Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Jan 13, 2016 22:33:03 GMT -4
Streko rises and manages to stand, wobbly-legged. "I will know if something happens to our friend, apparently, before anyone else. Did anyone else notice that when Condign was...grabbed...I felt the same pain? And why me? Oh, dear Olladra, this is not a trick I am enjoying much, I fear. I hope nothing happens to the Tiefling." He breathes gingerly in and out, testing the pain. Oh, it's still there, to be sure, but at the moment, it seems manageable.
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Jeff
Administrator
Dungeon Master
Posts: 15,166
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Post by Jeff on Jan 13, 2016 22:55:42 GMT -4
The spider offers to final reply when she departs.
Streko at least finds his mysterious injuries have stopped. For now.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Jan 14, 2016 14:14:08 GMT -4
Belarin shrugs and says, "Well, that's the end of that odd chat. Let's go find ghoul gruel." He starts walking across the newly formed "bridge."
After a few moments, he says to Streko, "I wonder why that 'curse' on whatever it is on Condign's armor affects only you.... Did you touch it before Condign put it on?"
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 14, 2016 14:35:00 GMT -4
Adamant crosses to the other side of the bridge. "Do you want me to take point now Kal?"
Adamant wills the Delver's Light to a dimmer setting. "Does anyone know how to lure the dead to another place? Are you," Adamant turns his eye gems towards Belarin and Kal, "going to talk them into it? Or is this a pick-a-fight and run back this way sort of thing?"
Delver's Light to dim 60' please. I've been trying to figure out the theology of Dolurrh... Maybe I should just roll Religion... If a soul is here, it's pretty much in limbo. So what happens if the soul dies here? These are probably too deep questions for Addy's Int 9...
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jan 14, 2016 18:30:43 GMT -4
Kal looks both sad and angry as he stares into the pit where Condign has disappeared. "I hate this place," he mutters. With a sigh, he begins to walk across the newly formed bridge. "Yes, Adamant, please lead the way. Shorak, behind him, if you please. Streko, stay between Belarin and myself here. We'll be right behind you, Adamant." Kal glares back at the pit again. "I don't know if we need to bring the undead back here 'alive'. That's how spiders usually eat, right? We'll have to find a way to restrain them, I guess, or goad them, as you say. Let's see, first, what we're dealing with. For all we know, this place is leading us into a clearing with thousands of zombies in it." Kalarian grimaces. "I'm sorry, my friends. It seems that the despair of this place is getting to me. Come, all will be well." A grin tries to fight its way onto Kal's face. "We have dealt with much and we're still alive, right?" He emits a weak laugh. "Right?" ____________________ Marching order is stated above. The party should begin to move north, as indicated, until we get some indication that the undead are nearby. Perception checks on high alert. It'd be nice to know they're there before they know we're there.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 14, 2016 22:06:54 GMT -4
Adamant nods to Kal, then turns to the pit and calls loudly, glad that his voice is restored, "We will return Condign. Do not doubt it."
Adamant starts off on the path with purpose and sets a quick, but not running, pace. Adamant is not running but going at a quick walk. He is worried about Condign... and in an eerie reflection about Streko.
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Jeff
Administrator
Dungeon Master
Posts: 15,166
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Post by Jeff on Jan 15, 2016 10:13:34 GMT -4
At the opposite side of the fissure the path continues through a narrow canyon-like street. With Adamant's light, you can see the path widens into a junction are larger clearing a short distance ahead. There is, alternatively, a crudely carved flight of steps which winds up into the rock wall to the right, possibly leading to that ledge that overhung the fissure.
Adamant is in the lead, with Shorak just behind him, and Belarin, Streko, and Kal following. Tangat, as always, trots at Kal's side.
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Post by Dave B. on Jan 15, 2016 14:58:54 GMT -4
Shorak follows closely behind Adamant, watching for anything that may be of help to finding these undead the giant spider-mom wants. "This would be a good time for that emissary to show up. We could lead it right to the spider. That would certainly solve one of our problems." He sniffs at the air, seeing if he can pick up the scent of the decay that often comes with the presence of undead.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 15, 2016 15:15:35 GMT -4
Adamant moves to the stair case and looks up it, just to get a measure of faith that he will not lead his friends into an ambush.
Assuming he sees nothing unusual, he'd head to the clearing.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jan 16, 2016 1:31:51 GMT -4
Kal kneels down next to Tangat. "Move ahead to the edge of that junction, my friend. Just a quick look around, understand? At the frist sign of trouble, you come right back. Take a quick look, and then right back here." Kal looks up at his friends as Tangat moves ahead. "His senses are keener than any of ours. If the undead are nearby, he'll smell them before we do."
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Jeff
Administrator
Dungeon Master
Posts: 15,166
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Post by Jeff on Jan 16, 2016 11:52:19 GMT -4
Tangat trots ahead cautiously, scouting out the passage ahead. Kal knows he's got the nose for this work, although not necessarily the vision for this dark world. Tangat will not venture far, however.
David W: I'm not clear on whether Adamant is going forward or up the stairs. Can you clarify which path?
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Jan 16, 2016 17:56:43 GMT -4
Shorak follows closely behind Adamant, watching for anything that may be of help to finding these undead the giant spider-mom wants. "This would be a good time for that emissary to show up. We could lead it right to the spider. That would certainly solve one of our problems." He sniffs at the air, seeing if he can pick up the scent of the decay that often comes with the presence of undead. "I sense he's been tasked specifically to kill ME," says Belarin. "I can lead him on quite the chase if necessary." He looks at the options. "I am increasingly less fond of paths that overlook a steep drop."
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 16, 2016 20:29:10 GMT -4
Sorry Jeff, Adamant looks up the stairs but assuming there's nothing scary he'll continue forward... Not up the stairs... forward to the clearing.
It's just an ambush check on the stairs...
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jan 16, 2016 21:57:04 GMT -4
"You two, quiet down," Kal says to Belarin and Shorak as he keeps an eye out for Tangat. "And Adamant, wait a moment. Let Tangat do his job before you go clanging up there." Kal turns to look at Belarin and Shorak. "And don't either of you think we're not going to talk about what happened back there. Just...not right now."
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 17, 2016 11:31:54 GMT -4
Adamant stops and let's Tangat pass. "Clanging? I should be insulted. I am more musical that that surely." Adamant adds quietly. It is an attempt to lighten the mood but half-hearted... He is concerned about Condign.
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Post by Dave B. on Jan 17, 2016 14:37:22 GMT -4
Shorak's shoulders slump as he mumbles, "Yes, Tangat should scout ahead. Especially after my failing Condign like I did."
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Jeff
Administrator
Dungeon Master
Posts: 15,166
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Post by Jeff on Jan 17, 2016 22:17:57 GMT -4
Adamant's light shines up the steps, revealing nothing, but the steps curve away and out of sight about forty feet up.
Tangat sends his thoughts back to Kal, imparting that there is some sort of plaza ahead that is very open. Very exposed. But he sees no other path.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Jan 18, 2016 0:09:09 GMT -4
Belarin looks to the side and mutters, "Someone's going to bed without dinner..."
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jan 18, 2016 0:49:19 GMT -4
Kal scowls at Shorak. "It's clear up ahead," Kal says to the others. "Adamant, move up carefully. We'll be right behind you."
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jan 18, 2016 9:13:10 GMT -4
Assuming he does so, and with Tangat still close to him, Adamant is the first to approach the plaza. The street passage gives way to a cavernous space which at first feels like a real cavern. It's nearly dark enough. But the sky, only a few shades lighter than solid black, and a cool but windless air reminds you that you're outdoors. The ground is hard stone, not cobbles, so while the structures around you remind you of a city, you know it isn't really one. Adamant's light shines ahead fifty feet, and the first thing he sees is a round, smooth column of stone rising from the center of the plaza thirty feet in the air. The base of the stone, and the ground around it, are red-hued as if stained with blood. Iron rings have been embedded in the column all around it, as far as he can tell, and some shackles and chains still hang from those rings. Some are bare. He sees there is a second column, and a third, similarly adorned. Just beyond in the gloom he can make out walls rising up three stories high, pocked with square holes that look like a child's attempt at creating windows. At the base of these three-story structures are a few doors. The plaza is utterly silent. Tangat begins to sniff madly. He sends back his thoughts to Kal. There is a faint smell of decay here, though it is not fresh, not strong. Most of you can barely detect it, but to Tangat's sensitive nose, it's much stronger. All of you can see why this might be called a plaza. It's almost like a vast courtyard between tower blocks and tenements. It also kind of looks like an arena. Dozens of dark windows look down upon you. With his blazing white light, Adamant looks like a walking lantern in the depths of Khyber.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 18, 2016 10:56:25 GMT -4
Adamant moves into the open space but will not move closer than 10' to any column. He calls back to the group, "There are large pillars here that look like something or someone is meant to be chained to, well at least some of them... But I don't see any spirits here." Adamant is always a moral and morale lantern walking in the darkness...
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jan 18, 2016 13:49:24 GMT -4
"This feels like a perfect place for an ambush," Kal says, glancing at the empty windows and doorways around the plaza. "I would assume this was set up for someone's amusement," he says with a jerk of his thumb towards the pillars. "Tangat says the undead are nearby somewhere. Maybe in those buildings. Let's make some noise, see if we can draw them out."
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Jan 18, 2016 21:30:11 GMT -4
"They already know we're here, Kal," Belarin advises in a whisper. "The light is giving us away. They're just waiting to see how weak we are. Show strength."
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 19, 2016 14:40:35 GMT -4
"I'm not sure this is a great place for an ambush actually... it's very open. Tactically we'd have a lot of options." Adamant shouts back to the group.
"So perhaps we should head over there," Adamant points directly east, "and check out what looks to be a door... it's a little hard to tell with the light the way it is... Check that one over there and then work around the space?"
He starts to head over there...
He's torn between wanting to hurry for Condign and not wanting to rush into a trap... but he'll head due East
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jan 19, 2016 21:13:15 GMT -4
"Perhaps ambush is the wrong word," Kal says, "but if those buildings are teeming with the undead, it'd be easy for them to shamble out in mass numbers and overwhelm us, should we wander too close to their den. I'd rather they come out to us than we go further in."
Kal waves his hand at the center column in front of him. Loud chain rattles begin to emanate from the column, followed by clanking noises of metal on metal, intermingling with the cries of captives. "Let's see if that rouses them."
____________________ Using Minor Illusion.
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Jeff
Administrator
Dungeon Master
Posts: 15,166
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Post by Jeff on Jan 20, 2016 10:26:57 GMT -4
Looking for a threat, it doesn't take long for each of you to begin to see some eyes glimmering faintly in some of the windows, reflecting tiny motes of Adamant's own light. They're too obscured to see any clearer, but the eyes appear to be staring out at you from the squared apertures to the north and the west. Some windows have more than one pair of eyes. Given their size and height from the ground, they seem to be humanlike in proportion. But some are smaller, approximating children or halflings. Kal's spell creates a sudden clamor centered on the middle column. More eyes begin to appear in the windows. You think there are at least a score and a half of them now. Darren, I think the spell would allow only one sound effect at a time, but Kal is skilled enough to intersperse them fairly quickly to at least try and make them sound real.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 20, 2016 17:50:40 GMT -4
Adamant stops for a minute and waits for a reaction to the chain rattling. "I don't know that we can as cautious as we would normally be... Condign's hostess might not have a strong grasp on the passing of time... Shall I go explore more?"
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jan 20, 2016 19:13:01 GMT -4
"A show of force, if you please, Adamant. Look....intimidating. We've got their attention. Now let's draw them out and see what we're dealing with." Brightly colored flashes of light begin to appear in the air above Adamant, red, then gold, then green, crackling with noise and energy.
___________________ Thanks, Jeff. When we're in these non-combat situations, I do often take a bit of artistic license with things like Minor Illusion and Prestidigitation. Thanks for going with it. In this case, Kal is probably using some combination of both?
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Post by Dave B. on Jan 20, 2016 22:30:48 GMT -4
Shorak watches tensely, waiting for some reaction, ready to make a run back to the spider with undead on their heals. He looks back the way they came, just to be sure nothing is moving in behind them.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Jan 21, 2016 11:57:04 GMT -4
"I'm not sure how to threaten the dead... I don't think the traditional 'I will send your soul to be judged in the afterlife' will work here..." Adamant calls back.
"Maybe a simple approach." Adamant pulls out the new warhammer and bangs it against his shield. As the sound moves through the open area, Adamant starts marching purposefully to the door to the east. Instead of trying to be as quiet as he can, he is stomping each footfall.
I guess he'll go right to the door if nothing happens. At that point he'll take a moment to examine the door.
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