The Grotto [DM Jerry] Friday May 2nd, 2008 9:00:51 PM
Rosario and then Calvierius move unmolested down the white cobblestones. There are no dire effects. No gaping holes open up. No lightning bolts between the holes.
This continues for some 150' with the path turning twice, once to the left and then back to the right.
Ahead is a waterfall. The holes in the wall cease at the exact point where the cobblestones end. No trail continues.
Instead, in front of the waterfall is a beautiful grotto. Songbirds are in the trees. The light filters down through the leaves above. The entire area is watered by a thin mist that comes from the waterfall.
The waterfall is at the end of the "crevice."
There are also park seats, beautiful flowers, and a wonderful scent. The entire effect is very calming and peaceful.
----------
132 xp for completing Test 1.
Rosario receives one hero point for being the first to move down the white cobblestone path.
Calvierius d20+8=23 d20+7=27 Friday May 2nd, 2008 11:05:02 PM
Torn between a conflicting desires, Calvierius looks around the park area, his suspicious eyes darting here and there. After a short while, however, he shrugs and sits in one of the benches, listening to the birdsong. He waits for the rest of the party to catch up, a faint smile playing on his lips.
---- Good rolls! Spot 23, Listen 27, just in case.
Bendis Sunday May 4th, 2008 12:56:08 PM
Bendis trots along after the others, peering about shortsightedly as they reach the peaceful park.
"Fascinating" hwe mutters to himself. "Truly fascinating. Well now, if the white cobblestones signified hiding in plain sight, perhaps in this place we should be thinking about hiding in shadows. Now where would we find shadows in a place like this?"
He looks about for a fallen branch and, assuming he finds something suitable, he tries poking it through the waterfall to see if anything lies beyond.
Zita (subbed by Carl) d20+1=6 ; d20+1=3 ; Sunday May 4th, 2008 1:01:15 PM
Zita intends to follow Bendis' advice, but the unexpected beauty of the place distracts her utterly (Listen 6, Spot 3).
"This is incredible. How could a place like this exist here? Someone must be tending it, unless it's magical in nature."
She grins at Calvierus. "Good thinking! I can't remember the last time I actualy sat down to relax!"
She too sits herself on the park bench and closes her eyes, letting the dappled sunlight play across her face, and the soothing song of the birds soothe her recent troubles away.
Calvierius Monday May 5th, 2008 10:22:00 AM
"Well, it might also be an illusion of some sort. I hate to spoil the scenery, though. As it is, I suppose we should get to work finding a way out. This place does appear to be a dead end. I see Bendis there is already checking the waterfall, I wonder if his arm will stay wet? As for me, I think I'll sit here a few more moments and listen to the birds."
----
Is my link working? I tried to add everyone as viewers to my googledoc so they could look at it.
Carl: Yup, working fine for me Eric.
Picci Monday May 5th, 2008 11:56:39 PM
Picci smiles as she looks around, then frowns when Cal bursts the bubble cast by the appearance of this grotto.
"Maybe we are supposed to be applying that riddle to this place, too?" she suggests. "The first line said to hide in plain sight. The second said to hide in 'hidden places'..." She looks at the waterfall and starts to walk toward it.
"Say...aren't there usually spaces hidden behind waterfalls..?"
Demon Mouth [DM Jerry] Tuesday May 6th, 2008 12:04:57 AM
When Bendis touches the stick to the waterfall, something incredible happens. The waterfall stops. It takes a second or two for the water to stop sufficiently to see what is behind:
A face.
The face of a demon with an open mouth! Horrific!
Then the eyes begin to glow green, as if a pair of sinister headlights were turned on, casting a pall over the beautiful grotto and making it look supernatural.
Every sense in your being screams, "DANGER!"
Rosario Sheet Tuesday May 6th, 2008 11:11:00 AM
Rosario looks about, "Nice place. Home away from home might be picking up a bit." Hide in Shadows, hide in Shadows Rosario casts about looking for something to trigger his thought on some Shadows. His contemplationis cut off as Bendis pokes at the Waterfall and the overwhelming sense of danger floods him.
"Picci? What, No the second line was about Shadows. Bendis!" the call comes to late as Bendis pokes a stick into the waterfall.
Quickly he draws his weapon and heads for his sister, "Under the tree! The sunlight above is casting shadows tot he base of the tree!"
Julien Tuesday May 6th, 2008 11:39:48 AM
Julien steps carefully along the white cobblestones along with the others, glancing warily at the walls and pondering the mechanics of the thing, so when they arrive at the grotto his mind is still working on things other than flowers and beauty, and he turns back and looks along the path they've recently traversed. "Hmm," he mutters. Rosario shouting brings him out of his contemplation and he dashes toward the tree. "It might not be sunlight!" he offers. "It might be the light of those eyes we need to hide from."
((OOC - I've just done a quick CS test. When I click on Eric's link, it gives me the log on to google screen.))
Calvierius d20+6=17 ; d8+4=5 ; Tuesday May 6th, 2008 4:43:17 PM
Leaping from his seat, Calvierius readies his weapon as he scrambles toward the demonic face. A few seconds after it starts shining its greenish pall over the party, the face is clobbered by one end of Calvierius' axe.
----
Attack / Damage rolls, AC17 hit, for 5 slashing damage.
Also, I added everyone (based on the email list) as viewers to the document, rather than publishing it outright. I've got a whole host of students that I teach in college and am usually pretty cautious about making googlable documents with my name in them open to the public.
Bendis Tuesday May 6th, 2008 6:08:23 PM
"Eek!" shrieks the dwarf, backpeddling frantically. "Why does everything I meet want to kill me?"
With no brighter ideas he takes shelter under the tree, looking around for any deeper shadow.
"Um, Cuh-Calvierius, are you shuh-sure that's wise?" he asks as the young man swings his orcish axe at the demonic stione face.
Zita Tuesday May 6th, 2008 6:09:57 PM
The redhead backs away when she sees the hideous stone face, her every nerve on edge; there is a palpable sense of danger here, but what is causing it?
Metal Meets Stone! [DM Jerry] Tuesday May 6th, 2008 6:28:06 PM
Calvierius' axe meets stone. He and Bendis see that it is not a live demon, but a cleverly carved stone statue.
The mouth is huge. Large enough to enter. However, some barrier keeps them from seeing the inside of the mouth.
Strange. There are three inviting steps leading up to the demon's mouth. The demon statue is not yet harming anyone, nor is the light from above, even though the demon's eyes have turned it green.
Looking at your friends, you can't help but notice how the green light makes them look...different somehow. Demonic? Undead? Hard to place.
[Spot checks of 16 for anyone within 10' of the demon mouth to learn more about the demon face.]
[Spot checks of 16 for Bendis and others who are in the shadows of the trees to learn more about their location.]
Picci d20+4=22 Tuesday May 6th, 2008 11:35:02 PM
Picci--who was standing next to Bendis when the demon face was revealed--squints instinctively at the carving. (OOC: Spot check is 22.)
Betheas Wednesday May 7th, 2008 12:51:29 AM
Betheas gladly follows the trouble shooters across the white stones. After Bendis causes the demon to speak, Betheas holds up two fingers to the dwarf. "That's two."
Pointing to the blackness inside the demon mouthed statue, "Is that shadow enough?"
Under the elf's breath, "curiousity killed the cat. Seven more to go."
Calvierius d20+8=15 ; Wednesday May 7th, 2008 8:51:07 AM
His hands ringing with the blow to the statue, Calvierius isn't quite able to focus his eyes enough to make out any more details about the statue ((spot 15)).
"Well, that was probably a waste of energy. And hasty to boot." Still, he kept his axe out and at the ready.
"What have you found under yon tree?"
Rosario Sheet d20+1=6 ; Wednesday May 7th, 2008 9:38:08 AM
"To me the mouth ain't shadow Betheas, Its black." Nothing much is noticed by the young fighter. His focus and attention clearly captured by his internal alrams and the horrific fisage across the way [spot 6]
Julien d20+4=20 ; Wednesday May 7th, 2008 2:01:17 PM
Beneath the tree, Julien winces on hearing the *clonk* of the axe - waits - nothing happens, and he nods to himself, figuring everyone is still in one piece, and has a look around the immediate vicinity. There had to be some clue, somewhere... hopefully.
Spot 20!
Bendis d20+2=14 ; (spot) Wednesday May 7th, 2008 3:58:25 PM
Bendis blinks at the cave mouth shortsightedly, but sees nothing. He takes off his glasses, discovers they are filthy and sets to polishing them.
"Um, so it's not going to eat us then?" he asks hopefuly.
Zita Wednesday May 7th, 2008 3:59:32 PM
"I don't think so Bendis, no" the redheaded twilight ranger replies, patting his shoulder.
Edges [DM Jerry] Wednesday May 7th, 2008 8:12:03 PM
Picci spots that there is a slight glowing to the blackness of the mouth around the edges. Magic! Something having to do with magic! That's why one can't see through it. There's a magical barrier there.
Julien looking around where he's at spots that the trees in the grotto are planted to make the area look bigger than it is by hiding the edges of the grotto. The around the edge of the grotto are vines hanging from above. They are of a dark green trouble, which adds to the mystique of the place nearly making one forget that this is a place of rock in the end of a crevice. The seats are positioned so as to focus upon the beauty of the waterfall, when it is functioning, not the inevitable edges.
Picci d20+4=6 ; Thursday May 8th, 2008 1:19:47 AM
The petite cleric, rather than moving away, peers even closer at the demonic face.
"Hey, guys...there's something here...a magic barrier of some kind..." she announces, squinting at the sight once more, trying to think what kind of magic this could be...but nothing comes to mind. (OOC: bleagh! Rolled a 6 for Spellcraft check!)
"Bendis...can you tell what it is..?" Picci prompts the dwarven spellcaster.
Calvierius Thursday May 8th, 2008 9:46:06 AM
"Hmm, you did say to hide in shadow, didn't you?"
Calvierius moseyed over to the trees near Julien. He carefully secreted himself behind one of the larger trunks, in the shadow.
----
Hide check, take 10, total 16. Trying to hide from the demon face, but it only works if there's enough tree between me and it to count as "cover" or "concealment".
Julien Thursday May 8th, 2008 1:04:21 PM
Julien nods to Calv. "Yep, and I wonder... hey everyone - what about the edges of this place? See the vines hanging down? Maybe there's a space behind."
Staying as far away from the demon mouth as he can, he walks over to investigate, and will try and push aside some of the vines.
Bendis d20+10=25 ; Thursday May 8th, 2008 4:58:11 PM
The dwarf scurries over, his fear dispating in an instant when he hears there's magic at work.
"Ooh, let me see, hmm, interesting, interesting..."
He scrutinises the dark demon mouth carefully, trying to determine what magical effect might be at play here.
"Well now, what could this be? A simple Darkness spell, or something more sinister?" (Spellcraft 25).
Zita (subbed by Carl) Thursday May 8th, 2008 5:02:38 PM
The redhead hangs back, letting the wizard do his thing. Strange how the normally bumbling dwarf seems to truly come alive when engaged in magical research. She bites her lip, wishing there was something more she could do.
Julien and the Vines [DM Jerry] Thursday May 8th, 2008 8:01:48 PM
Picci tries to examine the demon mouth barrier, but can't figure it out. Bendis gets a clue however. He realizes it is a not a spell, but an item. Though the item might use spells. The barrier could be a gateway, possibly a barrier, or a trigger for whatever the item does. [Hey, that's not typically a spellcraft check result, but hey, you did good.]
Meanwhile, Calvierius tries the literal meaning of hide and hides behind a tree. Nothing rewarding happens for the moment.
Julien walks over to the vines on the left side and carefully pulls them apart. Sure enough, there is room there for a medium-sized creature to fit behind them and even walk behind the vines towards the waterfall. The vines make the area behind very dark.
[Additional spot and listen check please Julian. You need a 12 listen and a 15 spot to get it.]
Bendis Friday May 9th, 2008 8:42:22 AM
"Um, fellows? I'm not sure what this is, but I'd advise caution. It might be a portal, or a barrier perhaps. This could also quite easily be a tuh-trap. I suggest no-one touches it for the time being."
Bendis steps back, adjusts his spectacles and ponders the mystery in front of him. For once his magical curiosity is tempered by caution; activating this thing, whatever it is, could well prove a costly mistake.
Zita Friday May 9th, 2008 8:43:52 AM
Zita nods and looks over at Julien.
"What have you found, Julien?"
She approaches the vines, wondering if this could be the shadow referred to in the riddle.
Julien d20+1=19 ; d20+4=8 ; Friday May 9th, 2008 11:59:50 AM
Listening DC19 Looking DC 8 - doh!
"Might have, Zita. There's a space, but I can't see if there's anything likely to bite our heads off."
Says he, head stuck through vines, and hoping fervently that they won't come alive and choke him.
Calvierius d20+8=27 ; d20+7=23 ; d20+5=10 ; Friday May 9th, 2008 12:22:41 PM
"Well, that didn't work. What are you looking at over there, Julien?"
Calvierius gave up trying to hide behind the tree and walked over to where Julien's head was stuck in the vines.
"Hey, look at that! Interesting..."
----
Spot 27, Listen 23, Search 10.
Rosario d20+1=12 ; Friday May 9th, 2008 3:04:09 PM
Rosario on being pointed to the vines and now the path behind them. "Hide in Shadow so outside or behind these vines is the question." Answering his own question, Rosario steps through the vines, If they try and kill me you pull me back Julien." he adds with a partial smile. to teh area beyond and begins a slow pace down the length towards the waterfall. [Spot 12]
The Return of the Cobblestones [DM Jerry] Saturday May 10th, 2008 12:23:02 AM
As Julien moves the vines he hears them rub against something that creates a scraping sound. This is confirmed when Rosario enters the area past the vines--the sound of shoes on stone.
Looking down you see white cobblestones making a path towards the waterfall behind the vines.
Rosario then spots the same thing. White pristine cobblestones, with no moss or lichen, even though the dampness in the area of the waterfall would suggest such plants likely.
----------
I am going to request a different sub for Zita. Carl has requested this as he is getting busy for the near future.
I am altering the next module so that if JIm does not return by then, we have options with our new duke. (remember in New Elenna they always use the masculine for titles, no matter whether it is a male or female.)
Enjoy your weekend folks! Will see ya all on Monday.
Betheas Sunday May 11th, 2008 3:44:49 PM
Betheas angles his head upward, to see from where the vines come from.
Rosario Sheet Monday May 12th, 2008 1:53:26 PM
Rosario smiles as he spies the white cobblestone path 'Bingo' he says in a low voice to himself. Turning he steps back out. "Julian found it and I think we now know what to look for. There's a white cobblestone path behind the vines." Rosario will then step back through and follow the path towards the waterfall.
Bendis Monday May 12th, 2008 4:28:39 PM
The dwarf trots over and looks at the hidden pathway Julien has found.
"Well, that would qualify as hide in shadows, I suppose" he nods, glad they don't have to brave the demon mouth. He waits his turn, then follows.
The Other Entrance [DM Jerry] Monday May 12th, 2008 6:27:27 PM
Betheas looks upward and sees the vines disappearing up into the leafage of the trees. They must be craftily growing from further up the cliffs, with some even attached to form this barrier from within the thick branches above.
[Spot of 16 to know more about the vines.]
Rosario leads the way down this second cobblestone path. When he approaches the place even with the demon mouth, another opening is found. This one looks benign and does not have a mouth to enter through. Beside the door on the cliff wall is painted another copy of the glyph that was seen at the opening of the crevice as if to say it is a sign that you're on the right path. It is an exact duplicate of the glyphs back up the trail in every way.
Looking through the opening, is a passage. Leading into the plateau face. The crevice ends here. What is beyond is "indoors." The passage is cut out of stone and unadorned.
------------
Julien Tuesday May 13th, 2008 2:00:39 AM
Watching Rosario walk down the cobbled path, Julien lets out a smile. He also wags a finger at his friend - be careful you crazy person, the gesture signifies.
He consults his notes as they all move down the path.
"Hide in hidden places, is next," he says.
Calvierius Tuesday May 13th, 2008 10:19:32 AM
Calvierius follows along, his axe at the ready.
Bendis Tuesday May 13th, 2008 6:15:12 PM
"Oh well, in for a copper, in for a plat" he mumbles nervously, and follows the others in.
Zita d20+1=9 ; Tuesday May 13th, 2008 6:16:10 PM
Zita gazes up at the vines but notices nothing unusual (Spot 9). She follows the dwarf into the covered passageway.
The Other Entrance Part Two [DM Jerry] Tuesday May 13th, 2008 7:08:10 PM
Our brave heroes safely follow the hidden path behind the vines and reach the gateway into the interior of the site. There they pause to be sure that entering here is actually safer than the demon's mouth. Continue reading to see what happens next!
------------------
I know we're down Donna for a few days. Her internet access went down. Scott's access to this game was blocked for a short time while we were making come changes to permissions. He should be good now.
There wasn't any requests for me this day. We're basically waiting for everyone to decide what to do next.
Betheas Tuesday May 13th, 2008 11:19:56 PM
Betheas makes his way forward, attempting to gain the first position in the marching order... his glaive at the ready.
"Good job Rosario. It appears you have located the correct path. Domi only knows what evil may have lurked inside the mouth of the statue."
Julien d20+4=20 ; Wednesday May 14th, 2008 1:18:32 AM
Julien stands at the entrance to the passage, then crouches and looks.
Spot 20.
What is he looking for? Anything in or around the entrance to the passage that might suggest a trap.
Calvierius d20+8=28 ; d20+7=20 ; d20+5=21 ; Wednesday May 14th, 2008 9:35:12 AM
Calvierius stops next to Julien, helping him look around. "It's always a good idea, when going into a cave like this, to make sure that we'll be able to get back out, eh?"
As he is nudged by Betheas, he looks at the glaive and remarks, "You know, if you stood behind me, we could both strike our foes - you from farther back since you've got that giant polearm there. But if you're set on it, take the lead. My leather armor isn't all that tough, I suppose."
If there's no sign of traps on the road, Calvierius will continue up the path.
----
Spot 28, Listen 20, Search 21 - Calv doesn't have trapfinding, but can still find nonmagical traps with a search DC of 20 or less.
Rosario Sheet Wednesday May 14th, 2008 10:52:01 AM
Rosario enters the chamber after a brief 'I know' smile to Julien. Rosario echoes the new mans remark to Betheas and adds, "and that would be me in front of you Betheas." Rosario takes lead, weapon at the ready and moves down the path and into the area beyond
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