Episode 2

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DMJ

Mar 6, 2019 12:10 pm
"EEEEEEEE-LLLLLLAAAAAAMMMMM......"

The sound rolls through the hall. A voice. A harsh raspy whisper.

Everyone looks up and springs to attention.

"EEEELLLLAAAMM"

It repeats again. It is unmistakable. His name is being called. The voice echoes through the chamber, from no detectable direction.

It repeats again for a third time.

An effort is made to find the source. The immediate area is searched, but only briefly. Elam calls the effort off early.
Mar 6, 2019 12:16 pm
Shaking his head and giving hand signals to discontinue a search, Elam explains to the group, "That is Suter-Set's voice, but he is not here. He has edimmu invisible like the wind to carry his words here. He is trying to deter us."

The swordsman has a look of seriousness and concern, no doubt, but he begins to gather his things stoically. Determined.

"We must move on now, my comrades. We have to make this strike against the serpent. I for one am tired of being threatened. If I am to die at the hands of my brother or one of his dark spirits, then I wish to get on with it. I'll prepare my equipment and will explain more on the way."

He moves over to a room and rolls out a cart.

"Iasu," he calls out, "Brother, help me load these buckets of oil. We will take those axes as well."

DMJ

Mar 6, 2019 12:20 pm
After some moments pass while the preparations are underway in the large chamber, the voice calls out through the hall again.

Eerie. Haunting.

Flowing through as if the speaker is right there in the room.

"BBBRRRYYYYYYYYYYNNNNNN"

It repeats twice more.
Mar 6, 2019 1:08 pm
Ryhim will help with the loading of oil and axes "Why is it he only calls for you two? When Ryhim whispers someone's name it is not from hate; perhaps he has a crush." his smile and tone of voice denote a joke in an attempt to lighten the mood.

The voice calls out again, near identical but more localized "RRRYYYYYYYYYHHHHHIIIIMMMMM"

Ryhim smiles, as he places an axe into the cart "Ryhim was feeling left out."
Mar 6, 2019 4:16 pm
"Bryn, why would Suter-Set call your name? How does he know it?" Kray was terse. What he had seen lately from Bryn, specifically his use of some kind of witchcraft or sorcery, was reason for concern. He could understand why Elam was called, that made more sense, given their history. But Bryn... something seemed out of place.

In the back of his mind, Kray still wasn't sure he could fully trust Elam either. Was the man desperate enough to betray his brothers for freedom? Or do the same in an effort to wrest power from Suter-Set? Or was Suter-Set simply trying to unnerve them with terror tactics?

Was the voice even Suter-Set's? Or something... else?

Kray knew of dark aliens gods such as Glaaki and Ithaqua, and had the vaguest understanding that magical power was sometimes drawn from them, somehow.

"Borgh man, let's help with the cart," he called to Maeriks. Over time, Kray had come to recognize Maeriks had an instinctive knack for sorting truth from lie. Approaching Elam, the question was the same:

"I'll admit, I'm concerned a voice calls to you as well. Are you certain it's Suter-Set? And why would he call you so? Does he attempt some sorcery in this manner?"

Ultimately, I want Maeriks to lie detect for me.
I've got some reborn concerns about being baited into a trap fellas.
[ +- ] Kray Mercon Character Sheet
Last edited March 6, 2019 4:22 pm
Mar 6, 2019 5:38 pm
The haunting voices sets the bull on edge. It scrambles, half rolling, half climbing out of the trough. He snorts and shakes his head in in a figure-eight pattern, brandishing his long horns against the unseen threat.
Kray says:
"Borgh man, let's help with the cart,"
Given something to focus on, the bull is happy to help. The bull moves along-side Mercon and watches, waiting for additional direction.
Kray says:
"I'll admit, I'm concerned a voice calls to you as well. Are you certain it's Suter-Set? And why would he call you so? Does he attempt some sorcery in this manner?"
Bull-Maeriks picks up easily that Mercon is not happy, senses some trap maybe? He has reason to distrust Elam now? What is it that the commander sees?
Last edited March 6, 2019 5:41 pm

Rolls

Insight - (1d20+7)

(9) + 7 = 16

DMJ

Mar 7, 2019 3:21 pm
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Mar 7, 2019 3:39 pm
"Whether it is Suter-Set himself or one of his edimmu collaborators , I cannot be sure," Elam says. "The Young Snake's body is so broken and decayed now, he often has his spirits carry his voice for him."
OOC:
Bryn and Kray have come to realize that Suter-Set is sometimes being referred to as "The Snake," or "The Young Snake." It may be some sort of nickname, title, or a transliteration from another language.

"He wishes to threaten me. Sew fear in me,"
Elam goes on. "He has delved into a dark séance and will try to bring forth monsters from The Pit to strike me down. But not just me. All of us. The voice calls Bryn Rynalt's name as well. We have to believe now that Suter-Set knows that Bryn Rynalt is skilled in the Dark Arts. It is easy for one sorcerer to detect the presence of another. Perhaps Suter-Set fears the power of a challenger. I do not know, but I feel certain that he would kill Bryn if he gets the chance."

He continues to load oil casks onto the cart. "He will not prevail though," he says with determination and a nod. "The Young Snake is soon to meet his match."

-----------------------------------

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DMJ

Mar 7, 2019 3:49 pm
OOC:
Seeking to move forward again later today or tonight. I know there are a few other loose ends from questions, comments, ideas posed - will try to pull them all together for a blend while keeping the story progress.
Want to avoid an eternal Q&A/Planning/dialogue sesh that saps all of the game momentum, but also want to take all of your strategy efforts seriously and integrate the spirit of preparedness as you have laid it out. It should cinch up fine in the end.

Those who are behind have a bit more time to catch up on this medium speed roll.

DMJ

Mar 7, 2019 8:19 pm
https://dl.dropbox.com/s/7t4q18r1laoyljv/Snake%20Door.jpg

The fire is blazing hot still, but Kray is able to approach once more with the axe. A strong hit cracks the weakening, burning wood in one of the center boards that is succumbing to the damage.

Elam follows with another hit. Thorn with another. The structure is breaking now. Several boards are cracking and giving way.

Elam puts down the axe briefly and uses a wool wrap to grab the handle of the metal cart. The last remnant of the oil cask carcass tips off to the floor when he pulls the car backwards to clear the way. A flash of fire climbs up the broken husk of the door, licking the stone threshold above. The cascade of heat rolls out like a wave. Everyone backs away to let the fire do its damage on the broken center planks.

Bryn, Iasu, and Ryhim remain on alert, bows in hand - scanning for anything that might break through the flame, or anything that might emerge from the distant darkness of the outer edge of the entrance chamber and the two hallways that exit from the grand room.

The bull watches on. Bull Maeriks felt somewhat relieved after the rest and after drinking several troughs of water. Later as he watched the oil fire burn, he felt lightheaded again, nauseous. His bones ached. His skin felt stretched. He strolled away from the fire alone for a while and was able to get himself back together. He clicks his hooves on the stone, keeping some distance from the fire. The rolling smoke is thick in the ceiling now and the smell of burnt wood is strong. The bull snorts and shakes his head.

The fire dies back down as the last oil splash is consumed. The axe men rotate forward again making strong hits.

Now the inner cross bolt is exposed as the central boards of the great door drop and splinter away. The cross bolt is a thick beam. Elam crashes a oil-filled vase on top of the sturdy inner bolt plank. Now it too is immediately covered in a raging fire.

A few minutes more waiting. A few more rotations chopping and withdrawing.

The inner plank breaks in the middle. One side tips downward and crashes to the floor in a loud thud.

Elam casts the axe aside and presses the right door inward, close to the wall hinge. The right side of the portal swings wide open, its central edge still covered in fire.

Thorn pushes in the left side. Now both sides are opened inward.

An ancient defense defeated, the Snake Door is breached.

DMJ

Mar 7, 2019 8:41 pm
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Mar 7, 2019 9:26 pm
"On me, eyes up front." Kray looked at Iasu, aware of his prowess at reconnaissance, his meaning clear. "My patience for surprises has reached its threshold." A quick aside to Bryn. "Make sure Ryhim has ammunition. Any damage we can do from range will be vital, especially given the terrain."

When we do move forward, Jabes I want Iasu's stealth recon badassery up front with Kray, if you don't mind (and, I assume, Elam). I'm thinking Bryn and Ryhim next in line, followed by Thorn, Namtur and then Maeriks as rear guard. Iasu's also our medic, so up front is a risk; at the same time, I know Jabes built Iasu for it. And the chips are all down, so now's the time, no doubt.

Suter-Set knows we're coming, but still, approaching with caution is a no-brainer; guys up front keeping it quiet, but not slow. With the order mentioned above, stealth should be pretty damn good toward the front.

Last, but not least, let's make sure Ryhim has ammo. I know Iasu had his own supply, not sure of the count now, but I want to make sure our ranged death squad can fire at will from the get go.
Last edited March 7, 2019 9:40 pm
Mar 7, 2019 9:46 pm
When we arrive, if possible, ideally Kray and Elam are front line, Maeriks I think supporting that in some way that exposes him less, to defend our 3 man fire team. Behind that front we have Bryn, Iasu and Ryhim, taking shots. In support of that, less exposed to attack, Thorn and Namtur, peeling assailants off of our fire team as necessary, clearing them for shots at enemies down range and incoming.
Mar 8, 2019 1:18 am
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DMJ

Mar 9, 2019 4:16 pm
OOC:
I wanted to write the fall of the Snake Door.

That sets up the entrance into what is described as the final two chambers:
The Séance Chamber
The Chamber of the Pitt and the Vault

So that is where the live story is now.

One last push below on odds and ends - not all are vital or important - just an effort to communicate what I think can be last housekeeping and fun-fact details to close out the slow roll / Short Rest stance.

Do what you can with me directly, with other PCs / NPCs as necessary, publicly with the group - whatever we need to do to wrap up RP, prep, Q&A in the next few posts. I think most or all of these last tie-ups can be interesting flashbacks or cut scenes, if they are anything at all. Not all require action or posts.

A couple of things I want to know:

Ranged Equipment: I think Bryn has 1 Short Bow, Ryhim has another. Iasu has his own longbow. Correct?
Who has what ammo on arrows?

Baggage and Carry: Who is wearing backpacks, carrying shoulder bags, etc.? Who is carrying all of Maerik's backpack and what is in that? Who is carrying Maerik's big-ass pile of armor? How? Where is his big-ass glaive? If anyone is carrying it - how?
Y'all know I'm being the dickhead police from The Department of Realism and Equipment Accountability (DREA). We all owe it to ourselves though to picture what we would really be carrying if we were heading into a dark cave room about to get into a sword fight.
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Mar 9, 2019 7:01 pm
"Bryn..." Kray leaned in close, grabbing Bryn by the shoulder. "By the fucking Fates, pull it together!"

Kray is dead set on getting through. Would escalate to a face smack, if needed. He wants to know what the hel is going on. If necessary, he will smack the book out of his hands.
Last edited March 9, 2019 7:02 pm
Mar 9, 2019 7:10 pm
As far as Maeriks' gear, someone pulling up the rear could carry it, ideally. The armor might have to get left behind, depending.

Kray's character sheet below with inventory at the bottom.
[ +- ] Kray Mercon Character Sheet
Last edited March 10, 2019 10:59 pm
Mar 11, 2019 1:13 am
HypCo says:
OOC:
How are Thorn and Maeriks on HP wise? How much wiggle room can we afford? We have to account for error we can't plan for. Like a forementioned fireball, or this ceiling chain fuckery, or traps.
OOC:
Thanks to Tough and a generous DM, Thorn's at 22 HP plus 7 temporary HP from Kray's Rally (I'm pretty sure Thorn has those until next Long Rest, right Ez? J?)

However, he's suffering 2 levels of exhaustion, so half speed and disadvantage on ability checks.
Constablebrew says:
OOC:
Commander's strike can be pretty useful to put the pain on. What's our strongest single attack? Bull-Maeriks does +7,2d6+4.

Along those lines, If we can get advantage on a target the Commander's Strike could enable our rogues to make a second sneak attack, likely making that avenue the best possible use of CS. Does Kray or Thorn have Distracting Strike?
OOC:
Thorn has the Trip Attack and Distracting Strike. His strongest single attack is +9, 2d6+7 with his greatsword.
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[ +- ] Thorn Character Sheet
Mar 11, 2019 4:01 am
Rally is temp hp and sticks.
Mar 12, 2019 1:17 am
If T can react with trip with ranged attack when the enemy gets close, then melee attackers could react to that.
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