Chapter 2: The Highway and Silver Spring

[Dicey]

Souixsie the druid steps forth. We come in peace and in one with Nature. We harm no one and would be on our way.

[GreyWolfVT]

Boff remains silent not wishing to tick off these strange lava beings.

[shaidar]

Garrant

Garrant will watch from the entrance to see how the creatures react to the druid.

[gurusql]

Solenearcillus & The Children
Early Afternoon of Godsday, 19th day of Planting, 597
14th day since leaving Loftwick

Androgost (AC -6, HP 31/65, Armor 13/26)
Qleceec (AC 1, HP 33/63) (Infravision, Lit Sword)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 40/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Hex (AC 0, HP 22/27, Armor 2/8) (Staff with Continual Light Coin)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8) (Glowing Dagger)
Boff (AC 5, HP 51/61)
Garrant (AC 3, HP 50/50, Armor 2/8) (Lantern)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 18/26) (Boff's Lantern)


In the light of the chamber, the group quickly readied themselves. Androgost and Qleceec slipped past Nah Olos—who remained steadfast at his post—with silent determination. Raffi advanced alongside his master, both eager to catch a better glimpse of the unfolding scene. Boff and Garrant lingered near their original spots, wary of disrupting the delicate balance of the moment, while Frannie edged forward, unwilling to fall too far behind.

At the forefront, the quartet’s eyes locked onto the source of a resonant, booming voice. There, illuminated by the flickering, molten light of the chamber, hovered Solenearcillus—the fore mentioned "parent". (See the image for the four that can lay eyes on him.)

With a theatrical flourish, he broke the silence. "Excuse me!" he called out, his voice echoing against the stone walls. "Do you really think you can waltz into my home simply to pass through? That’s terribly rude! Pray tell, what exactly do you think you’re doing?"

There was a pause as his words hung in the air—a mix of indignation and genuine curiosity. Then, softening his tone just a fraction, he continued, "Now, now—let’s not be hasty. Are you mere wanderers, or do you come bearing stories and perhaps a willingness to share in the warmth of community? My dear little ones are all soaking, and they’d love to hear what brings you here. Come join us for a dip in the pool."

The group exchanged hesitant glances, their apprehension mingling. Solenearcillus’s eyes sparkled with both challenge and invitation, his voice as unpredictable as the molten flows he commanded. His fiery presence filled the chamber—not with hostility, but with the passionate intensity of a guardian fiercely protective of his domain, yet open to the possibility of connection.

In that charged moment, every member of the group sensed that this encounter was not merely a test of intrusion, but a chance to step into a world where even a lava-born creature could be as warm and inviting as he was fierce.

Map

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Solenearcillus (for Androgost, Qleceec, Nah Olos and Siouxsie only)

His skin shimmered like molten rock, and his eyes danced with a passionate, fiery glow. He is a little over 5 feet tall.

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[Rex]

Qleceec

How large is Solenearcillus?

[gurusql]

I adjusted the spoiler description with his height.

[Dicey]

Is there any chance (Int check?) Souixsie or others may know what this creature is?
Based on appearance alone, it doesn’t seem trustworthy.
A DM question about Precipitation spell: Given the lava, high temperature and humidity here, would the fog be generated per the note about 90+ degrees? If so, do folks favor trying to evade and move past them?

[Rex]

I adjusted the spoiler description with his height.

Thanks.

[gurusql]

Is there any chance (Int check?) Souixsie or others may know what this creature is?
Based on appearance alone, it doesn’t seem trustworthy.
A DM question about Precipitation spell: Given the lava, high temperature and humidity here, would the fog be generated per the note about 90+ degrees? If so, do folks favor trying to evade and move past them?

The creatures very rare, so most likely not the exact species. There are multiple context clues out there on the types of creatures that these are however. These have been given to the players over the game and were even included in the two new players summaries. If you want me to lay them out for you, sure give me a 4d6 INT check.

As to a Precipitation spell. It is over 90 degrees F in the room, but this does not appear to be magical fire.

[Dicey]

Siouxsie didn’t know what type of creature this was, but its sharp claws, sadistic face and demonic body made it untrustworthy. She realized the lava fires were not magical, negating her Precipitation fog idea.

With parley and strategy ineffective, as the Fates usually made such in places underground, the druid moved back to let the fighters do what they do.

“I fear we must dispatch them to continue,” she whispered.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Loudly, "We ask that you allow us to pass, we have business further ahead to attend to."

[shaidar]

Can Garrant hear the conversation from his location? I thought I had him move up to the entrance.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Edited my previous post to make it clear everyone can hear it.

[ravenn4544]

Androgost whispers to the team, “as much as I agree with the threat, perhaps it knows of the greater threats shaking the earth?”

[GreyWolfVT]

Boff "I dunno if them are tha kids I dunno that I wanna meet momma."

[Ythgar]

Hex and Raffi

Hex and Raffi each remain silent as they carefully observe and make their assessments of the terrain.

[gurusql]

Solenearcillus & The Children
Early Afternoon of Godsday, 19th day of Planting, 597
14th day since leaving Loftwick

Androgost (AC -6, HP 31/65, Armor 13/26)
Qleceec (AC 1, HP 33/63) (Infravision, Lit Sword)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 40/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48) (Protection from Fire - 88)
Hex (AC 0, HP 22/27, Armor 2/8) (Staff with Continual Light Coin)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8) (Glowing Dagger)
Boff (AC 5, HP 51/61)
Garrant (AC 3, HP 50/50, Armor 2/8) (Lantern)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 18/26) (Boff's Lantern)

There continues to be movement in the chamber from both some members of the group and the so-called Children. Garrant moves up between Siouxsie and Nah Olos to get a view of the speaker. Boff, Hex and Raffi hold position waiting for a reaction. Frannie moves up next to her uncle with Garrant moving to the room. The four children continue their chant "Cerulean!" (only #2) and "Magma!" (all the rest) until #2 touches #3. A few moments later the chant continues only now with #3 leading the way with line "Cerulean!"

Siouxsie whispers "I fear we must dispatch them to continue." and Androgost whispers back, "as much as I agree with the threat, perhaps it knows of the greater threats shaking the earth?" Boff says to those close to him "I dunno if them are tha kids I dunno that I wanna meet momma."

Qleceec speaking for the group says loudly, "We ask that you allow us to pass, we have business further ahead to attend to."

The creature with the deep, resonant voice says with a mischievous glint in his molten eyes says, "And what makes you think if you enter my fiery sanctum you will get any closer to your goal? Are you here to bear my blazing legacy", he laughs as if he said something witty then continues "or merely to dawdle in my domain? Speak my dampling what this purpose that you call 'business further ahead', lest you tempt the flames of my displeasure!"

Actions?

Map

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[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec will wait for one of the more eloquent to speak up and question the creature.

[Ythgar]

Hex and Raffi

Hex and Raffi move so they have a better view of what confronts them, as well as any possible route past it.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos stands silent, but ready.