3-1: Beneath the Streets
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Aug 11, 2024 9:46 pm
Eyeing her sister more than the others, she explains, "There is a group of eight ahead, but I have no reason to believe they are here for any reason other than a place to exist. They speak Infernal and all have rather odd differences to their genetics." She explains what she means by describing what they all looked like before continuing. "I believe it’s in our best interest to show them we are not here out of violence. I also feel that Eozindra is the one who should lead the way." Placing a supportive hand on her sister’s shoulder, she feels confident in her thought that someone who is more similar to them and skilled in charisma is the best choice to approach tbe group, but she plans to be right behind her if the group agrees, ready in case something goes wrong.
Aug 12, 2024 2:49 am
As Elysia begins to speak, the bard shakes her head to toss her curls and drop the invisibility spell. "Alright," she acquiesces and adjusts her bag, producing her simple flute. Hood lowered so her ghastly pale skin is plainly visible, she begins to lead the group towards the band of misfits ahead, playing a mellow piece she often utilized to soothe her own anxious nerves during troubled times at home. By producing a calming chain of notes, she hopes to herald their entrance in the least confrontational manner she can muster, letting those ahead know they are not alone but hopefully communicating that they are not in danger at the same time.
Rolls
Performance - (1d20+5)
(6) + 5 = 11
Aug 12, 2024 5:08 am
For everyone's benefit, this is what Elysia describes:
- a red dragonborn with crabs or spiders for hands
- a dwarf with cat ears on the top of the head, instead of on the sides
- A halfling with the snout of an anteater instead of a mouth
- A dwarf with porcupine quills in place of any and all hair
- A human with holes for ears like a seal or whale
- an elf covered head-to-toe with shining scales like a snake
- a human with the pink, starry nose of a mole
- a gnome with the long, folding neck of a heron
- a red dragonborn with crabs or spiders for hands
- a dwarf with cat ears on the top of the head, instead of on the sides
- A halfling with the snout of an anteater instead of a mouth
- A dwarf with porcupine quills in place of any and all hair
- A human with holes for ears like a seal or whale
- an elf covered head-to-toe with shining scales like a snake
- a human with the pink, starry nose of a mole
- a gnome with the long, folding neck of a heron
Aug 12, 2024 5:23 am
The dwarf with cats ears starts, sitting bolt upright at the first note of the flute. The woman with seal ears turns to face Eozindra a moment later. The other misfits turn and hunch their shoulders defensively, facing the unexpected music. The dwarves, elf, and the gnome (his head extending on his long neck to peer over a ramshackle hovel) would obviously be able to see the advancing party members, but it seems like the humans, halfling, and dragonborn can, too, despite the lack of light. They watch the advancing albino and her companions warily.
Someone in the party - whoever makes the initial communication - should roll CHR (Persuasion), DC15, to see how convincing you can be to assure them (if you want to assure them!) that you mean no harm.
In addition, any character who wishes to can roll an INT (Nature) check, DC13, to see if you recognize anything else about these vagabonds.
Someone in the party - whoever makes the initial communication - should roll CHR (Persuasion), DC15, to see how convincing you can be to assure them (if you want to assure them!) that you mean no harm.
In addition, any character who wishes to can roll an INT (Nature) check, DC13, to see if you recognize anything else about these vagabonds.
Rolls
Secret Roll
Aug 12, 2024 6:58 am
Ishi is suspicious as usual but tries to remember anything about creatures like these, He speaks in elvish (so most pf the party an understand, and hopefully most of the others can't. "we should be wary about these creatures, they ate speaking EVIL"
roll an INT (Nature) check,
roll an INT (Nature) check,
Rolls
INT (Nature) - (1D20+4)
(16) + 4 = 20
Aug 12, 2024 7:40 am
While looking over the group, she leans back from where she stands as her sister’s side protectively and murmurs to Ishi, continuing in Elvish, "The language they speak does not designate who they are or what kind of person they choose to be. I speak the language of the Celestials, yet you will find I am not like them. We should hold our judgments and biases until they reveal who they are and what morals they carry."
Rolls
Nature Check - (1d20+0)
(14) = 14
Aug 12, 2024 10:44 am
I
OOC:
'm not having fun with Ishi's Personality Flaw. So unless the DM something in mind for it I would like to stop it after this encounter.Aug 12, 2024 1:54 pm
Ishi and Elysia have this interaction, and as Elysia has finished her admonition, the same thought occurs to both of them: who are the people who exhibit random animal traits? People of the fae, usually, but these ones speak Infernal, which means...
They all have demonic ancestry. Somewhere in their family tree, a parent or grandparent or even further back seduced, was seduced, or consensually mated with a demon, and the genes of these infernal matings have manifested in strange traits and inherent language in their distant offspring. More commonly, these are referred to as tieflings. Ishi and Elysia realize this simultaneously, and they mouth the word to each other: "tieflings!"
Needless to say, despite their heritage, tieflings can be good, evil, or neutral.
They all have demonic ancestry. Somewhere in their family tree, a parent or grandparent or even further back seduced, was seduced, or consensually mated with a demon, and the genes of these infernal matings have manifested in strange traits and inherent language in their distant offspring. More commonly, these are referred to as tieflings. Ishi and Elysia realize this simultaneously, and they mouth the word to each other: "tieflings!"
OOC:
D&D generally assumes that tieflings are part human and part demon, but it has always made more sense to me that demons can make pacts/congress with any species, not just humans. So we have this motley collection here.Needless to say, despite their heritage, tieflings can be good, evil, or neutral.
Aug 12, 2024 3:22 pm
Having garnered the attention of the group ahead, Eozindra lowers her flute and raises her hands in a slow wave. "Hello there," she says encouragingly. "We hope you do not mind us passing through. This is quite a place you’ve got down here!" She smiles shyly and places her empty palm against her chest. "I am Eozindra." Pausing for response, she stills her steps and allows the group time to read her party’s body language. The bard also evaluates whether she should attempt to speak in a language other than the common tongue.
OOC:
If it doesn’t seem that they respond to common, she will check to see if any of them know Celestial, Elvish, or Sylvan and then try again.[ +- ] Silver Tongue
3rd-Level College of Eloquence Feature
You are a master at saying the right thing at the right time. When you make a Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma (Deception) check, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.
You are a master at saying the right thing at the right time. When you make a Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma (Deception) check, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.
Rolls
Persuasion - (1d20+7)
(20) + 7 = 27
Aug 12, 2024 6:53 pm
As Eozindra has already revealed their presence, Elowin slowly walks up next to her. She is not showing aggression, but she is showing that Eozindra is not alone.
Aug 12, 2024 9:14 pm
Morik was aghast at Eozindra's decision to reveal themselves, but perhaps there was wisdom in it. And if not, there's always teeth and claws to back her up, so Morik stepped forward, forcing himself to look as non-threateningly as possible, though his whole gait was like a coiled spring ready to pounce. He waved at the crowd, and smiled an awkward smile that might be misconstrued.
Aug 13, 2024 3:18 am
Adran stayed back with Mara. He wasn't much for people, and this was a potentially delicate situation that Eozindra was much better suited for handling. He wondered, albeit briefly, if perhaps people assumed he viewed himself as an authority on all manner of topics... then he scoffed a bit, firm in his belief in the benefits of a meritocracy. Their group was one of diverse talents, after all, and each member should be allowed to take the lead when the skill required was a skill the truly did excel in.
Adran would no sooner tell Zin how to handle a group of oddities than he would let Ishi tell him how to build, well, anything really. As a matter of fact, it was because of...
...oh, right. People. He touched Mara's head gently and went back to paying attention.
Adran would no sooner tell Zin how to handle a group of oddities than he would let Ishi tell him how to build, well, anything really. As a matter of fact, it was because of...
...oh, right. People. He touched Mara's head gently and went back to paying attention.
Aug 13, 2024 5:46 am
The eyes of the eight misfits are all very large as more people step into the circle of light cast by the oil lamp. But as Eozindra speaks, they subtly relax. "I am Eozindra," the elf says, and several of the tieflings exchange looks, knowing they should respond but not sure that it's OK. The man with the pink, starry mole nose does not hesitate, however. "Hel-LO!" he says with an admiring smile. "You are welcome anytime!" The red dragonborn flicks him in the back of his head with one of their thumbs, which itself is equipped with a large grasping claw. "That's enough, Digger. Let's find out what the pretty people want with us before we start proposing marriage, hey?" The dragonborn's eyes narrow, which anyone who has interacted with dragonborn for any length of time will recognize as a sign of humor. "They call me 'Clutch,'" the dragonborn continues. "You can imagine our surprise to have such fancy visitors as highborn elven ladies. I'm adraid we're ill-equipped to entertain guests." The halfling taps the dragonborn on the thigh, then squeaks in a high, whistling voice: "What are you sayin', Clutch?" Clutch bends down, way down, to look at the halfling. "I mean we don't have anything to share and nothing to give to these people, Tandua." Tandua the halfling squeals and hides the bits of broken glass behind his back. "They can't have my glass!"
"Three elves and a dwarf have no need of your glass, Tandua!" one of the dwarves - the blond dwarf with quills instead of hair - chuckles. "There's more than that, Histrik," the gnome says, extending his neck really high and looking past the circle of light with his darkvision. "There's three others: a human, and, way back there, another elf with a big dog." The feline dwarf's brown ears swivel as he focuses on the gnome. "What kind of dog, Lookout?"
"I'm not sure, Manool. I've never seen a dog like that before..."
The human woman with no external ears smiles shyly. "I'm glad they like our home." The elf covered with white snake scales sneers at this. "They didn't come here to see our huts, Foca. They're probably here to jeer at the freaks!" The dragonborn raises her huge hand and her two thumbs clack together loudly. "That's enough, Regina. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt. That being said," Clutch looks levelly at the four PCs she can see (Eozindra, Elowin, Elysia, and Morik). "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Three elves and a dwarf have no need of your glass, Tandua!" one of the dwarves - the blond dwarf with quills instead of hair - chuckles. "There's more than that, Histrik," the gnome says, extending his neck really high and looking past the circle of light with his darkvision. "There's three others: a human, and, way back there, another elf with a big dog." The feline dwarf's brown ears swivel as he focuses on the gnome. "What kind of dog, Lookout?"
"I'm not sure, Manool. I've never seen a dog like that before..."
The human woman with no external ears smiles shyly. "I'm glad they like our home." The elf covered with white snake scales sneers at this. "They didn't come here to see our huts, Foca. They're probably here to jeer at the freaks!" The dragonborn raises her huge hand and her two thumbs clack together loudly. "That's enough, Regina. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt. That being said," Clutch looks levelly at the four PCs she can see (Eozindra, Elowin, Elysia, and Morik). "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
Aug 13, 2024 7:32 pm
"well, I guess they can't help how they are born." remembering what it was like being the only elf child in an orc horde. "but we should still be wary."
Aug 13, 2024 7:49 pm
We are looking for some old structures as we are on an archaeological mission, and we do not want to intrude on your hospitality.
Is this your home here in the dark?
Elowin thinks about the Lunas Edicts and Anathema. Are they lost? Do they live in the darkness or is it as light to them as it is to her?
Is this your home here in the dark?
Elowin thinks about the Lunas Edicts and Anathema. Are they lost? Do they live in the darkness or is it as light to them as it is to her?
[ +- ] Lunas tenets
Edicts: Dance even when there is no music, cast light in places of darkness, lead the lost
Anathema: Intentionally mislead someone, desecrate graves, abandon a creature in darkness
Anathema: Intentionally mislead someone, desecrate graves, abandon a creature in darkness
Aug 13, 2024 11:34 pm
With her usual warm grace, Eozindra demurely drops her head towards Regina. "I promise you, there is no ill-will from us. I am, myself, quite familiar with the feelings that come from being gawked at. I have heard plenty of whispers as soon as my back was turned. I would certainly not travel with individuals who were prone to demonstrating hostilities toward strangers purely for their shape or build."
The bard holds her flute in both hands before her chest, letting Elowin finish the explanation of the group’s mission, then adds, "As I said, merely passing through. We would not impose." Looking around the group, Eozindra maintains her cordiality while simultaneously attempting to make her own determination about the potential safety of this place; she knows more than most that looks are deceiving and one shouldn’t judge someone for their appearance alone. She also knows, however, that safety is hard to come by and plenty wolves hide among flocks.
The bard holds her flute in both hands before her chest, letting Elowin finish the explanation of the group’s mission, then adds, "As I said, merely passing through. We would not impose." Looking around the group, Eozindra maintains her cordiality while simultaneously attempting to make her own determination about the potential safety of this place; she knows more than most that looks are deceiving and one shouldn’t judge someone for their appearance alone. She also knows, however, that safety is hard to come by and plenty wolves hide among flocks.
OOC:
Trying to get a general read on the group. Are they genuinely excited, as a collection of outcasts, for pleasant company? Or is this like a group of sharks who just had some minnows swim into their grotto?Rolls
Insight - (1d20+4)
(16) + 4 = 20
Aug 14, 2024 3:55 pm
As Elowin speaks about their goal, Eozindra watches the group of tieflings very closely. Aside from their random animalistic features, none of them are armed or hold themselves like experienced combatants. They had taken defensive postures that are only slowly relaxing. Of the various tiefling features, only the one dwarf's quills pose any kind of danger. Though Eozindra has seen tieflings exhibit supernatural charm and impressive magical effects in the past, she senses only fear and hope from these strangers...and a little bit of admiration. "...they're so clean!..." Lookout, the little tiefling, murmurs to the tiefling woman, Foca.
Elowin finishes what she is saying, and considers what she knows of tieflings and how they fit into Lunea's directives. As tieflings, their demonic heritage allows them to see in the dark even if their primary race cannot normally.
Ishi notices that none of them are armed; in fact, there don't seem to be any things that could be used as weapons in this squalid little camp made from scavenged materials.
Regina is visibly reassured by Eozindra's statement, but as she starts to respond she begins to hack and wheeze. "This is our home," Foca speaks up as Regina coughs. "We each came down here to live in peace, and not be abused or reviled as different or demonic. Histrik and Clutch have been down here longest; the rest of us have found this refuge since." She cocks her head, most of her wariness gone. Clutch, the big dragonborn tiefling, begins to cough as well. When it becomes clear that she won't take over the narrative, Foca continues. "Yours is not the usual reaction we get." She looks around, and then responds to Eozindra's assertions about her background and traveling companions. "We're glad for your sympathetic words, and you're welcome to pass through."
The others have been staring at the adventurers with admiration this whole time. His mouth moving faster than his brain, young tiefling Digger interjects: "They're all gorgeous!" As soon as the words are out of his mouth, he claps his hands over his mouth. Obviously blushing even in the dim light of the oil lamp, Digger attempts to cover his gaffe. "What I mean to say is that I offer my service to such beautiful ladies!" He makes a clumsy attempt at a courtly bow, and realizes that there are other people in the party (Ishi, Morik, and Adran in the back) than just Elowin, Elysia, and Eozindra, "...and their companions, of course." He remains there for a moment, and then realizes he doesn't know how long you are supposed to stay bowed. He straightens and says "I know the area pretty well. There's all kinds of ruins here; this part of the tunnels is very old. I would be delighted to provide any service you require, like...uh...well, showing you around, I mean. You just need to avoid the Lord Mayor's Men."
As far as you can tell, none of them even suspect that Elysia is right there, still invisible.
(Edited to account for the fact that Elysia is also visible)
Elowin finishes what she is saying, and considers what she knows of tieflings and how they fit into Lunea's directives. As tieflings, their demonic heritage allows them to see in the dark even if their primary race cannot normally.
Ishi notices that none of them are armed; in fact, there don't seem to be any things that could be used as weapons in this squalid little camp made from scavenged materials.
Regina is visibly reassured by Eozindra's statement, but as she starts to respond she begins to hack and wheeze. "This is our home," Foca speaks up as Regina coughs. "We each came down here to live in peace, and not be abused or reviled as different or demonic. Histrik and Clutch have been down here longest; the rest of us have found this refuge since." She cocks her head, most of her wariness gone. Clutch, the big dragonborn tiefling, begins to cough as well. When it becomes clear that she won't take over the narrative, Foca continues. "Yours is not the usual reaction we get." She looks around, and then responds to Eozindra's assertions about her background and traveling companions. "We're glad for your sympathetic words, and you're welcome to pass through."
The others have been staring at the adventurers with admiration this whole time. His mouth moving faster than his brain, young tiefling Digger interjects: "They're all gorgeous!" As soon as the words are out of his mouth, he claps his hands over his mouth. Obviously blushing even in the dim light of the oil lamp, Digger attempts to cover his gaffe. "What I mean to say is that I offer my service to such beautiful ladies!" He makes a clumsy attempt at a courtly bow, and realizes that there are other people in the party (Ishi, Morik, and Adran in the back) than just Elowin, Elysia, and Eozindra, "...and their companions, of course." He remains there for a moment, and then realizes he doesn't know how long you are supposed to stay bowed. He straightens and says "I know the area pretty well. There's all kinds of ruins here; this part of the tunnels is very old. I would be delighted to provide any service you require, like...uh...well, showing you around, I mean. You just need to avoid the Lord Mayor's Men."
As far as you can tell, none of them even suspect that Elysia is right there, still invisible.
(Edited to account for the fact that Elysia is also visible)
Aug 14, 2024 10:44 pm
Morik watched them all with wary eyes, but their miserable state and their look of wonder showed them to be no threat, and the pitiful way they spoke of being treated softened Morik's stance. He loosened his grip on the staff and looked at the two strange dwarves of the group, nodding at them, and then after a momentary pause, he put away his staff and walked up to them.
"I'm Morik." He walked around to offer his hand to each of them. "You lot look like you could use some good cheer, eh? I got some Goodberries, if you'd like? It's not much, but I me and Jeffery here like em all the same." He tickled the newt's neck. The others could talk about their mission and situation, Morik was more concerned about these people's state of being.
"I'm Morik." He walked around to offer his hand to each of them. "You lot look like you could use some good cheer, eh? I got some Goodberries, if you'd like? It's not much, but I me and Jeffery here like em all the same." He tickled the newt's neck. The others could talk about their mission and situation, Morik was more concerned about these people's state of being.
OOC:
Will cast another batch of Goodberries if any of them take up his offer.load next