[3.5] Ryclend Deephold

[Gryndel]

Halad"Will a gold piece do? I'd rather give your bartender the rest," he called to the wizard, smiling broadly.

Elduin

The elf smiled, "Whatever money you would give Bukrohm would certainly be appreciated. But knowing him as I do, I think he would rather see you pay the room fee before tipping."

Elduin repeated the process of recording the transactions as they occurred, noting who paid how much and who was sharing rooms, each of whom received their own key.

OOC - Key:

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I sent this via PM to a few already, but might as well post it here too...

As long as you have the Key you get +1 Luck/Circumstance (stacks with other luck) bonus to AC, saves, attack, damage, ability checks, & skill checks.

[Dark_Stalion]

Bartholemu

The nervous young man cowers in his chair, though he looks more comfortable than at any point downstairs. A weight has been lifted from his mind, it seepms, but as the older man makes his speech, though, he starts to squirm uneasily.

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Casts Message at Eludin:

"What if we, uh, don't, um, have those funds currently at hand?"

[Figment_]

Roderick reaches into a pouch on the side of his pack and produces five gleaming platinum pieces. He glances toward Sienna and Halad as he hears their brief conversation, then reaches back again and pulls out another five.


Here is my month's payment, plus a month for these two adventurers and their animals.

He looks over at the pair as he places the key in a pocket of his vestments.


That should cover two rooms, If you are not comfortable sharing a room with each other, I do not mind sharing my space.

Looking back to the elf,

What sort of dangers can we expect to see down there, that you know of?

[Gadora]

Carn
I will share. I have already payed much of the first week, so you can pay me back lateri charge very reasonable interest rates (chuckle)

Alberich

"I'll take you up on that offer. And with me covering both our food, that drops us down to owing seventeen gold, five silver per week.

And I'll be covering my own expenses, no worries there."

[Gryndel]

Bartholemu

The nervous young man cowers in his chair, though he looks more comfortable than at any point downstairs. A weight has been lifted from his mind, it seems, but as the older man makes his speech, though, he starts to squirm uneasily.

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Casts Message at Eludin:

"What if we, uh, don't, um, have those funds currently at hand?"

The elf smiled at the minor magic, a most useful spell indeed. Clearly the young sorcerer was nervous, whether it was due to the situation or just his normal behavior mattered little to the patient elf. He smiled and calmly reiterated what he had previously said about such a question,

"If some of you lack the proper funds, your oath and some partial payment will suffice for now, and you can owe us the rest. The terms I stated did not include you to make full payment immediately. After all, we fully expect you will discover many treasures on your expeditions, and we are trying to build a trusting and lasting relationship with you."

He added, "If you have no money, perhaps one of your fellow adventurers would share their room with you until you can repay them."

Looking back to the elf, What sort of dangers can we expect to see down there, that you know of?

"I could sit here for hours and tell you of the many dangers we faced. But that was long ago, and likely most of it has changed since then. Divinations cast from outside always fail to penetrate the Deephold, residue of the power that once resided there. However, given the nature of the place, you can expect to face anything that typically dwells underground.

I can tell you that certain individuals take it upon themselves to patrol the road to the east and visit the farmsteads out there occasionally. They have reported an increase of ghouls on the road nearest Ryclend, and more than one farmstead has been attacked recently by a trio of rampaging ogres. Either of these threats could well originate from Ryclend."


OOC

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Everybody see the ooc post about the dwarf paladin?

[sidelar]

Terev says "Victor, may I take you up on that offer to share a room? Never hurts to save gold."

Assuming Victor agrees Terev pays for half of the fee for the first week.

[Daryk]

Roderick reaches into a pouch on the side of his pack and produces five gleaming platinum pieces. He glances toward Sienna and Halad as he hears their brief conversation, then reaches back again and pulls out another five.


Here is my month's payment, plus a month for these two adventurers and their animals.

He looks over at the pair as he places the key in a pocket of his vestments.
...

Halad

Looking sidelong at his halfling companion, the elf asked, "What do you think, Sienna? I'm inclined to take him up on the offer."

[Jokes]

"I think he's just made a friend for life." Sienna beams up at the elf.

[Daryk]

Halad

Turning back to Roderick, the elf said, "Thanks! We accept your generous offer. I'm sure we'll be able to pay you back in short order."

[Vauron]

Terev says "Victor, may I take you up on that offer to share a room? Never hurts to save gold."

Assuming Victor agrees Terev pays for half of the fee for the first week.

Victor

"I'd welcome the company, mister..?" replied Victor to the swordsman who had joined at the last moment.

[Gryndel]

Elduin
While the final room arrangements were worked out, the elf pulled a scroll from within his robe and spread it out on the table. The inside of the vellum held a diagram of halls and rooms, the promised map.

“This is the last known layout of the first level of the Deephold. As previously stated, things change there over time, so this may not be accurate, and lacks any notation about what might be found there. Of course, updated maps are worth the time to us, if anyone has such inclination feel free to make one. This could also be accomplished by me and any number of you in a brief interview each time you return with your key, perhaps over dinner.”

[Dark_Stalion]

Bartholemu

A small voice speaks up as the assembled adventurers examine the map.

"Um, I was, uh, wondering if, um..." The boyish man looks embarased to speak infront of the group, "if moy could maybe tell us, um, what might those, um, numbers mean?" he sqeeks.

[Gryndel]

Bartholemu

A small voice speaks up as the assembled adventurers examine the map.

"Um, I was, uh, wondering if, um..." The boyish man looks embarased to speak infront of the group, "if moy could maybe tell us, um, what might those, um, numbers mean?" he sqeeks.

OOC

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Who is Bart rooming with?

I meant to add that there are no numbers on the map, but since I didna...

The elf looked at the map briefly and shrugged, "They are notations made by the previous group, presumably corresponding to some journal they created, which I never saw."

[Gryndel]

For most of the brave adventurers the night was spent getting to know each other, or a select few others, while enjoying the performances and general jovial atmosphere in the common room of Greenhorn Hall. The bard they heard before, Bernard, played often, and during his breaks others read poetry or sang or played some instrument. Some of these solo acts displayed true talent, but none as polished or developed as Bernard.

More than a few rumors had circulated before their meeting, and now they ran rampant through the inn. As usual for rumors, some were actually true. In this case it was more than enough to keep it interesting for those involved, or rather those who cared to pay close attention to such hushed gossip typically just out of earshot.

As the evening progressed past the main meal for most, Drynch and Quijol left together. Though it was not typically in dwarven nature to be stealthy by any means, particularly while wearing heavy armor, this dwarf seemed to pass relatively unnoticed as he followed the elf outside into the night.

Others came and went, mostly locals enjoying a few hours together, relaxing after their day of work. A few hours after sunset the crowd started to thin rapidly as these folk bid their friends good evening and went home. Some locals actually lived here at he inn, while others who had rooms here for short periods remained at their leisure before retiring.

OOC:
I suspect most adventurers will get to bed around this time, to gain their full rest and get their full level benefits. If any don’t, for whatever reason...

One notable exception was an enigmatic figure who sat in the corner nearest the front door. Either he had not been there long, or had been overlooked somehow the whole evening. Dressed in dark grey... well everything, he pulled his hood back when someone did look his way.

A dark skinned human face flashed a sly grin as his dark eyes drilled deeply into whatever - or whoever - he gazed upon. His bald head bore a tattoo of unusual design, mostly on the crown and back. Raising a hand slightly, a pixie appeared long enough to hand him a snifter of brandy, which the man raised subtly in toast and sipped.

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If any of the PCs remained and approach, he winks and vanishes!

[Gryndel]

The morning was bright but chilly, Autumn’s grip on the hills secure, with a playful wind from the North promising colder conditions within weeks. But today was ideal for traveling as the large group set off for Death Knell, and Ryclend Deephold within. Their goal was situated miles to the east atop a flat hill, surrounding by what was rumored to be a crumbling wall with towers. Death knoll was the highest hill in the area, so it should be easy enough to find - particularly with a bird’s eye view

OOC Raven scouting overhead? If so how high and/or how far from master?).

Forming into some order, they marched east through town and along the sporadically used east road winding lazily into the hills. While used infrequently, the road itself seemed in fairly good shape, at least for the first few miles. It followed the terrain between the hills generally, twisting and turning unpredictably in the shallow valleys. Rare was the occasion to view ahead very far from the road, making many places ideal for ambush.

Yet they suffered no such fate as the sun rose high and crested over them. As the day progressed to its zenith (noon), so did the intrepid hikers, and without incident. The hills grew higher and the road rougher, washed out in some places, though subtle signs readily showed passage of wagons and horses in recent months.

OOC:

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While traveling, please include a spot and listen check with your post, just in case... and any others you think appropriate for what actions you might post.

[Daryk]

Halad

Fortunately for the elf and his raven, the elvish liquor they consumed the night before wasn't particularly cruel the next morning. Halad met the rising sun with a few brief prayers and stretches. Craban stayed in the inn while Ryn joined her master outside for the morning ritual.

Once the group was arrayed for travel, the elf took point and set Craban to flying ahead to look around obstacles and periodically report back. The raven flew high, trying to avoid notice from anything lying in ambush.

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Spot and Listen rolls:
Halad:
Spot: (1d20+11)[29]
Listen: (1d20+11)[27]
Craban:
Spot: (1d20+9)[23] (not an elf)
Listen: (1d20+9)[26] (not an elf)
Ryn:
Spot: (1d20+5)[6]
Listen: (1d20+5)[21]

[Jokes]

(During the meeting)

Sienna brings out a piece of parchment and ink and copies the map to the best of her abilities. When finished, she takes off her cloak and hands it to Halad. "Have that fixed before morning, will you. I'm going to get cleaned up." She spends the rest of the evening in the bath before retiring for an early night.

(The next day)

The halfling enjoys the the journey for once. Being surrounded by a larger group than usual means the little lass has less to worry about than when it's just her and Halad.

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Aura of Senses up.
spot - (1d20+10)[30]
listen - (1d20+6)[8]

[Daryk]

Halad

[The previous night...]
Smiling, the elf cast two minor charms and handed back Sienna's cloak. "Before morning enough for you?" he asked with the same grin.

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Mending and Prestidigitation for a 'clean' effect.

[white rider]

Carn
Carn enjoys the journey, whistling softly to himself but still keeping his guard up

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spot: (1d20+3)[20]
listen: (1d20+9)[18]

[Figment_]

Roderick takes up a point in the vanguard of the traveling adventurers, keeping an eye out on the terrain for any threats.

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Detect Evil SLA 60' cone sweeping the area as they travel

Spot: (1d20+8)[22]

Listen: (1d20+6)[17]

[Vauron]

Victor flies a little ways above the party, staying near the center of the group.

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~30 feet up
Spot(1d20+1)[19]
Listen(1d20+1)[11]

Remember, Victor is always able to see the invisible.

[Dark_Stalion]

Bartholemu

The twitching youth fidgets along behind everyone else, his darting eyes nervously surveying the land around.

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Spot check: (1d20)[13]
Listen check: (1d20)[14]

[Gadora]

Alberich

Alberich walks along in the middle of the group, singing tunelessly. It quickly becomes apparent that he doesn't know all that many songs.

"Roads go ever, ever on
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone;
By streams that never find the sea."

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Spot:(1d20+1)[9]
Listen:(1d20+1)[21]
Perform(sing): Untrained; please treat as a roll of one, for a total of three.

[sidelar]

Terev travels in the middle of the group, making small talk and jokes with the other members as they travel along the road.

He still maintains a wariness about him, scanning the land around them for threats.

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spot (1d20+2)[22]
listen (1d20+2)[11]

[Gryndel]

Flying high above and ahead of the group, Craban the raven was the first to spot the manticore in the early afternoon. The large creature was flying low over the hills to the north, still not visible to those on the ground. While the raven dove toward its master with a squawk of alarm, Victor caught sight of the manticore as it cleared the next hill north of the one nearest the road (about 300' away right now).

OOC: Initiative and initial actions

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Its definitely out of sight for most. Its double move on the first round would bring it 100' closer, and flying over the hill just north of the road, within line of sight to all.

Manticore Initiative
(1d20+3)[7]

Marching Order
Craban (raven) 250' above, 150' ahead
Ryn (cooshee) 30' ahead
Halad/Roderick
Sienna/Terev
Victor 30' above
Alberich/Carn
Barholemu

[Vauron]

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Knowledge-Arcana
(1d20+12)[20]

Initiative
(1d20+2)[19]

"Eyes on the skys everyone!" called Victor to his land-bound comrades. "Looks like we are about to have company! I think its a manticore." As he warned the others he began to ascend a little further.

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On his turn Victor will move 10 feet up.

[white rider]

Carn
Get ready!yelled Carn, as he fitted an arrow to his bow

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init: (1d20+4)[14]
ready action to fire arrow at manticore as soon as it is within 60 ft.
attack: (1d20+10)[22]
damage: [roll]1d6[/roll]

[white rider]

damage didn't work:
(1d6)[1]

[Figment_]

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Initiative (1d20+1)[16]

Casts Prayer, All allies within 40' burst: You and your each of your allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, while each of your foes takes a -1 penalty on such rolls.

Roderick looks to the skies and waits to be able to see the threat, a quick blessing to his god forming on his lips.

[Gadora]

Alberich
Alberich racks his brain for information on manticores, trying to decide what summon would best counter the incoming creature.

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Initiative:(1d20+5)[12]
Knowledge(arcana):(1d20+9)[11]

Delay until next round.