Chelonia had slept well, and noticed that Lago had not.  She waited for the harefolk to finish her meditations and prayers before approaching her to ask: "Is everything alright my friend? You look like you haven't slept?"

---

As they came into the opening and were faced with the magnitude and magnificence of the multitudinous cave system before them, the Tortle was surprised.  She had thought that the cave system would be a single cave that once entered would branch off in possibly multiple directions...but the reality was that this was likely several cave systems in close proximity.  Finding her mentor was going to be more challenging than she'd thought.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:54, Mon 23 Mar 2020.

Gryphon was quite surprised with the size and extent of the cave system. "With the massive size of this system it  could be awhile before we find your friend  unless you have a clue on where we  should start."

Lago bowed to Chelonia as she approached and answered when asked about her sleep, I did not sweep well at all Chewonia, my dweams were vewy unsettling. I am fine dough, tie-ued but fine. she paused taking a wide panoramic view of the area, noting the many cave entrances, then returned her gaze to Chelonia, widdout knowing whewe to wook perhaps we shouwd start wid da cwosest cave, and wook fow dose we seek, mawking da entwance when we weave if day are not found widdin.  It may take some time but what udda option do we have at dis point wid no udda diwection given to wocate dem.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

Chelonia responds to Lago, "Yes, we will have to stumble around a bit until we find it.  I've no way of locating the correct section of caves, but I do have a means of knowing when we've found it."

With that she removes the segment of map that she has which clearly shows a section of defiantly "man" made walls.  "Man" made, in that the structures and paths are master crafted and not just dug and posted as goblins or other cave creatures would do.

She continued, "Once we locate a section of tunnels that match in both quality and design, we will have found the area in which my mentor was when he sent me this piece of map."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Thu 26 Mar 2020.

Fen somehow found his way out the caves, but now what?  He has no weapon, he's still largely outnumbered, and he has no idea if any of the others are still alive at this point.  Heck, he's not even sure why he's alive at this point.  Not knowing what else to do, he starts looking around the entrance for something, anything, that he can use as a weapon to defend himself until he can find something more...appropriate  (OOC Not sure if this requires a die roll, you can roll it if it does).

As he searches for a big stick, he thinks he hears something.  Noise? Voices?  Despite his current predicament, he decides to investigate, as this may complicate things further.

As he begins to follow the noise he sees a group of figures talking, but he can't make anything out as he's too far away.  But why are they even here?  Then it hit him.

"I wonder if one of this group is who the runner went for. If not, this is not going to end well ." he thought to himself.

Realizing that looking weak was the least of his problems at the moment, he cautiously started towards the group.  As he walked and they likely began to notice him, he called out "Hello.  I mean you no harm.  My employer and all of us in his employ to search the caves were ambushed by gnolls.  Are one of you by chance named Chelonia?"

Chelonia noticed the man as he approached and couldn't help but wonder what he was doing out here in the wilderness all alone.  It was when the man spoke and made mention of her by name that she began to realize that this man was likely a part of her mentors team.  She stepped forward:

"I am Chelonia.  What news do you have of Father Tartaruga, good sir? Can you take us to him?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

Relieved that this is the person the priest had sent for, he at least assumes he will live to fight another day for now.  Approaching to a reasonable distance to not convey aggression, Fenrick begins to respond:

"Well Met.  I'm glad the runner found you.  My name is Fenrick Uther.  I am unfamiliar with a Father Tartaruga, but I was employed by a Tortal Priest named Olkym, so I must assume they are one and the same.  As I said, our group was ambushed while studying a room that resembled a temple; most of the group was slaughtered or sacrificed immediately.

Only 5 of us were kept alive initially, including myself, Olkym, and 3 others, though I have no idea why.  I was kept separate from the others, so I have no idea if the rest are alive or sacrificed as well, or worse. Luckily for me the gnoll guards forgot to secure the door of the room holding me and I somehow stumbled my way out here.

Unfortunately I can't take you to him as I have no idea where he is or if he's still alive, but I can certainly take you to the caves in hopes of locating him.  I have a bit of a "debt" to repay to the gnolls anyways."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Tue 31 Mar 2020.

Chelonia was well familiar with the name Olkym, for it was the alias her mentor used when not in their homeland.  Some of her kind were untrusting of others, and for the Tortle, one's name was not something shared with those that hadn't earned it.  Chelonia shared similar values with her own name, but she chose to trust others until they'd demonstrated in action or word that they were not worthy of it, as with Angel back at the keep.

"Please, lead the way to this 'Olkym', Sir Uther."

"I see you have no arms or armor, I can allow you the use of my two shortswords or one if you prefer single weapon style. I am sorry but it is the best I can offer you at this time."

Anders listened intently to what this new arrival had to say. Some of the news disturbing - well, no, most of it was really. An ambush, people being sacrificed, nothing good there. Gnolls forgetting to lock a door with potential food in it? Seemed unusual to him. He eyed the man with just a little bit of suspicion but kept listening.

(OOC I believe I have my armor and everything, just no weapon (other than the big stick I was carrying)).


"Thank you for the offer, I shall take one of the short swords.  I hope to be able to return it to you shortly."  Fenrick also nods in thanks as he takes the weapon.

Fenrick briefly familiarizes himself with the weapon as he's sure to need it shortly, leaving the large stick he had found on the ground, hopeful it won't be needed.

"Follow me.  But be cautious, I have no idea how many of them there are."  He then proceeds to lead the group back towards the entrance he had stumbled from earlier.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:27, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

Chelonia was now filled with concern upon hearing that her mentor and his team had been put upon by gnolls - creatures she had no personal experience with, but that if the stories she'd been told as a child were even remotely true, she knew there would be a battle ahead of them.  She hoisted warhammer and her Tortle-shell shield so that they were at the ready and then followed Fenrick, intent upon saving her mentor if it were at all possible.

Following Fenrick the team travels the edge of the forest and ravine to the entrance Fenrick exited from (Map 1, location D). Cutting across the rocks the bleached bones of creatures shine through the rubble. (If anyone wishes a nature check could reveal more about the bones) The rocks and boulders scattered on the ground cover all the dirt, (if anyone with history, geology, dungeoneering, or related specials skills may make a check) each of your realize if a battle were to take place in the ravine, it would be difficult to get a footing.

At the five and a half foot entrance, the cave roughly cut through rock, stone, and dirt, timber is used to hold up the doorway, and one could guess similar timbers will be used throughout. Cool dry air can be felt compared to the humid warm air. The Walls of the ravine are sheer cliffs, the next Terrance about 20ft above. (again a history, geology, dungeoneering, or related special skills may make a check) Rocks and boulders protrude from the cliff's face.

Recent footprints can be seen traveling out of the doorway, obviously Fenricks, other smaller older footprints can also be seen coming in and out. (Tracking/Nature check may apply) The entrance is dark, and foreboding, calling for adventure.

Fenrick, bent on exacting revenge to the gnolls and restoring whatever honor he can, pays little attention to the surroundings other than keeping a watch for gnolls or other potential enemies.

As they reach the entrance Fenrick is a bit impatient (probably noticeable if someone is looking) to get in and the rescue (hopefully) started.  However, he knows better given that his circumstances could have been far worse, so he does not press the issue and allows his current companions to do what they require.

He waits silently (unless spoken to) until the others are prepared to enter, and then leads them inside.

As they traveled, Anders stayed next to Chelonia, and subtly slowed her a bit to tell her something in a very quiet voice.

After he finished, he gave a small shrug of his shoulders and kept following after Fenrick, but not very close behind. He glanced down at the tracks on the ground as they walked up but aside from seeing some that matched Fenrick, he wasn't sure about the others.

22:09, Today: Anders Greyven rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Nature if applicable.

Chelonia listens closely to Anders council.  She places a comforting hand on his shoulder: "Thank you for your concerns.  I advise that we both keep an eye open for any evidence of deception."

The Tortle kept one wary eye on Fenrick and the other on their surroundings as the approached the entrance to one of the caves.

---

01:41, Today: Chelonia rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Survival. (tracking)

01:41, Today: Chelonia rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  Perception. (observe tracks)

01:39, Today: Chelonia rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  history 2nd. (rocks and boulders)

01:38, Today: Chelonia rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  history 1st. (bones)

edit: also, Chelonia's background provides the following (use as it applies)

When you enter a ruin or dungeon, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and determine its builders, whether those were dwarves, elves, humans, yuan-ti, or some other known race.
In addition, you can determine the monetary value of art objects more than a century old.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:47, Sat 28 Mar 2020.

Lago looks about for signs of passage.

To spot tracks, etc = 15

To track any tracks found = 22

15:23, Today: Lago rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Perception (signs of tracks or passage).
15:21, Today: Lago rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  Survival (Tracking).

This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Sat 28 Mar 2020.

"hmmm... Besides Fenrick's and a lot of older Goblin and Gnoll tracks there is one booted track that's larger than a humans and another one even larger that's not wearing boots.  Could be a Giant but I'm only guessing"

I'm dropping the speech impdiment, too distracting to writing... doesn't flow easily like a good Dwarven accent.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:33, Tue 31 Mar 2020.

In reply to Lago (msg # 22):

(OOC Was the part in blue spoken out loud?  Just want to make sure since they're no quotation marks.)

Yes

Cril remains alert and at the ready though he is quite as he lets the skills of others take the lead in things. His main duty was protection, not sorting out tracks. At the mention of a giant he perks up.


OOC: works had me tied up but I'm caught up now. 

At the Mention of "Giant", Fenrick becomes very concerned.

He is well aware that giants can be formidable opponents even for experienced groups, and he has no idea of the capabilities of this group.  Heck, he only knows of one of their names.  But now is not the time for that nonsense.  His first goal is to find a better weapon, and then to rescue his employer so he can be on his way, payment or not.  This situation is no longer of interest, or security, to Fenrick.

"Giant? Not good."

As the walked through the rubble Chelonia began to notice something interesting.  Many of the rocks were not just rocks, but rather were cut, crafted, and hewed stones.  On initial inspection she believed them to be fairly ancient formations.  Some seemed to be of the design of the ancient Lizardfolk empire, but others seemed to posses Tortle engravings.  At best guess they were very ancient and likely predated any known knowledge of the Tortle kingdom...though, it was possible that weathering could be making them seem older than they are.  It would require some time studying them to know for sure.  She gathered up a number of each type, Lizardfolk and Tortle, and put them in her pack.  When time permitted she would provide them a more thorough examination.

She was drawn out of her thoughts by Lago's mention of the possibility of a giant's tracks.  Her eyes darted around their surroundings as if in search of the source of those prints.  Turning to Fenrick, she states: "Please, proceed in leading us into the caves."

Once everyone seems ready, Fenrick leads them into the caves as requested, sword drawn and ready.

Anders listened and shook his head slowly. "Giant? Hmm. Only one though by the looks of it, or maybe more than one?" A giant, or giantkind like an ogre, would still be a tough fight, especially if a bunch of other smaller creatures were with it, like goblins and gnolls. Food for thought.

He shrugged and started after Fenrick. "I suppose we won't know for sure standing around out here, yes?"