Myre (Carl) -- AC 13/12/11 CMD: 13 HP: 20/20 Spell Slots Remaining: Inf/5 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 8:07:20 PM Dearest? Myre looks sideways at Fingers, wondering how to let him down gently. She decides to deal with it later, after she's figured out this demon thing.
"Yes. Yes we should absolutely climb down these holes and investigate.""...so we don't have to move dirt around," goes unsaid. She looks down at her hands, pondering how climbing down a hole by rope in a dress is going to work. Maybe Fingers will give her a piggy back ride since he evidently has a crush on her.
A Job well done- DM BrianZ Tuesday August 9th, 2022 8:37:30 PM
the Team stops by the Patch, and offloads their items. Clarisse leads them to the area nearby, where she intends to continue her work. She gets right to it, clearing some debris from the street. The debris is piled high here, as high as 60 feet in some spots. The local people mostly ignore it, having gotten used to it.
The team can examine some of the holes they find. Only one of them seems large enough to climb into it. A light spell cast on a piece of rubble and tossed in reveals a drop of maybe 30 feet. There is nothing remarkable about the holes, except the fact that they are there.
Clarisse gets to work.
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 22/22 | CMB:3 CMD:16 | Fort:2 Ref:5 Will:0 Tuesday August 9th, 2022 11:03:08 PM
[B]Okay, what I'm going to suggest is going to sound like I'm overthinking it, but 1) someone should stake out a hole and a debris pile and see what happens when it disappears. Maybe the orphans can take shifts.
2) Offer a small bounty around town for anyone who can tell us as soon as a new hole or pile has been found. Maybe we can time them.
3) Someone should add the holes and debris piles to a map and see if there's some kind of pattern.
4) I want a close look at that debris. It has to come from something.
5) Who wants to drop down into this hole for a close look for anything helpful?
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 17, CMD 13, HP 22 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 2:18:55 PM ”Do you just toss all the debris back into the holes?” Paige asks the representative of the Black Cathedral as she looks around to see if anyone at all is joining in the effort.
(OOC: What time of day is it?
Rhys (Bob W) Wednesday August 10th, 2022 5:16:19 PM
Rhys nods his head in agreement with Fingers assessment of the situation. ”Let me know when you are ready to lower someone down the hole and I will either assist or go down myself”.. Until then, the elf assists Paige and Clarisse with moving debris and filling some of the smaller holes.
A Job well done- DM BrianZ Wednesday August 10th, 2022 8:43:47 PM
Fingers and Rhys discuss a plan for investigating one of these holes.
Clarisse nods at Paige's question. Yes, it is the most convenient way to clean it up. Besides the holes don't seem to mind. With that, Clarisse gets to work, not wanting to waste any more of the day on idle chatter. It is midday, perhaps just past noonday meal.
A courier arrives at the area where the Team is located. He bears a message for Grothic. The message is from his adopted brother Drellen, with a request for Grothic to come and visit and see Grandfather. The message indicates that it would be prudent if he arrives sooner rather than later, and though unsaid it seems Grandfather may not be well.
Nintos (Bob W for Clint) d20+3=23 ; d20+9=12 ; d20+8=19 ; Wednesday August 10th, 2022 8:47:38 PM
Nintos carefully approaches one of the holes and peers into it. He pays special attention to the walls of the hole and any debris that may be at the bottom if he can see that far. He tries to determine what natural or other cause may be play based on the smoothness of the walls, any gouging or other marks and the size and nature of any debris (Perception 23, Knowledge Dungeoneering 12, Knowledge Engineering 19)
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 22/22 | CMB:3 CMD:16 | Fort:2 Ref:5 Will:0 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 10:57:25 PM Good luck, Grothic. Hope you're Grampa's okay
It's not unusual that a dying elder asks to see his kin before the end. And yet...this sounds like one of those passing-of-the-torch situations.
Somehow, Muuru suspects it will be a long time before we see Grothic again.
Kwarsk (Wayne) AC 21/T 12/FF 19, HP 24/24, CMD 15/19 vs. Bull Rush & Trip. Wednesday August 10th, 2022 11:05:42 PM
After listening for quite a bit, Kwarsk says to Rhys and Fingers, "That's a great plan. I am skilled in climbing. I am willing to help out in any way, whether securing rope at the top or being the one rappelling down."
Kwarsk looks over the slender elf for a few seconds, then adds, "Hm. If you go down, I can secure the rope and provide ballast and strength to pull you back up, or Fingers could, assuming he has strength to match his size. If I go down the hole... (looks at his Tower Shield and assorted gear) it might take both you and Fingers to provide the ballast and strength to pull me back up..." Kwarsk finishes with a Dwarvish grin.
"What do you say Rhys, shall we flip a coin for it?"
---
Separately, when the courier for Grothic arrives, Kwarsk turns to Grothic and says, "Grothic, you look disconcerted. What kind of message is it, my friend?"
Myre (Carl) -- AC 13/12/11 CMD: 13 HP: 20/20 Spell Slots Remaining: Inf/5 Wednesday August 10th, 2022 11:41:34 PM
Myre frowns. Grothic was leaving already. Seems like that was the norm with adventuring groups. Still sad, though.
***
After saying her goodbyes, Myre heads to the edge of the pit everyone's looking at. "I don't weigh much, and can't really help much up here. Lower me down there too."
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Thursday August 11th, 2022 9:48:32 AM
DMs, have sent you an important email. ;)
Grothic (Jonathan) rage rounds 5/6 Thursday August 11th, 2022 10:06:07 AM Sorry, everyone. I apologize for leaving, but it appears family issues have to take care of. I wasn't sure my brother was alive, but I know for a fact I buried my grandfather. So, if you will excuse me, there's a trap I need to walk into.
(Ooc) farewell everyone.
Rhys (Bob W) Thursday August 11th, 2022 4:29:23 PM
Rhys listens to the options as laid out by Kwarsk, ”No need for coins or games of chance my friend. I’ll go down and let you and Fingers do the heavy lifting! “. The elf ties one end of a rope in a figure 8 that encompasses his legs and slides it up to cradle his rear end. ”What do you see down there Nintos? Anything worth further investigation?”.
Once Fingers and Kwarsk have secured the other end of the rope, Rhys prepares to be lowered down the hole, repelling downward with his feet against the walls. ”I’ll call up if I need more slack or want to come up. If you feel two hard pulls on the rope, get me out quick!”.
Kwarsk (Wayne) AC 21/T 12/FF 19, HP 24/24, CMD 15/19 vs. Bull Rush & Trip. Thursday August 11th, 2022 6:57:18 PM
Kwarsk says, "We've got you Rhys. Hold tight Fingers!"
A Job well done- DM BrianZ Thursday August 11th, 2022 7:53:14 PM
Rhys is lowered into the hole in the ground, it's close to the middle of the street. He finds the inside to be unusual, with block sized indentations all around, not jagged like a cavern. He continues to descend, getting to something resembling the 'bottom' around 35 feet below the surface.
The area around the bottom is a bit cluttered, possibly from people tossing or kicking some of the debris up top into the pit. There are a few much smaller holes , barely large enough to fit a hand into. A light source does not penetrate very far into these crevasses, and determining how far they go would seem to be out of reach for today. You can determine that nothing larger than the size of your hand would be able to come out of those holes. However, you find no evidence of any insects or any small animals inside this area.
You don't feel any specific sensation, but some part of your senses indicates you shouldn't remain here for long.
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 17, CMD 13, HP 22 d20+6=26 ; Thursday August 11th, 2022 10:40:38 PM
Paige stands at the edge of the crater watching the team effort of Kwarsk and Fingers as they lower Rhys down into the hole. The cleric doesn’t have much to add to the project, but keeps an eye open for anyone or anything that might menace the success of the project. (Perception = nat. 20 for 26)
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 22/22 | CMB:3 CMD:16 | Fort:2 Ref:5 Will:0 Thursday August 11th, 2022 11:57:08 PM
Muuru braces himself more than he really needs to. Human-types seem to assume he's much stronger than they are, but back home among the Minotaurs, he was considered a bit of a lightweight. Likely came from all the time he spent studying rather than fighting.
Well, he'd hate to disappoint his friends, so he'll just keep that to himself.
Nintos Melinous (Clint) | HP 16/16 | AC:12 T:12 FF:10 | CMD:13 CMB:1 | Fort:2 Ref:2 Will:4 | Merletta (Familiar) HP 4/4 | AC:15 T:14 FF:13 | CMB:0 CMD:6 | Fort:1 Ref:4 Will:2 Friday August 12th, 2022 11:35:38 AM
Nintos continues to peers into the holes, the small holes. His minds begins to wonder about what could be in these holes that doesn't need light with how dark it is. (Taking 10 on K-Nature or Dungeoneering = 18/19) He steps back from the openings and moves back towards the party; "It might be best if we move on. It doesn't appear that there could be any rodents, large insects or even swarms that would dash out from within, the gods only know what might have made these holes." Taking his journal, he takes down a few notes and simple sketches what is there.
Myre (Carl) -- AC 13/12/11 CMD: 13 HP: 20/20 Spell Slots Remaining: Inf/5 Friday August 12th, 2022 12:23:06 PM
Something in Myre's brain asks her a question. She passes it on to the group.
"Are the holes regular? Like...all the same size and shape? What shape are they?"
Rhys (Bob W) Friday August 12th, 2022 5:21:33 PM
Rhys calls up to Fingers and Kwarsk for his removal from the hole. Once back at the surface he relates what he has discovered. ”The walls are not natural! They are covered with block sized indentations which must have something to do with how the holes are created. There is not much in the way of debris at the bottom, so perhaps the debris here on the surface is from the holes, we should check it to see if the same pattern of indentations I’d on the stones up here. There are also a number of smaller holes and crevices at the bottom… not big enough for any but the smallest creatures to get through but I had the distinct impression that it was unsafe to stay down their any longer.”
Kwarsk (Wayne) AC 21/T 12/FF 19, HP 24/24, CMD 15/19 vs. Bull Rush & Trip. Friday August 12th, 2022 5:53:58 PM
Kwarsk says, "Rhys, great work! We'll have to investigate more to find out what to do next. In the meantime, perhaps we should finish helping Clarisse clean up and then go to the job board in the Catacombs?"
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 22/22 | CMB:3 CMD:16 | Fort:2 Ref:5 Will:0 Friday August 12th, 2022 11:15:08 PM
While helping with cleanup, Muuru examines the debris. It was mentioned that some parts looked metallic; do I get a sense of what they may have come from?
I show some of the rocklike lumps to Rhys. Does this look like it could have come from the indentations?
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 17, CMD 13, HP 22 Friday August 12th, 2022 11:59:29 PM ”When does this phenomena occur? Paige says, making a sweeping gesture with one extended arm. ”Has no one ever posted a watch? Been witness to an occurance?”
The whole thing seems odd to the cleric.
A Job well done- DM BrianZ Monday August 15th, 2022 4:36:32 PM
The team completes their investigation of the hole. A quick survey of the area shows that none of them are exactly the same size or shape. The debris on the surface, in some places stacked as high as 60 feet seems similar to the material in the ground. But with all the various sizes and shapes of it, it is anyone's guess if it came directly from the holes.
Asking around, you can discover that the residents are uneasy around the stuff, but have gotten used to it. No one really knows when the debris or holes appear, everyone says it just kinda happens overnight.
You spend the rest of the day with Clarisse, cleaning up, and helping out. The citizens are grateful, but skeptical of the work doing any good. Approaching late day meal, she calls a break to the work and seems satisfied of the progress. She excuses herself to get cleaned up and eat at the Black Cathedral, and hopes to see you all soon. She thanks you for the help before departing, and seems convinced that despite the citizens concerns, some good was done here today.
The team is now free to get a meal, or take care of any other business.
Myre (Carl) -- AC 13/12/11 CMD: 13 HP: 20/20 Spell Slots Remaining: Inf/5 Monday August 15th, 2022 6:31:25 PM Myre looks down at her hands in naked horror. They were dirty. There was gunk under her nails and everything. She lets out a light gasp as she finds a tear in her dress. Oh, this would not do.
"We're done here for now, yes? Time to go clean up?" She doesn't seem to wait for an answer, instead cleaning herself up using prestidigitation. A quick mend spell fixes up her dress nicely. Even Waddles gets a light whiff of lavender scent. "Just because you're a piggy doesn't mean you can smell bad."
She absently nods in agreement with Paige. "It does seem unlikely that no one saw all this, but that doesn't mean anyone's gonna talk to us." She narrows her eyes and looks around, "not unless we ask real nice." Myre notes any homes close to this location, or with a high vantage-point above it. "Hey Paige, did you check this place and those holes for evil? Even Rhys thought it was spooky down there."
Kwarsk (Wayne) AC 21/T 12/FF 19, HP 24/24, CMD 15/19 vs. Bull Rush & Trip. Monday August 15th, 2022 6:54:31 PM
Kwarsk says, "Hmmm... are the Catacombs still open, or at least is the job board still open? I suggest we head there first, and then afterwards find a good tavern to eat at, preferably one that serves white go-- milk."
Rhys (Bob W) Monday August 15th, 2022 9:19:13 PM
Rhys surveys the work they accomplished. ”Looks like a dog has been searching for a it’s bone…” the elf’s voice tails off as he thinks through the obvious. ”I wonder if someone isn’t looking for something very valuable that may have been lost here when the original destruction happened. Something that might be emanating the evil I felt when down below. Does anyone know much about the original catastrophe that took place here?”
Rhys suggests delaying a return to the catacombs to the following day. he has some local shopping to do for some raw steel and wants to get to work setting up the small forge in the courtyard of the Patch. He also wants to speak to a local sign maker about his idea for some signage. And then of course a meal and some ale!
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 17, CMD 13, HP 22 Monday August 15th, 2022 10:40:57 PM ”I’m for a meal, having worked up an appetite doing what seems like a ‘make work project’ if you know what I mean.” The half elf casts a baleful eye over the holes and accumulated rubble.
”Clarisse said she hopes to see us ‘soon’, so maybe she has a job in mind?” the cleric shrugs her shoulders, let’s discuss things over dinner. Did you like ‘The Crypt’, or should we explore a neighbouring quarter?”
Paige consults the map of Plateau City she picked up at WLA headquarters to see if there are any taverns listed in quarters that abut Nightmare Quarter.
A Job well done- DM BrianZ Tuesday August 16th, 2022 7:24:20 AM
There is continued discussion about the Scar, and how it all started. The team shares a meal, and gets cleaned up.
Rhys explores the possibility of setting up a forge at the Patch, and getting some signs made to let the neighbors know that the old guild is fully gone.
The team visits the Catacombs, but finds nothing on offer.
A few days pass, with some continued cleanup at the Patch, and settling into their new home. Then a messenger arrives, with an urgent request to visit Berem at the Black Cathedral.
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 17, CMD 13, HP 22 Tuesday August 16th, 2022 9:56:19 AM ”Lead on” Paige says to the messenger, as she prepares to follow.
Kwarsk (Wayne) AC 21/T 12/FF 19, HP 24/24, CMD 15/19 vs. Bull Rush & Trip. Tuesday August 16th, 2022 2:29:42 PM
Kwarsk says, "Agreed, Paige. Shall we, friends?"
Kwarsk polishes the flat of his now-masterwork dwarven waraxe one last time, mounts it across his back in the usual manner, and stands near the doorway, ready to escort his friends to their next adventure... job... jobventure?
Rhys (Bob W) Tuesday August 16th, 2022 4:13:29 PM
Rhys completes the construction of the small forge in the back corner of the courtyard and tests it with a small fire. ”Now if only Berem and his lot can come up with the bellows, anvil, and other tools they had offered” he thinks to himself. Satisfied for the moment he cleans up and prepares to revisit the sign maker’s shop when word comes from the ‘Black Cathedral’ calling for them once again. The elf dons his new chain shirt, admiring the blackened links and how they fade from view beneath his dark green cloak. And finally he slips the tooled leather scabbard across his back, the hilt of the long curved elven blade protruding above his shoulder. He follows Paige and Kwarsk out the door.
Myre (Carl) -- AC 13/12/11 CMD: 13 HP: 20/20 Spell Slots Remaining: Inf/5 Tuesday August 16th, 2022 11:25:09 PM Myre peers into the common area when the messenger comes. Her eyes peer around the door frame. Waddles' eyes peer directly above her head. She looks up at him, and nods. He falls forward into her hands before they both vanish behind the door.
A few minutes later, Myre reappears dressed in more appropriate clothing & ready to go.
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 22/22 | CMB:3 CMD:16 | Fort:2 Ref:5 Will:0 Tuesday August 16th, 2022 11:50:18 PM
In the lab, Muuru hears the call, carefully pulls his project from the cauldron, douses the flame, pulls on his armor, grabs his go-bag, and joins the others.
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