two new exits.

Matrim can see in the very low light provided
by the nearby magic candle, that a chamber
is a short distance along each new hallway.

The chamber to the north is lit with a very faint
weird green glow, while the chamber to the west
is dark.

Matrim can't see any further details
unless he moves into one of the hallways.

Tali looked at Bhelmyr with a slight tilt of her head. "Unusual to say the least - a magic sculpture made to look like a candle. Fascinating"

Once looking at it, she saw Matrim move, and decided that following him would be best

Bhelmyr sticks with Matrim, making sure to refresh the light spell if it goes out.

Myra continued to follow the others ever watchful.

Matrim will head towards the north, ready for anything that may come at him and his friends.

"... ready for anything ..."

Matrim, please make a perception roll.

Matrim Rogthor rolled 14 using 1d20

----------------

The MAP !

----------------

Matrim steps into the northern hallway,
closely followed by Talianythn,
then Bhelmyr and Myra.

The hirelings wait in the room with the
large stone slabs and magic candle.

Suddenly !
An iron portcullus slams down from the ceiling behind Talianythn,
leaving Matrim and Talianythn in the passageway,
and Bhelmyr, Myra and the hirelings in the room.

A quick glance at the iron portcullus reveals it to be made of
sturdy iron bars. Four thick vertical bars and a few  thinner
cross-pieces for increased durability. Looking up, a groove in
the ceiling can be seen, from where the portcullus slid down from.
The top-most part of the portcullus is still firmly inside the
ceiling groove, while the bottom-most part of the four vertical
iron bars are wedged into four circular indentations in the floor.

A sound from the room ...
Matrim and Talianythn look towards the room .
They block the view of Bhelmyr and Myra.

In the faint green glow of the room beyond the passageway,
Matrim and Talianythn can see something move into view.

A menacing resemblance to a large human, the thing moves on
two legs and has two arms, but is obviously not of flesh and blood.
It's huge body looks to be constructed of rock and clay,
with rocky-lumpy arms and legs, and a formless rocky shape for a head.

It now stands still, and could be mistaken for a grotesque statue,
but Matrim and Talianythn are certain they saw it step into view
from the shadows of the room. It faces the passageway ...

Tali jumps as the portcullus drops, her face paling as she looks through the bars. Then she heard the sound, and turned, a squeak coming from her mouth. She moved to the side so as to give the others a clear view, while keeping her back to the wall.

"Matrim....did you see that move too?" she whispered.

Hearing the clunk of the iron bars fall into place, Matrim's breath caught. He glanced back, but hearing the squeak from Tali, his eyes shot forward, just in time to see the thing take a couple of steps.

Matrim takes a second to study the huge creature before responding, brain already deciding on what must be done.

"_{Yes, I did.}" Matrim says in a low growl. "_{But if it can move, it can die.}"

Standing to his full height, Matrim places himself between the grotesque creature and Tali.

The memory of an Undead Owlbear floats into Matrim's mind, but is pushed away. Matrim says with more bravado then he feels;

"Myra, Bhelmyr, work on the gate. Tali, do what you can to sustain or aid my fighting until the others can join in.
I will stand until I cannot."

Matrim will charge the creature, RAGE, and attack.

There are no roars of anger. No spittle flying from an open mouth.
This is the cold rage of a man who has one thought in his mind as he faces what could be his death.
The protection of his friend.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:51, Sat 16 Apr 2022.

Matrim will charge the creature, RAGE, and attack.

Everyone, please roll initiative.

DM rolled 13,21,20,18,6 using 1d20+1,1d20+1,1d20+1,1d20+1,1d20+1
five initiative rolls applied alphabetically to hirelings

DM rolled 2 using 1d20-1
clay golem initiative

----------------

21 Daniel
20 Fulthor
18 Gilthan
13 Bryce
6 Grundold

???
???
???
???

2 clay golem
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:23, Mon 18 Apr 2022.

14:04, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

18:44, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  initiative.

Initiative: Matrim Rogthor rolled 19 using 1d20+2

Attack 1:
To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 19
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 11

Attack 2:
To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 19
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 17

Bonus Action: RAGE
Action: Attack
Movement: To Golem, up to 40 ft.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Wed 20 Apr 2022.

I'm sorry, I should have also said :
"... and declare actions !"

So, we have initiative rolls for Myra, Bhelmyr and Matrim.
We have Matrim's action.

We need :

- Talianythn's initiative and action.
- Myra's action.
- Bhelmyr's action.

Note where you are, the portcullus, etc.
Myra could attempt to shoot through the portcullus.
An attempt to lift the portcullus may work, with a good strength check.
At this stage, the hirelings will await instructions from nearby
adventurers, the nearest of which are Bhelmyr and Myra.

Tali watched as Mariam sprang into action, and as he did, uttered a short spell, lighting the room with an divine bolt of energy.

---

<OOC: Talianythn rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Iniative

Action - Cast Guiding Bolt at Golem

Talianythn rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  Attack - guiding bolt.
Talianythn rolled 14 using 4d6. Damage - Guiding Bolt (If Hit)

Bonus Action - Non>

Bhelmyr will try casting radiant flames at the golem. He shouts, "Matrim! Try to stay within sixty feet of me, so I can heal you if you need it!"

Action: Cast sacred flame on golem. Dex save DC 15 or take 11 radiant damage. Ignores cover.
Bonus: Convert 3 Sorcery points into a 2nd level slot.
23:49, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 11 using 2d8.  Sacred Flame Damage, Dex DC 15 to avoid.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:58, Thu 21 Apr 2022.

Myra will duck behind Bhelmyr and draw back her bow. She readies to fire an arrow. She waits only a moment for her friend to get into place then shoots. After releasing her arrow and seeing if it hit Myra pulls back to allow the others forward towards the portcullis. "I'm of no use in trying to lift things, but maybe you lot can do it. Help lift the portcullis up and out of the way please. We need to get out of this trap." Myra speaks first in general, then to the hirelings.


OOC:
Bonus Action: Hide
09:17, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Stealth Check.
Action: Once Matrim is adjacent to the creature or if Myra has advantage on the shot then attack the creature with +1 bow and +1 arrow
09:19, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 12 using 1d20+9.  Attack roll.
09:20, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 17 using 1d20+9. Attack roll with Advantage.
09:21, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 10 using 1d6+8.  Damage roll.
09:22, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 14 using 3d6.  Sneak Attack Damage roll.
Movement: back out of the way so that the hirelings can step forward and start helping lift the portcullis.

----------------

COMBAT : ROUND 1

----------------

21 Daniel
20 Fulthor
19 Matrim
18 Gilthan
13 Bryce
12 Bhelmyr
9 Myra
6 Grundold
4 Talianythn

2 clay golem

----------------

The MAP !

----------------

Daniel and Fulthor move forward to stand near Myra and Bhelmyr.

Matrim rages and charges the golem, putting bonebreaker to good use.
Matrim chops! twice across the front of the golem's torso,
smashing large chunks of clay from the creature.

Gilthan and Bryce move forward to stand near Myra and Bhelmyr.

Bhelmyr shouts to Matrim, then casts sacred flame.
DM rolled 13 using 1d20-1. golem dex save
DM rolled 14 using 1d20-1. golem dex save advantage
The golem attempts to twist its massive form out of the way of the sacred flame,
but is too slow. The sacred flame scorches one of the golem's shoulders,
creating a small-but-thick cloud of black smoke around the golem and Matrim.

Myra takes only a few seconds to move into position, aim, and fire.
She watches the arrow disappear into the quickly-dissipating cloud of black smoke.
( The arrow thuds! directly into the centre forehead of the golem,
smashing a large chunk of its clay-head away. )

She then quickly turns and barks orders into the room.

The nearby hirelings take note of the not-to-be-underestimated halfling.

Grundold the dwarf strides forward,
looking Myra directly in the eye.
"Nothing to it", he says.

Grundold moves to the portcullus, plants his feet, takes hold of the bars, and lifts ...
DM rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Grundold athletics
(i swear to god, that was not fudged)

Grundold grunts and grits his teeth.
He keeps his arms straight and grabs the iron bars.
He starts with his knees bent, then straightens his knees ...
... raising the portcullus and creating a gap wide enough to crawl under !
(Grundold will need to roll really well again to maintain the lift,
but for now, the portcullus is partially-raised !)

As the portcullus rises behind her, Talianythn casts guiding bolt,
sending a damaging flash of light straight at the golem.
The guiding bolt punches straight through the golem,
further smashing off chunks of clay.

( As the golem starts its action,
  it should be noted that it just went from
  133 HP to 56 HP. Ouch ! brutal ! )

The golem moves its massive body away from Matrim,
by taking a few large slow steps back towards the shadows ...
(Matrim gets an opportunity attack here, now !)

Matrim sees the golem momentarily glow blue from within,
as though lit-up with an inner magic.
The glow then diminishes as the very badly damaged golem
turns and faces Matrim once more ...

----------------

Matrim, please make a single opportunity attack against the golem
at the start of your turn. Then act as normal. Thanks.

The golem can only be hit by magical weapons.
- bonebreaker is a great-axe, I think it's +1. I can't remember.
- arrows fired from a magical bow are considered magical.
  They pop! off the bowstring with a little bit of magical spark behind them.

Grundold is holding the portcullus up, high enough to crawl under.
He'll drop it on his next turn if he doesn't roll well enough on athletics.

----------------

Yup, +1!

Attack of Opportunity:
To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 22
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 12

Deep in his cold rage, Matrim admires his friends. Responding with a sharp "Yes!" to Bhelmyr, and knowing that his friends have his back, Matrim lets the rage take over, and will Recklessly Attack, in an attempt to keep this monstrosity at bay.

Attack 1:
To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 28 (CRIT!)
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 17 (5 on dice doubled, add 7)


Attack 2:
To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 14
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 15

Movement: to the Golem up to 40 ft. if possible stay within 60 ft. of Bhelmyr
Action: Reckless Attack
Bonus Action: None
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Wed 04 May 2022.

Tali, worried about this monstrous construct could think of nothing in her spells that would even slow it down, so she trusted her instincts to save her magic Should the warrior need healing. She held out her hand, calling the wyldmother to burn this beast in helping him.

---

<OOC: Action - Cast Sacred flame

Talianythn rolled 10 using 2d8.  sacred flame damage.

Dex save dc 15 or takes 10 Radiant Damage

Bonus Action - None>

Myra wasted no time in crawling under the portcullis and out the other side. She then drew back her arrow once she was on her feet once again and shot aiming at the golem. Once her arrow was released Myra ducked behind Tali hoping to hide herself from the creature.

OOC:
Action: While Matrim is adjacent to the creature Myra will attack it with the +1 bow and a +1 arrow.
16:06, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Attack roll.
16:07, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 14 using 1d6+8.  Damage roll.
16:07, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 12 using 3d6.  Sneak Attack Damage roll.
Movement: Crawl under the portcullis and out the other side.
Bonus Action: Hide
16:08, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 13 using 1d20+7.  Stealth Check.

Bhelmyr will scramble under the portcullis and move as close to Matrim as he can before summoning his spectral axe. If he can get in melee range in a single move, he will also swing his battleaxe, otherwise, he will send more sacred fire.


Move: 25 feet toward golem
Action: If close enough, attack golem with Battleaxe (+1 thanks to leather strap,) hitting AC 20 for 10 slashing damage Otherwise, cast Sacred flame, Dex DC 15 or take 5 radiant damage
Bonus: Cast Spiritual Weapon on golem, hitting AC 22 for 5 force damage

18:06, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 22,5 using 1d20+7,1d8+3.  spiritual weapon attack, damage.
18:07, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 5 using 2d8.  Sacred Flame Damage, Dex DC 15 to avoid.
18:09, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 20,10 using 1d20+6,1d10+3.  battleaxe+1 two-handed attack, damage.

----------------

As the golem moves away, Matrim takes an opportunity attack,
slashing the golem across the side, knocking chunks of clay onto the floor.

< The golem has it's move, above ... >

----------------

COMBAT : ROUND 2

----------------

21 Daniel
20 Fulthor
19 Matrim
18 Gilthan
13 Bryce
12 Bhelmyr
9 Myra
6 Grundold
4 Talianythn

2 clay golem

----------------

The MAP !

----------------

Matrim moves towards the golem and attacks recklessly,
smashing his axe through the golem,
then swish! ... hitting nothing but air ...

Bhelmyr scrambles under the portcullis and moves through the short passageway,
stopping just inside the chamber.
Bhelmyr can see Matrim and the golem, but is not close enough to enter melee himself.
Bhelmyr summons a spectral axe and casts sacred flame.

DM rolled 15, 7 using d20-1,d20-1 golem dex save : advantage

The spectral axe chops! into the golem,
while the golem is able to just avoid the sacred flame.

Myra wastes no time in crawling under the portcullis.
Myra moves forward and stops just behind Bhelmyr.
Myra draws an arrow, takes aim, and shoots at the golem.

Myra watches the arrow thud! through the neck of the golem,
smashing clay, and removing the head,
which falls to the ground and smashes into large clay chunks.

The golem stops moving, sways a bit ...
... and falls to the ground with a loud thud !

It is immobile. Defeated. Dead.

----------------

Combat ends.
Everyone catches their breath.

Grundold successfully jams his battleaxe under the portcullis,
the other hirelings stand around scratching their chins,
and the adventurers find themselves in :

D21 : Wizard's Room

This room appears to have been swept clean at one point, but has
recently grown messy again. A stone bed and a stone table are here.

Bed-coverings and pillows are heaped onto the stone bed.
The stone table has some scattered papers and a dirty mug on it.

On the floor next to the stone table are three long-swords, two short-swords,
a bastard sword, a scimitar, and two daggers.

The room is otherwise empty.

----------------

There are two unexplored passageways remaining on this dungeon level.
There is the spiral staircase up in area D15.
There is the spiral staircase down in area D26.

After making very sure that the golem was dead Myra goes to retrieve whatever arrows she can.

Tali looked around the room, steering clear of the now dead golem she checked for anything hidden. As she did, she spoke. "Bring the swords - one may be magical and when i rest i can determine if it is or not."

---

<OOC: Talianythn rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  investigation check.>

Myra can retrieve only one arrow (you decide which one!),
while Talianythn takes a closer look at the chamber.

Talianythn can see that this chamber has been re-purposed by the bandit gang.

She believes that the bandit gang used it as a bedroom,
but originally it was probably used in the process of
creating magical items, which seems to be the overall
purpose of the entire caern.

Talianythn remembers the forges in a previously-visited chamber,
which contained magical fire mephit creatures.

This chamber, however, was an enchanting room, or similar,
used in the final stages of the magical item creation process.

Therefore, the weapons found here are probably magical,
but the magical nature of them may be a lingering effect of the environment itself,
and may not be particularly useful or powerful.

"Matrim, are you hurt?" Bhelmyr asked his friend.

Tali looked around and gathered the blades, wrapping them in a old cloak. "When next we rest, i will check these for magic. Until then, we will not use them."

She comes up beside the others.

Matrim takes a moment to let the rage ebb from his body. Once gone, he turns to his friend and answers "Surprisingly, no. I thought for sure that thing was going to be a repeat of the owlbear in the dungeon some time ago. Especially once we were separated. But I see we have all become stronger and wiser since then."

Matrim looks to his friends gathered around him. "Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Never before have I found closer friends."

He lowers his voice before continuing:

"While I can still fight, I will not be able to fight as ferociously as before. I think now might be time to start getting our pays worth from our companions. Im not saying chuck them into the meat grinder, but lets keep a few in front with me for the remaining chambers."

Tali smiled and nodded, noting the barbarians weariness. "We will finish looking then find a place to rest. Until then I may need help carrying these."

She held the weapons up from the room.

"Nothing finer than friends you can trust with your life, I'd say. Perhaps I should go in front for a time, my friend. Give this new armor and cloak a chance to do their job. Myra, didn't you buy one of those magic bags? Perhaps these weapons could go in it, for now."

Matrim takes the weapons from Tail and puts them in his bag of holding.

Items added to treasure list

"Aye I did with the help of you lot anyways so yeah pass em over this way they should fit." The halfling was more than happy that she could be of use.

----------------

The MAP !

----------------

There is an unexplored hallway coming off D:19.

   ... to the west is dark ...

There is an unexplored hallway coming off D:15.

   ... black darkness, numerous odd smells ...

There are spiral stairs down to the unexplored level of the dungeon.
There are spiral stairs up to where you've already been.

Once the weapons had been stowed by Myra, Matrim suggests the hallway off of D:19. If we go that way, Matrim will also call out to the hirelings that any proficient in melee will be up front with him and Bhelmyr. Matrim will alter his stride so that he will not outpace his shorter companions.

Bhelmyr will cast light on his own axe, then take the lead. (To d19)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:48, Sat 21 May 2022.

----------------

The MAP !

----------------

Bhelmyr and Matrim, with most of the hirelings behind them,
move down the dark western hallway, to find ...

D20 : Ogre Lair

This was once some sort of magical laboratory,
then more recently a bedroom for the bandit's ogres.

A long stone table carved with runes and magic symbols takes
up most of one wall. The table is scarred and chipped by vandals.

Broken glass, pottery and bits of twisted metal have been swept
into one corner and most of the floor is taken up by three large
bedrolls.

An iron hook, probably for holding a lantern, juts from one wall.
The painted wall pattern, though badly chipped and damaged, is bright.

There are no ogres here.

Grundold stays near his axe,
which is propping up the portcullis.

Myra and Talianythn linger in D:19,
where the little magic candle still rests upon a stone slab.

Tali watches from the room as the otehrs explore, a little more cautious since the golem room.

"Let us finish this place so we can rest." She muttered more to herself than anyone

"Agreed." was the only word Myra responded with though she kept a keen eye after the others who went ahead. Her bow was ever drawn and at the ready.

Matrim will go back to D19 and say "We should go back to the stairs and see if there are any hallways we haven't gone down yet."

################

Matrim leads the adventurers back through this level of the dungeon.

Please check out the MAP !

################

From where they are now (D20), the adventurers move through
D19, to D15 (where the stairs down are), and onto the
unexplored area of D18.

D18 : MAGIC INGREDIENTS

This room reeks of a mix of smells, both pleasant and offending.
Rows and rows of stone shelves cover the walls. Each shelf is
filled with bottles, vials, tins and boxes of all shape and
size. Some reem to be cracked, broken or damaged in some way.

Adventurers can stock up on spell components here.
Most mundane components can be found here in small quantities.
Anything expensive or rare has been stolen.

################

Moving on from D18, Matrim leads the adventurers back to D15,
and down the spiral stairs, to the lowest and final level of the dungeon.

D27 : VAULT ENTRY

Another faint magical light shows this area to be
a plain pentagonal room. A not-so-secret door can
be seen slightly-ajar in the south-western wall.

The secret door is a stone block, 4' tall, which
is on a short sliding track, to slide it in-out.

It seems that the last person through the secret
door did not replace the stone properly.

################

edit :
i think i made an error and its the other spiral stairs that lead down.
it doesn't matter. you're on the lowest level now ... final rooms.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:53, Sun 29 May 2022.

Matrim will motion to the hirelings up front to go through the stone block door first, and will follow right after, stooping to fit through the small entrance.

Tali, now close behind Matrim again, followed after him, as usual weaponless other than her magic. She looked at the goliath with a smile. "Their can't be much more left here..." she muttered

Matrim chuckled softly. "Only one way to see."

Tali smiled at the chuckle, heartened by her friends confidence. She pats him on the shoulder. "After you..." She mutters

################

Please check out the MAP !

################

Fulthor, Gilthan, and Grundold move ahead through the small
sliding-stone secret-door, followed closely by Matrim and Talianythn ...

D28 : VAULT ROOM ONE

Lit with a weird magical faint glow, this room has
two empty weapons racks on its walls. The floor is
painted in a strange checkerboard pattern. The walls
are plain, constructed of old stone blocks, of a
different (but not exotic) type of stone, compared
to the rest of the underground complex.

Upon entering, the hirelings stand in the centre of the strange room.
They look around for a few moments ...

Fulthor turns to Matrim and says, "Empty. End of the road. Time to leave."

Nearby, Grundold peers intently at a wall, while scratching his thickly-bearded chin.
He speaks, quietly, "These walls ... no flaws ... too perfect ... hmmmmm .... "

"I agree with Grundold. Something doesn't seem right here." Myra scans over every inch of the wall.

20:12, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Perception roll.

Visually, Myra can't see anything that stands out to her,
although the place does look a bit odd ... as though the
lack of flaws creates an odd look to the place.

Grundold is still scratching his chin.
He has not touched anything here, yet.
Neither has Myra.

Tali stood by the entrance of the door, letting Myra and the dwarf follow their instincts

Matrim will encourage Grundold to share his musings.

"Yes, well ... *cough*", says Grundold,
"It seems that, to my dwarven eyes,
these walls are too uniform, too clean ..."

He takes a few steps around the room as he speaks.

"... and look there, at that section. It's repeated over there ..."
He points at two sections of wall on different walls,
where he believes them to be identical.

"Very strange, indeed. Wizard's work.
Magic paint or something ...", he grunts.

Bhelmyr thinks for a moment about the things he's learned about magic. Does he remember anything about walls like this?

In reply to Bhelmyr Godstouched (msg # 58):

17:10, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  arcana on walls.

By just looking and thinking,

Bhelmyr believes that the walls may have some kind of
magic upon them that masks their true appearance.

The purpose or reason for this remains unclear.

Tali was not an expert on structures - she had grown up in the wilds of elven society...most of their buildings were trees. The structures of stone was beyond her, and looking at them, she saw walls.

"I believe you, but i just see a wall" she said with a shrug

Matrim attempts to stare down the walls, to remain out of the way of those who wish to investigate the magic repeating wall.

To Matrim, the walls of the room look like well-made stone walls,
made of a type of stone different to the rest of the dungeon,
and probably made by dwarves, as Matrim knows they're good
at that sort of thing.

Why Grundold is making a fuss, Matrim cannot see ...

Bhelmyr takes a copper piece from his purse, and from a few yards away, tosses it at the strange wall nearest him.

Bhelmyr tosses a coin at a nearby strange wall.

The coin disappears through the wall !

Thus, Bhelmyr believes that at least part of the wall
he threw the coin at is illusory, with an open space
behind the illusion. How large the opening is,
Bhelmyr does not know ...

EDIT :

I should also add that Bhelmyr hears the sound of the
coin plink-plonking on the stone floor beyond the
weird wall.

He hears the coin roll a little bit,
and come to a normal sounding stop, so Bhelmyr
believes there's probably a room or corridor beyond
the weird wall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:42, Fri 10 June 2022.

"Well, hate to waste a coin!" Bhelmyr says and gets down on all fours, attempting to stick his hand through near the floor. If it goes through unharmed, he will slowly put his face through to see what he can see.

Bhelmyr does indeed find an illusory section of wall.

Placing his hand, then his face through the section of wall,
Bhelmyr sees a short passageway leading to a chamber.

The chamber is dimly lit (by magic?), and from
Bhelmyr's position he can see that there are a
few steps down from the passageway into the chamber.

Bhelmyr moves his head, and can see
that the illusion is masking an opening in the
wall approximately 2' wide, and 3' high.

Bhelmyr tells the others what he saw.

Tali watches as the coin disappears and smiles, then watches and listens to Bhelmyr. When he tells what he see's, she shrugs. "After you" She mutters.

Seeing the coin disappear, Matrim will take a half step back from the wall, and gladly let his more magically attuned friends deal with this new obstacle.

Suddenly ! ...

... the adventurers realize that they
are standing in an odd-shaped chamber,
and that not all walls have been investigated.

------------

Before proceeding through the hole/short passageway
that Bhelmyr has found, does anyone want to repeat
Bhelmyr's coin-toss-trick at the other walls to
see what they find ?

Nudge nudge ...

Matrim will cautiously use Bone-Breaker on a nearby wall.

After tapping a wall, then another wall,
Matrim finds another opening. After a bit
more prodding with his weapon, Matrim
believes that another wall (two walls in
total) have illusions on them, masking
small openings to passageways.

Bhelmyr has looked through one of the
illusion-walls, to find a low, short
passageway leading to another chamber.

The chamber that Bhelmyr can see has
a few steps-down into it. From his
vantage point, Bhelmyr can see that
the far wall of the chamber has a
weapon-rack on it.

"Ooh, I see a weapon rack. Stay put for a moment, I'll check it out!" Bhelmyr crawled into the passage toward the weapon rack, keeping an eye out for pressure plates. (OOC: Can I, perhaps, get advantage on the perception check for crawling and looking closely at the floor?)

As Bhelmyr crawled in, Tali took a few coins and started tossing them at the walls

(OOC: Can I, perhaps, get advantage on the perception check for crawling and looking closely at the floor?)

Bhelmyr, I must put my rules hat on and say No, my apologies.

I believe that this is a moment that clearly defines the difference between perception and passive perception.
Bhelmyr is actively making a proper effort to be perceptive, and thus can make a perception roll.
If he were just casually crawling along, I'd use his passive perception to notice any potential dangers.

So, as Bhelmyr is making an effort to be perceptive and look for pressure plates or similar,
please make a normal perception roll, and good luck.

------------

Meanwhile, Talianythn throws a few coins at any remaining walls, and does not find anything new.
She believes that Bhelmyr and Matrim found the only exits from this room (aside from the spiral-stairs up).

Matrim will let Tali know about his magical wall, and suggest that she can look into it, if she wants to.

Tali nods, and following suit of bhelmyr, set about exploring matrim's wall.

---

<OOC: Talianythn rolled 10 using 1d20+6 - perception check>

Talianythn sticks her head through the second illusion-wall,
and finds a scene very similar to what Bhelmyr can see.

A low, short passage, with another odd-shaped room at the end.
A few steps down from the passageway into the room ...

Talianythn can also see a weapon-rack on the far wall of the room.

---------------

With the two illusion-walls revealed,
does any adventurer wish to low-walk (or crawl, in Matrim's case),
through either low, short passageway, to the few-steps-down ...
... then dare step down into one of the rooms with the weapon-racks ?

Tali calls back to Matrim. “I see a passage, and a room with a weapons rack….I’m going to move forward.” She sounded unsure, but made her way forward

Talianythn ducks down and moves through the short, low passage.

Stopping at the few steps down into the chamber,
Talianythn can see a dusty, bare five-walled room.

The only thing that catches her eye is the weapon-rack
on an opposite wall, which holds a jewel-tipped metal rod.

Tali paused and looks at the room, trying to see if there is any obvious traps, her instincts warning her to use caution. She crawls in slowly to the room, and without touching anything, calls out. “Not much here Matrim…just a pretty rod.”

---

<OOCm check for traps BEFORE entering. If she sees something, she will stop. If not, goes in and looks at the rod.>

Talianythn, roll another perception check to check for traps
before stepping down into the chamber.

(Of course, if you spot anything, you won't enter ...)

Talianythn rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  Perception check.

-------------------------------

The essential MAP.

-------------------------------

Most adventurers and hirelings linger in room D28,
which has a weird pattern on the floor which does nothing.

Secret-illusions have been found, masking short tunnels
into two almost-identical chambers.

Both chambers contain a weapon-rack.
Neither weapon rack has been investigated
properly, but Talianythn has noticed a pretty rod
hanging on the weapon rack she can see.

Bhelmyr has moved through one of the tunnels,
and has stopped at the few steps down into the chamber.

Talianythn has moved through the other tunnel,
and also stopped at the steps into the other chamber.

Talianythn peers into the chamber ...

One thing stands out. The floor is made of an uninteresting
pattern of stone blocks. There is a groove between each
stone block, just like in the rest of the dungeon already
explored.

What Talianythn finds odd here, is that instead
of the regular layer of dirt built up in the grooves
between the stone blocks, the grooves have no dirt
built up in them. The grooves between the stone
blocks that should be dirty, are remarkably clean.

Tali moves in and stops, something off about the room. She couldn't place it at first, then it hit her.....it was too clean!

She crouched down low. "Myra - come here a minute?

She looked at the septer with narrowed eyes. "What are you about?" she muttered, taking out a few copper coins and tossing them on the floor and wall

Talianythn throws some coins into the room,
making sure to hit a few walls and floor.

The coins ting-tang and roll a bit, then stop.

A few moments later a quiet hissing sound comes from inside
the chamber, but Talianythn can't see anything ...
... until from tiny concealed pipes between stone blocks in the
walls sprays forth many streams of a smelly colourful thin liquid.

The streams spurt the liquid for a few seconds only,
then drip, drip, and stop.

Silence ...

The liquid coats most of the floor,
and wherever it splashed onto the lower walls.

^========================

What does Talianythn do right now ?

Myra will carefully join Tali making sure to avoid any of the liquid.

Bhelmyr looks carefully at the floor ahead as he crawls forward.

13:44, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 11 using 1d20-1.  perception.

Myra moves quietly up to Talianythn
and stands just behind her on the
steps down into the room.

Myra can see the thin, smelly liquid coating
the floor and parts of the lower walls.
The liquid shimmers in the light,
and smells a little-bit-oily.

Neither Myra or Talianythn has stepped
down into the room, from the steps.

Meanwhile, brave Bhelmyr scans the floor
for anything odd, and carefully steps
forward, off the steps down into the
other room ...

... Bhelmyr sees nothing odd.
Perhaps it is too dark, the only light
being a dim magical glow. Bhelmyr takes
another step forward into the room ...

... click ...

Rather than hear it, Bhelmyr feels
it under his booted dwarven foot.
A stone block, probably only as
thick as a floor tile, pressed
down slightly ... and clicked ...

... nothing ... then a quiet hissing sound ...

... an odd smell ...

---------------------------

Bhelmyr, please make a DC 15 constitution save
as you realize you are being gassed !

---------------------------

Myra and Talianythn stand
on the steps at the entrance to their room.

Bhelmyr stands on the floor in his room.

Matrim and the hirelings stand in the room
connecting the two 'trap rooms'.

Tali looks at Myra with a concerned look, then reaches a hand forward to the liquid and touches it with his finger. "If anything happens Myra, get out fast."

18:37, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Con save.

Bhelmyr begins to feel woozy,
light-headed, and very ... very tired ...

... but manages to stay awake and
stagger to the steps and short tunnel,
where the air is not-so-gaseous.

"Oof. Sleeping gas." shouts Bhelmyr.

Tali touched the liquid,then sniffed it, rubbing it between her fingers. "Oil" She muttered.

She looked at Mira. "Go back to the room....I'm going to try something."

When she backtracks, the elf takes a breath, then enters the room.

Talianythn goes for it !

She takes a few steps towards the weapon-rack holding the rod.
(it's a plain-looking short sceptre, with a shiny jewel attached)

Click ! A sound from above ...

Talianythn looks up in time to see, high up on one of the walls,
a little stone block slide ... slide ... then fall into the room
with a thud !

Out of the little hole created by the missing stone block,
falls a small flaming orb ...

The flaming orb is falling towards Talianythn ...

--------

Talianythn has a literal two-second window here ...

Talianythn, do you :

- try to catch the orb ?
 - make a DEX-based ATTACK ROLL to snatch it from the air or catch it.
 - note : orb is flaming, so you had best have a plan not to drop it onto that oil ...

- make a grab for the rod ?
 - you can reach and grab the rod, but ...
 - there is a good chance the flaming orb will hit the smelly oil,
   resulting in an inferno within that small room.

- make a grab for the rod, and Misty Step out of there ?
 - you can grab the rod, and cast the spell, but ...
 - make a DC 15 DEX save to determine how quickly you act.
 - how well you pass/fail determines how well you avoid the flames.
 - so, if you fail by only 1, you'll be a little-bit scorched, but ...
 - if you fail by a lot, you'll be horribly burnt ...
 - the flames will lick up around Talianythn as she casts Misty Step,
   looking very awesome, but also very dangerous !

- something completely different ?
  - make any appropriate rolls for your actions.

--------

Meanwhile, Bhelmyr stands just at the entrance to his room, on the steps.
He was almost overtaken by the sleeping gas, but escaped in time.

Bhelmyr notices the sleeping gas has stopping seeping into the room,
but he hears puff ! puff ! puff !, and sees three little yellow clouds
enter the room from the same small holes between the stone blocks.

The yellow clouds slowly dissipate ...
and the room is filled with a yellow mist.

Bhelmyr can see the weapon-rack on the opposite side of the room.
It contains multiple bladed weapons, stacked haphazardly.

--------

Tali steps in and hears the click, seeing the orb, she pales. She immediately decides she was there and took the chance.....she ran for the scepter and grabbed it, uttering for the wyldmother to help move her.

She was not quick enough, as the flames licked her body, as she moved, a scream of pain as the fire engulfed her.

---

<OOC:  Talianythn rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  dex save. (Natural 1>

DM rolled 33 using 10d6. FWOOSH !!

FWOOSH !!

The flames lick up around Talianythn as she casts Misty Step.
Talianythn's skin melts from her muscles as she disappears, rod in hand ...
... and appears in the safe room with Myra and Matrim.

Talianythn, burning, drops the rod and falls to the floor ...

--------------

Talianythn is not dead, but is horribly burnt.
She is on fire !
She will continue to take damage unless helped by Myra or Matrim.

DM has adjusted Talianythn's BIO HP down to 10.

Phew !

The room holds a mist, where a figure appears, burning horribly, dropping a scepter on the ground as she did. The figure, an elven female screaming in pain, you suddenly recognize

...tali

Myra quickly takes off her cloak and puts it on Tali trying to pat out the fire. If that doesn't work then Myra will quickly take out her water pouch and dump it on the flame.

Hearing the screaming, Bhelmyr rushes back into the larger room. "What happened!?"

Talianythn's wounds are horrific.

Despite her friend's best efforts to save her ...
... she dies.

------------------------

Talianythn, please list anything here that the other
adventurers might find in your backpack and find useful.

Talianythn has died.

Talianythn's player will be introducing
a new character very soon ...

As the elven woman squirms, moaning in pain, the movement and volume decrease, her hands still around the scepter. She is quiet for a moment as she looks at her friends, those she met not long ago, but trusted them. "Don't....cry. I know....peace. I had.....friends....." despite her wounds, she smiled as the light left her eyes.

---

<Within her gear is the following

Pearl of power
Herbalism and healers kit
Glamoured leather armor
Adventurers pack
two daggers
3 darts
326 gold and 290 silver>

-------------------------------

The essential MAP.

This is the same map as posted above / earlier.
- everyone can meet up back in the central room.
- the only incomplete / unexplored area is the gaseous trap room.

-------------------------------

As the adventurers stand around Talianythns charred and smoldering corpse,
Daniel calls out, "Hey ! Take a look at what Bryce and me found
hiding around the corner !"

The adventurers turn their heads to see Daniel and Bryce enter the room,
carrying between them a squirming and complaining goblin.

Daniel and Bryce dump the creature onto the ground with a thud !

As the two humans speak, they bring a squirming, very vocal goblin. “Get ya hands off me, ya pea-brained ogre humper!” The two pushed him to the ground.

For a goblin, this one was reasonably tall, standing nearly 4 foot, and thought thin, was lean. His green/grey skin had a few scars, especially around his hands and arms. His mop of brown hair was unkept and wild, but what was most noticeable was his eyes - pure white and devoid of any color at all. He wore simple linen clothing, with a set of studded leather over the top, and a old hooded cloak. Over this he had a belt and bandolier that held several vials with different liquids as well as a few parcels. His only belongings were a satchel like pack, two daggers of average quality and a poor quality crossbow.

The goblin stood up, brushing himself off. “Stupid humans always think their in charge.” He paused with eyes wide, and reached into the pack. “OOOHHH….you broke a vial!” He fished it out and sighed with relief, the vial clearly empty. He pointed at Daniel. “Your lucky it was empty human. If you busted my acid I’d be mad….MAD” He stomped his foot and looked around.

He saw the group without any recognition, but when he’s eyes went to the burnt form in the ground, his anger melted away. “Nnooooo…..not nice elf girl!” The goblin sounded truely upset over her as he looked at her. “She looked so nice….so kind.”

He stood around and took the group in. He looked at each starting with Myra. “Half woman…..very skilled.” Next Bhelmyr. “Dwarf…uses magic. Different.” He shrugged, then looked at Matrim. “Big man…big man strong. STRONG!” Then his eyes went to the fallen elf. “Elf girl nice. Healed friends. Kind.”

He shook his head. “The human bastards that stayed here were mean - to me, to others. They hurt people.” He looked at the group with his white eyes. “Do you want to hurt Kryadilk?”

Having witnessed his friend burn to death in front of him, Matrim lapses into a silence. He was not used to losing anyone he cared for. His knees gave out and he landed hard onto the ground. His grief battled with the knowledge that there was nothing he could do. He has no skill in healing. He has no magic capabilities. He made no move to wipe the tears from his face.

He was brought back to reality by the noise of the new creature speaking common. Matrim looked over, and in the fog in his mind, vaguely recognized it as a goblin. A tall one sure, but still a goblin. Speaking common.

Matrim made no move for his weapon, and remained seated where he thumped by Tali's corpse.

In a voice thick with emotion, Matrim says "Did the mean people make this trap? Are there any left? They are who I want to hurt."

Kryadilk looked at the Goliath, his goblin visage softening at his pure emotions. He obviously cared for the elf, the pretty elf, and her loss left a void….would anyone feel that way about him?

He looked around and sighed. “I saw two leaving - riding like the hells were on their heels.” He looked at the group. “Their was a group of humans with ogres that had the majority of them. I saw you fighting them and that animal thing, then followed you and saw you enter - though the woman went first and left with the other leader. The red cloaked one, well, you killed.”

He crossed his arms. “I never saw inside until today so I don’t know the traps.” He looked at the elf. “If you want to hurt the leaders who ran, I would like to come if you’ll have me. I have not the healing powers of a holy person but…” He pulls out a potion. “…I can heal with these. I’m good at potions.”

Kryadilk speaks of the treacherous Sally, and her companion, who both fled.
He mentions the third leader of the bandits, The Red Mask,
who was slain in the big fight outside.

----

More recap info / things to remember :

- a long time ago the adventurers decided to leave Greyhawk City
  and travel south to look for their friend, the elven priestess Elora.
- they found only a few traces of Elora, before learning of the bandit threat
  to the area south of Greyhawk City, the area surrounding the smaller city of Hardby,
  and nearby coastal fishing villages.
- one particular village the adventurers passed through had been terrorized by the bandits.

What are the adventurers priorities ?

 - wrap up this dungeon,
 - search for Sally and her companion ?
 - travel back to a village or city and rest ?
 - etc etc ...

First things first :

 - the final gaseous trap room.
 - the death of Talianythn
 - the arrival of Kryadilk.

Myra had stayed silent in tears as she watched helplessly from the sidelines as her friend succumbed to death. It wasn't until Matrim spoke up that Myra finally did, "Aye, I'll second that." She started gathering Tali's things into the bag of holding as she wiped away more tears, but regardless of the tears the anger was plain on her face.

After Myra ha gathered Tali's belongings, Matrim will begin preparing Tali's corpse to be moved.

"I will carry her out of this place once we are done so we can bury her properly."

Matrim said this softly, still battling with his grief. Tamping it down, but keeping it stoked until it turns to ice. When it will be ready to be unleashed.

"I guess I best check out this gas room considering I don't actually need to breath." Myra wiped the last of the tears from her eyes and started to head towards the gas room.

Myra does not need to duck down much to enter the short passage leading to
the few steps down into the gaseous chamber.

While still in the short passage Myra can see the chamber is indeed still filled
with very slowly dissipating yellow and green misty gas.

Even a few feet away from the main gaseous cloud, Myra notices an odd smell
and feels a headache start to creep in ...

Peering through the gas, Myra can see a weapon rack against the far wall,
containing numerous bladed weapons, perhaps five or six.

Myra steps carefully and checks her surroundings for traps as she goes.

19:45, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 11 using 1d20-1.  Investigation.

Myra can't see anything else that might pose a threat.

----

Does Myra step into the gas-filled room ?

The goblin watches as the goliath picks up the fallen elf, then the halfling move to the room. He inched over, keeping an eye on her hoping she would be ok. he reaches into his bag and rummages around, pulling out a small purple vial, holding in and hoping he wouldn't need to use it

Myra slowly moves into the room with her hands extended in front of her. She doesn't make a sound though as she does.

15:44, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 23 using 1d20+7.  Stealth Check.

Ok !

Myra, please roll two CON saves.

17:22, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 16 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only.  Con Save w/ Advantage.


17:22, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 17 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only.  Con Save w/ Advantage.

Myra steps into the gas-filled room and is instantly aware of the toxins seeping into her body.

Even as she keeps her mouse and nose closed as much as possible,
she can feel her skin itch and her eyes begin to water ...

Myra knows that she could soon be overtaken by the poisonous toxins that surround her.

-------------

Myra, during the next few seconds, do you :

- quickly leave the gas-filled area, returning to safety, or
- take a few more steps to the weapon-rack and begin gathering up the bladed weapons there,
  ( this will mean you remain inside the gas, and will need to make two more CON saves ! ), or
- something completely different ... ?

Basically, if Myra spends more time inside that gas,
there's gonna be more CON saves.
These traps are deadly. No joke.
But, she can leave safely right now, if she likes.

Bhelmyr will go back into the gas, helping Myra collect the weapons as quickly as possible.

Is the gas poison? Bhelmyr has advantage against poison saves.

Before Bhelmyr enters, The goblin hands the dwarf a vial. "This antidote - help with poison for friend. She struggles, give to her - quickly"

He places the vial in his hand.

---

<OOC: Gives Bhelmyr a vial of antitoxin>

"Thanks, stranger," says the guileless dwarf.

Myra presses forward holding her nose and mouth. She tries to reach the weapons.


20:59, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 12 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only.  Con Save w/ Advantage.

20:59, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 15 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only.  Con Save w/ Advantage.

Bhelmyr, please roll two CON saves,
the second one with advantage.
(roll one save without advantage, and one save with advantage)
Thanks.

Bhelmyr struggles to shrug of the powerful gasses as he dashes for the weapons.

Action: Dash.
13 for the first, 16 for the second. If he would fail one, I'll use favored by the gods to add 7 to the roll.

10:21, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 7 using 2d4.  favored by the gods.
10:18, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 16 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  con save (advantage).
10:18, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 13 using 1d20+6.  con save.

Myra takes a few steps forward and makes it to the weapon rack.
Feeling woozy, Myra rests a hand against the wall ...

... that's all she remembers as she falls to the floor, unconscious.

Bhelmyr dashes through the gas towards the weapon rack.
He feels the effects of the gas as it seeps into his skin,
his eyes, even his beard !

Bhelmyr fights through the intense desire to close his eyes and rest ...
... and makes it to the weapon rack !

Bhelmyr now stands at the weapon rack.
Upon the weapon rack are six bladed weapons.
Myra lies at Bhelmyr's feet, unconscious.

------------------------

Over the next few seconds, Bhelmyr could :
- gather an armful of bladed weapons and dash out of the room, or
- gather up Myra and dash out of the room, or
- something completely different ?

The above two scenarios ( grab the weapons, or grab Myra )
will both take about the same amount of time.
Thus, more CON saves will need to be made by Bhelmyr.

Bhelmyr, please declare your immediate actions, and make two more CON saves.
One with advantage, like before, due to your advantage-against-poison-saves.
( there are two gases, one is poison, one is ??? )

Bhelmyr scoops up Myra and rushed out of the gas.

00:17, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 16 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  con save (advantage).

00:17, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  con save.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:23, Tue 26 July 2022.

The goblin, following Bhelmyr, looked at the room for the first time with a furrowed brow. "Sleeping death....bad, bad. Not lethal if stay awake, but you sleep, it kills." Kryadilk scratched his head, then smiled reaching into his pack.

He knelt town, rummaging in there muttering, until he called out, bringing out a copper sphere about the size of a small Mellon. He pushed a button and it flipped open, showing a copper coloured ooze.

"Grennak....wake up." The ooze seemed to move of its own accord for a moment with a ripple, then it floated up, like a liquid copper liquid...with two eyes.

The goblin smiled. "Good boy! Need you to go into room - retrieve the blades one at a time." The liquid shifted color to a slight green, and Kryanilk frowned. "No...you be fine. Poison doesn't hurt you....and you no sleep like us." The floating ooze again went the copper color and went to work.

---

<OOC: Using homunculus to retrieve the weapons. As he is a construct, sleep doesnt effect him, and immune to poison>

( I know nothing about the homunculus and how it works,
so correct me if this completely does not make sense
or goes against the rules, but ... )

The little glob of floating ooze flies through the gas-filled room,
wraps it's globby body around the hilt of a weapon,
drags it off the weapon rack with a CLANG !,
and begins dragging it across the floor,
towards Kryadilk.

( How long will the homunculus stay around for ?
It can certainly retrieve the weapons for you in this manner,
I am just unclear on the fine details of the homunculus. )

Meanwhile, Bhelmyr emerges from the same gas-filled room,
Myra in his arms.

--------------

EDIT :

Myra succumbed to the first gas, which was the sleep gas.

She has spent more time in the gas-filled room,
so it makes sense that she should probably make one or two CON saves
to try to withstand the other gas, which is a nasty DEATH POISON.

She was unconscious, though,
so instead, let's just say that she's effectively FAILED ONE DEATH SAVE.

So, when Bhelmyr takes a moment to look at Myra in his arms,
he will notice straight away that she is NEAR DEATH's DOOR !

Immediately, before doing anything else,
can Myra please make another DEATH SAVE roll.
( effectively, it's your second DEATH SAVE roll )
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:13, Wed 27 July 2022.

18:41, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 14 using 1d20.  Death Save.

"Come on, girl. Pull through! I'm not losing you, too!"

Bhelmyr will cast spare the dying on Myra.

Kryadilk heard the dwarf speak and looked over at the pale form of the halfling. He shook his head and reached into a pouch as he watched the floating glob.

He handed him a vial of rust red liquid. "Dwarf.....use this. Healing draught. keep her alive."

He passed him the healing potion and trusted him to look after her...he focused on his familiar and it's job. "One at a time...don't rush!" He muttered, glancing occasionally at the dwarf and halfling

Myra stabilizes and is unconscious.
She will survive.

Kryadilk's homunculus proceeds to manoeuvre the blades,
one-by-one, into the safety of the central room.

----------------------

This effectively ends this dungeon.
I will tally up some XP and will soon post
that info, along with loot.

Finally, the adventurers are able to leave the dungeon,
carrying with them the six bladed weapons and the jeweled rod.
( from the two trap rooms )

The adventurers and hirelings make their way
up the spiral stone staircases to the surface :
the dusty, rocky ground of the Cairn Hills.

It is early morning, the first rays of light just barely visible.
The air, though cold, feels fresh, crisp, and very welcome.

~~~~~~~~~~

XP

Bhelmyr  : 4400
Kryadilk  : 2100
Matrim    : 4400
Myra       : 4400

Is it unfair that Kryadilk receive a small share of the XP ?
I'm asking for your opinion, if you think it's unfair.
We can compromise or whatever.

LOOT

- the six bladed weapons are :
 - one scimitar with a red blade
 - one scimitar with a green blade
 - a plain-looking shortsword
 - a plain-looking dagger
 - two halberd blades,
   with no long-wooden-pole-handles.
  - the two halberd blades are somewhat fancy,
    and both different from each other.

- the jeweled rod
- similar to a wand, but of thicker and sturdier construction,
   with a multi-coloured fancy jewel attached to one end.

Please remind me of any other loot that adventurers may be
identifying or communing with during a short rest to find out what it does.

Basically, one adventurer can effectively identify one item per short rest,
as per the sit-with-it-and-commune-with-the-universe rules.

This is what I have written down for treasure, minus the weapons we just found. If anyone has any disagreements with it, please let me know!

- fine male and female clothes, enough for ten people
- 3600 silver pieces
- 1800 gold pieces
- 25 gems, worth 100gp each
- bolt of fine white silk, worth 500gp
- rare spices in ceramic containers, worth 400gp
- silver flute of elven make, worth ?
- spell component : small hollow tube (melf's minute meteors)
  tiny tarts and a feather that is waved in the air (tasha's hideous laughter)
- 3 longswords, black blade, dark red blade, white blade w/ runes
- 35 gold pieces
- leather boots
- a 50' length of rope
- small wooden carving of a cat

Feeling the crisp air on his face, Matrim draws in a deep breath. He softly sets down Tali's corpse, and takes in his surroundings, looking for a suitable place to bury her. Preferably on a hill overlooking a fertile valley.

Standing outside the bandit lair,
Matrim remembers that he and his friends are nowhere near any fertile valleys.
The nearest would be more than a week's travel north-or-west,
while to the south-and-east is rocky terrain and desert.

Matrim will take the time to dig a small hole and bury Tali under a rock pile, Humming some sad songs as he does.

Kryadilk followed the goliath and when they came to a place, he found a large rock, and taking a small flask, starts etching Tali's name in the rock as a head  stone for the woman.

Matrim and Kryadilk stand at Tali's grave for a few minutes.

Though Matrim stands solemnly, Kryadilk gets fidgety and looks around ...
... and spots, in the distance, perhaps 200 metres/yards away,
a single figure walking their way across the rocky, dusty terrain.

The goblin fights after placing tbe headstone - he only knew the elf from a distance and didn't have the connection the others had. So his natural lack of attention span made him fight and look around.

That's when he saw the figure.

He frowned and coughed. "Sorry to disturb you giant-man....there's someone comming." He pointed towards the figure. "...over there."

The goliath and the goblin stand on the dusty rocky ground, peering into the distance.

Though it's still difficult to make out details, the figure appears to be human or similar.
It is walking very slowly and seems to be dragging something behind it,
perhaps a weapon or tool of some sort.

Does the party act now, or wait ... ?

Matrim quietly waits to see what his friends will do, but nods at the tall goblin his thanks for alerting him.

Knowing his limits, Matrim is no longer wanting to fight for the day, but will defend if needed.

The goblin stood by, his hand reaching into a pouch ad taking out a small parcel that looked squishy. Even as he did, the floating pet came out and hovered around his head, the copper color shifting around his head, waiting for the person.

Myra, conscious after the poison gas, came out and stood with Matrim and the goblin. She let a few tears escape her eyes, but only a few before hurriedly wiping them away. As the goblin pointed out this figure Myra readied her shortbow to attack should the figure make any threatening movements. She was in no mood to loose another friend and would fight to the bitter end if need be to protect those left. She hid where she could and readily aimed.

Does Myra recognize the figure at all?
Hide and ready an action to shoot her shortbow with +1 arrows if the figure makes any attempt to attack.
20:26, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 21 using 1d20+7.  Stealth Check.
20:27, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 24 using 2d20+9, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack roll w/ Advantage.
20:28, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 13 using 1d6+8.  Damage roll.
20:29, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 15 using 3d6.  Sneak Attack Damage roll.

When the figure gets within earshot, Bhelmyr shouts, his voice quivering with raw emotion, "Stop! We pay respects to our fallen friend. Don't come any closer unless you're looking for a fight!"

If the figure doesn't stop after being threatened, he will cast magic missile, then say, "Leave us, or I fire again!


23:17, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  intimidation.
23:15, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 10 using 3d4+3.  magic missile, lvl 1.

Myra and Bhelmyr ready themselves and watch the approaching figure.

Myra does not recognize them, but as Bhelmyr calls out his warning,
Myra notices that the figure is definitely dragging a shovel behind themselves,
and they also seem to be walking slowly due to a badly injured leg.

The figure makes no threatening moves,
so Myra is not prompted to loose her arrow,
but they continue to walk forward ...

Finally, Bhelmyr releases his magic missiles,
which SLAM! into the figure, knocking them off their feet ...

They land hard on the ground, sprawled out ... unconscious ?
The shovel lies on the ground nearby.

The goblin looks at the dwarf with a confused look. "Really? I'm lucky i'm alive." he mutters, as he runs over reaching into a pouch, he brings out a hand full of green goo, and spreads it on the persons wounds. As he does, he speak to the others. "This will keep him alive, but before we try kill him, maybe we talk - after all, there is one of him, and four of us!"

---

<OOC: Healing word on the person>

Kryadilk runs over to the fallen person.
Moving the person's arm, to lay them flat before healing them,
Kryadilk sees the burning wounds caused by the magic missiles.

The smell of burnt flesh hits Kryadilk's nose,
combined with another smell ... that of rotting flesh.

Kryadilk finally takes a closer look at the person's face,
and sees the face of a human male corpse, dead for a week or more.

Pale dead skin. Dead eyes. Maggots crawling from the nose.

Looking at the leg wound, Kryadilk sees strips of flesh hanging off the bone.

'No living person could walk on that.'

Ignoring the goblin's comment for the moment, Bhelmyr exclaimed, "Necromancy! The last thing we need right now! Lets finish paying our respects, then find a place to rest before tracking down the culprit. Tali would never forgive us if we let somebody use her remains for evil!"

The goblin begins to place the goo on, but stops, seeing the man wasn't a man, but undead. The goblin squeaked and moved back, standing next to the dwarf, he simply nodded.

Like Matrim, he had not the connection with the elf girl, but Kryadilk hated undead and was all for the plan.

"If you will have me, I will come with you. I have some skills with potions and such that can help, and can use some to heal."

He looked again at the corpse. "....and walking dead creep me out!" He muttered

After saying some prayers for Tali and having a moment of silence at her grave, Bhelmyr said to Kryadilk, his voice still somber, "Can't speak for my friends, but I welcome the help. What do you say, Matrim? Myra?"

"Aye. You can stay." Matrim says quietly, cheeks still stained by unwiped tears.

Matrim kneels at the grave for a final time, muttering softly to himself.

After a minute Matrim will rise and begin issuing defensive orders to the hirelings and telling them we arn't out of the woods yet. Loot will be split back in town once we are safe again.

Matrim will wait to hear what his friends want to do. How far we walk, if we stay and defend the grave, etc.

"Aye, you can stay." Myra spoke to the goblin. Then she looked around seeing what she could spot in the distance keeping her bow at the ready.


12:25, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 11 using 1d20+8.  Perception roll.

Myra can't see anything immediately dangerous.

She can see a few nearby shuffle-track-marks left by the undead creature,
as it slowly ambled it's way across the dusty rocky terrain.

Looking at the not-moving undead creature,
the adventurers can see that it was once a human male.

One leg is little more than a collection of bones and
stringy muscle. Large parts of skin and flesh are missing
all-over the creature. The adventurers can probably
guess that it has weathered attacks from wildlife as
it trudged along.

The rags hanging from it's shoulders and waist
appear to once have been overalls, or an outfit
worn by miners or similar.

The shovel lies nearby. It's handle is snapped in half,
but the metal shovel-end is still in reasonable condition.
The adventurers will notice that no traces of blood
or animal fur are on the shovel. This creature did
not retaliate against any wildlife as it trudged along.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:56, Tue 09 Aug 2022.

The goblin, still crouched by the corpse, looked it over with a grunt. "No blood trail - been dead a while. Given the leg's practically bone, animals have attacked it, but their no signs of attacking."  He looked up. "Whatever killed him, he didn't fight."

MAP ONE

MAP TWO

Eventually, after some discussion,
the adventurers and hirelings decide to return to the city of Hardby.

On the way they make sure to pay a visit to Fishtown,
the small coastal town that was being harassed for food and other supplies.

As the adventurers pass through they are reminded of the stories the villagers told them when they first visited - of the Red Mask and his ogres slaughtering respected villagers who stood up to their demands. Their wounds still fresh, the sombre villagers are relieved to hear that the threat of the Red Mask and the bandit gang he belonged to is no more. They thank the adventurers for their help.

While in the village, the adventurers can't help but overhear conversations or chatter.
One elderly villager speaks of the nearby Storm Keep.

'Aye, the militia soldiers of Storm Keep are good folk, mostly.
'Tis a pity that the keep is more than a day's travel from here, else they'd be more help with problems like bandits.
From what I've heard they're kept busy with their griffon patrols.
We see them sometimes down here along the coast, but not often. The most I saw was six ...'
At this point another elderly villager chimes in, 'Was eight.'
The first elderly villager continues, '... eight griffons with riders, fully armored, lances, shields, the whole lot, all shining like stars in the sky as they flew ...'
The elderly villager pauses and lifts their hand, extending a particularly long and ominously bony finger.
Turning, the elderly villager points their bony finger south-east.
'... that way.'

Continuing on, the adventurers eventually arrive at the city of Hardby. The familiar hustle-and-bustle of city life envelopes the adventurers and hirelings as they make their way through the streets. Though smaller than Greyhawk, Hardby still has a variety of markets, inns, taverns, etc, to choose from.

Eventually, the adventurers can find their way to a place to eat, drink, and relax.

------------------

- The establishment you find to rest your feet :
  - how fancy ? regular ? upper-class ?

- When splitting loot, etc ... the hirelings might want some.

Walking the streets of Hardby, the adventurers and hirelings find themselves
in a quiet street a short distance from the hustle-and-bustle of a nearby market area.

The establishment is called the Elfsong Tavern.
Upon entering, a few things are immediately apparent.

The building - from the architectural design to the colour scheme
- seems to have been lifted directly from a foreign land.

A quiet, peaceful tune, sung by a haunting elven voice, wafts through the Elfsong Tavern.
The tune seems to be all around the patrons of the tavern, but with no discernable source.
The tune obviously has a calming effect on the patrons, who are far less than rowdy.
The adventurers and hirelings definitely feel the effects of the peaceful tune ...

The adventurers are greeted by the barkeep,
an elven female with long blonde hair and very pronounced elven features.
'Beautiful song, isn't it ? No-one seems to know where it comes from.'

Looking around the tavern, the adventurers can see amongst the slightly-odd decor,
a trophy hanging above a fireplace - that of a stuffed beholder, it's one large central eye
held open with a pair of wooden sticks.
The stuffed beholder trophy looks more pathetic than dangerous.

-----------------------------

The adventurers can rent rooms, which are modestly sized, for 2 silver a night.
Each room comes with two beds, and one lockable chest with key. ( The barkeep
has a duplicate copy of all the keys, and assured you the chests are safe ! )

Meals (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) are of a decent, though common, quality and variety,
costing between 4 copper and 10 copper (1 silver) each, depending upon the size of the meal.
Likewise, beverages cost between 1 copper and 10 copper, depending upon size and quality.

For an average adventurer, meals and drinks for a day would start at approximately 15 copper (1.5 silver)
for the bare minimum, but a hungry or large adventurer could easily spend double that amount per day (3 silver).

Once rested, fed, and watered, the adventurers and hirelings discuss
their recent adventures and spread out the loot for all to see :

- fine male and female clothes, enough for ten people
value = 3500 gp

- bolt of fine white silk
value = 500 gp

- rare spices in ceramic containers
value = 400 gp

- silver flute of elven make
value = 1500 gp

- spell components : small hollow tube (melf's minute meteors)
  tiny tarts and a feather that is waved in the air (tasha's hideous laughter)
value = 0.2 gp

- leather boots
value = 0.2 gp

- a 50' length of rope
value = 1 gp

- small wooden carving of a cat
value = 1 gp
( ... wait, this is actually extremely well-carved. An art collector could pay much more !)

- longsword, black blade
 magical, +1 to hit and damage (+2 versus those a particularly evil and nameless entity deems 'good')
value = 1500 gp

- longsword, dark red blade
 magical, +1 to hit and damage, upon crit : after crit damage, drains 50% of targets remaining hitpoints into wielder
value = 1500 gp

- longsword, white blade w/ runes
 magical, +1 to hit and damage, can release a 10d6 lightning bolt once/day
value = 1500 gp

- one scimitar with a red blade
 magically sharp, +1 to damage
value = 250 gp

- one scimitar with a green blade
 magically poisoned, causes nausea in those it cuts, DC 10 con save to resist, disadvantage on everything for one round
value = 500 gp

- a plain-looking shortsword
value = 10 gp

- a plain-looking dagger
value = 2 gp

- two halberd blades, with no long-wooden-pole-handles.
value = 15 gp and 20 gp (slightly fancy design)

- the jeweled rod
 Rod of Absorption, DMG pg 195
 The rod has absorbed 12 levels of energy in it's existance.
 It can absorb another 38 levels of energy before becoming non-magical.
 It currently has 6 levels of energy stored.
value = between 10000 and 25000 gp, depending upon the buyer and negotiation skills.

- red robes
value = 2 gp

- the spellbook, slightly burned
 contains eight spells of levels 1-4, common magic.
value = between 10 gp and 100 gp, depending upon the buyer and negotiation skills.

- 2 days worth of dried rations
ugh ! this is spoiled, throw it out !

  - 3600 silver pieces
  - 1910 gold pieces
  - 25 gems, worth 100gp each

    hard cash total = 4770 gp in coins and gems
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:41, Fri 19 Aug 2022.

Matrim will immediately divide the money to get it out of the way.

2,385 gp to both us, and the hirelings.

Dividing the lions share between Myra, Bhelmyr, and Matrim;
2,100gp divided by 3 is 700gp each.
200gp to Kryadilk as a show of faith.
85gp to the Party Funds, which will also be paying for the rooms and food.

Anyone have different ideas?

Matrim looks over the items, and while eyeing the longsword with the lightning ability, ultimately decides that BoneBreaker is much more suited to Matrim's fighting style. Magic is something for his friends to enjoy.

Matrim is happy with just the money.

Kryadilk was surprised and happy with the share of gold, thanking Matrim repeatedly. Even the offer of the gear, he had little use of the weapons, though the poison scimitar intrigued him. The rod of absorption seemed the most interesting, but suspected the dwarf would likely like that for his spells.

The goblin looked at Matrim, Myra and Bhelmyr. “May I suggest that after your hired friends have their share, if any weapons of magical nature remain, perhaps we could trade them. I have little use of melee weapons - my skills lie in my salves and potions. But, if we could trade it for something that could help me craft things or protect me….that would be nice.”

The hirelings are interested in the loot, except for Grundold the dwarf,
who is interested in only gold, ale and to rest his feet after the long adventure.

The mercenary and soldier hirelings (Bryce, Daniel, Gilthan, Fulthor),
are all interested in the longswords and/or scimitars.

Perhaps surprisingly, Bryce, and Daniel to a lesser degree,
have an interest in the fine clothes.

'Ne'er had me a shirt or pants like these.
 They be made for men, but the fabric is like a princess' dress.',
comments Bryce.

'Just 'ow many princess' dresses you go 'round touchin' ? Haha !',
laughs Daniel.

The hirelings all agree that the gold-piece-value of their shares
should be decided by the adventurers.

They would not mind receiving equivalent-value items,
except for Grundold ...
'... unless there's a fine pair o' slippers for me feet sittin' in that pile o' rags.'

Myra looked over the loot and looked at her friends. "Well I think our resident spellcaster should keep the rod, but that's my opinion. As for me I don't see any bows, but this sword is awfully pretty so if no one minds I think I'll lay claim to it." Myra pointed out the longsword with the white blade and the runes. She started to reach for it, but will stop if there are any objections.

While spending time in the Elfsong Tavern, the adventurers overhear
an interesting conversation between two patrons sharing a nearby table.

Old Grouchy Fisherman : The big crab pincers on the thing had torn a hole in the net,
                                            although the thing had been dead for a while, that's for sure.

Gentleman With Book : (reading) Mmmm ... Hmmm ...

Old Grouchy Fisherman : So they brought the net over the dock and emptied the load.
                                           THUMP ! Down with a bunch of fish it came, near broke the dock when it landed.

Gentleman With Book : Mmmm ... Hmmm ...

Old Grouchy Fisherman : Eaten away by sharks or something, most of it.

Gentleman With Book : Mmmm ... Hmmm ...

Old Grouchy Fisherman : Was the darndest thing I ever saw. Ha ! Scared a few folks, too. Nothing to worry about, though.
                                           Dead as a doornail.

Gentleman With Book : Mmmm ... Hmmm ...

Old Grouchy Fisherman : Haha ! One chap held its mouth open and could see the teeth. Sharp little things. Not like a man.

Gentleman With Book : Mmmm ... Hmmm ...

Old Grouchy Fisherman : Anyway, been real nice talking with you again ... (leaves the table)

Gentleman With Book : Anytime, friend.

The goblin looked at the rod and sighed, passing it to Bhelmyr. "Better for you - my skills in making stuff, not magic."

He looked at the stuff and spoke. "If you will let me, i'll take a few items.....sell some amd make us some potions and such - make it easier to help you all. I'm no healer, but with the right gear, i can heal pretty good....yes."

---

<OOC: My plan is, if you all allow, to take some items, sell them and then buy some items suitable for my artificer here.

If anyone has any objections, let me know>

Myra looked at the goblin for a moment. "You're sure you wanna stick with us? We do get into some pretty rough fights."

<OOC: No objections here.>
This message was last edited by the player at 06:28, Thu 01 Sept 2022.

Bhelmyr smiled at the goblin, "If you think you can get a better price than Myra here, feel free! But make sure the boys we hired get what they were promised, before spending it on potions, alright?"

The goblin looked at Myra, then matrim. "With a big guy like him around, I suspect you'd avoid some too." The
Goblin grabbed the flute, the scimitar's and a sword. "I won't be long....just a few things for potions. No big deal."

The goblin left.

---

It wasn't too long when he returned, not only with all the items he started with and no gold, but a gash on his head and a frown. "Just because I'm a goblin, they either scream or throw stuff at me....even the half orc pushed me away!"

He sighed as he sat down. "Maybe Myra should do the buying and selling - I'll stick to making stuff." He pulled a jar of green goo, and taking a scoop, put it on the gash on his forehead.

---

<OOC: comes from a Charisma check of 3!>

"I seem to recall Bhelmyr is more persuasive than I. I am better at telling how honest someone is being. Perhaps if the two of us went together to sell some of this stuff then we might come out ahead. Was there anything in specific you were wanting to buy, Kryadilk?"

"And if they still refuse service, come back and find me here. I'll make sure you wont have to ask twice."

"Myra, are you suggesting that some people lie? Scandelous!" says Bhelmyr in mock surprise.

The items on the LOOT LIST can be sold for the listed value,
except those with a value range. A charisma check for each
of the items with a value range will determine how well
the character haggles.

Other items from PHB or DMG, etc, can be bought / sold if
they're regular items with a regular price.

Hardby is a city, but does not have all the exotic things
available that Greyhawk does. Rare and magical items can
be found, but it will be more difficult, and probably
more expensive, than in Greyhawk.

Seeking out rare or magical items would require checks.
Charisma for haggling.
Perhaps a stealthy-sneaky-streetwise type check
if a character was trying to find something
particularly rare or illegal.

Kryadilk winced as he applied the salve to his head, but handed over the items. "First i think we need to sell the items....see how much gold we can work with. Though the poison scimitar is intriguing, i'm not one to use such weapons - i prefer to attack from a distance." it was obvious by his size that he had little strength

"As for what i need, i can give you a list of material that may help in making some potions. something that could help me defensively could also help"

---

<OOC: Wishlist would be Keoghtom's ointment, armor of resistance (Maybe poison as it would suit his profession) a pearl of power or a wand.

Also, materails of at least 50gp value so i can utilise my poisoners feat (With one hour of work using a poisoner’s kit and expending 50 gp worth of materials, you can create a number of doses of potent poison equal to your proficiency bonus. Once applied to a weapon or piece of ammunition, the poison retains its potency for 1 minute or until you hit with the weapon or ammunition. When a creature takes damage from the coated weapon or ammunition, that creature must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 2d8 poison damage and become poisoned until the end of your next turn.)>

Bhelmyr looked around for places that might give him a good price for the items the group wanted to sell.


20:58, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 21 using 1d20+6.
20:58, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 19 using 1d20+6.
20:58, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 15 using 1d20+6.
20:58, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 18 using 1d20+6.
20:58, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  charisma (persuasion) to haggle.

Bhelmyr returns to the tavern and declares himself victorious !

He has been successful in finding decent prices for the loot,
and has also found some items that Kryadilk may be interested in.

---------------------------------------------

LOOT and VALUE :

- fine male and female clothes, enough for ten people
3200 gp
- bolt of fine white silk
500 gp
- rare spices in ceramic containers
400 gp
- silver flute of elven make
1500 gp
- spell components
0.2 gp
- leather boots
0.2 gp
- a 50' length of rope
1 gp
- small wooden carving of a cat
175 gp
- longsword, black blade
1400 gp
- longsword, dark red blade
1400 gp
- longsword, white blade w/ runes
1500 gp
- one scimitar with a red blade
250 gp
- one scimitar with a green blade
500 gp
- a plain-looking shortsword
10 gp
- a plain-looking dagger
2 gp
- two halberd blades
15 gp
20 gp
- Rod of Absorption
22000 gp
(received as official written bonds (a bundle of scrolls),
redeemable at the Greyhawk City Moneylenders Guild)
- red robes
value = 2 gp
- the spellbook, slightly burned
90 gp

GP value of the items above is 32965.4

---------------------------------------------

?? COIN and TOTAL ??

  - 3600 silver pieces
  - 1910 gold pieces
  - 25 gems, worth 100gp each

    hard cash total = 4770 gp in coins and gems

If all items are sold (32965.4),
then the hard cash total increases to 37735.4 GP
(with 22000 of this being in the form of a bundle of scrolls / paper bonds).

---------------------------------------------


Also, Bhelmyr is able to procure items for Kryadilk.

- Keoghtom's Ointment, 5 available at 350 GP each,
- Pearl of Power, 1 available at 450 GP,
- enough materials to use his poisoner's kit 5 times, cost 50 GP each,

... AND SO ...

For any item listed in the LOOT list above,
or in Kryadilk's SHOPPING list above,
the cost will need to be deducted from the 37735.4 GP.

For example, if someone wants to keep the small wooden carving of a cat,
then please deduct 175 GP from the 37735.4 GP.

You do not need to keep anything. It could all be sold.
Kryadilk does not need to agree to buy anything that Bhelmyr found, either.
Bhelmyr has presented Kryadilk (and the others) with the options,
based upon what he has been able to find.

Then the hirelings will need to be paid.
(I'm sorry, I forget what the deal was, and maybe they forget, too ?!)

Finally, we should end up with a group of adventurers
who have sold their unwanted loot, bought some new things,
and now have pockets heaving with coin.

Get those coins converted into platinum and it should fit into one small chest.

Bhelmyr is keeping the Rod of Absorption. He'll give up his share of the coin, to be split among the other characters.

Myra is keeping the lightning bolt sword, but still wants a share of the coin.

Kryadilk would like to keep the green bladed scimitar, get the ointment, the pearl and mats for poison, and though his share of coin would be smaller, he’d be happy for a few gold

The shopping / loot is as follows.

Bhelmyr
 - gives up his share of the gold
 - rod of absorption

Myra
 - lightning-bolt sword

Kryadilk
 - green-bladed scimitar
 - Keoghtom's Ointment x5 edit : needs to be purchased from coin loot
 - pearl of power edit : needs to be purchased from coin loot
 - poisoner's kit x5 edit : needs to be purchased from coin loot

Matrim
 - ?

- If Matrim keeps nothing and the remaining loot is sold,
  there will be a pile of 13735.4 gold pieces on the table.

- Divided into three for Myra, Kryadilk and Matrim, that's 4578.46 each.

edit : Kryadilk spends 2450 GP, leaving 2128.46 GP

- Matrim (or anyone else) can make changes now,
  and it will thus change the resulting coin going to Myra, Kryadilk and Matrim

-----------------------------

Matrim speaks to the locals, particularly the tavern locals.

When he gives Sally's description, he receives little in return regarding
promising leads. A few people claim to have seen a wizard or a woman carrying
a large stack of books, but to Matrim, none of it sounds like leads worth following.

However, he does have a few interesting conversations with people :

- a particularly charismatic female loosens Matrim's tongue enough for him
  to let her know that Sally was a shape-changer, to which the charismatic
  female replies, 'Well, she could be anywhere, honey. Could be speakin' to
  her right now.'

- a very-knowledgable map-seller looks over Matrim's old map and laughs !
  'Ha ! It is missing a few things, friend. Here, take this one ...' Matrim receives a
   much-improved map from the very-knowledgable map-seller, who
   says '... the only payment is to indulge me as I point out a few things on it ...'
   Matrim pulls up a stool as the very-knowledgable map-seller speaks,
   '... We're here, see. Hardby, beautiful city. You said you're heading east,
   down along the coast. Well, you have these here fishing villages ... then it's this
   old cairn ... oh! you've been there ... bandit lair, you say ?! ... well then ... even
   further south ... the next place you will come across is the ghost tower ... it's on the
   coast, like a light-house nobody has returned from ... heh heh ... why you wanting to be
   going anywhere near that place ... anyway ... beyond that place is another one of those
   cairn holes-in-the-ground ... old magic burial places, from what i've heard ... oh, you know
   that already ... ok ... so past that place is the mining town you mentioned ... the place has
   a few names, but most people just call it Zarak ... and then make sure they are nowhere
   near the damned place because ... well, you get the idea ... now it sounds like that's a
   long journey, but look ! ... all those places are crammed into a twenty mile area
   ... you can stand on a hill south of that first cairn you went to,
   and in the distance you can faintly see both the ghost tower
   and Zarak ... now that's as close as you want to be getting to
   those places, too, my boy ... you hear me !? ...'

- a tavern patron, elderly and wearing well-worn robes, leans against the bar.
  Throughout the drunken ramblings of the elderly man, Matrim learns that :
  '... aye, those cairns full of ancient magic ... and whatever else can
   manage to survive down there ... best stay clear, lost some good friends
   down one of those holes years back ...'
  '... the mining town is a ghost town ... nothing there ... except death ...'
  '... death from the mines themselves ... a half-day's ride away from the town
   are the mines ... that's where ...'
   The man looks directly into Matrim's eyes as he says '... the star fell ...'
   Through laughter and tears in his eyes, the man manages to say '... a-haha !
   ... you be headin' straight to your doom, lad, your doom ! ... get too close
   to that ghost tower and you'd best dig your own grave ... a-haha !'

-----------------------------

- old map
- much-improved map

The adventurers eventually pay the hirelings and leave Hardby,
heading east along the coast road. News of the defeat of a major bandit gang
has spread - some members of the town guard recognize the adventurers as
they pass by.

Fishtown offers the adventurers a very warm welcome. They have had no recent
trouble from bandits. The mood of the small coastal fishing village is one of
peaceful hope. Several villagers are particularly friendly and suggest that
the adventurers should 'settle down and stay' for longer.

Feeling refreshed, the adventurers leave Fishtown,
continuing south-east along the coast road.

It is mid-afternoon.
The adventurers are moving at a slow pace along the rocky coast road.

It is at this moment that you believe you are at the location marked
with a red X on the much-improved map.

Almost directly east, over rocky terrain, lies the bandit lair empty cairn.

Further south is unexplored.

-----------------------------

edit : Kryadilk spends 2450 GP, leaving 2128.46 GP

edit 2 : do the adventurers simply want to pay the hirelings a set amount ?
         there are 5 hirelings. perhaps 200 GP per hireling ?
         i know Myra did some calculations ... which i think i've kind-of destroyed
         in working out all the hoo-ha above.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:22, Mon 19 Sept 2022.

Feeling refreshed from the adventure in the Cairn, and having enjoyed the hospitality of Fishtown, Matrim is walking with a pep in his step and a jingle in his coin purse.

Having come to approximately east of the Cairn, Matrim stops for a minute to reflect on losing Tali, and everything that happened in the Cairn, both good and bad.

After a few minutes, Matrim turns to his friends, old and new, and says what's on his mind.

"I think this ghost tower might be of some interest before we get down to Zarak. We have already rid the area of one plague, why not try something more...ethereal? Who knows, we might find some rare items or reagents. Besides, thanks to a certain undead owlbear, I've got a bit of a bone to pick with anything from the other side. What do you all think?"

"Count me in!" says Bhelmyr. He too, reflected on the loss of Tali, and felt it would dishonor her to give up on making the world a safer place.

With the return of the group, Kryadilk produced a seed, holding it out to the others. "Seed of a tree....found it in your friends pouch. Though it may be nice to plant in memory of her." The goblin tribes didn't have such traditions, and he only assumed.es that, being an elf, she would like a tree to remember her by.


At the mention of 'ghost', Kryadilk paled a little, gulping. "Ghost? I.....we....I think...." He looked at the group, then sighed. "I said I would come, and come I will, especially after the new gifts you got for me."

He nodded to the big man and nodded.

The adventurers continue traveling towards
the Ghost Tower of Inverness ...

( while the DM flips through the module ... )

As the adventurers travel, they remember
a recent event that occured in the streets
of Hardby ...

~
~ As the adventurers walk through the
~ streets they are greeted by the
~ occasional wave or nod from a
~ Hardby local.
~
~ The sky is slightly overcast, but the weather
~ is warm. Looking up, the adventurers witness
~ a trio of griffon-riders from Storm Keep pass
~ by high overhead.
~
~ Some adventurers are looking up, while some
~ are looking ahead, as they round a busy corner
~ and almost walk straight into a human male
~ coming the other way.
~