Book One, Part One: The Fall of Kenebres

Jul 25, 2020 10:10 pm
For several weeks, excitement has been building in Kenabres—Armasse is coming! Traditionally an opportunity for scholars and priests to come together to study the lessons of history from wars past, since Aroden’s death, this holy day has become more about training commoners in weaponry, choosing squires, and ordaining new priests. Over time, Armasse has grown to encompass jousting competitions, mock duels, battle reenactments, and other festival events. In Kenabres, the festival that takes place on the 16th of Arodus is eagerly anticipated, for it provides distractions from the horrors of being on the front line of the war. Smiles on faces normally marred by downcast eyes and furrowed brows do wonders for city morale in the weeks leading up to the event.

You may have been in the city a while, or just arrived, but you all are in the city on the day of Armasse. At least you were. As you all come to consciousness, your bodies aching slightly, you are aware of lying on cold hard rock and dirt. Opening your eyes does not aid in figuring out your whereabouts, there is just darkness. For now your minds are too jumbled for waking up to recall what happened.
OOC:
You are all in the same room, so if one person speaks/makes noise the other will hear. I do believe no-one has darkvision, do correct me if I missed this.
Jul 25, 2020 10:47 pm
Eli slowly sits up with a painful expression on his face. Slowly testing his limbs, Eli is glad to note that there's no broken bones. Taking a chance, he speaks into the darkness. Is anyone else...here?
Last edited July 25, 2020 10:48 pm
Jul 26, 2020 12:28 am
Manius groans and rolls over to his back as he hears the other person speak. He opens his eye and begins to reply but finds that he can see nothing. "Oh Shelyn, no! I've lost my other eye."
Jul 26, 2020 6:29 am
Still inebriated, Láriel rouses from unconsciousness. "Where am I? Wait, what happened? I was with that john and... Oh fuck, was I roofied? No...I definitely checked the drink..." She sits up in the darkness, wincing from unexpected pain. She pulls out her ioun torch and sets it spinning above her head, the immediate area lighting up. She looks around at the others, careful to not let her confusion and fear show through, though it seemed they were in much the same boat as her. "So, you come here often?" she asks jokingly.
Jul 26, 2020 2:55 pm
Despite the seriousness of their current situation, Elias finds himself smiling as he hears the female stranger speak. Indeed, I'm always looking forward to the next strange place to wake up in. Are you okay, do you have any injuries?
Jul 26, 2020 9:27 pm
As you all start to talk, other voices also join in.

'Who the hell are you all. Why, why, when I get out of this mess if it's all your fault you will be sorry.' A gruff pompous voice.

'I am here. A pained male voice

As the ioun torch starts spinning Lariel and everyone else can for the first time make out their surroundings. The ceiling and far walls of the vast cavern you all find yourself in recede into darkness.

On one side, the wall has collapsed in an enormous mound of rubble—here and there the arms or legs protrude. In the back of the cavern, a disturbing shape looms. Nearly the size of a horse, what appears to be an immense black spider crouches silent and still on the ground

As well as you all, there are three more figures that seem alive, two flinching away at the sudden light, but one, a male elf who shows no response, and only a quick look at his face explains why. It's a mess of burns, and his eyes were not spared from whatever caused them.

Of the others, one is a slightly rotund man, finely dressed, though the clothes now bear dirt and scrapes, nursing one hand. The other is a female who who seems to quickly adjust to the light, and studies each of you warily, remaining quiet. One of her legs is caught awkwardly behind up, underneath some of the rubble.

As you look around at the bodies and the rubble, finally you recall the events from moment previously.

-------

Armasse officially began at noon, with the blessing of the festival by Lord Hulrun himself, ruler of Kenabres. The crowd gathered in Clydwell Plaza quieted as the aged inquisitor took the stage, clad in shining, resplendent armor. He cleared his throat, but just as he was about to speak, a bright light shone from the west, as if the sun were rising from the wrong direction. Hulrun’s shadow fell huge and distorted across the cathedral’s facade. A moment later, the sound of a thunderous explosion ripped through the air and earth, along with a violent tremor.

To the west, the fortress known as the Kite—the location of Kenabres’s wardstone—had vanished. In its place, a brilliant plume of red fire, lightning, and smoke erupted into the heavens. A moment later, a powerful roar accompanied a welcome sight rising from the crowd—Kenabres’s greatest guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, who had until that moment been attending the opening ceremony disguised as a human. Above, another form appeared, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lightning, gripped a flaming sword and whip. The creature’s identity was immediately obvious: Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, had come to Kenabres!

As the ground continued to shake and disgorge demons into the streets, the dragon and the balor lord clashed above. The fight was over in a few harrowing moments, as the balor cut deep into Terendelev’s body, swooping down to strike the dragon and arresting her charge. A few more blows, and the titanic duo spiralled downward toward the crowd.

The sight of the dragon smashing into the facade of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell is one no witness would ever forget. At that moment, a titanic demon erupted at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashed into this world. The rift it created shot across the plaza, and this time there was no escape—it opened below your feet, angling away into darkness.

Even as you fell, the dragon noticed your plight. Though she saw death standing over her, she seized this final chance to save a few more souls. After she uttered a few arcane words and stretched out a bleeding talon, you felt her magic take hold of you, slowing your plummet into the darkness as if you were feathers falling into a pit. Yet the fall remained as inexorable, and as you drifted downward into the depths, the last thing you saw was the Storm King standing before the ancient silver dragon, his sword lashing out and cleaving full through her neck. As her severed head fell, the rift above you slammed shut, and the light of the world above was gone.

----
Jul 26, 2020 11:51 pm
Elias carefully stands up and tests his limbs. Once satisfied he has no major injuries, Elias moves to help the others. Approaching the female with the trapped leg, he speaks calmly. I'm here to help, let me try to free your leg.

Elias will carefully begin to free the leg.
Jul 27, 2020 2:44 am
Manius looks very relieved when it turns out that it was just dark. He gets to his feet and starts looking around. Tears run down his cheek as he remembers the events that led to them being down here. No time for that now, he thinks as he wipes them off his face.

Seeing that one of the others is helping the woman with her trapped leg, Manius heads over to the elf. He grimaces a bit at seeing his face up close, Manius knows more than most that that has to hurt. "What's your name?" Manius hopes the elf didn't suffer a head injury as well and tries to check if he's been rattled.
Jul 27, 2020 3:39 am
Quaji opened his eyes later than the others for he'd rather sleep than deal with the nightmare that happened over Kenebres. If he continues to pretend he is asleep the others might leave him alone. Quaji opened his eyes to look around him. He has the ability to see in this darkness, yes, but truly he'd rather use such to read books in his room.

Where are we and how do we get out of here? He contemplates as he step forward and inspect the surroundings.

Introductions are in order the moment someone asked 'Who' and Quaji thought it'd be beneficial as well for the group to know each other, fundamentals of building trust. He approaches the one with the pompous voice.

"Calm down sir. We'll get out of here but we have to trust each other." Quaji says.

"I'm Quaji, a scholar. You all are?" He asks the group.
Jul 27, 2020 7:49 am
"That nightmare... That wasn't real, right?" She asks aloud to no one in particular, knowing the truth already. "It was some sort of illusion, and...and..." She trails off, not able to keep up the facade. "Fuck!" Her eyes close, and tears begin to slowly trickle down her face.

After a few moments, a few sniffs, and an arm wipe, she rights herself and stands up for the gnome-induced introductions. Her voice steels as her convictions kick in. "Láriel; Sacred Escort of Calistria. Does anyone have any idea how long we've been down here?" She turns slightly to keep an eye on the giant spider in the corner.
Last edited July 27, 2020 8:01 am
Jul 27, 2020 3:45 pm
OOC:
A map of your location, just to give you an idea of layout. With Lariel light the majority of the chamber is lit, Quaji with your darkvision you can see it in it's entirety and the two routes leading off.
The woman watches cautiously as Elias approaches, and seems about to say she can do it herself, before sighing and accepting his help, though now she can see she also starts slowly trying to clear it. Underneath is not a pretty sight. The leg is bloody and clearly shattered in several places.

The elf turns sharply as Manius speaks to him, trying to pinpoint where he is. 'Aravashniel. I am a scholar in the city.'

'A scholar? More like a hopeless rumormonger picking at scraps.' The noble looking man barks out. 'Not that you're much better, believing such things' He points over at the woman who's face remains guarded.

'Ah Horgus, how pleasant to know you are also here.' The elf clearly recognises the mans voice. 'Though yes my fellow scholar is correct we should all share names and start to organise. I have such experience in such things. I will need someone to guide me and be my eyes. I got a little close to the storm king's whips. He winces, both at the pain and the memory

Horgus gives a snort, before pulling himself up. 'Horgus Gwerm, of the Kenabres nobility. Now will you lot stop dealing those to and check out my arm, I do not want to lose it. They will live.' He reveals the hand he has been cradling, to show a very small scrape, likely from a small falling rock.

'Anevia Tirabade.' The woman speaks as she slowly extracts her leg with Elias's help, though stays down. 'I do not believe it has been long.

The spider remains still.
OOC:
Elias can you make a diplomacy check due to aiding Anevia.
Jul 27, 2020 5:41 pm
Elias carefully removes the last of the debris from around Anevia's leg. Giving her a reassuring smile, Elias introduces himself as well. Elias Van Brunt, pleased to meet you. Now that your leg is clear, let's get a better look at your injuries.
OOC:
No problem, one Diplomacy check coming up.

Rolls

Diplomacy - (1d20+7)

(20) + 7 = 27

Jul 27, 2020 6:39 pm
OOC:
That spider is awfully close to Quaji. Is it even alive?

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+6)

(3) + 6 = 9

Jul 27, 2020 9:52 pm
"Manius." He thinks about saying something to Horgus but decides against it. He really doesn't want to be stuck arguing with a simpering noble. Instead he helps Aravashniel to his feet.

"You can hold on to me, I'll lead you out of here. You all are right, we should organize. Do any of you have any skills to get us out of here? I'm not good at much besides fighting."

Assuming he is able to, Manius leads Aravashniel over to Horgus. "Let me see your hand."
Last edited July 27, 2020 9:55 pm

Rolls

Heal - (1d20+6)

(8) + 6 = 14

Jul 27, 2020 11:09 pm
Anevia's face finally softens as she seems to finally accept that at least Elias, but also likely the rest of you mean no harm.

'I am a scout, though technically required. I also like to think I am good shot with my bow.' As she speaks she tries to stand, but the second any wait is put on her leg she lets out a yell and collapses.

'Thank you Manius' Aravashniel lets himself be led, though he turns at the abrupt yell, startled. Horgus seems to barely noticed, instead satisfied at least for now that his 'life-threatening injury' has been dealt with, which all Manius needs to do is make a show of cleaning it and covering it with something.

Lariel as you look at the spider you had been sure earlier there was some movement, but now you can clearly see it's head appears to have been crushed by some rocks.
OOC:
So, in one feel swoop Elias has managed to jump Anevia to helpful. Manius, you can make a choice hetehr to make a diplomacy check on Aravashniel, or Horgus. Anyone inspected Anevia;s leg can make a heal check.
Jul 27, 2020 11:13 pm
Elias watches as Anevia's leg collapses under her weight. Here let me check that out. There may be more damage than we realize.
Last edited July 28, 2020 12:36 pm

Rolls

Heal - (1d20+4)

(7) + 4 = 11

Jul 28, 2020 2:43 am
"Hmmmm..." Arms folded, Quaji looks around the room ignoring the noble who just insulted his profession.

"Well here's a 'rumor', there are two exits from this room. Left or right, your pick miss Anevia." He asks, loud enough for the noble Horgus to hear and as he wait for the scout's reply. He inspects the other curious thing in the room.

Big spider? I'm sure the professor researched about such arachnids before.

Quaji inspects the spider from a distance as he try to recall information about it. Can't be too cautious, it might still be alive.

Rolls

Knowledge (Nature?): Giant Spider - (1d20+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Jul 28, 2020 4:45 am
Even though Horgus reminds Manius of himself from a few years ago - which is another way of saying Manius already dislikes him - he figures that placating him will be the easiest way to keep the peace long enough to get out of here.

"I'm no surgeon, but I have seen a few wounds before," Manius points at his face which has almost as much scar as clean skin, "and it looks to me like you're in no danger of losing your arm. As soon as we get out of here you may want to consult an expert though."

Manius notices the spider for the first time."Now, you two should probably wait here. I'm going to go poke that spider with a stick." He hefts his 'stick', the glaive he planned to fight demons with, and heads towards the big bug.

Rolls

Horgus Diplomacy - (1d20+5)

(13) + 5 = 18

Jul 28, 2020 10:06 pm
Elias, the leg is very badly damaged, in several pieces. A splint might help but you yourself aren't sure how to go about fixing one in this case. Healing magic may also help at least enough for her to tolerate walking on it, if there is enough to spare.

'There is no advantage to either, however whichever we pick it is a cold idea to keep picking it, to ensure a lower chance of missing a way out. Anevia speaks as she fishes in her pockets, passing some things to Elias, two vials of an orange viscous liquid and 3 black sticks. I doubt tese will be much use for me right now. You lot should share them, they may help us get out of here. The vials will explode when thrown, the sticks if you crack them they will cloud you in smoke.

Quaji you unfortunately can't identify the spider.


Manius your words seem to settle Horgus, for the moment at least, and he even seems slightly more amicable towards you. As you approach the spider Anevia draws her bow in preparation, though holds it awkward in her sitting position. As you go to poke it with your glaive suddenly it's abdomen bulges and out burst three long white creatures, easily recognisable as maggots, albeit much larger than normal.
OOC:
Initiative - Updating. I'm going to borrow from another DM. I'll roll everyone separately, along with enemies, but instead of everyone being stuck in their order it will make a 'pc' slot that people can act in. If say the maggots were in the middle, two pcs would go, then I would post maggots, then everyone else would.
Order
Anevia
PC
PC
PC
PC
Maggots
OOC:
Can people make me local checks and/or nobility checks to see if they recognise any of the NPCs. Forgot to say earlier.

Rolls

PC initiative - (1d20+4, 1d20+2, 1d20+1, 1d20+1)

1d20+4 : (17) + 4 = 21

1d20+2 : (15) + 2 = 17

1d20+1 : (7) + 1 = 8

1d20+1 : (10) + 1 = 11

Maggot Initiative - (1d20-1)

(6) - 1 = 5

Anevia Init - (1d20+7)

(20) + 7 = 27

Jul 28, 2020 10:10 pm
OOC:
Everyone is up.
Map

Anevia acts on instinct, nocking and firing an arrow even before she's had a proper look at the threat, however that and her awkward posture makes the shot go very wide.

Horgus is cowers, Aravashniel seems unaware of what is happening.

Rolls

Anevia bow - (1d20+3, 1d6, 2d6)

1d20+3 : (1) + 3 = 4

1d6 : (2) = 2

2d6 : (51) = 6

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