The Unseen Servant forums

Olleg, Dwarf

Unsure how much Elwita's senses can be trusted given her recent ordeal, Olleg still nods along with her claims of other captive dwarves. "While the slavers and aspis are working together, they remain formidable foes. If we strike at the slavers first, their current captives could become our allies. Then we can turn our attention to these bugs," reasons Olleg, hoping to convince Elwita the slavers are a bigger priority.

Turning his attention to the rest of the party, Olleg says, "You're right about one thing, Master Mortar, sooner or later, someone will find these bodies. If we're going to rest, we should do it soon. However, after seeing what they've done to our new companion, I am hesitant to rest in aspis territory." Olleg then pauses for a moment to ponder the party's options. "Still, moving through the ant tunnels is probably our best bet for reaching other parts of the compound undetected. Hopefully this round of negotiations goes better than mine," grumbles Olleg, regretting the loss of his mead.

Venna

"The orcs as on semi-truce with the ant-men from the sticky stuff. If we can get enough sticky stuff to get to the other side of the ant-men territory we should have a chance to rest with the ant-men being semi-friendly at out backs."

"Have we been inside here long enough to justify a rest period?"

I keep and edit the party's progress in the: Story so far: Chronology thread.

So far your group are at 9.40am, having started the adventure at 4.00am.

grumbles Olleg, regretting the loss of his mead

The alcoholic mead actually worked a treat from the perspective of affecting the Aspis drone-warrior. After drinking too much, it faced a Saving Throw vs poison which could have incapacitated it. It was only a poor reaction check result which caused the Hostile actions. Suffering drunkenness incurred a -2 to hit penalty, something to bear in mind if you want to try and gain advantages.

Edel with his charmed Orc Chagg and Brick can go back to the Aspis Cave entrance and try to use the Sundew carcass as a trade or bribe for the group to be able to access the tunnels and passages beyond the Aspis territory.

I am fine with advancing Edel to negotiate with the Aspis, but anyone can speak up, so please do so if you want your character to chime in, otherwise I will wait on Edel's skillful negotiations and bribery.

Edel

The elf listens to everyone's input - he is somewhat surprised some of the things stated are but a repetition of previous discussions, but shrugs it away.

"Very well, lets open negotiations and see where they can take us" - he nodded after a few moments of pondering - "If someone will help with bringing the remains of the sundew carcass, we can try to negotiate our passage" - he looks around at his companions - "Olleg, do you allow me to offer some of your whisky also as barter?" - he inquired - "I am thinking one drink from it should equal a dose of scent patches - that way we can limit how much they will drink. Hopefully that will help in keeping things under control" - the elf explained - "Also if any of you have anything else you might be willing to barter, please speak up - we have all noticed these aspis are quite open to trading"

That being said, when the group seems ready to move, Edel will head toward the aspis guard via the tunnel opposed to the ladder cave - "Please all pay particular attention as we move along - I have noticed several trip wires along the routes, mainly on cave entrances. I am not sure of their purpose, but surely some sort of alarm or trap" - he commented as they moved out, then paused, turning to Chagg - "Do you know what the tripwires are for?"

Tunnels: Aspis Territory

"Do you know what the tripwires are for?"

the tunnel passages leading into the Aspis Cave each have a tripwire which triggers a drop-down entangling net. You should presume to snare intruders.

"If someone will help with bringing the remains of the sundew carcass,

Brick is behind you, holding the Sundew carcass on his shield to carry.

Olleg, do you allow me to offer some of your whisky also as barter?"

going through character sheets, you can collect two wineskins of wine and Olleg has the whisky bottle given to him for safekeeping from Goran and his second flask of mead.

I am fine with Galadria holding those to offer out once negotiations start. The cleric has actually the highest Charisma attribute score.

To complete the team by the cave entrance, charmed Orc Chagg holds a firebrand.

Behind the group line up Mortar, Vennar, Durrant, Elwita, Olleg, Jacupo, Rogger.

Let's see how the negotiations go ...

Aspis trade reactions [1d100]=8

The initial reaction from the Aspis drone-warrior guarding the entrance is very poor, bordering upon immediate hostility. This Aspis is the very one Edel traded his enchanted Quall token with, taking a skinned but alive 'walking corpse' Elwita in exchange. However the magic in the feather token has a limited duration once triggered and that has long since passed. The Aspis guard is not pleased to see Edel wanting to conduct more trade since it has a strong sense of being scammed previously.

"Bad trade, bad trade!" it says, furiously waving the defunct and obselete feather token in the face of the mage, along with a broadsword held in the other.

Before conflict arises, the Sundew is presented along with a pacifying draft of wine. The guard is very dubious, poking the carcass with the point of his sword, his multi-faceted eyes glint with a hint of recognition.

Sundew offered, new reaction check.
Aspis trade reactions [1d100]=59 uncertain but prone towards positivity.

Galadria balances the wineskins upon the point of the blade which the Aspis passes over his shoulder to the other drone Aspis who stay seated on their benches, still crafting repairs on tools but warily, each keep their extra pair of hands held over sword hilts.

The Aspis guarding the entrance looks at Edel, dropping the feather to the floor. "Bad trade. I take bird-pet" it clicks, indicating Pallas who is perched on the Mage's shoulder.

next actions Edel, Galadria & Brick are by the entrance. You can communicate with the guard Aspis and ask the terms of your Sundew trade.

Vennar, Mortar, Durrant, Olleg a yard or two behind. I am fine with you guys leaving it for others to negotiate but prep spells and weapons should conflict arise.

Olleg: 26/33hp
Brick: 15/18hp
Mortar: 7/10hp
Vennar: 12/19hp.
Galadria 16/17hp
Durrant: 7/7hp
Edel: 11/11hp (14/14hp with Pallas the Owl:
3/3hp)
Elwita: 17/54hp.
Jacupo: 7/15hp
Rogger: 10/10hp.

Brick

Brick remains silent as he waits for Edel to respond to the Aspis' offer.

Edel

The elf was not happy by the fact THAT specific aspis was on on guard, but at least the insect like creature didn't just simply throttle him because of the expended Quaal feather token... He decided to not dwell on that subject and hope for it to go away.

"Pallas... Hmmm, the 'bird' is not for trade or sale" - he tried not to sound too irritated, while shaking his head - "We have this sweet, sugar filled sundew" - he pointed to the carcass - "In exchange for scent packets - passage through the tunnels for ALL of us" - he made the movement to show all the group, and then to indicate they would continue along the tunnels - "Very GOOD trade" - he added - "And after we get passage, we bring more sugar"

"We also trade drink" - he added - "But ONE drink" - he raised one finger - "Is ONE trade" - he added - "We give ONE drink" - he moved as if drinking and then raised one finger again - "You give ONE trade"

"If TWO drinks from us" - he made the drinking motion again, but now raised two fingers - "Then TWO trades from you" - he pointed at the aspis and raised two fingers again"

"If MANY drinks, then MANY trades"

Vennar

Vennar will remain quiet and hoping for the best but will be thinking about a Silence spell if needed.

Galadria is sick of these godless creatures but putting on a softer tone, decides to play up to Edels bargaining...

To Edel but loud enough for the Aspis to hear "No Edel, don't... bad trade for us, trade too good for Aspis, don't give them our special drink"

Winks at Edel to play along

Tunnels: Aspis Cave.

Aspis: trade negotiations [1d100]=95

The Aspis drone-guard puts out feelers towards the Sundew Carcass, touching, tasting, sensing. It seems to sweeten any deal and sugar coats negotiations.

The Aspis click-tongue speech between themselves, too quickly for Edel to cast any opportunity to Comprehend Languages. Your charmed Orc Chagg wipes a fevered brow, unsettled over the protracted dealings with the Weevil-men it seems.

It seems passage can be negotiated and the Aspis collectively communicate with several of the scuttling Giant Ants. These begin to file into one of the westward leading tunnels, sent upon some kind of errand.

The party can file one by one into the Aspis Cave, crowding it and as the drone-warriors seem to make good on the deal by downing in long greedy gulps, the selection of beverages held out towards them.

The Aspis do love a drink but the acquired taste comes at a risk of intoxication. Three of those crafting succumb to the effects of slight inebriation, failing Saves vs Poison which leads to uncertain reactions as the Aspis becomes suddenly confused by the sudden glut of intruders.

Aspis: alcohol induced drunkenness, 11+ Save vs Poison [1d20]=5[1d20]=16[1d20]=4[1d20]=8

Aspis reactions to drunkenness [1d100]=52 [1d100]=86 [1d100]=42 [1d100]=35

The three Aspis displaying symptoms of a hard night out also become fractious and while not openly hostile, they are less tolerant of the two dwarves, Elwita & Olleg.

One points to the Icon, commenting on the bearded babe as one whose skin best befits a new loincloth. Before the intolerance magnifies, the Giant Ants begin to filter back into the cave, bringing with them small globules of pungent ooze. It might be less refined than the pheromone smears, perhaps in a more raw state, but the Aspis guard takes one, planting it roughly into each of the party's hands and gesturing them to smear themselves in the blended mix of musk gland excretions and insect dribble.

While Chagg, Edel & Durrant have smearing a which will last longer, (a few hours) these smaller globules only placate the Aspis for a short duration, enough to pass into their territory and be scented as 'friendly' for a few turns at most.

The next stage then is to choose which way to go. The four man sized exits lead towards:

north) Slippery Staircase/Ladder Cave

east) towards the Temple Access

south) Aspis Kitchen and further to Sewer channel/guard posts

west) guard posts/reserved Slaves market.

I think the last was your preference, but will open here for any last questions and observations regarding the Aspis and their territory.

next actions please.

Mortar seems pleased with the negotiations so far, staying silent while the others debate.

As they pass through this area, he tries to determine if his Gnomish skills would allow him to communicate with these strange creatures.

"Hi there. How do you like living here in these tunnels?" He asks a random Aspis who seem non-threatening enough.

Brick

Brick smears himself with the stuff as he waits to see where they are going now.

Edel

The Magic-User felt relieved things had not gone awry immediately - he would love to explore the caves further, finding himself curious about these aspis, but it simply feels too dangerous.

"Let's get moving quickly" - he urged his companions, and with a nod to the aspis moved toward the tunnel which he thinks will lead them to the reserved slaves market (west) - "This way to the reserved slaves, correct?" - he confirmed with Chagg

"Hi there. How do you like living here in these tunnels?" He asks a random Aspis who seem non-threatening enough.

Three Aspis are more drunk, leaving the guard and one other still 'sociable'. The Aspis don't have a great grasp of common, they seem to understand your gesture concerning the surrounds they live in.

"Nest, away from sun. Nice, make good hive, make many young from mating with Queen. My honour, my duty.

You want trade?" it asks, looking over Mortar, inquisitive regarding the things you bear with you.

I am just checking in regards to this item

4) Fourth finger ring has a mother of pearl setting, Edel Ring of Spell Storing: Shatter x2

which was noted by Edel as being given into party funds but not allocated to any specific person. Do you want to allocate this to anyone or perhaps use it in trade?

Olleg, Dwarf

When offered, Olleg will smear himself with the ooze, grimacing slightly as he does so. Wary of the aspis, he remains silent, but on guard, allowing the others to negotiate and choose the party's path through the hive.

Straither wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 4:32 pm Three Aspis are more drunk, leaving the guard and one other still 'sociable'. The Aspis don't have a great grasp of common, they seem to understand your gesture concerning the surrounds they live in.

"Nest, away from sun. Nice, make good hive, make many young from mating with Queen. My honour, my duty.

You want trade?" it asks, looking over Mortar, inquisitive regarding the things you bear with you.

Mortar seems pleased that he can understand one of these creatures.

"Sure. You like salt? Flour? Have you ever seen flour before? It is a wonder dust if you ask me. Biscuits.....dumplings......pancakes......."

Brick

"Pancakes are the best, smeared with as much butter as you can."

Vennar

Vennar will also spread the substance on him and let the negotiations continue.

Galadria

Glad the Aspis seem a little more friendly will spread on the slime and be ready to move quickly.