Fenrick chuckled quietly to himself at the Tortle’s “holier than thou” comment.  Yah, he thought to himself, easy for you to say, keeping your hands clean in your ivory tower while the rest of us stick our necks in danger. He hadn’t been this annoyed with a “commander” since back in his military days, and that didn’t end well.

However, more out of spite than any sort of honor (though that was a part of it as well) he declined to kill the sleeping goblins, stewing several paces behind and watching the rear, trying to mask his irritation as best he could lest he do something he would later regret.

OOC Edited to clarify it was thought and not spoken.  Sorry, I wasn't away italics were the correct convention for thoughts.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Sun 03 May 2020.

Chelonia could see the man trying to hold back some hateful statement of indignation, likely accusing her of being some saintly prude willing to let others do the dirty work of killing the remaining goblins.  He was entitled to his thoughts, if that's what they were.  She knew the truth of her intentions as well as her convictions.  There was no way she could, in good conscience, kill defenseless women and children while they sleep...nor could she stomach waking them up just so that they could see the stone cold, murderous eyes of their executioner before they died?

---

you can still color your text...just italics like you've done...and no "", some us single 'quotes' to put around thought text...which works too.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Sun 03 May 2020.

Lago stayed out of Fenrick and Chelonia's "discussion".  She knew the old Tortle well and knew better than to argue over something when it came to her morals.  She simply and quietly fell in step behind her as she left the room.

Exiting the Door on the other side of the room (Room 23) leaving the sleeping goblins behind the group finds themselves traveling down along cavern until it branches one headed south the other continuing a northeastward direction.

(room 24 slightly discovered) Following the branching path, the group finds themselves in a torture chamber. In the chamber, you all find a Harefolk and two dwarves chained and tortured gruesomely

(Exit F) Going back down the hallway there is another exit leading outside, 20 feet higher than the ground where you all entered. As you all look out a slender path leads around the ravine to another entrance, as well as a steep slender trail leading up to the next level, and another entrance. (another map will be provided to show where these paths lead)

(room 25 undiscovered) Headed directly north of the exit a pathway leads up, goblin chatter can be heard as you follow the tunnel upward.


(Room 26 undiscovered) Going up the North West path away from the exit chattering from hobgoblins can be heard.

OOC:
I have given the group many locations to look into. Checks and questions will still need to be asked for to gain insight and information. The group can certainly split up and check multiple things, just remember if something terrible happens, you don't want to find yourselves out of position. 

(OOC 2 questions regarding the torture victimsin room 24

1.) Could we tell if they were still alive or already dead?

2.) If they were still alive, would they be able to leave the area on their own without assistance, or would they likely die trying?

I've rolled a d20, please add the appropriate modifier to it if necessary

20:57, Today: Fenrick (Fen) Uther rolled 1 using 1d20.  Fenrick question roll (add appropriate modifier).

Well, as good a roll as any to waste a 1.)

Anders frowned as he listened. He spoke at Chelonia quietly, "I see that you apparently like to make assumptions. I was merely making an observation, not a plan of attack nor suggesting we kill them all." He shook his head and began walking.

When they came to the different branching paths, he gestured towards the....torture room. "If we wish to investigate that room, I suggest we do so first." He nodded back towards the other paths. "I believe the other two paths have more goblinoids in them, so we are likely to have to fight again."

Fenrick nodded in agreement with the spellcaster's comments.

"Or we could simply take the path leading outside and ignore the creatures completely.  No reason to initiate unneeded combat."

"It seems you also like to make assumptions as you seem to feel that my words were directed at you, dear Anders...I did use the word 'if' in my statement.  If that is not what you had wished to do, then the statement didn't apply to you.  I'm glad you are not of the sort that would relish in murdering women and children as they sleep."

To Fenrick she replied:

"An excellent suggestion Fenrick.  Let us go see what our options in that regard might be."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:07, Tue 05 May 2020.

OOC:

All these questions are better asked and done In character. While great questions, RPing is much more fun then OOC

Anders rolled his eyes at Chelonia's words, and let out a small sigh as he shook his head. "Whatever you say...boss." He didn't want to start an argument, but was getting a little tired of her opinions being thrust at them all as a 'leadership' style. They would never be friends, but so far at least they could work together, and he was content to leave it at that.

He gave a shrug. "You are correct. I neglected to mention the fourth path. That is an option if we wish to avoid entanglements." So much pacifism or avid avoidance of conflict for an adventuring party, it was unusual to say the least, from the books he'd read. But perhaps they had been exaggerated or romanticized for more enjoyable reading.

"I have no problem with leaving sleeping creatures alone but if they are an active threat  I tell you now I won't hold back I will kill them to remove it. I was hired to follow you and protect you in your search for your mentor. "

Fenrick was getting... antsy.   He knew staying in one spot for too long could lead to unexpected, and usually non-beneficial, events.

"So, what are we doing? The torture victims looked dead to me, so I'm not sure there's anything we can do for them.

Are we seeing where the outside takes us?  Or do we feel the need to investigate the other occupied rooms?"

"I personally prefer to meet  the  hobgoblins at a time when  I choose and defeat them  but I will go where the rest or the leader decides.  Hobgoblins are evil and very militaryistic and will hunt us down while we rest. I suggest defeating them at least first since they are close and we know where tyhey are. Goblins are evil but are less of a threat without  the hobgoblins to lead them. "
looks  around at the rest of the party. "So hobgoblins or outside are my suggestions with Hobgoblins being my choice maybe I will try to take one captive to question this time."

Fenrick saw wisdom in the words.  He hadn't though about the need to recoup and recover, and it might be better to deal with a situation like that now vs later.

"I had not thought about the need to recover or rest for a time.  It may certainly well be worth the effort to investigate how many hobgoblins there are, and if the number seems manageable deal with that threat now, as he said, on our terms."

Anders looked back and forth between Gryphon and Fenrick as they both spoke and discussed some of the options. He didn't both to open his mouth to join in. He'd apparently already said too much earlier and didn't want to exasperate things between himself and Chelonia further.

But after a long moment, he couldn't help himself and he spoke up. "I would like to at least take a moment or two to investigate the torture room. Shouldn't we at least verify that those are corpses and not some barely-alive people in need of assistance?

"I have no problems covering the area while  some  with more skills  in the  healing arts goes to check to make  sure they are really dead." looks to the rst of the group to see if any are interested  in taking some time to investigate the bodies in the tortue room.

Yes Anders, I will go and check to see if the lives in that room are within my power to save or if they have already departed to be with their gods.  Please, maintain a watch to ensure we are not set upon while investigating within.  If they are alive, we will need to re-evaluate our plans but for now, should they not be, I agree that removing the threat of hobgoblins is the best course of action at this point...even direct goblin threats for that matter.  I have no qualms about vanquishing those raising weapons against us...I am sorry if my disdain for murdering the unarmed and relatively defenseless is found to be offensive.  Understand that I have dedicated my life to my god, and I must live by his tenants.  To an acolyte, it is our belief that we are held accountable at the end of our days by a higher power...and I am constantly wary of how I will be judged by my god when that time comes.

Lago, will you accompany me?"

She proceeds to the torture room without looking to see if she would follow...they shared a deep friendship.  Lago would never allow her to enter into a place of potential threat without being at her side...just as she would not allow her to do the same...except for those times where she ran off to do so on her own...there was no way for the tortle to catch up with the fast harefolk, even if she tried.

Anders rolled his eyes behind the Tortle's back. She didn't need to keep clarifying and/or bringing up the defenseless killing subject. Letting it drop would likely be best for everyone, at least as far as he was concerned. That was what Anders was going to, just not bring it up again unless it was absolutely necessary. They all knew where they stood know probably.

He walked in to the torture room along with them, however, and began slowly looking around and examining things.

As Fenrick had been lost in his own thoughts, he realized that the people in the torture room could've been part of the team that Olkym had brought with them.

He decided to follow the others to see if he recognized any of them.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:01, Thu 07 May 2020.

The scene as you enter the room is nightmares becoming reality. The walls and floors are not the dirt of the other rooms, instead, this one is lined with black stones tightly and neatly set. It doesn't take a professional as you all enter the room to realize there is no way that either of the three bodies could still be alive. The bodies are laid on workbench side by side, dangling from the ceiling are various chains and tools. As you all take in the horrific imagines and begin to imagine the grotesque actions that took place. What really happened in here becomes more clear, more than a torture room, experiments were done on the bodies, limbs were detached, organs removed, and attempts to transplant them on the other bodies is clear.

Fenrick, you instantly recognize the three Betony another Harefolk a trusted ally on your previous expedition. Yagnaer Whitbraid a powerful, strong-headed laborer who used to have a quick smile and lighthearted laugh. Lastly, Dareron Kragdelver another hired mercenary you fought shield to shield with against the denizens of the forest.

Chelonia, looking at the wounds you notice the way they were patched and mended and how the blood congealed and the number of clotting tells you the limbs, body parts, and even organs were taken while the victims were still alive. The bloody work of transplanting and dissection seems the work of trained, "professional" hands. This was practice you realize, the bodies used like clinical cadavers.

Lago, you recognize the Harefolk. Not someone you new extremely well, but her face is familiar, a fellow disciple.

Anders, confident in the expertise of the Tortle to examine the bodies, you begin to look around the room. Its... clean. Strange, that from what you know of Goblinoids, and Gnolls cleanliness is not something they are known for. In the corner a workbench with miscellaneous tools saws, sutures, knives of various sizes and shapes, thread with needles, and syringes. All neatly arranged and organized by size, shape, and type. Each polished to a brilliant silver shine. Jars on a shelf preserve and contain various organs and necromantic spell components.

The work performed in this room is dark and evil, the air and very energy in the room have the feel of evil. For the first time, you all understand what the physical form of evil would be.

Gryphon, nothing happens in the hallway as you keep watch.

OOC:
All those in the torture room give me a WIS save DC 13 and CON save DC 13.

On a failed WIS until you finish a long rest a madness has taken over your brain everything you see looks like a corpse, everything smells of death, and your thoughts are clouded with thoughts on no escape.

On a failed CON, you take 4 psychic damage as your body heaves over retching like your spirt is denying what is happening in the physical world.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:27, Fri 08 May 2020.

Fenrick saw the bodies of those he had known.  Whether it from seeing them treated like this, or the evil perpetrated in the room, something messed him up.

He started to think of his old battles, the death he had seen, but this was different, it was even more terrifying.  No matter how the battle was going, it just kept going.  As his thoughts turned towards the current situation, a pessimistic, almost claustrophobic wave of fear washed over him.

He had seen death before, he had relived some of the battles even, but now, the bodies were different, wrong.  Even those standing very much alive in front of him looked dead, rotting, incomplete.  He covered his face to hide the other members of the group from his eyes, their rotting corpse-like visages reminding him of the inevitability and futility of the situation.

And for the first time that he could remember, he could even smell it, and it was almost nauseating.  Whatever he did, he couldn't stop smelling it.  It was everywhere and nowhere, like the air had simply become death stenched.  Luckily, for now,  he was able to hold himself somewhat together, barely.

"Fight it,", he said quietly to himself, "you're stronger than this, fight it".  But it was easy to tell he wasn't winning this battle.

OOC Would've rather taken the psychic damage ha ha

20:23, Today: Fenrick (Fen) Uther rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Fenrick Con save.

20:23, Today: Fenrick (Fen) Uther rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  Fenrick Wisdom Save.

Chelonia, her mind over taken by the sight, smell, and fear of death becomes very anxious.  Through chattering teeth she says:

"From the looks of the wounds and surgery performed on these bodies it is clear they were alive while all of this was done.  It's as if whoever did this was skilled.  This was definitely not the first time they'd done this.  It seems like it was merely practice for some future 'work'."

Lago took in the room.  She saw the tortured Harefolk.  She could not stop herself.  Turning to the side she threw up as waves of emotions twist her insides up.

Succeeded at WIS save.  Failed CON Save.  Takes 4 psychic damage.

Anders began to slowly walk through the room, examining each area carefully before moving on - not touching anything, only looking with his eyes. The only sounds coming from him were his rhythmic breathing and the sound his staff made when he used it to help him walk along.

He frowned lightly and turned to look at his companions, head tilted to the side. "Fight...what, Fenrick?"

Just then Lago threw up. "Oh, dear. Yes, this is more than a bit gruesome, isn't it?" He didn't really sound like it was, though.

To Chelonia, though she was talking through clenched teeth for some reason, he nodded. "Agreed. The one who did was clearly disturbed and monstrous, regardless of race. Brilliant work, very organized, but horrible and evil. They must be stopped."

The group that entered the torture chamber are all greatly affected by the scenes of grotesque cruelty and evil. Many affected Physcologicliy others hurting from their body's visibility rejecting what they see. Making their way back out to Gryphon, who stayed back, watching the hallway.

The group sets a well-exicuted trap for the 2 hobgoblins in the room just off the exit. (Room 26) Clearing the room, and setting up alarms and other ways to alert the group the team settles in for a hopefully restful break, a much-needed rest to recover themselves. A good break it was, each able to mentally prepare themselves, meditate, and get some well-deserved sleep. Interestingly enough, and luckily no Goblins stumble into the room, though angry chattering and conversations can be heard echoing down the hall. Those that speak Goblin are able to hear the Hobgoblins believe it's the Gnolls thinning their ranks to take over all of the caves. The female Goblins are dismissed, when they are told of tales of humans, tortles, and rabbits.

After eight hours of rest, the group gathers their things and heads off once again. Spells recovered and rememorized, wounds mended, and brains recovered from the awful experience. Those that sleep have dreams, different for each of you, the themes are all slightly the same you are running, a creature following you is laughing its teeth and claws always right at your neck. Though unlike other nights were this same dream has haunted you, this time it seems, less powerful, almost distant. (Fenrick you do not experience these dreams)

Remembering his experience when he was captured Fenrick tells the group he was taken outside for a few moments, going down a slope, then brought back inside. He suggests leaving through the exit and following the trail up may be the best way to find Chelonia's mentor.

OOC

We will now move the IC Thread into the new Thread. "Polished Stone, Sacrifice"