Expedition: Fingers/Treasure of Yoldessi Plains- 30 Aug 2021

[Rusty Tincanne]

Was that dialog a typo? "You do not wish him"? What don't we wish him?

[Marullus]

No, that's what I meant. As in, "You don't want to find him."

[onlyme]

Markd stands guarded. He whispers to the others that he is sure this thing, unlike the captured wind from the day before, is evil regardless of the cordial dialog.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Winnie frowns. That is a shame. We had hoped... Tell me, please, did you mean that we would be in danger, or that he does not wish to be found? Out of curiosity.

If the latter, perhaps you can tell us his full tale then? Something to take home? A brief pause, then, Speaking of which, at the risk of sounding greedy, we would love very much to bring home a souvenir from this place. So far we have found nothing but soil and spiders. Are there any artifacts you know of that we can take home to prove it stories true? If coins or gems interest you, we might offer a trade.

[DavetheLost]

Hengist readies himself for whatever may be to come. He checks that both mace and holy symbol are close to hand.

[Marullus]

There is a rustling, rattling noise, then the hissing voice speaks again in Elvish.

"...so I see. You are opportunists and thieves. A pity. I hoped you'd be more interesting. Time, it seems, changes little."

Winnie recognizes that the words change after that, the intoning of a spell.

The party stands and waits while Winnie treats with the voice which hides in the dark shadows around the next bend, speaking to each other in the Elvish tongue. The group stands with the wide pit behind them - at least 15-20 feet it is too far to jump across, hoping for Winnie's words to win them a way forward.

The tone of the conversation changes, however, and the dirt walls between you and the bend ripple. Five troglodytes, fetid in the small space, emerge from the rippling walls like they're climbing out of the water of a pond. They grin viciously, their intent for violence unmistakable. They reach for the javelines on their backs.

(Actions!)

Date: 9:50pm, 06 September 2021
Light: Winnie's continual light
Effects: None
Injuries: Bandy (severely injured), Hengist (severely injured), Fingers (Minorly wounded)

[4d6+2] = 16+2 = 18

[Rusty Tincanne]

Winnie starts to explain to the voice that it is wrong about the party, but quickly sees the futility of it. She thumps the end of Glimmer, her staff, on the ground, sending a Sleep spell at the troglodytes, hoping to get the voice as well.

Initiative [1d6] = 2

Is it possible to cast Web as well?

[Marullus]

Cast one spell per round.

[Rusty Tincanne]

I figured as much but want sure if that counted for the staff' s stored spell.

Can fingers reroll initiative, please?

[Marullus]

Yep. Still one spell per round.

[Zhym]

Stupid girl—why'd she have to go and ask for loot? thinks Fingers. Never ask. Take, sure. But not ask! He hides against the wall, peering down into the pit wondering if it can be crossed to escape.

Initiative: [1d6] = 4

Marullus, how densely is the pit spiked? Could Fingers climb into the pit, cross it without impaling himself, and climb out the other side? And is there room to lower Sprinkles down without his dog getting spiked?

[Marullus]

Yes, but it is a turn (not a round) for each climb action (two total). I allowed a save, so 50% chance of missing spikes when falling... No problems when careful.

[Zhym]

Thanks. Also, FYI, I edited my previous post to add an initiative roll.

Also, if I can add an action:

If one of the trogs gets past Winnie's spell and end up near Fingers with its back to him, Fingers will try to put a sword in its back.

Backstab w/longsword +1 (THAC0 17): [1d20+6] = 3+6 = 9, [1d8x2] = 8x2 = 16+2

He'll fail, but he'll try. :/

[Rusty Tincanne]

Stupid girl—why'd she have to go and ask for loot? thinks Fingers.

Hey! When it's in blue we can hear you thinking!

[Zhym]

It's what everybody's thinking.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Fair enough.

It was a bum roll, is all. Especially after passing a 5d6 check! And she only failed it by 1. Almost got free loot and a story, to boot.

[Zhym]

I wonder about that +2 on the roll, though, when the previous roll was a straight 5d6. Was that because she got greedy?

Butter up the mark by asking for the story of its life. Only then, after the disposition brings the next roll to 3d6, do you go for the payoff.

Come to think of it, didn't Winnie kind of blow the attempt to get lots of loot from the wind spirit? As high-charisma spokeswitches go, Winnie leaves something to be desired.

[Rusty Tincanne]

hmm. Why was it a +2 to that roll, Marullus?

[Marullus]

Was that because she got greedy?

Yes. Modifiers are +/- 4 based on your IC roleplay and the NPC views, usually.

[Marullus]

Any other IC action? Bandy? Markd? Hengist?