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Rhydd:

Bears, re: Rhydd's closer investigation of the hole in the ground and the bump in the snow, would you like a Perception Check or an Investigation Check?

You can give me an Investigation/Perception (your choice) for the hole. There is not much more glean from the bump through just observation. It's circular, about 3' across, and distends a couple of inches at its bulgiest.

In reply to DM Bears (msg # 16):

OOC:
13:55, Today: Rhydd Maldhon rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  Perception Check re: Hole in the Ground.

Comments: Yep, it's a hole. In the ground.

Idri felt a brief rush of lightheadedness pass over and beyond her while taking in the Spire, but mercifully it passed as quickly as it came.

She then began to consider the tower, although any thought she might have had was beaten out by Mallory's own considerations on what effect or confluence thereof was giving it the defensive bubble of camouflage.

Ah well, onwards then! The answers some of them wanted would surely be inside, and if not then... Well... The answers to some question or other was. That was the beauty of a discovery like this.

"Does anyone have a shovel?"

---

12:42, Today: Idrianthe Mar rolled 17 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 12.  CON Save, DC 14.

OOC: May others of us try to investigate, as well? And since the Spire is ambiguously a stone structure, would this be an appropriate use of Mason's Tools?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:02, Thu 27 Oct 2022.

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Idrianthe's History Check on the Spire's structure and composition [26]: This was unlike anything the High-Elf had ever laid eyes upon. It comprised seamless basalt, meaning the entire portion Idrianthe had access to must either have been hewn from a single, massive chunk or been metamorphosed by means alien to Idrianthe. In any case, none made buildings like that.

However, what was even more interesting was the pattern that suffused it. Sprawling spirals, as if imprinted by the tentacles of some monstrous being, permeated every inch. Those spirals had their own spirals branching out, and those yet had their own. On and on it went, until they were too small to be perceptible.

Rhydd's Perception on the hole in the ground (w/ Advantage granted by Idrianthe) [9 25]: It was indeed a hole, and one large enough to fit a Bugbear or two at that. The unmistakable blue shine of solid ice greeted him as he knelt to inspect it, and he could see that twisted downward parallel to the Spire's length. He couldn't see much past ten feet or so, for the tunnel sloped to obscure his view.

A shoddy delve could prove very dangerous very quickly.

Before anyone had time to actually declare shovel ownership, Idrianthe began to look closer at the exposed bulk of stone. Basalt, more exactly. She tapped the side of her head with her false right fingers and conjured a runic sigil of insight in the center of her forehead, a mark which illuminated her eyes in the same eerie blue of all her magic and delved deep into the recesses of her mind, where half-forgotten factoids and archives of knowledge dwelt. Placed firmly in her working memory, the half-elf approached and laid her gauntleted left hand on the surface.

"Breathtaking! Solid basalt, no tool marks. Expert sculpture work to hide them, maybe, but this is Netheril we're talking about; more likely a work of nigh-unthinkable transmutation on a scale that we could only dream to imitate. And these markings, mathematical spiralwork descending into the infinite as though the tentacles of a leviathan had reached out to wrap the Spire in her own endless coils of unmemory."

She turned to the group and nodded with utter gravity and confidence. "Someone was absolutely compensating for something, and history books shall thank them for expressing those insecurities in this way."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:50, Thu 27 Oct 2022.

Bears; Arcana or History check on Mallory's behalf to know if what we're seeing is demonstrative of Netherese structures as a common practice, or if it's somehow unique?

Mallory Bonheur rolled 20 using 1d20+7

Rhydd turned his head and gave Mistress Idrianthe a questioning glance when she spoke of insecurities and compensation.

After a moment he turned back to his study of the hole in the ground. Shortly thereafter he rose to his feet and dusted the loose snow from his knees and lower legs.

"It's big enough for Bugbears to fit," he said. "So we shouldn't need to enlarge it, unless it narrows considerably once it goes underground."

"It's tunneled through solid ice down there, and it slopes downward in a fashion that prevents me from seeing past the first ten feet or so."

---

OOC: Thanks for the assist, Idri! :)

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Mallory's Arcana on Netherese architecture [20]: The most prominent enclaves housed some of the most esoteric architecture ever recorded in Faerûnian history owing to the great magical means at their disposal. Buildings transmuted in their entirety were commonplace.

The pattern suffusing this structure was decidedly not. It wasn't exactly very pleasant decoration.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:43, Fri 28 Oct 2022.

"Volcanic rock in an ice tundra." Mallory scoffed a bit through her nose at the irony of it all.  "Even with Nehtril's might, it would've taken an immense labor to transmute at this scale from one material to another... perhaps it was taken whole from the Elemental Plane of Fire and molded into shape?  No less daunting a task but certainly more efficient by comparison."

That strange sensation of... pressure? vertigo? something that passed across Mallory's senses as the group neared the structure didn't settle well at all.  At first she thought perhaps it was just an effect of passing into the Spire's proximity.  Whatever obscuring or warping field that hid it from view surely had a threshold they'd just crossed?  But Idri's more intense investigation of the fractal scrawlings that suffused the Spire's surface changed her suspicion of context on the feeling and left the young noble with a troubled expression.

"These patterns... they're not Netherese.  It's... I'm not sure, actually.  Something else entirely though." When any Arcanist worth their salt thought of strange phenomenon and grasping, tentacle-like swirls, only one thing naturally came to mind.  And it was a very, very bad thing indeed.  Whether the patterns were set to the Spire after its creation or its original crafters installed them for their own purposes was a mystery, but Mallory was uncertain either case was better than the other.

"It's tunneled through solid ice down there, and it slopes downward in a fashion that prevents me from seeing past the first ten feet or so."

Though she had only just brought him in for a rest, Mallory held her arms out and conjured Astre back into the curl of her embrace.  He looked a bit peeved for a moment where he rested tummy-up in her arms, but at least didn't bicker on the matter while she eased nearer to the opening.  "Have a look for us, will you, darling?  If it's safe, we'll be after shortly.  Just as soon as we plant some pitons and rope, I suppose."

---

Mallory would like to send Astre on ahead to do a bit of scouting beyond the area the Party can readily see, just to get a better idea of what they're going to be walking into.  So I'm guessing Perception and Stealth checks?

I'd rather this stretch of the adventure not be "everyone twiddles their thumbs while the Familiar explores", so I plan to use Astre sparingly if possible going forward.

Mallory has a Climber's Kit and a spare 50' of Rope, if we want to plant an anchor and climb down without risking slipping down the tunnel.

Also, assuming Wifni isn't going to be able to enter with us, Mallory would take some time setting her up with a little nest just beside the entrance.  Using "Mold Earth" to shape out a little semi-covered shelter for her, leaving food and water, etc.  Just making sure she can be as safe/comfortable as possible and unlikely to wander off in the meantime.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Fri 28 Oct 2022.

Through sheer curiosity, Wifni joined Rhydd in the initial peek down the hole then promptly sat her butt down and lifted a wing to clean underneath it.

---

The tunnel rang hollow as Astre dove down. It was smooth like a slide and shaped like one as well — if someone lost their grip, they'd be sent hurtling down at staggering speeds with little recourse. But that wasn't a problem for Astre. He zipped down and made the turn, and was then greeted by torchlight emanating from what was a tall doorway into the spire, enclosed by ice. One that was upside down and missing its doors, but a doorway nonetheless. Shushed conversation bounced between the frigid walls.

"Shut it!" he heard a gravelly voice from within. "And snuff out the torch, you halfwit!"

The sound of a strong blow followed, and the tunnel and entrance both became dark.

---

To descend safely, make a DC 12 Athletics Check. On a fail, you slide uncontrollably to the bottom, land Prone, and take 2d6 Bludgeoning Damage. If you use a Climber's Kit the damage is reduced to 1d6 Bludgeoning Damage should you fail, and you may also forego the roll to take a 10 in this case.

If you set up the descent with Idrianthe's Rope of Climbing I'll grant those who choose to roll Advantage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Fri 28 Oct 2022.

Astre laid belly-down along the slippery ice and tobogganed out of sight with all the absentminded delight one could imagine in such a ride.  It was easy enough for him to just slow himself with a flare of his wings and flutter up before he was at any risk of losing control, able to just glide to a gentle halt at the bottom.  The sound of a hurried voice and the glow of torchlight going out, however, put him into alert as he hunkered down in a prowl.

Careful as he could be in such a frosted, echoing place, the Tressym crept near to the upended doorway to see if he could sneak a peek into the gloom beyond.

---

Astre - Stealth
Mallory Bonheur rolled 14 using 1d20+4
Moderate roll, hopefully the darkness helps.

Astre - Perception w/Disadvantage
Mallory Bonheur rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Astre Perception

---

"Well, I'm certain it's perfectly safe in any case.  We can have a leisurely time of it getting inside and looking about." Mallory spoke idly on the matter, her tone flippant even as her expression and gestures were anything but.  She waved for her companions' attention and held her hands aloft, open-palmed and upward-facing before her as the air shimmered and swirled with a shift of arcane energy.  Illusory words manifested in the air as if being written by a phantom quill with remarkably fine penmanship.

~~There's multiple someones waiting just inside at the base of the tunnel.  They've heard us and are trying to hide.  Probably the Bugbears.  Be ready for an ambush.~~ The message read. ~~Astre is trying to get a better look and a headcount now.~~
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Fri 28 Oct 2022.

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Astre's Perception to get more information on the threat beyond (w/ Disadvantage due to Darkness) [12]: An upside-down doorway had the benefit of a large threshhold to take cover behind, which, to Astre's benefit, hadn't been swallowed entirely by the encroaching ice. Though he had to tuck his wings as close as he could, he managed to get a brief glimpse of a hairy, mace-wielding arm, but not much beyond. The Bugbears, however many there were, were stood with their backs against the wall. One was doing precisely as Astre; sneaking a peak out through the opening.

Astre's Stealth to avoid detection [14]: Fortunately for him, it didn't think to look down.

Eyes wide and posture tense, Astre froze like an ice sculpture in place as he realized what sort of position he was in.  A bothersome hawk or raven were bad enough, but a Bugbear with mace lifted at the ready?  All it would take was mere happenstance for a glance downward to be a precursor of a strike downward.

Thus, with a quick flicker of communication sent back up to Mallory, the Tressym simply vanished out of reality to the security of his personal pocket plane.

---

Back up topside, Mallory lingered for a moment before she shook her head.  The illusory text shifted once more as she added to its contents.

~~Astre couldn't get a good look.  Two or three, perhaps?  They're armed and laying in wait for us, so we should be ready to turn their ambush around on them.~~ the floating text read.

Idrianthe put her metal fingers to her chin and read Mallory's reconnaissance as it came in, her dark brows furrowed at the ambush. Although she couldn't conjure airborne writing in the way the wizard had, a trick she would have liked to compliment under different circumstances, she could come close with the help of her tinkering abilities. Idri withdrew from her belt pouches a folded piece of parchment, which she drew on with her armored fingertip. She turned it to face the group, showing them the glowing writing she had created.

~~I should be in first two down. Heavy armor, able to control their focus to protect others' descent, darkvision. Plus magic.~~

~~Shall we give them a chance to rethink their course and surrender?  They may be trapped and desperate down there if they can't get back up the ice channel.  And they may have more information about what lies beyond.~~  The air around Mallory had become rather cluttered as various messages floated about and lingered above until she was certain they'd been read by the others.

As Farwalker herself, Mallory was of the sort who'd rather not resort to violence.  The less bloodshed they could get away with, the better.  She could easily imagine the Bugbears having ended up stuck and starving, fearful that whoever was about to come down would spell their doom.  Of course, knowing Goblinoids, it wasn't as if they could just demand a surrender outright... they'd likely have to knock some sense into them first.

Idrianthe gave Mallory a shrugging nod, then added the four words unused to her existing bit of parchment before turning it back around:

~~Will offer help first.~~

Khulekani slowly drew Isiliva from it's scabbard. Once again the blade slowly ignited with a silvery light, like the moon on a lake. She was not about to be caught unawares if there were more foes lurking in the snow that their scouts had not been able to discern. Doubtful, given the empty fields of snow, but in this instance, paranoia was the order of the day.

Looking at Idri's glowing script, one arched eyebrow went up. Reaching into one of her belt pouches and withdrew a copper and held it up to the Elven woman. The look of curiosity on her face made it clear what the silent question was: "Flip for it?"

Though there was nothing agreed by the group, the aspiring Squire always did see it as her responsibility to face danger first, as it was her vocation and religion.

Upon Mallory's comment, Khulekani showed her an open hand, albeit one with a coin in it, before showing her the hand with the sword.

That message was very clear. Offer peace first, then the blade. Chivalric code to the core in this child of the south.

Just in case, once we have a course of action settled and get into setting up the rope, Mallory will stand aside during the work and ritual cast "Comprehend Languages" on herself.  Assuming there's enough time to do so.

Idrianthe gave Khule a big grin and a thumbs-up, then tapped twice on the top of her scalp to call heads. The squire took it seriously without losing her sense of humor; that was admirable. Very fitting for her order, at least as it existed decades before.

But after Khulekani confirmed she would offer aid before battle, Idrianthe held a hand up flat, pointed to Khule, held up one finger; pointed to herself, held up two fingers; and then pointed to Khule again, placed her fingers to her lips, and mimed speaking. It was difficult to communicate certain concepts with one-handed signals and no agreed-upon system already in place, but she hoped it came across as something like 'You go first, I go second, you talk.'

Khulekani gave Idri a curt nod of agreement when she silently offered to let the aspiring Paladin go first. Diplomacy had been one of the facets of training that the Auxiliary had instilled in her. While she always stood ready to defend the helpless, violence was to be a last resort, and redemption and peace should always be offered, if circumstances allowed.

"Very nice," Rhydd said when Mallory used magicked script to write out various bits of information from the Tressym's scouting efforts. "Having information on what one's foes are up to can make all the difference. My compliments to Astre."

The huntsman grunted and shook his head when the idea of playing nice with the Bugbears came under discussion. He offered no comment other than his sour expression.

He stood and listened quietly as Squire Khulekani and Mistress Idrianthe also discussed who would lead the way in dealing with what was waiting on the far side of the door down below.

With light armor and his most effective weapon being a bow, he well knew that he would not be at his most effective in what was shaping up to be a close-quarters, toe-to-toe slug-fest.

While the others were attempting some sort of stealthy charades, Farwalker had simply unshouldered her pack and moved to the entrance, though not actually making her way in. Ice was treacherous at the best of times. She had given a slight sigh before moving up, and even a little shake of her head. Along with a soft prayer, of course. “Oi. You there. Step on out. You don’t want me stepping in thinking you seek me harm. That and I would much prefer not having to kill you.” She had her shield on one arm, and was messing with one of the straps. Apparently using it as a focal point for the spell last night loosened it somehow. Strange. “I’m not very good at holding back, if violence starts.” Nice and straightforward. Just how she liked it.

For a decent while, Farwalker's response was only the echo of her own powerful voice.

"Alrighty then!" finally came the reverberating answer, followed by the loud KA-CHUNK! of a twin-bladed axe striking the tunnel in view of those above. "Truce!"

Idri's eyebrows went up, and she gently applauded Farwalker's success by patting her right shoulder with her left hand.

She took the enchanted rope from her shoulder and began to unwind it to hold one end, then gave it the command to begin knotting itself for easy use.

"Your diplomatic side seems to have appealed to their better nature, Lady Farwalker; well done. Will you tell them we're sending an enchanted rope down to help them climb back up, please? Lady Mallory, may I borrow one of your stakes to anchor it while you, Master Rhydd, and Squire Kumalo take any defensive measures you feel wise?"

---

Idri would like to anchor and then command down the Rope of Climbing so they can get back up to us more easily, but without risking them trying to use or damage Mallory's whole climbing kit in the process.

Things seemed well underway.  Recon had gone swimmingly, their pair of professional soldiers were in the midst of planning their approach, and they had all control of the situation.  Mallory drew in a breath to prepare herself as well and began to focus on channeling magics for the coming encounter.  A potential fight wasn't something she ever savored the idea of, but they were in the best position they could be as far as she could tell.

And then Farwalker did... well, what Farwalker does.

Mallory was so aghast at the Goliath's antics that it totally dropped her focus on her spell and left her to just gawp for a long moment.  The thud of an axe below made her flinch as well at the sharp impact within the tunnel, though it was enough to sort her thoughts back into alignment.  She drew in a long, self-controlled breath to heave out as a sigh, then gently moved in between both Khulekani and Rhydd to place a hand on each of their shoulders.

"As much as I would love for Farwalker's pattern of utter recklessness to actually favor us for once, I don't believe for a second that worked." she urged the two in a low voice that wouldn't carry far at all.  "One cannot bully a Bugbear.  Keep your guards up."

---

Pitons ahoy, as Idri needs to anchor her Rope.  If the Bugbears are climbing up to the surface rather than us going down to them, Mallory will take position beside Rhydd and be prepared for trouble.