Out of the Abyss, IC II

[Spore]

Nilvae and Mr Spide Half-Elf Witch | Sentient Spider Cleric AC: 13 HP: 21/32 MP: 40/45 | AC: 14 HP: 18/37 MP: 34/34 PP: 11 PIv: 11 PIs: 14 San: 13 (+1) | PP: 10 PIv: 15 PIs: 10 San 14 Spell Slots, 3rd: 1/2 HD d6 x/5 | HD 3d8 Conditions: 5 tMP Concentration: Nilvae's eyes glitter at the notion of Blurgh. How cool, a weregoose! Can you honk out spells by then? she exclaims. Don't be silly, girl. Animals don't cast spells. the spider cleric companion adds. Warring demons is not good, but it is a sign that we should try and manipulate them against each other. We have no hope of fighting six demon lords. But if they fight each other... Nilvae suddenly adds a surprisingly calm and insightful idea.

Galdar Bloodskull Duergar 'Psion' AC: 19 HP: 17/38 MP: 39/39 PP: 15 PIv: 9 PIs: 13 San: 14 Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 1/2 Sorcery Points: 1/4, HD: x/4 d6, y/1 d8 Conditions: Telepathic Bond (Nilvae), Soothsayer (helped) Concentration: - Stubborn dwarves stayed too long. If you can hear some remorse for Galdar's fallen comrades, the duergar is trying not to let it out. Well, at least a financial gain for us. If you'd have me, I would be glad to have new company. You all are decidedly less professional, but you bring results. Now if you would just tell me, what a group of half surface dwellers does this far into the Underdark. The dark dwarf spends the rest of the pause with helping identifying the tools of his previous companions. His descriptions are usually functional, sometimes garnished a slight ribbing on his former group. He concludes the pause with: I assume anyone but Borthan is not used to duergar tactics, but I would only claim a magic weapon if the proper warriors are already equipped. I enjoy a scrap, but I am not a fighter.

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 23/34 THP: 1 MP: 14/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1), 4 exp hit dice. Concentrating:-- Faedryl requires no such communication potion in order to confirm her position on the matter: An immediate restoration of her true self. The limited options for future transformations into such an equally limited form interest her little. She is useless in her current form, and it needs rectifying. Returned in a flash of magic to her full glory, she displays her...full glory, having been found bereft of her armour and clothes, and only clad in her magic underwear. Still, she shows no shame in her near-nudity. She'd bared more and worse to worse people than this. This was just a mild indignity, and not something for an esteemed individual like herself to concern herself with. "Thank you for your assistance," she offers, already searching out her clothes - no need to stay like this, and she'd rather be armoured back up in case any further bees or other nasties appeared to harass her. Thankfully they're not noticeably worse for wear. She talks as she dresses and dons, making sure everything is back in its proper place. "Faedryl Melad, currently disowned scion of House Melad. No need to repeat everything. I understood everyone just fine in my unexpected avian form." She shoots Borthan a mild glare at the puns cracked at her expense, but no more. "As it happens we were involved with the Sloobludop revolution. Shuushar - the apprentice - is an ally. I won't say we had totally altruistic motivations for helping, but hopefully this goes some way to proving our character." She produces the Pearl she received from Shuushar's master, under the assumption that the Society would recognise it. "Our group is currently looking for an exit to the Underdark to return to the surface." She wasn't 'returning', but the full individual differences in their group's motivations weren't really the point. "Which requires adequate funding. We were tasked to kill the current Queen - who proved corrupted - and retrieve a Royal egg. The former has been accomplished, the latter is in progress. The promised price for the egg was 600 platinum pieces. I won't say we - necessarily - need to receive that much in as a return," Handing it over to the society did seem preferable to the Zhentarim. "But we can't give it away for nothing when our safety is at stake."

[RandomWombat]

The Hive

"Aha! So you were Shuushar's allies," face brightening into a smile of recognition, Blurg doesn't seem to mind their motivations were not purely altruistic - whose are? "It is good to see you are still well. Relatively speaking." Folding his arms into his robe sleeves, he takes on a more casual posture. "The Society is not replete in liquid capital. However, our members have useful skills and crafts. If my scrollwork and Y's inventions are not adequate to match your offer alone, one of our newest member-hopefuls is a uniquely prodigious talent in the crafting of magical items." He adds regretfully, "I regret to add that we are not well-acquainted with the surface, or its paths. Our focus is-"

"Ah ah ah!" Y cuts in, holding up a hand through the chamber's entryway.

"You know paths to the surface?" turning to regard his companion with surprise, Blurg's expression is met with a shrug.

"I investigate rumors, sift fact from fiction. It's what I do," taking a few steps nearer, but maintaining a respectful distance, the derro announces, "Before its fall, Blingdenstone's merchants were rumored to possess secret trade routes to the surface. The svirfneblin are very private, very secretive in their dealings - no offense!" he glances at Turvy lurking in the back corners of the room, holding up his hands. "Well, after the fall I went poking around. What can I say I like to poke around? Well, you see, I was able to find a mechanical cargo lift in a concealed tunnel that I believe to be one of these routes to the surface! It was being guarded by a colony of wererats last I knew, but I could lead you there."

If true, it could save them a trip through the relative unknowns of the Wormwrithings, which the party would need to pass Blingdenstone to reach on their current route - assuming they did not take up the Zhentarim on their offer of transport.

Spoiler: Turvy and ALADIN History DC 15

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Such rumors were commonplace in Blingdenstone when it thrived. Common enough that these paths' existence was widely accepted as an open secret - the real secret was who had them, and the how and where.

Spoiler: Turvy

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The wererats Y is speaking of are almost certainly the Blinkers Clan, the society of wererats Turvy and his sister were recruited into and in the process of entering when the drow slew the twins' escort and captured them. The Blinkers remained in Blingdenstone even when it was in ruins, using it as a lair to steal from and harass their drow neighbors. They consider themselves to be patriots of a sort - that they never abandoned their home as the refugees did, and that it should be claimed as their own. The Blinkers operate like a crime syndicate or a cartel. It is the way civilized wererats tend to develop - thieves' guilds. Reasonable, but secretive and ruthless.

Turvy's sister sure seems to be taken with their propaganda about rebuilding Blingdenstone into place of their own. Whether Turvy has drank the wine is up to him...

[Bobthewizard]

Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 20 HP: 41/41 +8 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 3/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 2/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 1/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara listens to the offer and decides she likes the idea of taking an elevator back to the surface. With talk of the surface, she forgets ask any more questions about the demons. Let the under dark fall to them. She's had enough of this place.

"This is possibly a better option than trusting the Zhentarim. I think we should go find this were-rat colony."

Spoiler: OOC

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Turvy sheet Deep Gnome Wizard 5 AC: 14 HP: 26/33 +11 THP PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12 MP: 30/30 MD: 4/4d12 Sanity: -1 Initiative: +6 HD: 0/5d6, Conditions: mage armor, exhaustion 1 Spell Slots, 1st: 1/4, 2nd: 2/3, 3rd: 1/2 Portents: 5, 10

Turvy panics at the mention of the were-rats. It's obvious that he is scared of something there. Possibly the were-rats, or possibly something else.

"Perhaps the Zhentarim would be safer."

In truth, he thinks that if he gets his sister to Blingdenstone, she'll want to join the rebellion against the drow, and then he'll be forced to spend the rest of what would then be a short life with an inevitable bloody end, fighting against the military might of the drow.

Spoiler: OOC

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[Archmage1]

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 15 PIv: 18 PIs: 13 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: ALADIN nods at Y's words. "I have also recorded similar rumors. The real secret was in who had them, what guards were set, and where they went." He does not opine on the competing offers.

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 23/34 THP: 1 MP: 14/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1), 4 exp hit dice. Concentrating:-- She still doesn't trust the Zhentarim. She doesn't exactly trust a colony of wererats either, but - weirdly - she fancied her chances better of facing them than the collective powers of the Black Network if they betrayed them, especially if they were less eager to help after not getting the Royal egg. More importantly, she fancied challenging a wererat colony over Wormwrithings. Ultimately it likely mattered little who the egg ended up with, but it would probably be better in the long run if it ended up with the Society instead of the Zhentarim. "We have no need for the other eggs, you can keep them, but as for the Royal egg..." She looks to the others. It'd have to be their decision, rather than just hers.

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 23/34 THP: 1 MP: 14/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1), 4 exp hit dice. Concentrating:-- The 'discussion' amounts to shrugs or nods of agreement from the collected party. Good enough for her. "It seems our group is in agreement, that we'd rather the egg find its way into your hands than that of the Zhentarim; though we'd like to know more about this elevator you've mentioned too. The hive is still dangerous, and we've yet to fully investigate it and claim its treasures for ourselves. We have a ship waiting outside, it's probably a better place to discuss exchange of goods and services than..." she casts her eyes around derisively. She's quite tired of demon bees, and it'd probably be a good day or two before she desires honey again. here. You can come with us, or wait here until we're done confirming our haul."

[RandomWombat]

The Hive

"Very good," pleased with the arrangement, Blurg nods his head and steps towards the eggs, looking them over as he circles them. "We will package the eggs for transport while you search for valuables. Once we are both ready to depart, we will need to retrieve our own vessel and bring it to your landing site. Where on the island should we meet with your ship?" Y steps softly through the room to join him, and hands Blurg a pair of wax-coated gloves, which both of them slip on.

The Looting

A search of the rest of the hive finds a pile of humanoid belongings on the third floor. All melted into a slurry of materials by the acid, or else fused together into useless lumps of metal - as is the case of the remains of any non-magical weapons and armor from Galdar's mercenary squad. The scrap metal itself may have value of it is melted down, and the impurities removed. Gathering all of the coin from the mass of slag and blackened cloth remains takes time, but time is a luxury they have at the moment.

Precious metals are thankfully resistant to corrosion. The spilled contents of melted open coinpurses and sacks of money lie on the floor, their surfaces tarnished but intact. Magical objects stand out clearly in the pile of refuse, suffering none of the wear and tear of their common brethren. While the bees looted and made use of some weapons and even the spellbook, they have left most 'miscellaneous' items here.

Spoiler: Loot

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Cash
-34 platinum pieces
-273 gold pieces
-703 silver pieces

Mundane Items
A tarnished silver locket (locked)
A wooden puzzle box, sitting on top of a pile of other melted items that spared it the acid (also locked)
Four black spheres of onyx

Spoiler: Onyx: Arcana DC 14

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These spheres of onyx are for use by necromancers in the creation of more powerful undead, each worth 150 gold pieces.

A fine diamond
A former pouch of diamond dust that has unfortunately melted open, its contents scattered by the air flow of giant bee wings (may be collected if the party can figure out a method to)

Magic Items
A large, durable ceramic jug with many spouts.

Spoiler: Jug: Arcana DC 14

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This is an alchemy jug, a relatively commonplace magical item capable of producing several useful liquids.

A jade statuette of a green dragon's head
A pair of metal tongs, with their graspers shaped like a pair of claws

Spoiler: Tongs: Galdar

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Ten Foot Tongs
This set of tongs belonged to Rarouk. While holding them, the user may speak the command word 'knurl hrenk' (dwarvish for 'stupid thing') followed by a length of up to ten feet or as short as one foot; the length also must be spoken in dwarvish. The tongs will expand or retract to the chosen size. However far they are expanded, they always transfer grip strength as though they were one foot long.
Rarouk used them for all manner of things, from grabbing objects off of tall shelves to opening suspicious doors from a safer distance.

Three empty glass bottles
An untarnished, golden wine goblet

Nothing else noteworthy is seen until they venture into the lowest floor - the 'basement'. Here the walls are covered in honeycombs, full of more of the green living honey-ooze they faced earlier. However, the honey has begun to congeal and turn pale, losing its motility. Though several chunks attempt to crawl towards them, they are easily avoided and incinerated with a few cantrips.

[Archmage1]

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 15 PIv: 18 PIs: 13 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: ALADIN reminds the pair of society members of the plan to purify the eggs, before departing to assist with the exploration of the hive. Seeing the ooze, ALADIN notes the decay of the strange substance. "Strange. It appears that we either removed the corruption when we killed the queen and that ooze, or something else is going on. Note that a demon lord associated with slime and ooze is among those who have been detected by the society."

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 23/34 THP: 1 MP: 14/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1), 4 exp hit dice. Concentrating:-- Faedryl offers the location of their ship to the Society freely - even if it was a potential risk, she didn't imagine two of them would suddenly turn hostile and would be a threat to them. While she doesn't recognise the jug, the necromancy stones do catch her eye, if only because that means they're worth more on the market. "We already knew this was a demon-touched abysshole," Faedryl remarks to ALADIN. "I'd see it all burned down, but we don't have that sort of time. I'd rather see the back of this place for good."

[RandomWombat]

The Hive

With the eggs packaged away, probably in some form of extradimensional storage, the Society members meet up with the party on the way out - on the second floor of the hive, a passage opens onto the cliff face. There is no visible path down, only a rock face about forty feet up down to the floor of the ravine, where a stream of water runs alongside two sloped banks. "We will meet you at your ship," the derro says, resting his hands on his hips. "We have the eggs marked for purification stored in segregation from the rest of the study materials, no need to worry."

"I look forward to finding methods of cleansing the Abyssal influence with you," Blurg smiles companionably at ALADIN. "Our vessel is small, but there is room for one more person if any of you wishes to accompany us."

To their left, they can see the ravine stretches towards an opening where a larger body of water is. The stream flows down from it, marking it as a mountain lake of some sort. To their right, it flows down and away - towards their landing site, Borthan determines after getting his bearings. The plateau they leapt from is far above them, beyond their sight.

Taking one of the cubes and one of the spheres from his belt, Y offers them to the party. "For you! This," he indicates the sphere, "My personal glider suit design," he continues in a different voice, with a lower tone and fewer nervous titters. "Press the sphere to a creature's chest, and it will transform itself to suit their body and armor. Press the chest piece once," he pats above his left breast. "And it will deploy its wings. Press the chest piece twice in a steady heartbeat rhythm while deployed to retract the wings. Press it four times in a steady heartbeat rhythm," he taps his chest rhythmically to indicate the pattern, "To restore it to its compact storage form. This patterned safety ensures that a panicked faller will not, by mistake, retract their wings or suit."

Next he points out the cube. "And this is the Port-a-Closet. Do not store in an extradimensional space," he instructs. "To deploy, place it on the ground, step to a safe distance, and clap your hands three times in quick succession. It will unfold into an water closet, with an extradimensional sewage tank. When you are finished, step out and repeat the clapping to collapse it. The water closet will not close while a creature is inside," folding his hands, he grins and giggles to himself. "If you need to empty the sewage, there is a hose and crank on the back. Take care were you dump!"

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Portable Flight Suit
Does not require Attunement
Action to don or doff.
While worn, allows the user to fall as few as 5 feet per round while held, and glide horizontally 20 feet each round while falling.

Port-a-Closet
One of the comforts of home, now available in your campsite!
While the water closet is present at camp during a short rest, Hit Dice expended to heal restore an additional +1 hit point. While the water closet is present at camp, party members also recover 1d6 Mental Hit Points for free during a short or long rest.
When toilet paper is available, these values are doubled to +2 hit points and 2d6 mhp.

Taking the second sphere from his belt, Y presses it to his chest. The metallic material morphs over his body, forming a sleek black and white flight suit. He jumps off the cliff, and a pair of smooth wings stretches on either side of him, catching the air and leading him down in a controlled descent. Blurg begins extracting a climbing kit from his pack and squats down, where the party can see him attaching it to pitons he'd already set up - presumably on their way to the cliff.

Spoiler: OOC

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A DC 10 Climbing check with Advantage from Blurg's established route to get down. Failure causes 2d6 falling damage.

Someone can skip it by testing out the gliding suit if they wish.

[purepolarpanzer]

Borthan Zuek Half-Drow Ranger AC: 17 HP:14/45 22/29 MP 0 Temp HP PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Sanity:12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 4 of 5 d10 HD. Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Borthan chuckled and snorted when Faedryl's glare hit him, but after wiping a mock tear from his eye he smiled a small smile at her. "Glad to have you back. Funny as it was, if I were to try to lead this group without you I think we'd make it about twenty yards into the Darklake before the boat blew up and the crew rebelled." He extended a hand to her when she was fully clothed. "We're all a team, and while Biggun's smart, we all know who handles the book learning round here, and it ain't me." Whether or not his handshake is returned, he would then go to work helping the others do a final search of this goopy hellhole. When the docs offer to share their toys with the group, Borthan looks unimpressed by the portable WC, but his eyes widen like a kid in a candy store. "That's damn impressive...", but he grabs onto the rope, leaving the suit for those who have trouble with athletic effort.

Prince Derendil Quaggoth Barbarian/Abjurer AC: 17 HP: 17/39 34/34 MP 10 Temp HP PP: 10 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Sanity 10 Conditions: Mage Armor (8 hrs), Arcane Ward (0hp/8hp) Concentrating on: Rage HD:1/1 D12, 3/3 D6 Spell Slots- 3/3 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/2 3rd Derendil's eyes show wonder at both inventions, and he eagerly begins to ask the creator questions about it's design. He is not eager to try the suit so early, so he catches the rope and begins to climb after Borthan, easily but carefully making their way down.

Spoiler: OOC

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Discord rolled, both my boys passed to clamber down the rope.

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 23/34 THP: 1 MP: 14/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1), 4 exp hit dice. Concentrating:-- There's a hesitancy in the gesture, but ultimately she does return the handshake. She doesn't take any comfort in it, and in fact the touch of another is a little unnerving, but she soldiers through, for the sake of the moment. They were a team. For better or worse. Hopefully, mostly, the better. Faedryl chooses not to experiment with the glider, at least for the moment, leaving it to others should they want it. She's had quite enough flying for one day, thank you very much. Thankfully she makes it down without further assistance after using Blurg's path as a guide. While she doesn't think the glider's worth much to her, the portable toilet appears to be worth its weight in gold and then some. Privacy at the touch of a button was at a premium in the Underdark, and this was the sort of item that they would need to protect, safeguard, and make sure to never sell, no matter how dire.

[Archmage1]

RONT Orc Brute Fighter AC: 19 HP: 51/51 PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: After watching the weird honey things try, and fail to murder him, Ront is eager to get out of a place where even the walls are trying to kill him, descending the rope with alacrity after retrieving Mr. Grump. Spoiler: OOC Show (1d20+8)[27] Climb 1 (1d20+8)[12] Climb 2

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 15 PIv: 18 PIs: 13 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: As the Society members collect the eggs, ALADIN speaks up again. "Will your dimensional storage provide air to the eggs, to prevent their suffocation?" While they consider that, he inspects the pair of inventions, reviewing them as only an artificer can. "They appear to be a useful pair of inventions. Being able to greatly simplify the descent of cliffs, or, in the presence of sufficient airflow, genuinely fly, without the utilization of more powerful flight or levitation magics is impressive. I am not able to comment on the utility of the water closet. If you would like to collaborate, I could attempt to make suggestions for improvements, or I could show my projects." Afterwards, with the exploration and looting of the hive clearly complete, ALADIN begins the descent, moving slowly and carefully, clearly thinking about each foot hold and hand hold as he does. Spoiler: OOC Show Having collected the battle poppet, and the trove, and fully searched the hive... time to go... (1d20+2)[13] Climb 1 (1d20+2)[8] Climb 2

[Bobthewizard]

Turvy sheet Deep Gnome Wizard 5 AC: 14 HP: 26/33 +11 THP PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12 MP: 30/30 MD: 4/4d12 Sanity: -1 Initiative: +6 HD: 0/5d6, Conditions: mage armor, exhaustion 1 Spell Slots, 1st: 1/4, 2nd: 2/3, 3rd: 1/2 Portents: 5, 10

Turvy ignores the flying wings. He has no desire to test them out, even if he is a poor climber. Hopefully we don't need to do that very often. But he is interested in the portable toilet. Not that he wants to take it from Faedryl, but it gives him another reason to want to stay close to her.

"That could make a good place to hide, even during a fight. Make sure you share that, Faedryl. We all need privacy sometimes."

Spoiler: OOC

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Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 20 HP: 41/41 +8 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 3/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 2/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 1/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara, having no such qualms about privacy, is more interested in the gliding apparatus. When no one else seems interested in taking it, she tries it on. Once it is in place and ready to deploy, she looks at Turvy, and gives him a mischievous smile.

"You're coming with me."

She grabs the gnome, who reluctantly acquiesces, and they glide down off the cliff, Elara laughing, which none of you have seen yet, and Turvy outwardly frowning but secretly enjoying himself.

Spoiler: OOC

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Not claiming it for good, just for this scene. If someone else wants it they can have it.

[RandomWombat]

The Ravine River

The ravine stretches out ahead as each of them descends in turn. Nilvae rides down with Spide's assistance, and Galdar joins them not long after when Charlotte finds him upon the cliff, following his whistles.

"I am always happy to collaborate with a fellow tinkerer," the derro stores his device at the bottom, chattering with ALADIN. The gravel crunches beneath his feet as he marches on. "Fear not. We need only let some air into the extradimensional storage now and then, and the eggs will be fine."

It's a long walk. Moving on the slope along the river's edge is hard on the ankles, and makes going slow. As they near a curve in the flow, they can see the mountainous pillar they encircled rising up far above, making one side of the ravine look infinite. However, the party comes upon a patch of ground that is looser than the rest - and several of them go skidding down towards the water! Y scrambles, managing to get onto the more stable layer below.

Blurg wedges his foot against a more stable, stationary stone and reaches out a hand to someone else in need.

Spoiler: Travel Danger: Athletics or Acrobatics

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The party is caught in a small gravel-slide into the river. Charlotte and Spide have Advantage on this check from their spider legs.

Spoiler: Less than 10

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The character slips and falls into the deeper river, and is under threat of being carried away by it - fortunately, it is flowing ahead and not behind.

A DC 14 Athletics check will pull the character out of the water. They may make one attempt each round. Every round in the water, they are carried 20 feet ahead of the party, take 2d6 bludgeoning damage from being battered around by river rocks, and get chewed on by predatory fish for 1d6 piercing damage and 2 Bleed.

Spoiler: DC 10

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The character's legs slip into the river, getting them wet and cold. Beyond that they must make a DC 12 Dex save to get out of the water quickly, or take 1d6 piercing damage and 2 Bleed from predatory fish nibbling their ankles.

Spoiler: DC 15

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The character manages to catch themselves before they slip into the water, but is not quick enough to offer aid to another character.

Spoiler: DC 20

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The character catches themselves quickly and solidly enough that they can lend aid to another character, giving that character Advantage to catch themselves.

Blurg passes his check at DC 20. He is able to offer one character Advantage if they slip.

[Archmage1]

RONT Orc Brute Fighter AC: 19 HP: 51/51 PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Walking along the rough ravine and gravel, Ront works to suppress a grimace as his tender feet occasionally step onto a sharp piece of rock, or some glass through the holes in the souls of his shoes. Unfortunately, despite his focus on picking his footing, he is entirely unprepared for when the gravel slides away beneath him, sending him staggering, swearing, and sliding down the slope, ending up into the river. The river full of fish that had probably caused the slide via some sort of strange fish-magic. The river full of fish that wanted to eat his toes, the ones exposed by the ruin of his boots. The thought worms it's way through his head, and in a surge of energy, he leaps up out of the water, making his escape. Spoiler: OOC Show Rolled a 13 on athletics, then a 16 on dex to save.

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 15 PIv: 18 PIs: 13 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Engrossed in his conversation with Y about artificing and various means to obtain flight, ALADIN is unprepared for the abrupt slide, ending in the river, and taking a moment to center himself and find his footing in the water. Spoiler: OOC Show Rolled a 12, then failed the save by a lot(Got a 7) Would intact armor protect against the fish? Or could he take a bonus action on the way down? If not, (1d6)[6] Piercing damage and 2 bleed.

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 23/34 THP: 1 MP: 14/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1), 4 exp hit dice. Concentrating:-- Despite her exhaustion Faedryl is able to catch herself before falling, and in the process avoids another indignity that might have been visited to herself.

Spoiler: OOC

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14 + 2 = 16, rolled in discord.

[Bobthewizard]

Turvy sheet Deep Gnome Wizard 5 AC: 14 HP: 26/33 +11 THP PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12 MP: 30/30 MD: 4/4d12 Sanity: -1 Initiative: +6 HD: 0/5d6, Conditions: mage armor, exhaustion 1 Spell Slots, 1st: 1/4, 2nd: 2/3, 3rd: 1/2 Portents: 5, 10

Turvy is caught off guard by the shifting rocks. He does his best to keep his balance.

"Look out everyone!"

He grabs Aladin trying to keep him from falling.

Spoiler: OOC

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Acrobatics (1d20+1)[21]
Dex Save (1d20+1)[5]

Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 20 HP: 41/41 +8 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 3/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 2/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 1/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara isn't even looking when the avalanche starts. She's engrossed in her thoughts, wondering if we really should trust these newcomers.

"ahhh!"

But she manages to keep her balance.

Spoiler: OOC

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Acrobatics (1d20+1)[19]
Dex Save (1d20+1)[21]

[purepolarpanzer]

Borthan Zuek Half-Drow Ranger AC: 17 HP:14/45 22/29 MP 0 Temp HP PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Sanity:12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 4 of 5 d10 HD. Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Borthan has no trouble riding out the gravel slide and leaping to a secure spot before the avalanche carried him into the water. If anyone else needs assistance, his arm shoots out and grabs at them to halt their fall.

Spoiler: OOC

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24 rolled.

Prince Derendil Quaggoth Barbarian/Abjurer AC: 17 HP: 17/39 34/34 MP 10 Temp HP PP: 10 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Sanity 10 Conditions: Mage Armor (8 hrs), Arcane Ward (0hp/8hp) Concentrating on: Rage HD:1/1 D12, 3/3 D6 Spell Slots- 3/3 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/2 3rd Derendil mimics Borthan's descent, leaping to the opposite side as the stones scrabble and fall down one another, also throwing out a hand to prevent anyone from going in the drink.

Spoiler: OOC

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21 rolled in discord.

[RandomWombat]

The Ravine River

Though a few of them take a tumble, most of the party keeps their footing readily. A moment passes to tend to any bloody scrapes from the near-fall.

Spoiler: Results

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ALADIN can accept the 6 damage and 2 Bleed, or pop a Misty Step to teleport out of the water before he's chewed on. Bleed can be stopped by the use of a healing spell or a DC 10 Medicine check; each failed check results in 2 damage from failing to staunch the flow in time.

I rolled for Spore's characters' saves.
Charlotte avoids the fall. Galdar is presumably riding her, and is also fine.
Nilvae catches herself just fine.
Spide despite Advantage is also munched on for 6 damage and 2 Bleed; same deal for stopping it.

After a moment for treatment, they press on. Past the bend in the river, the light of the faerzress falls away behind them and they reach a small body of water. Blurg produces a hooded lantern, carrying it in one wand. Mercifully, this pond boasts a more level sandy shore that is easier on the legs. Here the water flowing down from above coalesces for a time before it splits off in two directions. To their right, a small waterfall trickles down a rocky cliff into the bay where the party left their ship. In the darkness, it is impossible to make out the shape of their ship from here - they must have put out or covered the lanterns for some reason. Surely it would not leave without them. A climb down the wet cliff would bring them to a beach alongside the bay, from which they could walk back to the Black Manta.

On the opposite side of the pond, accessible by swimming or gliding across to the river's other side, is a more gentle outlet that flows east into the Darklake through - according to their map - a smaller bay.

Beyond a crevice in the rocky cliffside, Blurg steps into a small, concealed campsite where their tents and a cauldron are set up. He begins packing their belongings. Meanwhile, Y walks to the water's edge and produces a small talisman from his pocket, squeezing it with his thumb. A red glow emanates from beneath his finger's touch, and yellow lights flicker to life beneath the water's surface, looking up at them like the gaze of a giant monster. A metallic shape rises out of the pond water to partially beach itself upon the shore next to him. The thing is a huge, gleaming metal eel that wriggles using joints along its segmented body to propel itself through water. A set of six yellow, eye-like lamps glow from its face, and a fanged jaw below them sports dagger-like blades. Upon the hump of its back is a circular protrusion that Y grabs and twists, opening a hatch that leads inside. Its head is large enough to fit two humanoids comfortably inside, or perhaps three if they were cramped together - or small.

[Archmage1]

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 40/43 PP: 15 PIv: 18 PIs: 13 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Feeling the fish starting to bite at his armored boots, ALADIN quickly triggers his defense field before scrambling out of the water, and starts to repair the damage that the fish inflicted. Throughout the process, he doesn't appear to be suffering any sort of pain, and afterwards, he continues following the leadership of Blurg without complaint or comment. Society Campsite Seeing the arisen construct, ALADIN's eyes begin surveying it immediately, taking it in, and assessing the construction. "That appears to be a most unusual example of artifice. Was it created to explore the bottom of the lake, or simply to avoid notice while traveling?" Spoiler: OOC Show (1d20+8)[9] Tinker Tools check Passed on the second check with a 20.

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 23/34 THP: 1 MP: 14/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1), 4 exp hit dice. Concentrating:-- Faedryl looks at the vessel with a little bit of wonder - no doubt it would make traversal far safer than a surface ship, but its limited room made it inappropriate for their uses, at least for now. "Could the design be adapted to hold more people?"

[Bobthewizard]

Turvy sheet Deep Gnome Wizard 5 AC: 14 HP: 26/33 +0 THP PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12 MP: 30/30 MD: 4/4d12 Sanity: -1 Initiative: +6 HD: 0/5d6, Conditions: mage armor, exhaustion 1 Spell Slots, 1st: 1/4, 2nd: 2/3, 3rd: 1/2 Portents: 5, 10

Turvy follows Aladin over to investigate the giant serpent submarine. If the autognome doesn't volunteer to go with them, Turvy does.

"One of us should go with them to make sure they get to our ship."

He's a little more excited than he lets on, but he thinks Aladin might enjoy the time better than he would.

Spoiler: OOC

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Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 20 HP: 41/41 +0 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 3/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 2/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 1/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara follows along with the others. She offers to help heal anyone who is significantly injured by the rockfall.

"Let me know if you need help."

At the campsite, she lets the more intellectually curious party members investigate the ship. She continues to look for danger.

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception (1d20+7)[16]

[RandomWombat]

The Society Camp

With a tittering giggle, Y turns and taps his fingers together. "Oh, I don't know what it was originally intended for at all - not for certain!" Closing his eyes, he breathes in through his nose and adds in a cooler tone, "Passed down through generations of Societies risen and fallen. We know it simply as the Apparatus of the Eel, or as commonly shortened - the Iron Eel." Bringing his hands around behind his back, he drops down from its head to the beach and paces up to the front of the construct. "There is no record of who built the device or when. We know only that it was found for the first time in the cache of a Society of Brilliance that was destroyed approximately two centuries ago. Their records had been burned, but a hidden storeroom of works such as this one survived. A survivor of the previous Society, those who found it, then passed this apparatus on to us."

Stepping out of the cave with a hefty, mundane camping pack swung onto his back, Blurg approaches the vessel and nods his head. "As it stands, modifying the Iron Eel is beyond us. Though the metal appears to be iron, it resists many of our tools and 'heals' from damage gradually over time. Modifications appear to be viewed as damage by the source of its magical properties." Reaching up to some handholds along the side of its head, Blurg heaves himself up top, and slips his lower half down the hatch. "We would be happy to bring one of you along. Either of the gnomes, preferably, for reasons of space," he nods at Turvy's comment.

[Archmage1]

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 15 PIv: 18 PIs: 13 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Sensing the opportunity, ALADIN nods. "I would be able to observe the functionality of the Apparatus of the Eel, which may allow me to learn more. I could assist in relocating our vessel as well, if needed." As he speaks, his eyes look upon the strange device, assessing it, trying to see how it operates, how the magic flowed, how the water flowed.

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 23/34 THP: 1 MP: 14/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1), 4 exp hit dice. Concentrating:-- Arcane Recovery: 0/2. Hexblade Curse: Av. Slots:- Pact: 1/1 1st: 2/4 2nd: 1/3 It was unfortunate they couldn't replicate the creation. Perhaps one day. Impressed as she was by it though, it was hardly her area of interest or expertise. She nods to ALADIN's suggestion. "That's fine, the rest of us will head back to the ship on foot. He can guide you there if you get lost, no doubt."

[purepolarpanzer]

Borthan Zuek Half-Drow Ranger AC: 17 HP:14/45 22/29 MP 0 Temp HP PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Sanity:12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 4 of 5 d10 HD. Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Borthan nods amiably to Aladin. "Enjoy the ride. We'll head back the hard way. Hopefully those idjits on the boat haven't gotten into any sort of trouble."

[RandomWombat]

The Way Back

As ALADIN climbs aboard with the Society members, and the eel slithers back into the deep depths, the party is left to contend with their own path home. It is not a dangerous climb, compared to the cliff scaling and base jumping they have undertaken in the hours leading up to it, but there remains the potential for injury - and for future threats. Water trickles down the rock face in a stream, making many of the rocks slippery and hazardous. Though the small pool below and the beach next to it are relatively soft sand, it could still hurt to fall from here.

Spoiler: The Climb

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Climbing down from here is two DC 14 Athletics checks.
Failing the first check results in a 30 foot fall into a small, sandy pool that opens into the bay, causing 2d6 bludgeoning damage.
Failing the second check is a shorter fall that causes 1d6 bludgeoning damage.
Failing either check results in getting chewed on by some of the carnivorous minnow fish in the pool for 1d6 piercing/slashing damage and 2 Bleed as they wade through before getting out of it.
Succeeding both checks, a character climbs onto the sandy sore.

The glider is still available as an option to skip the check.

With the climb finished, they arrive on the beach. Its steep slope, dotted with glowing mushrooms that stand above like street lamps, leads them to not one but two ships anchored nearby. Sarith, Topsy and the rest of their crew wait aboard one, while the other is occupied by a small party of orcish pirates.

The party can see them before they can see the party, allowing a stealthy approach if desired.

The Iron Eel

A ladder from the hatch leads down into a cockpit, and Y seals the way in behind them. For one person, the cockpit would be spacious and comfortable. For two, snug and just about right. With three of them, ALADIN ends up squished between the two or against one of the control panels.

Levers and switches span the walls, and a periscope hangs from the ceiling above, allowing a view from outside. Judging by a look through, it peers out from the eel's 'forehead'. Darkglass used in its construction gives a monogreen view, but allows one to see in the darkness. A knob on the side allows the user to extend it above, to peer out over the surface of the water if needed.

"Would you like to be our eyes?" Blurg offers, pulling a lever. The structure shifts as the eel turns around, using its fins to crawl down the beach and back into the water. As the periscope drops beneath the surface, a view of the bottom of the pond emerges, a colony of underwater plantlife growing below. It may be colorful, or not. Its potential beauty is robbed by the scope's darkvision.

ALADIN is given a brief primer on the controls. Levers on either side control direction. A dial controls speed. A switch controls the head lights. Another lever at the front controls the jaws, allowing the structure to bite at threats. Beneath the fore terminal is a plunger, the sort used for mining explosives, which controls depth. It would be an overwhelming number of controls for one person, maybe even for two. It's possible it was designed to be piloted by three individuals of a smaller size. Or perhaps by a species with more limbs.

Their journey brings them around the island's edge, towards the entrance of the bay where the party's vessel is anchored. Eventually, as they approach the opening between the bay's two cliff peaks, ALADIN can see two ships lurking just out of view of the bay. Neither is the Black Manta. Judging by the bright, spidery webbing pattern that adorns the dark wood under the water, they are assuredly drow vessels. With the Eel submerged, it is unlikely that ALADIN and the Society have been seen.

[Bobthewizard]

Turvy sheet Deep Gnome Wizard 5 AC: 14 HP: 26/33 +0 THP PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12 MP: 30/30 MD: 4/4d12 Sanity: -1 Initiative: +6 HD: 0/5d6, Conditions: mage armor, exhaustion 1 Spell Slots, 1st: 1/4, 2nd: 2/3, 3rd: 1/2 Portents: 5, 10

At the top of the cliff, Turvy looks at the new ship with suspicion.

"Why is there an orc ship here? I doubt that's a good sign."

He then wonders how he is going to get down. He's not the best climber.

Spoiler: OOC

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Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 20 HP: 41/41 +0 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 3/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 2/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 1/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara is unusually optimistic for some reason. She would normally be the first to slink around and avoid the orcs, but seeing our crew apparently unharmed, she decides against that option.

"If they orcs are alive, and our crew is alive, this doesn't appear to be a trap. Sneaking up could upset whatever truce they have arranged. I suggest we walk up and introduce ourselves. In fact..."

She grabs Turvy, pushes the button on her glider wings, and jumps off the cliff, gliding down safely to the sand below. Having done this once already, Turvy lets himself be carried down.

Spoiler: OOC

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