In Gods We Trust

[GreyWolfVT]

Kel "I smell the same. What of it Rakjak? We are likely near a spot that is closer to the sea. Shall we continue or chop some of that black ivy?" the burly half-giant hefting his axe still asks with a look of delight and it is no question why the man is a woodsman.

[thesniperknight1]

Caiden rushes forward through the gape, "No, the light seems to be killing whatever is living here, and that ivy is protecting it, I say live and let live", he sheaths his sword and closes his eyes for a moment to try and smell whatever the other two are smelling

[GreyWolfVT]

Kel arms hang down by his sides axe still in hand but the giant man looks sad... "Very well."

[Dram]

Lyaera makes her to the hole in the ivy. She will help the kobolds thru the hole. Come the hole is quickly closing. Let us be on our way.

[Antman9]

Summary: Searching for a Way Out
Calendar: 11:40 am - July 10th, 9001
Location: Somewhere Under Dragons Belch

The party quickly pushes through the small opening in the black ivy, leaving the underdark behind. The Black ivy slowly closes the hole behind them. They quickly discover their new surroundings are bleak, dry, and nearly desolate, though the open air and sunlight is most likely a relief to some.

The curved roof and walls (of Chamber C) appear to be made of the same grey stone of the tower, along with the same 5’ diameter circular openings, filled with the dark bluish-grey glass-like substance spaced evenly with only a foot between each, as those at the bottom floor of the tower. Some sections of the roof have cracked and fallen to the dry dirt of the floor beneath, revealing a dark grey crumbled stone.

The wall of the far exit (west side of Chamber C), the arched doorway it once included, has mostly crumbed to the floor revealing the remnants of another smaller room (Chamber D). Most of the outer room is completely gone revealing the rift that nearly splits Dragons Belch completely in half. The warm sun and sea breeze has warmed this area to 86 degrees. Looking through the far exit, across the chasm, is an opening of another chamber (Chamber E) of similar make to the others seen thus far.

Rakjak sniffs around, getting his bearings in this new area. Halfway through the room (Chamber C) he discovers the skeleton of what appears to have been a Human adventurer lying face down. A large backpack, short spear, longbow, quiver with 10 metal-tipped arrows lie nearby. The skeleton is mostly covered in chainmail with a soft leather backing.

Any who venture to the edge of rift see multiple openings along the cliff walls at (nearly 50’ below Dragon’s Belch) and below their current level. Looking straight down reveals a rough wooden bridge spanning between both sides of the rift at water level (also nearly 50' down - 100' below Dragons belch). A human, wearing leather and chainmail, carrying a large spear, walks back and forth across the wooden bridge, but never looks up. The far wall (Chamber E) is over 90’ away.

I forgot to add the bridge to the map. Sorry.

Map 5

Map_5.jpg (89.95 KiB) Viewed 1029 times

Actions!


What you know so far

• Strange events and creatures about the town of Hommlet.
• Netheril has lost contact with a fellow Wizard in the Hommlet of Gillian.
• Trees sprung up suddenly on the Seamyst Prairie following a loud horn blow on June 29th.
• The prairie seems to be filled with giant insects and other enlarged creatures.
• Giant Rock Spiders and other strange rock-like creatures encountered in the vicinity of Gillian.
• Brother Smith (Druid of sorts), in the Village of Hommlet, may be the cause of the strange events on the Seamyst Prarie.
• Gaea, Deathless God, mother of the earth and everything therein, may be awakening and threatening the destroy life as everyone knows it.
• Netheril is searching for the Immortals.
• Adventurers have begun to disappear in strange events.
• Strange giant men, possible Moon Men, are appearing and kidnapping people.
• Strange horned demonic beasts have been spotted dispersing dark clouds of black smoky mist that warps the very fiber of living creatures, turning them into slobbering ghoulish terrors.
• Winged, reptilian-like creatures have been spotted flying over the Seamyst Plains.
• Strangly armored Kobolds appear at Netheril’s tower, apparently in the employ the High Wizard Netheril.
• An Elf, possibly Gruagach or Wild arrives, nearly dead, showing signs of some strange transformation with leafy, bark covered skin, and viscous green blood.

Rate of Travel: Slow!

The Party:

• Kel Axelrod – Half Giant (HP: 10/10) (AC: 12)
• Rakjak – Gnoll (HP: 10/10 (AC: 11)
• Lyaera Arabana – Dark Elf (HP: 10/10) (AC: 12)
• Caiden Cross – Human (HP: 10/10) (AC: 13)
• Tafari Baako – Nemed, Honey Badger (HP: 10/10) (AC: 14)

NPC's

• Bartholomew Bumblewoodtooth Grumblefoot III – Gnome Extraordinaire, Retired Adventurer (HP: 40/40) (AC: ??)
• Babak – Small Gargoyle
• Esilia Willow – Pixie (HP: 18/18) (AC: 15/15 fly)
• Gavin Moorehouse – Human (HP: 109/109) (AC: 17)
• Tobias – Grimalkin (HP: 26/26) (AC: 10)
• Zirus – Lizard Man (HP: 10/10) (AC: 19)/

The Bad Guys

• n/a

Calendar:
11:40 am
July 10th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 6:41/8:23
Temp: 86.0 °F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: calm
Condition: Clear
Humidity: 63%
Moon Rise/Set: 6:40 pm/4:46 am
Moonlight: Waxing Gibbous, 95% visible
(2014-KFMY)

Translations
n/a

[Dram]

Lyaera- Moves to see what Rakjak is looking at. Are you taking anything? If not I will take the backpack. I can collect more stuff.

[thesniperknight1]

Caiden looks down the rift and ponders for a moment before looking back at Gavin, "I didn't ask this before but......what caused this rift? for something to split the earth apart and dig this deep into its bowels, do you happen to know?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Kel "Can we move onward or do we need to stop and chat every new room?"

[thesniperknight1]

Caiden nods, "Very well, lead the way"

[MonkeyWrench]

Rakjak

Rakjak sniffs through the pack and skeleton that diverted his attention from going to the ledge, if nothing in the pack is noteworthy he will grab the short spear, grinning a wide canine grin to Lyeara, "Spear good to catch fish, good throw too!" He will then call out to the group for the bow, if no one takes that then he will grab it himself to either use later possibly or sell at their next earliest convenience.

Rakjak will then make his way towards the ledge, giving a snort at Kel's comment about chatting to shut the young human down. The gnoll will make his way to the ledge and side along the side, letting his legs dangle. He sniffs in the air and with a sigh lets his tongue loll out of his mouth as he looks to the others. "Group is down, yes? We go down?" he graps the rope from the side of his pack and holds it up, motioning for everyone else's rope as well, "We go down! Rakjak find short way!"

[Antman9]

NPC Post: Gavin Moorehouse – Human

Gavin keeps the Kobolds corralled and moving toward the cliff edge. At Caiden's question Gavin perks up, and with a muted voice says, "The island we stand on is an old volcano. These undercities we're traveling through were buried long ago by volcanic ash. The recent rumblings we've felt lately lead me to believe the volcano may be coming back to life. Netheril is skeptical about my fears, but then he may simply be in denial. He has a great deal invested in this place. Me, not so much. When my son is returned, and I make those who are responsible pay for their sins, I will be returning to my order in the north , and then away from this island. There is nothing but death here."

Gavin looks over the edge at the wooden bridge and the lackadaisical guard pacing back and forth on duty. "What's the plan? Should we wait for dark and then descend on ropes to the bridge? Or does somebody else have a better idea. I'm not sure how many bandits are down there. Netheril's intel is a bit sketchy."

[thesniperknight1]

Caiden listens intently to Gavin's concerns and nods before moving his focus towards the chef, "it seems as good of a plan as any and the faster we reach our destination the lower the risk", he looks to the others to see if they share the same opinion before helping the chef secure the rope, "The quieter we can be, the better"

[Dram]

Lyaera- Nods to Rakjak and begins to pull the backpack off the skeleton. She searches the backpack and bones for any valuables. If the chainmail is still in good condition she will pack it away into her new backpack. You never know what we may need on the road. He wont need it anymore. She speaks under her breath. Thank you for the gifts. I shall use them well.

[MonkeyWrench]

Rakjak

Rakjak takes the lack of voice for a silent agreement to the plan and works with Caiden to secure the ropes, taking more from any of others that have any if necessary. He tilts his head as he works, looking back to Gavin, "Rakjak as pup learn that grass make hunt easy, grass tall to hide yes?" He takes another look down the chasm, "Rakjak see no tall grass, so wait for hunt in night, yes?" With a cackle and yip of amusement Rakjak finishes the rope work with Caiden, slapping the young human affectionately on the back, his canine face spread wide in a joyous smile, seeming to be having quite a lot of fun.

[Antman9]

Summary: Refresher Post
Calendar: 11:45 am - July 10th, 9001
Location: Somewhere Under Dragons Belch

Having pushed through the wall of black ivy, and peered over the edge of the cliff, the party finds a rapid way down to the lowest level. The rift that splits Dragons Belch in two tapers to a point roughly 100’ north of their position and opens out to the southern cliff face at the city’s southern edge, several hundred feet away, revealing the endless expanse of the Seamyst Ocean to the south. The skies are clear and the winds calm.

The rift is nearly 90’ across at the party’s current position. Various opening can be seen dotting the rift face to the right and left of the party’s position, at the same level and that of the level below, including an opening directly across from the party. Looking straight down reveals water and a rickety looking wooden rope bridge spanning the rift. Periodically, every five minutes or so, a rough looking scallywag of a pirate-bandit guard passes over the bridge. He never looks up or side-to-side, apparently either oblivious to intruders, or uncaring.

The skeleton’s items found in Chamber C—a large backpack, short spear, longbow, and quiver with 10 metal-tipped arrows lie nearby. The skeleton is mostly covered in chainmail with soft leather backing—seem to be in fairly good shape. The pack has several torches, a week’s worth of old desiccated dry rations, a candle, a silver dagger, an empty water skin, a 50’ length of hemp rope, a single piton, and a lump of coal.

Lyaera calls dibs on the backpack and chainmail (both still in good condition); Rakjak eyeballs the spear, considering its use for catching tasty fish or throwing at things, and then heads over to inspect the situation at the rift.

The party unanimously decides to rappel down to the bridge. Kel seems anxious to depart the stifling nature of the underground tunnels, calling for immediate action, while Rakjak suggests the party wait for the cover of night. The Kobolds linger toward the south side of Chamber C with Esilia, Tobias, and Zirus, while Gavin inspects the rift with the others.

Will Kel get his way and storm the guards in broad daylight, or will the party wait for cover of night and slink their way into the pirate-bandit lair?


Map 5

Map_5.jpg (89.95 KiB) Viewed 1002 times

Actions!


What you know so far

• Strange events and creatures about the town of Hommlet.
• Netheril has lost contact with a fellow Wizard in the Hommlet of Gillian.
• Trees sprung up suddenly on the Seamyst Prairie following a loud horn blow on June 29th.
• The prairie seems to be filled with giant insects and other enlarged creatures.
• Giant Rock Spiders and other strange rock-like creatures encountered in the vicinity of Gillian.
• Brother Smith (Druid of sorts), in the Village of Hommlet, may be the cause of the strange events on the Seamyst Prarie.
• Gaea, Deathless God, mother of the earth and everything therein, may be awakening and threatening the destroy life as everyone knows it.
• Netheril is searching for the Immortals.
• Adventurers have begun to disappear in strange events.
• Strange giant men, possible Moon Men, are appearing and kidnapping people.
• Strange horned demonic beasts have been spotted dispersing dark clouds of black smoky mist that warps the very fiber of living creatures, turning them into slobbering ghoulish terrors.
• Winged, reptilian-like creatures have been spotted flying over the Seamyst Plains.
• Strangly armored Kobolds appear at Netheril’s tower, apparently in the employ the High Wizard Netheril.
• An Elf, possibly Gruagach or Wild arrives, nearly dead, showing signs of some strange transformation with leafy, bark covered skin, and viscous green blood.

Rate of Travel: Slow!

The Party:

• Kel Axelrod – Half Giant (HP: 10/10) (AC: 12)
• Rakjak – Gnoll (HP: 10/10 (AC: 11)
• Lyaera Arabana – Dark Elf (HP: 10/10) (AC: 12)
• Caiden Cross – Human (HP: 10/10) (AC: 13)
• Tafari Baako – Nemed, Honey Badger (HP: 10/10) (AC: 14)

NPC's

• Bartholomew Bumblewoodtooth Grumblefoot III – Gnome Extraordinaire, Retired Adventurer (HP: 40/40) (AC: ??)
• Babak – Small Gargoyle
• Esilia Willow – Pixie (HP: 18/18) (AC: 15/15 fly)
• Gavin Moorehouse – Human (HP: 109/109) (AC: 17)
• Tobias – Grimalkin (HP: 26/26) (AC: 10)
• Zirus – Lizard Man (HP: 10/10) (AC: 19)/

The Bad Guys

• (1 or more) Rough looking scallywag pirate-bandit guard(s)

Calendar:
11:45 am
July 10th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 6:41/8:23
Temp: 86.0 °F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: calm
Condition: Clear
Humidity: 63%
Moon Rise/Set: 6:40 pm/4:46 am
Moonlight: Waxing Gibbous, 95% visible
(2014-KFMY)

Translations
n/a

[Dram]

Lyaera- Happy with her find in the backpack. Lyeara puts the silver dagger in her boot. She then follows Rakjak down the rope.

[MonkeyWrench]

Rakjak spies the excitement of the group, his own canine smile plastered on his face. He chooses not to lose himself in the joy of butchering meat, namely the meat of the bandit guard walking along the bridge, and yips to Gavin, "We go now or wait in night?" He looks to the other members of the group, "Night hunt good to sneak. Day hunt just raid, yes? Pack do both, Rakjak do both! But Rakjak not know numbers, pack set ambush for big prey, we do dat?" The excitable Gnoll looks to the group for an consensus on action, attacking now or waiting for a more opportune moment, even setting up an ambush once we know more of their numbers.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kel "I think wait for night makes more sense gives us more of a surprise factor."

[thesniperknight1]

Caiden nods in agreement

[Antman9]

NPC Post: Gavin Moorehouse – Human

Gavin nods assent. "Iagree. Darkness and the night sounds of the sea will give us cover. Let's prepare the ropes, two rappels should do. We should descend a half-hour past full dark, fighting hard. That should give us the best advantage. Get some rest and steer clear of the cliff face. No need to give our presence away prematurely. The Kobolds will gather us once the time has come to descend."

Once the pitons and ropes have been readied Gavin addresses the Kobolds, telling them to wait for his signal before descending once the pirate-bandits have been cleared, sets them on revolving watches, and lays down in a shadowed corner to get some rest.