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Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip)
Thursday April 18th, 2024 7:22:20 AM
Stohp considers. "Sounds like some sort of magical darkness may await us. Hopefully we can dispel it."

Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+16=35 ; d20+33=38 ;
Thursday April 18th, 2024 10:56:40 AM
"Can someone read the journal out in not-dwarven when you get a chance?" Delia calls over.

She pulls her everburning torch out of her pack, helps Hawky get a grip on it with his talons, and then sends him up to find the ceiling. She watches him, ready to call out a warning if she spots something he doesn't.

============
Hawky: fly speed 85ft, HP: 90/90, AC 26/17/20
Hawky Perception: 35 (39 v undead/aberrations)
Delia Perception: 38 (42 v undead/aberrations)

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 190/226 AC: 34 DR:5/Evil T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 35 LoH 11/14 SE 6/6
Thursday April 18th, 2024 11:59:58 AM
Zanderallen pauses as the dwarven equipment is found and sorted out. He shares the loss even if he doesn't know the people. He stands next to the weeping dwarves, wishing he knew the words in dwarven, chants a warrior death dirge of Domi over the fallen. Short and bitter he wipes away a tear as he finishes and goes back to sorting the rest of the gear, leaving the dwarves to mourn as they need. He holds silent as he ponders the fragmented journal.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 136/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=36 ;
Thursday April 18th, 2024 5:20:13 PM
Bartomus felt a bittersweet sense of relief in at least knowing that the lost party was not trapped somewhere. Yet, the response by Dolgrin made it clear that the remarkable items that were in the pile were the personal goods of the Keeps beloved heroes. He fished out the bag of holding he had purchased to bring along on this journey.

He examined the piles looking for something that might be holding the crown they were in search of as part of their quest.

Perception 36...natural 20

Armalad (Hugh) HP 134/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+29=47 ; d20+29=43 ; d20+29=35 ; d20+29=36 ; d20+29=38 ; d20+29=41 ; d20+29=33 ; d20+29=44 ; d20+29=44 ; d20+29=36 ; d20+29=42 ; d20+29=38 ; d20+29=48 ;
Thursday April 18th, 2024 5:59:34 PM
Armalad gives the Dwarves a wide berth concerning the recent dream she had and the fact that these magic items might be culturally important to them and says, "Is it okay if I attempt to identify the rings, potions, and wand?"

Assuming people are okay with this she casts detect magic and takes a look:
Spellcraft to identify: 47, 43, 35, 36, 38, 41, 33, 44, 44, 36 -> potions
Spellcraft to identify: 42, 38 -> rings
Spellcraft to Identify: 48 -> wand

All that glitters... (DM Wayne)
Thursday April 18th, 2024 11:02:42 PM
Stohp considers the words from the journal page.

Delia asks for a translation into Common. Then she sends Hawky, everburning torch in talons, to find the ceiling.

Hawky spirals upward until it seems the ceiling is one hundred and fifty feet up, plus or minus. His spiral flight reveals to all that there’s no carrion crawler-size set of tunnels up there, though there are cracks on the ceiling and the highest parts of the walls large enough to be seen 150 feet away, but not so large as to be ‘tunnels’ in any true sense of the word.

Zanderallen notes the loss felt deeply by Dolgrin, wondering if Stock feels the same, though it seems Stock never weeps, over anything. He stands with the dwarves, respectful, and then moves on to sorting the rest of the gear, pondering the words in the journal.

Bartomus hoped the lost scribes’ fate was painless. He pulled out his bag of holding, and looked for the crown, but despite Armalad’s report from the ‘illusion’ there was no crown to be seen. Had the Fungus simply reflected their own memories and desires as part of the ‘illusion’?

Bartomus’ attention is drawn more closely to the four items Dolgrin knelt in front of. Bartomus had seen the runed hammer before… on the murals in the Throne Room… was this the hammer of some dwarven hero of the distant past, mythic heroics forever captured on royal murals, and not the more recent missing scribes?

Armalad, though often cold and analytical, gives the dwarves room to grieve. She asks if it’s alright to identify the other items. Stock gives a thumbs up. Dolgrin might not be listening.

Armalad proceeds with identification.

Stock continues to stare deeply at the runed hammer.
Did his right hand flex in empty ‘hammer grip’, even a little?

What do you do?

(OOC –
Two (2) rings of swimming
Ten (10) potions of cure serious wounds
Wand of cure critical wounds (30 charges))

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip)
Friday April 19th, 2024 6:43:04 AM
Stohp is ready to continue on but will wait of the others aren't done.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 136/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11
Friday April 19th, 2024 10:32:28 AM
"We probably need to get moving, folks." Bartomus said as he watched Hawky spiral upwards with the light. "These sacred relics need to be taken to their rightful home and we still have a special crown to find to stop the world coming apart."

He moves closer to the items that have captivated the two dwarves and stepped, if possible to where he was now standing behind the four items looking at Stock and Dolgrin.

"Is there something we should say or do before we remove them from this chamber? An homage or blessing or something."

Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44
Friday April 19th, 2024 11:02:30 AM
Delia calls Hawky back, tucking the torch back in her pouch and offering him bits of jerky. Despite the Ioun stone circling his head sustaining him, he was less tolerate of the lack of eating than the rest of them.

She waits patiently for everyone to be ready to leave, maintaining her watch on the tunnel.

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 190/226 AC: 34 DR:5/Evil T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 35 LoH 11/14 SE 6/6
Friday April 19th, 2024 2:30:21 PM
Zanderallen pauses as the information about the gear is processed, "Wait so is this the scribes or did we find something older?"

Armalad (Hugh) HP 134/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27
Friday April 19th, 2024 8:47:02 PM
Armalad says, "Wow we have quite the haul of potions. I think we should probably each take one considering they are cure serious wounds. As for the wand of cure critical wounds I'm assuming we are giving that to either Zander or Bart."

"As for getting moving does this mean we have to go back the way we came and investigate the dry path afterall? I mean yay we found the plant thing that can turn people into unwitting zombies but does that mean there are worse actual undead along the dry path?"

Stock (JonM) HP: 225/265; AC: 31/28/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 41; Rage: 9/44 used
Saturday April 20th, 2024 12:46:35 AM
”Yes Armalaf, that is indeed what it means. “

Stock walks over to the hammer and grasps it by the handle. [b]”Anybody know what kind of magic this thing has?[b]

All that glitters... (DM Wayne)
Sunday April 21st, 2024 12:07:26 AM
Stohp waits impatiently for the others to simply gather the loot and move on to more exploration.

Bartomus voices what Stohp was thinking.

Delia calls Hawky back, then resumes her watch, waiting for the treasure collection to finish.

Zanderallen asks whether the pile of treasure was from the scribes, or something older.

Armalad remarks on the identified magic items. Dreading the answer, she asks whether they still need to investigate the barren path.

Stock gives the answer Armalad dreaded, the barren path awaits. But first… Stock walks over to the runed warhammer, grasping it, wielding it, and asks what kind of magic it has.

…

As Stock’s dwarven fingers surround the warhammer’s shaft, and is lifted upward, readied for war, the runes shift from glowing a faint blue into a steady and somewhat bright blue, like the runes of a scroll dancing across the page before the fire of the scroll’s spell consumes it! The blue radiance that lights up the runes does not consume the warhammer, nay, the warhammer suddenly speeds up Stock’s arm, enabling him to flick the warhammer back and forth quickly, not quite hypnotically, but at supernatural Speed!

…

Dolgrin comes out of his weeping at the sight of Stock’s tree-thick thews hefting the runed hammer aloft! His eyes go wide as Stock lightly flicks the hammer back and forth, considering its weight and balance and the hammer glows somewhat brighter!

He says, “Stock… the hammer has chosen you! If only Klink Barrelchest were here to see a worthy successor to wield his warhammer and finally find the crown! Ahem… The hammer is a Dwarven Thrower, magically enhanced when wielded by a worthy dwarf! The runes translate as, “Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of Speed.” The warhammer is, in your hands, enhanced to the third degree and enchanted with magics similar to a Haste spell, though only your arm moves faster when attacking at length, and not your legs. It also can be hurled with great accuracy and strikes giants for extra damage. This was Klink’s warhammer, and sadly it was of no help to him against this fungus, as I was no help to you in this battle… his head droops a moment, then he lifts it again…

These others were his as well, and I am sure Chief Sternbough would not object to you, or even the Shields, using any or all of them on this mission.

Here was his longbow, enchanted to the fifth degree for exceptional accuracy and penetration, but no other enchantments. The bowstring is a special alloy, and so the user must have exceptional, even legendary, strength to pull it and still be able to aim properly.

The shield was also his, likewise enchanted to the fifth degree for maximum protection.

The Mithral full plate armor was enchanted to the fourth degree, plus… do you see the shadows constantly playing on its surface beyond what our spells should cause? When worn, the armor makes its wearer one with the night, and nearly as silent as a trapfinder. Also, see how my hand just glides across its surface and won’t stop? The armor is also enchanted to help the wearer escape the maws of giant beasts, entangling nets, and the like, the slightest body twist enough for the wearer to slide out of the entrapment!

The others can be wielded by anyone trained… the armor, Stock, is only of use to you. First, it is dwarf-sized, and second, I am not trained in even mid-range armor, which the Mithral Full-Plate is, so that leaves you, unless your present armor, which also seems to be Mithral Full-Plate, is better?

As for the Shields’ other questions, who knows where the scribes’ bodies are, or Klink’s… enough time has passed that I’m thankful that even rotted backpacks, perhaps that stand-alone breastplate, and a partial journal was found. It’s not yet enough clues to point us to the crown’s resting place, but it is a start, if we can find more journal pages…

Yes, just gather up the treasures, and remember – these four items that belonged to Klink Barrelchest… when we return to Chief Sternbough with the crown, they must be turned over to him. But until then… no dwarf will shed tears over the Shields slaying more monsters that have slain our scribes and Klink! Onward!”

Dolgrin watches to see the choices of Stock and the other Shields with regard to the treasures, and then asks, “Do you have enough bags of holding to quickly gather everything and then head back to The Fork, so the Barren Path can be pursued to its end?”

What do you do?

(OOC – if a Shield selects one of Klink’s items to carry for the meantime, note it in your post.
Any items that no one claims I will presume to be in a bag of holding, which the Shields can specify in their posts.

Your next post should include “and then s/he races out of the cavern and back to The Fork” or similar transition language.

Since the Shields will be on the road for a bit and therefore Armalad will have time…

Klink Barrelchest’s items:

Dwarven Thrower +2 (Corebook p.473), of Speed (when wielded by a Worthy Dwarf).

(This weapon functions as a +2 warhammer in the hands of most users. Yet in the hands of a dwarf, the warhammer gains an additional +1 enhancement bonus (for a total enhancement bonus of +3) and gains the returning special ability. It can be hurled with a 30-foot range increment. When hurled, a dwarven thrower deals an extra 2d8 points of damage against creatures of the giant subtype or an extra 1d8 points of damage against any other target.)

(Speed is accessible only to Stock, activating only when a Worthy Dwarf is the wielder, “Worthy” is defined by the DM. Speed does not stack with Haste. Corebook p.472)

(One-handed weapons can be wielded in two hands, so Stock can fully Power Attack to his heart’s content.)

Composite Longbow +5, built for +6 STR bonus (22 STR minimum to use without penalties).

Heavy Steel Shield +5

+4 Greater Slick (+15 escape artist), Greater Shadow (+15 stealth) Mithral Full Plate (sized for Dwarf)

Other items:

+4 Breastplate (Whoever takes it can wear it, as with normal loot; Dolgrin intimated it belonged to a scribe, but he spent no time discussing it compared to Klink’s legacy.)

Armalad identified all the other items.)

Armalad (Hugh) HP 134/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+22=36 ;
Sunday April 21st, 2024 5:51:20 PM
Armalad says, "That bow is beyond my strength, plus I like how I have mine enchanted up the ying yang with all sorts of goodies, merciful, icy burst, flaming burst and thundering and then my arcane archer ability allows me to make my arrows shocking burst so my bow is my preferred weapon. I guess we head back the way we came."

Perception: 36

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 136/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11
Sunday April 21st, 2024 11:03:38 PM
"Well now, that's rather fetching for you Stock! I think I saw that hammer in one of the murals in the Great Hall." Bartomus said with an approving nod. Then Bartomus listened to Dolgrin and as he explained each weapon, he got a bit puzzled.

"Dolgrin," Bartomus said as he held open his bag of holding for the others to help load things into it. "Were there more of the heroes along with the scribes?"

He helped load things into the bag and then slung it into place.

He then worked his way back the way they came. Where necessary, he changed into a stone elemental to make the effort well, effortless as he stoneslid through the various chambers.

Bag of Holding Type IV

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip)
Monday April 22nd, 2024 8:24:07 AM
Stohp has no interest in the fancy magic items. The history is cool to hear but she does not have the reverence for the ancient dead the Dwarf does. She'll help load everything up and head back with the group.

Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+45=52 ; d20+33=47 ;
Monday April 22nd, 2024 2:27:31 PM
Darkvision, Longstrider, Underground +2

Delia curiously begins to draw the metal bow string, then shakes her head, "A little too legendary for me as well. Zander or Stock I'm sure could manage it if they ever decide to execute a plan other than 'run up and hit it'.

As they begin their trek back to the Fork, she comments to Armalad, "The barren path was infested with dwarf/scorpions and other aberrations, not undead. So at least this time we probably won't have to deal with mind control. Probably."

She resumes her place at the front, not lowering her guard despite the fact that they've already traveled this way. Hawky perches on whoever is in the front behind her that is willing to have a ridealong bird.

=========
Stealth: 52
Perception: 47 (51 v undead or aberrations)

Stock (JonM) HP: 225/265; AC: 31/28/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 41; Rage: 9/44 used
Monday April 22nd, 2024 3:08:31 PM
"Yeah. I'll use this hammer and also this armor for now and honor Klink's memory. I have no use for that shield, however nice it is. And while I could use the bow, I can't see myself putting down the hammer to pull it out. Z? Would you wield those in Klink's honor?

Dolgrin...Cousin...I am humbled by this moment. I will dedicate my life to returning these items to our people.

Did anybody see where Delia went?...oh she's already off. Not one to mince words, that woman."

Stock (JonM) HP: 225/265; AC: 35/31/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 9/44 used
Monday April 22nd, 2024 3:10:08 PM
Header updated
I've also added the treasure to the party tracker...

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 190/226 AC: 36 DR:5/Evil T: 15 FF: 35 CMD: 35 LoH 11/14 SE 5/6
Monday April 22nd, 2024 4:53:54 PM
Zanderallen watches Stock wield the hammer, some of the dwarf's awe spilling over as he watches the weapon respond to its wielder. When Stock offers the bow and shield he salutes, "It would be an honor to carry on Klink's legacy. I will do my best to honor him as we work to restore the knowledge of the clan.' Moving his own bow and shield to his bag of holding (and offering space for any other items needing to be stored) he takes Klink's bow and shield. He first gives the bow a few experimental draws, it had a hefty draw but well within his capability. Satisfied it would serve him well if needed he stows it on his back. He then straps the shield to his arm, stepping through a quick guarding exercise. The balance and coverage was a little off from what he was used to it being sized to protect a dwarf but with a little bit of practice he could adjust. Both items were works of art and he would be happy when he could return them to their proper place.

"Off to the barren path then, we've exhausted the possibilities here. Hopefully another journal fragment, combined with what we found here will lead us to the crown." Once everyone is resumes his position as rearguard.
=================
Wielding Klink's Bow and Shield

The Barren Path... (DM Wayne)
Monday April 22nd, 2024 8:53:03 PM
Armalad declines Klink’s longbow and gets ready to move with the group.

Bartomus comments on Klink’s warhammer that Stock is wielding. He then asks Dolgrin whether there were additional heroes with the scribes. Then Bartomus set about helping the group return to The Fork.

Stohp declines any of Klink’s items. Like Bartomus, she helps the group pack and ready to head back to The Fork.

Delia tests Klink’s bow, but finds it just a tad too difficult to pull the bowstring properly. As the group heads back to The Fork she points out to Armalad that the foes down the Barren Path are probably not undead… Delia returns to leading the way in the Night Below.

Stock takes Klink’s hammer and armor, to honor his memory. He asks Zanderallen to wield the shield and also the longbow. Stock swears an oath to his clan before Dolgrin. He then fails to locate Delia, but deduces she must be scouting ahead!

Zanderallen stands rapt, watching Stock wield and test Klink’s warhammer. He agrees to carry the shield and the bow. Zanderallen tests each, marveling at their craftsdwarfship! He calls the group to head on back to The Fork!

The journey back goes much quicker than the journey here – Ropes of Climbing, dwarven muscles, and Taur height make quick work of the watery path out!

As Dolgrin passes by first the Dwarven ‘Campsite’ and then the Bone Pile, he muses aloud in Common, “I wonder whether this group of scribes became local guardians of the Fungus, giving it time to mind control various aberrations, or whether the Fungus sent them further afield as guards? Did the scribes have to destroy a skeletal Klink, who had gone adventuring long before them, only to become skeletons themselves? Sadly, we may never know!”

Delia quickly finds each hidden mark she left on the way in, and though getting back to the Fungus might be more difficult, they shouldn’t need to do so. Still, she adds additional marks to indicate the path to the Fungus just in case!

The Fork

At The Fork, Dolgrin wastes no time leading the Shields down the two or three hours of the Barren Path that he knows, and then calls for Delia to lead once more.

Delia continues to lead the group, Stock and Stohp watching for attacks from the front, Stock much more shadowy than before, and quieter too! Then Bartomus in his elemental form, then Dolgrin, Armalad and Joker, and finally Zanderallen guarding the rear.

What do the Shields discuss during the first five (5) sleeps down the Barren Path?

(OOC –
In anticipation of path exploration beginning, let’s get some Survival die rolls out of the way for how well the group maps and explores the seemingly uncountable number of side tunnels a dwarf could fit through!

I checked – Delia, in her Favored Terrain, is clearly the main roller.

Delia – please roll five (5) Survival checks and note all sums in an OOC line in your post.
Everyone else – I recall all of you can Aid Another DC 10 easily, so Delia, please just take the +12 bonus from six assists (including Dolgrin).

This represents up to five (5) days of exploring and mapping, should the DM need to use that many – each path is of unknown length after all!

After you’ve all posted and we know where we’re going then Tuesday night’s DM post will send you on your way!

Elapsed Time:
It was seven sleeps, six since The Fork, to reach the Fungus. The trip back is almost twice as fast, so four more sleeps, total of ten (10) since The Fork and the Mossy Path, and eleven (11) since entering Wind Tunnels.)

Armalad (Hugh) HP 134/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27
Monday April 22nd, 2024 11:02:05 PM
Armalad says, "So we are sure the crown has to be down the barren path? I really don't want to get to a dead-end on the Barren Path only to find some heartbreaking story of what became of the other Dwarven scribe expedition and no dragon crown of Largon. Also while we were investigating the moldy path could it be possible that Karkasan's people somehow got down here too and when we get to the end of the barren path we'll end up having to fight them to secure the crown?"

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip)
Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 1:05:49 AM
"These tunnels connect up to the greater underdark so I doubt we'd hit a second dead end. How else would Drow and other dangers find their way up here if this cave system ended? I'm sure we'll end up fighting something along the way one way or another."

Stock (JonM) HP: 265/265; AC: 35/31/18; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 0/44 used
Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 11:22:57 AM
Before he leaves the cave with the fungus, Stock pockets a small dull blue stone to commemorate the spot.

Stock reacts to Dolgrin’s grim thoughts on what became of Klink with his typical brusqueness. ”Both Klink and the scribes died down here. That’s all we need to know. It’s fortunate that none of their minds would remain attached to a skeletal form and so after that, their skeletons are just a mindless bunch of bones. It is sad but true”

To Armalad he says, ”that feels unknowable. This is a lost artifact we are talking about. We don’t even know if this new path is hours or days or weeks long…”

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 190/226 AC: 36 DR:5/Evil T: 15 FF: 35 CMD: 35 LoH 11/14 SE 5/6
Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 4:48:20 PM
Zanderallen had to fight to remain alert, while the closeness of the cave walls had felt like the Float back home at first after more than a fortnight down here they took on a completely different feeling. The lack of any light beyond their own, the oppressive silence, and the constant feeling that something was down there with them slowly took their toll. But his mental fortitude was every match for his physical fortitude and Zanderallen found ways to keep pushing on. He enjoyed the quickened pace of the return journey before settling back into the drudgery of tunnel mapping.

Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+39=53 ; d20+39=45 ; d20+39=45 ; d20+39=57 ; d20+39=47 ; d20+45=55 ;
Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 5:25:41 PM
Delia settles into her guide role again, spending the days quiet, focused, and marking their path and the nights keeping watch and double checking her maps.

============
Survival 1: 53
2: 45
3: 45
4: 57
5: 47

Stealth: 55

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 136/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11
Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 7:04:25 PM
Bartomus joined in the conversations about the Crown and where it might have gotten to. Yet, what intrigued him more was the fact that they had found a dwarvish legends last battle site.

After the second full test, Bartomus asked Dolgrin if he could share a tale or two about Klink and what he had accomplished to earn a spot on the walls of the Great Keep's royal hall.

Barren Path

The Barren Path... (DM Wayne)
Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 11:12:38 PM
Armalad wonders whether the crown will be down the Barren Path.

Stohp plays defense barrister.

Stock takes a memento of the fungus cavern. He tries to distract Dolgrin from Grim Thoughts. Stock takes second chair with Stohp.

Zanderallen noticed that having spent nearly a fortnight in the UnderWold, the similarities with the close streets of the Float had faded. As the tunnel mapping resumed, he suddenly categorized the backtracking as a kind of mental vacation.

Delia resumed her mapping role as though she had done it all her life.

Bartomus too speculated upon the Crown’s location, but pondered deeply the recovery of Klink Barrelchest’s legacy. He asked Dolgrin for the tale of how Klink came to be included in the murals in the throne room.

Dolgrin nods at Stock’s encouragement to think positive thoughts.

Dolgrin replies to Bartomus, “Klink was one of the most adept warriors in Clan Mountainheart’s history. His greatest strength and weakness was his overconfidence. Many discounted our army’s chances in certain key battles, but it was Klink’s keen tactical mind, but moreso his sheer physical prowess, that enabled him to lead small teams to claim victory again and again, including many battles against the Drow. I believe the mural you’re referring to was one where even the establishment of our defenses, which would later prove critical in defending against the first Drow invasion via the Wind Tunnels, was in doubt until Klink and his team of warriors held out longer than any thought possible, enabling our reinforcements to arrive and finish the work. Without Klink, in hindsight, we’d all be dead or speaking Drow as our native language by now… He was an incomparable warrior, but his greatest successes came with teamwork, not solo heroics…[/b]”

With that, the group descends into the meticulous but necessary routine of scouting and mapping, once more Delia and Dolgrin bearing the brunt of the mapping, Stohp’s pentaurship clarifying key details by making them explain nuances, Stock and the others contributing tidbits here and there as they notice them.

All notice that in these first five days of caving that past water-sculpting and lava-sculpting of the Barren Path’s limestone and obsidian caverns did not create nearly as many side passages as found in the Mossy Path.

The first day would have been difficult for anyone but Delia, but many hands makes light work, and so little time was lost to confirming details. The second day was a bit more difficult and Delia was glad for the help of her friends, especially the tall Taurs, whose height allowed them quicker scrutiny of details higher on Wind Tunnel walls. The third and fourth days were yawners – even Zanderallen thought he could have solo-mapped, with help from his friends, and he was probably right! The fifth day went like the first. Two nights were spent in makeshift ‘travel caves’ relying on natural landmarks and other tricks to conceal the group’s presence as best the group could. The fifth night was thankfully a ‘desirable’ conversion into a ‘travel cave.’ Perhaps four (4) full miles mapped in five (5) days, a record? The sixth day begins…

You’ve been traveling this 10’ by 10’ lava tube, or tunnel, for about half an hour when it opens up into a 10’ wide by 40’ long and 20’ high chamber at a 45 degree angle to your tunnel. Also, as soon as you step in you see there’s a 5’ wide entrance to another chamber about 10’ wide and 50’ long with a 2’-wide section of an underground stream visible against the back wall. There seems to be a 10’ wide exit along the right-hand side of this chamber.

What do you do?

Barren Path

(OOC
Elapsed Time:
Total of fifteen (15) sleeps since The Fork and the Mossy Path, and sixteen (16) sleeps since entering Wind Tunnels.)

Armalad (Hugh) HP 134/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+22=33 ; d20+20=23 ;
Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 11:44:06 PM
Armalad and Joker hang back waiting for someone either stealthier or hardier to take the lead. She plans to keep pace with the group though to avoid being left behind but having been enchanted by the Phycomid she is wary and decides to stay towards the back while keeping eyes out for danger.

Armalad - Perception 33
Joker - Perception 23

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+23=27 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 6:44:29 AM
Stohp will be in her position just behind the front person keeping her eyes peeled for signs of trouble (27 perception)

Stock (JonM) HP: 265/265; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 41; Rage: 0/44 used d20+37=50 ; d20+27=40 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 9:44:09 AM
”I will be back after I check out this side tunnel.”

Stock drinks a potion and disappears. He makes his way up to the 5 ft opening and cautiously examines the area for signs of trouble or treasure.

—————
Stealth 50 w/ +20 from invisibility
Perception 40
Invisibility lasts 3 minutes

Delia (Hannah) HP: 124/124; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+33=39 ; d20+45=62 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 12:50:57 PM
Delia pauses as Stock disappears from even her sight. That new armor was making quite a difference. No more telltale creaks, clanks, and rustles.

She will creep into the main tunnel that isn't the one Stock said he was checking out, stopping at the first signs of danger.

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Perception: 39 (43 v undead or aberration)
Stealth: 57 (-5 from movement I forgot to put in roller and hide in plain sight)

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 226/226 AC: 36 DR:5/Evil T: 15 FF: 35 CMD: 35 LoH 13/14 SE 6/6 d20+10=11 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 2:29:43 PM
Zanderallen holds his position in the rear waiting for the call of trouble or all clear. He keep looking behind them for anything flanking the party.
=======
Perception:11

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 136/144 AC 21; (150/150) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 12/7/2;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=29 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 7:08:32 PM
With Stock heading off in one direction, and Delia heading in the other, Bartomus just stood where he was leaving him ahead of Zander. He took in the entire space looking for things that might be out of sorts.

Perception 29

The Barren Path... (DM Wayne)
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 10:00:17 PM
Armalad and Joker keep pace with the group, studiously avoiding losing their middle positions, yet mindful that horrors similar to the Fungus might warp their minds once more!

Stohp is alert, noticing

Stock drinks a potion of Invisibility (30 rounds) and scouts the left tunnel opening.

Delia blinks as Stock vanishes and yet there was only the faintest sound, if that, of plates scratching and straps flexing where he’d stood. She shifts to the right-hand tunnel and goes ahead a bit, unseen and unheard.

Zanderallen keeps pace with the group, watching the rear, or at least the twenty lit feet he can see, and the shadows beyond…

Bartomus keeps pace with the group, but with Stohp and the rest waiting for scouting news, he too was watchful over the immediate vicinity.

Dolgrin likewise is watchful, waiting for scouting reports.

Stock sneaks into the left tunnel and turning to the right just before the slow-flowing stream, finds two stalac/gmite columns, growing at a glacial pace. He quickly determines there’s nothing important here, but could be a good ‘travel cave’ – the stream is slow, but not stagnant, and the water smells fresh enough. He tells the Shields to follow Delia and immediately continues down the other tunnel Delia took, potion duration burning away.

Delia finds that a somewhat curvy 10’-wide passage leads her to a 20’-wide by 10’-across chamber with a 5’-wide exit on the opposite side. Also, as she stands just outside the chamber, she easily sees that there’s a sheer drop of 20’ to the ‘ground’ and the ceiling is 20’ high. Delia concludes the only thing of note here was the drop, which the Shields have dealt with easily before.

The group soon rejoins Delia, who has already set up a Rope of Climbing, and she hurries them along, reminding them Stock’s potion won’t last forever.

The group travels another 150 feet in an ‘S’ curve tunnel length and comes to a… tall… chamber.

This is not the largest chamber you’ve seen but at 25’ by 50’ it’s easy to spread out. As you watch for danger it seems the biggest danger is the unknown – the ceiling is not visible to anyone! All of you feel a slight breeze… and perhaps a slight stink you can’t quite place. There’s a 10’ wide exit comprising the corner of the chamber that is catty-corner to you.

The bulk of the group fully enters the chamber at the edge, preparing to traverse it without knowing what lurks in the Night Above, though it might be worth coming back to check… While they ponder, Delia and Stock trudge on through the exit and then around the corner into another chamber, passing through a “spacious” 15’-wide “hallway,” and find themselves facing a 15’ wide by 50’ long chamber with what seems to be a large pile of white bones, humanoid-shape and size, in the far right corner. There is a 15’-wide opening in the middle of the left wall.

Delia and Stock take a closer look.

The bones appear to have been picked-clean and gnawed thoroughly in the process – the teeth type seems unrecognizable – could the teeth have been not-of-this-Wold?

What do you do?

Barren Path

(OOC –

MAP NOTE – Legend at cell AN37; ‘B’ is the pile of bones Delia and Stock see.

MAP NOTE – most of the group is thinking about whether to scale the room whose ceiling cannot be seen, and Delia and Stock are just around the corner.

Stock’s Potion – 23 rounds remaining.)

Armalad (Hugh) HP 134/134 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 10:40:30 PM
Armalad says, "Perhaps we call Delia and Stock back and send Joker and Hawky to investigate to fly up and investigate the larger room Armalad suggests."

Joker says, "Thanks boss, you know just what to say to make a guy feel all warm inside, but instead of sending me and the hawk, why not just send the hawk? It is probably harder to target than I am and hardier too. Why can't I say here with you?"