Eberron Adventures

[Citizen Joe]

(Map in spoiler)

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Round 0=Arrows/missile weapons
Round 1=Demons close and these actons

1-3 = demons (I believe #1 passed by Wrench earlier and got hit with AoO).
A = Azmirith (???)
B = Butch -> 5' step NE for flank #1 with Azmirith
C = Caskin (???)
J = Johann -> 5' step NE -> magic missile (didn't see the roll)
S = Sesil -> Attack with Falchion.
W = Wrench -> walk N 3, AoO from #2, N 1, Flank #2 with Azmirith
OR Charge N3, AoO from #2, finish charge N1, Attack #3 with charge bonus.

[Asmodeus]

{OOC: Somehow, I missed your square. Sorry about that, Butch.}

[Fester]

rerolling because i'm a retard, apparently.

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(1d4+3)[7]

[MandibleBones]

Sesil

Seeing that the creature needs more encouragement to quit this plane, Sesil swings again.

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(1d20+7)[19](26) Damage (2d4+3)[3][1](7)

[MandibleBones]

Apparently, his swing is harder this time.

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Sure, NOW I critthreat. Crit confirm: (1d20+7)[18] And damage: (2d4+3)[4][1](8)

[Bigmac]

As the creatures rush forward, they are greated by an onslaught of death and destruction. Wrench smashes one as it passes by and Butch finishes it off easily. Similarly, Sesil slices through one as it passes. It stops, falling to the ground and moves just enough to quiver from the shock that killed it. Wrech then charges the last creature and wounds it severly. Again, a teammate steps up to finish the creatrue off, this time it's the gnome unleashing a burst of magical energy that kills the creature.

The cavern is silent once again now that the brief and brutal combat has ended. Who knows how long it will stay that way.

[Asmodeus]

Wrench

With a low whisper, Wrench extinguishes the magic surrounding his fist. The ice around them melts away leaving nothing but a trace of quickly evaporating moisture.

He looks around to be sure there are no other immediate threats before he begins to check the bodies for anything valuable.

{OOC: Nothing like a good slaughtering to get you back in the mood for a game.}

[Citizen Joe]

Butch pokes at the creatures. "Think they are edible? We'll be running short on rations eventually." He furrows his brow. "Then again, if they live down here they must be immune to the heat, so we won't be able to cook them."

Standing, he scans the cavern. "Those stalagmites look suspicious, better stay away from them for now. Sir, I recommend we secure the area around that camp first and then search for any supplies. I don't believe they got down here through the same tunnel we took, so there has to be another way out of here. Once the area is secure, we'll need to get rid of the corpses since they will draw out scavengers."

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Note that the other exits aren't visible from our position.

[Asmodeus]

Wrench

"I'm not sure about the same tunnel, but they most likely got here through that same switchback we took to get down into the chasm.

The only other tunnel we found was that one that was sealed off by a big rock. If we take a different route to the surface and its blocked by a rock, we'll be trapped.

[Citizen Joe]

Butch

"Good point, Wrench. We'll make sure we bring back some of the mining tools so that we can move the rocks to escape."

[MandibleBones]

Sesil

"If we finished these off so quickly, I have my doubts as to whether they were the cause behind this carnage." He looks around, as if looking for a larger creature - perhaps a mother. "Be on your guard, gentlemen."

With that, and with his sword still out, he walks purposefully toward the nearest cluster of Khyber shards.

[Citizen Joe]

Butch

"Azzy. You and Mr. Caskin scout out that pass to the left. Do NOT engage the enemy. Report back with your findings. Wrench, take Mr. Johann with you to inspect those bodies and look for supplies in the camp. Do NOT enter the structures yet. Report your findings back to Mr. Sesil. I'll secure the central bridge with my bow."

Butch escorts Sesil over to the bridge overlooking the only visible cluster of shards, a group on a small island in the middle of the river of lava. With an arrow nocked, he scans the cavern for trouble, asking over his shoulder. "That don't look natural, sir. Ye s'pose it's keeping the heat down in here? Like a block of ice or sumpin?"

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Note that we really can't see much of the cavern from where we entered. Only that one bunch of shards is actually visible. Likewise, the other exits were/are obscured. Since Azmirith and Caskin seem to be NPC's at this point, it gives Bigmac a means to point out the rest of the features of the cavern. Wrench has always shown interest in 'looting' bodies and Johann seemed interested in the 'miners' so Butch sent them to inspect. So this is more of an opportunity for the Exposition Fairy to show up than ordering people around.

[Asmodeus]

{OOC: I'm still waiting for a response on the last set of looting.}

[MandibleBones]

Sesil

The older campaigner looks down at the shards and the island. "I've heard these things bring a pretty penny back on the surface," he says. "Must be what these campers were here for... I wonder if there's any more? It would be a shame to leave them..."

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How far down is the island? Could I reach it by taking 10 on a jump check? Is it within range (10') of my dimension leap for the way back up?

[Bigmac]

While there may be some sort of magic at work in this cavern, standing so close to the lava on the bridge Butch and Sesil begin to sweat profusely as their armor becomes uncomfortably hot. Wrench, oblivious to the heat, heads over to the campsight. There, he manages to find 6 decesaed bodies, all with various sets of armor and weapons on their persons. A few have coin pouches attached to their belts, but it looks like the backpacks / other provisions must be inside the tents. Caskin walks along the ceiling, trying to get a good overview of the cavern while remaining out of harms way. Azmirith decides to go with Wrench and Johann over to the campsight instead of scouting out another corridor. As the two on the bridge discuss the khyber shards, a bubble of lava burst just upstream, spilling the motlen liquid out of the river and onto the ground. Whatever protection there is in the cavern obviously doesn't help protect from direct contact as the rocks sizzle where the lava lands.

[Asmodeus]

{OOC: I was searching the monsters, not the camp bodies. I have no intention of going to the camp while there are dragonshards to be had!}

Wrench

Wrench goes with Sesil to have a look at the dragonshards. He says to Sesil "If those are true Kyber Dragon shards, they are most certainly valuable. These are the types of shards used to bind elemental power. With a sample of these, I could potentially create some amazing items. Of course, I'd have to get some information from the Zil gnomes. Perhaps our new companion could assist with that.

Do you think we could retrieve some? I might be able to conjure up some protection from the lava."

[Citizen Joe]

Butch

As sweat drips from his brow, Butch's attention is drawn to that bubble of lava and its effect on stone. "You see... THAT'S what..." He paused mid statement when he saw both Wrench and Sesil eying the shards in the middle of the lava stream. Looking them over, he uses the end of his bow to ease them away from the edge. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop what you're thinking right now. If Wrench is right and these things harness elemental energy, then they're probably the only things keeping us alive right now. Stay focussed on the mission, Sir. The moment you let your purse decide your actions you'll end up all kinds of dead."

[MandibleBones]

Sesil

Sesil nods. "That's probably a good plan, Butch. Let's check for another way out." He leaves the bridge, looking for a second exit and cooler climes :)

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Search: Take 20 for 21 total.

[Asmodeus]

Wrench

Wrench thinks for a moment about how he can get those shards. He knows he can survive the lava with an infusion, as long as he doesn't become completely immersed in it. He tries to get a gauge for how deep the lava flow is, based on how fast its flowing and how wide across it is. It must be shallow, if there is an area above the surface right in the middle.

Finally, he decides to risk it. He infuses himself with resistance to heat damage and begins to wade into the lava. As long as the flow doesn't get too deep, he'll try to reach the dragonshards. (Resistance 10, against 2d6 dmg should be pretty well protected as long as i don't stay in very long.)

[Citizen Joe]

Butch

Butch breathed a sigh of relief having talked Sesil out of a foolish notion and then followed him off the bridge. "It is for the best, Sir. We wouldn't want to be jumping any claims anyway."

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he asks... "So, Wrench, what do you make of these bodies? Wrench? Oh GREAT HOST! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

[Bigmac]

Wrench slapshes into the lava, the molten currents swirling around his metallic body. Yet the river does not seem to damage him as he moves towards the island. Once there he sees several Khyber Dragonshards growing out of a rock formation in the center of the island.

[Asmodeus]

Wrench

Wrench will attempt to pry as many of the shards loose as he can, in as much of a complete condition as possible. He'll stuff whatever he can recover into his backpack, and when he finishes, he'll cross back over the lava flow to rejoin the others.

Know Arcana - (1d20+4)[11]

{OOC: I'm assuming that the part about crafting with them and their ability to enhance certain powers is common knowledge for artificers.}

[Bigmac]

The crystls seem to be imbedded into the rock and Wrench is unable to remove any of them by hand. They look like they would need to be cut out of the rock in order to be removed.

[Asmodeus]

Wrench

Having determined that the rock is too large to take en masse, and that his own tools could potentially damage the crystals, he crosses the lava again and heads over to the camp, where he begins searching for the appropriate tools. He figures that these miners must've been after these shards so they must have the appropriate equipment.

[Bigmac]

The main campsight has an uneasy feel to it. The 6 bodies (4 human, 1 dwarf, and 1 half-orc) seem to be mostly intact displaying no obvious wounds. The half-orc seemed to be the best equipped, wearing half plate armor and has a wicked looking greatsword on the ground near him. The other bodies are all wearing learther or studded armor with various melee weapons on their belts or on the ground. Caskin manages to identify the leader of the camp by his House Tharashk brooch.

Exmining the contents of the tents reveals a 2ftx2ftx1ft lockbox in the main equipment tent next to general supplies such as rockpicks, gloves, rations, and other supplies. The other tent appears to have been the sleeping tent with double cots smashed one next to the other. A few personal belongings lie on the stretched canvas of the cots and a small footlocker is found locked at the end of one bed.

[Asmodeus]

Wrench

Wrench gathers up some rock-picks and other equipment suitable for harvesting the dragonshards and carries them under one arm, while dragging the lockbox out with the other.

"Butch, maybe you can force this box open. I'm going back for the shards."

Wrench will drop the box at the front of the tent and head back to gather the shards.

[Citizen Joe]

Butch stops Wrench, casually at first and then forcibly. "Wrench! WAIT! You'll get the rest of us killed if you go after those shards. All these men died from the heat... suddenly. You didn't see any bodies on that island right? You know why? Because the guy working on the island got incinerated by the lava. If you damage those shards, this whole place will go up in flames and we'll all die. I have no idea how you managed to walk right through the lava back there but trust me when I say that releasing the full force of the lava will destroy even your frame."

Butch gestures to the Tharashk brooch identified by Caskin.

"There's more." Continues Butch, "These aren't our shards to take. Clearly Tharashk has staked a claim on this site and they are excellent trackers. If you try to take their shards, they WILL track you down. Then let's say you survive the torrent of heat, the relentless assassins and somehow make it back to town. Who are you gonna sell it to? Ain't nobody in town able to use it or even afford to give you what it is worth. You need the people with deep pockets to make use of it. They're gonna ask questions. Questions that you won't have answers. So let's say instead that you put all our lives on the line so that you can keep those shards for yourself. What are you gonna do with them? You don't have the cash for research. Ain't nobody gonna tell you how to use it for free. Again, you got a big ol' rock you can't use or tell anyone about lessin' it gets you killed."

Butch gathers everyone around. "I wanna make this VERY clear. I signed on to this team to keep Mr. Sesil safe and to accomplish a mission given to me by Breland. You all know that mission already, and Mr. Johann, you're just a bonus. So NOBODY is gonna jeopardize that mission. Got it?"

[Asmodeus]

Wrench

If Wrench had eyes to roll, he'd be rolling them now.

Instead, he says "Butch, you are being paranoid. And you aren't making much sense either. I would never endanger anyone's lives who wasn't endangering mine, but I doubt I'll ever get another chance like this, and I don't intend to squander this opportunity.

However, just to set your mind at ease, I'll make sure that the shards I take are not the source of death."

Wrench heads back over to the rocks and spends a minute with them, confirming that they are not magical.

Artificer Knowledge - (1d20+6)[14] DC 15 to detect magic.

{OOC: Using AP to increase result and succeed.}

[Citizen Joe]

Butch

Butch draws back an arrow pointed at Wrench, "By the HOST! I MEAN IT WRENCH! Do NOT touch that rock. There is nothing you can say that will convince me that it is NOT magical. Don't make me do this. Just back away slowly and nobody gets hurt."

[Asmodeus]

{OOC: Holding for the DM to tell me about the rocks.}