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Tunnels below the Temple Ruin.

Galadria & Esther take a flask of oil each, pouring into the giant ant tunnel before striking a light. The lantern fuel goes up in flames, creating a barrier to stop any drones and red-headed solder ants from spilling into the passage. It burns up those filing forwards and collapsed the Ant tunnel until the creatures burrow a new exit.

They confirm that no other Orc guards, weasels or Ogres came looking for the party after the alarm bursts. The Silence spell cast had created a solid sound barrier. No doubt alarmed Orcs still patrol at ground level in the Ruin corridors.

Brick slays the Giant Ant on Olleg's shoulder. No more come into the passage from the cave Mortar ventured to. The armed giant Giant-Ant creature that guarded the entrance also does not enter into the passage. Whether it still guards his pitch is unknown.

Jacupo & Mortar advance up the right hand of the passage, stopping on the threshold to observe the group's interactions with the Orc guards.

Orc guard: 17+ save vs Charm Person spell [1d20]=6

"Hold, friend. If you damage his property, I don't believe he will have any further interest in doing business here." Durrant insists, casting a Charm Person spell upon the belligerent Orc beefing with Rogger.

Between the two mages, Durrant & Edel coerce the Orc guards to be more mindful. Rogger is released and joins Vennar to watch the negotiations with caution.
Orc guard: reactions to spell casting: [1d100]=97

In this case the Orc guard reacts very positively to Edel's manner and Durrant pacifying the rough housing of the priest. The chinking purse of coins helps sway hearts as well as minds.

A knowing smirk played on his lips as he tapped his coin pouch.

Edel: purse of coins to bribe Orcs [5d10]=28

Edel holds out a purse of coins -28gp, Pallas on his shoulder hops down, takes the drawstring bag in his beak and flies to perch on the top ladder rung.

The emerging conflict resolved. Now to what you want to do.

The Orc guards remind you the main audience chamber for checking out slaves is above, a room of captives for sale and a reception for public viewing.

Should you wish to go to the more reserved area, you will need a writ stamped which the guard captain can authorise once he has seen your invitation papers. He is in the chambers above.

To advance further beyond this first passage as these guards routinely do on patrols, they cross into the territory of these Insectoids. The Orcs in the Temple and the subterranean Insectoids have established a fragile treaty and the Temple provides bundles of sugar, the fine white grainy substance the Aspis, as they are collectively known, crave for. In return, the Aspis guard trades back the large leaves which are covered in a pungent smearing of gel. This has been formed from the emitted pheromones the Insectoids use as a type of communication, so smeared guards are sniffed and detected as 'friends' whilst unsmeared guards are detected as intruders.

This goes to explain Mortar's initial interaction as the guardian Aspis was checking him out also.

Aspis pheromone leaf parcels in pit? [1d4+1]=1+1=2

There are only two doses of pheromone smearing left in one of the pits. The Orc guards offer them, one each to their new best friends, Edel & Durrant which they say will allow them passage past the cave to the left end of the entrance passage.

There is an exit in this cave where you stand, on the right of the rear wall, which the Orcs say leads deeper into the Aspis nest territory and they do not patrol that area.

They recommend the other party members either go up the ladder or remain in the staircase area for their own safety.

They are not happy more of the group are seen, (Jac & Mor) protesting verbally about their presence not normally being allowed but do not resort to any hostile actions.

Ogre still holds the ladder, looking up at the bribe purse. The Aspis insectoid guarding the pits seems to cock its bug-eyed head to listen in but does not otherwise interfere.

Health status & conditions:

Galadria: 16/17hp
Vennar: 12/19hp
Olleg: 26/33hp
Brick: 15/18hp
Mortar: 7/10hp
Durrant: 7/7hp
Edel: 11/11hp (14/14hp with Pallas the Owl:
3/3hp)
Esther: 2/3hp.
Jacupo: 7/15hp
Rogger: 10/10hp

next actions everyone please

Brick

Whispering to Olleg, "Are you all right? I saw that nasty bite."

Edel

Ok then, let's get this moving along!

Once things are slightly calmer, the magic user continues to his orc 'friend' - "Can you take the two of us on a tour of the underground - the same route you use for your patrol?" - he inquires - "The others can stay here with your large associate, and you can make sure we don't wander off the marked path" - Edel added - "How does that sound?"

Unsure what's going on with the group since his return from the small tunnel, Mortar remains silent for a change, letting the others play out their ruse as he tries to catch on.

He will keep a spell at the ready as the others converse just in case, keeping an eye on the mannerisms of the huge ant-man thingy.

Olleg, Dwarf

Olleg gives Brick a lopsided grin and replies, "It'll take more than an ant bite to slow this dwarf down! Though, I am glad to have you at my side. Those buggers were nastier than expected." Realizing that the rest of the party is no longer at their backs, Olleg takes one last look at the dead ants and sheathes his sword.

"I guess we better go find the rest of the party, Master Brick. I doubt those finger waggling priests and magicians will last long without the two of us down here," Olleg says with a chuckle. He then follows the tunnel back in the direction of the staircase and will ask the first party member he finds about the rest of the group's whereabouts.

Brick

Brick follows along with Olleg.

He chuckles, "No kidding."

Vennar

Vennar will remain quiet for now as the ruse appears to be working, but he will not be going up to the viewing area.

Durrant Winterflame - Human Magic User

Durrant will happily accept the leaf, rubbing the pheromones on his skin. Yes, a tour would be most excellent. Then, perhaps after a tour, we can begin talking business.

Tunnels below the Temple Ruin.

""Can you take the two of us on a tour of the underground - the same route you use for your patrol? The others can stay here with your large associate, and you can make sure we don't wander off the marked path. How does that sound?""

The two charmed Orcs are in agreement and help Edel & Durrant smear Aspis pheromone upon their faces, arms and necks in order to smell acceptable to the strange insectoids. The Ogre catches the purse of coins dropped by Pallas and the Owl Familiar flies back to perch upon his master's backpack.

Galadria & Esther stay at the bottom staircase, guarding that entrance to the Ruin's ground floor.

Jacupo, Mortar, Rogger, Vennar, Brick & Olleg all file into the end cave and get a first introduction to the Ogre and the Aspis. Both figures are very wary of such an eclectic and armed group and the Insectoid withdraws back into the dug out tunnel on the right that leads deeper into their territory, barring that passage in a visibly menacing way.

The two Orcs do not take kindly to the presence of a second Boash priest, Jacupo nor do they tolerate Olleg as racial antipathy stirs. They are antagonistic and belligerent, demanding this pair retreat back up the stairs, not even to wait in the ladder cave for the showcasing duo to return from their inspection. The Ogre in fact threatens to break the ladder so that none can enter the audience reception from the trapdoor, insisting everyone goes the long way round.

Orc guard: reactions as more of party are encountered [1d100]=36

The mages intercede and offer a solution, suggesting that half the party can wait upstairs as long as a couple more can accompany the inspection. The Orcs consider and suggest that the clerics Vennar & Galadria if they are passive and subdued, they could each walk behind a smeared pair and be accepted by proxy as long as they don't initiate offense. If the clerics come then the Ogre comes along too.

This would mean, Brick, Olleg, Mortar and NPC's Esther, Jacupo & Rogger go back up the stairs towards the Kennels room.

here, I am fine with handwaving you actioning this and partway doing an about turn so that you can run into the end ladder cave to explore once the Inspection team are out of sight.

Temple Ruins vs 1 [1d6]=6

The others (Edel Durrant, Vennar & Galadria) then form as the Inspection team and enter the cave discovered by the gnome.

Actions I want to leave the update here with the group making a choice or offering an alternative. You might say , "Bugger it, let's just kill the orcs and ogre now' as one big group or try to reason a strategy I haven't thought of. I don't want to describe the second cave until you are all agreed on who explores where. So over to you, Actions please.

Edel

Straither wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 10:38 pmhere, I am fine with handwaving you actioning this and partway doing an about turn so that you can run into the end ladder cave to explore once the Inspection team are out of sight.

I am happy with this. Explore, or quickly make short work of the ogre once you double back - just give us a few minutes to gain some distance. Assuming we are not going to be murdered around the corner, that is.
And thanks for offering a possible solution Straither.

Brick

Brick will follow Mortor's lead on this but he is getting nervous with Orcs and an Ogre this close.

To help visualise positions:

Vennar

I am ok with the proposed plan.

OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 3:52 pm With no other ideas offered, I am willing to go along with the DM suggested actions.

I offered plenty of ideas

Tunnels below the Temple Ruin.

Aspis Territory.

Finding a compromise solution, the two priests of Boash, Esther the rescued slave, Brick, Olleg & Mortar withdraw back up the stairs as quietly as they can, giving the impression they are going to take a longer route through the Ruins to the Slave Audience chamber. Team Alpha

It seems to satisfy the two charmed Orcs who under remain swayed by Edel & Durrant and they are escorted into the cave on the left hand side of the passage along with the Ogre and the two clerics, Vennar & Galadria Team Bravo.

Actions I will update the two caves next, one post for each team.

Tunnels below the Temple Ruin.

Team Alpha. Brick, Olleg, Mortar

After waiting a turn, the group sneak back down the staircase, mindful of its slipperiness. Once down they walk up the passage to the cave at the end.

The wooden ladder to the cave was broken in two by the Ogre, two twenty foot pieces lie in the corridor, the bolted trapdoor in the ceiling out of reach unless you have some creative means to get there.

The other exit is guarded by a single Aspis warrior who, having already encountered you and determined you have not brought any sweet treats, he has withdrawn down the passage at the rear, guarding the way into deeper Aspis territory. He makes his presence known but does not become hostile, simply tolerating your own presence whilst you do not threaten his. Before withdrawing he waved his touch sensitive antennae in your direction, nothing each of the visible members of the group and once towards Brick who is still invisible. It cocks its head as as if trying to understand something, then backs away. (take that as it feels threatened by an invisible presence it can scent detect but not see).

There are three small but deep pits in this cave. One contained the leafy parcels of pheromone imbued gel, it is now just full of large used leaves. A second pit has a pile of grain and pulses. The third pit contains bones. assorted skulls, ribs, femurs and the like. Many are broken or bear marks of being hacked. They rest on a pile of dented shields and rusted weapons.

Jacupo, Rogger & Esther look on as you discuss next choices.

Actions please Brick, Olleg, Mortar

Tunnels below the Temple Ruin.

Team Bravo Edel, Durrant & Vennar

Are escorted by the charmed Orcs down the passage to the threshold of the next cave. The lead Orc stops before stepping inside, allowing the guardian Aspis time to scent him and then when he seems to get the 'accepted' signal, he steps inside but in a rather exaggerated way, stepping over a thin filament of line that stretches across the entrance about shin high. A trip wire that connects to a hidden snare net that is poised overhead to entangle the unwary intruders.

Behind him comes Edel who is sniffed in turn and waved inside. Durrant and his charmed Orc follow suit leaving the Ogre with the two clerics. He places a spade sized hand upon each of their shoulders as he stands behind them, saying, "These r wiv me." gruffly. The Aspis turns his proboscis up at the Ogre and makes a sign to its nest companions in the room. You can translate something along the lines of "Big stinky".

This large dug-out chamber has several exits visible. Three of these are man-sized in height and lead off in different directions. The other exits are smaller, near the floor, and appear to be large enough for only gnomes or halflings to use. Very much like the Giant Ant tunnel that Mortar explored.

There is much activity here as the room appears to be a meeting area. Four Aspis insectoids are occupied with various tasks; mending straps, eating a bunch of mossy herbs, sharpening weapons, polishing a wax upon their shields. Various tools are scattered about the room, enough for a workman's trunk; small hammers, pliers, snippers and more. Dangling from the roof is a cage with a parrot in it, complete with little silvered mirror and wedge of cuttlefish.

The room is devoid of light though patches of iridescent fungi grows on the walls which reflect sparkles of firelight from the brands each of the Orcs carry. These two Orcs seem to feel comfortable in the Insectoids presence, indicating whatever treaty or deal has been made, it seems amicable on both sides.

Both clerics, Galadria & Vennar bear shields. One Aspis takes particular interest in them, staring at the sigils with its many faceted eyes. It looks at his own, a plain wooden one made of solid planks with a central iron boss, gaudily painted in blue, white and red. It looks functional and heavy rather than bespoke made by a proper armourer. He gestures with an insect arm towards them both and surprisingly clicks its tongue and warbles it throat to make the intelligible sound of the word "Trade". You don't know if his accent speaks the word as a request or demand, but his interest is clear in obtaining a finer looking shield.

The Orc guards point down each of the main cave exits. (East, Northeast and Southeast tunnels). "Sometimes we check out the Temple access. The passage splits right through their territory, as long as we don't wander, we should be fine the whole length." pointing east

"We have little interest that way, it leads to their hatchery and stores." pointing southwest.

"Our patrols take us up the tunnels and towards the Reserved area or by the Sewers and Barracks." pointing Northeast.



Next actions please Durrant, Edel & Vennar

Edel

I am sorry, but I am a bit confused with the scene. Edel, Durrant and two orcs went ahead, correct? But Team Bravo says 'Edel, Durrant & Vennar'?
My second doubt is how are the Aspis addressing Vennar and Galadria? Are they just at the entrance to the room, and the Aspis see them from the inside where we are?

I am not sure if we are controlling Galadria, but I would agree with her trading her shield with the Aspis one, PLUS some more doses of those scent leaves. To be negotiated?

After the orc somewhat explains the directions of the tunnels, Edel ponders for a second - "What is this Temple access?" - he asks.

answers to the above ooc questions: