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  1. - Top - End - #481
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    If the others look back to Kricen, he shifts his head indicating to head south.
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  2. - Top - End - #482
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    At Kricen's motion, Shim nods and begins to carefully make his way south, polearm at the ready while trying not to make any overtly offensive movements.

  3. - Top - End - #483
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Matai continues south as well, peering through the darkness ahead.

  4. - Top - End - #484
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    You arrive at a wide archway – twenty feet wide – that, at its peak, is only seven feet high. It leads into a dim room with a stone floor that extends back farther than you can see into darkness. You’re about midway towards the closed doors you saw. There does not appear to be anything living, or even the remains or dust of anything living, beyond the archway.

  5. - Top - End - #485
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    "Do we continue on through the archway?" Shim asks as he approaches it, using his Guisarme to push the doors slightly more open, probing for a trap.

  6. - Top - End - #486
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    "Ogres should be past the next door, not the archway."
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  7. - Top - End - #487
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kyron

    The cleric nods and says, "Let's continue southward to the doors," then continues to clump forward.
    Last edited by RolandDeschain; 2019-12-07 at 11:16 AM.

  8. - Top - End - #488
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Proceeding along the south wall, you carefully stay away from the mushrooms, and tread on only a little bit of fungal litter. You see movement now and then, but the myconids are apparently content with your path, and leave you alone. Eventually, you reach a large metal pair of double doors, about ten feet wide and fifteen high, set slightly into an archway in the wall. The doors appear sturdy and in good shape, made of iron. There is no visible handle or keyhole.


    (like this, but no handles)

  9. - Top - End - #489
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kyron

    Striding forward the cleric raises his mailed fist and pounds on the iron doors.

  10. - Top - End - #490
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    The doors are sturdy and do not flex or open at Kyron’s pounding. You faintly hear a chiming noise, and about a half a minute later, a gruff voice is projected into your heads.

    “Bugger off, sun-dwellers! Until we figure out how those stinking bugs are getting in, we’re not opening any doors. If you’re smart enough to be worth talking to, we’re the fifth stop on the local teleportation branch. If you’re not, good luck banging your head against the wall!

  11. - Top - End - #491
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    "Hey, friend, we are lost travelers looking for help. And, maybe we can help you at the same time? Bugs, eh? What kind? And they are entering from this side? Maybe if we can locate the leak, you can let us enter? We seek counsel with the wise ogres who live in these lands." Shim says as he looks at the others with a shrug of his shoulders.

    Spoiler
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    Diplomacy check
    (1d20+15)[27]

  12. - Top - End - #492
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kricen has his undead stay back as he approaches the doors. He puts his hand on the door for a bit. Nothing else seems to happen.

    Spoiler: OOC
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    Have the incorporeal Ghostly Visage pass through Kricen's arm into the door and see what it can see on the other side of the door without going more than 5' from Kricen. After a look, have it come back.
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  13. - Top - End - #493
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kricen's Ghostly Visage sees a hallway extending into the distance.

    "Wise? Only a fool thinks himself wise. There is still much to learn and know.

    We have been finding swarms of insects hither and thither throughout our rooms over the last week. In the absence of a known vector of infection, all doors are remaining closed until such time as we can determine their source and deal with them. Paper, papyrus, leather scrolls, and other such items are too vulnerable to consumption by the vermin. They are very small, and it's difficult to determine how they are entering. You offer help? How? We have no records of 'insects' since we departed the surface world many centuries ago, save for the few native to these caverns, which were well-documented by Kar-Thoz the entomologist."
    Last edited by J-H; 2019-11-18 at 02:21 PM.

  14. - Top - End - #494
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    "Could we speak to Kar-Thoz? Perhaps we can divine something that has eluded you. We are not without talents and, being of the upper world, have dealt with insects and vermin before, perhaps some lost skill or art to you but common enough to our kind?" Shim says with hope in his voice.

  15. - Top - End - #495
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kricen steps back from the door and speaks to the voice in his head. "Yes, the more knowledge one has the more knowledge one realizes there is yet to be had. Exactly my quest down here. Since your doors are sealed, have you considered the teleporters? We may even know of someone sending in the insects to get at you. Otherwise, I assume you have quarantined sections of your own area? Back as a sun-dweller I studied many creatures."
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  16. - Top - End - #496
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    “Kar-Thoz passed away 372 years, 8 months, and 3 days ago. It’s annotated in his texts, which we examined to compare. The must be surface-dwelling insects brought by surface-dwellers.

    Despite their resemblance to surface ants, the Formian maintainers of the Complex have shown no interest or control over small insects. We have considered the matter and believe them irrelevant.

    The insects have been observed moving in multi-species swarms, which we believe to be unnatural. What do they behave like on your surface world, sun-dweller?”

  17. - Top - End - #497
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    "I am not surprised the Formians ignore the insects. Too small to matter. Multi-species swarms? There are insects that work together but swarming together? Not that I have seen. Yes, unnatural and intriguing. If they are not being actively controlled and they are attracted to paper then then they can be quarantined, baited, and exterminated. Kelgore's Grave Mist should do nicely with the insects without damaging paper, which I am quite familiar with. Once we have a general area identified, I can use an incorporeal power to discover how they are getting in."

    The ogre was feeding him new information about the Complex which was intriguing but he wasn't letting on to that. Acknowledging ignorance would not be helpful while still barred from entry. Kricen did have a genuine interest in squashing the bug threat in the hope of gaining access to the same records the swarms threatened.
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  18. - Top - End - #498
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

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    Bardy knowy stuff to see if Shim knows of anything resembling what is going on with the mixed swarms of insects
    (1d20+6)[22]


    "That seems... odd. I would thinks such swarms of different creatures, even so small, would consume each other before moving on. Have you no druids amongst your ranks or those skilled in the crafts of nature?" though, based on the speech of the voice, he guessed they didn't.

  19. - Top - End - #499
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    "Druidic studies, here, without the requisite magical components, teachers, or sun and moon typically required? Nay. Please wait."

    A minute later, the voice resumes. "You shall be granted entry, and may conduct a search around the perimeter of domain while escorted by two of our more martially inclined members. Be cautious in your use of any fire-based magics. If you are successful, we will be happy to provide you with any information you may seek."

    After a couple of minutes, the doors in front of you rattle with the sound of something heavy being removed from them, and swing open to reveal three ogres, unlike any ogres you've seen before. The one in the middle wears some kind of slightly-glowing lense stuck over one eye (a monocle), and a practical pair of shorts with pockets sewn on, plus a vest that contains no fewer than seven different writing instruments in a breast pocket. A wand hangs from his belt. Flanking him are two ogres in well-made breastplates, each bearing a longsword and shield. All of them have extremely pale skin, and large, deep-set eyes. Grorok and Klurth have several facial tattoos.

    "I am Zudagark, the Fifth Librarian in our heirarchy. Grorok the Lightning Blade and Klurth the Drinking Blade will escort you. If tunneling is required, they can obtain a scroll useful for that from our collection for you. We have comestibles as well, although they not be the sort you are used to. I fear culinary documentation has not been a priority, so Doezag the Experimenter may want to converse later about foods and cooking techniques.

    If you are successful, what manner of information should I prepare to provide to you?"
    Last edited by J-H; 2019-11-22 at 08:59 AM.

  20. - Top - End - #500
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    "We appreciate the guards, for your protection and ours. We are well provisioned but, perhaps we will indulge of your hospitality and speak to Doezag later. As for as preparing for our questions... we are looking for any maps of the Complex that you can provide, along with the working and location of the teleportation system. Details of who created the Complex, why they made it, if the creator is still around and how it functions. Any suggestions of groups that may be friendly to our causes, along with any who might be hostile, in the Complex. What us through the arch by the Myconids? Lastly, where can we find Whitemarsh along with any suggestions on how to capture or defeat him. In the mean time, if Grorok the Lightning Blade and Klurth the Drinking Blade can lead us to the last sighting of these swarms, we can start on our investigation." Shim says as he then turns and looks at the group, ready to press on.

  21. - Top - End - #501
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kyron

    The warrior cleric strides up to Grorok eyeing his weapon, "Nice blade. What's it made from? Probably not much use against these bugs is my bet." He grins his trademark too toothy grin.

    "Zudagark you made the right decision. We'll certainly get to the bottom of this and set you to rights."
    Last edited by RolandDeschain; 2019-11-28 at 11:03 AM.

  22. - Top - End - #502
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kricen nods to Zudagark. "Fire? Definitely not. These undead are totally under my control. You can ignore them."

    "Tell us more about the insects. Are they same species each time? Intelligent? I'm sure you have considered patterns already. How often? Where have they appeared and not appeared? How have you dealt with them so far?"
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  23. - Top - End - #503
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    “Noted. May Oghma be with your search.” Zudagark strides off with large, heavy strides.


    Grorok hefts his sword. “Damascus steel, made with specific trace mineral impurities so that it’s flexible and harder than the standard steel templates produced by Runeforges or most sun-dweller smithies.

    Now, we’ve seen the insects several times in different areas. I’ll take you to the most recent location.”


    You are led on a route that wanders through several different caves, caverns, and stone-worked areas, including a bedroom, a copy-room, and a long hall where shelves cut into the walls hold organized stacks of books. Eventually, you arrive at a room about forty feet across and thirty long. Stone shelves are cut back into the walls on all sides (Except where the two doorways are), and a set of heavy two-sided shelves runs down the middle of the room. You can see several areas where the stone floor is discolored and pitted, and the area near the discoloration has empty shelves.

    “It’s like they come out of nowhere. Someone found them and raised the alarm, but by then the swarm had already badly damaged our set of histories of Eastern and Northern Hyboria. We have not been able to determine anything by scrying, because we have nothing to target.”

  24. - Top - End - #504
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kyron

    "T'is a fine blade indeed. Both harder and more flexible? Hmmm...rare combination of traits to be sure. Very valuable."

    Following dutifully to the long hall, "What's with the pitting and marks on the floor? Did you combat the swarm with fire or acid?" Turning to his guide, "Have you considered that it might be an inside job? Maybe someone here has something to hide....." The cleric chuckles, "Nah! What's to hide in the dusty histories of these foreign places."

  25. - Top - End - #505
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Shim walks and but only listens half-heartedly as he tries to recall everything he could but insects and their kind. He sighed as, in truth, he knew little. He hoped he hadn't oversold his abilities but he had faith in the skills, knowledge and grit of him and his friends. He consults with the others once they are at the room, pooling together their combined knowledge.

    Spoiler
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    I think this would either be Kn:Nature or Arcane? Either way, Shim only has a +3 to his knowledge skills so he will aid another, either Kricen or Matai.
    (1d20+3)[20]


  26. - Top - End - #506
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    As the group is led through the ogre complex Kricen worked on making a mental map of the place. The layout could become pertinent. Kricen has no interest in the sword details that the others were discussing. At some point later on the question of whether Babs the demon zombie could use a weapon like the ogre's would pop into his head but for now his mind was on the infestation and the wealth of information on the walls surrounding them.

    He has to mentally whip himself to stay focused on the insects. "Yes, how did you get rid of them? Were any remains kept for study? Were they the same mix of species each time? Surely some librarian is continuing Kar-Thoz's work. Instead of scrying, perhaps magic of some sort to answer how they got in here, where they will appear next, or if teleportation had been used in this area."

    Meanwhile, Kricen's ghostly familiar melded through Kricen's foot into the floor with directions to search for cracks, crevices, or other ways into the room beyond the two doorways they could see.

    Spoiler: OOC
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    Knowledge check for the insects (via their damage to the area and verbal description) (1d20)[12]
    +9 for Arcane
    +8 for Nature
    +14 for Local (Complex)
    +6 for Planes
    Let me know if you want separate rolls for each type.

    Gandalf uses his Incorporeal self to move through the floor, then walls, then ceiling, staying adjacent to the room. Empathic Link for any discoveries.
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  27. - Top - End - #507
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    “We used magic – no fire or lightning of course, but cold, acid, and the like worked well enough. Their carcasses vanished upon death, so we believe they were magically summoned or conjured.”

    Kricen’s knowledge checks don’t reveal much about the type of insect – an insect nibble is an insect nibble – but he has more success with Gandalf. The Ghostly Visage discovers a 1” diameter hole located underneath the bottom of one of the bookshelves in the middle of the room. It’s a straight-line hole and Gandalf can tell that it extends through the rock for at least 60’ (the limit of its darkvision). From there, it’s reasonable to assume that the small insects could squeeze out and work their way under the edges or through cracks in the bookshelf.

  28. - Top - End - #508
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    "You know they are magical summons and you don't have a Hunt going for the summoner who is destroying your library?" Kricen shakes his head. "Have they at least tried dispelling the swarm when they showed up? Did it work?"

    The necromancer wanders around the room, looking at the shelving and floor for cracks but mostly noticing the names of the books on the shelves. It takes a while to explore the whole room. He makes his way back to the shelves in the middle and looks closer. He takes a knee by the spot that Gandalf has directed him to. Gandalf discreetly merges back into his master.

    Kricen stands up, steps back, and turns his attention to the ogres. "We need this shelf moved out of the way."
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    Ganzak for Toliudar's Coming Unstuck

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  29. - Top - End - #509
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Shim looks to Grorok and Klurth to see their reaction before going to start move the shelf. "Do you know a way of tracking a summoning back to it's master...?" Shim says with a grunt as he picks up one end and waits for someone to grab the otherside and move it out of the way.

  30. - Top - End - #510
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    Default Re: The Complex of Doom (IC) Thread 2

    Kyron

    In a somewhat mocking tone, "Here little brother let me help you, I would hate for you to strain yourself."

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