Lament for the Trashmaster (DM JohnP) Wednesday June 27th, 2007 11:22:48 PM
Arm continues to threaten whoever, or whatever, is inside the trash heap. His companions move to support the bard's words, either by preparing to cast spells or otherwise preparing for violence.
"Please! Don't burn Otto! Otto nice! Don't hurt nice Otto, and Otto not hurt you! Don't burn Otto's nice trash!"
The tentacle or eyestalk, or whatever it is, bobs up and down several times and seems to study the group intently.
"Otto come out now. Otto show self. No hurt Otto."
The trash heap shifts and slides until the imposing bulk of a large creature appears above the surface. Some people might recognize the thing, but most may not. Knowledge Dungeoneering DC 16 - Highlight to display spoiler: {Otto is an Otyugh}
"Otto go back sleep now. Nice people go home. All right?"
Arm d20=1 Thursday June 28th, 2007 5:17:32 AM
Having no bleeping clue what the thing in the trash pile is (dungeoneering=1...doh!), Arm visibly swallows and collects his thoughts. Once he feels his voice is steady enough, he calls out, "Very well, since you have obeyed us, we will honor your request.". To the rest, he says, "Mira, stay with me. The rest of you climb up, and Mira...you follow them in case our new 'friend' decides to change his mind.".
Kadaz (AC 24, HP 46/75) bull's strength 27/30 Thursday June 28th, 2007 7:01:04 AM
Kadaz jumps back a bit when he sees the creature emerge from the trash. But it seems nonthreatening.
"Otto, we're leaving. Sorry for disturbing you. But before we go, could you maybe tell us about who else uses this tunnel here? And in exchange for bothering you can we get you some food you like?
Shadow d20=12 Thursday June 28th, 2007 8:06:27 AM
Shadow is taken aback by the creature and really has no clue what it is. He is not 100% sure the group can trust it, but will follow the groups lead. If nothing comes of Kadaz's question he will take his turn climbing up the rope and out of the garbage pit.
He thinks back to their encounter and wonders if Barber was one of the creatures they destroyed or just working with them. He shakes his head and decides to wait to express his question/concern when the group gets back to the apartment.
Edmund Thursday June 28th, 2007 11:24:32 AM
"I say!"
Edmund slips his rod back onto his belt, but continues to stare at the thing.
"I say," he says again.
(Don't have Dungeoneering! Sorry, guys.)
Thar ail Baerer d20+2=5 d20+2=18 Thursday June 28th, 2007 2:03:54 PM
Looking at the creature, Thar tries to remember what in the blazes it could be. In spite of his knowledge re: Dungeoneering (Know = 5), he still can't recall what it could be.
To the creature, he says in a soothing manner "Don't worry, we won't hurt you. In fact, we'd like to help you Otto. What kind of creature are you and can we help you with food or healing?"
Diplomacy = 18
Kirsten Thursday June 28th, 2007 9:24:14 PM
Despite her inherent ability to help the poor trash-bound "thing" before them, Kirsten can't help but feel a certain degree of disgust.
"As my friends have said," she speaks up to the poor, scared creature. "We're sorry for disturbing you, Otto. Let us help you."
Mira Thursday June 28th, 2007 10:47:31 PM
Mira just stares. "What the...!" escapes from her lips as she looks at the grotesque creature.
"Ugh, sure, luv." she answers the bard.
Mira holds the spell as the others make their exit. Slowly, and carefully, the sorcerer follows suit. Mira never takes her eyes from the creature.
Conner Thursday June 28th, 2007 11:18:25 PM
The fighter keeps a careful eye on teh strange creature, even though it seems harmless enough.
Up, Out and About (DM JohnP) Thursday June 28th, 2007 11:30:32 PM
Arm shouts back to the thing calling itself Otto, agreeing to the proposed plan. The bard then suggests that his companions move back to the rope while he and Mira stand watch.
Instead of immediately retreating, Kadaz and Thar ask for information from "Otto". Both the dwarf and the elf even sweeten the deal with an offer of food.
"Otto", whatever it is, is in the process of settling back down into the trash heap and pulling larger pieces of refuse over itself.
"People. Things. Too fast, too mean for Otto. They leave Otto alone, Otto leave them alone. Otto is otto."
Edmund begins to retch when he realizes that that "Otto" is occasionally stuffing choice bits of garbage into its wide mouth. Kadaz and the others get the impression that, while it can speak, "Otto" is only slightly more intelligent than Birdie.
"Otto good. Top people good. Feed Otto every day. Otto grow big here."
"People, things that use tunnel smell funny. Not like you."
Soon, "Otto" has settled down and only occasional movements are heard. An eyestalk, however, keeps watch on the party. The eyestalk isn't very vigilant, however, and its attention moves off when a rat scurries over the surface of the trash heap.
"Otto say Bye!"
While this exchange is going on, the other members of the party move around the perimeter of the trash heap back to where the rope hangs down the sinkhole wall. Mira waits until all her companions have reached the rope, then moves over herself.
The ascent of the rope is a little more difficult than going down. Fatigue is part of the reason, as is the slime covering everyone's hands. The first people up the rope notice more torches and lanterns than when they first entered the square. As they are working to haul up their companions, a group of people carrying lanterns approach from one of the main streets into the square. The people are gripping the weapons at their sides but have not yet drawn them.
"Plateau City Guard! What's your business here tonight?," demands the tall woman leading the Guardsmen. Kadaz doesn't recognize this woman or any of the other Guards.
Arm Friday June 29th, 2007 6:04:33 AM
Finally rid of the stinking hole, Arm groans inwardly at the sight of the Guard. For the moment, he remains silent, hoping that Kadaz will have better rapport with them. If not, he will chime in and help out when he can.
Shadow Friday June 29th, 2007 8:58:30 AM
Shadow is disgusted by both the creatures behavior (it's eating habits) and by Edmund not being able to stomach what it does. He does not voice his opinion though, and will take his turn climbing the rope.
When he gets to the top and sees the armed group, he sighs slightly. He will keep his hands away from his weapons and will wait for those that know and speak better to the guards to take the lead.
Thar ail Baerer Friday June 29th, 2007 11:15:15 AM
Climbing out of the stink and refuse filled hole, Thar is quite happy to reach the surface. Even the sight of armed guards doesn't dim his happiness too much.
Copying Arm and Shadow, he remains silent and merely wipes slime and grubs from his clothes, thinking of how long it will take to remove his stench.
Edmund Friday June 29th, 2007 4:15:48 PM
Still gagging, Edmund does his best not to look at the creature as he clambers out of the hole and onto the street where his mood is not improved by the approach of what appears to be an angry group of armed soldiers.
"Great. What else could possibly go wrong?" he mutters to himself.
Kadaz (AC 24, HP 46/75) Friday June 29th, 2007 6:40:45 PM
Kadaz eyes the woman carefully. The fact that he doesn't recognize any of the guards at all is troubling to him.
"I am Kadaz Guardson, formerly of the Plateau City Guard, and now a member of The Mithril Order. We've uncovered a threat to Plateau City below, a colony of some evil beings that attacked us without warning. They've fled, sealing their tunnel with stone. Are you here to help us?"
Kadaz pauses just a beat. "And in the refuse pile immediately below this opening is some sort of tentacled being that doesn't appear to be hostile."
He waits, watching carefully. Something isn't quite right here.
Birdie, at the fighter's side, had quite enjoyed the smells of the refuse pile below. But he's ready for home now.
(OOC: I'm off for vacation, back Sunday next. Lenny, could you sub for me again? Thanks.)
Mira d20+2=17 d20+9=28 Friday June 29th, 2007 8:01:01 PM
After a while, Mira manages an exit into the fresh air. After wiping her hands on her pants, she brushes a stray hair from her face, then offers a hand to the woman leading the guards.
"Mira," she offers. "Mira Silver of the Mithril Order. What my companion says is true." The sorcerer tries to read the guardswoman's intent (Sense Motive=17). Mira steps back to stand beside Arm, pushing her spectacles back up her nose. She grins at the guards, hoping the party won't find themselves in another tight spot. (Diplomacy=28, Aid Another should Arm speak on the party's behalf.)
Kirsten Saturday June 30th, 2007 12:18:03 PM
Once out of the pit and confronted with the guards, Kirsten stands to the side of the party. She very calmly arranges her hair, and proceeds to try and look as unthreatening as possible.
She lets the others speak up for now, still not knowing much about the guard or her surroundings.
Talking to the Guard (DM JohnP) Sunday July 1st, 2007 10:43:19 PM
The Guard sergeant listens to Kadaz's and Mira's words while the other members of the Mithril order stand quietly and try their best to look inoffensive and harmless. That's quite a bit easier for some, of course.
The Sergeant looks over her shoulder at the other Guards and mutters, "Any of you heard of him?" When one nods back, the Sergeant turns back to Kadaz.
"Whatever. Well, we got to do this by the numbers."
The Sergeant starts counting off her points using her fingers as she speaks. First, she raises one finger.
"One. We get complaints about noise from the hole, something like a tiger or what not. Odds are, that was you disturbing the sleep of the hardworking folk in this Quarter."
A second finger goes up as the Sergeant gestures towards the sinkhole.
"Two. You confess to bothering Otto. He ... it ... whatever ... is harmless. And he does a service for the people of the Quarter."
Another finger goes up and she points at Kadaz.
"Three. There's that pile of equipment strapped to your back, Kadaz."
The Sergeant counts off her final fingers as she begins to turn and walk.
"Four and five, I was hoping for a quiet night. And I don't need this. So why don't we all walk quietly down to the Post and we can check your story. Or, you can really ruin my night by making us do this the hard way."
"Which will it be?"
The Guard Sergeant stands there as her patrol watches expectantly.
Edmund Monday July 2nd, 2007 1:50:36 AM
Edmund frowns as the guard invites them to the post.
"But, I'm covered in filth and I haven't had my tea," he whinges miserably. "Can't we do this later?"
Edmund is too dirty and too exhausted to even try to be persuasive. He simply stands there, dripping offal, looking as if he might begin crying at any moment.
"We try to help, fighting evil shapeshifting bogies, and this is the thanks we get," he mumbles dismally.
Arm d20+12=23 Monday July 2nd, 2007 5:58:07 AM
Dismayed that Ed is back to his old ways, Arm shoves him none too gently, then says to the captain, "Aye, we will do as you wish. Please pay no attention to our 'friend' here...if he spent HALF as much time helping out as he does whining, we'd be a great order indeed. As far as the equipment that we carry, this is nothing but legal salvage from those who seek to cause great harm to this city. As far as I know, there is no law against taking what they no longer need. If you wish to descend the hole, you will find the bodies of some of them...whatever they are, they are not indiginous to this great city (diplomacy=23).".
Lenny for Kadaz Monday July 2nd, 2007 6:01:25 AM
Kadaz nods his head in agreement to Arm's statement, "Aye, what he says is true. Even though I am not a member of the Guard anymore, I still hold that post in high regard, and I swear upon my service to it that what we say is all true. Sorry about bothering Otto and causing a racket...we thought it was another threat.". He then reaches down a pats Birdie's head comfortingly.
OOC: John, could you please send me Kadaz's sheet again? thanks! :)
Shadow Monday July 2nd, 2007 10:04:34 AM
Shadow, still not comfortable with the guards, will follow the group and shake his head when they agree to go with the guards. He knows he has not really done anything, but old habits are hard to break.
Thar ail Baerer d20+4=24 Monday July 2nd, 2007 10:46:03 AM
Nodding his head in agreement, Thar follows the rest of the group. He'll smile at Birdie and reach down to rub his head and while walking whispers "Hey boy. I know we smell bad but do you smell any more of those yucky creatures like we found in the cave?"
(OOC = I've never tried this, but do I need to do a handle animal check, even if its not my own follower? I'm just trying to commo w/ Birdie and trying to see how he reacts to the guards. Also, if I'm breaking any unwritten laws by doing this on another PC's follower (even though it is a beneficial check), let me know)
Kirsten Monday July 2nd, 2007 11:58:55 AM
She follows along with the others as they head off with the guard. For now, she has nothing to say, trusting that the others will be able to persuade the guard of their innocence.
Mira Monday July 2nd, 2007 8:00:54 PM
Mira's shoulder's droop a little. She had hoped the guard would let the party off. "It shouldn't take too long, Edmund," she says encouragingly to the wizard, while giving Arm the look over the wizard's head. "Soon as we've given our statements, I'll race you to the bath house!"
Arm Tuesday July 3rd, 2007 6:03:27 AM
Arm rolls his eyes and give Mira 'the look' in return, convinced that someday Ed's selfish attitude is going to get them ALL in trouble. After they meet with the guards, he plans on discussing this further with her.
Lenny for Kadaz Tuesday July 3rd, 2007 6:05:00 AM
Kadaz smiles at Thar's kindness toward his pet as they follow the guard back to the barracks.
OOC: As far as I know, Thar, you're not ordering him to do anything, and he already knows that your a friend, so I don't think any kind of animal check is necessary :)
Conner Tuesday July 3rd, 2007 7:28:07 AM
The heavily muscled fighter keeps his thumbs hooked into his belt and away from the hilt of his sword. He follows the guard as requested and trusts in Mira and the others to get them out of this predicament.
Shadow Tuesday July 3rd, 2007 7:52:34 AM
Shadow will follow the directions of the guard and hopes the group does not get caught up in anything since they did nothing wrong. They even helped out the city once again, but unfortunately others don't see that.
LOG ON