Jun Jia lacked experience in finding or disarming traps. Since she couldn’t assist with opening the chest, she settled for watching the door they’d entered. “I believe Vyktor would be best suited for this task. I will stand guard and watch the door.”

Vyktor took a moment to look over the chests and the area immediately surrounding them. That cultists might trap the enclosures meant that there could be, even among a group sworn by oaths and fell rites to support each other and their cause, some distrust. He smiled grimly at this, and hoped it would serve them in some way in what must be an inevitable confrontation.

"Are there any uniforms our attire about? We could disguise ourselves and perhaps gain something of an advantage... the element of surprise or even doubt."


INT(Investigation): Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 16
DEX(Thieves' Tools): Helping Celia to give her Advantage

After checking each chest it seems none are trapped. You find a closet with a dozen cultist robes, all different sizes and all curiously in like new condition.

(5 lock pick checks with advantage: let’s see what we get )

The barbarian snarled derisively. "Nobody alive around here but us. Why should we dress up in those ridiculous robes? I'm not wearing that."
He had toyed with the idea of breaking the chests open, but the locksmithing work was faster, and he didn't feel like useless exercise. After all, his strength should better be reserved for when it would really be needed. Whistling a little tune, he killed the time by dropping pebbles into the well and listening for the echoes.

Jia sighed. “At the feast of ego, everyone leaves hungry.“ She cast her eye toward the robes with a considering nod. “It’s a good idea, Vyktor.”

"They were locked like this for a reason," said Ceila.  "I think we should.  I'll fight evil with whatever tools are at hand."

LOOT:
11 gp and 60 sp in a pouch made of human skin.
three moss agates (worth 10 gp each) in a folded piece of black cloth.
a silvered shortsword (worth 110 gp).

Continuing on from here you come to a fork: go south (toward 26) or east (toward 27)

Jun Jia took the silver short sword, testing the heft in her hand. “Yes. I believe this will work.” Before they proceeded, she donned a cult robe approximating her size. “We should prepare ourselves for meeting one of the cult.” When the group exited the room, she walked beside or near Ceila as the space allowed.

"Agreed," said Ceila, "to the degree that we can.  I wish that I had more strength to fight them... well, we'll see if it's enough."

Sticking close to Jun was an excellent idea, and she made every attempt to do so.

“Strength can fail when it faces my skill. If your strength fails you, my speed will aid you.” Jia smiled warmly at Ceila. “Though I trust your ability to capably handle any threat. You certainly display the mind for it.”

"Thank you," said Ceila, smiling.  "...I hope I can live up to that.  But I will do my utmost."

Vyktor picked a cultist robe that seemed as if it would fit and threw it on. "Better prepared than found wanting..."

He led the party southward toward the stairs.

Chokahr frowned at the cultist robes, shrugged, and stuffed one between his back and the side of his backpack.

"Not convinced those will be useful. But they might be valuable."

Sniggering at his own joke, he hurried behind Vyktor.

I'm pretty sure someone's passive perception is 15 so everyone make a perception check, there's a fake floor spike trap here. If anyone gets a 15+ you spot the difference in the dirt floor and find the way around it, which will then need a dex dc12 to safely get across, the first person to get across can use a rope to aid everyone else and give advantage. If someone still manages to fail you'll take 3 bludgeoning and 3 piercing for falling 10' into spikes.
Then we will continue on the next level. :")

Vyktor paused a moment, holding up a hand to halt those behind him. "Looks like we'd better be on our toes..." He said quietly, pointing out a change in the flooring.

He thought he could see a safe spot some distance away. He motioned for Jia. "I'll give you a vault if you think you can stick a landing over there..."


Vyktor's Passive Perception is 15.
Vyktor will HELP Jia by crouching down and offering his knee from which she may gain a little height and launch herself across. (Advantage?)
If that doesn't work, he'll cast Thorn Whip and Indiana Jones it...
Doh! Dex(Acrobatics): Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 6 - Natural 1!

In reply to Vyktor Rosewylde (msg # 28):
The ceiling is 7' high. There will be no helping someone across.

I'll ignore your Indiana Jones roll. :)

After further assessment, Vyktor shook his head, "Actually, I don't think that's gonna work. Good luck Jia." He stepped out of her way.


OOC: I'll take every instance of DM ignoring a Nat 1... ;-)

Jun Jia attempted the leap, and almost cleared the trap. However, her foot slipped as it touched the ledge. She fell ten feet into a small pit and hit a few spikes for a painful landing.

OOC:

14:13, Today: Jun Jia rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  DEX/Acrobatics check.

Ouch. You have your first victim of the pit.

6 damage.

Jun is able to climb out on the other side. Everyone else can roll adv to climb across with the help of the rope. dex/acrobatics dc12 with adv or 6dmg

Favoring her injured side, Jun Jia tossed her own rope across with a grunt. Once everyone crossed over, she said, “We rest now. I am injured and I must meditate to heal.” She jabbed a dainty finger toward Chokhar. “This time, you listen to another. We rest!”

Jia was weary of his bullheadedness and wouldn’t entertain any of his scoffing or posturing. “If you want to charge ahead on your own like a drunken yak in heat, then you go alone!” She looked at Ceila for solidarity, and possibly aid. “I would like your healing touch now, if you please. If you cannot, then I humbly ask that you keep watch while I meditate.” That time, her tone was different. Softer, entreating, rather than demanding.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:01, Wed 31 Mar 2021.

18:08, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 8,19 using 1d20+3,1d20+3 ((5,16)).

Ceila was glad of the rope, it made it easy enough to swing across.

"You're hurt," she said to Jun.  "I can heal you..."

She closed her eyes and prayed over Jun's injuries, wreathed in pale light.

Jun gets 8 HP back

When Ceila laid hands upon Jun, the divine power coursed through the smaller woman’s body. Jun felt a quickening of her metabolism, as the pain yielded to a heat that left a pleasant coolness in its wake. Torn flesh knit closed, with only mild bruises and cuts remaining. Jun nodded gratefully. “I thank you and the god you serve for your grace.”

OOC:

23:49, Today: Jun Jia rolled 2 using 1d8.  Hit Dice.

Meditating for last 2 HP and recovering Ki points.

The former knight hissed as he watched Jia get injured in her attempt to cross. A pang of guilt stabbed at his stomach. Barely needing the rope, he sprang across the gap, propelling himself off a slight ledge of a stone in the wall, and landed next to the injured monk.

"I'm very sorry Lady Jia, I should have made the initial leap myself. I thought perhaps I could assist you, but alas the circumstances did not permit."

Glancing around, he seemed to get his bearings. "Further, I'm afraid I've led us in a wrong direction."


OOC: Oops. Forgot North was at the left of the map. I meant to lead downward to 30, but no big deal. It's probably safer to find a place to rest up here...

DEX(Acrobatics) w/Advantage: Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 25 - Natural 20! Thanx Jia!

With a short running start, Chokahr hopped gracefully across the gaping chasm, keeping his head in his shoulders so that he wouldn't graze the ceiling, and landed almost noiselessly on the other side. He passed the bleeding and cussing Jun Jia with an interrogative look in his eyes. His usually snarky tone had turned icy and calm.

"Oh, now it's my fault that you couldn't jump across a hole in the ground? You're tough, you'll manage."

Leaning against the nearest wall while Celia performed her healing magic, the large man started cleaning his fingernails, and spoke further without looking up.

"You had my back in the battle earlier, so I won't hold a grudge for your tone. A word to the wise, though, don't push it. And don't ever think you can order me around. Any of you", he concluded, briefly lifting his gaze.

09:10, Today: Chokahr rolled 22 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only.  Acrobatics with advantage.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:21, Thu 01 Apr 2021.