On his way out Saulucian had stopped Sinceno and advised they only needed the hour. The half-elf had given an approving nod. "A decisive group. Excellent. I'll be back within the hour." True to Saul's estimate, the conversation had been quick. Luckily everyone had been on board to take up the job, so that cleared one of the bigger hurdles. That only left the specifics of which property they claim on behalf of their new employer. It turned out there wasn't much disagreement there either. Most of the group favored the notion of the water front property, with Saulucian voicing the idea that with a little extra work both properties could be possible.

Thus an hour later Sinceno returned to a plan.

"You'll be undertaking the quay? Very good, I'll inform our mutual employer. Take whatever preparations you need, I'll be here next Friday evening so you can inform me of how the venture went. With luck, we'll be holding future meetings at a more private location when this is all concluded." When the group shared their interest in possibly visiting both properties the half-elf's brows rose a fraction. "How enterprising. Well that is certainly up to you. I'll notify our employer of your intrepid spirit, no doubt he'll be pleased with such eagerness. He'll be satisfied with either property so if you do take on the task of securing any other abandoned grounds they will of course be yours to do with as you see fit."

True to his word, Sinceno procured a hefty leather bag for each of the attending members. It was with the faintest trace of reluctance that he passed over the up front payment for the services yet to be rendered. You had the distinct impression that this particular detail was something spelled out by their new employer, it seemed if Sinceno had any say in the matter the pay would wait till the job was done, but he followed his instructions to the letter.

+200g to each player as payment up front for the coming work

OOC: Let me know what preparations the group is going to take, when they plan to visit the property and any other details you feel are pertinent to the job, then I'll move things ahead to the actual visit!

Naim caught and quickly tucked the coins away as they were offered.

"I should like to see if I can get some potions of healing before we lead into this derelict area."

"Anyone else?"

The decision had been made. The assembled group seemed to need little time to prepare so it was decided they would set out and visit the quay first thing in the morning. A few hours later they reassembled. It was early in the morning, the sun still had most of its morning climb to fulfill. Despite the early hour it was warm as ever as the warmth wafted off the river running through the heart of the city. Neverwinter was just starting to wake, it's countless residents beginning another day.

The business of these five spirits took them towards the eastern side of the side. On the south side of the river, this largely residential quarter of Neverwinter was unusually quiet. It's many streets had only a fraction of the population they should and the further the group walked more and more of the houses were in signs of abandonment. Then up ahead the street opened into an unnatural clearing. There were no houses for nearly a half mile, only a very flat section of stone, then beyond that the houses appeared again. On the boundary of this empty space were a number of ruined structures, it looked like they had sunk into the stone. Getting closer, you see a seam in the ground. On your side it is dark and rich, then there is a hard line of a lighter, whiter, rock. It looked very much like if someone had patched a hole and that patch hadn't fit quite right. Only in this case the patch was several hundred feet wide and stretched to the north east and south west.

This must have been the Chasm.

It was certainly sealed now, but when it was opened it must have been quite a sight. Given the scope of the thing, and the stories of creatures that had emerged, it was little wonder that this part of Neverwinter was still a ghost town. Even the prospect of free lodging had enticed only the most daring of souls.

Now though, that chasm spelled out an easy walk. Hiking along the very flat span of ground, the group traveled north east.

An easy journey, locating their destination was even easier. The quay that interested in their new employer was pressed right along the chasm. In fact its overgrown lawn was partially lost to that chasm. The merchants property stood on a small rise and overlooked the wide river below. Two stories, it was built with Amnish tastes, which was to say rich dark wood that contrasted with bright white plaster. It was a striking structure though it wore its abandonment poorly. Shutters hung from the windows and a number of tiles were missing from the roofing. The grounds which must have once been carefully manicured were now wild, the grass was as tall as a halfling and the bushes had grown wild and gnarled. For a riverside estate it was humble, but it was still a far cry from a common home.

The details on what exactly the group could expect were sparse. They had simply been told to secure the home and ensure it was safe for the purpose of a new guild. Looking at it from the outside, it was two stories, and there was likely a basement. All the windows were dark and offered no hint of where to begin, the abandoned estate bid its new prospectors to come and see what toothy secrets it held.

OOC: Decide how you'll approach the manor! Let me know what order you plan to proceed, it will definitely be important who is in front and who is in last! If you are curious about anything, be sure to flex those skills checks, there are secrets and information that will only be uncovered by the cunning adventurer.

Jaryn had sat quietly and sipped at his drink while they waited. When Sinceno returned, Jaryn perked up again. His eyebrows lifted upwards when the money was produced - he certainly hadn't expected to be paid upfront. That was, in his limited knowledge of how these things normally worked, a bit unusual. He was given to understand that payment came after services in many cases.

He nodded to Naim when the subject of healing potions came up. "Yes, I will join you and buy a couple. They would be good to have on hand."

---

The next day, feeling rested but anxious, Jaryn showed up to meet his allies. He was thinking ahead a bit too much, and so was a little distracted. He was on the lookout for any potential monastery sites on the way to their destination.

He paused to look down when they reached The Chasm. Looks could be deceiving, but it certainly didn't look 'active' or dangerous any more. While looking he quietly asked, "Just in case it comes up, is anyone good with spotting and disabling traps, as well as opening locks?" He shook his head. "I am not an expert in such things."

When they arrived at their destination he looked the house over for a long moment, taking note of the design and size. Then he asked, "Should we clear out the first floor completely and then go up, or should we head to the basement or top-most floor first and work our way vertically from there?"

OOC: Jaryn is happy to be either second or last, unless we have no trapfinder and then he can go first though that will likely suck for us all.

23:47, Today: Jaryn rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

Purchased 4 healing potions.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

Iclos was a little hungover the next morning, but his healthy dwarven constitution allowed him to push through with little more than a headache and irritation. He was dressed much as on the ship, with sturdy boots, chain and shield. Soon, any grumpy disposition gave way to curiosity and sense of adventure; of which he had a decent amount.

Walking alongside the others, Iclos offered some conversation. "You handled yerselves well back on the Sword's Edge. At least the Great Queen of the Sea didn't see fit to drown you that day. Maybe she was in a good mood. That is rare."

He volunteered to take front, if the others didn't object. "I have keen eyes, even without light. I have a big shield and heavy armor, so I can take a punch. Just don't expect me to be quiet. I ain't no thief. And whispering is a skill lost in the winds and the storms on the oceans. Don't know much about no traps neither."

With that said, I rolled 2 for a total of Perception 7 to see if I notice anything as we approach.

Naim was also decked out as they had seen him before on ship in the fight, with his rough hide armor and a shield of dark wood as they gathered early in the rising heat of the day to set out.

"I managed to find a couple of potions to heal last night after we split up. If someone wants to buy one off me to have on their person I can sell them to you. I got them for 40 gold each. I can sell two of them and still have one for myself. Splitting it up makes sense too so more people can administer one we need it."

"Thanks, Iclos, you did as well. I doubt I would have drowned, she's never gotten me yet, but glad I am that the storm ceased when we drowned that green ooze and mist. I must say.. you're the most... personable of the Queen's servants I've yet met!"

He stowed his shield on his pack as the walked through the city and didn't secure it to walk with until they reached the more abandoned parts of the city. As the group saw the giant patch job of the chasm he let out a soft whistle. "That's not something you see... ever."

Wary now, he summoned a blossom of flame into his opposite hand, ready to throw at need or light the way.

At Jaryn's question he shook his head, "I've no skill with traps myself, but I do like this architecture. Reminds me of home!"

OOC: I was able to buy 3 potions of healing total and can sell one to up to two others for cost so that we spread the healing out a bit.

For prep, I'll buy 70g worth of incense for use on Find Familiar, and I'll use one of them the night before to summon an Owl, which I will have tucked away in its pocket dimension for the time being.

"I can make a decent showing at discovering traps, either of mundane or magical design. Disarming them is another matter. I've neither spells, tools, nor the know-how to handle them. I've a steady hand for it, but I'd be guessing as much as the next person." I've got +5 Arcana and +5 Investigation for spotting them, but a +3 Dex is the best I've got for trying to disarm traps.

For marching order, I suggest Iclos, Jaryn, Saul, Naim, Faith

Upon seeing the chasm for himself, Saul reached for the crystal that hung from his neck and spoke a short phrase in the elven tongue. A white-blue light shone around his body before settling into it and fading from sight. Cast Mage Armor. AC 16

"Yes, everyone performed quite well against the zombie crew and the mad wizard. I perform best in hand to hand combat, with spells to assist me. Inside a building our ability to move around is somewhat hampered, so I may do a combination of close and ranged combat, depending on the situation. Nearly all of my spells are for offense or personal defense, so outside of combat my magic will be of little use."

OOC: Sorry about the delay! Work has been hectic this week.

Climbing the small rise to the abandoned estate, Iclos took the lead, blazing a path up along the overgrown walkway. Standing a head taller was Jaryn, followed by Naim and Naim. It was more natural moving single file as they pushed through the bushes that pressed in tight on either side. Getting closer the wear and tear of neglect became more apparent as the plaster was falling away in places. The front door was still in place, but it had swollen from moisture and only relented when Iclos threw his shoulder into it, sending a spray of rotten wood raining down on him.

(Failed Perception Check!)

Their employer might have imagined he'd be walking into a ready to claim he was going to be sorely disappointed. Inside the front entrance opened up a large foyer. Here moss from the unseasonable warmth of Neverwinter had climbed the walls, paint had peeled and there was a moist smell to the earth. Stepping a few paces forward, Iclos felt the floorboards sag under his feet.

To the left was a large foyer, the furniture once housed there was broken and moldered and unrecognizable. A few bones were scattered in one corner. That did not bode well. To the right was a dining hall, it was large and long and continued down and out of sight. Directly ahead of the group a wide set of stairs rose up and split to connect to the upper landing in two places.

Naim and Saulucian had just come inside at the tail end of the line and gotten there bearings, that's when a deep loud groan filled the air. Where was that coming from? Oh. Directly under Iclos and Jaryn. They had a split moment before the floor beneath them crumbled away into rot and splinters.

Iclos and Jaryn: Roll a Dexterity Save DC 15!

Rotting wood, moisture and moss (which was almost like green algae) made Iclos feel like he was aboard some derelict ship. In other words, he felt right at home! He looked to bow, port and starboard, but when the deck gave away under his feet he quickly decided to drop his mental ship-metaphor. Iclos heaved himself aside, entirely without grace, but obviously fell through boards and splinters like a dropped anvil.

Dex save 9.

There was so much to look at, so many things around, Jaryn's head was on a swivel. He wasn't sure what was going to be in the house, but it would likely be bad. He just had that feeling, like someone was about to pull the rug out from...

...under him? Then the floor gave way and he was so shocked he was slow to move and didn't move out of the way in time.

OOC: Theoretically...Jaryn's good at that save.
10:52, Today: Jaryn rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  Dexterity Save.

Sometimes when wood broke it was with a sharp crack as durable boards reached their breaking point. That was not the sound this time. It was a tired sound, low and deep and inevitable. Iclos and Jaryn crashed through what was once the main floor and created a gaping chasm where they fell. A shower of debris came down with them. They fell into what must have been the basement, Jaryn was plunged into darkness while the world turned into shades of gray as the dwarf's dark vision allowed him to still see.

(-3 HP from Iclos and Jaryn from the fall. The dice were on your side today!)

Up above Saulucian and Naim peered down into the newly created hole. It was about a fifteen foot drop into what looked like a complete basement with flagstone flooring. Rotted wood littered the ground around them and seemed to be... moving? No, not the ground. It seemed that when the floor had come down, something within that floor had come down with it. Spiders. Hundreds of spiders. They were large too, each about the size of a mans thumb. Now that your eyes were adjusting you saw skeletons of rats and birds amongst the rotted well. These spiders had eaten well and now that their nest had been disturbed they were wild and agitated and eagerly trying to climb up Jaryn and Iclos' legs.

Roll for Initiative! (Include your opening actions along with your initiative roll!)

20 - Swarm of Spiders - AC 13 HP 36/36

Saul looked down at the swarm with disgust, glad that he hadn't been one of the ones who fell down to face it. He sent fire down at them rather than going to mingle with all those....legs.

Initiative: 15
Action: cast Fire Bolt
Result: Hit AC 21 for 9 Fire damage

11:03, Today: Saulucian Bensvelk rolled 21,9 using d20+5,d10.  Fire Bolt.
16:39, Today: Saulucian Bensvelk rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:04, Sun 11 Apr 2021.

Iclos grunted as he stood on the floor of the basement, surrounded by debris. "I...suggest we uhm...start with the basement. Come down--" It was at this point he noticed the floor moving and the realization that they were surrounded by spiders. "Curses!"

Current AC: 18 (Shield equipped).
Initiative: 19.
Move: Stand.
Action: Cast Sacred Flame, save vs Dex DC 13 or take 7 damage.

Jaryn let out a pained whoosh of air when he landed heavily. He slowly recovered but couldn't see anything really. Just shapes....and movement? He realized what the shapes were only once they started trying to crawl ON HIM!! "Ahh! Spiders!"

He wasn't scared of spiders as a general rule, but neither was he overly fond of them. But having a small one that you ignore or scoop up and set outside of your home is MUCH different than a swarm of them attacking you!!

Jaryn scrambled up as much as he could and quickly drew his longsword out of reflex, before realizing it might be too cramped to really make use of it, so he began kicking and flailing at the spiders instead.

OOC: So for flavor and to try something different. +2 AC with Agile Parry.
Hit once for 8 bludgeoning damage, missed with the bonus attack

00:02, Today: Jaryn rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.
00:07, Today: Jaryn rolled 17,8,11,8 using d20+6,d4+4,d20+6,d4+4.  Unarmed Attack and Martial Arts vs SWARM!
This message was last updated by the player at 17:55, Sun 11 Apr 2021.

Naim's own stomach dropped out when the floor fell out beneath Iclos and Jaryn, but he was relieved to hear them joking. His sight adjusted quickly and he saw the huge number of spiders headed for the pair almost before the spiders moved.

On instinct he hurled the flames in his hands and splashed fire over quite a few of the creatures as they started their movement. "Get out of there!"

Initiative: 19 (Dex 14 for tiebreaker with Iclos)
Action: Produce Flame, hit AC 26 (CRIT!)
 - 8 fire damage

10:42, Today: Naim rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
10:43, Today: Naim rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Produce Flame attack.
10:43, Today: Naim rolled 8 using 2d8 with rolls of 4,4.  Crit damage.

Down below Jaryn and Iclos broke out into what almost looked like an impromptu dance as they lurched from one foot to the other, trying to achieve the impossible feat of maintain both feet off the ground at once. Despite how the antics looked though, it worked. The thumb sized spiders were knocked loose as they tried to clamor up their legs. For the moment the pair remained unbitten.

Peering down from the safety of the main floor, Naim held out a hand. A bright surge of fire engulfed his hand, then the half-elf skillfully tossed the ball of fire below. It landed in a thick heap of the arachnids and the air was filled with the sizzling sounds of burning spider bodies and a faint whiff of smoke. (-8 HP Swarm of spiders) The brief flame illuminated the area below revealing a musty cellar, but then the light snuffed out again.

Iclos for his part had the same thought. Calling upon his fickle goddess, the cleric called up flames the color of stormy seas. The spiders tried to scamper to either side, but the flames caught a great many of them inside the blue blaze. (-7 HP Swarm of spiders)

Fire seemed to be the common refrain as Saulucian joined in the fiery deluge. Standing alongside Naim up above, the elf had the luxury of safety and he took a moment to expertly assess the movements of the spiders, then lobbed down his own bolt of fire. With so many displays of fire alongside one another it was easy to get an appreciation for just how many different forms flames could take. (-9 HP from Swamrm of spiders)

Down below, Jaryn continued to dance and hop. It was a testament to his nimble training that even as he flailed he was able to bring down a solid kick even as he worked to avoid being touched. He felt the squish and pop of bulbous bodies beneath his heel, but landing a solid hit against such a creeping mass was difficult to say the least. (-4 HP spider swarm.)

The latest flames in the basement had guttered out when Naim and Saulucian heard a creak of floor boards. Behind them a stranger had arrived. A tall slender human he was silhouetted against the door they'd just arrived through and most of his features were hidden in the contrast of light. It seemed the group had an unexpected guest!

Initiative

20 - Swarm of Spiders - AC 13 HP 08/36
19 - Naim
19 - Iclos
15 - Saulucian
08 - Jaryn

Naim whirled on the newcomer, flames igniting his hand again as he called out, "who are you? Speak quickly."

"Saulucian," he said, "keep an eye on Iclos while I try to deal with the newcomer."

Action: ready action to cast produce flame and attack the newcomer should they attack.
 - hit AC 19, 2 Fire dmg should it be needed

15:54, Today: Naim rolled 19,2 using 1d20+6,1d8.  Readied Produce Flame attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:48, Tue 13 Apr 2021.

Saulucian turned toward the newcomer, more fire already building in his hands. He was trying to decide if he should attack or not when Naim said he'd handle it. Saul nodded then looked down and sent the flames toward the spiders once more.

Fire Bolt hits AC 19 for 3 Fire

17:58, Today: Saulucian Bensvelk rolled 19,3 using d20+5,d10.  Fire Bolt.

"Whoa, whoa, hold your fire there friend." With the luminance of Naim's fire turned toward him, Karangi became more than a silhouette. Immediately distinct were his eyes that reflected the light ever so slightly with a deep purple shade and his hands held up in placation, empty but for a ring snugly fit on one of them. His outfit was one fit for travelling but definitely blinged up just enough to give a slightly eccentric look to the whole outfit considering the massive pack on his back, lanterns hanging from his belt and multiple weapons in various holsters and sheathes.

"We aren't here to harm, rather, to help." It's all very quickly said but the mention of 'we' was accompanied by a glaring lack of any other new individual anywhere nearby.

"I was hired to help secure the building for a new adventurer's guild, and judging by the descriptions I was given you're the party I was meant to be completing that task with... I'm just a little late is all... Bit of a spider problem eh?" The rapid change of subject is a accompanied by his eyes darting down toward his various bits of gear that are strapped to his person and quite possibly helpful in a... fight? like this. But seeing as it seemed almost entirely in hand he didn't offer any help, rather waiting for them to judge him a threat or not before going for any weapons.

Karangi rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Initiative (if it matters)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:39, Mon 12 Apr 2021.

Iclos was glad to see the ones above helping, thinning out the swarm of spine-curdling spiders. The priest zapped another group of the remaining creatures. He glanced up only to see the others in conversation with someone new. "Don't forget we're fighting spiders the size of cats down here!"

Action: Cast Sacred Flame, save vs Dex DC 13 or take 8 damage.

Jaryn kept his composure as best he could under the circumstances, which wasn't all that much. He stomped and kicked, hopping between feet to keep the things off of him and away from him as far as he could. He kept a hold of the longsword, though, mostly because he was too busy with the spiders to think about sheathing it at the moment.

OOC: +2 to AC again, stomping and kicking, (Nat 20 for 11 damage. 2nd a miss.

10:02, Today: Jaryn rolled 26,5,12,6 using d20+6,d4+4,d20+6,d4+4.  Unarmed vs Spiders (assuming they're still around by my turn).
10:03, Today: Jaryn rolled 6 using 1d4+4.  And apparently a critical hit lol.

The spiders had managed to get a foothold, not surprising given how many legs they had to spare, while Iclos managed to brush them off, they climbed Jaryn's legs. He felt the sting of fangs biting through his clothes and into flesh. (-8 HP Jaryn, roll a Constitution Save DC 12 or take an additional 1d8 damage)

But between the flames and fists, they spiders that initially numbered in what must have been thousands were reduced to mere hundreds. As their numbers finally depleted enough they lost their cohesion, they on longer moved like a single hungry entity and instead became singular hunters again, scattering every which way and disappearing into cracks and crevices in the paving stones. It was best that one not think of how many were still hiding about them. The ground was left littered with hundreds of tiny bodies and several gooey spots where Jaryn had smashed the arachnids.

Down below Jaryn and Iclos had a moment to catch their breath, and for Jaryn to assess the swollen welts now swelling on his leg. The basement they were in was spacious, they could see what looked like wine racks set against one wall, two huge barrels large enough to hold a man looked like they were kegs. There was no obvious way back up, but they couldn't see the other end of the basement, not surprisingly, thick spider webbing blocked their vision in that direction.

Meanwhile on the main floor, Naim and Saulucian were left greeting their unexpected arrival.

Possible Areas for Exploration

Basement
     Eastern Side

Main Floor
     Lounge
     Dining Hall
     ???

Upper Floor

Naim lowered his shield slightly though the fire stayed pooled in his hand as he regarded the newcomer.

"What's your name then? I'm Naim, this is Saulucian. Iclos and Jaryn are in the hole..." he said to the newcomer. He called down, "you guys want to come up or want us to come down? I've got some rope if you need help up."

Throughout this series of questions to both the newcomer and his companions Naim kept his eyes on Karangi and fire in hand.

Karangi's brows raised and dipped as the sounds of the fight below petered out. Left only with the inquest by the flame wielder, Naim, he decided to give his answers and try and persuade them all of his intentions. Hands still raised and palms outward in that near universal sign of 'I'm not gonna attack' he spoke his name. "Karangi. The name's Karangi. And I definitely recognize your names as the folks I was to be working with. Last minute addition, pardon my tardiness, but I'm here to help now."

Very slowly he started to shift his hands downward testing the response but ready to halt all movement if it looked like he was about to be burned.

"So you're not alarmed, you should know, I've a familiar that travels with me. Won't be popping in til I know you're not about to crisp me up though. How's the investigation into the building's soundness going?"

Jaryn hopped a few more times trying to get all the spiders off of him, "Ow! Damnation! Ow!" He definitely had a score of bite marks and some swelling. He looked miserable as well. He let out a sigh and shook his head. "Easy come, easy go I have heard the saying." He pulled out one of the healing potions he had just purchased yesterday, uncorked it and downed it. The swelling went down a little bit.

He then glanced at his ally in the basement with him. "Should we look around while we are here?"

OOC: Wow. Double ones on the potion followed by a 1 on a d20. Sheesh. At least I made the save.

21:11, Today: Jaryn rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Constitution save.
23:36, Today: Jaryn rolled 4 using 2d4+2.  Potion of Healing.
23:39, Today: Jaryn rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Perception.