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The Sea of Starry Night [closed]
There is a tense silence as the two groups of adventurers square off ...
The half-orc rattles his flail restlessly while a gaudily-dressed ranger stands ready by his side. A human fighter stands beside them, his longbow drawn back and ready to fire. Small flames flicker at his arrow's tip.
Behind them, a heavily armored human carries an unconscious robed girl in his arms, flanked by an elf and a gnome. The elf wields a rapier and main-gauche; the gnome holds her crossbow locked and loaded, ready to fire. In the very back is a small halfling holding a glowing spear that illuminates the area.
A quartet of dancing lights swarms distractingly in front of this formidable party.
Thirty feet away a lizardman blocks the center of the passage with bared teeth and sharp claws. The replilian humanoid hisses threateningly as he stands protectively in front of a battered and bloody dwarf, who struggles to his feet and readies a massive sword that seems to be coated with some kind of black ichor.
Behind them stands an exceptionally tall and fair woman with long, straight white hair. Her regal appearance is marred only by stringy webbing that dangles from her robes and arms. A pair of elf twins stands nearby, literal mirror images of each other.
Almost unnoticed at first is a small gnome rogue wielding a scaled-down shortsword. Scarlet blood drips down his arm from a nearly foot long laceration.
Though battered and bloody, this group of adventurers is clearly experienced and battle-hardened and not to be trifled with.
Seconds tick away as each side waits for the other to make the first move ...
OOC: Previously Sarloc's Heir and Into the East. The OOC thread is here. Game on!
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lizardkin Druid
No more packmates will be lost this day..
He stubbornly wills himself to not show the fatigue and aches throughout his body.
*The druid studies the adversaries for their strengths and weaknesses and moves into a defensive posture beside the now standingThokk and Fizahn*
His body language promising swift response to any threat to his pack.
OOC: Charge the first opponent to make a threatening move. I will not recognise the girl bec. my back was to it and i was busy with the beb.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Halfling, Into the East
The Halfling in the middle of the bunch shifts uneasily, peering around a few of his companions' waists to see the other group.
His blueish garments are whole, though certainly not clean, and he seems uninjured.
We outnumber them, but I still don't know if we can afford a fight... but it's not up to me. I'm just here to follow.
He hoists the spear a little higher, watching the other group carefully.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius, Human Fighter
Darius looks ahead the other group warily, his eyes dart back and forth from his own party to them. The immense bags under his eyes seem to show more than just fatigue, underneath his cold, hard stare is an inexplicable sadness. He keeps his firey arrow notched to his bow, waiting for someone to make a move.
Well dammit, somebody's gotta talk.
"I have had enough of this place. I've had enough of dark, dank tunnels and unearthly cold. I've had enough of stale food, of running low on water. I've had enough of terrible guides, and I've had enough of grimlocks, chasm, drow, and *urg* poison arrows. The name's Darius, I don't know who you people are, or why you're here, but I know I don't want to fight you."
(OOC: I really like where this is going, DR)
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Female gnomish rogue, East group
The crossbow-wielding gnome's eyes widen as she takes in the scene before her, but the crossbow doesn't waver. Her gray studded leather armor and cloak are decidedly dirty and travel-stained; her long blonde braid is looking rather dull and her brown-skinned, sharp-featured face is smudged with grime. Evidently this group has been traveling for quite some time. Fatigue is evident in her movements, but she looks around the tunnel alertly.
After Darius speaks, the gnome clears her throat. "I agree with Darius. I've had quite enough for one day already, and we need another set of enemies like we need a plague of stirges. I'm Lissa Quicksilver... at least, that's what I go by in most places." Lissa's voice is a pleasant soprano, albeit a bit hoarse. "Oh, speaking of enemies, there's a whole lot of angry drow back there-" she jabs a thumb back the way her group came- "and they'll probably be coming this way as soon as they figure out how to get across the chasm. I strongly suggest that we resolve this quickly so we can get out of here!"
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Male dual weilding elf
As a sign of good faith, the elf flicks his rapier and sheathes it, He stands upright, still keeping the dagger clenched in one hand. "Well since two of my associates have introduced themselves to you, it would normally be polite to do the same. I'm Aeroz, son of Rellem the Cloaked."
[OOC: New thread, new format. I figured I would give Aeroz a speech colour and change his ID tag to bold. Why I post this, I dont know.]
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Half-Orc Warrior
The Orc give his flail a shake, the steel head rattling the chain, but he makes no other hostile moves. After a moment, he speaks, his voice gruff and rustic, "This is pretty simple. I'm coming through, and all ya gotta do is clear a path. After that.. I don't care, ya can follow us if it makes ya happy, and that'd probably be a damned fine idea on yer part. Or ya could not move, and I could clear a path, through, or die trying."
He pauses a moment, his rough visage creasing in thought, as if he's forgotten something, "Oh, right.. Lumpy." He offers no other explanation, settling back a bit, waiting for them to clear out.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Halfling, Into the East
The halfling gives a short, grim laugh at Lumpy's statement.
Rather arrogant of him... I don't think we even trust him yet, and he's not helping his cause with them...
Then, not moving from his safe spot towards the middle fo the group, he begins to speak.
"My name's Achkby. I want a fight about as much as the rest of them. And we think that we need to get down this tunnel, to the Glimmersea. And there are a bunch of angry drow and Grimlocks across a huge chasm back there."
He jerks his tumb over his shoulder.
"So I don't advise trying to go that way. I recommend turning back and going back down that tunnel with us. And then we can decide if you're going to come with us or not."
He pauses for a moment, and glances at Aeroz.
"But that's not up to me. All I'm saying is that if you aren't on friedly terms you;d probably be better off turnign back around."
He ends grimly, with a deep sigh, and his spear trembles a bit in his grip. He lowers it, and sets one end on the ground.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius
"I'd say most of them are at the bottom of the chasm now." Darius says with a little chuckle. "But yes, we should get going? What do you say?"
He waits for one of the strangers to answer.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Human Ranger
A Human with a long purple and green overcoat and a huge floppy purple hat stands in the very front of the party with Darius and Lissa. The Hawk resting on a strange apparatus which holds a torch shifts on its precarious perch.
"Oh, great, are you folks going to tie me up as well?" He remarks before shrugging and taking a long drink from the flask sitting at his hip.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lizardkin Druid
they do not seek to fight.. good
Understanding that the pinkskins who stand opposite them are not keen to fight and are fleeing something behind them, the lizard understands the strangers simply wish to pass
I hope the others will let them pass.. we need rest
but first our prey..
speaking slowly with clenched teeth
in draconic,
"Where.......iss....sSethra?"
OOC: hello to everyone from ITE. sorry if i come off as a bit of a harda**.with a cha of 8, I really should rub you the wrong way and don't expect me to volunteer my name. lizardkin don't do that with humanoids. and well it'll take a while before my char warms up to you. I told my own party to just call me Druid.. so if you hear them call me that you could follow suit. thanks. game on
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Aeroz, Elf Swashbuckler
"Sorry buddy, I dont speak your language. " The elf comments as the lizardfolk belays his message. "Perhaps we could understand each other if we spoke in this tongue. I .." Aeroz stutters as he tries to think of a goblin equivalent for the word "reckon that we can talk to each other easier. Or do you speak common? If you're travelling with a band like this, it seems sort of like a necessity."
Aeroz's goblin is a little rusty, but if the lizarfolk can understand it, it should be understandable
[OOC: obviously orange is goblin, blue is common.]
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Linda the White, mage.
The white haired, white robed woman in the back of the newcomers stands on her staff wearily and studies the other group. Her eyes scan the tunnel left and right but she can't see many things apart from the other group due to lack of any ability to see in the dark. Shaking her head she attempts a smile when three of the strangers speak. Deeming it polite, she also begins to introduce herself:
It is fortunate to meet anything other than enemies in these caverns if-from what I gathered of your speech-they are indeed part of the Underdark. My friends and I traveled through a portal here after a fight with a powerful demon. Though admitting it pains me, we lost more than one friend there-we would not like to fight again so soon. My name is Linda "Whitestaff" Endareth but you can call me simply by my first name. If you were fighting drow and other creatures of darkness, would I be right in assuming you are a noble group? If that is so, we could possibly join forces for a time-this place must be dangerous and I would like to live to see the light.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Fizahn:
Fizahn eyes the other group warily, looking at each one and evaluating them, he spends the longest time evaluating the other gnome. He then looks at his own group and evaluates them. Pressing his hand to his arm, he begins to speak, "I'm Fizahn. I agree that fighting is not the best option. I assume you're fleeing from those drow back the way you came, but if not it would be best to combine forces and find a place to rest as quickly as we can."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lumpy
The orc begins to walk towards the other party, intending to push his way through if they won't move. As he nears, it becomes clear that he's in rather poor condition himself, dirty, beaten up, and looking like he hasn't had a proper meal in quite a while. He does manage a derisive snort, "Rest? In the underdark? Good luck with that. I've been down here fer a while and I ain't had the pleasure yet."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
As Lumpy approaches, the dwarf raises his sword in warning, point ready. Fresh demon blood, black as tar, drips from its blade.
"I'm in no mood for yer disrespectful tone, half-breed. Ye'll be answerin' our questions an' politely too before we say ye can pass!"
The two elves step forward in an attempt to defuse the tense situation, revealing themselves on closer inspection to be half-elven. They roll their eyes at the dwarf's racial slur, then both bow as one respectfully.
One speaks in a gentle voice, "Greetings and well met, friends. I am Elthan Moonshadow."
"As am I," adds the other.
"We have no wish to fight nor would we hinder your travels, but we are somewhat disoriented and could use your help," says the first.
"First of all, where are we?" asks the second.
"If this is truly the Underdark, is there quick passage to the surface?" asks the first.
"How far are we from Mimleth and the Orsrauns?" asks the second.
Seeing the blank looks they get in return, the first Elthan asks, "Are we even still in the Vilhon Reach?"
The other continues, "And we have seen that girl you are carrying in a vision," indicating Sheyra, "Who is she?"
"Is she alive?" inquires the first, an eyebrow cocked in curiosity.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius, Human Fighter
"Actually, if any of you could help us, Sheyra and I have both been poisoned by drow arrows. She's alive... but she's fading. And no, there is no quick passage to the surface... in fact we'll be lucky if we ever find passage to the surface. And what do you mean, in a vision?"
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Achkby, Halfling
After Aeroz speaks, Achkby says quietly, trying to make himself audible only to his friends, "I understand him. Or at least I think that I do." He frowns for a moment, puzzled. "I think that he asked us where 'ssethra' is, though he hisses so much that he can't tell if it is ssethra or just ethra."
-----Present-----
This is insane! Why do some people always want to fight? At least one of them is going to die if there is a fight.
Speaking to the elf/ves, Achkby says, "Thank you for keeping your heads."
The he talks directly to the dwarf. "I'd thank you to keep your weapons down, Dwarf. Even if Lumpy is out of line, you have no place starting a fight when none of us want it.
"We brought him, so if he does try anything, we'll take care of him oursleves. If he attacks you, I see no problem with your defending yourself or even killing him, but don't touch him until he does so. And we'll stop him from doing that."
He stares grimly at the dwarf, but then looks at Lumpy instead. "Lumpy, I know you've been down here for a while, but this is not the time to start another fight. Come back here and put down that flail."
He shifts a bit uneasily after challenging the two people in the tunnel with the biggest weapons, but doesn't say anythign more.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Fizahn, gnome:
Fizahn looks at Lumpy like he's a fool as he threatens to fight Thokk. His glance is replicated as Darius comments about how the group is poisoned and asks what is meant by vision. "Is a vision not specific enough for you? Very well, we saw her in the portal that brought us here." Fizahn laughs as Achkby reprimands Lumpy. "That's right Lumpy, listen to your brains."
OOC: For those of you who don't know, I've color-coded my languages:
Common
Gnome
Draconic
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lizardkin Druid
The lizardkin looks slightly baffled as the pinkskins around him exchange greetings and begin to co-operate. the knowledge that a confrontation was no longer imminent relaxed the lizardkin until a tall, smelly pinkskin took steps forward and started being belligerent. The lizardkin drew himself to his full height and stood toe to toe with him, flexing his clawed wrists & hissing dangerously thru clenched teeth. His manner indicating that if the strange pinkskin attempted to push his way thru his party, it''d have to go thru him..first.
I will share my pain with this pinkskin if he tries to be stupid..
As the elthans burst into an attempt to defuse the situation and the stranger goes no further, he attempts to digest the conversation that passes around him.
Even with his increasing grasp of pinkskin-speech, the words while intelligble did not make sense to him. He was further puzzled that the others were not seeking what errand these strangers had with Sethra and why the others weren't eager to retreat back into the mountains and rest so as to relaunch the attack on Sethra.
there isn't much time left.. my people will begin to move soon
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Aeroz, Elf Swashbuckler
"Sethra...Sethra...I've heard the name before. I think it had something to do with that Kris thing. Why would you be looking for him. We were told that it was a centuries old artifact. Obviously the man must be dead, or undead. I wouldn't put it past some people..."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius, Human Fighter
"Uh, actually no, not really. A vision could be a number of things... all of which there's no time to go into now. Let's get moving, shall we?"
Vision not specific enough for you? How about an arrow up your arse, that specific enough for you? And that damn lizard is getting on my nerves... as unlikely as it seems I think I'm with Lumpy on this one.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lumpy
Lumpy actually does stop, though he doesn't look eitherr intimidatec by the resistance put up, nor swayed by their attempts at persausion. Instead, his thick features flex into something approximately incredulous, "Yeah, sure, let's all sit down, put aside our weapons, put a pot'a tea on the fire, and compare notes. That way when the dark elves cross the chasm with some other bridge or whatever, we can all be unprepared with our backs to a dead end, and die properly."
He shakes his flail again impatiently, pausing in his speech long enough to rattle of a few colorful curses in orcish, then continues, "Or, if the prospect of being alive appeals ta ya somehow, we should, say.. move and talk all at the same time. Not too complicated fer ya, is it? Because otherwise, whether I die fighting all'a ya, or a pack of drow ain't gonna make any difference in an hour or so."
Always talking.. you'd think they were on the surface the way they waste time.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lissa, rogue
Lissa sighs audibly and rolls her eyes as Lumpy and the dwarf butt heads (metaphorically speaking.) She giggles at the other gnome's comment, and replies in the same language. {Fighters, go figure. I mean, 'half-breed'? I can come up with a better insult than that half-asleep!}
Seeing that a fight is (hopefully) not imminent, Lissa snaps down the safety catch on her crossbow and slings it over her shoulder by an attached strap. "I speak Draconic, too," she pipes up. Looking at the lizardfolk, the gnome speaks in the same hissing language. <Well met, warrior. Do you understand the trading-talk of humans?> She looks back up at Darius. "I just told him hello, and asked him if he understands Common. And I second the motion to talk while we walk! Or better yet, run!" Lissa eyes the wounded dwarf. "Hmm, he doesn't look like he can move very fast at the moment. Baravar's black cloak, that must hurt! Oy, Sedryn! Got any cure spells handy? The dwarf here looks like he can use 'em."
OOC: {Gnome} <Draconic>
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Fizahn, gnome:
"I know what you mean, I've said worse half-asleep."
Fizahn sheathes his "short sword", and looks at the passage the other group came from, and then looks the way his group is preventing them from going. "I agree with her. We'd better start moving. I don't think anyone is in any shape to fight, and definitely not an outnumbered battle."
Fizahn turns and starts walking down the passage. He turns back to look at everyone, and shouts back, "Well, does anyone else want to live? Let's pick up the pace here!"
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Aeroz, Elf Swashbuckler
"Whoa there. You guys look pretty roughed up. Moving around here in your condition would be dangerous. Do you guys have any healing or something? If not, I'm sure that Sedryn will be able to help you out" Aeroz points the cleric in the full plate, who seems to be standing idly.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lizardkin Druid
The momentary spike of rage ebbs into a palpable knot of cold fury. An emotion more familiar to the cold-blooded creature.
Feh..I begin to forget myself. Perhaps pinkskins are not as weak as 'the people' thought they were. Perhaps the ones i hunt with are worthy of some respect but.. I AM lizardkin.. and must remember 'my people' belong to a balance while these.. pinkksins.. easily upset it with their ignorance and embrace corruptive magic..... I CANNOT become attached to them...packmates though they are.. and i cannot take on their weaknesses as well
Although still standing before the tall strangely smelling pinkskin, his shoulders drop and the lizardkin seems less aggressive.
Yet the loss and anger I hold do not seem any less
His brows furrow.
His attention is diverted by a smaller pinkskin a short distance behind the one he blocks. Like the small scarred one with the spirit of a wolverine, this one has a big snout as well.
His eyes widen as it sheathes it weapon and stands close and begins talking in draconic.
It can't come above my hip but here it stands fearlessly while unarmed within reach of one such as I
He glances at a clawed hand, which he finds himself lowering, before turning to it and replying:
"I do"
Do all big-snouteded pinkskins carry this muchf coutrage?, he muses.
As his awareness shifts to the presents and away from his emotions, he realises that his instincts are guiding him away from where the strangers had come from.
Remembering that the strangers were fleeing from some creature called 'drow' in pinkspeech. He could not recall any beast which bore that name as part of the balance.
While he felt no fear, a glance behind reminds him his packmates were in dire need of rest. Sethra's death was a certainty.. but it would be delayed for now.
*The lizardkin turns and marches to the back of his group after looking at Thokk and starts to trudge onwards. He stops to lock his eyes on Fizahn and indicates Thokk before marching into the gloom *
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Achkby, Halfling
In spite of myself, I find Lumpy's arguments winning me over. The Underdark is a dangerous place. I can't afford to just follow these people around anymore. Survival takes work here, and while it doesn't matter if these people find whatever it is they're looking for, I want to get out of here alive. We had better get moving.
"Ay, the gnomes have the right of it. Let's get moving."
He walks forward until he is closer to the strangers than he is to his own party, slipping the spear away as he does so. Its light radiates from just behind his head, throwing long shadows all around the tunnel.
He looks back at all of the tall people standing behind him, and nods slowly.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lumpy, Half-Orc Warrior
Lumpy looks almost relieved that they've decided to get moving, if not a little irritated that everybody attributes the idea to the gnomes. he remains silent, however, letting his flail drop slightly as he passes through the gap left by the lizardman's departure, taking long strides in his uneven gait.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Elthan the Second, Twin Sorcerer
*Elthan follows the lizards lead and begins to march beside him. He walks beside him for a while without saying anything.*
*In Draconic, quite softly.*
"Lizard, I saw the way you looked back there when they spoke. The unknowing glance of a foriegner to another speech. You have been showing this or quite some time now. I understand that you do not have as much knowlage of common speech as a natural would, but if you would allow me, I would help you better understand that language."
*Elthan back up behind the lizard to his position beside Elthan, and lets the lizaard consider his offer as the groups walk.*
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Sheyra, human monk
Sheyra's eyes snap open and she jumps out of Sedryn's arms. "What happened?" she says in a panic, "Who are these people?"
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lizardkin Druid
The lizard initially tenses when Elthan II aproaches but on hearing his offer softens his expression slightly.
He wordlessly continues beside Fizahn as Elthan II falls back.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius
"We don't really know, but they're not Drow... By the way, thanks for your help back there, We're going to get you healed the second we can stop."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Sheyra, human monk
Sheyra rubs her head and moans a little. "Thanks," she says to Darius, "I think I need a nap. These must be those people with the light, then."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius
"Yeah, apparently they saw you in some sort of vision, but that's not really important right now, let's get moving."
Darius will walk next to Sheyra to make sure that she's alright.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Human Ranger
"Well i'm sure glad you folk are freindly" Tipping his hat at Linda he smiles and says "Name's Hajih by the way, your humble guide to underground vistas of all types."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lumpy, Half-Orc Warrior
Lumpy moves up towards the front, alongside the the Lizardkin, finally hanging his flail back at his belt. He peers ahead with an exhausted sort of half-alertness, obviously more comfortable in the dark, than further back where the torches are. If anything, he seems less interested in leading the way for the sake of the others of his 'party', and more for the sheer fact of covering ground quickly.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Achkby, Halfling
Hearing Haji advertising himself again, Achkby calls out from the middle of the group, "Don't let him guide you anywhere. We took him on, and he got us all lost and then himself captured"
He is supposed to be our guide... but he seems to consider himself just another wanderer now, and we seem satisfied that he doesn't have a clue where we are. Hmph.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lissa, gnomish rogue
Lissa pats Sheyra's leg sympathetically. "We really need to get out of here, Sheyra. Just hang on for a bit more." The diminutive rogue looks up at Darius. "Oh, the lizardfolk understands Common, by the way. I guess he just prefers to speak his own language. I'm going to get moving now, considering that I've got shorter legs than most of you. If you hear a scream, you'll know there's something nasty up ahead!" Lissa grins impishly, draws her crossbow, beckons to the quartet of dancing lights, and sets off down the tunnel at a jog.
(OOC: The dancing lights hover slightly ahead of Lissa until the spell runs out, at which time she'll retrieve her everburning torch.)
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Everyone agrees that the best thing to do is to move on quickly before more trouble arrives. Setting aside any animosity, the groups realize that there is strength in numbers and that working together seems the most likely way to assume everyone's survival.
Introductions are made along the way, and Sedryn, cleric of Lathander, moves among the injured, healing what wounds he can. Sedryn himself is pale and quiet, not his usual robust self. Perhaps the days in darkness under the surface, away from the gaze of the morning sun, have been hard on him ...
Thokk, the lizardman, and Lumpy put aside their mutual dislike for each other and act as a vanguard, leading the way ahead of the party, putting their darkvision to good use.
Thokk says little, but whenever "demons" are mentioned, his eyes harden with pain and anger. Lumpy says even less. His story is yet to be told.
Aeroz, Fizahn, and Lissa take turns moving ahead or covering the rear of the party (and in large passages, the flanks). Their eyes peer carefully into the darkness to be sure the party is not ambushed from the sides or the rear. Each bears a crossbow, loaded and ready to fire.
Those meeting Aeroz for the first time can't help noticing the beads of sweat of his forehead, the dark circles under his eyes, and the greenish, waxy pallor of his cheeks. He does not seem to be in an elf's usual state of good health, but he offers no explanation and no one is bold enough to ask.
The humans (Darius, Linda, Sedryn, Sheyra and Hajih) along with the two Elthans and Achkby make up the main party. They stay close to the light sources (two everburning torches). Darius' bow is ready in case anyone or anything makes it through the first line.
Elthan is particularly interested in Sheyra. Who is she? Why would she appear in the portal? Does she know who Sarloc was? (She doesn't.) Hajih is quite talkative, but he assures Linda and the Elthans that they have not encountered anyone who might have been Sethra. On the other hand, he observes, if Sethra can take other people's forms, then it might be hard to recognize him, hmm?
Sedryn is close-lipped about exactly why he and Aeroz have led their companions into the Underdark. It would appear that there were three women (assassins, Aeroz says) who have stolen something of value. Aeroz and Sedryn have vowed to track them down and recover the artifact. Sheyra expresses some ambivalence on this issue. The women had previously proven to be kind and helpful, she confides. Perhaps there is more to the story, she hopes.
The newly enlarged party moves quickly through the tunnels undisturbed. Occasional scurrying noises retreating in the distance suggest that no creature wants to disturb such a large, well-armed party. And despite the size of the group, you leave almost no tracks on the hard, dry stone. You take a countless number of left forks, then right forks, then left forks, until everyone feels assured that any pursuit has been lost in the labyrinthine tunnels.
After what seems like hours (or possible even a day), the path widens then opens into an enormous chamber, perhaps 200 yards in diameter and four stories in height. Water drips from its domed ceiling, and on the floor grows a miniature forest of luminescent fungi. After some quick scouting, it appears that there are two other small exits to the chamber (in addition to the large opening you just entered through), but the stadium-sized cavern appears to be easily defensible.
The good news is that if everyone sleeps in shifts, it seems like everyone will be able to get a full "night's" rest. For some, this will be the first chance to really rest in a week or more.
The bad news is that the 14 of you are now completely out of water. The food ration situation is only slightly better. The possibility of dying from thirst or hunger is becoming as real a threat as an attack from the drow ...
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lizardkin Druid
Staying on the flanks and guarding the packmates and strangers gave the lizardkin little chance to interact with the others or listen to the conversations but the need of rest and temporary unity was impressed upon him.
On finding that water and food was limited in both parties, he resolved to forage in the cavern, particularly in the fungi below.
I will find food and water for my packmates and if there is enough, share with these strangers
Looking around at his surroundings..
We must be very deep in the mountain...FEH!..Sethra cannot outrun this hunter..
He leaves the others in a group and goes to forage by himself, mentally attuning to the difference in the balance around him.
OOC: memorise new spells and Survival and knowledge nature checks as necessary. Cast guidance for one roll
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius, Human Fighter
"Lizard. I'll come with you." Darius will ask around the party, collecting waterskins. He'll bury the very bottoms of the waterskins in the dirt where he finds dripping water, and he lets them slowly fill. "Achkby, I suppose you can clean the stuff once we have it, right?"
I wonder if those fungi are edible... better not...
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Aeroz, Elf Swashbuckler
"I wouldn't touch any of the plantlife around here. You dont have a clue what it is." Aeroz comments as he wipes the sweat off of his forehead "So Hajh. Any brilliant ideas now?"
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
"Shining mushrooms don't seem too appetizing." Darius says, then he leans over and whispers something into Aeroz's ear with a grin, "Wonder what lizard tastes like."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Aeroz, Elf Swashbuckler
"Pheasant actually. Dont ask why I know though." Aeroz kids as he jabs Darius slightly with his elbow.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius
"Well, I sure would love to have a pheasant right about now." Darius says with a little chuckle, wandering off in search of dripping water.
It's lizard season, hehe.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Thokk
"Ach, I would like to be back in my caves with my family, but thats not going to happen now laddie, is it? So shut up, do your work, and go hunt yourself if ye be so blasted hungry"
OOC: How much HP and STR does Thokk have left?
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Aeroz, Elf Swashbuckler
"Temper temper Mr. Dwarf. The last thing we need is the drow to find us killing each other. And besides, arguing uses up energy, and you look like you need to spare yours." Aeroz comments as he coughs a little.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Darius
Darius truns around at the dwarf's comment. "Consider yourself lucky you even have a family, dwarf... and I wouldn't tell others to do their work if I were sitting around on my arse doing nothing."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Achkby, Halfling Sorcerer
Quote:
Originally Posted by The King of Durf
Darius, Human Fighter
"Achkby, I suppose you can clean the stuff once we have it, right?"
"I believe so, yes."
If only we were still above ground. I would still have Jari with me, and he had plenty of food and water on him, always...
"Does anyone have any other suggestions for food?" he says, completely ignoring the argument with the dwarf.
Idiots, all of them. We can't afford to be arguing about nothings now.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Elthan II
*Elthan II goes over to Sedryn.*
"If I remember correctly, among a divine agents Orisons include a prayer to create water. I would suggest preparing that spell tonight."
*Elthan then retrives from his bag one of the trail rations he still has left.*
(OOC: I'm sorry, I just have too much experiance being a cleric to forget that they have that spell.
And DR could you be a bit more specific on how much food we have left and how much we heal and such?)
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Thokk
"Ach, be quiet ye little laddie. You need to bring yer own rations. I got mine with me, but I supose you dont have any. Pah! Typical Halfling runt."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lissa, gnomish rogue
Lissa glares at the arguers as she pulls a bedroll out of her pack (which looks far too flat to have held any such thing) and starts unrolling it. "If you can't be civil, keep your traps shut. Or you just may regret it come morning!" The gnome's normal sparkling cheerfulness seems to have finally run out, under the pressure of fatigue, combat, thirst, lack of bathing and bickering allies. {Baravar help me, if they don't shut up soon I'm going to put bat guano in their bedrolls after they've gone to sleep. Idiots.} She flops down on the bedroll, takes a pouch marked 'FOOD' out of her pack, then stuffs it back in with a sigh. "Only make me thirstier without water to wash it down." Lissa sets about wriggling out of her studded leather armor, revealing a sweat-stained shirt and breeches underneath.
The gnome stacks her armor and weapons up neatly, then rolls over to face Fizahn. Curiosity, it seems, has overcome fatigue for the moment. "So, Fizahn, where does your family come from? I don't think I remember you from Hidden Vale..."
(OOC: Remove armor. Lissa's weapons are within reach, and she'll have her everburning torch nearby until she goes to sleep- at which time she'll either put it in her pack or give it to one of the sentries. She can take any of the watches.)
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daring Rogue
After what seems like hours (or possible even a day), the path widens then opens into an enormous chamber, perhaps 200 yards in diameter and four stories in height. Water drips from its domed ceiling, and on the floor grows a miniature forest of luminescent fungi. After some quick scouting, it appears that there are two other small exits to the chamber (in addition to the large opening you just entered through), but the stadium-sized cavern appears to be easily defensible.
"Ach, ill just help myself to some water. Ye surface dwellers might not have the consitituion for it, but if the water if boiled it should be safe to drink for those of you with less eherm, stanima"
*Goes over to where the water is dripping down, takes a tiny sip to test the water, and then drink it*
OOC: +9 Fort save on any funky diseases or poisions in the water
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Fizahn, gnome:
As the group stops to rest, Fizahn reaches into his pack. With a groan, he empties his pack, hurriedly going through his possessions. With a dismayed look, he starts muttering to himself. "No tent! I must have left it with that stupid horse! And I don't have a pony anymore either! No paper either! Why did I leave my rope with that stupid horse! At least I've still got my torch, food, and bedroll!"
Angrily, Fizahn pulls out his bedroll and his blanket. When he gets it set up, he looks at Lissa removing her armor. "I wouldn't risk sleeping without armor in the Underdark."
As Lissa asks about his past, Fizahn shrugs. "I might have been there once, my family moved around a lot, because my father wasn't exactly a perfect role model. I've been to a lot of places I don't know the names of. I'm originally from a small hamlet, at least that's where I was born. I don't even remember it's name anymore, or know if it still exists."
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Achkby, Halfling
Achkby comes over to the other short people (:/) and pulls out his bedroll, too.
"I grew up in a tiny town as well," he tells them as he begins to remove his armor. "Though I lived in the one place my whole childhood, I wasn't there all that long. I left less than a year after I came of age." He smiles wanly, and starts piling pieces of armor into his pack.
Scratch that, I don't speak Gnomish.
Achkby drags his bedroll out of his pack, too, and starts taking off his armor. Then, he pulls out his necessities and starts piling the armor on stop.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Thokk
*To Fizahn*
"Ha, little laddie, you arnt the only one without their mount. I have some rope with me if ye need it, but I dont think ye will be wantin a tent. We are all in a cavern, so sleepin under the stars aint an issue, and if we get attacked, I for one want to be able to get up as soon as possible"
*To Lissa*
"I actually think taking off the armor is a decent idea. If you are in heavy armor, like my plate, ye will be quite sore in the morn. Fizahn, however, is in his little light pansy armor, so it dont bother him a whole lot"
OOC: Hey, any water at all is water right now. If it is dripping one drop every 5 seconds, then I have 12 mL of water in a minute, which equals 1.2 liters in an hour and twenty minutes. That is from a single spot. If there are several little spots with water pouring forth, it would be a good idea to get as many flasks as possible under them to collect water.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lizardkin Druid
Away from the others, the druid examines the flora and fauna of his surroundings. The chatter of the others a dim buzz in the background punctuated by the constant drip of water.
Crumbling, bits of bracket fungi and sniffing it in one claw, thoughts of Sethra are replaced by thoughts of his tribe and people. The recent dramatic events making the idyll of his life that was disturbed seemingly a lifetime ago.
How deep below the tower am I?
He studies his surroundings with fascination. Some types of plants looking familiar. at least from one of his master's etched hides. Others totally alien to him.
The footsteps of a nearing pinkskin(Darius) break his thoughts and cause him to continue.
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Hajih, Human Ranger
Hajih carefully examines some of the fungus, to tell whether it is edible or not before drawing a large jug out of his back. "We may not have any water left, but feel free to help your self to the ale.
(Knowledge Nature check at +1 or Knowledge Dungeoneering at +7 which ever is applicable for examining the fungus)
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Re: The Sea of Starry Night [IC]
Lissa, gnomish rogue
Lissa smacks her forehead as she watches the dwarf gather water from the dripping ceiling. "I must be tired! Why didn't I think of that?" As she rummages in her pack, she responds to Fizahn and Thokk. "I may be in light armor, but it's not exactly restful to sleep in all the same. Besides which, if anything goes bump in the night I fully intend to stand back and give it a shot with ol' Betsy here." Lissa pats the stock of her loaded crossbow fondly, then peers into the pack with a cross expression. "Darn, I was sure I had a pot in here! Must've left it with Patch. Oh well, time to improvise..."
Within a few minutes, the ingenious rogue has cobbled together a water-collector out of a waterproofed winter cloak and several rocks. The rocks hold the cloak oiled-side-up into sort of a large bowl, while more rocks are placed to anchor the fabric and prevent it from slipping. The whole apparatus has been set up under one of the more frequent drips.
Lissa smiles, dusts her hands off, then yawns. "Gods, I'm tired. I'll take third watch. Whoever's taking this watch can use my torch, if they don't have a light of their own." She gestures to the purple everburning torch propped up against her pack. "Sleep well, everyone. Wake me when it's my watch." With that, she burrows into her bedroll and closes her eyes.
(OOC: Whee, water collector! It's up to DR how much it collects, I guess. Lissa is now drifting off to dreamland.)