Northwest of 4e on map.
You travel through the cave tunnel for almost an hour before it opens up. This series of caverns has a persistent eerie moan coming from area 4e. The walls of this 60-foot-high cavern are covered with naturally formed crystal draperies that resemble frozen waterfalls.

A 30-foot-long, 10-foot-wide, 20-foot-deep fissure cuts across the middle of the ceiling like an open wound. The ominous moan heard throughout the complex originates from here and is made by something hiding in the crack.

The crystal formations reflect and amplify nearby light. The crystals also amplify sound, allowing it to carry well beyond the cavern’s confines. The crystals otherwise have no properties or value.

An iron gate is embedded in the east wall (4a).

If you haven't yet, now is the time to drink up!!! When you do, become level 8 with no side effects.

In reply to DM (msg # 1):

Travic drinks the potion, and his ring blazes with light. It dies down, and he looks with shock at it, then the potion, then the rest of the group. "Ummm...it works!" He says, the look of surprise still on his face.

Jhank waits a few more moments to see if the Elf drops dead then knocks the bright red and orange of her potion back as if it were a shot, still sceptical. Memories of well-taught lessons from someone that seemed to be ages ago welled up in her mind, becoming less hazy. Jhank hissed quietly to herself, glad for the remembrance of skills but not of the person she tries to forget.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Mon 08 Nov 2021.

Andromeda raised her pale blue-glowing potion in a toast, "To heroism and the furtherance of knowledge.  Cheers!"  Clinking the phial with the others, she tipped it up and drank it down.  The azure jewel necklace flared bright with celestial power, and the starry nebulae suspended within it began to glow with their own light.  Exhilarated, Andromeda laughed, "How wonderfully portentous!"

Once she'd gotten a handle on the sudden influx of power, Andromeda turned her attention to their new surroundings.  "Oh, what spectacular crystal formations!  ...Goodness, what is that dreadful sound?"  She slowly wandered closer, listening close to the ominous moaning and scoured her naturalistic knowledge to attempt to identify it.

---

Cosmic Omen start-of-day roll is odd (Woe):

• 12:12, Today: Andromeda rolled 3 using 1d6.  Cosmic Omen even/odd.

Light cantrip is active, shedding 20 feet of bright light + 20 feet of dim light.  Can we tell if the crystal formations are increasing that range?

Stealth-moving toward the ceiling fissure, Nature to guess at the source of the ominous moan, then Perception to look into the crack (w/o Darkvision):

• 13:15, Today: Andromeda rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Stealth.
• 13:09, Today: Andromeda rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Nature.
• 13:16, Today: Andromeda rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Perception.

Onyxclaw follows the others, his staff clicking as he does, looking at the map as he went. The kobold stopped only when he realised the others did, and watched as the others drank. With a sigh, he popped the cork and drank.

His eyes went wide as the connection to his patron, once a trickle, opened like a floodgate. He heard their voice in his head, almost approving of what was happening. Goood…..feeeell the power you can attain. He saw flashes of skills he never dreamed, of magic he heard of that was now in his grasp.

The Kobold  breathed heavily as he normalised, looking around with a slight look of fear and excitement. He muttered something unknown in the draconic language, ancient.

“Wow.” Was all he said

The crystal walls indeed enhance the light and the entire area is as dim light.
A 20-foot-square section of wall south of area 4d does not reflect the light in the way the rest of the walls do, seems suspicious.

Andromeda looks up at the crack in the ceiling to see a monster that resembles a sting-ray with the face of a gargoyle. She remembers it from...well now, how exactly does she remember it? did that potion come with extra knowledge??? This is called a cloaker.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/avat...252767458838228.jpeg
Anyone can nature check. DC15 you know that they are able to make illusory duplicates, making it much harder to fight. Nature check DC20 you know that it cannot make duplicates in bright light.

---

Round 1 > players always go first, this is theater of the mind, we are not necessarily in combat, if you don't attack it may allow you to sneak past.
Cloaker AC14

In reply to DM (msg # 6):

"What is that thing?" Travic whispered. He was reading through a arcane looking book he did not have a second ago. It seemed to just appear after he drank the potion.

OOC-got a 11 on my nature check.

''Ugh! I dunno but no mothers gonna love that face, '' Jhank added, one clawed hand on a shortsword and the other hovering between a dagger and the other shortsword, not sure if she should try throwing the dagger or go straight to melee.
Nature check¬15:49, Today: Jhank rolled 16 using 1d20 ((16)).

well the thing is about 30’ up on the ceiling, so melee probably not gonna work quite yet. :)

Devan shakes his potion up a bit and looks at it suspiciously, but when everyone started to drink theirs. He shrug and goes for a drink,"Eh, what harm can it do. Though I'm not sure what powers I'm getting." he says, taking a swig of his red potion, then his mind goes blank, no, it became still. Everything was clearer than ever before, theories and conspiracies have never been so accurate until this day as a surge of power suddenly comes over him, Devan started looking at his surroundings like a madman,"These crystals, they might be the power source that'll send us through different dimensions and planes. That whole moaning sound proves my point, were now in one of the Nine Hells, or worse Hades, everyone be prepared for countless hordes of demons and devils." he babbles his theory with speed and when the cloaked beast appeared, a look of panic appeared on the frazzled Devan,"Egads, one of the overlords of hell. We better back away and start heading back to that bucket." he says, starting walk away but then sits down on the floor as he grabs his head looking as if he was hit with a daze. Looks like he ran out of steam.

07:11, Today: Devan Crier rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Nature Check.

Andromeda startled at the sight of the winged monstrosity clinging in the crevasse overhead, "Oh dear!  That beast is called a Cloaker.  Quite fearsome, and not likely to be friendly."  Devan's wild speculations left the druidess with mouth agape and struggling to find words, "A rather extraordinary set of conclusions to draw...?  No no, we can't turn back now!  We've only just arrived!"

With brightly-glowing celestial jewel held up high toward the creature, silver chain coiled about her fingers, Andromeda waited on its reaction.  She whispered, "Be ready, friends... the cloaker may not take our intrusion well..."  Should the monster move to strike Andromeda stood ready to project a ray of burning starlight toward it!

---

Still emitting Light, which probably invalidated that stealth attempt now that I think of it :P

Ready a Sacred Flame IF we are attacked by the Cloaker or any other creature.  DC 15 Dex save or take 10 radiant damage!

• 16:51, Today: Andromeda rolled 10 using 2d8.  Readied Sacred Flame.

The cloaker looks straight at you as if the magical light was offensive. It moaned one last time, and from the east a similar moan replied.

The light cantrip has made the entire area dim light.

---

Round 1 (still waiting for Littlejohn)
Cloaker AC14

Onyxclaw walked with the others, admiring the crystals as Andromeda pointed out the cloaked. The kobold frowned as he heard a whisper in his mind. “Cloaker is creature of shadow….can make illusions of self. Hard to hit.”The kobold looked a little more sure of himself and stepped forward, his hand out, he spoke in some unknown language.

An almost invisible wave flows for the beast and hits him, Onyxclaw holding a smile as the voice in his head speaks to him. Goooodd

The kobold has an almost europhoric  smile on his face - the test of his power pleased him.

---

<OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Nature check.

 action - casts blight at the cloaker

Onyxclaw rolled 40 using 8d8.  Blight damage.

Con 14 save or takes 40 necrotic damage. Save succeeds, takes 20 damage>

The cloaker screeches as the blight spell wracks it's body.

It zooms down, no clue which of you cast the spell, it targets the smallest of you all.

As it zooms closer it's moan sickens your stomachs. EVERYONE must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened until the end of the cloaker's next turn. If a creature's saving throw is successful, the creature is immune to the cloaker's moan for the next 24 hours.

It wraps itself around Onyxclaw. 24 hits you for 10 piercing damage and you are blinded and unable to breathe while the cloaker is attached. You must take an action to detach the cloaker by succeeding on a DC 16 Strength check.

---

ROUND 2
Cloaker AC14, hp-40

10:18, Today: Devan Crier rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Wis Save.

Devan recovers from his momentary headache after he heard that moaning come closer. He then notice the monster has grappled the kobold and it's moaning made him feel his stomach churn, but just like the headache it quicky fades and he raises his fist for a fight.

Action: Stunning Strike Con Save DC 13 or get stunned.
10:23, Today: Devan Crier rolled 27 using 1d20+8.  Unarmed Strike 1.
10:24, Today: Devan Crier rolled 9 using 1d6+5.  Dmg 1.

Bonus Action: Punch
10:23, Today: Devan Crier rolled 20 using 1d20+8.  Unarmed Strike 2.
10:24, Today: Devan Crier rolled 11 using 1d6+5.  Dmg 2.


"Don't worry Onyx, I've got your back." he says and starts right about to punch it when he realized his fists feel guided to punch specific points of the creature. He didn't understand what's going, but he suspected the potion just doing it's magic and he obliged it's assist as he starts jabbing at various pressure points of the creature.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:35, Tue 09 Nov 2021.

19:25, Today: Jhank rolled 8 using 1d20 ((8)).
Jhank growled and snapped her jaws, covering her earholes in an attempt to block the horrid sound, but fell to her knees. Tucking her head under her body and suppressing the urge to vomit.

Andromeda cringed at the monster's dreadful moan, but managed to avoid being too rattled by it.  What was terrifying, however, was the way it swooped down to wrap itself entirely about little Onyxclaw!  It was going to suffocate him and then eat him, probably, and she wasn't having it.

The druidess raised the celestial jewel overhead and conjured a long, glowing tendril of magical starlight.  She cried with not much conviction, "Release him, monster!"  She snapped the magic whip forth to lash the cloaker and drag it away, but failed entirely to connect with her target.

---

Wisdom save succeeds:

• 21:22, Today: Andromeda rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  Wisdom save.

Thorn Whip attack roll almost definitely misses:

• 21:24, Today: Andromeda rolled 10 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 3.  Thorn Whip attack.

In reply to DM (msg # 14):

"Ahhhhhh!" Travic cried out, blasting two blasts of sand and rock from his ring. Both utterly missing the horrible creature.

ooc-23:59, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Eldritch blast 2.

23:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 10 using 1d20+8.  Eldritch blast 1.

23:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Wisdom save.

Onyxclaw had a slightly smug smile on his face using the magic that was now open to him....until it screeched and came for him.

The sound was like an echo in his head, reminding him of how he came to gain the power - the fear he had at such overwhelming power that could snuff his life out.

When he looked up, he didn't have time to react.

....the cloaker enveloped him.

Onyxclaw felt panic well up and struggles to fight his way out, but he was small and not physically strong.

He was in trouble.

---

<OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 8 using 1d20+2 - Wisdom save

Onyxclaw rolled 0 using 1d20-1.  Strength check.

Typical - it aims for the small weak kobold!>

Post is PM for now, waiting for Jhank.

Jhank sees the Kobold struggling and uncurls her body, rushing at a surprising amount of speed for her size and aiming for the base of the monster's head with her dagger, her blade skidding off to the side and missing her kill strike, ''piece of shit!'' she growled.

18:04, Today: Jhank rolled 1 using 1d20 ((1)). Attack
18:05, Today: Jhank rolled 1 using 1d4 ((1)). Piercing damage
18:11, Today: Jhank rolled 8 using 1d20 ((8)). Dexterity Save
8+6=14 total for dex save (ooc not sure if I was supposed to make this, but everyone else was so I followed suit, bear with me I'm still learning.)

No worries Jhank, no dex save was needed, you already failed your wisdom save. You get to try again every round. Everyone Wisdom DC13 or you're still frightened, which gives disadvantage.

Devon's strikes are true, but it is unclear if the cloaker is stunned.

Everyone else seems to be getting their bearings with their new found power, the cloaker is balled up right in front of you, easy to hit, but it is terrifying how it pulls Onyxclaw around as he struggles for breath.

Then a second cloaker flaps into the room and plummets into Devon, the obvious choice as he is punching the crap out of this cloaker's mate. Devon ducks and weaves, so cloaker 2 flies 20 feet into the air and creates two duplicates of itself. Devon you can AOO. Everyone roll atk and dmg as normal, i will then roll to see if it hits a duplicate or the real one


ROUND 3
Cloaker 1 AC14, hp-50
Cloaker 2 AC14, 2 duplicates

Onyxclaw squeals with every hit, struggling to escape, but with the lack of air, his strength waned.

---

<OOC: Ouch!

Onyxclaw rolled 2 using 1d20-1 (strength check)

>

Reaction: Punch Cloaker 2
10:07, Today: Devan Crier rolled 26 using 1d20+8.  Attack of Opportunity
10:08, Today: Devan Crier rolled 10 using 1d6+5.  Dmg


Devan managed to dodge the attack from the second cloaker, but he saw an opportunity to deliver a karate chop on its back right before it had time to duplicate illusory doubles. He connected the hit with a rousing success.

Action: Punch with Stunning Strike DC 13
10:14, Today: Devan Crier rolled 19 using 1d20+8.  Stunning Strike.
10:15, Today: Devan Crier rolled 9 using 1d6+5.  Dmg

Bonus Action: Punch Miss
10:17, Today: Devan Crier rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Punch


He would go and unleash a barrage of punches on that second Cloaker and it's duplicates but Devan heard the squealing sound of his companion and decided to keep up with pressure blocking the creature. He goes for another round of jabs but miss the second barrage when he noticed something peculiar,"Hmm, interesting, looks like I'm not only punching this monster but it seems I'm also punching you, Onyx. Hm, what a conundrum, whatever shall I do." he says while raising his fist and is pretty much ready to make the kobold a punching bag,"What to do, what to do, such a moral dilemma."

Devan I'm going to apply your actions to cloaker 1, because cloaker 2 is 20' up in the air, you cannot reach it, unless you can fly or something cool that I wasn't expecting :)

Seeing the dreadful monster wrapped about Onyxclaw like a deadly pita wrap, Andromeda cried, “Unhand him!  Better said, uncloak him!”  She searched for any sign of scale or claw to heal but found none, so instead she brandished the celestial jewel.  There came a blinding flash of radiance as a beam of pure starlight erupted from the gemstone to strike the cloaking monstrosity!

---

• Natural 1 on Perception fails to spot a cloaked kobold!
• Cast Guiding Bolt via Star Map on Cloaker1.  If Devan failed to stun it then I miss with 12 vs. AC, but if it is stunned then advantage makes it a hit vs. 14 AC for 11 radiant!
  • If this hit then next attack is made with advantage!

23:10, Today: Andromeda rolled 11 using 4d6.  Guiding Bolt damage.
23:10, Today: Andromeda rolled 14 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 7.  Guiding Bolt (advantage?).
23:09, Today: Andromeda rolled 12 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 5.  Guiding Bolt.
23:07, Today: Andromeda rolled 8 using 1d20+7.  Perception.

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 26):

He focuses on the  cloaker, trying to force it off its victim. Then he screams "Die! Die! Die!" to the Cloaker. Despite not being terrorfied by its unnatural keening wail, he seems pretty scared all by himself. However, the ring blasts out two very accurate attacks of sand and rock that slams into the already damaged creature.

OOC:

Bonus action 1st.
Using tk to shove cloaker 1, making it release target. Not a to hit roll, but it must make a strength save dc 16 or be shoved 5 feet.

Two EBs of 25 hit for a total of 23 damage.

07:59, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 13 using 1d10+5.  EB 2 damage.

07:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 10 using 1d10+8.  Blast damage with Genie Bonus.

07:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  EB 2 Cloaker 1.

07:58, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  EB Cloaker 1.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:36, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

Jhank was getting angrier by the second, making her no longer afraid, just enraged. Once again aiming for the Cloaker wrapped around Onyx, this time lodging her dagger in the base of its neck, muttering profanities in Draconic the whole time.


09:38, Today: Jhank rolled 16 using 1d20 ((16)). for wisdom, finally!
09:41, Today: Jhank rolled 10 using 1d20 ((10)). for attack
09:43, Today: Jhank rolled 4 using 1d4 ((4)). 4+3 total for piercing damage
10+7=17 total damage

Devan smacks cloaker 2 as it flies away from him, then it stays up in the air 20' high.

He attempts to stun cloaker 1 but it seems the monster is incredibly tough and is not stunned, though the punch still deals damage and Devan can see the thing is wearing out.

Andromeda's guiding bolt just barely misses as the cloaker writhes and wriggles, dragging Onyxclaw around on the crystal cave floor.

Travic's telekinesis isn't powerful enough, the large aberration doesn't even budge. But eldritch blasts burn large hole's in the cloaker's leathery flaps.

Jhank, finally pissed off enough, slams her daggers and cuts open the cloaker to pull Onyxclaw out. He is unconscious, and not breathing!!!!

The second cloaker screams three times at the death of it's mate, the three cloakers that are one begin to flee!!!! They are 30' high and 30' to the east of the group. If you don't bring it down it will escape the area.

---

ROUND 4
Cloaker 1 DEAD
Cloaker 2 AC14, hp-10 2 duplicates
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:06, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

Jhank managed to slay the terrifying cloaker at last, causing it to spit out a limp and seemingly lifeless kobold friend!  Andromeda moved to stand over Onyxclaw and cried out, "Now is not your time, friend.  Arise!"  Her voiced conjured wisps of twinkling starlight to descend upon the kobold and breathe life back into his tiny lungs.

Standing over her fallen comrade, Andromeda extended the long and luminous whip from the celestial jewel, spinning it around her in a wide arc.  "Not so fast, monster!"  The magical lash snapped out at the retreating cloaker, coiled about it and reeled it back in toward danger!  That was the hope at least, assuming she'd selected the correct duplicate.

---

• Cast Healing Word on Onyxclaw to restore 6 HP
• Thorn Whip (range 30 ft) hits 23 AC vs. Cloaker2 (or does it?) for 9 piercing damage and pull it 10 feet closer to us!  Now 20 feet up from the ground.

13:01, Today: Andromeda rolled 9 using 2d6.  Thorn Whip damage.
13:00, Today: Andromeda rolled 23 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 16.  Thorn Whip attack.
13:00, Today: Andromeda rolled 6 using 1d4+4.  Healing Word.

Onyxlaw panicked in the darkness of the beast, pain from it and every hit aimed at it seemed to transfer pain to him. He wanted to run, to scream, but he had no air.

....then darkness.

He opened his eyes to a void, floating in a cold nothingness that was familiar to him - he had been here once before when he met it.

You still have much to learn, worm. He heard the voice in his head, and turned by sheer will. His gaze came around to the shadow, seemingly blooting out the area, the only way to distern any features (if you'd call them that) was light gasses that made the void different shades.

The kobold closed his eyes and bowed. "Master....i"

The entity interupted with a spike of mental pain, causing the kobold to flinch. You have much to learn, and if you don't your soul will be mine sooner than you want....Either way, you are mine reguardless.

The kobold looked almost sheepish and scared, knowing full well what could happen if this being wanted to....shred his mind and soul without a thought. There was a silence, and before Onyxclaw could speak, the voice came back, calmer, sweeter.

I could have left you to die here, but i saw your mind, your spirit, and reconised a hunger. I knew i could help you, in my benovlence. So i gifted you a piece of me. the voice had pride in its voice, but the kobold knew it was not for him - it praised its own choice. The kobold (wisely) stayed silent.

You have been gifted something rare - the potion has poened the portal between us wider - where a trickle of magic came throughh, now a arcane torent can be felt. I commend your willingness to test your power, and glad you desire it.....but in your haste, you failed to learn what you need the most.

The air between the entity and Onyxclaw grew cold, and it seemed the stars flew past at a rapid pace. I have seen the rise and fall of worlds, the very birth of your world. Even the ones's the pitiful two legs on that rock of yours call 'gods', those who sent me here. But i know what is needed for me to esacpe.

I have the power now, to break free, but i ask, what is the point if i have not the strength to fight? The the kobold had a confused look as he thought, then something dawned on him.

Strength

Yes, little one. You have the power now, if only temporarily, but you also must learn your place and how to use it. Patience. You must learn to not be impulsive and know your place.

The kobold nodded as he thought of the lesson. "Yes master....patience. I think i understand."

Thge voice in his mind had approval of the answer. Good....your answer told me the truth. If you had have said you understand, i woulde have known you lied, and would rectify my error in using you. Tghe fact that you know what you must consider means you are using your mind - your most powerful tool.

A bright light shon from behind Onyxclaw, and he felt a warmth as he was pulled back. Your freinds call you back. Remember my words. I could have you now, but what point would that be? Gain strength and I will. Learn patience.

The kobold felt a pull as he came back

---

As Onyxclaw lay on the floor, limp and unconsious, several puncture marks on his tiny frame, a black ooze seemed to seep from him. His too big cloak  was tattered even more to the point of being virtually destroyed.

Andromeda went to him and felt his cold body, casting the healing magic, he was still for a moment.

Then he flung his eyes open with a look of fear, gasping and flailing his arms around, confused.

"I UNDERSTAND MASTER.....PATIENCE!" he called out, his eyes darting around.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Thu 11 Nov 2021.

anyone near Onyxclaw notices a pool of an otherworldly oil surrounding him, bubbling away dissolving as it collides with this world’s atmospheric pressure.

It was most clearly not the cloaker’s blood.

In reply to DM (msg # 29):

"You better flap away! You...horrible...flappy...thing!" Travic called out, sending more eldritch blasts at the retreating creature.

ooc: two hits...maybe...doing a total of 24 damage.

17:19, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 15 using 1d10+5.  Eb damage on c2.

17:19, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 9 using 1d10+8.  Eb damage on c2.

17:19, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 19 using 1d20+8.  Eb 2 on c2.

17:18, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 14 using 1d20+8.  Eb 1 on c2.

This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Wed 10 Nov 2021.

"What the.." Devan says when he sees the otherworldly oil dissolve,"... Your carrying some strange materials their Mr. Onyxclaw, I think I've got the headlines now. 'Otherworldly Cobtraband - Is Their A Cartel Hidden In This Dungeon?'" he says with his usual personality, then looks toward the Cloaker,"Hmm, that things out of boxing range, maybe I can.." he says, looking toward his bag for a specific item,"Ah, here we go!" he says, pulling out a dart set,"I'd thought we'd be able to play some darts as a downtime activity, fighting works as well." he says, pulling out two darts and tossing it at the Cloaker.

Action: Two Dart Attacks
(Forgot I got an Extra Attack, my bad)
Dart 1 Hit
06:25, Today: Devan Crier rolled 18 using 1d20+8.  Dart 1.
06:26, Today: Devan Crier rolled 8 using 1d4+5.  Dmg.

Dart 2 whiffs
06:25, Today: Devan Crier rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Dart 2.


The first hit directly towards one of the cloakers but the second didn't hit close to the mark and landed on the ceiling.

''Uh...you kinda bust a leak there,'' Jhank watches the oil disperse before dissolving in the atmosphere, she quickly turns her attention to the frightening flippy flapper floating far afield, not wanting to think too long on the fact of a co-worker had become an environmental hazard.
Jhank winds up an arm, throwing a dagger at the Cloaker farthest right, and unleashes her second one right after that, aiming at the next to the left.
16:44, Today: Jhank rolled 3 using 1d20 ((3)). 3+6=9 to hit for farthest right
16:46, Today: Jhank rolled 9 using 1d20 ((9)). 9+6= 15 to hit middle one

Andromeda had guessed correctly, thank the stars. The thorn whip pulled the beast down a bit, and the other two quickly imitated the actions to keep everyone guessing.

Travic thinks he has the shot lined up on the correct cloaker but instead it poofs away when he hits it with his first blast. That narrows things down at least! His second shot poofs away the other duplicate.

Devan's first dart hits, as does Jhank's third and fourth daggers. I'm not keeping track of how many daggers Jhank has, but I'm glad she came prepared.

The cloaker screees and moans as it flaps away into the tunnels going east.

---

Combat over. 800XP each.
You can do one of these 3:
Anyone can harvest the dead cloaker to make two cloaker cloaks by spending an hour and a survival check of dc14. (this will be averaged out by however many people do this)
Anyone can harvest the crystals by spending an hour. No check required, roll d3-1
Anyone not harvesting can take a short rest.
You then move on to 4d.

---

4d. A 15-foot-high iron portcullis is embedded in the stone wall at the mouth of a long tunnel. Rough-hewn stairs just inside the tunnel climb to the top of the wall, which is enclosed by stone battlements. There are no guards stationed atop the wall or beyond the portcullis. The winch to raise the portcullis is inside the tunnel, just beyond the gate. The portcullis can also be lifted with a successful DC 25 Strength (Athletics) check.
(Puzzle time. How will you get to the winch on the other side of the gate??? Mage hand anyone???? Teleportation????)

Andromeda startled at this strange proclamation from the just-revived kobold.  She extended a hand to help him to his feet and said, "Welcome back, mister Claw.  Um, beg your pardon?  Were you speaking with somebody...?"

With the threat gone, Andromeda circled the corpse of the cloaker, observing it with interest.  "Hm!  I do believe this pelt would make a fine cloak or two.  I have not done a great deal of skinning and preparation of hides, but I did read a very good book on the subject!"  As the others rested, the druidess set to work skinning and dressing the carcass with all of the aptitude of someone who had only ever read a book on the subject.

OOC:  Spending an hour failing to harvest cloaker cloaks:

• 13:47, Today: Andromeda rolled 10 using 1d20+7.  Survival.

After time spent harvesting and recovering from the battle, Andromeda looked toward the path ahead.  She approached the tall portcullis and looked up to the battlements with hands on hips, remarking, "One wonders who constructed such fortifications in this place.  Dwarves, perhaps?  I wonder what it defends..."  She took a close look at the portcullis itself, searching for traps or any other interesting secrets it might hold before considering how they might get through it.

---

Perception to search the fortifications for traps:

• 14:04, Today: Andromeda rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Perception.

Also, is there a top of the wall that we might possibly go over, or is the gate the only way to the other side?

FYI to fellow players: Andromeda will offer Guidance to any skill checks, so you can add 1d4 to the results!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Thu 11 Nov 2021.

Jhank set about mining some crystals, shinies tend to catch her eye, before joining the rest of the group to examine the gate. ''I can probably lift it,'' she offered, but hung back till the druid finished the trap check.
I rolled a 3 for the crystals.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Fri 12 Nov 2021.

Devan writes down on his notepad the description of their now deceased foe,"Hmm, it's not an interesting beast to write home about, but it's a start. The beginning of legends being born and what not." he says to himself once again and walks toward the portcullis,"Hmm, however are we to get inside of this wall I wonder..." he says, checking his backpack for anything of use,"Ah, here we go.." he says as he pulls out a crowbar, he then walks toward Jhank,"Miss Jhank, so you say your strong enough to life that portcullis, and I have no doubt of it. You could be the strongest one of our group, so I'll give you this item to help you in your endeavors to lift heavy objects." he says, passing on the crowbar to her.

Which by the way involves giving adv on Str checks that involved lifting

Onyxclaw blinked at the druid, unsure of where he was for a moment, until he realised where he was. He sighed, closing his eyes, then looked at the druid. "No one.....dream"

He winced as he tried to get up, but instead chose to rest. The cloaker attack, though quick, had hurt him a lot.

He reached into his sachel and pulled out some kind of light coloured jerry and began eating...though his gaze went to the cloaker and the crystals

---

<OOC: Onyxclaw is torn, but he will have a short rest and spend 4 HD to heal 15 hp>
This message was last edited by the player at 00:56, Fri 12 Nov 2021.

the wall goes all the way up into the cave ceiling. there are battlement slits that a person could fit through if you wanted to climb

At the wall, the kobold looked at the porticilus with a tilted head and the mechanism controling it. Muttering a small word, he held his hand out, manipulating it with an unseen hand.

<OOC: Will use mage hand on the mechanism to raise the porticilus (Even if a small way until someone can crawl under)

Andromeda took Onyxclaw's denial at face value and smiled, "Well, let's see that your next nap is better!"

At the portcullis seemed to present no hidden dangers, and Andromeda reported that fact to the others.  Jhank's claim to be able to lift the enormous iron portcullis made Andromeda visibly excited, "Wow, such grand might!  I believe you can do it, madame, as do the stars."  The druidess raised a hand and brushed her fingertips together, causing tiny stars to drift from them like twinkling dust motes that landed on Jhank.  The glows went out after a few moments, but left Jhank feeling fortune's favor (OOC: Guidance for 1 minute).

It turned out that such a feat of strength would be unnecessary, however, for Onyxclaw proceeded to magically manipulate the winch lever and raise the portcullis.  Andromeda said encouragingly, "Well done, mister Claw!  Quite resourceful.  May I have a look at the map?"  Andromeda perused the map with much curiosity, nodding and humming as she traced the lines with a finger.  "I see, I see... Two passages branch off to either side up ahead, until it reaches what appears to be another fortification.  Be on the lookout, comrades!"

Before proceeding down the corridor, Andromeda ascended the curved steps up to the battlements (4d) to see if anything was to be found up there.

''Thanks,'' Jhank was surprised at Deven's helpfulness and took the crowbar, getting on one knee to jimmy the portcullis a bit before attempting to lift it. Before she could actually lift it Andromeda blessed her with something that made Jhank sneeze, apparently, Lizaradfolk sneeze quite loud, or maybe that's just Jhank.
''That fairy dust or something?'' Jhank asked, rubbing her snout, while she was distracted Onxyclaw sorted the problem, Jhank looked fairly interested at his work, ''cool trick man,'' she grinned before wriggling under to follow the others.

After he gave his crowbar to Jhank, Devan immediately went off to inspect those crystals,"Hmm, can't really take a break and begin typing now. I need more information, these crystals might be the cornerstone for drama. I'll just take one in memory of the plan I have and leave it at the for now." he mumbles a bunch of gibberish to himself, still feeling a bit woozy from his sudden surge of power, probably. Either way, he harvested a crystal.

12:42, Today: Devan Crier rolled 1 using 1d3-1.  Crystals

Travic manages to find two decent sized crystals to use, but what for he was not sure.

As for the portcullis, he waits until the others make their attempt. Once they do, he will act only if they are unsuccessful.

First he examines the ground under the iron gate. Assuming its earth or stone, he gesture to the ground and say in a commanding voice "RISE!" If the earth could be moved, he could shift a 5 foot cube under the gate up and away from the barrier. Thus allowing the party to crawl under the barricade.

OOC-If the others fail to open it, I am trying Mold earth 1st. Have another plan if that does not work.

00:43, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 2 using 1d3-1.  Crystal harvesting.

Onyxclaw's mage hand is able to wind the winch up and up and up, the system of gears is intelligently designed that merely five pounds of force can lift this thousand pound gate.

This entire area has been left unguarded and you find nothing of value in the gate battlements. As you approach the caves at 4b and 4c, moaning cloakers reveal themselves, one in each cave. You could fight them, or continue on to the second gate at 4a.

Hearing the pair of dreadful moans and recalling the way her new scaly friend Onyxclaw was nearly eaten by one such creature, Andromeda extinguished the starry glow and said, "Discretion is the better part of valor, my friends.  Let us pass unseen and only face troubles of our choosing and on our own terms, shall we?"  With the celestial jewel in hand, the druidess wove an enchantment that cast the party into twilit shadow that rendered them dim to the eye and incapable of leaving tracks.

Now enshrouded in twilight, Andromeda beckoned to the others and crept silently forth to bypass the cloakers entirely and make for the gate ahead.

---

• Extinguish Light and lose 20 feet of bright light + 20 feet dim
• Cast Pass Without Trace, which lasts for 1 hour (concentration):
  Pass Without Trace:

  A veil of shadows and silence radiates from you, masking you and your companions from detection. For the duration, each creature you choose within 30 feet of you (including you) has a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and can't be tracked except by magical means. A creature that receives this bonus leaves behind no tracks or other traces of its passage.
• Stealth check of 20 to pass sneakily on to 4a

11:01, Today: Andromeda rolled 20 using 1d20+12.  Stealth (+10 PwT).

As long as everyone chooses to act stealthily, no rolls are required.

Unless someone wants to be an idiot, you safely make it to 4a, where you can raise the gate using your own hands this time. Just as with gate 4d, there is nothing of interest here.

Beyond the gate you can see into the dim light of 2c, a thick underground forest of deciduous and coniferous trees, as well as berry bushes and other shrubs that are all just as the ones that would grow on the surface. All kinds of flowers grow here, but no roses!

Most of the trees are mature, with heights of 30 to 50 feet. Foot trails meander between them. Running through the forest are crumbling, 20-foot-high walkways atop ivy-covered, white marble archways supported by thick white marble columns. Some sections of the walkways have collapsed due to age or seismic activity.

Beyond the trees you see the moon, the stars, and clouds of galaxies far far away, though there is no wind or breeze to speak of.

In reply to DM (msg # 49):

Telric, assisted greatly by Andromeda's spell, moves with great skill and silence he normally does not have. "By the way everyone, if we need to rest I can set us up a relative place of safety. It should work for 8 hours or so..." He whispered to the others.

"You have, incredible Mr Televentor! Gives me a good enough breathing room to send my reports." Devan says that last part suspiciously, but tries his best to stick with the group and stay quite. When they reach to the gate, Devan looks through beyond it,"Hmm, is that the sky with stars and the moon and whatnot, aren't we in a dungeon. Is this some sort of Gate that leads to the Feywild or maybe it's those things called Feylines." he says, then forms his hands into a shape of a square and makes a click sound,"That should be a nice image for the daily."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Tue 16 Nov 2021.

"That sounds delightful, mister Travic!  I would prefer not to be abducted by cloakers in my sleep, so I will be glad for the shelter.  Speaking of which... if anybody fancies becoming a gigantic predatory dinosaur for an hour, do let me know!"  Andromeda smiled as if this offer was completely ordinary, then gazed out with wonderment to the newly-revealed forest.  She took a closer look at the various plantlife near the gate to see if any might be either dangerous or useful.

After sharing any useful or not-so-useful trivia about the flora, Andromeda returned to the map.  She pointed out the red X on the structure labeled 3b and said, "The map shows a cluster of structures with treasure, due east of here!  Shouldn't be far beyond these woods.  Shall we?"  With the group still obscured by twilight gloom, Andromeda ventured quietly eastward through the woods in hopes of discovering the central structures showed on the map.

---

Survival check to ID any dangerous or useful plantlife?:

• 16:09, Today: Andromeda rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Survival.

Exploring straight east from 4a, toward the 3a/2b area.  Still concentrating on Pass Without Trace.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:39, Tue 16 Nov 2021.

Onyxclaw, a little healthier once he had a rest, walked quietly, deep in thought at what had happened with the cloakers. Though the short rest had replenished his powers, it didn't fully heal him. So when they came to the cloakers again, he was towards the back and a lot more cautious.

When the druid dampened the area of light and sound, the kobold went along, quietly to the gate, almost overlooked by the rest with his small stature. When they came to the forest, he had a look of wonder....more to the stars and moon. "Master....i heard you." He muttered.

When Andromeda spoke, he looked at her. "East to building....good."

Plant life survival check: the berry bushes are edible: raspberries, blueberries. They have thorns but are harmless. You also see several creature's tracks: bear, boars, deer all kinds of small rodents and some tracks you are unfamiliar with, but you have to place your bets that these are displacer beast tracks.

You pass without trace, nothing approaches you, and you happen to see nothing but a few nocturnal rodents scurry from tree to tree, unaware of your presence.

3a/b Two windowless stone guardhouses with peaked, slate-tiled rooftops stand in the middle of the forest where several elevated walkways converge. The buildings were built on higher ground than the surrounding forest. The doors are stone and are shut.

In reply to DM (msg # 54):

"How much longer are we hidden for?" Telric asked Andromeda. He took out some lockpicks and rubbed his chin. Wondering if they should even bother to head into the guard towers.

They could sneak by, but the second any noise would be raised elsewhere these troops would come running. That is assuming they where a threat in the first place. Then again, this whole place was meant to be a danger.

"I believe some of these tracks may belong to the displacer beast, my companions.  Stay alert!"

With voice muffled by the sneaky magic, Andromeda answered Travic, "The twilight shroud will remain for the better part of an hour, but it can extend well beyond that if desired.  We may remain covert as long as needed!"

The map told it true when the expected structures came into view up ahead.  Checking against the map, Andromeda pointed to the larger slate-roofed guardhouse on the right and whispered excitedly, "That structure there is marked as containing treasure!  There are doors, but also raised walkways...  You've the means to open the doors, so I leave the choice of approach to you, mister Travic."  As they discussed at the treeline, Andromeda peered closely at their surroundings with keen lavender eyes, and listened closely...

---

Perception to look for any hidden presences:

• 12:03, Today: Andromeda rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Perception.

Onyxclaw grasped his staff a little tighter at the mention of the displacer beast, his eyes darting around. He looked at Travic. "You open door a little, i can sneak in invisible and see what is there." He placed his hands in his sachel and removed a piece of leather, muttering. For a moment, the area around the kobold seem to darken, then all appeared as normal again.

---

<OOC: Casts Mage armor (Armor of shadows). AC now 15 for 8 hours

In reply to DM (msg # 54):

Telric nodded to the others. Heading over to the doors to the tower, and gets his tools ready. Of course, it does occur to him to check if the doors are even locked.

ooc: total 16 if needed.

23:52, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 3 using 1d4.  Guidance .
23:51, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Thief tools.

BIG KUDOS TO ONYXCLAW FOR USING THE SCRAP LEATHER WHEN CASTING LOL!!!! .

The Druidess detects two awakened trees near her. They are completely unaware of your presence but the low low low and slow slow slow speech they talk to each other in sounds like common. “Queen pawn to d4.”

Then the second tree, “Queen pawn to d5.”

The first tree, “Ohhhh, so it’s like that is it?”

As for the guard towers, you do not detect anything.

The two doors are not adjacent to each other, which do you check first?

In reply to DM (msg # 59):

OOC-whichever Andromeda said is the treasure tower. If both are, tower A.

The door to tower A is unlocked and pushes open easily, the hinges making the usual amount of noise but nothing that would only draw attention to those inside.

A rusty lantern hanging from a rafter has a continual flame spell cast on it, brightly illuminating a musty room that contains four wooden beds with moldy mattresses. At the foot of each bed is an empty, overturned chest.

This definitely wasn't the treasure room.

When you check the door to tower B it is not locked, but barred on the inside. You will need to make an athletics check dc15 to kick it open, there does not seem to be any other way into this guard house, they are windowless.

Jhank grunted, gently pushing Travic to the side and slamming her foot into the bars, unbothered by not having boots due to her thick scales. They bent and broke under her weight, then she pulled any sharp pieces to face outside, not fancying getting gored if they had to run out.

09:40, Today: Jhank rolled 19 using 1d20 ((19)).
19+2=21

In reply to Jhank (msg # 62):

"Well, that's stuck we should find another way..." Travic began to say, only to be gently moved and hear the crushing of metal as Jhank bashed her way inside.

"...or we just let Jhank take care of it. Thank you Jhank." He shrugged and followed the warrior inside.

SNAP snap snap it rings out so loudly, echoing into eternity, yet it seems the forest heard nothing. The door swings open.

Piled in the middle of the room are broken chairs, shattered benches, and empty chests. A wooden trestle table lies on its side in the middle of the room. An iron chandelier with melted wax candles is suspended from a rafter above it by a rope tied off to a hook near the northern door. Tucked behind an iron stove in the northeast corner is a dead halfling in leather armor, his face twisted into a mask of horror.

LOOT: The corpse wears a salvageable suit of halfling-sized leather armor that seems to crackle with lightnign (would work for Onyxclaw if he is proficient in light armor). It clutches a silvered shortsword in one hand and a burnt torch stub in the other. A search of the corpse yields a dungeoneer’s pack with spoiled rations and 5 torches remaining, and a small pouch containing 4 gp.

Carved into the middle of the east wall is a decorative stone arch enclosing a blank wall. Its stone frame has been carved to look like the trunks of trees, and close inspection reveals the image of a dead tree carved into its keystone.Arcana check dc20 to understand it.

Stairs will take you up to the walkway that skirts through the forest.

"The trees seem to be engaged in a game of... dragonchess?  How fascinating!"  Jhank made a decisive entry to a guardhouse before Andromeda had a chance to investigate that further, and so she hurried along to join the others.

Upon spotting the destroyed furniture and the halfling's corpse Andromeda covered her mouth and gasped, "Oh dear!  Something dreadful must have happened here."  She knelt by the corpse and examined it in hopes of deducing cause of death from available clues.

After that, Andromeda went to the interesting decorative arch against a blank wall and eyed it curiously.  "Ah, this arch is more than it seems!"  She then proceeded to explain its magical properties in excessive detail.

---

Medicine + Guidance to try to figure out what killed the halfling:

• 09:08, Today: Andromeda rolled 21 using d20+7+d4.  Medicine + Guidance.

Arcana + Guidance on the arch:

• 09:09, Today: Andromeda rolled 24 using d20+4+d4.  Arcana + Guidance.

the tale of the halfling: he died from several lightning shocks, which killed him, but left his armor with some strange magical properties. It is safe to touch, but courses with lightning, who knows what it may do once you attune to it?

what's up with the gate: You recall lore about magic gates that allow instant travel between levels of the dungeon, or even the rest of the world.

Opening a gate usually requires a special key, the casting of a spell, or some other act. There's often a clue, but it's not always obvious. This info was the result of your arcana check, but you'll have to figure out the requirement to open the gate on your own, no check, just follow the clue and if it makes no sense then don't worry about it.

An open gate acts as a two-way portal and typically remains open for 1 minute upon activation. Creatures peering through the open gate can see the destination beyond as though they are looking through an open doorway into that location.

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 65):

Travic stares uncomprehendingly at the gate. Andromeda has to go over it one more time just so he fully understands. Magic was never his first calling, and as a result he mostly has a 'crash course' understanding of it. More 'crash' than 'course' really.

"So you activate that thing...somehow, we look through it, and then we step into a new place utterly?" He said, looking at her as if just putting it together. "I don't suppose we know where it leads? I would like to go back to my homeland-but just showing up there might get me into even bigger trouble. Assuming it even goes to the Faywild."

''Why'd you even want to go back after they banished you?'' Jhank asked, apparently she had listened to his previous introduction, though no one could have seen that by looking at her.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:16, Wed 17 Nov 2021.

In reply to Jhank (msg # 68):

"Its...my home." Travic said after a bit of thought. "The Faywild may be ruled by cruel Elven overlords, but if you are Eldarin its a nice place to live. Unless you...displease the Fay Royalty that is. To go home was my whole wish, and even the mighty Doa could not grant it."

He shrugged. "Living among the non elven in poverty certainly made me appreciate what I took for granted."

The DM knows the feels and offers his condolences to Travic, though you'll have to immediately forget that you read this because it has no affect on the story whatsoever.

Jhank smiled sharply and laughed at whatever thought just occurred to her about Travic's response. ''You remind me of someone,'' was all she offered as an explanation, seeming to shut back down again immediately.

"This poor fellow was slain by multiple instances of severe electrocution.  How terrible!  Something tells me his death was not accidental..."  Andromeda had another look at the scene and tried to glean anything about what had occurred here.  Was the halfling slain by the same event that destroyed the room, or were they unrelated?  Was the trestle table simply knocked over, or used as cover toward a door or perhaps even the arch-gate?  Did the halfling seek cover against the arch-gate, or something else?

Investigation to do CSI on this room to answer the questions posed in the inner monologue above (OOF):

• 13:53, Today: Andromeda rolled 6 using d20+1+d4.  Investigation + Guidance.

"This is a teleportation gate!  Yes, once activated we will see the destination as if looking through any doorway.  It will have a specific destination defined by its creator, which... could be the Feywild?  It seems unlikely, although the arch does have tree motifs, so you never know!"  Andromeda was touched by Travic's answer to Jhank's question about why he'd wish to return to the place that had banished him.  She approached and extended arms to offer the elf a comforting hug, if he wanted one.  "I hope you may again find welcome in the Feywild, friend, but you needn't be without a home until then.  After all, home can be anywhere you feel at home."  She let go of the hug and smiled warmly at Travic, patting him on the shoulder.

Returning to the arch-gate, Andromeda ran a hand along the engraved trees along the sides, then regarded the dead-looking tree engraved in the keystone.  She remarked, "A specific key will be required to activate the gate... it could be a physical key or something more abstract, or magical.  I wonder..."  Andromeda made for the stairs and began to ascend up to the elevated walkways they'd seen outside.  Once she made it up to the top she'd have a look around the surrounding area, both to get a lay of the land and to look for any notable trees like the one engraved in the keystone.

---

Perception to get a look around from the walkway and look for trees maybe connected to the gate, assuming that's a clue:

• 13:54, Today: Andromeda rolled 18 using d20+7+d4.  Perception + Guidance.

you see no dead trees.

you remember the paths that wound their way through the trees seemed curiously devoid of dead underbrush, as if the gardener had distaste for death, even including dead branches fallen from their trees.

Devan nods his head at Andromeda's assessment of the halfling's death,"I'm one to agree with you, Miss Andromeda, I believed we've stumbled on a murder. Maybe it was a beast made out of electricity, but I doubt it. No, it can only be a wizard of powerful stature." he says, forming his hands into a square shape and pointing it toward the body accompanied with a click, he then checks around the with a reporters eye for a story.

06:54, Today: Devan Crier rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Investigation.

What can I gleam from this room that Andromeda miss from her previous investigation

Onyxclaw was less focused on the portal and more the halfling. Muttering a small phrase, his eyes gleamed for a second, a new skill to him since the potion and looked around at the magical emanations in the room.

<OOC: casts detect magic (eldrich sight)>

"Oh who would that...be?" Travic tried to say, only to have the lizard warrior go silent. He gestures for her to continue, but then something else happens.



He was struck into silence, but he did smile. Upon reaching this world when he was still young, he had not quite grasped the idea of money, and just assumed food was for the hungry like it was in the Faywild. He was quickly educated on how money worked, via punches, kicks, and thrown objects. Needless to say, no one had touched him since then, because he would not allow people to get that close.

When she hugged him, he reflexively froze-his body expecting a blow. When it did not occur, he reddened a bit and manged to relax. He nodded at her.

"Ah...yes...thank you, my lady. I shall heed your wise council." He grinned at her, offering another bow.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Thu 18 Nov 2021.

If Andromeda noticed Travic’s blush she had the tact not to acknowledge it, and carried on with the investigation.  Returning down the stairs after surveying the woods from above, the druidess noted, “The forest is meticulously well-kept, did you notice?  Someone has been clearing every trace of dead wood, even down to fallen branches… It is as if they could not bear the presence of death…”

Andromeda peered curiously again at the arch for several moments, then turned to the heap of debris in the center of the room.  She looked for any fragment of broken wood and brought it to the arch, then touched it experimentally to the wall behind the arch, to the frame, then to the keystone if it was within reach.  If this test produced no result she would produce a gnarled yew wand, then would attempt the same experiment. (OOC: yew wand was my starter spell focus!)

Should that produce no results, the druidess would turn to the others to ask, “Have any of you magic from the school of necromancy, specifically of a sort that produces necrotic energy?  No judgement, I only ask because it’s possible it may be key to opening the gate.  I believe the dead tree on the keystone must be a clue, but I struggle to interpret it…”

The kobold, having removed the armor and weapons of the halfling and placed it in a pile, looked at her. "My magic...some take life. wound life." Onyxclaw nods that he has access to necrotic magic

Jhank pretended not to have heard the Elf, instead, watching the others go about trying to solve the problem. ''Could it have been struck by lightning?'' Jhank nodded towards the tree carving, having decided to ask, but not sure if that would help or not

Investigation results: Devan tries to piece it all together. He starts by rummaging through the halfling's possessions until he finds ID. Haddon Fleetfoot, as well as the tattoo of the Zhentarim snake on the back of the halfling's left calf. When he was alive he could make it look like the snake was slithering by flexing his calves. Scuffs on the floor show the halfling moved all the furniture to cover the door, barricading himself in this guardhouse. All of the furniture is now in the middle of the room. An examination of his corpse reveals that he died from several lightning shocks. Finally, his face, horrified. Whatever it was that killed him, he saw it coming.

Detect magic results: strong transmutation from the arch gate. minor abjuration from the halfling's armor.

---

Touching a broken chair leg to the gatekey brings it shimmering to life. Through it you see a dark and unlit hallway, the light from your torches,etc. creates 5' of dim light into the room, enough to see crumbling stone tables and shelves upon which rest sturdy dwarven anvils, whetstones, tongs, hammers, chisels, and other tools.

In reply to DM (msg # 80):

ooc-Zhentarim are the bad guys, right?

"Oh!" Andromeda squeaked in surprise as the arcane gate suddenly shimmered to life, letting the broken chair leg clatter to the flagstones.  She peered through into the darkness beyond, then conjured the light within the celestial jewel (Light cantrip: 20 ft bright + 20 ft dim) in an attempt to see further before passing through.  "I daresay that's not the Feywild... those tools look to be of dwarven make.  Quite the contrast to what we've seen thus far."

After peering at the portal in complete fascination for a time, the druidess turned to the others and asked, "This magnificent portal is tempting, but should we pass through it now?  We have no notion of where it leads and have scarcely explored this area yet."

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 82):

"Just as dangerous as anywhere else around here. Might as well take a look. Ah, we can retreat back through if it is bad, right?" Travic pointed out.

''Who says the same thing will work?''

Andromeda looked curiously at the portal and then said, "We've no way of knowing if return through this gate is possible... there may be no return portal on the other side, or if there is it may require an entirely different key."

She glanced to the others and asked, "Does that change anyone's desire to pass through?"

---

Shall we put it to a vote on whether or not to take the portal?  I vote Nay because the completionist explorer in me wants to see what else is around this area first!  If the majority of us are in favor of going through then no problem though :)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Fri 19 Nov 2021.

ooc¬I vote yea because Jhank may be a slight adrenaline and instability junkie.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Thu 18 Nov 2021.

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 85):

"If he came through the portal, and then set off a trap or was ambushed, it might have been because he was a Zhent. They have a very bad reputation as more than mere smugglers. They are in service to the dark gods, and steal people & lives as well as objects."

Ooc-vote for portal.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Thu 18 Nov 2021.

Devan nods, satisfied with his investigation so far,"Hmm, a Zhentarim, could we have stumbled upon some sort of faction war in the middle of this dungeon. Oh, I think the Harper's have something to do with this, anyone should be careful of spies." he says to the group, but then thinks about it some more,"Or maybe theirs a secret organization targeting key members of all factions across the Swordcoast. Yeah, that'll catch everyone's attention." he says, then notices everyone gathering on a portal,"What ho, a portal, well I guess as adventurers we must venture into the unknown. Well, uh, shall we then."

OCC I'm up for Yay

"Very well!  I've always wanted to go through a portal.  Have you ever wondered whether teleportation magic actually transports you, or if your body is annihilated and replaced by an exact clone of you at the destination that carries all of your memories?"  Andromeda tapped her chin as she pondered this disturbing notion, then smiled brightly, "I suppose we'll never know either way!  Anyway, let's be off, shall we?"

The druidess switched off the light within the celestial jewel to allow the twilight shroud to conceal them, tightened the straps on her adventuring pack, then marched through the portal with confidence!

---

OOC:  Still concentrating on Pass Without Trace.

Don't think anybody narrated it, but we're totally taking that armor and the silvered shortsword!  Up to y'all whether you want the dungeoneer's pack.

Jhank scrambled back to the body before going thru the portal to grab the questionable smelling food, then striding comfortably thru the portal. She was about to shove the alarmingly hairy rations in her maw but paused, looking at Travic. ''Oh sorry, want some?'' Jhank asked, her yellow eyes glowing dimly in a not all creepy manner. Since when did the lizard have manners?

Onyxclaw, pausing long enough for the armor, looked at the others. "I take armor. You take sword." The kobold shrugs into the new armor eagrely and stands with his staff as they argue the path. "Portal different. May go same place, maybe other. May trapped." Onyxclaw shrugged.

---

<OOC: Onyxclaw will take the armor.

He is all for going through the portal - his aim is to gain power and magic>

In reply to Jhank (msg # 90):

Travic looked at the...food offered. "Um...no thank you? I'm good. Peachy. Not hungry at all." He managed to say without throwing up a bit. He will head through the portal as soon as it is ready.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:13, Fri 19 Nov 2021.