DM Kathy Tuesday January 31st, 2012 11:36:01 PM Wilma manages to let her "boyfriends" down gently.
Emrys goes to find some information about Professor Silver, but the clerk tells you the records are confidential.
Vaniime is bothered by something--she's not sure what--and Grell attempts to enlist her help against his one-time friends.
But all of that will need to be put on hold for the time being. You are going to a dungeon--a real dungeon!
Professor Goodnight is, of course, known for his occasional field trips to the various dungeons of the Wold, and he has told you that your group will be the next to go.
"We will be traveling to Plateau City," he tells you, "and the Red Wyrm Inn. There, you will enter the Maw and deal with what you find there. I trust everyone remembers my lessons in Dungeoneering?"
The next few days are spent in a welter of excitement and getting-ready. Bags are packed, then unpacked, then re-packed; you discuss the relative merits of silk and hemp rope. Finally, the day arrives, and Professor Goodnight meets you outside the classroom building with two other people, whom you recognize as Professor Minz and Professor Goldsheaf of the Magic department. Professor Minz is a human man, not much older than you--in fact, he was still a student here when you were in the Lower School. He gives you an encouraging grin. Professor Goldsheaf, a halfling woman, looks a trifle put out, and keeps tsking over her hem, which is getting damp from the grass.
"We'll be teleporting to Plateau City," Professor Goodnight tells you. "Though not from here, of course; there are magicks preventing teleportation on or off school grounds. We'll need to walk down the road a ways. Is everyone ready?"
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP: 15/15 Wednesday February 1st, 2012 7:02:07 PM
Vanime is quite surprised when Grell seeks her out for her assistance, but when she hears about what he wants a grins spreads wide across her face. Grell I do believe I can be of some assistance in that department. Unfortunately plans must wait as they are soon called by Professor Goodnight.
Excited about the prospect of heading into the Maw, Vanime spend the next several days going over all of her gear, packing and repacking rearranging things to adjust the balance of her pack and to make sure things she might need are easily reached and close to hand. Inbetween all that she searches Grell out and suggests they do some sparring against each other to better prepare for opponents and fighting styles different from what they might be used to seeing and working against.
Emrys d20+8=17 ; Wednesday February 1st, 2012 8:24:44 PM
(Using Lore Master ability and Taking 20 on Knowledge (Dungeoneering) check (28) as a standard action. 1/day)
"Yes, Professor Goodnight, I remember your lessons well. The Red Wyrm Inn, once called the Red Dragon Inn, is located in Adventurer's Square, within the Dragon Quarter of Plateau City. It is said that adventurers from all regions and points in time converge to this locale in a way that no one can explain. The dungeon below, the Maw, is an ever tangled labyrinth of mystery whose parameters have yet to be fully realized."
Emrys nervously gulps with the thought of going there. "The Maw ... a gaping chasm ... a black hole ... the abyss ... the jaws and throat of the beast!!"
He has a lot to think about as he prepares for the trip.
Grell Wednesday February 1st, 2012 11:32:37 PM
Grell grins at Vaniime, a genuine warm smile. "I don't know how Mom would feel about me hitting a girl...other than one of my sisters, but I'll give it a go."
Grell spends his preparation time either sparing with Vaniime or inspecting and polishing his weapon and armor. One can NEVER be too prepared for the Maw. Oh the stories he's heard from his Mom...it's almost enough to make a less experienced adventure wet himself with anticipation. Lucky for Grell, he's now an experienced adventure immune to such flights of fancy. Grell makes sure to double check his equipment just before he sets out. When he hears about the road then need to travel on, he rolls his eyes as he whispers to Vaniime "What do you think the chances are we'll be attacked on the way??"
DM Kathy Thursday February 2nd, 2012 12:14:54 AM
When you are all ready, Professor Goodnight leads the way out of the main gates and down the Safe Road. Professor Minz chats companionably with you, waxing nostalgic about the time Professor Goodnight had taken him and his fellow students to a dungeon. "...and we were looking and looking at this mildew, which Thratmor insisted was some kind of toxic monster spores, so we never noticed the choker sneaking up behind us..."
Professor Goldsheaf grumbles a little. "I have papers to grade, you know," she says to nobody in particular.
When you have gone about a quarter mile, Professor Goodnight stops. The two professors from the magical department concentrate for a moment, and then zing! there you are in Plateau City.
You recognize your surroundings from that brief trip to the Catacombs just a few weeks ago. There is the Quest Gate behind you, and the Gold Dragon Castle looming in the distance. Professor Goodnight gestures to shops on either side of the busy square. "Grub & Chub, and The Last Adventure," he tells you. "Both sell adventuring supplies. You can buy any gear you think you may need, but be back here in twenty minutes."
[OOC: These are mundane items, not Catacombs purchases, but you can get rope, spikes, climber's kits, or anything else you think you may need. This is a dungeon crawl; prepare accordingly. :) ]
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP: 15/15 Thursday February 2nd, 2012 7:29:31 PM
The time spent sparring with Grell gives Vanime a better appreciation of his brute strength and power as she spent much of her time parrying and using her agility and quickness to avoid the drubbing she iss sure many others would have suffered. but just as he got several good strikes and touches in their bouts, so did she and she could feel the differences in her mind set and approach to fighting Grell by the second day, trying new though out feints and attack patterns that she wouldn't dream of when fighting the normal group of fighters she sparred with.
Not particularly looking forward to the teleport, having heard stories from her father about mishaps with the process, Van actually closes her eyes and grabs hold of Wilma's hand just before they take off. Opening her eyes when they are told they have arrived, She quickly makes a check to see that everything made the transit safely.
When Professor Goodnight mentions a quick shopping spree, Vanime thinks for a moment about the things she wished she had when packing and then asks if she can step into the Last Adventure for a moment to pick up those few small items that she had thought of.
Emrys Thursday February 2nd, 2012 9:14:04 PM
Emrys looks around the shops and notices various things he likes, but anything more would certainly weigh him down. The young bard curses his enfeeblement. Then he spots it ... "Wow!" He hurries over to it and peers down at the object of his desire through the thick, glass case. "The latest in high mechanology!! Sir, how much for the compass?" While he thinks about it, he adds, "Oh, and a jar of lantern oil."
A bell rings as he opens the door to leave the shop. He looks at the beautiful, brass compass in the light of day. He locates true north and smiles with great satisfaction. He puts it away and makes sure his lantern is plum with oil.
(Compass: 10gp. Lantern oil: 1sp)
Wilma AC16/12/14; HP20/20 Thursday February 2nd, 2012 9:26:00 PM
Wilma also made her way into the Last Adventure, garnering for herself an empty sack before also paying a visit to the Chub 'N Grub for the trail rations that she actually wasn't sure she'd be needing, but Wilma also recalled the various stories told to her by her mother. The trail rations just might be needed, so she got them.
Now all she had to do was see if she could persuade her little brother to help her with her backpack...
DM Kathy Friday February 3rd, 2012 12:25:54 AM
You very sensibly take advantage of the brief interlude to buy a last few supplies for the adventure ahead. You meet up with your professors again, and Professor Goodnight leads the way through Adventurer's Square. You pass Duncan's, the legendary travel shop, with its plethora of maps and charts. You pass Finlin Vod's, and turn the corner in front of the money-changer's. And there it is, in front of you, the Red Wyrm Inn.
Professor Goodnight strides to the front door and swings it wide open. "Enter," he says, something of a challenge in his tone.
The Red Wyrm was once the most popular in all the Wold. Adventurers from everywhere would meet for fine food, good company, and perhaps a chance at the Maw. But that was all in the past. These days, the Red Wyrm is fairly quiet. Looking around, you see a few groups at tables. Most look like retired adventurers. A sleepy-looking serving girl ambles by, carrying a tray full of foaming mugs.
"This way to the Maw!" Professor Minz cries, leading you toward the back of the inn. "What do you have in store for them, Professor?"
"Oh, the usual," Professor Goodnight replies. "Some routine dungeon hazards. A monster--a classic! I'm glad we found one. And a puzzle, of course, to make sure you've got your wits about you. Once you've solved the puzzle, you'll return to the lift."
You now see the lift in front of you--a massive platform on sturdy ropes, which can be lowered into the depths of the Maw. With you aboard.
Professor Goldsheaf climbs onto a stool at a nearby table. "I trust we have time for a drink?" she says.
"Probably," Professor Goodnight replies. He moves to the lift's controls. "If the hazards or the monster prove to be too much for you," he says, "you can reach the lift by retracing your steps. Once you enter the puzzle room, you must solve the puzzle in order to leave. Either way, give us a shout and we'll pull you back up. Well, don't just stand there! All aboard for the Maw!"
Once you are on the platform, Professor Goodnight wastes no time, and immediately begins lowering you....into whatever awaits below.
Wilma AC16/12/14; HP20/20 d20+2=13 ; Friday February 3rd, 2012 6:07:49 AM
Wilma inched closer to where her brother stood braced against the rocking of the lift as it was lowered into place.
"I know I can count on you to be the bulwark against the unknown, right..?" she asked him earnestly. "After all, you're the big, strong fighter...while I'm the weak little cleric..." The redheaded acolyte tugged at one of the straps on her very full backpack that was propped by her feet, her obviously feeble strength underscored by the fact that it barely moved. "I was hoping you could use your strength to help bear my burden, freeing me to attend to healing should the need arise..." The human female sighed gustily, lifting the back of one hand to her forehead and looking...well, like a helpless girlie cleric.
(OOC: Wilma's rolled a total of 13 for her Charisma check; I suspect that Grell would need to use his Wisdom to oppose the blatant attempt to get him to carry her 27-pound backpack for her.)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP: 15/15 Saturday February 4th, 2012 6:45:46 AM
Hefting her poack Van moves along with the others taking in the sights and finally getting to the Red Wyrm. Looking at the lift Van raises an eyebrow.
"Are you sure that's safe?" It doesn't look like it could hold me let alone the five of us."
None the less she steps aboard along with everyone else ready for the descent after listening to the directions from Professor Goodnight.
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+9=13 ; Sunday February 5th, 2012 6:52:16 PM
With a little trepidation, Emrys steps onto the lift and puts on his best 'brave' face. "Ahh, this isn't isn't s-so bad!" 'doh!,' he thinks. The bard makes sure he is thoroughly draped within his new cloak.
(Perform (Acting): 13)
DM Kathy Sunday February 5th, 2012 10:58:37 PM
As you climb onto the platform, Wilma drops some broad hints to her brother about maybe carrying some gear. Vaniime and Emrys attempt to hide their trepidation.
As you look up for a last glimpse of your professors, you see Professor Minz give you an encouraging thumbs-up, while Professor Goodnight gives you an enigmatic smile. Professor Goldsheaf is placing her drink order.
And then the darkness of the Maw swallows you. Down, down you go on the platform, as the light of the Red Wyrm recedes above you. Finally, you touch down with a lurch and a thud. You can still see the lights of the inn, glimmering above you, but they provide little illumination at your depth. You smell dry, dusty earth, and hear the faint echo that means you are probably in a large chamber. You think you hear a small scuffling noise, though it's impossible to tell from which direction it came.
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+8=14 ; d20+8=15 ; Monday February 6th, 2012 10:01:11 PM
"Radiata," mutters Emrys. A light quickly blinks to life. He does a quick study of the room once the light reveals their surroundings. (cast 0-level Light spell. Perception 14.)
From what he sees, he tries to assess the stability, materials and safety of the room. (knowledge (dungeoneering): 15)
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