Dungeon Crawling (Day 2)

[Blayze]

Bored with talking to Velve, Luja recovered the arrow of his that had struck the owlbear. It hadn't gone in deep, and so he was able to tear it out of the monster's flesh without much difficulty.

Spoiler

Arrows: 19/20.

"At least the rain's not as bad now. Let's go."

 

[Saskwach]

"Right you are, Velve." Semong strode on again.

 

[The_Toe_Bighter98]

Hmmm, seems like you all have played D&D before. Alas, I am a newb and will have to wait for the next game. Great job so far though.

 

[Zemalac]

Zem held out a hand and considered the few droplets that splattered it. He shook his head. It wasn't raining as hard as it had been, but it was still enough that he didn't think it wise to bring out the map again. He followed Semong down the path, hoping that they were still going in the right direction.

 

[Larenxis]

(Who needs a map? I can just tell directions by the trail of bodies I leave behind...)

After much walking, the forest canopy thins a bit, and rounding a bend you see a massive stone gate, completely overtaken by thorns. On either side there is a wall, coated and degraded by roots and vines. Through the gate you can see the city; glimpses of limestone beneath nature's abundance. It would have been a beautiful place, arches and buttresses abound, steeples and turrets reaching up into the weeping sky, city squares with grand fountains, and pillared buildings led up to my mighty steps. Now there was dirt all over, and the rain had made things muddy. The stone was corroded by twisting flora and sounds echoed in the most peculiar way.

 

[Zemalac]

"So," Zem said, gazing up at the thorn-covered gate. "Chances are this is the place, eh? Thornsgate." He shook his head. "How original." He idly broke one of the thorns off the gate and examined it. Shrugging, he gestured grandly to his companions. "After you, dear comrades."

 

[BeeL]

Velve walks towords to gate, making sure that there are no more vines, he opens the gate, walks in and then has a quick look around.

Spoiler

spot roll: (natural ) 20 + 4 = 24

He then turns to the other, "Come on! Nothing to be afraid of".

 

[Blayze]

Luja took one look at the remains of Thornsgate and sighed.

"Somebody really ought to have a chat with nature about respecting building code."

He then began to follow Velve in.

 

[Zemalac]

OOC: My posting here might be a little erratic for a couple of weeks, because it's going to depend on whether or not I can get interent in the hotels I'll be staying at. Just letting you all know.

IC: Zem watched for a moment, then followed Velve and Luja through the gate when nothing jumped out at them. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Saskwach]

Semong strode in behind Zem and admired the grandeur of the place. Its view opened up to him every step he took beyond the gate.

 

[Larenxis]

(Actually BeeL, a natural twenty gives you +10, so you got 34.)

Entering Thornsgate the group stood around in awe of the place. Velve's eagle eyes however were looking over the drizzly place as the sun began to set covertly behind the clouds.

Spoiler: For BeeL's eyes only

Down the main road there is a dais upon which you can see hooded figures standing in a circle, moving in a stoic fashion around something in the centre.

 

[BeeL]

Velve adverts the rest of the of the group by tapping them on the shoulders, he signals them to be quiet, then he points his hand down the main road. He has noticed some hooded figures in a circle on top of a dais, and they seem to be moving around something in the centre of their circle.

 

[Zemalac]

"So then," Zem whispers. "Black-robed cultists, I would guess? I suggest we listen in on what they're doing before taking any hasty action."

 

[Blayze]

"I'll give it a go." Luja whispers. "But don't expect much."

Spoiler

What checks do I need to make? Hide and Move Silently? Whatever I need to do, it'll have to wait until I get home and can check my character sheet.

 

[Saskwach]

Semong speaks up "I can make myself invisible, both figuratively and literally. I think I should go forward instead," but was instantly silenced as Luja had already begun to sneak ahead.

Spoiler

Edited to let BeeL have the fun. Quick and the dead is my motto.

 

[Larenxis]

(They're about 80 ft away.)

 

[The Inev]

Sputtering and coughing, Varstl emerges from the tangle of vines draping down from the gate behind the group. His boots are filthy, leaves and twigs are stuck in his beard, and his traveling pack seems to be crammed, if possible, even fuller. By his posture, not to mention the remains of assassin vines stuck to his shortsword, it's obvious he's been hacking through the forest after them for quite some time. He sighs under his breath as he spots the group, but otherwise makes no mention of his trek.

"Ah, I thought the owlbear was yours," he growls in a low voice. "You all have yet to evade me."

Varstl takes a moment to pick a particularly pointy twig out of his beard.

"Not that it's difficult. Whoever's wearing the oversized boots makes tracks like small canyons; it doesn't take a ranger or survivorman to find you all. But a lecture about stealth another time, we're stopped for a reason. What are we--"

 

[BeeL]

Velve silences the Varstl by putting his hand over his mouth, then he turns the dwarf's head in the direction of the hooded beings.

Spoiler

Edited

 

[Blayze]

Spoiler

That's interesting. You see, Luja never actually *moved* towards the cultists. He only ever stated his intention to. Which puts a new spin on a certain torch-throwing action.

 

[Larenxis]

(It's up to you BeeL. Did you throw the torch at his feet while he's standing next to you, or do you withdraw the action?)