Chapter 1: Beneath the Streets

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Sep 20, 2021 3:35 pm
Returning to the group from her position in the larger cavern, nodding admirably to Berry as she approaches him, Jasera notes Tilma's initial reaction and seems compassionate to the loss of the little ones, "It could not be helped..." she explains, "I'm not one to needlessly kill animals- I'm a forest warden after all- but when you are in danger, or others are, you have little choice but to act" she notes, and her previously cold and harsh words are presented with an underlying hint of humanity, feeling and emotion.

"Now we need to decide where we shall investigate. I'm sure they were contributors to the vacancy of the passages..." she suggests, nodding at the birds, "...but I sense there is more afoul. This podium, these spheres, this name... Astaroth... I think our job is not finished and instead has barely begun". She seems uninterested in searching the creatures or the area for wealth, though she was seen plucking a few quality feathers from the mother bird. "These are good for use as fletching" is the answer given to anyone who looks at her oddly for doing so.

"Where next?" asks Jasera, glancing at Tilma, the one awarded the contract.

Len

Sep 20, 2021 6:53 pm
OOC:
Bumping the descriptions of rooms to this new page, for ease of reference:
[ +- ] First Drafty Cavern
[ +- ] Large, Central Cavern
Map (click to enlarge):
https://i.imgur.com/OZUYO36.png
Sep 20, 2021 7:32 pm
"I don't really know." she puts away the bolt and lowers the crossbow. "What exactly did you discover there? Who is Astaroth? And yea, there probably is more. And probably more cockatrices as well." She nods towards the statues.
Sep 20, 2021 7:47 pm
Berry looks at the corpse for a moment, considering cutting parts off for sale, instead he opts for the head. Cutting at the thinnest part of the neck and avoiding touching the beak. At the very least, there should be some bounty. He then lugs it back to the others.

"Astaroth, there's some script over this portal saying it's the Seal of Astaroth. It's written in Infernal, I'm sure that means something to you. What are we doing about those eggs?"
Sep 20, 2021 7:56 pm
Tilma instantly turns around. You see her eyes widen with joy as she sees the eggs. "Take them to the surface and hatch them. Keep a couple as pets and sell the rest." she states in all seriousness
Sep 20, 2021 9:40 pm
"I was thinking fry them up for breakfast, but that works."
Sep 20, 2021 11:55 pm
The defeated ranger lets out a heavy sigh, "I'd wager you would get enough gold to enjoy ten feasts, if you sell them to the right merchant. Someone, somewhere, has convinced foolish people that if you eat cocktrice eggs, all of your ailments are purged. Or you wake up the next day a whole foot taller... or your become more manly... or you become fertile... or... who knows what other nonsense...." she grumbles.

"If we're ready to go, we should take them with us to the surface. However- are we ready to go?".
Sep 21, 2021 1:30 am
You acquire the five eggs, which feel heavy and warm, like stones that have been in the sun all day.
OOC:
Feel free to explore any other locations or features. The cave does still have some secrets and dangers yet to discover. You can also head back the surface at any time.
Sep 21, 2021 2:09 am
OOC:
Does returning to the surface end the game, or can we go back, handle some stuff, then return to the cave? I'm not sure how long the game was intended to run.
Sep 21, 2021 9:44 pm
Tilma looks at the eggs and puts them back down. "I think we should explore some more. The job might not be done yet. Perhaps there are other cockatrices or the base of those who brought them here. If it's the latter I suggest that we don't fight. Just note where they are and send the guards. My job is getting rid of critters not humans. We'll report about the magical gate as well." she talks while walking towards the south passage.
Sep 21, 2021 10:07 pm
"Or loot." Agrees the elf with a grin.
Sep 21, 2021 11:06 pm
The ranger hesitantly returns the eggs to their resting places and it's clear she isn't entirely convinced, "If you are under the impression that you will find joy and satisfaction in the pittance of coin you are paid for these vile errands... you will find yourself at the foolish end of every bargain" she cautions sagely.

"We'll press on for now, but if anyone is coming back for these little nuggets... it's us, not some sentry in the pocket of the guildmasters..." grumbles Jasera dismissively.

"Which way next, oh wielder of the contract?" she inquires, her tone a little more impatient this time since she's already asked once and must ask again. The comment had some jest to it, but still plenty of urgency.
Sep 22, 2021 12:41 am
"Coin always brings me Joy and Satisfaction. There’s even a halfling wench called Bliss in the darker part of town," the bawdy gnome winks, "I think researching what that gateway is will be worth our time, but while down here, let’s keep searching. A job worth doing is worth doing well."
Sep 22, 2021 5:19 am
Norran was silent amidst all the conversation happening around him. Other than the undisguised groan he made when Tilma and Berry decided to bring all the stoner birds' eggs along to exchange for something called ''money'', he was mostly reticent. He couldn't understand all the strange weird talk these ''city people'' were doing.

I guess this money thing is good...I remember that fat ogre of a woman in an ''inn'' demanded me some of it the first time I set foot in this village...It seems people here cannot move without mentioning that word...

That's the thing they barter with you fool! unlike our village, these outsiders need circle-shaped gold for the exchange of goods and services! Pathetic and greedy notion if you ask me...

Yeah, I know that I just find it weird that's all...anyway I guess we have to help Tilma and company get more of this money then maybe they can help us in our village...

You mean YOU Norran, not me. I wouldn't care less about Taurenairë! The blood has been diluted...the people have become weak! the--

ANYWAY! We just have got out of a hairy situation here, did we? So what's next? hey! does that pillar shine so weird? and what are we gonna do about these statues? I think I saw some of them begin to move! whatever we do we need to do something...like now? I don't wanna find out what else these caves will bring...

Rude...
Last edited September 22, 2021 5:22 am
Sep 22, 2021 6:20 am
Tilma explores the tunnel to the south and finds herself meeting up with the large, central cavern again. She finds no loot, but more signs of the Cockatrice. It looks like it used a particularly long stalagmite in this area as a back scratcher, and the floor around it is littered with molted feathers and skin.

Updated Map (Click to enlarge)
https://i.imgur.com/EWBszdU.png
[ +- ] First Drafty Cavern
[ +- ] Large, Central Cavern
Sep 22, 2021 8:20 am
"That trapdoor. Something above has access to this place, which makes me wonder who."

Berry starts to make a mental note of research points when he gets out of here and places he could go to find out, - Astaroth, Seal of..., Crystals - broken?, Cockatrice spell components, restoring petrified victims.
Last edited September 22, 2021 8:22 am
Sep 22, 2021 11:01 am
Tilma returns from the tunnel. Looks at everyone and says, "We should have used that tunnel to come here... There's a bunch of signs of cockatrice. Notably a load of feathers and old skin." she raises her hand and releases the feathers she picked up as proof. "Next, that one!" she points towards the southeast tunnel, readies her crossbow and moves on with an energetic spring in her step.
Sep 22, 2021 3:27 pm
Tilma heads to explore the southwest tunnel. As she approaches she can smell a hint of sulfur in the air, as well as increased levels of humidity akin to rain on a hot summer's day in the forest. After a short tunnel she sees a bubbling pool of hot mud. Piles of hatched cockatrice eggs lie along the edges of the cave. Eight fledglings cockatrices are pecking about the pool. At the back of the new cavern, she sees a statue of a dwarf against the far wall.

As she quietly observes from the shadows, the statue turns from stone back to flesh again! The dwarf lets out a cry - "You little fuckers!" - and then is immediately swarmed by the hatchlings, who quickly turn it back to stone again. They go back to pecking at the mud.

Rolls

Tilma: Stealth (advantage) - (1d20+4, 1d20+4)

1d20+4 : (14) + 4 = 18

1d20+4 : (20) + 4 = 24

Sep 22, 2021 6:24 pm
Tilma's eyes widen from the sight. As silently as she can she sneaks back to the group. "Umm, guys. You must see this. There's a bunch of cockatrice hatchlings in that cave and a half-stoned dwarf. What I mean by half-stoned is the fact that he is returning back on his own. Just to be returned to stone by the little ones. I think their effect doesn't last long. Would you please come aid me to clean them up? Perhaps we can get some info from the dwarf?"
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