Quest #37 "Black Metal Examination"

[OGRE MAGE]

The Thunder From Below
Sunday, 28th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Warm, Humid, Very Buggy

Grimm makes an evasive maneuver before hopping into a tree himself. Darklin follows the dwarves, tossing another rock to distract them away from where he figures Grimm must have stopped. It isn’t easy, but the pair whisper around enough to eventually find each other again. The commotion and shouting coming from the mine escalates even more, and new horn blasts cause the pursuing dwarves to leave the area and rush back towards the their mine camp.

Always in tune with nature, Wes starts to feel a rumbling in the Oerth below his feet. He still can’t see any of the others due to the many buildings blocking his view of the mine, but there is an obvious commotion in that direction. He hears shouting and new horn blasts, noticing that all the dwarves he sees are now rushing deeper into their camp, in the direction of the open pit mine just beyond his view.

Still standing at the edge of the open mine, the single dwarf holding onto Chauncey’s invisible bonds hears the new horn blast warnings coming from deep within the mine. Chauncey sees all of the dwarves in his vision sprinting towards the nearby ramp that leads below, rushing into the mine with weapons at the ready. The sounds of battle and screams from below escalate quickly, causing the guard to react. “What is happening down there? We already killed off anything dangerous. What could be causing this uprising? We may need to fight together, human! Let’s go!” The mage is shoved aggressively towards an excavated stone ramp some two hundred feet away that leads down into the dark, brewing chaos below.

Actions?

positions:
Chauncey (MU4) AC:8 15/26 CL, RM, DM 1st:1/3 2nd:0/2 (Invisible)

Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 33/43 1st:3/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3

Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Chwee?
Darklin Sylvanas (F2/MU2) AC:4 15/15 CL, RM, DM 1st:2/2 (Invisible)

[Karaunios]

Grimm

"Darklin. Thank the gods you found me. We were very lucky. Let's go look for the others. Wes wasn't invisible, for Moradin's sake! We have to find him before whatever's happening in the mine takes him too... And we have to secure the horn." He says with concern, torn between running away with it and some whiff of conscience towards his companions.

[Jernau35]

Wes

When the dwarves start running towards the mine, Wes moves to the edge of the trees. "Great Obad Hai! What on Oerth was that?" he exclaims, looking around for any Stonegut sentries. Chauncey's down there. Maybe the others too.

Shalm watch over me he prays. Then he cautiously starts to advance from building to building.

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Moves back towards the route they took getting this deep into the jungle following the broken leaves and trampled saplings heading back towards the spot of the first engagement.

Let's go Grimm. We are most likely going to lose our invisibility when we engage so try not to attack unless you have to. Try to get close to who ever they caught and I will try to take them out with my bow.

[ChubbyPixie]

“Fight together? Yes, of course, that would be delightful,” says Chauncey as he is roughly directed forwards into the mine. “Er… with my arms secured, however, I’m afraid I shall be quite useless.”

[OGRE MAGE]

The Thunder From Under
Sunday, 28th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Warm, Humid, Very Buggy

Darklin and Grimm make their way back to the camp in time to see the last of the dwarves rushing towards the mine entrance. They also spot Wes slowly creeping his way around buildings towards a ramp that leads down into the mine. None of them see their friend Chauncey anywhere, but the druids parrot does flit over to land on his shoulder. There is still no sign of the phanaton Chwee, but by the looks of the recent chaos, that isn't too surprising.

The cacophony of screaming, fighting, and horn blowing continues to roar up from somewhere deeper in the mine, allowing the invaders to advance freely without worry of being spotted by the preoccupied Stoneguts racing to help the miners below.


At the very edge of the mine, being shoved towards the ramp, is the invisible Chauncey with his hands still tightly tied behind his back. His lone dwarven escort turns around to him with an angry look. "Do ya really think I am that dumb to untie a wizards hands when we cant see you? If you make yerself seen again, I might consider it. Otherwise, ferget it! Ye'll just have to figure out how ta help without yer hands."

As the mage is shoved forward, the pair beginning their descent into the cold dark mine, the ground shakes again. The tremors are all short affairs so far, not a lingering rumble like one might expect to feel. The sound of battle below the natural light shining into the mine is obviouus, and the expression on the faces of the dwarves charging below give you the feeling that none of them really know what they are getting themselves into.

Actions?

positions:
Chauncey (MU4) AC:8 15/26 CL, RM, DM 1st:1/3 2nd:0/2 (Invisible)

Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 33/43 1st:3/6 2nd:5/5 3rd:3/3
Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Darklin Sylvanas (F2/MU2) AC:4 15/15 CL, RM, DM 1st:2/2 (Invisible)

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Will move forward towards the mine entrance and stop to look in. Trying to see what is causing the rumbling.

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes looks around at all the buildings. Chauncey and the others could be locked in any of these. But where? I'll never have time to search them all. He listens to all the noise coming from the mine. Sounds like the Stoneguts have got a big problem on their hands. Serves them right too, the way they treat Obad Hai's Domain. Mind you, whatever's going on down there belongs to whatever god they follow. Shows how bad these Stoneguts are, if their own gods are sending 'em trouble.

Wes surveys the camp again and realizes there are no dwarves at all around. Did they chuck Chauncey in a hut and just leave him? He has the brains to shout for help at least. He listens for a few moments. Nothing. Did they take him down there with them?Aye, maybe. Feed him to the monster and give it a stomachache! Wes chuckles to himself, then heads towards the mine entrance.

[Karaunios]

Grimm

As the dwarf sees the spellsword going towards the mine, he whispers: "Wh-what are you doing! They're gonna eat us alive!" Despite his words, he follows the elf, constantly thinking about the holy horn he's carrying.

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Whispers: I already lost my girlfriend and first Elven Recon party to this group of stumpies, It ain't happening again.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Yes, I quite understand your hesitancy," says Chauncey. "The awkward reality is that I am quite unable to end my unseen state without the use of my hands. It requires a short incantation to be performed in order to reverse it, you see. Inconvenient. At least I may go unseen and therefore... uneaten by whatever is below."

As soon as Mr. Wrenly sees Chauncey heading into the mine, he throws all caution to the wind, fearing he will never see his associate again. As quickly as he can he swing-sprints to the mine entrance. He bounds after his master, hoping to go unnoticed in the confusion, and attempts to leap onto him and crawl underneath his robes as quickly as he is able.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Thunder Way Down Under
Sunday, 28th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Warm, Humid, Very Buggy

Unseen, Darklin and Grimm move across the nearly empty mining camp towards the natural stone ramp that leads down into the dark mine. They continue talking along the way, but this time there is nobody around to hear them. They spot a single dwarf who appears to be talking to himself a lot, also moving towards the ramp in front of them.

Wes sees that most of the dwarves have already charged down into the mine to join up with whatever chaos is brewing below. The sounds of horns and battle cries continue to emanate from the darkness below, though there are also sounds of steel on stone, as if their mining project remains in full swing.

Chauncey almost convinces the dwarven guard holding him to untie his hands as he gets pushed along. "That decision is above my rank mister, so when we get below, I will have one of the officers make the call. Don't try anything stupid now." Once they hit the ramp, Chauncey sees Wes next to a building in the distance, just as Mr. Wrenly takes off from the tree line.

All four of the party members see the monkey, still clutching a small blade in his tail, tearing across the clearing towards the ramp. It runs past a few common worker dwarves that have not joined the fighting below, who appear startled initially by the animals presence. When Darklin and Grimm make it to the edge of the mine, they see the monkey dart down the ramp towards the single dwarf, who now appears to be pushing something unseen out in front of him. Then they see Wes heading in their direction just as Mr. Wrenly reaches the robes of his master, in clear sight of the guard. "Hey! Was that a damn monkey? What the hells are you trying to do here mister?" The dwarf starts roughing the invisible mage up, shaking him and twisting hard on the ropes securing his hands.

Actions?

positions:

889B6D01-89C4-4801-B52A-A695FBC879AA.jpeg (22.74 KiB) Viewed 438 times

Chauncey (MU4) AC:8 15/26 CL, RM, DM 1st:1/3 2nd:0/2 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 33/43 1st:4/6 2nd:4/5 3rd:3/3
Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Darklin Sylvanas (F2/MU2) AC:4 15/15 CL, RM, DM 1st:2/2 (Invisible)

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Once the Monkey gets close to the Dwarf, Darklin decides this is their chance. So he casts Charm Person on the Dwarf Guard. Then pops into view, spoiling his Invisibility.

In Dwarven he calls out: Hey!!! Bring that Prisoner back up here, Boss wants to see him before you take him below.

[Jernau35]

I've just noticed Wes' spells are not right. He's used two Entangles and a Heat Metal. So his spells should be 1st: 4/6 and 2nd: 4/5

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes waits at the building, unwilling to leave the familiarity of the jungle behind him. Then he sees Mr. Wrenly running towards the ramp. That has to be Chauncey down there then, he thinks, looking at the oddly behaving dwarf.

Wes starts running towards the ramp. He's relieved to see Darklin suddenly appear in front of him. Maybe Grimm is around here too.

[Karaunios]

Grimm

Grimm won't make himself visible for the time being, specially carrying the important object that he's carrying.

[OGRE MAGE]

I've just noticed Wes' spells are not right. He's used two Entangles and a Heat Metal. So his spells should be 1st: 4/6 and 2nd: 4/5

Thanks! (fixed)

[ChubbyPixie]

"Sir! Please! Yes a monkey... 'Oof!' ...Common and unremarkable, he is merely my pet.... 'Aaah!'... My bonds are really chafing, do be careful! I feel a blister forming....'Ow!'" says Chauncey.

Mr. Wrenly hides out in his personal, smelly invisibility cloak.

"I do bathe quite regularly, you rascal!..." thinks the wizard in response to a silent accusation from his diminutive associate.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Thunder Way Down Under
Sunday, 28th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Warm, Humid, Very Buggy

Chauncey continues to mess with his captor, Mr. Wrenly getting to know his master better than ever from under his robes. Despite the heat outside, the steel dagger on the bare skin of his nether regions feels unmistakably cold.

Keeping himself invisible, with one hand still clutched tightly around the clan relic in his tunic, Grimm sees Wes suddenly rushing towards their position.

Darklin makes his move, casting a spell that spoils his invisibility. The dwarf holding Chauncey stops shoving him down the ramp and turns to see who is addressing him.

"What?! The Boss is down here! Hey!!! Who the hells are you, anyway? INTRUDER!!!!! WE GOT SOME INTRUDERS UP HERE!!!!!!!! The obviously unaffected dwarf starts shouting out warnings over the din of battle coming up from the darkness below.

Chauncey chances a look back, seeing Darklin standing at the base of the ramp leading into the mine. Then he sees Waesfaren's concerned face approach the elf before getting shoved back down the ramp again.

Things below obviously continue to escalate, the noise of screaming and fighting getting louder and louder.

Actions!

positions:
Chauncey (MU4) AC:8 15/26 CL, RM, DM 1st:1/3 2nd:0/2 (Invisible)
Waesfaren Rhey (DR5) AC:7 33/43 1st:4/6 2nd:4/5 3rd:3/3
Greedy Grimm (F2/T3) AC:5 15/15 (Invisible)
Darklin Sylvanas (F2/MU2) AC:4 15/15 CL, RM, DM 1st:2/2

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Moved part way down the ramp towards the Dwarf. Throws 3 throwing daggers at the back of the Dwarf.

[1d20+3]=8+3=11 Throwing daggers Handle-less
[1d3+1]=2+1=3 Throwing dagger damage

[1d20+3]=3+3=6 Throwing daggers Handle-less Miss

[1d20+3]=15+3=18 Throwing daggers Handle-less
[1d3+1]=1+1=2 Throwing dagger damage