Post by Aeter on Oct 7, 2013 22:40:28 GMT -6
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Erialistia "Tia" Culnamo has connected.
Castellan Stillwind has connected.
Enzekicus Maximus has connected.
Aeter (DM):
okay then
Castellan Stillwind:
It's all black for me btw. ))
Erialistia "Tia" Culnamo:
(I don't remember her going into the room)
Erialistia "Tia" Culnamo:
(I thought she was outside of it and fired over Castallen's shoulder)
Aeter (DM):
When last we left our adventuring party, they had chosen an entrance into the Kopru Ruins -- the chosen headquarters of the Ebon Triad. This was not without a danger of its own as it seemed that all the entrances had traps and guards posted... But, this one was special in that there was no escape for the guards. They fought to their last breath. After an assumption that Tia went and fiddled with the trap until the floor rose and they were able to step normally, as well as feet were bandaged so that those damned pointy bits no longer hurt, it was time to move on.
Enzekicus Maximus:
I'm not sure I have possession of my token atm, to impersonate. ))
Aeter (DM):
Because you changed your name.
Castellan:
))
Enzekicus Maximus:
(( Ahh. ))
Enzekicus Maximus:
(( One sec then. xD ))
Aeter (DM):
It's fine.
Aeter (DM):
I added it.
Enzekicus Maximus:
*nod*
Enzek:
(( I was mostly just playing around. ))
Castellan:
Castellan looks up at the balcony, seeming pleased that no more shots were coming down from it. He dismisses his Spectral Hand, though his left hand continues to glow faintly, some power from his Chill Touch spell yet remaining. "Think you could shimmy up there, Miss Tia?"
* Enzek 's nose twitches in concern. This was a deadly trap they just struggled through, and he wondered what else this place had in store for them.
* Enzek looks at Tia expectantly.
Argios the Red:
Argios let out a slight grunt, standing at the doorway with the three bodies of the guards hanging from above. "At least we are in.
Enzek:
"Mm! They'll learn we won't be turned back."
Erialistia:
Tia removed the grappling hook from her bag and ensured it was tied tightly to her rope. She swung it around a few times and aimed it for the ledge, trying to ensure it would hold her weight.
* Enzek cranes his neck up at the grappling hook.
Aeter (DM):
Of course her grappling hook would hold her weight!
Castellan:
Castellan watches as well, quirking a brow. "You seem practiced at this."
Enzek:
(( Because she's Batman obvs. xD ))
Erialistia:
"I ... lose my key a lot," she murmured in explination. She wrapped the rope around her hand to ensure she had a good grip, then attempted to climb the rope to the balcony. « 1d20+6 = 10 + 6 = 16 »
Aeter (DM):
Tia was easily able to scale the rope onto the platform above.
Erialistia:
She peered around, trying to find any signs of traps first. She wanted to ensure her next step wouldn't land her in a pit or a bed or spikes. « 1d20+6 = 6 + 6 = 12 » (Perception)
Castellan:
Castellan said nothing at that, simply watching her make her way up the grappled rope. Lost keys, indeed.
Aeter (DM):
The above platform was a guard's nest, it seemed. There were some rations up there, some tossed aside novels (one particularly raunchy one), playing cards, and the dead bodies of the guards that had been defeated.
Erialistia:
Tia shrugged and began to go through their bodies, looking for anything of value. She had no interest in the novels, but she knew the others might. "Some books up here if you want to climb up."
Castellan:
"Spellbooks?"
Erialistia:
"No idea," she said causally.
* Enzek 's ears twitch at hearing that. He attempts to climb the rope. Climb: « 1d20+1 = 2 + 1 = 3 »
Castellan:
((*Snort.*))
Enzek:
(( shaddap! ))
Castellan:
Castellan watches Enzek attempt to climb up after Tia. It was equally entertaining, though for different reasons.
Aeter (DM):
Enzek tumbled and fell right back on his rear.
Argios the Red:
"Are there any wands up there, Miss Tia?"
Castellan:
"It seems you may lack Miss Tia's grace, Master Enzek."
* Enzek grumbles as he hits the ground, rubbing his bum in frustration. "I gotta quit smoking."
Erialistia:
"Still looking..."
Aeter (DM):
Taking 20 to search?
Erialistia:
(What?)
* Enzek gets up and, since Tia's taking over searching the top, he looks around on their current floor for anything of note. (Taking 20 to search here.)
Aeter (DM):
Taking 20 means you spend enough time to find absolutely everything you can.
Erialistia:
(Then yes)
Castellan:
It's like rolling a 20 but it takes much much longer than normal. ))
Aeter (DM):
Nothing was found by Enzek. Tia found the guard's arrows, but nothing of any true value.
Aeter (DM):
Seemed to just be a guards post.
Castellan:
Since he seemed to have ample free time for the moment, Castellan decided to poke around a bit as well. He approached the green, acidic waters, attempting to take a sample with an empty glass phial.
Enzek:
(( Is this room a dead end or is there a door or anything leading further in? ))
Aeter (DM):
Roll perception, Castellan.
Aeter (DM):
There's a door right beside Argios.
Castellan:
« 1d20+2 = 3 + 2 = 5 »
Enzek:
(( Ah okay. ))
Aeter (DM):
kk.
Castellan:
((qq the lake monster is gonna get me.))
Castellan:
Assuming the fluid didn't melt his phial, Castellan would swirl the liquid about inside it, before pouring just one little drop onto the nearby stone. He was trying to gauge how acidic it might be.
Aeter (DM):
It did nothing. It doesn't seem to be acidic at all.
Castellan:
"Hm." He takes another whiff of it, before stoppering the vial and stowing it in one of his pouches. "I wonder just how dormant Cauldron truly is," He mused.
Castellan:
He peers around the corner, into the doorway. "Have you found anything yet?" He asks nobody in particular - everyone was looking for something, after all.
Enzek:
"Eh, nothin' here. Best to just continue on. Must be something valuable ahead if they were setting up guard here."
Castellan:
"Miss Tia? Master Argios?" The Jasite sought consensus on the subject.
Argios the Red:
" Only the door. I don't think they will have every wand right up front... It might be wise to continue on."
Enzek:
"Every wand? Nah. One or two? A good possibility."
Erialistia:
Tia left the arrows behind and instead took the novels, carefully tossing them to the ground floor where no one was standing, "Those are the books," she called out before climbing back down. « 1d20+6 = 18 + 6 = 24 » (Use Rope)
Argios the Red:
It would be climb, but with that check you are able to reclaim your rope and grappling hook as well.
Erialistia:
(Climb was a +7 anyways )
* Enzek goes through the book selection that Tia tosses down. Judging by the covers he has a good feeling they're just regular tomes, but he double checks anyway, flipping through. Spellcraft: « 1d20+8 = 11 + 8 = 19 »
Argios the Red:
They are novels. There are no spells anywhere within.
Castellan:
Castellan would return to the room, seeming unphased by the smelly lake. Dead people smelled bad too, he was used to it.
* Enzek nods and leaves them on the floor, his instincts correct.
Castellan:
((Don't want to take a copy of Fifty Shades of Lawful Neutral along? ))
Enzek:
(( Wouldn't that be Fifty Shades of True Neutral? ))
Argios the Red:
Argios decided to take it on himself to open the close door, peering within.
Castellan:
Castellan's next question answers itself! Argios decides to take point, so he seems pleased to follow.
* Enzek loads up a crossbow bolt and follows his brother in.
Castellan:
"I'll watch your back, Miss Tia."
Erialistia:
"Oh good. You've been watching my ass plenty, but my back has felt neglected."
Argios the Red:
Argios, as requested, went forth. "Just say where to go." He muttered, his axe at the ready and shield in front of himself.
* Enzek snickers.
Aeter (DM):
Pick a door, any door.
Castellan:
He colors faintly and clears his throat, but follows along quietly.
Enzek:
"Let's check each door as we pass by them?"
Erialistia:
Tia waved Arigos passed the first door so she could open it. She kept her body flush to the wall as normal, reaching over to grip the door knob (if there was one) and slowly open it. This would put both of them in a position to attack, hopefully.
Argios the Red:
"We will have to be careful so as not to raise the guard." He nodded, quieting down while Tia opened the first door.
Enzek:
"Indeed. We should check the doors in front of us so we're not flanked later."
Erialistia:
(Castellan can raise the guard!)
Castellan:
( ?)
Castellan:
Like, as a zombie? I can't do that yet. ))
Castellan:
Castellan crouches into a combative stance as they open the door, careful not to touch Enzek however - he still had his magic, and it didn't distinguish between friend or foe.
Argios the Red:
"A hallway... should we move on, or venture down this way?
Castellan:
"I say we go on - those others from before may yet be close, Master Argios." Castellan whispers loudly.
* Enzek nods in agreement.
Argios the Red:
Argios said he'd play point, not do all the decisions because the DM isn't leading the group around on a leash.
* Enzek decides to check out the hallway at the first door.
Erialistia:
(Sorry Conor had a bad dream had to put him back to bed.)
* Enzek inspects the door a bit before deciding to open it. Perception: « 1d20+10 = 13 + 10 = 23 »
Erialistia:
Tia kept motioning Arigos passed the doors and would then open them herself, making sure she was flush against the wall as she did so.
Castellan:
Castellan frowns as Enzek slips past him to go down the side hallway. "Master Enzek, the bandits..."
Aeter (DM):
Enzek heard rowdy talking, clamoring, and eating behind the door. It seems they showed up at dinner time.
* Enzek remembers the previous group they encountered, realizes these might be the same guys, and heads back the way he came.
Castellan:
"They were there, weren't they?"
Enzek:
"Mmm, still there. Here's hoping they don't hear the commotion we're about to raise further in."
Castellan:
He frowns at Enzek, before turning to Tia, giving her a nod to proceed.
* Enzek closes the door, hoping it might stiffle some of the sound.
Aeter (DM):
The door was opened smoothly. Within was what appeared to be several cages hung against the walls. They were small, cramped affairs... but this was obviously some sort of macabre prison.
Castellan:
Castellan perks up. His macabre senses were tingling.
* Enzek is taking the rear and thus doesn't see it quite yet.
Castellan:
(("I know one of you said it! I know you did!"))
Erialistia:
Tia frowned. It didn't look good but it was the last place she'd look for a wand. "Let's check it out," she whispered to Arigos while nodding him into the room.
Argios the Red:
"The good news is... It appears that these cages have been empty for some time." He remarked, approaching one of the hanging cages and brushing a gauntletted hand over the bars.
Erialistia:
She glanced around, searching for anything of significance. « 1d20+6 = 20 + 6 = 26 »
Enzek:
"Hrm..."
* Enzek grumbles at the creepy sight, but looks around anyway. Perception: « 1d20+10 = 16 + 10 = 26 »
Argios the Red:
Tia could see the world. Really, there was a thin layer of dust on the cages. It didn't look as if there had been anyone within these cages in some time.
Erialistia:
"Hrm... Do a spell craft check then we should go. I don't see anything."
* Enzek nods at Tia and closes his eyes, abandoning the mundane senses and letting his magical senses take over. Spellcraft: « 1d20+8 = 19 + 8 = 27 »
Aeter (DM):
Nada.
* Enzek grumbles. "Let's keep going, nothin' here!"
Castellan:
((These are all the center-swivvel doors?))
Aeter (DM):
Yes.
Castellan:
Castellan pushes the next door open, just an inch or so - enough to know whether the room was lit or not.
Aeter (DM):
The sounds of commotion and comraderie began to die down as they got further from the barracks and mess halls.
* Enzek studies this door directly in front of him while Castellan gets the other. He too pushes the door open about an inch.
Aeter (DM):
Both rooms were lit only naturally by the phospherescent fungi lighting the area. There were no signs of occupants.
Castellan:
Castellan pushes his open more, trying to get a good gauge of what purpose this room had.
* Enzek does the same with this door, pushing it open slowly and cautiously.
Aeter (DM):
Enzek: This room contains a desk, a chair, and a strange apparatus that looks like a wooden bed covered with various iron straps and spikes. The device looks. . .uncomfortable.
* Enzek slowly steps in. He recognizes the device as some sort of torture device, something the more darker aspects of law would utilize.
* Enzek just vanished from the screen, as did everyone else. xD
Castellan:
Castellan seems mildly relieved he only found another little hallway.
Castellan:
((You're in a wall. ))
Enzek:
(( I went in the space next to the door. ))
Argios the Red:
"This is... both quiet and troublesome."
Castellan:
The necromancer hangs back with Tia, for now. "You lose your keys often?" He asks curiously while the Cuthberters looked at the small torture chamber of sorts.
Erialistia:
"Yep. I'm a forgetful person."
* Enzek approaches the desk, studies it for a moment (Perception: « 1d20+10 = 18 + 10 = 28 ») before investigating.
Castellan:
"But you remember to... bring a grappling hook to climb down the chimney? Or somesuch?"
Castellan:
((Perception IS your investigative skill now, it replaced Search. >.>))
Enzek:
(( Aye. ))
Aeter (DM):
Enzek finds a series of papers, with what appeared to be notes!
Erialistia:
She shrugged, "I guess I got used to not having my keys. Hey, my door is always locked, no risk of someone breaking in right?"
* Enzek is intrigued by this find. He shuffles through them, scanning the words as he does so.
Castellan:
He looks at her funny, but stays quiet at that.
Enzek:
(( i.e. he's reading 'em, yep ))
Aeter (DM):
The notes are largely unintelligable. Roll me a wisdom check.
Enzek:
« 1d20+5 = 16 + 5 = 21 »
Enzek:
(( Brb one sec. ))
Aeter (DM):
Enzek manages to get through the notes! (DC20). The notes are the near-insane scribblings of a gnoll named Tarkilar. From what Enzek is able to deduce, Tarkilar was the leader of the Ebon Triad branch in this area. While the first notes were quite legible descriptions of torture and a lack of information found, they became increasingly varied and maddened as time went by. They spoke of two other members of the Ebon Triad in this area by the name of Triel and Skaven. The last page read only one thing: "The Ritual is nearly complete."
Aeter (DM):
Tick tock.
* Enzek continues to study the notes, feeling his mind slightly simmer at the insanity the words seemed to depict. He wondered if perhaps there wasn't a dark force at work, and that the notes wouldn't have harmed the minds of lesser individuals. Spellcraft: « 1d20+8 = 14 + 8 = 22 »
Aeter (DM):
The only dark forces were that a few notes made blatant references to necromancy.
Castellan:
((Was waiting for Tadkins since he's the one who read the notes!))
Enzek:
(( But no actual necromancy inside the notes? ))
Enzek:
"Hey, Castellan. Wanna come and take a look at these?"
Aeter (DM):
No actual spells, no.
Castellan:
"What is it?" Castellan would move to the torture chamber, looking at the rack for a moment, before glancing down to Enzek and the stack of papers.
* Enzek hands him the notes. "Some references to your kind of magic. Figured it might make some good bedtime reading."
Castellan:
WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'YOUR PEOPLE' MAGIC? JUST BECAUSE I AM A BLACK MAGE
Enzek:
Gnomes are horribly racist, true story. ))
Argios the Red:
Argios simply stood guard.
Castellan:
He actually begins to leaf through the notes pensively.
Castellan:
((Paying special attention to the necromancy parts obvs, if there's anything specific that stands out.))
Aeter (DM):
Roll a spellcraft check, Castellan.
Castellan:
« 1d20+5 = 5 + 5 = 10 »
Enzek:
Can Enzek aid other to help him? ))
Castellan:
Would only add +2. ))
Enzek:
(( Like he could point out-ah, okay.))
Aeter (DM):
Castellan simply couldn't make out anything of value. This magic was beyond him.
Castellan:
"Hm. Have we time, I wish to study this further... another place, though. Not now." He carefully folds the notes, pocketing them for later.
Castellan:
"Shall we proceed?"
Argios the Red:
"What information did you gather?"
* Enzek nods at Castellan. He glances around a bit, then leaves, convinced they've found all they can in here.
Castellan:
Oh, any mention of who was tortured? Anybody important? ))
* Enzek clears his throat. "Welp, we're up against a gnoll. One leads this chapter of the Ebon Triad. My choice of spells today seem to be good ones, so far."
Castellan:
"Triel was also named as a leader of this... cult."
Enzek:
"Also, something about a ritual that's almost complete."
Enzek:
"We should hurry!"
Castellan:
"Miss Tia - take the lead?"
Erialistia:
Tia slipped from the room and back in line. "To the last door, then?"
* Enzek holds his crossbow close, nods to his companions grimly, and follows along.
Argios the Red:
The last door was opened!
Aeter (DM):
The rough, unfinished floor of this room seems to be pockmarked with hundreds of tiny holes drilled into the floor. There is no indication as to the purpose of these holes, but it must have taken someone months of mind-numbing work to drill them all.
Erialistia:
Tia peered over Arigos' shoulder and frowned. "Hrm... We should test the floor to make sure it's sound," she whispered to him. She turned behind her, urging the others to be quiet with a finger to her lips. She then listened for any sound coming from below the floor, even a breeze. « 1d20+6 = 16 + 6 = 22 » (Perception)
Castellan:
((Was the door already open or was that argios opening it?))
Enzek:
Is Enzek small enough to fit between Argios and Tia atm, so that he can make a check or two on that room? ))
Aeter (DM):
Argios opened it.
Aeter (DM):
Also, there were was no sound below. It seemed that it was a copy of the trap they already went through... but one that wasn't finished.
Enzek:
(( Is it very obviously not finished? ))
Castellan:
((See any spikes in the holes? ))
Enzek:
(( They might be further in! ))
Enzek:
(( I'm just trying to play smart here. xD ))
Aeter (DM):
It was quite obviously not finished. XD
Aeter (DM):
Sorry about that.
Castellan:
"Whatever it is they've been doing down here, they intended to stay for the long haul, to modify everything like this."
Enzek:
(( S'all good. xD ))
Enzek:
"Agreed. Let's root 'em out while we can, in that case!"
* Enzek steps up to the next door and inspects it. Perception: « 1d20+10 = 19 + 10 = 29 »
Argios the Red:
"Agreed. We should keep moving."
Argios the Red:
Nothing. No sound!
* Enzek motions Argios forward.
Argios the Red:
"Ready?"
Enzek:
"Mmm!"
Erialistia:
Tia nodded to his question.
Castellan:
He nodded as well.
Enzek:
(( I wish I could take the sausage grease from this pan and utilize it as a Grease spell for a battle coming up. ))
Castellan:
Castellan can't take the suspense!
Argios the Red:
so much suspense and it'S
Castellan:
Lol gg ))
Enzek:
(( ...the janitor's closet! ))
Argios the Red:
"For being an area so crowded... it seems we entered the most secluded area."
Castellan:
"We could turn back, if you prefer." Castellan teased.
Enzek:
"Bah! Let's keep going."
Castellan:
He stepped through the threshold. "I think they must have been digging this part out. That, or it's collapsed since the original inhabitants did."
Enzek:
"Eh, if only one of us were a dwarf."
Castellan:
Castellan took the lead for now, seeming bolstered by the seclusion of this rearward portion of the 'base'. He pushed the next door open a crack, then further once he was satisfied with the amount of light he could see.
Argios the Red:
( Sorry for the delays)
* Enzek decides to investigate the walls. K: Dungeoneering « 1d20+3 = 17 + 3 = 20 »
Argios the Red:
The walls were the same as they were before; seemingly carved from an intelligent creature and then... melted. The passage just ended there, as if there was a cave-in.
Enzek:
"Hrm, blast, I left my mining pick at home!"
Enzek:
"Wait, do I even have a mining pick? Huh..."
* Enzek scratches his head, turning toward the rest of the group.
Aeter (DM):
Castellan, so sure of himself, opened a door... into what appeared to be a guardhouse near to a roughly hewn cave entrance. The duo of guards within, who had been sitting at a table and playing cards, immediately stood and faced the door. "... Name yourself!"
Enzek:
"...Ooh dear."
Castellan:
Castellan froze for a moment, before taking a deep breath. ((Crap, what was the one guy's name.))
Aeter (DM):
Kildiv?
Castellan:
Oh screw it. Castellan Fus-ro-dahs and kills the guards. ggwp ))
Enzek:
(( Let's George Washington this. We cannot tell a lie. ))
Castellan:
"Oi, 'm Kildiv's mate. Sent ta 'elp wif the operation. Said th' boss could use someone with a bit a know-how fer magic." Bluff: « 1d20+9 = 8 + 9 = 17 »
* Enzek snorts at the well-spoken macabre individual speaking in some broken cockney accent.
Castellan:
((It'd be awful if he only had like, the one accent for bluffing.))
Castellan:
((Like they're at the king's palace and he's bluffing as like the court advisor in a thick cockney accent.))
Aeter (DM):
« 1d20+1 = 11 + 1 = 12 »
Thug:
"... Kildiv's mate? Yer in tha wrong place, then pal. This be the armpit of tha whole operation." He chuckled deeply at that, glancing towards the tunnel. "Down there are beasts ya don't even wanna see. All 'cause some idiot thought they could control the beasties in the treasury." He shook his head. "If yer helpin' with magic, yer lookin' for Skaven. E's back tha way ya came. Took a wrong turn at the mess hall, I think!"
* Enzek follows Castellan's lead and moves up to his side. "Oi, boss, what's the 'oldup?"
Thug:
"AWE AIN'T 'E A TINY BUGGER!"
Thug 2:
"You're scaring the children, Milo."
Castellan:
"Shaddap ye stunty git. 'm doin' the tawkin', yer there ta pipe down an' be quiet. Just like Tiffa, eheh." He glanced to Tia, giving her a 'let's do this' look as he staggered into the room, nodding for her to come along. "Yuh can call me Richter. An' this is Tiffa, me wench." He offered one of the guards a handshake, leaving Tia to deal with the other...
* Enzek scoffs. "Hey now, this tiny bugger packs a punch!"
* Enzek puffs out his chest all comically in as menacing a way as possible.
Castellan:
((Children = the beasts? ))
* Enzek grumbles. "Yeah yeah, whatever you say, boss!"
Erialistia:
Tia frowned and followed him in. Oh he'd get it for making her his wench.
Castellan:
Thug 2 should totally shake his hand! ))
* Enzek runs back up to Argios. "Dunno what's going on over there. Might wanna hang back a bit here, though. Not sure those types will respond well to ya."
Erialistia:
"Whats that way?" Tia asked casually as she nodded towards the tunnel. Even if she asked she didn't seem to care too much one way or another.
Thug:
"The way? Back tha way ya came! Like I said! Through tha mess hall. Take a... right, I think. Ya will come to an L-shaped hallway. DO NOT go through tha door on your immediate left. Otherwise... well, ya can go back outside. Go in t hrough the door ya were SUPPOSED to go in, instead of marchin' through the barracks!"
Castellan:
He dropped his hand, before raising them both up defensively. "Awright, awright, you're th'boss mate. Thank ya, I'll get this motley bunch back up front an' ta work." He nodded for Tia to head back out - it seemed easier to just leave them here, as much of a risk as it might prove later.
Erialistia:
Tia grumbled as she walked down the hall, shooting a look back at Castellan. Wench, huh?
Castellan:
"You two take it easy back 'ere, roit?" Castellan gave a lazy two-finger salute, before pushing the door closed again. He frowned immediatley afterward.
Castellan:
"I do apologize, Miss Tia." He spoke softly. "I suppose we can leave them, for now. I was ready to..." He paused. "Let's go. They said not to go left... Should we check it out?"
Thug:
The door closed again.
Argios the Red:
"They also mentioned beasts and a treasury that they were guarding. If I was to store wands anywhere...."
Castellan:
((Dumb Aeter and not accepting my murder handshake.))
Enzek:
"Did they say what was to the "left"?
Argios the Red:
He muttered. Argios was staying in back. He was less likely to pass as a bandit.
Erialistia:
"Lead on, boss," Tia said to Castellan.
Castellan:
He peered down the short hallway, before stepping in to push open that secondary door slowly.
* Enzek follows Castellan closely.
Enzek:
"Remember, if something happens, I have your back."
Castellan:
Aeter is everything okay? o.o))
Argios the Red:
( I may have to stop for the night. I'm just spacy brained. The good news is, I'm off all week. If tomorrow during the day isn't good for you guys, maybe wednesday? )
Erialistia:
I'll be going out tomorrow night for dinner but I should be good otherwise.)
Enzek:
I can do Wednesday. ))
Erialistia:
(Here is good for pausing though)
Enzek:
Yep, agreed. ))
Castellan:
Sure. ))
Enzek:
(( We have a battle with beasts coming up! ))
Erialistia:
(Can we log off then?)
Argios the Red:
( Yep! )