Pip's story (DM MikeK) Wednesday November 22nd, 2023 7:09:47 PM
The blubbering halfing isn’t making a lot of sense.
Armalad impatiently asks for clarification. Stohp is also confused. Bart is concerned there may be an attack. He scans the room. No, nobody else. Just Shields and Pip.
Delia and Zanderallen take a more people friendly approach.
Eventually, the get the librarian calmed down to the point where he can tell a coherent story.
“I was translating a tome for Master Bart,” he starts. The story continues, with an occasional dabbing of the eye or a pause for a post hysteria shuddering breath:
“It was really old, and very exciting. Well, I put it down and left to get some lunch and when I got back…. I had inadvertently placed the tome on the “trash” pile and when I got back, I found that pile had been removed.” He holds up his hands to forestall the Shields. “I tracked down the cleaning team, got the location of the trash chute they used, then got a diagram of the city’s disposal chutes and deduced the chute emptied into Trash Bin #7. I went down there, but the Trash Guild men on the post wouldn’t let me go into the Trash Bin. They said only Guild members could enter, and then said it was too dangerous for them to go in.”
Pip looks up at Bart helplessly. “So, the tome is in the Trash Bin. But the guild members won’t let me enter to retrieve it, and they won’t retrieve it themselves.”
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday November 22nd, 2023 8:41:58 PM
Armalad says, "Ok so the problem is simple we go down to trash bin 7 and convince the trash guild men to make the silver shields honorary trash guild members then we go into the bin and retrieve this tome no harm no foul."
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Thursday November 23rd, 2023 8:11:03 AM
“Oh Pip…Do you know what happens to the trash after bin 7? In case we are too late?”
Bartomus(Rod) SBM 13//1-5 HP: 99/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday November 23rd, 2023 10:02:56 AM "I have a strange feeling about this,"[b] Bartomus said in response to what Pip had been told. [b]"But I agree with you Armalad, that seems like the best approach."
He nodded a few times in an attempt to assure himself of what had been suggested and then gave an approving nod to affirm Stock's questions to Pip.
"Might also suggest Pip that while we go after the tome, you put your efforts in getting down as much as you remember from your efforts. That way we all have that information regardless of what we learn down at Chute Seven."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=16 ; Thursday November 23rd, 2023 10:53:44 AM
Stohp is annoyed. This hardly seems like something to get so emotional about. Stuff happens. She'll use her knowledge of the float to find the quickest way down there and anything they should maybe do to ensure they can get through (41 knowledge local)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 30/18/24; CMD 41 Thursday November 23rd, 2023 6:36:11 PM
Delia tilts her head the other way, this time not directed at Pip, "Huh. What's in the Float's trash bins?"
A Simple Problem (DM MikeK) Thursday November 23rd, 2023 8:02:18 PM
Stohp is annoyed. This hardly seems like something to get so emotional about. She thinks for a moment, then imparts upon her comrades some local knowledge:
Trash Level bins are another one of those mysteries of Floating City. Disposal chutes of various sizes are located throughout the city, allowing for trash to drop to locations on Trash Level. While some dump points are public sites, other chutes lead to one of 8 Trash Bins. Trash Bins are extra-dimensional spaces. Small office on the outside, but much larger inside. Due to their magical nature, spells from outside the bin do not affect the space inside the bin (ie - no teleporting, detecting, scrying, etc). Each of these bins are attended to by Trash Men, a guild registered with the city. They are the only ones who enter the bins.
However, as Armalad points out, The Silver Shields aren’t just anyone.
Both Stohp and Pip know the way to Trash Bin #7 on the Trash Level.
Pip shakes his head furiously at Bart’s suggestion he remains behind. He holds up a scroll. “No sir. I’ve a Locate Object spell scroll and I’m intimately familiar with the tome. Once we get inside, I should be able to tell where the tome is.”
As for what is in the bins and what happens to the trash once inside the bin, there’s a collective shrug.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Friday November 24th, 2023 4:03:09 AM
Armalad says to Stohp and Pip, "Lead on to the bin in question, unless you think we need to see if we can get some sort of order from the Overlord that might make it easier for the trash guild to let us in the bin?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday November 24th, 2023 10:31:22 AM
Stohp will lead the way with Pip. Given that the trash men wouldn't go inside she half expects some problem they'll have to solve when they get there.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 30/18/24; CMD 41 Friday November 24th, 2023 11:49:47 AM
Delia follows Stohp and Pip to the Trash Level. Hopefully the reputation of the Shields will be enough that the Trash Men will let them break the rules without much convincing.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Friday November 24th, 2023 2:49:27 PM "These bins don't automatically contract to smash the trash do they? I've always had an irrational fear of being stuck in a trash compactor." Despite this, Stock leads onward.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 0/14 SE 6/6 Friday November 24th, 2023 6:49:49 PM "Crawling into a trash bin. Not very glorious but doesn't sound too bad. Although why do the trash guild members think it's too dangerous for them to go inside? I guess we'll ask when we get there." Zander falls into line with the others to Trash Bin 7.
Bartomus(Rod) SBM 13//1-5 HP: 106/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 2d8+2=7 ; Friday November 24th, 2023 10:24:00 PM "More concerned about things being in there that can grab you. Be on the look out for something looking out at us coming in."
Bartomus offered in response to Stock's concern. He fished out a potion and kicked it back quickly.
CMW Potion for 7
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Saturday November 25th, 2023 10:39:35 AM
As they head down Stohp gets a bit wistful. "In the early days we did a lot of work down in the Trash sector. Stopped a plant zombie plague." She'll share the whole story for those who hadn't heard it.
A little walk (DM MikeK) Sunday November 26th, 2023 2:48:27 PM
There is a bit of concern about getting compacted or possible grabbed by some tentacly creature and pulled under the surface, but the Shields are going anyway.
On the way, Stohp tells Delia, Armalad, and Pip about the time the Silver Shields stopped a zombie plague on the Trash Level ( See Shredded Cheese module in the archives ).
The Shields and Pip descend down to the Trash Level by way of the Northeast tower. They take Cutthroat Lane and almost immediately turn right into a narrow, darkened alley. Pip has a moment of apprehension and closes the gap on Bartomus. But, as expected, nobody bothers the group.
The Shields arrive at an average looking door set into an average looking wall. The words “Trash Bin Seven” are stenciled onto the door in that typical bureaucratic lettering used the Wold over. There are no windows in the wall or door.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday November 26th, 2023 8:40:36 PM
Armalad says, "Can we just go in or do we need to find a member of the trash guild to deputize us or something?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday November 27th, 2023 8:12:43 AM
Stohp would presumably know from her knowledge check if there's a little office inside or if the entire building is the off limits bin. If the former she'll knock politely. If the later she looks around and says, "From what Pip said I expected a few to be waiting here for us. "
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Monday November 27th, 2023 9:18:36 AM
Stock tries to open the door after Stohp's knock, yelling "Hellooo?!? Silver Shields here. We just need to do an inspection of Bin Seven to look for an item that was accidentally thrown away..."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 30/18/24; CMD 41 Monday November 27th, 2023 1:45:11 PM
Delia gets uncharacteristically starry eyed as Stohp retells the tale of early Shield heroics. She had left the Float by that point, but the lives of many she knew had been saved by the Shields that day. She shook her head in wonder, how did she ever come to be considered a peer by the likes of these?
Bartomus(Rod) SBM 13//1-5 HP: 106/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=34 ; Monday November 27th, 2023 3:51:37 PM
Bartomus wandered along with his fellow Shields and added a few things into the tale Stohp was weaving about something that happened a good while back in the Shield's history. He looked about trying to remember where things had occurred and happened. He snickered at Stock's approach to the situation.
"Maybe you should yell a bit louder my friend, that way they can hear you up a level or two." Bartmous said with a big grin. He scanned the area trying to get a sense where those with the Guild might be standing.
Perception 34
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Monday November 27th, 2023 3:53:55 PM
Zanderallen tags along with the group thinking back to the old days. Lot of faces had changed since then. But the goal had always stayed the same. How had they come from solving street thugs on the Fence to staring down a millennial old evil? "Just remember Pip, while we're down there stay close to us. Don't go running off even if you think you see the book. We'll get it back safely."
Silver Shields Here (DM MikeK) Monday November 27th, 2023 7:16:53 PM
Approaching Trash Bin 7, Delia has a “what am I doing here with THESE folk” moment. Zanderallen makes sure Pip knows to stay close, though at this point, the halfling is already underfoot.
Stohp is fairly certain there’s an office behind the door. She knocks politely.
Stock, being Stock, cuts to the chase. The door is unlocked. The dwarf strides inside. “Hellooo?!? Silver Shields here. We just need to do an inspection of Bin Seven to look for an item that was accidentally thrown away..."
Inside is an office space barely large enough to occupy the dwarf at a desk to Stock’s left, and an elf sitting at a table facing the opposite wall on his right. Between the two, on the wall facing Stock, are a series of switches, dials, levers, and buttons of various shapes, sizes, and colors. Smack in the middle is a chained, padlocked iron door.
The elf, a female who Armalad swears can’t be more than 30 actual years old, is sitting directly in the line of fire of Stock’s bellow. She startles so badly she nearly hits the ceiling. Her chair crashes down behind her and a stack of papers leans precariously.
The dwarf, a male Stock would call middle-aged, is leaning his chair back on its two back legs so that he is resting against the wall, feet stacked up on the desk in front of him. He also starts, but not nearly as badly as the elf.
There is a brief pause as the elf scrambles to her feet and stands, embarrassed.
“The Silver Shields you say?”, the dwarf rumbles, enthusiastically. “You see Sundance? Told you enough 59 dash 8’s would do it.”
The dwarf tips forward, opens a drawer, removes a stamp and some ink. He waves Stock over. “Plop your 59-8-B down and we’ll get this show started.”
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+13=23 ; Monday November 27th, 2023 8:57:42 PM
Know Local - 23
Armalad thinks back to what she might know of local regulation involving form 59-8-B and if she can't come up with a valid reason within the law or a loophole why they can proceed with out one. If she hits upon one she will say, "No need for the form" matter of factly, while she lays out precisely why it isn't needed in their scenario.
Bartomus(Rod) SBM 13//1-5 HP: 106/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+8=26 ; Tuesday November 28th, 2023 12:34:43 AM
Bartomus listened through the doorway and when he heard discussions about forms, he let a soft sigh. "Enter the bureaucrats," he thought to himself. He thought about what was being said and tried to think a to whether he had ever heard anything about the operations of the trash disposal for the Float.
Knowledge Local/Float - 26
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+25=34 ; Tuesday November 28th, 2023 8:53:19 AM
Stohp has lived here a while and had dealings with the area so also pulls on her local knowledge and past experiences to figure out how to make this go smoothly (knowledge local 34), responding to the query and doing whatever it is these guys are expecting to move things along.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used d20+4=12 ; Tuesday November 28th, 2023 10:15:04 AM
Stock approaches the dwarf with a traditional Dwarven greeting. "I'm Stock. Yours was our first stop so naturally we don't have a form 59-8-B ready but the item that our friend Pip has misplaced is of great importance to the Wold. We've traced its disposal to this bin...tell us though, is it possible to enter a bin to search for an item?
Has anybody in fact entered this bin lately?"
======== Diplomacy 12
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 30/18/24; CMD 41 Tuesday November 28th, 2023 11:24:27 AM
Delia stays outside to not overcrowd the room, smiling to herself at the contrast between the Shield's past success against huge odds, and being stopped short by bureuacracy. She mutters to Bart, "The true enemy of the Float's mightiest heroes: improper paperwork."
Improper Paperwork (DM MikeK) Tuesday November 28th, 2023 6:49:56 PM
Nobody has heard of a Form 59-8-B, or any other form for that matter. What goes on in the Trash Bin is a Trash Guild secret and the Shields aren’t historically big on forms anyway. As Delia comments, improper paperwork is the bane of the group.
Stock, again, verbally blows past the dwarf’s remark.
Both elf and dwarf frown and get this confused sort of look.
“Wait,” the elf starts. She’s cut off by the dwarf. “You’re not here in response to our request?”
He leans into Stock and grouses conspiratorially, “I filled out and submitted that blasted dash eight for ten straight days and we’ve heard squat.”
The dwarf leans back, plainly irritated. Then he gets thoughtful, looks at Stock, and Armalad, and the folks standing in the doorway.
“You need to search the bin, eh? I think we might be able to make that happen.”
The elf stands bolt upright in surprise and indignation. “Regs clearly state no one allowed inside except Trash Guild or responders in possession of a duly notarized 59-8-B”.
The dwarf waves her off. “Piffle. We need those beasts cleared. They want to go in. They’re the Silver Freakin’ Shields. Oh, and I’m Senior and you’re Junior. The reason I’m Senior is I know that sometimes regs can be … massaged a bit.”
The elf looks like she just heard the worst blasphemy ever.
The dwarf turns back to Stock. “Course, if you all get killed, I’m gonna be in a lot of trouble. Rather you didn’t.”
He calls out so everyone can hear. “We’ve got some beasties in there that have gotten a bit out of hand. Need them exterminated so we can go in safely. Standard pay is 1000 gp per beastie, which makes it five grand. Oh, and watch out for Frank. Questions?”
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday November 28th, 2023 8:36:43 PM
Armalad says, "Why don't you name us honorary or deputy trash guild members or something? That way we satisfy bureaucratic regulations while being the Silver 'Freakin'' Shields. Also who is Frank? and what type of Beasties you have living in your trash bins?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday November 29th, 2023 8:02:10 AM
Stohp is curious. "Who normally shows up to respond to the dash eight? We'll deal with the critters and get out book but afterwards I might check to see what the delay is. Two weeks to not deal with dangerous monsters seems alarming."
Bartomus(Rod) SBM 13//1-5 HP: 106/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday November 29th, 2023 8:45:15 AM
[b]"Wait, you were asking or sending your forms to for us to help?"[b] Bartomus said from the hall as he stretched to listen in and hear what was being said. He was curious as they hadn't heard anything, but then they hadn't actually been back on the float all that long. He started to wonder how monsters of any type got into the trash bins. That led him to wonder where the trash bins went.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Wednesday November 29th, 2023 9:58:05 AM "So what kind of critters are we talking here? Giant Rats? I haven't squashed one of those in years...and don't worry about us dying. Most of us have never died before."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 30/18/24; CMD 41 Wednesday November 29th, 2023 1:25:26 PM
Delia had three questions and other party members already got to two out of three. She waits to hear who Frank is and what manner of beasties they are supposed to be hunting, but adds, "Need any proof of death? A hoof, an ear, a spike to return for the bounty?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Wednesday November 29th, 2023 5:34:01 PM
Zanderallen gestures at the metal door. "Sounds easy enough. In, out, can't take us more than 20 minutes right?"
What kind of beasties? (DM MikeK) Wednesday November 29th, 2023 7:16:32 PM
The dwarf asks for questions, and as he’s been a bit short on details, the Shields have a few.
Replying to the various form questions, he says, “We haven’t been asking for you specifically. We have been asking for help. The guild is supposed to get our Dash 8, hire the appropriate response team, and send them to us. Unfortunately, ten days is not our record. At some point they’d get tired of reading the same Dash 8 over and over and would send somebody.
We don’t have honorary members. But again, I’ve been sending the forms and you're a darn sight better than whoever they’d eventually send. And I’ve got too much seniority to get fired. We’ll be fine.”
“Critters get in just like you’d think. Some idiot throws baby ones in the trash chute. If they happen to like trash, they do great. These five are doing really great. They got really big and really mean really fast.
Don’t know what they are, exactly. There about ten feet long, kinda green/brown. They got six legs holding up a snake like body and a bazillion tentacles reaching out from its head or mouth. Pretty much all mouth. They like dead stuff. Anything organic and rotting, they’re all over it. Knowledge Dungeoneering DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { They sound like Carrion Crawlers, but those shouldn’t be all that dangerous. }”
“Frank is our resident gelatinous cube.”
“No proof of death needed.”
The elf utters a cry of dismay. The dwarf rolls his eyes and barks in exasperation. “Seriously, do you not know who the Silver Shields are?”
The elf pouts. The dwarf explains. “Response teams bring a Candle of Truth with them and swear on it when they get back the job is done. I think I’ll just believe you.”
“Anything else?”
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+13=16 ; Wednesday November 29th, 2023 11:40:20 PM
Know - Dungeon - 16
Armalad says, "Your beasties sound like carrion crawlers. Unless they are some new variant we should be able to handle them. As for Frank I take it he's sort of a member of the trash guild? He doesn't like tomes does he? Besides killing these carrion crawlers we really need to recover this tome that Pip accidentally threw away."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday November 30th, 2023 8:26:19 AM
Stohps got all the information she wants and is ready to go.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Thursday November 30th, 2023 8:37:17 AM "I can't promise anything on Frank...if he happened to absorb the item we're looking for, we will have to excise it from Frank's mass.
One last question - do you have nose plugs for any of the more squeemish Shields?
::Stohp::"
He turns away from the taur, giggling at his humor.
Bartomus(Rod) SBM 13//1-5 HP: 106/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday November 30th, 2023 9:20:47 AM "Any restrictions within that bin? Magic dampners, anything we should know about being inside it's space other than be careful with frank and kill what ever the teethy, nasty things?" Bartomus asked as there seemed to be something about all of this gave him an odd feeling.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 30/18/24; CMD 41 d20+14=28 ; Thursday November 30th, 2023 12:03:10 PM (OOC: are carrion crawlers aberrations? Or some other type of critter. Just asking because aberrations are a favored enemy)
Delia laughs to herself at the contract between the elf and dwarf's perception of their rules. She likes the dwarf. Rules are great, until they get in the way of problems getting taking care of. She nods with Armalad's assessment. Definitely sounds like carrion crawlers, but... "Who is getting their hands on baby carrion crawlers? And then tossing them in the trash?" As for Frank, "Hopefully he hasn't absorbed it... and if so, I'm sure we can recover it with only lots of discomfort for all of us and no lasting damage."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Thursday November 30th, 2023 4:04:54 PM "You have a resident gelatinous cube? That weird to anybody else? No. Well let's go then. Unlock the door and we'll clear our your pest problem."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday November 30th, 2023 11:55:04 PM
(OOC: Checking In)
Armalad waits to hear more about Frank and the odds of the tome being intact
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 30/18/24; CMD 41 d20+14=28 ; Friday December 1st, 2023 12:07:58 PM
Delia compares notes with Armalad on what they know about Carrion Crawlers and warns the party of what they can expect (the 28 rolled last post was a know (Dungeoneering) check). She also thinks on what she knows about gelatinous cubes and will share any useful info.
Know (Dungeoneering) for carrion crawlers: 28 (from last post) Know (Dungeoneering) for gelatinous cubes: 28
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Saturday December 2nd, 2023 12:10:39 AM "It is weird but from what I can remember of them makes sense. Good way to break down things." Stohp says conversationally.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+13=33 ; Monday December 4th, 2023 12:11:18 AM
Armalad thinks on Gelatinous cubes herself.
Know[Dungeon]: 33
(OOC: Checking IN)
Air Lock (DM MikeK) Monday December 4th, 2023 10:29:19 AM
Delia and Armalad share all they know on carrion crawlers and gelatinous cubes. While carrion crawlers are aberrations, the cube is classified as an ooze.
The dwarf answers the last few questions while he and the elf pull out keys and move to opposite ends of the lever filled wall.
“Frank was here before us. We put up with him. Kind of an adopted dangerous pet you can’t actually get close to. If you’ve got to deal with him, we understand. It’s eats organics. So do the crawlers. You say your tome hasn’t been down here that long. I’d say it’s a good bet it’s intact.
I don’t know about magic restrictions. Says in our manual the bin is its own plane, if that means anything to you. Otherwise, well, its full of trash.”
The dwarf opens a drawer. “Scented scarves,” he notes. “For the squeamish.” He give Stock a wink.
With that, he gives the elf a countdown and they simultaneous turns their keys. There are a series of mechanical clicks and metallic sliding and other ‘door unlocking’ sounds.
Without hesitation, or much care, the dwarf walks over, grabs the handle, and opens the door.
On the other side is a very clean chamber, 30’ square. Another door is on the other side. The dwarf hands Stock two copies of the keys he and the elf just used. “On either side of the door over there are two keyholes,” he instructs, pointing them out. ‘Similar pair on this side. Turn keys at same time and door unlocks.
You don’t come back in a couple days, I’ll have a lot of forms to fill out. Rescue party probably a day or two after that.”
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 Monday December 4th, 2023 12:08:45 PM
Delia gives the dwarf a casual salute as she heads into the chamber, "We'll do our best to minimize your paperwork, sir."
At the start of every day she casts Longstrider +10 movement, 13 hours, Darkvision, 13 hours. Before turning the keys, she takes a moment to cast Barkskin +5 AC, 130 minutes.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday December 4th, 2023 1:15:02 PM
Stohp will let someone else turn the key, it'd be awkward with her overly large hands.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Monday December 4th, 2023 3:49:55 PM
Zanderallen nods to the elf and dwarf, "Thank you for the assistance. We'll be in and out, no fuss, no paperwork." He moves towards the front and takes the 2nd key from Stock. He holds it ready in the key hole waiting for every to give the go ahead and Stock to turn his key.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+21=29 ; d20+26=38 ; d20+26=28 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 12:03:29 AM
Armalad says, "This is quite the remarkable setup you folks have. Has anyone else from the Star Mages guild been here to study it? Is it okay if I publish a small treatise to the members of the guild about my time here in your pocket realm?"
She studies the dual lock setup from an arcane perspective to get an idea of how the apparatus might work.
Bartomus(Rod) SBM 13//1-5 HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=20 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 12:26:33 AM "Let's do this," Bartomus said. He took a few moments and cast stoneskin. Then he got his glave ready and looked over at the others. "Ready?"
Perception - 20
Trash Bin 7(DM MikeK) Tuesday December 5th, 2023 8:44:48 AM
The Shields take the keys and enter the clean room.
Armalad posits writing a treatise on their setup. The elf goes about 15 shades of white as the blood drains from her face. Even the dwarf loses some of his jaded look. “That one is above my pay grade, he answers, after a pause. “You’ll need permission from the Guildmaster, most likely.”
The dwarf closes the door behind the team. It locks fast.
After some buffing spells, Zanderallen and Stock move to the far wall and turn their keys in sync. More mechanical sounds. Someone opens the door.
Its a trash dump all right. The odor of decay rolls into the clean room. Fort DC 15 or become Nauseated.
The other side is a much larger space. The ceiling is 40’ high. Detritus is visible dropping down like sudden stormbursts from above.
Piles of garbage and trash of every description, from banana peels to crockery to broken furniture to the bodies of small animals reach 20’ or 30’ high. Due to the trash piles blocking line of sight, the party are unable to make out the size of the chamber. Narrow “trails” between the trash piles lead right, left, and straight.
Delia points out they are animal trails, and there is ample evidence of a thriving rat population.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used d20+20=36 ; d20+14=18 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 9:23:42 AM "What an interesting smell we've found.
Any ideas how we'll find this thing?"
Stock heads toward the center trail and glances down, looking for signs of something larger than a rat.
======== Fort 36 Survival 18
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=11 ; d20=20 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 10:50:23 AM
Stohp has dealt with far worse in her time. (fort 22). She's immediately alert for the danger they were warned of in here.(41 perception)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=11 ; d20=20 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 10:50:24 AM
Stohp has dealt with far worse in her time. (fort 22). She's immediately alert for the danger they were warned of in here.(41 perception)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+15=29 ; d20+23=28 ; d20+29=30 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 10:56:16 AM (do massive piles of trash in a pocket plane happen to count as either underground or urban terrains?...) Barkskin, Longstrider, Darkvision
Delia doesn't even blink at the smell. She takes a moment to comment on the rat trails and then scales the nearest trash pile, helped along by her shiny new spiderclimb slippers.
Once at the top, she'll survey the place with her spyglass, looking for signs of Frank, carrion crawlers, or anything else that catches her eye.
============= Fort 29 vs 15 Survival: 28 (32 vs abberations) Perception: 30 (34 vs abberations)
Bartomus(Rod) SBM 13//1-5 HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+17=35 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 3:16:04 PM "This place could use an air freshener or something," Bartomus said in agreement with Stock. He looked about and
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=25 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 3:22:34 PM
and seeing Delia climb up one of the piles. He scanned the ceiling first, and then scanned a few of the nearest piles trying to see if by chance there might be an empathetic rat or two that he could entice with future rewards for some assistance.
Sorry for the double post - hit submit apparently before being done. Fortitude for 35; Perception for 25
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 d20+24=40 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 5:07:36 PM
While not being happy about the smell Zander doesn't even flinch at the putrid odor. "What a wonderful place. Where's Pip? Didn't he have a way to locate the book now that we're here." ========= Fort 40
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+10=13 ; Tuesday December 5th, 2023 11:05:33 PM
Fort 13
Armalad says, "Oh what a terrific smell you have discovered."
She feels nauseated and asks for one of those things that the guildmembers gave them to deal with the smell.
Terrific Smell (DM MikeK) d20+3=18 ; Wednesday December 6th, 2023 10:08:19 AM
Armalad isn’t doing well. Armalad gains Sickened condition - –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Without pause, Delia scrambles up the nearest tall pile of garbage she can find. Bartomus has no trouble finding rats, as they scatter out of the ranger’s path as she ascends.
At the top, Delia calls back a report. The Trash Bin is about 800’ square and 40’ high. It is more of the same - piles of trash and refuse threaded through with small trails. She sees neither carrion crawlers nor a gelatinous cube in her proximity. With all the hills of trash, there’s still a lot of space hidden from her line of sight.
Stock asks about finding the tome.
Thus far, no one has seen anything bigger than your average well fed rat.
Zanderallen points out Pip is supposed to help in that regard.
He turns to the halfling. Pip’s face is wrapped in one of the scarves the dwarf had offered earlier. Whether or not the item is helping, the librarian is enduring the odor as well as can be expected.
“The range of my scroll is about five hundred feet,” he answers the paladin. “If Mistress Delia is correct regarding the dimensions of the bin, and I have no doubts, I suggest we move more to the center of the bin prior to casting the spell, so as to ensure the item is within range.”
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=31 ; Wednesday December 6th, 2023 12:16:21 PM "Got it Pip," Bartomus replied to the librarian. "How long does it take to cast, just so we know how to prepare."
He looked about and continued to watch the rats, but couldn't help but notice Armalad's greenish hue. He gave a sympathetic nod and grimace.
As he carefully walked forward some twenty (20') feet, he tried reaching reaching out to the rats he saw and made it clear they were looking for a very large book.
Perception 31 Wild empathy-looking for big book, help?
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+23=35 ; Wednesday December 6th, 2023 12:36:06 PM
Delia tries to discern the quickest trail through the trash to get to the center before descending her hill.
Upon seeing Armalad's complexion, she'll pull out her Bottle of Air and hand it over, "Might be too late, but clean air might help a bit."
Survival for most efficient path to the center: 35
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Wednesday December 6th, 2023 3:09:31 PM "Alrighty, let's move quick then. The less of this stink gets in our gear the better. Remember Pip, stay close, you look about the right size for a carrion crawler snack." Zanderallen takes a position right next to Pip, in arm's reach in case the halfling makes a dash for something or something makes a dash for the halfling.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+25=28 ; d20+25=34 ; Wednesday December 6th, 2023 4:47:33 PM
Stohp will stay next to Pip as they advance, readying an action to grapple anything that might pop up and attack him (or herself for that matter, 28 to grapple)
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used d20+27=31 ; Wednesday December 6th, 2023 5:26:03 PM
Stock merely raises an eyebrow at Zanderallen. He just shrugs away the smell and keeps looking.
==== Perception 31
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+19=38 ; Wednesday December 6th, 2023 11:48:56 PM
Armalad attempts to switch to the bottle of air. She takes a look around (Perception: 38)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+9=22 ; Thursday December 7th, 2023 1:59:20 PM
Hawky, now with Delia since the Shields are no longer underwater, also remains unbothered by the smell.
"Hawky can fly over this whole place in a few minutes, but the crawlers will probably see him and know we're about. He can also more hover above so we have early warning of beasties." They shift into a 'ready to launch' position, Hawky impatient to be in what passes for skies here and do his thing.
============ Hawky Fort: 22
Who wants a snack? (DM MikeK) Thursday December 7th, 2023 4:34:13 PM
Bart asks Pip how long it will take to cast the spell from the scroll. “Just a few seconds,” is the reply.
Armalad gets a Bottle of Air from Delia and breathes in some unscented air. She feels much better. Armalad is no longer Sickened.
Delia spots a reasonable looking path toward the middle of the Bin.
She leads the way, with Hawky ready to launch. Zanderallen and Stohp stick close to Pip, who does not seem eager to strike out on his own anyway.
With the group’s intent to move quickly, Bartomus doesn’t really have time to try and influence the rats’ attitude. The druid is aware that even if he did have time, Wild Empathy does not grant the ability to communicate, just change attitudes.
Delia leads the party around various trash piles, always meandering toward the center. Nearly there, she rounds a larger pile and finds the path she was following ends at an intersection with a much larger one.
This new path is about 10’ wide and trash free, all the way down to the shiny metal floor of the bin. Delia can tell following the path to the left will lead closer to the center.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=4 ; Thursday December 7th, 2023 7:16:11 PM
Stohp is suspicious of the clear trail. It makes her think of a game trail in a forest. Such paths are cleared by animals crossing them regularly, and they knew some dangerous ones are in here. "Any trail here might have been made by the crawlers we were warned of. We have to deal with them regardless so let's use it, but keep alert." (perception 25)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday December 7th, 2023 7:16:32 PM
(oh and she'll keep that prepared action from last post)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=34 ; Thursday December 7th, 2023 10:27:39 PM "So does this Fred by any chance clean things up?" Bartomus asked looking at the shiny floor. He looked over at Stohp as he asked his question. He glanced about and looked for any additional sign in the direction of the path to the left. He looked up to the roof as well.
[I]Perception 34]/i]
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+21=30 ; Friday December 8th, 2023 1:34:08 AM
Armalad keeps an eye out for any surprises as they navigate the trash container. (Perception: 30)
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Friday December 8th, 2023 9:33:18 AM "Bart - I think you have the right of it this time. This feels like the work of the resident Cube."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+31=49 ; Friday December 8th, 2023 2:29:45 PM
Delia nods to Stock and Bart, "Seems the right size for the average cube."
She'll examine the ground for a slime trail or anything that might indicate recent passage of Frank.
==================== Survival 49 (with +8 for tracking)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Friday December 8th, 2023 6:58:44 PM "How fast do cubes move? Anybody know?"
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday December 10th, 2023 7:44:33 PM
Armalad asks, "What shape do you think is the fastest? a cube, cone, spheroid?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Monday December 11th, 2023 9:26:59 AM
Stock nods to Zanderallen and says "Well, I've never seen one but it is a cube with no legs. So pretty slow I'd guess."
He hangs back and watches Delia do her thing.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 Monday December 11th, 2023 11:05:00 AM
Delia looks up from the ground for a second, "Not fast. We could probably outwalk him if we needed to."
==================== Survival 49 (with +8 for tracking) to determine how long it's been since Frank's passage
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Monday December 11th, 2023 3:12:47 PM
Zander nods at Delia's answer. "That's re-assuring. I'd prefer not to become anything's lunch."
Shhhhh. Frank tracks. (DM MikeK) Monday December 11th, 2023 5:16:49 PM
A discussion ensues regarding this new trail. The consensus is it was likely left by the gelatinous cube the dwarf guild member had named Frank.
Delia inspects closer and does find telltale signs of an ooze. She also determines the creature was traveling right to left, meaning its direction of travel is toward the center of the Trash Bin.
Further discussion brings a reasonable certainty that cubes move fairly slow.
No one sees the cube or any carrion crawlers or anything else.
Will the Shields follow Frank’s path or do something else?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday December 11th, 2023 8:03:16 PM
Stohp considers. "Let's not follow the trail. We wouldn't want to walk into Fred by accident. We can make our way more directly or off to the side."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday December 11th, 2023 9:12:09 PM
Armalad says, "I agree, let's give Frank a wide berth if we can. Otherwise we may accidentally find ourselves fighting him and I'd rather not"
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Tuesday December 12th, 2023 9:05:34 AM
Stock nods his agreement to the rest of the party, and makes his way towards the front of the line. [b]”We want the approximate center right? PiP do you have your spell ready?”[b]
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+13=17 ; d20+16=23 ; Tuesday December 12th, 2023 1:49:36 PM
Delia stands up from her ooze examination, wiping her gloves off. She'll send Hawky up for a quick look to see if Frank is between the Shields and the center of the Bin.
He shoots up, does one small loop, then returns. He'll give a pre-deteremined signal for each thing he sees or doesn't see.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Tuesday December 12th, 2023 5:32:54 PM "Don't walk into the digestive cube sounds like a great plan. Let's go that way." Zanderallen joins the others on the non-oozed trail.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=27 ; Tuesday December 12th, 2023 9:30:18 PM
Bartomus headed further into the trash bin along the trail that they assumed that the cube was making. He held his glave at the ready.
forward 30' Perception 27
Not walking into digestive cube (DM MikeK) Tuesday December 12th, 2023 9:59:42 PM
The Shields decide to avoid Frank. Hawky takes a quick flight, and lets out a screech indicating he’s spotted something just off to the right.
The party decides to take a different route. Delia leads the way over another trash pile. It’s dirty and smelly, but honestly, the party has seen worse.
Before long, Delia announces they are near the center.
Pip dutifully pulls out a scroll and casts a spell. “That way,” he announces, pointing out a direction of travel. Fortunately, the direction is away from where Hawky found Frank.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday December 13th, 2023 12:18:05 AM
Armalad says, "This is great. We'll get the tome, off the crawlers if we can find them and then the guild folks and their cube can be left in peace."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday December 13th, 2023 6:41:56 AM
Stohp is glad nothing has gone wrong yet. Still time for it though.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Wednesday December 13th, 2023 9:53:55 AM
Stock takes out his flail and tests out its electric charge on some of the trash along the floor. When the others look at him questioningly he just shrugs, "I just want to be ready. And you knew I wasn't going to just use my fists."
He spots down Pip's arm at their target and leads the way.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+29=47 ; d20+13=14 ; Wednesday December 13th, 2023 11:51:20 AM
Delia gives Hawky a scrap of jerky when he returns for being such a good boy. She keeps her eyes and ears open as they follow Pip's guidance, Hawky does the same from her shoulder, but he is very distracted by his snack.
Perception: 47 (51 v aberrations) Hawky Perception: 14 (18 v aberrations)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Wednesday December 13th, 2023 3:59:53 PM "Good work Pip, let's go get that book.", Zanderallen falls into line right behind Pip, ready to protect the halfling in the event of trouble.
Following Pip (DM MikeK) Wednesday December 13th, 2023 7:55:57 PM
Stock takes out his flail and tests out its electric charge on some of the trash along the floor. The dwarf is expecting trouble.
His comrades are far too experienced not to plan for it, either. Zanderallen and Stohp stick close to Pip.
Delia is completely focused on the terrain before her.
Really, only Hawky is distracted from the task at hand. Delia’s treats keep her engaged.
The group tromps up one side of a trash heap and down the other, and repeats the process several times.
Delia stops the group just as Pip declares, “it should be in that next pile ahead.”
The ranger points out a kind of cave carved out of the left side of the trash heap. Several creatures can be seen moving around, into, and out of it. Each has a long, sinuous body covered in mottled green and brown flesh. With six writhing, segmented legs, they move with a disturbing grace through the filth and decay of the trash pile. Countless tentacles writhe and reach out, ending in sharp, paralyzing fangs.
The Shields make out no more than three of the creatures at any one time.
They are about 120’ away.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday December 13th, 2023 11:57:38 PM
Armalad asks, "If I can hit one with a spell imbued arrow if they all in a line or within a certain radius I might be able to hit all of them."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+29=30 ; Thursday December 14th, 2023 4:18:45 AM "Looks like it's occupied. Lets engage at range, with luck we can take out several before they even reach us." Stohp says. She places herself between the casters/archers and the enemy to prepare a trip to any enemy that moves into her reach (nat 1, automiss)
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used Thursday December 14th, 2023 9:02:38 AM
Stock looks back at Delia and Armalad and says, ”You may fire when ready.” he puts himself in position to intercept any beasts and grabs a javelin from his pack.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+29=49 ; d20+29=44 ; 2d8+46=54 ; d8+23=30 ; d6=4 ; 2d10=18 ; Thursday December 14th, 2023 3:48:25 PM
Delia nods to Armalad, taking up position behind their front line and making sure Pip is even further behind the front line, "Firing on your signal of blowing them up."
She takes the opportunity of a surprise attack to get sure footing, settles into her stance, then readies an arrow to fire at the first one to exit the cave post spell explosion.
=============== (-1 range penalty I forgot to plug into the die roller, +4 to hit & damage v. aberrations) Readied Attack: 48 potential crit, 43 to confirm Damage: 106 (84 piercing and 22 cold)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday December 14th, 2023 6:19:20 PM "Folks," Bartomus starts to say say then turns to Pip. "Pip, is the book in cage? Cause I don't want to light that up with flames before we get the book. Otherwise, I gotta get a lot closer with the trustee Sling."
Bartomus then moved up behind Stohp and the others of the junk lot front lines!
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Thursday December 14th, 2023 7:55:33 PM "Watch the flanks, these crawlers don't seem slowed by the trash." Zanderallen tightens his shield strap as he moves adjacent to Stock on intercept duty.
Engage at range? (DM MikeK) Thursday December 14th, 2023 8:12:08 PM
Armalad offers to launch an imbued arrow to affect them when lined up or maybe an area spell. The trash hill, the cave, and the constant movement of the creatures makes that shot difficult. Armalad is quite sure she can catch two in a line now. Waiting for three or more to line up may take a while, and the Shields are not all that inconspicuous on this pile. She’s no idea how many she can catch with an area of effect spell, but any centered blast would certainly effect the cave. Pip shakes his head at Bart’s question. “It’s just the tome,” he replies. “Fire, water, pretty much everything would damage it.”
Stock and Stohp like the plan of a ranged attack.
Delia draws bow and waits for Armalad.
Zanderallen points out the crawlers are moving easily over the trash. He gets ready beside Stock.
The group figures they’ve got very little time before they’re spotted.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+22=26 ; d8=1 ; d6=5 ; d8=7 ; d6=1 ; 10d6=32 ; Thursday December 14th, 2023 8:37:19 PM
Armalad fires an Lightning Bolt imbued manyshotted arrow at the nearest she can catch a second in a line.
26 vs AC; 5 + 5 electricity and 11 + 1 electricity and 32 electric damage DC 19 for half and secondary target 32 electric damage DC 19 for half
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday December 15th, 2023 8:19:48 AM
Stohp waits for the enemy charge, tense and ready to act.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used d20+18=33 ; d6+6=8 ; Friday December 15th, 2023 10:17:32 AM
Stock chucks the javelin at the nearest injured beast. "Been a while since I have thrown one of those...reminds me of the target practice I did in the Crying Woods that one time..."
He then sets his feet, flail out ahead of him to receive the beast charge.
========= Hit AC 33, 8 damage
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Friday December 15th, 2023 11:19:28 AM
Zanderallen raises his sword and calls for Domi's power, the blade glows and then hums as it starts vibrating almost faster than the eye can perceive. He gives it a few experimental swings to switch his reflexes to the faster speed the blade now moves at. He grins as he awaits the creatures, eyes scanning for their approach. ============== Divine Bond - Adding Speed and Flaming Burst to Longsword - 16 minutes
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+26=40 ; d20+26=34 ; d20+21=39 ; d20+16=27 ; d20+11=25 ; d8+23=26 ; d6=6 ; d8+23=28 ; d6=2 ; d8+23=26 ; d6=4 ; d8+23=28 ; d6=6 ; d8+23=27 ; d6=4 ; d8+23=26 ; d6=6 ; Friday December 15th, 2023 11:36:09 AM
The hair on Delia's arms stands on end as the lightning arrow forms next to her and rips off towards their targets. She fires at the nearest one. Her years of hunting creatures like this paying off, as her arrow finds a weak point. She fires 6 more arrows off in quick succession.
====================================== Readied Attack: 48 potential crit, 43 to confirm Damage: 106 (84 piercing and 22 cold) ====================================== -1 range, +4 v. aberrations 40 to hit; 62 damage (32 damage (26 piercing, 6 cold) + 30 damage (28 piercing, 2 cold)) 34 to hit; 30 damage (26 piercing, 4 cold) 39 to hit; 34 damage (28 piercing, 6 cold) 27 to hit; 31 damage (27 piercing, 4 cold) 25 to hit; 32 damage (26 piercing, 6 cold)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday December 15th, 2023 10:13:11 PM
Bartomus watched the javelin and then the arrows fly. He tapped his glave softly on the floor and then waited to see if the nasty creatures came towards them.
"She can sure send out a barrage of those, can't she?"
Carrion Crawler Battle! - rd 1 (DM MikeK) Saturday December 16th, 2023 3:03:55 PM
Aramalad fires her imbued arrow. On cue, Delia rips off six arrows of her own. And Stock chucks a javelin.
Bartomus, Stohp, Zanderallen get ready for a response.
These do not appear to be your grandfather’s carrion crawlers.
The closest one flinches away from Armalad’s shot. It impacts harmlessly into the trash pile.
Four of Delia’s arrows hit true. And it takes every one of them to finally drop the crawler.
120’ is a hefty throw for a javelin. Stock gets close, but his target moves away in time and he misses.
The crawlers pop out of the cave and over the trash heap. There are now four of them and they barrel toward the Shields on line, covering two-thirds the distance.
Pip lets out an ‘eep’ and backs away and step or two.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday December 17th, 2023 8:46:10 PM
Armalad casts Fly and takes to the air.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 6d6=21 ; Sunday December 17th, 2023 9:06:12 PM
Bartomus cast a spell and yells, "Shields, hold the line!"
Casting Sunburst at C10 - all four would receive damage of 21 and be blinded. Reflex save against 23, I believe, to save half of 21 and avoid being blinded. If the carrion crawlers are such that sunlight is harmful or unnatural, the damage is double. I also think this might remove molds, fungi, and such.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=13 ; d20=8 ; Sunday December 17th, 2023 9:50:32 PM
Stohp is ready to trip the first enemy to enter her reach (40). If she gets an AoO she’ll trip as well (35)
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used d20+20=38 ; d6+8=14 ; d20+11=24 ; d20+1=6 ; d20+1=15 ; d20+4=6 ; Monday December 18th, 2023 9:20:03 AM "Hold here Zanderallen. Let them come to us."
Stock pulls out his 'special' javelin and throws it.
========== Move - draw Javelin+2 Standard - Throw Thrown Javelin+2 vs Bug #2 hits AC 38, 14 damage Knowledge check to identify any weaknesses; not sure what to roll so I'll throw a few different - Nature 24 Dungeoneering 6 Arcana 15 Local 6 [/i]
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+27=43 ; d20+27=35 ; d20+22=25 ; d20+17=26 ; d20+12=31 ; d20+12=13 ; d8+23=25 ; d8+23=27 ; d8+23=24 ; d8+23=25 ; d8+23=24 ; d6=5 ; d6=5 ; d6=2 ; d6=2 ; Monday December 18th, 2023 12:15:47 PM
Hawky takes to the "sky", shrieking a battle cry. As Delia switches targets, she calls back to Pip, "Don't go far. They won't get past us." If she knows anything helpful about how to better kill or not kill carrion crawlers, she will share that information.
================ Hawky move to K10, 40 ft up in the air Full attack at 2: 43 to hit; 62 damage (25+5 + 27+5) 35 to hit; 26 damage (24+2) 25 to miss; 26 to miss; 31 to hit (crit not confirmed); 27 damage (25+2)
(ignore extra d8 roll)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 d20+23=27 ; Monday December 18th, 2023 1:56:10 PM
Zanderallen has to fight the urge to rush forward, helped by Stock's warning. He risks a quick glance behind at Pip and bellows out an order, "PIP! Get your behind next to Delia. Next to us is safest." He has no time to verify his order is followed as the carrion crawler closes with extraordinary speed. He readies his stance and blade to receive the charge of the beast in front of him. ============================== Divine Bond: Flaming Burst, Speed
Readied Attack 27 misses
Carrion Crawler Battle! - rd 2 (DM MikeK) d20+14=34 ; d20+14=33 ; d20+14=21 ; d20+14=17 ; d20+26=38 ; 2d8+12=24 ; Monday December 18th, 2023 8:00:13 PM
Armalad casts fly and ascends 30’ into the air.
Bartomus casts a spell, causing a globe of searing radiance to silently explode among the crawlers. Crawlers 4 and 5 hesitate.
Stock heaves his special javelin, scoring a hit.
Hawky takes to the "sky", shrieking a battle cry.
Delia calls for Pip to stay close. She fires another deadly swarm of arrows.
Zanderallen orders Pip to stay close to Delia. Pip lets out another “eep” in response. The halfling hastens to obey.
Stock and Delia try to recall any special weaknesses. They can’t think of any. On the plus side, they can’t think of any special defenses possessed by the bugs either.
But, again, these bugs appear to be different than the more familiar variety.
Crawler 2 charges in. One of its many tooth filled appendages takes a bite out of Bart. The druid can feel poison coursing into his body. Bart takes 24 hp damage, plus DC 26 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds. Creatures immune to poison are still susceptible to this effect.
Crawler 3 steps forward. Everyone but Aramalad feels an intense pressure in their head. All PCs but Armalad Will Saves DC23. Failure results in Stunned for d4 rounds
1 - Dead 2 - 130 hp damage 3 - 1 hp damage 4 - 11 hp damage. Blind 5 - 11 hp damage. Blind
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+17=32 ; d20+17=20 ; d20+17=33 ; d20+12=14 ; Monday December 18th, 2023 9:31:26 PM
Bartomus felt the slashing bite and the poison that followed. Plus, something that tried to push into his mind. He shrugged off the poison and its effect and hesitated for a moment when the pressure in his head grew. But, a slow shake of his head and that passed. When he swung his glave, however, he failed to connect to the biting thing that was healing itself in front of him.
Fortitude Will save of 32 v. 26 - Passed; Will save 20 v. 24 - failed; Use of a Hero Point to reroll - 33 v. 24 Passed. Swing and miss with a 14 against AC 29
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+22=38 ; d20+17=31 ; d20+12=21 ; d8=7 ; d8=4 ; d6=3 ; d6=3 ; d8=2 ; d6=2 ; 10d6=44 ; d8=6 ; d6=6 ; Tuesday December 19th, 2023 1:48:55 AM
Armalad makes a full attack against the nearest crawler imbuing her first arrow with another lightning bolt
first arrow - 38 vs AC multishot (1d8 + 1d6 lightning + 4) (1d8 + 1d6 lightning + 4) 11 + 4 electric + 7 + 3 electric + 10d6 lightning reflex - 44 lightning + DC 19 reflex for half and nearest other crawler in straight line has the reflex as well second arrow - 31 vs AC (1d8 + 1d6 + 4) 10 + 6 electric third arrow - miss
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=12 ; d4=4 ; Tuesday December 19th, 2023 7:33:24 AM
Stohp clutches her head as the sound disorients and confuses her (22 will, 4 rounds stunned)
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 29/26/16; DR 4/-; CMD: 38; Rage: 0/41 used d20+12=16 ; d4=1 ; Tuesday December 19th, 2023 8:42:43 AM
Stock is about to yell a battle cry when he feels a foreign entity burrow into his conscious mind. He stops mid bellow and falls silent.
————— Will save 16, stunned 1 round
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 200/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 d20+21=23 ; d20+23=30 ; d8+21=23 ; d6=5 ; Tuesday December 19th, 2023 2:31:32 PM
Zander staggers slightly as the pressure builds in his head. He grits his teeth and roars in defiance as he pushes through the feeling. He glances to his left and right and sees the frozen stance of his companions. He accepts that observation grimly as he takes a few steps forward banging his sword on his shield to try and draw the beasts to himself rather than his paralyzed companions. He is ready to gut the first crawler that tries him. ================== Divine Bond: Flaming Burst Speed
Move to L11
Ready action attack 30 hits, 23 damage plus 5 fire
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+15=17 ; d20+15=31 ; d20+28=31 ; d20+28=36 ; d20+23=42 ; d20+23=39 ; d20+18=35 ; d20+13=26 ; d8+24=26 ; d6=2 ; d8+24=31 ; d6=5 ; d8+24=32 ; d6=6 ; d8+24=31 ; d6=1 ; 2d8+48=64 ; 2d10=8 ; d8+24=25 ; d6=6 ; d20+16=23 ; Tuesday December 19th, 2023 5:17:55 PM
Darkness edges into Delia's vision as the foreign pressure builds. She closes her eyes before snapping them open again. These things are her prey, not the other way around.
She whistles and Hawky dive bombs the third crawler before returning to the sky.
====================== Will save (hero point reroll): 31 vs DC 23
Full round attack; point blank +1, v. aberrations +4; at Crawler 2, then 3 31 to hit; 64 damage (28 damage & 36 damage) 36 to hit; 38 damage 42 to hit, 39 to crit; 104 damage (31+1+crit 64+8) 35 to hit; 31 damage 26 to miss
Hawky spring attack: 23 to miss 3
Carrion Crawler Battle! - rd 3 (DM MikeK) d20+14=20 ; d20+14=20 ; d20+26=41 ; d20+26=32 ; 2d8+12=21 ; 2d8+12=17 ; Tuesday December 19th, 2023 7:19:03 PM
Bartomus shakes off both the mind effect and the poisoning. However, the combination does slow him down just enough that he misses with his glaive.
Armalad fires an arrow into Crawler 2. A lightning bolt sizzles across toward Crawler 3. Both crawlers avoid a full blast
Stohp and Stock are stunned by the crawlers’ unexpected attack.
Zanderallen observes the attack’s effect grimly. He steps forward, pounding on his shield to attract attention.
Delia keeps firing arrows, as Hawky tries a flyby attack. Her first arrow finishes off Crawler 2. The next three finish off Crawler 3.
Whether it’s the shield pounding or his movement, Zanderallen succeeds in drawing the attention of the two remaining, blind crawlers. Despite their blindness, they advance on his position rapidly. The attack at the edge of their range, which nullifies the paladin’s AoO.
Both hit, though the paladin’s immunity to poison prevents any paralyzation. [b]Zanderallen[b] takes 21 and 17, for a total of 38 hp damage.
1 - Dead 2 - Dead 3 - Dead 4 - 1 hp damage. Blind (AC 21) 5 - 1 hp damage. Blind (AC 21)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+22=38 ; d20+17=35 ; d20+12=21 ; 10d6=37 ; d8=4 ; d6=1 ; d8=4 ; d6=2 ; d8=1 ; d6=5 ; Tuesday December 19th, 2023 9:39:44 PM
Armalad makes another attack with the lightning imbued arrows going from the closest remaining to the other remaining.
38 vs AC; (8 + 1 electric) (8+ 2 electric) + 37electric DC 19 reflex for half and other crawler in straight line has the reflex as well 35 vs AC; (5 + 5 electric) 21 vs AC; miss
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 106/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=32 ; 2d8+2=11 ; Tuesday December 19th, 2023 11:19:46 PM
Bartomus smiled at Armalad. Then he moved to the side of the blinded crawler (i/J 8) and with the reach of the glave attacked the creature.
He hit with a vital strike at the beast adding to whatever incoming Armalad had done to the thing.
Move to I/J 8 and hit with a 32 v 29 AC for 2xs regular damage - so 22 points.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday December 20th, 2023 7:45:45 AM
Stunned. It's what's for dinner.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used d20+23=33 ; d10+30=35 ; d6=2 ; Wednesday December 20th, 2023 9:10:53 AM RAGING
Stock shakes away the cobwebs in his head and RAGE! growls at the beasties. He moves between them to make sure he can get a few good hits in.
====== Move to K12, Power Attack vs 4 of 5 if 4's dead PA hits AC33, 35 damage + 2 electricity
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday December 20th, 2023 10:55:14 PM
Time slows down for Armalad as she waits to see the results of her most recent arrows.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday December 21st, 2023 7:29:48 AM
By which of course I mean it's the stunned Stohp that'd dinner for the crawlers.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 162/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 d20+23=26 ; d20+18=37 ; d20+22=26 ; d20+13=28 ; d20+8=10 ; d20+23=40 ; d20+27=31 ; d8+21=25 ; d6=5 ; 2d8+42=51 ; d6=5 ; d10=10 ; d8+21=24 ; d6=5 ; 2d8+42=52 ; d6=4 ; d10=7 ; Thursday December 21st, 2023 9:52:12 AM
Zanderallen grunts as the creatures try to make him dinner. He steps forward quickly and strikes fast and true. =============== Divine Bond: Speed, Flaming Burst
5ft step to K11
Full Attack Crawler 4 26 hits, 25 damage plus 5 fire 37 potential crit, 26 confirms, 51 damage plus 15 fire 28 hits, 24 damage plus 5 fire 10 misses, 40 potential crit, 31 confirms, 52 damage plus 11 fire
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+28=30 ; d20+28=47 ; d20+28=35 ; d20+23=40 ; d20+18=29 ; d20+13=14 ; d8+24=28 ; d6=1 ; d8+24=31 ; d6=2 ; d8+24=29 ; d8+24=27 ; d8+24=27 ; d6=2 ; d10=9 ; d10=7 ; d8+24=28 ; d6=2 ; d8+24=32 ; d6=1 ; d20+16=20 ; Thursday December 21st, 2023 10:57:34 AM
Delia steps forward to make sure both her targets are within murdering range and unleashes another storm of arrows on their foes.
If any are still alive, Hawky swoops for a second try, but misses even the blinded aberration.
30 to hit; 62 damage (28+1 + 31+2) 47 potential crit, 35 confirms; 101 damage (29+27+27+2+9+7) 40 to hit; 30 damage (28+2) 29 to hit; 33 damage (32+1) 14 miss
Hawky 20 to miss
Bunch of dead carrion crawlers (DM MikeK) d20+11=26 ; d20+11=14 ; Thursday December 21st, 2023 4:30:52 PM
Armalad, Bartomus, Stock and Zanderallen combine to bring down Crawler 4.
Delia brings down Crawler 5 on her own.
Nothing breaks the ensuing silence for several moments.
From behind Delia comes a small voice. "Wow," breathes Pip, after witnessing the Shields at work.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 2d8+2=9 ; Thursday December 21st, 2023 10:06:23 PM "Let's go get that book before any others come about," Bartomus said with a bit of worry in his voice. He hadn't processed the fact that he had gotten bit, in spite of the adamaite armor spell he had cast before entering the pit. Bartomus fished out a potion and swallowed the contents of the vial, but it didn't have much of a kick. He tossed the empty vial towards one of the pits and started off in the direction that Pip had originally pointed towards when Bartomus had asked about using fire.
Realized I hadn't deducted the damage at the start of the fight, did so and added the CMW potion result
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+21=38 ; Thursday December 21st, 2023 11:56:27 PM
Armalad says to Pip, "You should have seen us fight the Druid we captured and her companions. It was really something else."
With the Crawlers dispatched she takes a look around for the tome if she sees it. (Perception: 38)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 162/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Friday December 22nd, 2023 12:11:38 PM
Zanderallen cleans his blade and looks around, "Well that was unpleasant. Pip, what's the bearing on the tome?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 120/120; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 Friday December 22nd, 2023 12:12:27 PM
Delia shrugs at Pip's wonder, "We have our skills. But if someone asked me to study a old, dusty book to learn how to stop an ancient, evil, whatever-Karkasan-is, I'd go crazy in 3 minutes. Your locate spell still up?" She ushers him forward to help find the tome and reclaims her arrows. She also double checks that the Crawlers are dead-dead since they were regenerating while alive.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=6 ; Friday December 22nd, 2023 5:57:48 PM
'"Well if there are more we should probably deal with them since we said we would." Stohp points out. She'll keep her eyes and ears peeled for more.(27 perception)
Tome Recovery (DM MikeK) Saturday January 6th, 2024 3:14:44 PM
The Silver Shields have disposed of the carrion crawlers in Trash Bin 7.
Pip, the WLA librarian who is responsible for everyone being down here in the first place, gawks at Armalad’s comment about an even more impressive finds, ducks his head in thanks at Stock and Delia’s encouragement regarding his own skills, and nods decisively at Zanderallen’s question.
“My spell is up. I believe the tome is in the cave.”
The party dutifully makes its way to the trash cave. It’s exactly as one would imagine an area hollowed out of a hill of trash would look, and smell. Nothing else appears to threaten the group.
They soon locate the missing tome, thankfully still intact and none the worse for wear. In addition to the book lost by Pip, two additional manuals are also in the cave.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+21=34 ; d20+26=35 ; Sunday January 7th, 2024 7:46:43 PM
Armalad takes a look at the other 2 manuals they discovered.
(Perception: 34 (Linguistics: 35
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=6 ; Monday January 8th, 2024 5:27:08 AM
Stohp will do a quick circuit around the little cave and try to double check that they got all the crawlers. It'd be a shame to report the job done only for a dozen larva they missed to grow up and eat one of the trashmen. (27 perception)
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Monday January 8th, 2024 9:55:38 AM "Armalad - would it be possible for you to study those in a place with a better smell? Come on Shields. Lets head back."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 162/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Monday January 8th, 2024 12:38:20 PM
Zanderallen stands watch outside the cave after the interior is determined to be free of danger. "Let's not spend too long here. I don't know if gelatinous cubes can smell blood but something tells me Fred, or Frank, or whatever they named it will be by here soon to clean up. I'd rather not become supper."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 d20+30=44 ; Monday January 8th, 2024 1:18:29 PM
Delia join Stohp in another quick check of the cave to make sure there are no more shinies or threats, but is also quite ready to leave Trash Bin 7 and not have a run in with Frank.
Perception 44
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=18 ; d20+4=23 ; Monday January 8th, 2024 4:08:17 PM
Bartomus made an attempt to see if there might be any other things of interest and then looked over Armalad's shoulder at the other two tomes found in the cave area.
"Anyone else think it is a bit odd that three books were in the cave?" Bartomus just had to ask what was crossing his mind. He followed the others back towards the main door.
Perception 18; Appraise 23
Tome Recovered (DM MikeK) Monday January 8th, 2024 6:20:52 PM
Armalad picks up the other two manuals and gives them the once over. She doesn’t have much time as Stock and Zanderallen are especially keen on moving on to a less aromatic locale.
Fortunately, she makes them out quickly. Both are magic items designed to enhance one’s attributes!
Manual of Quickness of Action +1 Tome of Understanding +1
While Stohp, Delia, and Hawky engage in a brief search for more crawlers, or any other dangers, Bartomus wonders aloud about the oddity of only books existing in the cave. The answer may never be discovered.
No further creatures are found.
The Shields make their way back to the Bin’s office, avoiding any places that might contain a Frank.
Stock and Zanderallen work the keys and soon enough the party is once again assembled in the small office along with the veteran dwarf and the young elf.
“How did it go?” the dwarf asks.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday January 8th, 2024 10:15:19 PM
Armalad says, "We killed the Carrion Crawlers, secured our missing tome and these other two magic books."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday January 9th, 2024 12:04:58 AM "No sign of your friend Frank though," Bartomus added to Armalad's answer. "Thanks for accommodating our request."
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Tuesday January 9th, 2024 9:24:06 AM
[b]”I wouldn’t say there was NO sign. I mean there was that cleared path that looked like it could have been Frank’s handiwork. But in truth I am glad to be out of the trash heap.
Pip- this is the book, right?”[b]
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday January 9th, 2024 9:34:19 AM "Well, signs of him but we avoided him after we found his trail." Stohp muses.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 162/200 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Tuesday January 9th, 2024 11:28:47 AM
Zanderallen hands back the key, "Pest control complete. We checked out their lair as well and no signs of more of the creatures. Should be just Frank until somebody drops something new down a chute."
His eyes widen as Armalad explains what the other tomes are, "Those are quite something. Looks like there's some reading to be down. But first, Pip let's see what this tome has to offer about our present situation."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 Tuesday January 9th, 2024 4:55:49 PM
Delia gives the dwarf a respectful nod, vaguely including the elf as well, "Five carrion crawlers killed and all Shields and Frank accounted for should mean no more paperwork for you. As far as this particular situation goes."
Reward (DM MikeK) Tuesday January 9th, 2024 7:01:41 PM
The Shields report to the dwarf that the carrion crawlers are slain, Frank is still lurking about, and the team was successful with their own personal mission.
The dwarf smiles broadly. He signs a piece of paper that was already sitting on his desk and presents it to Stock with a flourish. “Our chit for 5000 gold pieces”, he declares. “Redeemable at the Guild Office, the Treasury, or the Giggling Ghost.”
With that, he tips back in his chair, hands folded behind his head. “Told ya,” he tells the elf. “Silver Shields. No problem.”
Zanderallen asks Pip about the contents of the lost tome relative to the team’s present situation.
The halfling takes the book reverently. Turning to the paladin he asks, “perhaps we could bathe first?”
Depending on Zanderallen’s answer, there’s not much more to do here.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday January 9th, 2024 8:32:08 PM
Armalad says to Zanderallen, "I agree let's hit the baths but not take the tome into the tub. If it needs to be cleaned up I can use prestidigitation."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday January 10th, 2024 5:37:12 AM
Stohp is also agreeable to this notion. Everyone is probably filthy and they can perhaps discuss the book over one of their free meals at one of the taverns after they're fit for public.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Wednesday January 10th, 2024 11:28:02 AM
Zanderallen laughs as he realizes the wisdom of Armalad's and Stohp's advice regarding their stench, "We are quite a mess aren't we. Bath and food sound like excellent first steps. Then we can peruse the tome clean and on full bellies."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 Wednesday January 10th, 2024 1:09:03 PM
Delia shrugs; she's smelled worse. But a meal sounded like a great idea. She's ready to head out, clean up, get some food, and try not to let all the crazy lore about Karkasan go over her head.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday January 10th, 2024 3:44:05 PM "Here I thought that smell was just Stock," Bartomus said with snicker. "Pip, you and those tomes, especially the one I lent you are coming to Shields Headquarters so they don't go missing again. We can feed you, probably find something you can ware, and then work on what you might have been working on. Sound good?"
Bartomus followed the others out of the area and then added.
"Maybe we can ask one of the runners we have used before Stock to pick up for us food from Happy at the Ghost?"
Time for revels? (DM MikeK) Wednesday January 10th, 2024 5:36:03 PM
A bath sounds good to most, and food sounds good to everybody.
Appropriately, the Shields make their way back up to the Fence Level and Shield HQ.
Waiting for the group is a human teenager wearing Catacombs livery. “Package for Simpleshears, shars, shares. Something like that. Well, like, here’s your package.” He disappears with a BAMF.
The package is Stock’s Catacombs purchase.
Pip is relieved of the Karkasan tome right there. Bartomus would also like the rest of the items brought back as well. Pip reluctantly acquiesces to the request.
The group hits the baths and come out warm, clean, and mostly free of the stench of death.
Then, its to the Giggling Ghost.
The party gets about three steps into the door before Happy bellows, “Patrons of the Ghost! I give you … The Silver Shields!". The tavern erupts in ‘huzzahs’ and cheers and general happy yelling. Patrons crowd around. Drinks are pressed into the hands of everyone, even Pip, who does not turn them away.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday January 10th, 2024 9:04:39 PM
Armalad says, "We need to turn in the chit to get the rewards for beating the carrion crawlers." reminding the group as she takes her drink.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday January 10th, 2024 10:56:47 PM
Stohp is a little nonplused at the greeting - they eat here every day - but politely interacts with their fans for a bit before sitting down to eat.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Thursday January 11th, 2024 9:23:02 AM ”Stohp- just remember the price of fame. While you eat here every day and people recognize you and thank you every day…to any of these people you are still a sign of hope and justice and that person may never have seen YOU before. It’s a weird asymmetry that a lot of people forget about.
Despite his words though, Stock gruffly pushes past their fans and ends up ordering his usual glass of milk from Happy.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday January 11th, 2024 2:51:42 PM "Happy are you and that mead you got there is a sight for sore eyes, on and order something stiff for our friend Pip here. He had a day of it. Not recommended to lose something and have to go scrounging for it." Bartomus said with a big smile and patted Pip on the back.
He followed the others and waited for the most delicious, nearly ice cold honey mead in a taur sized tankard. He nodding towards Pip as Happy and his staff went about getting things for their party.
"Don't make his too stiff, we need his mind to be fairly clear when we are done. Armalad has the bill or a way to pay the bill. Right?" Bartomus looked about for their meal ticket. ;-)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 Thursday January 11th, 2024 2:59:45 PM
Delia somehow vanishes from the middle of the Shields and the press of patrons at the shouts. She sits herself down at the table and waits for the storm of attention to pass to order food and drink. (minimum stealth of 46 and hide in plain sight in urban terrain)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Thursday January 11th, 2024 4:16:46 PM
Zanderallen greets and shakes hands with the other patrons, happy to spread a little joy. He enjoys his food and drink heartily before pushing back his plate. "Alright, now back to the original order of business. What did you find in that tome about Karkasan?"
Pip's tale (DM MikeK) Thursday January 11th, 2024 9:17:03 PM
Zanderallen and Bartomus actively interact with the adoring crowd. Stohp does her shy best to do the same. Stock pushes through. Armalad reminds all about the chit. Delia manages to disappear and be waiting for the group at their table.
Happy takes the chit. “Trashmen now? A little bit of everything for the Shields, eh?” He doesn’t leave, or apparently talk to anyone. Yet, in a few moments, a staff member sidles up with a bag of gold. Inside is 5000 gp. Happy also waves off Bartomus’ talk of a bill. “Your gold is no good here,” he chuckles.
Pip is clean, fed, and has a pint in his hand, making him about as happy as he can be.
To Zanderallen’s question, he answers, “Much of it I’ve told:
The lich you defeated in It’lal believes Karkasan was responsible for the ancient war between the progenitors of the Lizard Fok and the earliest drow of It’lal. It also writes Karkasan was defeated and bound to the Crying Wood. Karkasan’s body was entombed in the Heart of the Wood, and his soul bound to the forest. Over time the evil of Karkasan warped the awareness of the Crying Wood to what it is now.
We also now know Karkasan can be freed. A certain spell with certain components cast over the entrapped body in the Heart of the Wood.
The components are Sarr’s Armor, Largon’s Dragon Crown, and the Scepter of the Dead.
The lich apparently planned to gather the components, reincorporate Karkasan’s soul into his body, and then kill him. And then make him a zombie servant. And then, well, this lich plans are quite a lengthy and imaginative list which I will not go into here.
There is a description of Largon’s Crown….an artifact in the shape of a crown with twin metalwrought dragons around the bottom edges.”
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday January 11th, 2024 10:16:33 PM
Armalad asks Pip, "Does it say what this dragon-crown artifact does or did? Or who this Largon was or what he was known for? Maybe if we knew any of that we'd know where to look for it?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday January 12th, 2024 6:55:23 AM
Stohp considers things. "If the descriptions are detailed enough we might be able to use magic to try to locate the remaining artifacts, if not us then one of our contacts in the Float. Finding them will lead us to our enemy, or at least let us deny them more tools to their ritual."
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Friday January 12th, 2024 8:36:36 AM ”Stohp- just remember the price of fame. While you eat here every day and people recognize you and thank you every day…to any of these people you are still a sign of hope and justice and that person may never have seen YOU before. It’s a weird asymmetry that a lot of people forget about.
Despite his words though, Stock gruffly pushes past their fans and ends up ordering his usual glass of milk from Happy.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 32/19/26; CMD 42 Friday January 12th, 2024 10:44:39 AM
Delia leans back, stretching out her legs and sipping her own pint. "Any mention of what caused the people who fought Karkasan before to bind him instead of destroy him? Defenses they weren't able to overcome? Something bad happens if he gets dead dead?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Friday January 12th, 2024 3:57:24 PM
Zanderallen listens to Pip, "So we know Stohp's armor is one of Sarr's Armor, but that other pieces are around. So they can get around that. Largon's Crown though. That sounds pretty unique. If we can secure it then we can stop the ritual, or control the ritual..." Zander drifts off as he thinks about this last piece of information. "So hear me out. We don't know why Karkasan was only imprisoned instead of destroyed but this lich seems to think it's possible to kill him. And we know Karkasan's bound soul is the source of much of the evil in this area, and will remain a danger as long as he exists. What if we hunted down these three artifacts and used them to destroy Karkasan?" He looks around at his companions, waiting for a response.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/123 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday January 12th, 2024 8:07:27 PM "Odd question, but any of remember how to contact that dragon-son we helped with the temple and all? Kinda feel he could be a source of info for us on a dragon crown?" Bartomus was thinking about their firmer adventures and the child or offspring that just had to Karkasan's.
He took a bite of one the pasties and a drink of his mead.
Discussions (DM MikeK) Saturday January 13th, 2024 3:56:22 PM
Pip relays what he knows. The Shields have questions.
To Armalad, the halfling makes a helpless gesture. “None of the documents I’ve reviewed contain more than a name and description of the Crown.”
Stohp wonders if the description is detailed enough for a locator spell to work. Pip doesn’t even bother answering that one. He’s not a wizard, after all.
To Delia, Pip is slightly more help. “The lich mentions in several places something along the lines of ‘now I’ve have the means to destroy him utterly.” This seems to indicate the powers at the time couldn’t kill Karkasan. Binding him was the best they could do.”
Zanderallen is thinking more strategically. Pip’s mouth drops open at the paladin’s thinking. “Uh,” replies the non-adventurer doubtfully, “what if he kills you?”
Bartomus heads outside the box again, wondering about the location of Malici, the half dragon they helped retrieve a magical medallion for and who then ended up king of a group of lizard folk. As far as the Shields know, he and the lizard folk founded a village a couple days upstream of the southern river.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday January 14th, 2024 11:28:46 PM
Armalad asks, "Do Lizardfolk normally keep records of dragon crowns?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday January 15th, 2024 9:39:36 AM "It would be great to be able to eliminate the malice of the woods, but it's a terrible risk to take. If we fail then it could be catastrophic."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Monday January 15th, 2024 11:03:46 AM
Delia shrugs at Pip, "Karkasan is killing other people now, even if his weakened state. Summoning him to kill him is a risk, but if we leave it alone, he's going to keep trying to get free with his minions. And, with whole Norella thing, he's already shown he is completely willing to domineer and kill innocents just to get his way. And our attention. And maybe also just for 'fun.' We at least have to do something about Karkasan and I'm all for ending the problem permanently."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/244 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Monday January 15th, 2024 2:57:47 PM "Malici, yea that's it. We might need to go see him. I mean we are taking about his daddy, I think." Bartomus offered with a nod of his head. "But, I gotta get a few of these aches and pains healed up first. "
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Monday January 15th, 2024 4:05:08 PM "I don't wish to under risk for no reason. I am fully aware of the consequences of failure. We first need to research how this lich thought he could kill Karkasan. If he had the means then I'd rather us find them and end this threat rather than wait to let Karkasan break free when there may be no one able to stop him."
Zander ponders for a moment, "We're going to need sources of old information. Any ideas? Drow city, archives, Overlord? Are their any rumors of Karkasan era ruins we could go seek out? Surely since the Crying Wood retreated their has to be something out there to find."
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Monday January 15th, 2024 6:11:08 PM "Besides Pip - don't worry about us. For the most part nobody has figured out a way to kill one of the Silver Shields. There was just that one time...but that ended ok anyway."
More discussions (DM MikeK) Monday January 15th, 2024 7:18:41 PM
Zanderallen's observation sparks more conversation as each of the Shields makes their own comment or asks one another questions.
Pip latches onto Stock's hint of a really good story, taking on an attentive expression.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday January 15th, 2024 8:45:40 PM
Armalad says, "I could check what records we have at the Star Mages guild on any of this. I'm not sure if they have anything on any of the topics we are looking into or not but it probably wouldn't hurt to look."
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Tuesday January 16th, 2024 8:53:42 AM ”Not much of a story really. We were underwater in this lake when Big Z got killed. Well it turns out that when you die, you’re better off being a hero of some renown in a troubled world where the Gods can control the powers of life and death. So we petitioned on Z’s behalf and before we knew it, we were back and Z was with us.”
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday January 16th, 2024 9:16:08 AM "Zander, I think the Drow delegation here didn't have much to offer when we last approached them about Karkasan. But, it could be worth asking them to contact their elders and scholars." Bartomus said. "I agree with Delia that this is a danger we do not want to have unleashed on the Float or the greater Wold. I am willing to head over to their delegation."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Tuesday January 16th, 2024 1:06:31 PM "Being armed with knowledge sounds great. Pip, the lich's book didn't mention anything about how to kill Karkasan just that it could be done?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday January 16th, 2024 3:08:01 PM We'll just have to keep doing what we are doing, keeping in touch with our contacts and see what happens. I'm sure the enemy will show up sooner or later, we'll just have to try to react quickly to minimize casualties since we have no way to track them down."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Tuesday January 16th, 2024 3:39:45 PM "Maybe they didn't know because we were asking the wrong questions. What we really need is ruins that pre-date the Float. Ancient places lost in the forest, relics from Karkasan's time. There has to be a way to find something." Zander takes a couple deep breathes and settles down. He realizes he's getting overly excited putting a name to this faceless evil they'd been fighting for so long.
Big Z (DM MikeK) Tuesday January 16th, 2024 5:34:05 PM
Armalad offers to go see if the Star Mages have any information, though she is pessimistic.
Stock is not a great story teller. He gives Pip the super condensed version of Zanderallen’s death. Pip was obviously hoping for more, but refrains from pressing.
Bartomus thinks another swing at the delegation from It’lal might be worth it.
Delia asks Pip another question. He shrugs helplessly again. “It wasn’t in the material I reviewed.”
Stohp and Zanderallen both feel continued pursuit of this subject will yield results. The group has stumbled across multiple ancient places both in the current Crying Wood and its older footprint. It is not unlikely more are out there.
Supper is done and the dishes are cleared away.
Happy swings by again. “Anyone for dessert? Got a raspberry pie you wish your mama could make.”
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+27=41 ; d20+11=20 ; d20+13=21 ; d20+11=25 ; d20+13=19 ; Tuesday January 16th, 2024 9:05:35 PM
Armalad asks for a piece of raspberry pie.
She then sets out for the Star Mages guild to research the following
Largon’s Dragon Crown, the Scepter of the Dead. Karkasan Malici
(OOC: Don't know if I get some kind of circumstance bonus to these rolls?)
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Wednesday January 17th, 2024 9:17:11 AM
Stock raises his hand to Happy to order a slice.
"So it's unclear to me - do we have any clues to run down now? We know Karkasan wants to come back and that to stop him we need the Crown and the Sceptre...right? But nothing more actionable than that. We never asked Norella what who or what was searching for those items and where they were searching...maybe I'll head up for another interview with her...We still have a bunch of her property. I can bring that up to her as well."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 88/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday January 17th, 2024 10:12:00 AM
Stohp finishes eating and heads out (I should be leveled now)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday January 17th, 2024 10:25:16 AM
Updating HP in header, which was several levels out of date apparently. Again.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Wednesday January 17th, 2024 10:58:00 AM
Delia perks up at Zander's mention of ancient ruins. She'd be useless at book-research, but running around a haunted forest to find things is right up her alley.
She also orders a slice of pie, smiling at the plate when it's set down in front of her. "We have a description of the Crown, but no ideas of things that match that description so far."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Wednesday January 17th, 2024 3:51:16 PM
Zanderallen happily takes a piece of the offered pie, enjoying it heartily. "Alright, let's go find some ancient ruins. I will visit our friend the Overlord this afternoon and update him as well as ask if any official records point to any potential points of interest."
Investigations (DM MikeK) Wednesday January 17th, 2024 7:02:45 PM
All hands go up for pie. Happy obliges.
As he’s setting the plates, he offers, “If you’re looking for old stuff, I hear the Lads are in It’lal region. Guessing they’ll be back in a day or two.”
The Shields consume dessert, which is delectable, and go their separate ways.
Armalad visits the Star Mages, asking to do some research.
The mages have nothing on Karkasan. The lich’s library under It’lal, most of which was retrieved by the Shields and placed with the WLA, seems to be the only currently known source.
The news on Malici is based completely on the Shields’ reports - a half dragon who showed up with a medallion, got the Shields to accompany him on a quest that ultimately revealed him to be a lost king of the lizard folk, then settled quietly on a riverside.
The Scepter of the Dead gets some hits. It’s an artifact level device created by a demilich known as The Dread. It is believed to be one of the tools it used to strip the souls of powerful warriors and forcing them into a kind of phylactery. When The Dread was destroyed, the Scepter was lost. Rumors have placed it both in the Tower of Boydos in Cinnamon Valley, and the Shadow Realms between the Wold and the Lands of Rest.
The only Largon to be found was a sorcerer underling of the great dragon Parnoth, who ruled a section of the southern Culverwood known as the Emerald Kingdom. Largon escaped to the east when Parnoth was defeated.
Stock swings by Shield House, picks up Norella’s gear, and then accompanies Zanderallen up to the Overlord’s palace. The dwarf finds the druid is still incarcerated.
Zanderallen and Delia make a call on the Overlord. There is a bit of a wait, but eventually the man ducks into a side room to get an update. Initiative to Zander and Delia regarding what you tell him
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday January 17th, 2024 10:06:12 PM
Armalad heads over to wherever the rest of the Shields are to give them the news about what she found regarding Largon and the Scepter of the Dead as that information seems the most different from what they have.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Thursday January 18th, 2024 8:57:42 AM
Stock keeps the meeting with the Druid brief. ”I left your stuff with the guard. Once you are released, they should give it back. Here’s a list of what I gave them. Make sure they give it all back to you. Anyway, I do have one question I was hoping you could help with- we never discussed who or what was searching for the crown and scepte nor did we talk about where they were searching…what do you remember about this?
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Thursday January 18th, 2024 12:10:55 PM
After exchanging the customary greetings and pleasantries Zanderallen gives an update. He doesn't go into their potential plans for Karkasan but fills in who he is, what he's up to, and the items he's looking for to free himself. He explains how the Shields are looking for old ruins and other potential sources of ancient information to try to find more information on Karkasan and the relics he's looking for. He asks if there are any old record in the Float or any information comes in of other ancient sites in the forest come up that they be shared with the Shields.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Thursday January 18th, 2024 1:55:04 PM
Delia goes with Zander to provide completely unnecessary moral support. Though initially confused by not sharing their full plans, she realizes halfway through the conversation that most people would react with similar concern as Pip to the idea of releasing Karkasan, no matter the purpose. So, she listens in relative silence for what information the Overlord may have.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday January 18th, 2024 2:56:31 PM
Stohp will check in with various local contacts to see if they need anything and generally do smaller stuff to help out. They're asking a lot of people for help and it's good to show that street goes both ways.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday January 18th, 2024 3:43:27 PM
Bartomus departed and got distracted visiting with an old friend amongst the various merchants's stalls that he used to frequent much more often when he had such a stall. He realized he needed to go visit the Drow consulate's office on the Float. He got himself back to the HQ, changed into the court attire he was gifted by the Drow leadership, and dashed off to their facilities on the Float.
He approached the guard at the door and introduced himself. He explained he was yet again coming to inquire about matters of great importance to not only the Float, but the Drow homeland and all that Lady Yasume and her court hold dear. He then waited patiently to be seen and share the information they had learned about Karkasan.
Meetings (DM MikeK) Thursday January 18th, 2024 8:40:55 PM
Armalad shares her news.
Stock has a question for Norella. She considers, lifting an eyebrow and gazing toward the ceiling in an effort to recall the memory. “Kar-tiss said something like ‘his brothers’ were collecting the other items. All he ever said about them was they were needed to free Karkasan. I got the feeling one was searching north of here.”
Zanderallen shares the findings, but not the plans, of the Silver Shields. Delia catches on, and listens in relative silence. The Overlord rubs his chin in thought. “An entity responsible for the Crying Wood. Now there’s a revelation. To be honest, most sites turned up out there have been discovered by you. I’ll direct someone to dig into our archives and see if anything interesting turns up. If so, you’ll be the first to know.”
Meanwhile Stohp makes herself useful. She finds a rather common reaction to a minotaur offering assistance. Nearly everybody has large, heavy objects they need moved up, down, or over.
Bartomus gets into his finery and heads up to the Drow’s consulate office. In no time, he finds himself in a small side room with a cup of tea in hand. Lady Yasume Mylyl perches opposite. After an appropriate amount of time, she gets around to the topic at hand. “And what brings one of the famous Silver Shields to our door,” she inquires politely.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday January 18th, 2024 9:52:14 PM
Armalad says, "The way I see it we need to check 4 places. Place 1 with Malici, Place 2 is east of the Emerald Kingdom, Place 3 is the Tower of Boydos and Place 4 is the shadow realms."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+14=29 ; Friday January 19th, 2024 10:04:59 AM "Lady Yasume Mylyl, truly I am grateful for your hospitality and willingness to hear me. The Shield has responded to the rise of an organized effort led to resurrect a being of ancient legend bound by strong magic into what we call the Crying Wood." Bartomus said this without a great deal of emotion or particular emphasis. This was in his mind an attempt to report to the Drow's lead emissary on the Float the potential threat to the Float and the greater Wold.
"It is my understanding, aided by various sages here, that Karkasan's minions are searching for various items to unlock their master's soul. A vile creature whose anger would be unleashed upon all that currently inhabit the remnants of the world that chained him for greater than a millennium." He held the teacup in both hands and set it down as he looked up at Lady Yasmne.
"I also believe ancient ancestors of your people may have played a part in binding this dragon, or dragon-born threat, into the Wold with others." Bartomus eyes held the woman's gaze as he continued. "We fear that if this Karkasan is released and the items associated with his power are recovered by his minions. Destruction and strife will undoubtedly find their way to the luxurious halls of your nation's palace and workshops."
"We, the Shields, well," Bartomus paused for a moment. "I would say all of us, need to know if there is any information be it in ancient tomes in an archive, legends, whispers of folklore, anything that your nation might be able to share regarding this Karkasan and the items associated with his binding by those ancient heroes so long ago."
He locked eyes with hers. Then he let out a slow sigh and looked down at his teacup and its delicate form.
"We know there is a crown, Largon's Dragon Crown and Scepter associated with Death itself," Bartomus said with some hesitation. [/b]"But, we need to know more about those, where they might have last been seen, and any hint as to how they might be used. We also know that we are playing catch up to those that are trying to restore Karkasan unto the Wold."[/b]
As Bart doesn't have a high diplomacy skill modifier, he will utilize (a) a hero point for a plus +8 Luck bonus to his roll, and (b) utilize performance skills he has for the roll. So if that roll is needed, I rolled a D20 with the +6 perform and +8 luck bonus. Rolling - 29
Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Friday January 19th, 2024 10:40:59 AM
Delia nods gratefully to the Overlord. The Shields needed all ears to the ground for this one.
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Friday January 19th, 2024 11:08:53 AM "Some place to the North. Ok that's a good start. Thank you Norella and you take care."
Stock takes his leave and connects with the other shields. Along the way, he spots Stohp lifting boxes and snickers as he passes. "Nice job Stohp. Glad you are helping out wherever you can. Truly well done."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Friday January 19th, 2024 5:28:28 PM
Zanderallen graciously thanks the Overlord and after the proper dismissals returns home. He eagerly awaits word if any one else's contacts turn anything up.
Places to Check (DM MikeK) Saturday January 20th, 2024 4:29:31 PM
Lady Yasmue drinks her tea and listens to Bart attentively. When the taur finishes, she takes another sip, considering.
“That is quite a revelation,” she says at last. “And, of course, what is ancient to you may only be a few generations for us. I must confess, I have not heard the name Karkasan nor of a binding of a creature to the wood. But, I am young relative to many of my peers in It’lal. I shall make inquiries, young taur, and promise to relay what I discover.
With that, Bart returns to Shield House.
He meets up with the rest of the Silver Shields.
Information is relayed and plans form.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 97/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday January 21st, 2024 3:53:26 PM "We will all be grateful for what help and knowledge that you can share with us, Lady Yasume." Bartomus smiles relieved that things went better than he thought they might. He finished he tea and then excused himself as quickly as possible to allow the consulate to return to her duties.
On the way home, he popped into the Ghost and purchased a cold cask of the sweet honey mead. Wrapped in burlap, he hoisted it onto his shoulder and brought it into Shield Headquarters.
"Now, don't let the dwarf tap that before I get back down," he said as he set the cask on the big meal table. He dashed up the stairs and in a few minutes returned in his street attire versus the spider silk clothes he had been wearing.
When the others got about the table, the cask was tapped, and the mead shared along with the results of his efforts to learn more from the Drow.
"Still thinking a visit to the Lizard Folks and our friend is the next step," Bartomus offered after a taste of the mead.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 121/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday January 21st, 2024 9:09:40 PM
Armalad says to Bart, "And that is why I included it with the 3 places I've gleamed to be historically significant to the crown and the scepter. Apparently the owner of the crown fled east of the Emerald Kingdom. Perhaps the Lizard Folk can give us a more definite destination. The shadow realms between the wold and the lands of rest is also kind of vague so I think the Tower of Boydos should be our second stop unless the lizardfolk give us a better lead."
Stock (JonM) HP: 238/238; AC: 27/25/14; DR 4/-; CMD: 39; Rage: 1/41 used Monday January 22nd, 2024 8:57:02 AM "That's more than I found out, Armalad. All I heard is that we might need to go north of here. Not the most descriptive of directions if you ask me."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday January 22nd, 2024 9:39:23 AM
Stohp gets home frightfully annoyed. She thought people knew her, being a famous adventurer, and lifting things is something she is entirely incapable of doing. She's more useful as a bureaucrat and problem solver then a pair of muscles.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 209/209 AC: 32 T: 13 FF: 31 CMD: 33 LoH 14/14 SE 6/6 Monday January 22nd, 2024 2:31:52 PM "Shadow Realms you say... We've already made some friends there. And I use the terms friends very very loosely. The Emerald Kingdom lead sounds like it has potential. Well let's all get a good nights rest and if no other leads come up looks like we may be taking a trip."
Zanderallen spends most of the rest of his evening with Pepper, apologizing for having to run around so much the past few days. He shares as much as he dares about Karkasan with her, knowing that this kind of knowledge is dangerous to those who know it.
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