ENT: Exploring the watery cave

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dmw71
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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#242 Post by dmw71 »

Caelvanna remains fixed in her current position; her focus shifting between the rubble and her companions, though she spends most of her time keeping visual on where the unknown beast would emerge from, if it's capable.

She watches as Bog begins to venture off in frustration, and is curious where the lumbering half-orc is heading, but she deliberately waits to make sure the group is all on the same page before deciding on her next course of action.
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IWC: the party departs the cave-in back to the rock ledge...

#243 Post by Argennian »

~ Confronted by feelings of frustration and woe, the island explorers consider their next actions...

Realizing that whatever is on the other side of the cave in cannot or will not climb through the gap to confront them, Bogdan grumbles his sentiments concerning the folly of waiting around on something that obviously isn't coming. The burly fighter suggests they return with a stronger, if not more unique form of firepower before turning about in the tight passage and scrambling back the way they came.

His face a mask of complete concentration, Ulrich lowers his holy symbol and relays strong words of foreboding concerning what he believes about the source of the whimpering. He agrees with Bog's assessment that the party should tarry there no longer.

Overwhelmed by the tumultuous emotions rising within her, Emm loses control over her calm and shouts angry challenges into the darkness beyond the opening. The druidess steadfastly demands that whatever it is identify itself and explain why it will not climb through the cave in to come and greet them. After a few tense moments of silence, the sound of a long exhale emanates through the gap in the cave in, followed by the sound of what could best be described as a child's laughter. It is, however, a kind and type of laughter that elicits no sense of joy or mirth but sheer, defiant malevolence.

Feeling an additional chill at the inhuman giggling, combined with the revelation that she was indeed lucky to have not been caught on the far side of the cave in with that thing, Lauranna verbalizes her agreement of Ulrich's assessment and recommends that the party leave this place straight away. She halfheartedly opines that they could return with more reinforcements and perhaps better support but her offering lacks any apparent aspect of promissory conviction.
Standing sentinel near the opening in the rubble with her short sword still to hand and her stony gaze shifting between the gap and her companions, Caelvanna waits to see if the decision to fall back will be a unanimous one. The Wild elf holds her position and waits for acquiescence in the others before following Bogdan back the way they came.


~ So the big half-orc heads back west towards the rock ledge and watery floor of the coastal cave, intent on reentering the crab den and collecting the coin bounty lying within while the magical effects of the potion of water breathing are still present. As soon as he rounds the corner, the bright illumination from Gentleman Billy's coin is greatly diminished, and the lower level of light adds a new aspect of dread to those still present at the cave in. Emanating through the gap in the rubble comes an exhale of what could best be described as one of relief and renewed excitement...


Actions?

********************************************

OOC: okay gang! Although it seemed that might be the consensus, did not want to assume that everyone's following Bog back to the crab den. Please go ahead and declare actions here and we'll make it happen! :)

POP for Al: Potion of Water Breathing: 1 hour (6 turns) + 1-10 minutes (DM's roll) Bog: now 19 minutes + 1-10 minutes left

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!

TOD: now 8:41am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)


HPs/Status: Bog 28/28 ; Caelvanna 22/25 ; Emm 9/10 ; Ulrich 12/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – spear & shield ; Caelvanna – short sword (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Emm – spear & shield ; Ulrich – holy symbol & shield ; Lauranna - short sword / dagger (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location (In the coastal cave) At the west opening of the cave in: Emm , Lauranna , Ulrich , Caelvanna ; (In the coastal cave) rounded the corner and headed back to the rock ledge/crab hole: Bogdan

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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#244 Post by tkrexx »

Emm's eyes widen with more horror upon hearing the sickly, child-like giggling from the unknown antagonist. She backs slowly away from the cave-in until she can meet Caelvanna's eyes. I've a bad feeling, I believe we will be followed hence, she whispers just loud enough for the Elven Warrior to hear, and continues retreating, never taking her gaze from the darkness.

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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#245 Post by Alethan »

With water breathing time left, Bog will definitely go back for the coins. He will wait for the others to enter the room before taking off his armour to head back underwater.
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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#246 Post by dmw71 »

If what Emm whispered to her is true, and they will be followed, Caelvanna sees no sense in sticking around unnecessarily as both Bog and Emm have already decided to leave. Switching from her sword to her bow, Caelvanna trails behind her companions.
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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#248 Post by SocraticLawyer »

Ulrich backs out of the cave, slowly, mace raised in case the creature follows them out.
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Re: In the watery cave

#249 Post by Argennian »

~ With Bogdan and the ever-bright light of Gentleman Billy's magical coin gone, it's dark once again in the cramped, hard rock passage. A unanimous feeling immediately manifests. It's way past time to go. One by one, the others follow...

Emm moves away from the cave-in, a look of dread on her visage. She pauses to whisper over to Caelvanna of her fear that the ominous whimperer will be coming after them before continuing to back away. As the druidess heads back toward the corner, she maintains a starring vigil upon the dark opening, obviously wanting to be the first one to spot the mysterious menace if it emerges.
With a speed and grace from already years of practice, the Wild elf archer quickly sheaths her sword, unslings her trusty bow and readies an arrow. She looks over towards her two remaining companions, waiting for them to fall back before she does, so as to maintain a clear field of fire.
Feeling the fighter's gaze upon her, and somewhat surprised and startled at her own hesitation, Lauranna suddenly cries out and begins falling back after the young human. Knowing that the cleric and the fighter have the rearguard covered, she does not choose to look back at the opening during her retreat.
With mace at the ready and still gripping his holy symbol, Ulrich is the next to withdraw. He shuffles back towards the corner slowly, prepared to engage the creature on all fronts should it follow. Caelvanna backs up with the cleric, staying just to his left and keeping her sharp eyes and warrior's focus trained upon the opening. Neither the dwarf nor the elf pick up any heat signatures or signs of movement with their infravision. Just as they make it back to the corner, the begging dog whimpering returns in earnest, obviously saddened to be left behind and all alone.
Waiting impatiently for everyone to arrive, but choosing not to forgo his armored and weaponized status until sure the party's withdrawal is unhindered and complete, Bogdan watches them round the corner one by one. When Caelvanna comes into sight, she gives her fellow swordsmen the silent nod of all clear, so big half-orc begins prepping to get wet again.


~ The party regroups at the rock ledge. Everyone is once again more comfortable in the light of the magical coin and their nearness to the warm, wonderful sunlight shining reassuringly back at the entrance of the watery cave. Within a minute, Bog is out of his armor and ready to engage in salvage operations. He jumps down from the rock ledge into the cool salt water then cups his hand around the light coin to focus it's illumination down into the underwater crab den. Seeing no curious or hungry giant rock fish or albino eels waiting down there to greet him, he glances back up and over at Emm, and gives her the you coming? look.


Actions?

********************************************

OOC: ok then, Bog's going swimming down in the crab den to begin gathering the coins scattered about the bottom. Please declare actions for the next turn (10 minutes) as he does so and we'll starting clicking off rounds, rolling for the chance of further encounters and adding up loot gathered! :)

Active spells/magic
Bogdan: Gentleman Billy's light coin ; Potion of Water Breathing: 1 hour (6 turns) + 1-10 minutes (DM's roll); now 17 minutes + 1-10 minutes left
Emm: Water Breathing spell: duration: 3 hours (18 turns; 6 turns/level) now 2 hours 17 minutes left


As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!

TOD: now 8:43am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)


HPs/Status: Bog 28/28 ; Caelvanna 22/25 ; Emm 9/10 ; Ulrich 12/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – light coin & large sack ; Caelvanna – short bow (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Emm – spear & shield ; Ulrich – mace & shield ; Lauranna - short sword / dagger (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location (In the coastal cave) Back at the rock ledge/crab hole: Bogdan , Caelvanna , Emm , Lauranna , Ulrich

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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#250 Post by Alethan »

Whether or not she replies, Bog immediately slips into the water, taking only the spear and the sacks with him. He has no idea if the potion is still in effect, but understands there is little time left, if it is.
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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#251 Post by tkrexx »

Emm watches Bog prepare for another dive, still uncomfortable and visibly shaken by whatever it was beyond the cave in. After she receives a glower from the Warrior, she sits and again begins to shed her boots and cloak. Get some torches going, she speaks to the others as she works, still watching toward the corner. I believe that thing refused to come forward because it fears the light. She lays down her shield and again dips into the cold water, spear in hand.

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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#252 Post by dmw71 »

Caelvanna watches as Emm and Bog resume their salvage mission. With little else to do aside from providing coverage to her companions, she slinks back to her previously established perch and reduces her profile into a low, defensive crouch. She studies their surroundings to assess the vulnerabilities their current location, paying particular attention to the swimming hole, the caved-in area they just vacated and the entrance to the cave itself.
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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#253 Post by SocraticLawyer »

tkrexx wrote:Emm watches Bog prepare for another dive, still uncomfortable and visibly shaken by whatever it was beyond the cave in. After she receives a glower from the Warrior, she sits and again begins to shed her boots and cloak. Get some torches going, she speaks to the others as she works, still watching toward the corner. I believe that thing refused to come forward because it fears the light. She lays down her shield and again dips into the cold water, spear in hand.
Ulrich nods at the druidess's words. He puts down his mace and shield, getting a torch ready. Once it is lit, he pick up his shield, watching for the undead monster.
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IWC: Bog & Emm dive down in crab den to gather loot...

#254 Post by Argennian »

~ The party settles back in at the rock ledge and begins salvage operations in the crab den...

Bogdan makes eye contact with Emm and confirms his silent message to her has been received. With spear in one hand and empty sacks he hopes to fill up with coin in the other, he takes a few deep breaths to calm himself and slips feet-first down through the gap in the floor and base of the rock ledge. Unsure whether or not the potion of water breathing is still working, the half-orc chances a breath near the opening just in case, and finds out its magical effects are indeed still active. He sinks down the rest of the way, the light coin on the necklace around his thick, muscular neck illuminating the entire crab den*...
Emm removes her non-essential gear and preps to join Bog in underwater coin recovery operations. As she does so, she implores her companions to get a torch going and keep watch on that corner further in. Ulrich nods that he will and makes to do so. Although she believes that it won't come into the light, the druidess is still nervous and perhaps not fully recovered from her closeness to the malevolent mystery whimperer. She nods to Lauranna, and knowing her spell is still in effect, grabs her spear and dives down into the crab den to join Bogdan*...

As soon as Emm slips down underwater, Caelvanna moves back over to her previous position along the south wall. She crouches down and readjusts her bow and readied arrow as she quickly scans the rest of the cave for danger. Her keen Wild elf eyes spot nothing waiting at the entrance or hiding nearby under the water, so she applies her full fighter focus back on the corner that obscures their view of the cave-in further east. She watches until such time as Ulrich can get his torch lit and ready himself.
The armored dwarf cleric finishes lighting one of his torches and quickly moves over to pick up his shield. Just like his elf fighter companion, he also takes up his previous position, dead center in the cave and right where he battled the giant rats. He moves the torch over to his shield hand and readies his mace before turning his full attentions and divine intentions on the corner some 50 feet further in. If the whimpering creature and suspected undead shows itself, he will be ready for it.
Settling in a bit nearer the ledge than her previous position so as to give Ulrich and Caelvanna plenty of room should their whimpering adversary arrive, Lauranna looks between the corner further in east and then down toward the entrance of the crab den. She can see the silhouettes of the big half-orc and young human woman down there from time to time due the bright magical light from Billy's coin illuminating the submerged chamber, but cannot see much detail through the water.


Actions?

********************************************

* PM going out for Bogdan & Emm in the crab hole!

OOC: Al & Rexx will post for Bogdan & Emm via pm while down in the crab hole. Everyone else can post in the action thread. Light sources, TOD & WIH adjusted & updated.

Up on the rock ledge:
Caelvanna: guarding/covering (bow & arrow readied)
Ulrich: guarding/watching back further in to where the corner is (torch & shield)
Lauranna: guarding/watching the crab den entrance (sword/dagger)

Light Source(s):
Underwater: Light coin: (Bogdan) being used underwater in crab den
In the cave: Torch: (Ulrich) being held by Ulrich at rock ledge

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!

TOD: now 8:44am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)


HPs/Status: Caelvanna 22/25 ; Ulrich 12/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short bow (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Ulrich – mace & torch/shield ; Lauranna - short sword & dagger (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location (In the coastal cave) At the rock ledge/entrance to the crab hole: Caelvanna , Lauranna , Ulrich
Underwater in the crab den: Bogdan , Emm
Last edited by Argennian on Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:09 am, edited 3 times in total.
Reason: confirmed PC positioning/WIH!

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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#255 Post by dmw71 »

Caelvanna remains dutifully on high alert; armed and ready to defend the group in the event of an interruption.
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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#256 Post by Nuke66 »

Lauranna does in fact, draw her sword, but keeps a dagger in her hand, ready to fling, just in case. "Let's make this quick please."

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Re: In the watery cave

#257 Post by Argennian »

~ The Wild elf, dwarf and High elf settle in and begin waiting for their half-orc and human counterparts to complete the retrieval of the coin they discovered earlier that's scattered all about in the underwater chamber formerly known as the crab den.

Caelvanna keeps her specialized finger on her bowstring trigger and maintains her constant roaming visual reconnoiter for anything that may arrive or occur. She sees no movement further in or at the entrance to the watery cave and hears nothing further than the light breathing of her companions and the lapping of the water in the coastal cave.

With her short sword still to hand and her dagger loosened in its sheath for quick deployment, Lauranna leans over the rock ledge and looks down through the opening to watch the underwater operation unfold. She can see some of what's happening via the powerful light from the magical coin down around Bog's neck there. So far, it looks to be well underway and moving along steadily.

Still intensely focused on the corner some 50 feet ahead further in, Ulrich see no signs of any movement nor hears any more of the lonely, beggy whimpering from beyond. Nonetheless, he keeps a tight grip on his mace and shield maintains his divine attentions upon the situation. The dwarf cleric is definitely prepared to deal with anything that may burst around the corner at any moment and come a running!


~ The minutes crawl by painfully slow but they eventually do pas, and thankfully uneventful. It's getting close to 10 minutes time since Bog and Emm went down there. From what Lauranna can see, they're still at it...


Actions?

********************************************

OOC: so far, @ 8 minutes have passed uneventfully; TOD updated.

Up on the rock ledge:
Caelvanna: guarding/covering (bow & arrow readied)
Ulrich: guarding/watching back further in to where the corner is (torch & shield)
Lauranna: guarding/watching the crab den entrance (sword/dagger)

Light Source(s):
Underwater: Light coin: (Bogdan) being used underwater in crab den
In the cave: Torch: (Ulrich) being held by Ulrich at rock ledge

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!

TOD: now 8:52am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)


HPs/Status: Caelvanna 22/25 ; Ulrich 12/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short bow (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Ulrich – mace & torch/shield ; Lauranna - short sword & dagger (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location (In the coastal cave) At the rock ledge/entrance to the crab hole: Caelvanna , Lauranna , Ulrich
Underwater in the crab den: Bogdan , Emm


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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#259 Post by Alethan »

Bog surfaces from out of the water and deposits one completely full sack of coins on the floor of the cavern. He dives back down and quickly returns with a second sack, also full.

"Thay's enough coin down there for at least one more sack, but I'm all out o' bags. Anyone have a spare sack I can use?"
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Re: On the island: Exploring the northern trail

#260 Post by dmw71 »

Caelvanna, looking to expedite the process, drops her guard only long enough to retrieve the extra small sack she carries in her satchel for exactly this purpose. "Here," she says, tossing the sack to Bog.

She impatiently returns to her post and resumes her watch.
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