Odo Bristleback, mayor, innkeeper
Amelia Bristleback, accountant, laundry, part-time gambler
Hazel-Eyed Tallie Bristleback, Amelia and Odo's daughter, serving wench, bondage expert & sadist for hire by the hour
Gumbel Bristleback, Tallie's younger brother, cook, part-time carpenter
Igor Bristleback, Tallie's older brother, deaf/mute, spacey and skittish, stablehand, unties knots, part-time masseuse
Vort Bristleback, distant cousin and half-orc but could be Igor's twin, stablehand, no 'inside voice,' calm in a crisis
Entire family is wereboars. Open secret among other residents, not shared with outsiders. That's why all the bandits leave Zelkor's Ferry alone, despite it's lack of formal protection from any major military.

Ysbel Cloudpine, serving wench, saint lookalike (apart from blond rather than green hair)

Big Morgan Smith, blacksmith, wagon repair, part-time armorer but not for anything fancy
Deslena Smith, pottery, chicken ranching

Rasmus Pye, general store, merchant guild contact
Meregan Pye, inventory control, clothing repair

Ulman Dark, Unlicensed Necromancer, your one-stop shop for no-questions, no-promises, cash-up-front medical care
Kanndra Dark, bounty hunter, away on business most of the time

Gutmark the ferryman, spends most of his time fishing
Adebrin the fishwife, meat preservation expert, gnoll liaison

Kalgor the dwarf, chaplain, librarian, gemcutter, relics appraised & some curses broken, spirit diplomacy, weddings, funerals

Captain Skorma, guard commander, medium infantry
Officer Bodi, guardsman, medium infantry
Officer Eldeshi, guardswoman, medium infantry
Officer Hanesh, guardsman, medium infantry
Officer Shuma, guards??man, medium infantry
Officer Taom, guardsman, medium infantry
Distant professional courtesy to everyone but each other.
Any given time, there's one guard at the gate, one on patrol, two awake but off-duty (usually either sparring out on the grass, maintaining their gear in the barracks, or relaxing in the Black Boar Inn's common room) and two sleeping.

Notable nearby people and groups:
Tethru Dark, moss troll, Kanndra's adopted child and Ulman's apprentice, reads future in own entrails, set up in Yorgala's old cottage

Khadeehya's Pack, gnolls camped out on a hill two miles south of the ferry, middlemen for ransoming captives back from bandits

Tall Jack Rat's bandit gang, bunkered inside the Mouth of Doom, trying to regroup after a devastating and seemingly unprovoked attack by some sort of forest guardian named Drusilla

Niknak Tarbucket and affiliated kobolds, also inside the Mouth of Doom but mobile, regarded as relatively harmless apart from pranks, inordinately fond of fresh bread

>An angel, a coward, a demon, a White Elf, a liar, a laborer, a saint, a siren, and a wizard
The as of yet unnamed deva, Geoffrey, Nistamatsin, Kent, Wendy, Pog, Rhea?, Azure, and... Helen?

Not sure where Malkov went, and I'm guess Isaiah isn't walking yet.

>various directions
Which way is the Mouth of Doom?

>what do
Well, we're in a safe area, and presumably everyone has had a chance to rest. Shall we process level ups?

Vehicle is shaped somewhat like an elongated d10 or faceted egg, roughly forty feet long and twenty feet in diameter at the widest point. The outer hull is a translucent crystalline material. Inside is partitioned into rooms by leather panels held taut at the edges with zigzagging elastic cords. Machinery is rods and camshafts and crooked crystalline cross-braces, with fittings of ivory and bronze. There are eight internal sectors. Top hatch leads through an airlock into the control room, operated by the Pilot and Navigator. sitting in adjustable and ergonomically padded chairs with a jagged crystalline spike protruding from the headrest, while maintenance on the controls is performed by the Congruity Knot Detangler. Other two sectors in the fore third of the craft are the frontal segment of the main axial spire, and a 130-cubic-foot chunk of opaque crystal (which seems to be the power source) maintained by the Abstraction Torturer.
Middle third of the craft also has three sectors: the central segment of the axial spire, life support systems maintained by the Plumber, and a prison with enough cages, beds, shackles, and sanitary facilities for eight average-sized elvenoids, maintained by the Air Loom Operator. There's a second airlock leading down from the prison, which seems unlikely to see much use with all the ground in the way. Maybe if the whole vehicle had rolled over, or was skimming against the ceiling of a cavern?
Aft third has only two sectors: the rear segment of the axial spire, and a much larger horizontal airlock which also functions as three tons of cargo space, and possibly a repair bay for smaller vehicles, though none are present. Cargo handling, airlock upkeep, and maintenance of any such small craft are handled by the Robster.
Axial spire is maintained by the Crystal Polisher, Phase Crystallizer, and Gloam Unphaser working together.
Traversing ladders and crawlspaces to move from one sector to another takes about 20 seconds, or 40 seconds if it's not in the same third. Cycling two people at once through either of the smaller airlocks takes about 10 seconds under ideal conditions, or several minutes if you follow the decontamination procedures properly, which is fairly unpleasant for any exposed skin.

None of you know how to do any of those jobs listed in capital letters and bold, all of which are necessary for safe long-term operation. There are two ways to learn: the fast exciting way is you ignore the instructions, just grab the controls and try to make it go. Upside is you can get results in a matter of minutes, downside is there's a significant chance they won't be the results you want, and a non-zero chance that something expensive will explode. Uses rules from the GURPS core book for experimenting with alien/futuristic artifacts.

The slow way is basically Call of Cthulhu tome-of-madness research. Unless you're somehow already pen-pals with one or more of the deranged albino mole people, or have access to some sort of translation magic, you'll need to start by learning their language.
Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light, on detached duty from the 77th Celestial Signal Corps, is willing to provide a crash course in Derro linguistics which takes exactly one week: 100 hours studying, 42 hours sleeping, 14 hours in meditation and prayer, the remainder free for eating, bathing, socializing with non-participants, etc. All the Messenger asks in return is that such students contribute to the cleansing and restoration of the abandoned hospital near Zelkor's Ferry to the best of their ability for a year and a day or until that endeavor is complete, or dedicate themselves to some other equivalently virtuous and holy purpose for an equivalent period of time, and also one personal favor to be specified later. (Training in various other subjects is also available, at that same rate of one future favor per week of intensive study, plus broader oath to use what you learn for the greater good.)
It would alternatively be possible to learn from other people who have already received such training, or by directly studying the text and diagrams scrawled or tattooed on every interior surface of the subterrene and deciphering it by working from first principles, but that takes longer, and cracking the code the hard way would require some knowledge of the academic study of languages to have any chance of success. Fortunately the famed sage Deros Frist is in town, though not for long, and seems to have accidentally brought part of his library with him. Perhaps he could be persuaded to lend out an introductory textbook on linguistics.

After learning the basics of the language but before picking up any real technical skills, you need to wrap your head around some basic alien concepts - Hore, Nistamatsin, and anybody else with both a higher-tech background than is common in the setting AND some degree of violent insanity gets a free pass on this stage. For everybody else, it takes a month with a teacher, or two months without, if you're spending eight hours a day 25 days a month in meditation, study, and self-inflicted waking nightmares. Proportionately longer if you're not working quite that hard.

After that, you can finally start learning practical subterrene operation-and-maintenance skills. Pick a crew position to focus on, and spend at least one day (more is better, no real upper bound beyond how long you can afford to live off your savings while fooling around near the dock) familiarizing yourself with it. Once every position besides Pilot and Navigator has at least one person with adequate proficiency (I'll let you know when that happens, probably several months), it becomes possible to instead study as a generalist, learning the simpler parts of every job by rote but missing out on deeper technical knowledge. Good for filling in on maintenance duty when someone's out sick, not so good for actual repairs.

Once you've got all that figured out, turn the key and go, the vehicle can swim through soil or rock like a fish through water. All-out, it's as fast as a tireless horse: 25 miles in an hour, thousands in a week. The strategic value of being able to enter or withdraw from dungeons at arbitrary points, rather than only known surface entrances can hardly be overstated. Then there's the commercial value of moving a wagon-load or two of cargo through blockaded and/or impassable terrain at conventionally unreasonable speeds, or military applications which mostly boil down to 'pointing at siege engineers and laughing.'

>>829583
>Not sure where Malkov went,
Deliberately ambiguous, since Malkov's status as an ally is also somewhat up in the air after the various horrific, non-consensual body mods. As a monk with undead slaying powers, he could somewhat fit the 'saint' title. Or that could reflect Wendy's miracle-working, with Helen as the 'liar' and Deros Frist as the 'wizard.' Mostly I just wanted to start off with a three-men-walk-into-a-bar joke.

Speaking of which, Nistamatsin & friends have their collective hotel bill paid up for at least a week thanks to booze conjured from the charm bracelet. There's enough that they're having trouble finding places to store it all, although by popular demand some of the barrels have been stacked in such a way as to enclose (and block the view of) that silver statue which appeared in the center of town while nobody was looking, There's enough slack in the schedule to test two of the other charms during that time as well.
>guess Isaiah isn't walking yet.
Correct. Wendy has, or can make, necessary spare parts, Kent knows mechanical engineering, Big Morgan is an adequate armorsmith, Ulman Dark knows his way around necrolithography, and Geoffrey's new "locksmith" telekinesis can substitute for rare tools, so full repairs might not be cheap or easy but are at least possible.
>Which way is the Mouth of Doom?
"Two-hour walk just about straight south. Er... meanin' no disrespect, ma'am, but maybe three hours on them short legs a' yours. Big stone face in the side of a hill, y'can't hardly miss it. Watch out for bad air down there, I hear some folks just fall asleep and never wake up."

rolled 4, 3, 1 = 8

---

Azure gives Pog a series of the biggest hugs her small frame can muster, but she can tell something happened to Pog... Well, he's alive, she's a medic, and they've got time enough to figure it all out.

Azure has learned a simple lesson in attempting to barter with or deceive those you owe a great debt to, or those who suspect you thoroughly: DO NOT. Nistamatsin has broken her from prison and saved Pog's life, and this time Azure intends to pay her life debts with proper service.

But first? Money. While the others are planning the expedition into the Mouth of Doom, Azure will secure funding the old-fashioned ways. Azure has three main professions, with skill rank priorities in the following order: courtesan, merchant, and architect. Pog has two professions: Miner and Soldier. Azure will help Pog find a simple temp job, then attempt to rake in the money.

Rolling for Azure, while Pog will take 10.

rolled 2, 6, 4 = 12

---

Alrighty, this is a lot to take stock on.

I'll probably need a more friendly face, unless everybody in Zelkor's Ferry is fine with demons (I guess it's possible, since they're fine with wereboars). Might be able to find someone out in the forest who's adequately unrepentent. Until then I'll just have to borrow from my companions.

Aside from that, I guess first order of business would be to replenish my mundane inventory items. New crown of nails, seek out some cinnamon incense, and maybe some clothes if I have the time. Also experiment with the brass balm to see what happened to it and
>There's enough slack in the schedule to test two of the other charms during that time as well.
try to figure out what our charm bracelet does.

>Isaiah isn't walking yet
We'll need all hands on deck to get this subterrene running, and from what I've been told about his powers he'll make an excellent navigator. So I'll make it a priority to get him up and about.

And speaking of the subterrene, I'd love to just take it for a joy ride but proper training seems like the way to go. Now we just have to settle on who will undergo this training and who has no interest in The Quest for the Magic Sword and The Quest for Nistamatsin to Not be Stabbed by Said Magic Sword. Funds are probably important for securing help, so might get Kalgor to appraise our magic items. No idea how we're going to find a buyer around here.

So with Nistamatsin, Isaiah, Geoffrey, Kent, Wendy, Rhea, Helen, and Azure that's eight out of ten required crewmembers (Pog's probably not going anywhere near any of the working bits of this thing). That's assuming everybody sticks around, and we'll probably want some backup technicians and crewmembers as well. So we'll need to recruit some more hands. Any of the mortals here in Zelkor's Ferry seem willing to leave their life behind for adventure? Nistamatsin can offer living requirements, free training, and future employment opportunities as well as a small amount of land ownership in his new kingdom.

>bad air
Any way we can do some research on this and figure out how to protect ourselves? Any word on what we can expect in the Mouth of Doom?

rolled 5, 1, 1 = 7

---

Right, character development stuff while level up mechanics are pending.

Rhea's very enthused about what's going on. Oh, she didn't mind helping Mode map things to pay off her debt in Passholdt, and she was enjoying her time in town in between that (so much to see in surface cities! All the different kinds of people, and faiths, and so many kinds of food! to learn about and... the sun... oh, um, got distracted there) but now she's been invited on a divine mission to help rebuild some kind of hospital. And an angel and a demon are working together to lead the group! It must be very important indeed to have brought those two together.

Unless they're together for some other reason. ...they're not a couple, are they?

Rhea's quite pleased to see Geoffrey again, and glad that her prayer saw him safely off the chessboard after all, and all the way to the surface at that! Did you know he was the first human she met? (She's either politely ignoring, or failing to notice, Geoffrey's unease at their reunion).

The reunion with Azure's a little more awkward. Last time they were together Rhea drowned. And. Um, weren't you still in jail?

Nist...a...met, mister Nista is a little weird with his lack of face. And clothes. But his heart seems like it's in the right place (assuming demons have hearts) if he's committed to a goblitarian effort like this.

Can Rhea talk to the fire in his spear?

>Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light
Rhea's thrilled to meet an angel, and enthusiastically introduced herself at the first opportunity.

What god do they work for / where are they from?

>or have access to some sort of translation magic
Could we have Mode map the inside of the Sub-te...r... the sub with all the symbols, scan the tablet, and display a translation of everything on the canvas? She's good at changing the languages in books! Then someone could write it down, or copy the image with magic, that's how we were making maps in Passholdt.

Or if we're lucky, maybe this sub is like those metal bugs Mode mentioned and she can connect to it. Or maybe there's another fire spirit in the sub Rhea can talk to.

>seek out some cinnamon incense
Rhea has some (worn in her hair), and knows how to make more, but she's confused why he wants any. That's not good for demons, you know.

>>829585
A boat that sails through the earth seems much more sensible than the dangerous water-traveling variety. Um. None of those jobs really sound like "ship's cook". Won't people on the sub need to eat?

>>829642
>simple temp job
>architect
No new construction going on in Zelkor's Ferry at the moment, though Odo does agree to give the Youngmason family right of first refusal if he gets enough business to justify expanding the inn further.
>miner
Not much call for deep excavation on riverbanks. Tends to flood.
>soldier
Lots of out-of-work soldiers these days, what with the big war being over. He could chop firewood, maybe? Unskilled-labor rates, but it's by the pound, not by the hour, so if he can do the work of six men he'll get paid accordingly.
>courtesan
Locals seem to be relatively satisfied with their sex lives, or at least not dissatisfied and rich enough to be shopping for alternatives. Deros Frist says he's "not into feathers." Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light, as a transcendently beautiful supernatural being, has never needed to pay for sex and seems confused by the concept. She would be willing to offer physical intimacy as a form of comfort and succor, or for mutual pleasure, but procreation or any redistribution of material wealth (other than what's directly necessary for her mission) would violate her current standing orders.
>merchant
>rolled 4, 3, 1 = 8
Azure finds that elaborate crossbow which she thought was lost and destroyed, as well as her own (well, a previous incarnation's) severed head floating in a jar of wood alcohol. She's able to describe distinctive markings on both, the family resemblance is obvious, and Rasmus Pye heard about her mysterious escape from Passholdt's POW camp through the merchant-guild grapevine, so he readily acknowledges the items as having been stolen from her and returns them free of charge, asking only for a commemorative autograph as the price of the glass jar itself. Her favorite pair of earrings are still in there, too, along with some nice hairpins and a solid gold tongue stud. If she could get to some town big enough to have a proper commodities marketplace, that jewelry might be worth just enough to get into the buy-low/sell-high game, work her way back up from there.
>>829668
>unless everybody in Zelkor's Ferry is fine with demons
They think you're weird and disgusting, but the Messenger vouched for you and you handed out a LOT of free beer. I'd characterize the overall attitude as "wary tolerance." Might not get the friendliest service, but you're not going to be chased off with torches and pitchforks until somebody can prove specific wrongdoing. Even then, might get a chance to explain yourself and/or make reparations. Nobody's in a hurry to call the glowing winged lady with the tablet and sword a liar, at least not where she might hear.

>someone out in the forest who's adequately unrepentent
Every single bandit, almost by definition. Bit of a dilemma, though: intact, speech-capable heads are redeemable (strictly in the ten-cent-soda-can sense) for bounties, since they can be interrogated via http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/speak-with-dead , and live bandits are worth somewhat more, but supernaturally unidentifiable bodies can't be turned in for bounties alive OR dead since, by definition, there's no way to be sure it's the right guy.

Good news is, hunting bandits in or reasonably near the Mouth of Doom doesn't count as getting side-tracked from the quest, since it's a legitimate way to raise money while simultaneously eliminating potential threats to the larger project. Imposing The Law on wicked men who thought themselves beyond it's reach is also a virtuous act in and of itself, at least as far as the senior leadership of the 77th Celestial Signal Corps is concerned.

>experiment with the brass balm
Going to test it on healthy tissue, or an actual wound? And on who?

>figure out what our charm bracelet does
Yet-untested charms appear to be a steel knife (or possibly sword), a brass birdcage, a narrow ivory cylinder with fluted ends and a single line scored down it's length, a dun-colored spiral with knurled texture, and a pair of parallel black rods with three crossbars connecting. Pick two of those to test. Kalgor could identify all the details without experimenting, but he doesn't work for free, and isn't all that impressed with the quality of the ale, so you'd need to come up with actual money.
>replenish my mundane inventory items. New crown of nails, seek out some cinnamon incense, and maybe some clothes if I have the time
Beer-barter is good enough to pay for all this stuff, though, including a plain tunic, loincloth, and enough of a knitted scarf or hood (which may have originally been planned as a tea cozy) to cover most of your face.

>Any of the mortals here in Zelkor's Ferry seem willing to leave their life behind for adventure?
Not while you're smiling at them, no. However, getting all of any single player's current active characters blackout drunk would provide both a bit of XP (since it's fun AND dangerous) and an opportunity to introduce new characters per the established rules, though they'd be starting down inside the Mouth of Doom, rather than the Bloodmist Labyrinth. You could also, OOC, try recruiting additional players by various means. Conceivably a new character could start out already knowing at least some of the relevant subterrene skills.

>Pog's probably not going anywhere near any of the working bits of this thing
Even if you wanted him to, he's too big. Getting him inside without surgical dissassembly would need to start with a couple thousand cubic feet of earth-moving just to access the rear hatch. You'd also want to be careful he didn't mis-target that excavation and start carving a hole in the crystalline hull. Granted, he's good at mining, and Azure knows enough applied geometry and surveying to check for that kind of thing, but, yeah, probably not worth it.

>research on protection from bad air
Azure knows a fair amount about how to design buildings to avoid producing such effects in the first place, but not as much about mitigation once they've begun. Pog has dim recollection of some safety lecture about bringing a pretty bird along, but figured Azure counts as that.

Kalgor knows the several "damps," and different sorts of mold and slime, the varied viscosity or even personality of darkness in the deep places, all as well as any self-respecting middle aged dwarf, but, again, he doesn't work for free, and explaining the intricate mysticism of cave-lore in such a way that you young whippersnappers will actually understand and retain it, well, that definitely counts as work.

Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light can also provide training in those same skills, for future favors instead of cash up front, but is reluctant to accompany the expedition personally ("Dead mortals with recognizable body parts are within my power and authority to restore, but being slain myself would present a much greater inconvenience.") If you bring back a good enough map, though, she could teleport in, cast a spell to purify the air in a reasonably large room, and 'port back out. With the addition of a Class 3 or below Bag of Holding, and possibly improved comms (her whisperweb's range is 80 yards) she could bring fresh supplies, or extract wounded.

>Any word on what we can expect in the Mouth of Doom?
Moderately distorted secondhand accounts of the exploration from thread 3 would be available as tavern rumors.

>>829583
>Shall we process level ups?
Yes, More characters this time, though, some of whom got abandoned by one patron deity and then adopted by another, and they were all extracted and regrouped by a muddled Deus ex Machina rather than struggling together through a climactic boss fight, so I think some recap and asset review is in order.

Azure Youngmason is going around trying to seduce anyone who looks like they might have money to spare, while Nistamatsin is scraping together assets and half-baked plans for an expedition with a mania motivated by both greed and terror, so play some of that out with in-character dialogue among the PCs. Despite being nominal allies, you probably don't all know each other very well yet. What specific first-circle spell effects does Wendy have, or want?

>>829741
>Can Rhea talk to the fire in his spear?
Yes, but only when the cap is off. Sort of an old-man-on-the-mountain vibe. This is a flame which has been burning continuously since before Aguinbreke hatched. It has seen kingdoms - entire continents! - rise and fall. This is a weapon which was forged to pierce and consume the heart of a titan, and in that task it did not fail. Nothing since then has been of much concern, by comparison.

>Could we have Mode map the inside of the Sub-te...r... the sub with all the symbols,
Yes.
>scan the tablet,
Alright so far...
>and display a translation of everything on the canvas?
Nope. Mode can see the symbols just fine, display them, rearrange for easier viewing or cross-reference, even interpret them one at a time phonetically, but trying to parse complete sentences triggers a... well, exact technical details aren't easy to explain, or even all that relevant. Point is, it's a dangerous disease, made out of words and pictures rather than pustules and miasma.

> Or maybe there's another fire spirit in the sub Rhea can talk to.
There's an earth spirit in the power core. She can't talk to it, but can tell it's not happy. There's something... almost like a fire spirit inside the air loom the same way Mode is in the music box. It's responsive, but not very lucid, and can't alter the air loom's function to any significant extent because all the important bits are slaved directly to manual controls.
>Won't people on the sub need to eat?
They'll need to drink and breathe, too, but the air loom spirit says relevant recycling systems are only rated to safely and sustainably handle eight average elvenoids. Theoretically, with perfect morale, a hangar bay crammed full of canned goods, and expert technicians redlining it all the way, maybe five or six months of continuous operation in a hostile environment without resupply. Realistically, you'd be pushing your luck after a few days.

>What god do they work for
"I am on a detached assignment."
>where are they from?
"Information about unit strength and position is classified as need-to-know."
>a couple
"Nistamatsin and I are not, have never been, and will never be, romantically involved with each other."

rolled 4, 1, 6 = 11

---

>play some of that out with in-character dialogue among the PCs.
Hmm, where to start? From the beginning, I guess.

To greet all of his new companions, Nistamatsin adopts a proud and regal demeanor as he stands there, stark naked with a headless statuette in one hand and a big metal pole in the other. "The rewards for helping in this divine-chartered quest are surely immeasureable, but we can negotiate material payment options if you wish. I will speak to each one of you personally so that we can finalize agreements and you can tell me about all of your strengths, weaknesses, and darkest secrets."

>Nist...a...met, mister Nista is a little weird with his lack of face. And clothes.
"Do not call me 'Nista'. 'Nisin' or 'Nin' are fine."

>That's not good for demons, you know.
Nistamatsin compares the cinnamon incense to a delicious pastry. Good for you in some ways but bad in others. He says he can surely procure some more though, thanking Rhea for the offer.

>Um. None of those jobs really sound like "ship's cook". Won't people on the sub need to eat?
Of course, the demon explains, but space is very limited and we'll all probably need to pull double duties.

>They think you're weird and disgusting
More a point of pride than anything. Might want to put Azure in charge of recruiting though.

>Going to test it on healthy tissue, or an actual wound? And on who?
Myself. Just a small cut.

>However, getting all of any single player's current active characters blackout drunk
Kinda tempting, but I'm really not too interested in controlling five characters.

>Pog is too big
This presents some problems if he's coming to the dungeon with us. Will have to think this over.

>"Nistamatsin and I are not, have never been, and will never be, romantically involved with each other."
Nistamatsin points out that he did win the heart of a very fair and virtuous heroine.

Question about the sub I forgot to ask. Is there any particular reason we can't write our own instructions in low draconic after a couple of us have learned to read them?

>But his heart seems like it's in the right place (assuming demons have hearts)
This gives Nistamatsin pause. There must be something moving all that blood around?

>Favors
What do these favors usually entail? Nistamatsin will ask for examples.

>a dun-colored spiral with knurled texture
>pair of parallel black rods with three crossbars connecting.
Probably the rope and ladder. I'll try the ivory cylinder and the brass birdcage.

>>829804
>Just a small cut.
It itches like crazy. You can almost feel something crawling around in there.
>Is there any particular reason we can't write our own instructions in low draconic after a couple of us have learned to read them?
Not that you're aware of.
>>829805
>What do these favors usually entail?
Retrieving or delivering an item, providing hospitality for no more than a month, making a single significant decision differently than you would otherwise be inclined to, something along those lines.
>ivory cylinder
A parchment scroll, pen, and small flask of ink.
>brass birdcage
A wind-resistant lantern, already loaded with a pint of oil and lit.

>Pog's too big to get inside the sub
If we did get the sub running, and wanted him as a passenger, could Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light teleport him inside?

>Dead mortals with recognizable body parts are within my power and authority to restore
Can you replace eyeballs? Mode will need to eat, eventually.

>protection from bad air
Does Rhea know anything about this? I mean, she's no dwarf, but does live underground, the fires of the deep earth have fumes. Could fall under practical knowledge and/or blessings/warding offered by fire priests.

>translation Nope
Drat. Oh well, having all the directions scanned and rearrangeable makes them a lot easier to study, at least. And allows study away from the sub.

>it's a dangerous disease
Oh no! Is Mode okay?!

Learning a diseased language does not sound like a good idea to Rhea.

>"Nistamatsin and I are not, have never been, and will never be, romantically involved with each other."
Rhea's career as a shipper was even more short lived than her career as a more literal boat-traveler, and has ended with a similar crash.

>What specific first-circle spell effects does Wendy have, or want?
Did you mean someone else? Archivist's characters are pretty much consigned to npc-dom until/unless he returns.

>>829804
>rewards and payment
Rhea's somewhat confused why she would need to be paid to help tidy up a hospital. I mean, it's the right thing to do, and this is a divine mission she was magically called to! With a teleport and a demon and an angel!

I mean, what she really wants to do is master surface style cooking and get better at baking (we don't even have a proper pastry tradition back home, you know!). ...Mom would probably appreciate it if our Holy mission hurt Orcus some. Also Rhea's looking for some nice gesture to apologize to Philista with.

Learning an entirely new language (she's still working on mastering humish, here) and how to operate a complicated machine on the side sure seem like tasks worth asking some kind of payment, though.

>Nistamatsin compares the cinnamon incense to a delicious pastry. Good for you in some ways but bad in others.
With a small frown, Rhea expresses the opinion that perhaps Mr. Nin has confused pastries with [narcotics]. Last word in goblin.

>other PC/PC interactions
I feel like how Rhea deals with Helen, Wendy, and/or Kent is going to depend pretty heavily on how those characters react to her casually whipping out Mode and demonstrating the artifact when attempting to translate the sub. They all have a reason to take a strong interest, the way they express that (and how Rhea reacts to that) is gonna set the initial tone for their interactions.

>>829855
>A wind-resistant lantern, already loaded with a pint of oil and lit.
"Why hello there!" Is this a flame as old as the magic item, hidden unless activated (like the spear), or a brand new flame?

>>829927
>If we did get the sub running, and wanted him as a passenger,
He could fit into the cargo space without difficulty. Anywhere else would be a tight squeeze, to say nothing of the risk of him breaking something you don't know how to fix.

>Can you replace eyeballs?
Lost to tragic accidents or honorable battles, yes. Not to facilitate someone's role as a food source or torture subject. Go ask Tethru, she doesn't have any problem with divinatory self-mutilation.

>Does Rhea know anything about this?
Yes. Personal wards for that kind of thing are a 1st circle effect. She can't just snap her fingers and fix the problem for a whole room, not yet at least, but she'd know basic symptoms and mundane countermeasures, and would be able to supplement that or maybe even provide longer-term solutions with ritual magic.

>Is Mode okay?
Yes. The interface altar-cloth's countermeasures are vigilant and thorough. If anything, it's conceivable the antivirus overreacted somehow, though she's not willing to strip off the informational equivalent of a plague doctor's mask and lick the inscriptions just to find out.

> Archivist's characters are pretty much consigned to npc-dom
Yep, that's the issue. I know just enough about 'em to be fairly sure they'd want to be elbow-deep in some of the current IC problems, but not enough to confidently say what specific actions they'd be taking.

> Is this a flame as old as the magic item, hidden unless activated (like the spear), or a brand new flame?
Very new. Burbling and mewling and flopping around like a kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet. Takes a few minutes just to get cromulent responses like "hello" or "feeding on an oily strip of fabric while surrounded by metal and glass." Names and pronouns might take an hour or more, with all those clever baffles regulating the airflow. You could accelerate the language acquisition process considerably by giving it something non-conjured to chew on, such as a bit of old worn-out boot leather or almost anything else that's been around a lot of different places and touched a lot of different things.

>Mom would probably appreciate it if our Holy mission hurt Orcus some.
The lieutenant-commander has reason to believe that agents loyal (or at least sympathetic) to Orcus were involved in the hospital's decommissioning, and such individuals may still be present in the ruins. This belief is supported by (though by no means exclusively founded on) a recording accessible in the very first room: >>/questarch/735622

>a demon and an angel
Have you looked up that fragmentary phrase, "kruzhili nado mnoj," to see what almost always comes immediately before and after it?

rolled 3, 3, 1 = 7

---

>>830027
Helen is distraught over being tossed back and forth like a tiny boat on a stormy sea without any warning or consent. This situation does seem favorable compared to her last one though. The demon may even be able to help with her curse, since he seems capable of ninth circle magic.

Helen will apologize to Sage Frist for burning his house down and mention that the two will probably laugh about this whole crazy incident in the future.

Further interaction with him will depend on how mad he is.

She's predictably fascinated by the subterrene and will eagerly ask Rhea for the opportunity to study Mode.

I'm thinking mostly she's a 2nd level cleric, but Channel Energy works differently: it produces a blast of highly selective steam, which heals anyone in the area for whom two or more of the following conditions apply:
1) The subject is a fire elemental, water elemental, iron golem, or otherwise has a deep structural affinity for the energies involved
2) Subject's equipment includes a visible display of adherence to Rhea's faith (holy symbol, allied military uniform, etc.)
3) Subject has signed, and is abiding by the terms of, a contract of alliance or fealty to which Rhea and/or her mother are also signatories, at least one written copy of which still exists somewhere
4) Subject is a living goblinoid

If only one condition applies and the subject is not undead, her steam has no effect on the subject. It also generally has minimal effect on unattended, inanimate objects, unless they're unusually vulnerable to heat or moisture. If none of the conditions apply, or only one applies to an undead subject, channeled steam causes damage and usually leaves the subject dripping wet.

>>830148
>apologize to Sage Frist for burning his house down
He manages a curt nod of acknowledgement, and says that he trusts her enough that if she'd been planning to do that much damage, he knows she would have been able to find some other method both more efficient and discreet.
>how mad he is
Fingers on his left hand are so tense and twitchy, it's almost like he's trying to break them without touching anything. He stomps off to the nearby inn and starts yelling like a tourist at whichever employee approaches him first. "¿Sprechen zie drak...? Ah, good. Do you know of a city called Passholdt? I have urgent... did you say days? On foot? So this river right here is the same... well then. A room for the night, please."
There's a clatter of coins on the counter and he stomps back outside.
>laugh about this whole crazy incident
Leaning in a little too close, he confides to Helen "I think the Norns are laughing at me already!" before breaking down in manic giggles.

>>830978
Yup, cleric is what I was thinking too.

The modified Channel Energy looks neat, and makes sense thematically, too.

As is, Maria, Azure and Isaiah might satisfy condition 1, and Hore satisfies condition 4?

Condition 3 seems like it could be satisfied party-wide if we wrote up some kind of basic contract or charter for the team. Condition 4 if the team carried some kind of identifying emblem as a uniform (comedy / tragedy mask bisected by a sword?) and was formally allied with mom's service, but I don't see the party co-leads going that route. Which would make the decision to display some kind of holy symbol an individual decision.

What are we thinking spell-wise? Thematically, I'd think her spell list would draw from things having to do with fire or food. Possibly hearth and home, diplomatic envoy, or language themed stuff as well. Bonus points for things with mundane utility (since a core character conceit by this point is she uses her ability to cheat when baking. Always the right oven temp).

Is there a prestidigitation variant that would make sense for her?

rolled 2, 1, 5 = 8

---

>>831049
Kent is somewhat bewildered at the wirwind of events I still haven't finished reading up on that recently transpired, but they have managed to find Helen Nabot and her terribly interesting book, and in the presence of relative comfort and safety no less.

The upsides are this- Kent has suddenly been surrounded with a bounty of incredible feats of engineering and research, a dearth of companions who seem willing and interested in exploring said technologies, and is in a great position to start gather reputation and capital to pursue more lofty goals.

The downsides lie mostly in difficulties communicating, and the lack of a shared goal or common interest. We seem bound by circumstance, and willing to stick together to maintain access to each others resources in exchange for help on various projects, but are not similarly minded in long term goals. Additionally, there is so much to focus on and explore, it's hard for them to dedicate their attention to just one activity.

Kent will, in this order, work their way down a list of priorities:
1) Make introductions and establish who they may have difficultly communicating with. Pog and Rhea stand out, but perhaps I'm overlooking other characters
2) Politely ask for their charm braclet back. Nistamatsin has certainly made great use of it, and Kent approves, but would like to remains in possession of their valuable magical items, for obvious reasons. If anyone wants to use it however, Kent is more than happy to oblige, provided they ask nicely, and maybe bring them a cup of tea.
3) Test out another charm on the bracelet, provided there is time to do so without permanently damaging it. The black crossbars please.
4) Exchange notes with Helen; the sage would also be worth talking to, but seems to be in a bit of a fowl mood.
5) Privately try to contact the hitchhiking voice from the chessboard, and see if they can still cash in on that one question- namely, if it can provide insight into how one could safely operate the wondrous contraption Nistamastin has conjured.
6) Make acquaintances with the Angel, and determine if Kents self righteous quest to redistribute power through the redistribution of knowledge is at all of interest to the creature, and if so, chat a bit about strategies and see if it can provide insight or aid in any way
7) Sign a contract of allegiance with Rhea, in case they manage hurt themself playing with all these new toys. She seems like someone worth getting to know and be friendly with given her acquaintance with Mode, and holy powers. Kent is also happy to paint a holy symbol somewhere on their vestments in exchange for protection; they've paid lip service to a number of Dieties before, mainly the Storm Forge before, but prefer that their relationship with any greater powers be practical rather than one of devotion and worship.
8) Encourage Nistamatsin that they should both take the digger for a spin, and get a little hands on experience. Due diligence and hard studying must be met with equal measures of real life applications if one is to learn anything. Also, it's really, really cool and Kent is a bit giddy at the prospect of getting a first hand chance to see how it works.
9) Establish their goals as known to the group. Kent is obviously overjoyed at the opportunity to learn more, in general and about alien technology specifically. As such, they are more than happy to spend a year nearby fixing up a temple if others are also willing, in order to start the process of learning the inner workings of such a mechanism
10) Celebratory drinks anyone?

rolled 1, 1, 1 = 3

---

Isaiah is quiet, reserved, and almost comatose. Having your body mashed to pieces and your greatest fears realized while you you are paralyzed and powerless to do anything is usually unpleasant. He does his best to stay within the group, as they don't seem to be banging down the door trying to kill him, and will try to get help from Kent (who obliges) and Wendy while he works on repairing himself. He really doesn't know what to about all the priests and clerics around, but feels too weak and exposed to do much prosthelytizing.

As for level-ups, I'm not sure if my characters are eligible given my troubles participating recently. If they are though, I originally pictured Isaiah as a cleric, with his focus on the travel and death domains. I also considered him instead focusing on water as a character theme, considering his deity has an association with rivers. With Rhea already being a cleric, I don't know if I neccisarily want to double up though. Oracle and warpriest come to mind, and water is starting to look more beneficial to help safeguard against Rheas weakness. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.

For Kent, I've got a picture in my head, but I'm not really sure what class archetype to fit them in. I was most interested in third party pathfinder classes, mainly the articifier and the machine smith, but I would like something to exemplify their roguish nature, to make break ins and heists easier. Maybe a trade off to get the focus rouges have on skills, in return for tailoring the other classes appropriately? Less of a focus on extra damage, and more a focus on extra skills, so Kent is less combat optimized, but very much a skill monkey.

>>831081
>black crossbars
Pick a number no less than 1 and no greater than 12. Doesn't actually have to be an integer, though that would make things slightly easier for me.
>insight into how one could safely operate the wondrous contraption
Can't provide full instructions, but one future botch will be negated.
>redistribution of knowledge is at all of interest to the creature,
Very much so. By definition, that's what angels are all about.
>rolled 2, 1, 5 = 8
How about a week of training in the 'informal' but deadly-serious laws which dragons only discuss openly among themselves, or with gods of both pivotal strategic importance and proven discretion? Just the basics, enough to know what you can or can't get away with inventing.
>>831085
>greatest fears realized
>rolled 1, 1, 1 = 3
Isaiah's phobia of being outed as a construct and torn apart by an angry mob has been permanently reduced, though not yet eliminated. Current party members and Zelkor's Ferry residents won't count as potential threats for purposes of triggering the phobia, at least not until they've violated his trust somehow.
>>831108
>With Rhea already being a cleric, I don't know if I neccisarily want to double up though.
I don't think 'half-goblin fire-diplomat desert chef' and 'path-scrying cute shotaro ghost armor' are excessively similar, as character concepts go.
>travel and death
This http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/domains/paizo-domains/repose-domain/ancestors/ seems like it might be a better fit than the actual Death domain.

>Less of a focus on extra damage, and more a focus on extra skills
The Escapologist archetype from Occult Adventures modifies trapfinding and replaces Uncanny Dodge with something a bit like Slippery Mind. The Anatomist archetype for alchemists trades off bombs for sneak attack. Maybe do the reverse of that, trade sneak attack for bombs? If the explosives can't be mass produced, scaled up, or used by anyone else, that's not something even the more paranoid tech-suppressing dragons would take exception to.

>>831138
Lets say 8!

A crash course is appreciated!

Changes to phobia also sound critically good. Seems appropriate as well, given that he's seen now at least these folk aren't actively rallying the guards and cornering him.

As for being distinct, I meant more in the technical sense- clerics, even with different domains have similar abilities. In that vein I was thinking perhaps a focus on water would help give them different abilities since rhea can't really do anything with water, it'll make a more significant difference in their abilities.

I'll need to read up on those classes for Kent but any sort of concrete definition of what abilities they might now possess would be appreciate, so I don't end up confused as to what and how like I was with maru

rolled 1, 5, 4 = 10

---

>Politely ask for their charm braclet back.
Nistamatsin grins from atop his seat arranged from the barrels that were previously blocking the view of his beautiful statue. "The bauble is a group asset. Everybody who accompanied us through the Bloodmist Labyrinth can claim some degree of participation in its acquisition. I'll gladly give up my own personal claim to ownership if you offer your face as payment. You don't seem to be getting much use out of it anyway." He'll toss the bracelet to Kent though and give them permission to hold onto it until somebody else has use for it or we decide to liquidate it.

>Encourage Nistamatsin that they should both take the digger for a spin
"You mortals are so impatient! All in due time." Might have a better chance after he's had a few huffs of cinnamon incense.

>Establish their goals as known to the group.
Kent's goals are both noble and dangerous, which means Nistamatsin is glad to help further them. He knows of many Old Empire technologies but he's lacking in technical details. Might at least be able to set Kent down the right research path.

>Rhea's somewhat confused why she would need to be paid to help tidy up a hospital.
Nistamatsin makes it clear that the 'tidying up' will probably involve danger and violence.

>Condition 3 seems like it could be satisfied party-wide if we wrote up some kind of basic contract or charter for the team.
Nistamatsin produces a snarling shrieking noise at the word 'contract' and then says he'll consider it.

>some kind of identifying emblem as a uniform
Nistamatsin's slightly less apprehensive about this one. He asks if it's enough to put the symbol on when healing is required and then put it away afterwards.

>Celebratory drinks anyone?
Nistamatsin will go ahead and try to out-drink the entire tavern.

>>831205
>the circlet is common property
Kent disagrees, and is unwilling to give up their face, but is willing to acquiesce to the claim under the condition that the spear and subterranean vehicle are also group property, and therefore not something Kent needs to ask permission or make a contr- er, let's say, an agreement to utilize.

rolled 1, 3, 2 = 6

---

>>831049
>She's predictably fascinated by the subterrene and will eagerly ask Rhea for the opportunity to study Mode.
As Helen seems polite and friendly, Rhea is more than willing to introduce her to Mode and allow Mode to show off a little. She'll cooperate with (non-invasive) study.

>>831081
>7) Sign a contract of allegiance with Rhea [...] Kent is also happy to paint a holy symbol somewhere on their vestments in exchange for protection
Rhea is pleased and surprised and more than willing to help supply Kent with an appropriate holy symbol.

>>831085
>He really doesn't know what to about all the priests and clerics around
I'm not sure if Isiah is currently awake enough to discus theology, but Rhea doesn't really see a conflict! In abstract, Mom's stuff boils down to being about home, while Hanspur's about the road. That's more complimentary than anything. Cities need connections and exploration for lots of things, and travelers need safe places to return to, or where they can depend on hospitality.

>I don't think 'half-goblin fire-diplomat dessert chef' and 'path-scrying cute shotaro ghost armor' are excessively similar, as character concepts go.
They are potentially similar in that one is pretty guileless and of short stature, while the other literally has the mind of a child. Plus there's divine-touched backgrounds in common. Isaiah might actually find Rhea one of the easier people in the group to relate to.

>>831205
>He asks if it's enough to put the symbol on when healing is required and then put it away afterwards.
Rhea shrugs. Seems a little disingenuous to her, but she's never tried this kind of thing before.

>Celebration
Rhea will see if she can talk Gumbel into letting her use the kitchen, and whipping something up some kind of treat for the group.

Whups, that first link to post should be: >>830148

>>831336
>I'm not sure if Isiah is currently awake enough...

Isaiah is as... unusual as usual, which Rhea is less familiar with than perhaps some of the others; while flame is a living, dynamic creature, Isaiah is cold, hard, steel- flame is warm, and comforting, and almost wraps around you, but Isaiah is distant, like an empty, abandoned room, telling you stories of it's past from far away, or perhaps like brushing against a ice-cold glass of water, covered in condensation and entirely unexpected, raising goosebumps and startling others. Likewise, their philosophies are diametrically different, and while not necessarily diametrically opposed, at points they do conflict, which he begins to express in a manner more quiet and reserved than normal.

"Rhea you... I do not know how I might react appropriately in this situation. I hope you will forgive me, and consider being more genial than I am currently, and as we are talking, I will take the time to express my feelings so that we may both gain a better understanding of them, to hopefully aid my cause. I have been under much duress recently; as you may see I.. well, perhaps it is best to phrase it more accurately now that I have been exposed as such, but my vessel is greatly damaged. I am incapable of fending for myself, and possessed by a great fear that at any moment, if not for the grace of Hanspur and those around me who choose not to extort my vulnerability, I will be forced to relive experiences from my past that trouble me to this day. When my current condition was inflicted upon me, while being almost entirely my own doing, I experienced something that I have trouble describing as anything other than that which is the closest match I have had to dying as a child. To put it more concisely, I have not been having a very "good" day.

To then address the matter of origin for our conversation, you and I live in our faiths very differently, and I feel if we are to understand each other, and reach a comfortable consensus as a group, a state I hope rather fiercely is possible, I must clear the air of my grievances. You may not understand what this experience, what this state of existence is like, but my faith, my devotion to Hanspur? This is everything that I am. Not only without Hanspur would I not exist, if not for my faith, and the faith of those around me in his divine grace, I would waste away. To be without faith in Hnaspur might be akin for you to being trapped in a room without air. The flame that beats in your heart would slowly, desperately, agonizingly sputter and shrink, and you are pulled further and further away from... "Mom". I cannot even die a proper death I do not think, something which evokes in me an even greater fear than perhaps... ah, let me re-phrase, I am getting off topic. Your faith is warm and loving, much like my devotion to Hanspur, this is true. And perhaps in time we can reach a better understanding. But I am near helpless, and in a poor state of mind. To add onto this the threat your presence poses? You can surely imagine now why I am distressed. For all those you speak to about your Mom, you steal fuel from my fire, as surely as water would steal breath from your lips. We are certainly not enemies, but your proselytizing could leave me starving in the streets. This set of differences in the nature of our faiths is what unnerves me so. I do not ask anything of you, but you have seen me near my barest, most desperate state. I am not pleased that this is how we first converse in a serious and theological manner. If you at some point find it pertinent to choose to aid me in some way, matters of the faith might be some of the most prevalent and serious issues I address. I am going to rest now, and see if I cannot find myself in a better state given time and charity from those around me.

>>>/questdis/115717
Valeno's last torch burned down to a stub a few miles back, but the tunnel has been straight and smooth and level with no complications, probably bored out with powerful magic long ago, and there's a faint violet light up ahead. Finally the borehole opens into a natural-seeming cave, the visible section of which is about a hundred feet wide and sixty feet from the ceiling to the surface of the dark pool in the center.

Top half of the visible cave is pale bare rock, with a thin bridge of some frothy yellow material arcing along a structurally-implausible S-curve, like a flapping banner or ribbon frozen in time, from the borehole's exit to another ledge on the far side. Upper surfaces of the bridge and ledge are not visible, because the light is coming from below.

Bottom half of the cave is a riot of color, flowers and garden vegetables and other plants flourishing in the radiance of two... lotus blossoms? Enormous gems? Red one on the right, blue one on the left, both floating on the surface of the pool, near opposite shores. There are creatures moving through the garden, quietly tending the plants. The one in charge appears to be a large wolf sculpted from moss, while the remaining three are elvenoids - either actual elves, or androgynous adolescent humans or half-humans - wearing sackcloth tunics and crowns of braided daisies. They haven't noticed you yet. There might be other exits underneath the crescent-moon-shaped ledge you arrived on, but it's hard to see for sure without leaning around at an awkward angle and risking a fall.

Azure realizes Nistamatsin's party is the largest she's ever been in. After a day of peddling her physical and sensual assets, she asks the facestealer for a quick review of the roles of the party in and out of combat. Azure pridefully lists her exceptional expertise as a support role with a focus in healing, party buffing, and enemy 'distraction', and shows off her performance abilities in singing and dancing, with an air of overconfidence that is less of an impossibility and more of an unfulfilled destiny. And of course, she is certain he has seen Pog's defiance of death many times over. Surely the brute has piqued his interest as a guardian?

>Your faith is warm and loving
In fairness, Rhea's practice of and perspective on her mother's faith is biased, and focused on the nicer bits. Like any religion, there's a certain amount of room for different practitioners to emphasize different aspects of the teachings and lore.

I mean, firemom is a god of fire and the deep earth, worshiped by goblins. It's not all gonna be sunshine and roses.

>>831373
Rhea gives Isaiah's story a sympathetic ear. Really, though, she's not here to proselytize, or to deprive him of an audience.

New side-quest: find a way to make dessert for the ghost-boy possessed armor. He needs some cheering up.

>Kent disagrees
Nistamatsin directs all complaints to the statue.

>the spear and subterranean vehicle are also group property
"You should still have the deck of many things in your possession. Why don't you try your own luck?"

>she asks the facestealer for a quick review of the roles of the party in and out of combat.
From what the demon can gather, Kent seems very mobile and would make an excellent saboteur, Geoffrey is an expert at making clean tactical retreats, Rhea seems to have a variety of skills on top of being good at setting things on fire, and Helen is extremely adept at leaving a path of general ruin in her wake. A perfect team, though as a creature of chaos he's not sure how good he'll be at securing their loyalty.

>Surely the brute has piqued his interest as a guardian?
Nistamatsin asks if Pog can be trusted to wield a somewhat valuable weapon without losing it.

>>831442
>not here to preach

His discomfort is not because of her intentions, but rather, her ability. She could, inadvertently, or purposely, put him at risk, and he currently would struggle to do anything about it; not so much a personal judgement of Rhea, rather that it is a threat few others pose currently.

That said, he is appreciative of her kind nature. He indicates that, should he get back on his feet, he will perhaps be in a more amiable position. If she wishes to bake for him, she will likely struggle; he explains that he is sustained through the divine providence of Hanspur, and the holy praises showered upon his patron are the fuel that keeps him going. Perhaps though, if he is able to elicit prayer from others, she might be kind enough to let him use her oven; once they've been engraved into clay tablets and baked, they can sustain him for much longer.

OOC, I have no doubt Rhea is not an entirely accurate representation of her people's whole faith; obviously though Isaiah is basing his statements on his reactions with Rhea, having little else to go on. So consider it more a reflection on what he thinks of her; warm, kind, but dangerous simply by her existence, like a hot oven filled with cookies. As long as the proper precautions are made, that oven is your best friend. If you're not careful though you could end up homeless and destitute. In the middle ground, you're likely to be somewhat anxious of getting burned even during casual interactions.

>>831507
>Direct all complaints at the statue

Kent indicates they doubt it understands hand symbols. It is rather impressive though. Surely there is someone out there to whom such an object would be quite valuable- actually, make that at least two someones, as you're probably quite fond of it already.

As for property ownership, and "trying their luck" Kent is already in possession of the Charm bracelet, and is happy to let the matter gather dust until a latter date; as for the "Deck of Many Things", Kent is somewhat confused, but then quickly understands what the demon is referring to. Perhaps in a more dire situation; currently though, much like when Nistamatsin heard bird song in the dungeon, they have a good thing going, and it hardly seems proper to keep gambling before they've even made the most out of their current winnings. And please, that is not an invitation for more threats or promises of violence.

As for how you can win Kent's loyalty, well... Kent doesn't really pay allegiance to anyone. Relationships should be mutually beneficial, and subject to frequent change. Currently, Kent has significant incentive to continue their relationship with the group, and, if they're honest, is almost giddy at the prospect of being allowed to do so. So as long as you keep it up, you've already got me where you want me, and I'll be happy to follow you if it means continued access to these technological marvels. I'd appreciate time to pursue my goals on the side, but building capital and creating social bonds that one can call upon for aid is already a worthwhile time sink that benefits me. Certainly you'd have no objection to my less than legal pursuits or any subsequent aggression towards certain political or legal systems. Kent agrees with Nistamatsin's assessment; we have quite the merry band put together it seems.

>>831375
Valeno, after marveling at the size of the lotus gems(?), figures the best option is to move along and avoid any sort of confrontation if they can help it. Does the yellow pathway seem like it would hold Valeno's weight? If so, they will quietly move across, crawling if need be. If not, it might be best to descend down, if possible. What does the cave smell like anyway?

Valeno does wait to see if the creatures seem hostile, or rather does the wolf seem like it is a protector or a warden? (In case they have to confront the creatures).

(OOC: I am just trying to get a bit more context, but i gather from the ledge to the ground is about 30 feet or so. Hope i am doing it all correctly, and am glad to start!)

rolled 3, 1, 3 = 7

---

>>831546
Whoops, forgot the proper syntax to roll.

>>831507
>Try your own luck
Upon seeing the Deck, Azure jolts into a sphinx-like pose of fear. She's seen a Deck once before in her life; a small gathering of poor commoners down on their luck were having a go with a deck they borrowed from a successful adventurer, as they had lost most of their fortunes from a recent disaster and had little left to lose. The adventurer explained to Azure that the Deck could erase fortunes, inflict permanent brain damage, and at least four sadistic ways to end your life in slow, agonizing torment. Or it could give you a king's ransom. Long story short, one of them got a reaper and everyone but Azure's party pitched in to save the poor girl's life. The party fled the crime scene, ignoring the ownerless fortunes for the taking, and the deck surrounded by dozens of mutilated corpses.

>not sure how good he'll be at securing their loyalty.
"Then don't. Secure their desire. Figure out what they want. Show them why working for you will get them closer to what they want. If you don't like their desires, change those desires or fire them." Azure puffs her chest on that last sentence.

>Nistamatsin asks if Pog can be trusted to wield a somewhat valuable weapon without losing it.
Actually, yes, if it's on a chain. Azure has never seen Pog lose his mining weapons before. He might drop things if distracted, but as a miner he takes good care of his tools.

>>831442
Azure can do cooking, but she prefers dishes that don't involve taking the food out of the oven while it's still hot. She makes a great campfire curry, though.

Azure asks what the general plan is. Are they going straight through the front door, or will they take time to learn the Subterrene?

>>831546
>Does the yellow pathway seem like it would hold Valeno's weight?
Seems like some sort of ongoing miracle that something which crumbles as easily as styrofoam can even support it's own weight,
>rolled 3, 1, 3 = 7
but Valeno crosses to the other side (belly-crawling over the course of half an hour, for fear that hastier movement or concentrating weight on footfalls might bring it all down at once) without incident.
>What does the cave smell like anyway?
Earthy and fresh like a well-maintained greenhouse. Those elvenoid workers don't stink like unwashed orcs, but they don't seem to use soap or eat meat, either. Right in the center, over the mist rising from the pool, there's an undertone of something acrid and alien.

> does the wolf seem like it is a protector or a warden?
Seems to be mostly supervising the other workers rather than actively seeking potential threats.

There's another borehole-hallway on the far side, but you've still got no light source. Onward, or, if you want to acquire one of those glowing gems, what's the plan? Part of the bridge's curve is directly over the ruby lotus, so you could tie a rope around the bridge, climb down, grab it, and climb back up, all without touching the floor or the water... if you don't slip, and the bridge doesn't crumble. You could also try asking nicely, though obviously that forfeits the element of surprise.

>>831336
>Rhea will see if she can talk Gumbel into letting her use the kitchen, and whipping something up some kind of treat for the group.
>rolled 1, 3, 2 = 6
Gumbel insists on supervising, and repeatedly expresses concern that any and every expensive tool or ingredient might be stolen or damaged, but soon enough it becomes clear that Rhea is actually the better of the two at cooking. Even without as much practical experience, the ability to maintain a fire at the correct temperature by divine fiat (rather than indirect observation and manual adjustment of fuel or airflow) frees up a lot of time and attention for all the other little tasks involved.

What specifically are you making?

>What specifically are you making?
Well, depends what's on hand, but I assume ingredients come under our meals tab, which we already paid for with booze.

They're not far from that river and all those berries, so I imagine they must have fresh fruit.

How about a nice big pie or two for the table, and some turnovers for party food that's easier to walk around with, and for snacking?

Supplies / goodwill permitting, Rhea is more than willing to make enough to share with the locals and not just the adventuring party.

(Geoffrey will be happy with that selection, at least).

>>831620
Kent requests something insect based, perhaps some sort of fritter, or a soup/salad dish garnished with grubs, or maybe some larger bugs roasted up on a kebab? It's been a while, but if there's personal tastes under consideration, those were the basis for many of Kent's meals growing up, and nostalgia is one of the best ingredients and chef can use, in their unprofessional opinion.

rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8

---

>>831007
>"I think the Norns are laughing at me already!" before breaking down in manic giggles.
"You should sit down, Deros. It's been a long day."

Should I seek out medical attention or did Ji do a pretty thorough job under the time constraints?

Probably would be a good idea to give Sage Frist some space right now lest he go completely mad. But on the other hand, I still have no real idea why he claims to know me. And the fact that he's host to some sort of parasite just adds another layer of confusion. Guess I'll try to engage in small talk about 'old times' once things have settled down?

Helen will try some of Rhea's cooking but she won't be engaging in the festivities. When she's not catching up with Sage Frist she'll be visiting Isaiah (who she's very glad to see alive, he had been swallowed by a giant snake last time she laid eyes on him) and offering solemn and genuine thanks to Hanspur for helping to guide her through the Bloodmist Labyrinth.

>>831413
>support role with a focus in healing, party buffing, and enemy 'distraction'
Lots of ways to interpret that with class variants and archetypes and GURPS powers,
>performance abilities in singing and dancing
...but with this, straight-up corebook Bard jumps to the top of the list. Any objections, or shall we hammer out her list of spells known?

rolled 5, 4, 5 = 14

---

>>831567

While stealing a lotus for light would be quite useful, the risks of falling in the water, being spotted, or the bridge collapsing are too great.

Does the bridge seem to powder or smell in anyway? Valeno is making sure as they go into the darkness, that other creatures don't have a good chance of smelling them. (Demons notwithstanding.) If it does, Valeno will try to wipe it off (quietly!) when they cross the bridge.

So, Valeno begrudgingly crawls across the bridge, hoping the darkness ahead is short and vacant.

>>831763
Vacant yes, short no. After eight more hours of following the left wall through pitch-black winding tunnels, Valeno is down to two meals of trail rations and similarly low on water. Suddenly there's a broad wooden door - which is an excellent sign of proximity to the surface, wood's too valuable deep underground - with two inscriptions on the wall next to it, one clumsy and almost completely eroded, the other tidier and probably dating back no more than fifty years. What languages does Valeno know well enough to read by touch?

>What languages does Valeno know well enough to read by touch?
OOC, but you might find this helpful when answering that question.

https://tgchan.org/wiki/Please_do_not_Take_these_Organs#Languages

>>831680
Seems simple enough to make a substitution from berry to bug stuffing in a pastry, though that depends on the (nominally) human stocked kitchen having the right ingredients available.

Azure would like rainbow fruit pie, in particular a strawberry-shortcake orange-jelly lemon-tart lime-custard blueberry-crumbler vanilla-ice cream mulberry-chocolate mega-pie all baked in layers with a white chocolate crust.

If you're wondering how she's so slim, the pies are fist-sized and Pog eats whatever she doesn't finish.

... Azure pouts, but accepts the offer for a simple one-fruit pie. Also, she asks Mr. Bristleback if she can perform her song and dance routine, test out how much she can make.

rolled 2, 4, 2 = 8

---

>>831872

(OOC: I don't know the most common languages so bear with me.)

Valeno thinks about it for a second, "what languages DO I know?"

Thinking back to being on the streets, and their parents teaching them the Vishkanya language and Low Draconic. (Humish?) However, learning to steal to survive, you have to learn how to read, or find yourself reaching into a barrel of full of waste instead of food. Besides, the Walking Vipers mainly have written many books on their accomplishments and discoveries.

So, I would gather it would be something like this:

Spoken:
Vishkanya-3.
Low Draconic-3.
White(Green?) Elvish-2(1?)
Green(White?) Elvish-1(2?)

Written:
Vishkanya-3.
Low Draconic-3.
White(G?) Elvish-2


Valeno figuring there is nothing to lose, will run their fingers over both writings to try and comprehend either one. Is there a light coming from the keyhole of the door? If Valeno cannot understand either of the markings, and if there is light, peeking through the keyhole might be a good option. Regardless, listening to hear what's on the other side, might give Valeno an edge.

IF there is no sound, no light from the keyhole, AND Valeno cannot read the text, then the only real option is to open the door. Lockpicking if neccessary.

Walking in the dark for 8 hours is making Valeno really nervous. Whoever those folk were back there, maybe asking them for assistance might have been a better idea. Either that or Valeno would end up harvesting vegetables till they died.

"Ugh, that's an awful way to go."

>>831907
You've also got written level 1 in goblin. The newer inscription is in Low Draconic and says more or less "welcome to the hall of healing." The worn inscription is in goblin runes and...
>rolled 2, 4, 2 = 8
It starts off with a masculine second-person plural pronoun, leading into a prepositional phrase. "All you guys who (x)" where x involves pack animal urine somehow. Then there's the verb 'to be,' future tense, and some other stuff that's really hard to figure out, and it wraps up with "...resulting in your death."

Door is unlocked and can be pushed inward with a creak from rusty hinges. Smells like there are undead inside, but stairs are also visible leading upward, with a faint light at the top.

Alright, so, out of everybody in Zelkor's Ferry, who's taking the Lieutenant-Commander's deal and spending almost every waking minute for a week on language lessons?
>>831935
At the top of the stairs the hallway splits in a T-junction. Light seems to be coming from the left, but there's also a puddle of noxious-smelling goo on the floor that way. Right-side hall is dark, but clean.

>>832246
A new language sounds interesting. Azure will TRY. (If she can't, then she can't. She can go back to offering her comfort/merchant services every day and performing song and dance at the inn at night.)

Pog will spend his week at the lumber mill. He'll also take simple jobs moving heavy things if they're available.

>>832246
Kent agrees, Isaiah does not- assuming that won't result in Isaiah being attacked by an angel

>>832246
>who's taking language lessons

Nistamatsin and Helen will. (Helen's probably going to make additional use of the archon's offers for training) Geoffrey too, as subterrenes are probably very useful for running away.

>>832254
>assuming that won't result in Isaiah being attacked by an angel
The lieutenant commander is currently operating under 'Be Not Afraid' protocols, meaning she will resort to violence only in narrowly-defined extreme circumstances, after other options have been exhausted. At the very least you can count on a polite yet unambiguous warning before blades are swung in anger, and opportunities to surrender as soon as you stop being an immediate threat. As for the language lessons specifically, such coercion would make it a leonine contract, which is definitionally unconscionable to enforce.

Rhea spends most of the week cajoling the fires in the inn's kitchen and Big Morgan's smithy/Deslena's kiln to optimal performance, and directing Pog to cut the 'tastiest' sorts of wood in support of those negotiations.

Somebody roll for Isaiah's structural repairs, and establish what other resources are being thrown into that project.

rolled 5, 4, 6 = 15

---

>>833617
Isaiah is relieved that he is not at risk of holy retribution, and while he's not sure exactly how it would work in his circumstance, he doesn't doubt the messenger has some way of enforcing its Gods will.

As for repairs, Kent is happy to help, and Wendy is welcome as well, but I was under the impression Isaiah completed his basic repairs right before fading out. What's left to be done? And did anything come of interger 8 on the black bar charm? I was thinking that, given the bracelet slowly regenerates, there might be some way to make a little more money off of it to procure supplies. Free room and board is nice, but most of our characters won't have time to work

rolled 4, 4, 2 = 10

---

>>833617
On the subject of what Rhea's been up to, did she manage to find out which faiths those holy symbols belonged to while she was in Passholdt?

And how charged up is Mode? Does Rhea need to arrange something with Tethru before we head out at the end of the week?

>establish what other resources are being thrown into that project
If the [engineering][small]goblin[small] scholars need help heating and forging metal, Rhea's willing to talk the fire into being more cooperative.

>>833691
Whups, formatting fail. That should be:

"If the [engineering]goblin scholars"

Experimenting with notation to show alternate language word substitutions.

>>833689
>interger 8 on the black bar charm
It's a wooden ladder, 24 feet long, weighing 160 pounds. Probably needs three people (or Pog) to maneuver safely. Odo the Innkeeper figures it might be handy enough for roof repair to pay room and board for four for a week, but he doesn't really need more than one giant ladder.
>>833691
>which faiths those holy symbols belonged to
Ankh Man is actually named Seth or Sekh or something like that. Angsty tormented goth antihero underworld guardian from somewhere far across the desert. Hyena face, forked rat tail.
Silver crescent with twelve-headed hydra is an archaic symbol of Hecate, one of the handmaidens of the moon. She waits, alone, at crossroads.
+1 Sword of Shininess remains ambiguous, though the hilt shape is remarkably similar to that of a charm on that item-conjuring bracelet.

rolled 6, 5, 2 = 13

---

>establish what other resources are being thrown into that project.
Do we have any relevant resources? Big Morgan probably won't work just for ale. We might have to go bandit hunting to earn more favors from these villagers.

>Do we have any relevant resources?
(A mostly OOC review of resources).

Nin probably has the largest collection of valuable objects, but most of those you don't want to sell.

Geoffrey has some gold he found on the chessboard, which might be easier to buy some stuff with than bartering magic-ed up bracelet resources. Azure's got jewellery she could see, but this isn't the best market for it.

Other than that, our biggest asset is probably trading favors. You've got a group of people with a wide variety of skills, some of which may be of immediate use to the people we want to barter with here. (Rhea can cook for people, several of us are craftspeople who can make or repair things, Helen could be useful for various magical or curse related odds and ends, etc).

>>833883
>Big Morgan probably won't work just for ale.
GURPS Low-Tech Companion 3: Daily Life and Economics says a professional smith probably earns around $900 per month at the journeyman level, while decent booze in bulk is normally worth $10 per gallon. Local market for ale is saturated, which drives the price down, but whatever Big Morgan doesn't feel up to drinking himself before it goes bad (and it's got a reasonably long shelf life, since preservation is half the point of fermenting stuff) he can resell to some riverboat or caravan.

Let's not forget the value of the barrels themselves. Oddly, the chart in GURPS Low-Tech doesn't have a column for 60-gallon containers, but a 40-gallon watertight wooden barrel weighs 64lb and is worth $452 empty, while an 80-gallon weighs 100lb and costs $712 and a 120-gallon weighs 176lb and costs $976.

You've also got Pog providing abundant fuel, Rhea supernaturally optimizing the actual fire, and minimal need for raw material (apart from exotic internal bits Wendy can supply) since it's a repair job rather than new fabrication. In the 'turnip economy,' that all adds up.

rolled 5, 6, 5 = 16

---

>Nin probably has the largest collection of valuable objects, but most of those you don't want to sell.
I don't think I can sell them unless there's a magic item pawn shop near by.

>Other than that, our biggest asset is probably trading favors.
>>833942
Well, we already have everybody with relevant experience working on it. I don't know what other resources we can really allocate.

rolled 6, 1, 3 = 10

---

Given that Isaiah is currently somewhat indisposed, and won't suffer from the normal fatigue and joint pain one might experience when conducting a repetitive action, he offers to help Rhea crank Mode's box. He doesn't really get it, but until he's back on his feet and able to do his own maintenance work, having something to do would be nice. He can also help transport barrels of alcohol with ant haul, provided he's allowed to do so anonymously, under the dark of night, no questions asked and most importantly no witnesses, please and thank you.

>>833691
>arrange something with Tethru
>rolled 4, 4, 2 = 10
Tethru is willing to donate as many of her own eyes to the quest as needed, up to a practical limit of one every four hours or so in exchange for sufficient quantities of alcohol, but will not go into the Mouth of Doom herself, nor touch anything or anyone that has come out of it until that person or thing has been either inspected and purified to the sworn satisfaction of Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light, or boiled in vinegar for at least an hour while Tethru herself watched. Auguries indicated that any lesser degree of precaution would result in death.

>>834376
Thank you very much!

>either inspected and purified to the sworn satisfaction of Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light, or boiled in vinegar for at least an hour
Rhea isn't fond of submerging herself in liquid, and most of the party isn't heat-resistant, so I suspect we'll be opting for the former.

rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4

---

Nin would rather go for the 'boiled in vinegar' option if it comes down to it.

>In the 'turnip economy,' that all adds up.
Can we (as a lower priority than Isaiah's repairs) have Big Morgan make a lanyard for that spear? Nin will tell him not to unscrew the cap under any circumstances.

Also there's the tainted air we still have to address. Not too keen on owing the angel anymore favors, and Kalgor is gonna need actual payment. So the bandit hunting plan is still looking attractive. It'll probably have to wait til after our study session, but do we have any volunteers? Pog, Kent, and Geoffrey are obvious choices (in addition to myself, of course). Haven't seen the fighting capabilities of anybody else, and Rhea particularly seems uninterested in violence.

rolled 2, 4, 5 = 11

---

Also on the subject of Kalgor,
>some curses broken

Helen will definitely go have a talk with him when she gets the time. Roll is to fabricate a plausible story about how she got the curse and how it definitely wasn't inflicted by a member of the drakocracy.

>>834724
>lanyard for that spear
>rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4
Actually, Morgan's got a minor magic item which he's been trying to get rid of. Somebody special-ordered it, then never came back to pick it up. Pair of rings, look like they're made from different colors of glass all braided together, one goes around a weapon's hilt or haft, other on your finger, and then even if you end up miles apart the weapon will never be beyond arm's reach. Technically it's a curse, since it also prevents you using any other weapons, or getting properly married, but if you're pretty sure this is the best spear you're ever going to get your hands on, there's no other downside. It's yours for just fifty gold. That's the bounty on any two bandits, without even worrying about the 'alive' bonus, or less than half of Geoffrey's fat purse.

>>834726
Kalgor smiles and nods at the story but seems unconvinced, then pulls a set of dental tools out from under his beard for the actual examination. After delicately extracting some glass shards, quartz pebbles, a thumb-sized fragment of wood that was still on fire, and a desiccated chunk of gourd with his own full name engraved on the inside, he admits this is beyond his skill to sort out. No charge, though.

rolled 2, 4, 2 = 8

---

>>831935

(I have to apologize for not responding sooner, it's been a pretty hectic couple of weeks.)

Valeno smelling the foul stench of undeath, steels themselves, drawing a dagger. Quietly, and carefully sneaking to climb the stairs and to (hopefully) the exit.

Pog has some spare time, he could help with the bandit problem. He's not killing any of Azure's friends if he sees them, though.

>>834809
Left, or right? In case you missed it:
>>832246
>At the top of the stairs the hallway splits in a T-junction. Light seems to be coming from the left, but there's also a puddle of noxious-smelling goo on the floor that way. Right-side hall is dark, but clean.

rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4

---

>>834780
Sold! As long as I can still lend the spear out to my fellow party members.

>getting properly married
Sounds like a plus to me.

>less than half of Geoffrey's fat purse.
After a bit of sweet talking Geoffrey is practically crawling up the walls and literally throwing his money at the demon.

>>834814
Bounty hunting is one of those things you need a more detailed plan and at least one roll for. Who else is coming along on this bandit-hunting expedition? Are you going after Tall Jack Rat's boys inside the Mouth of Doom, or bringing more supplies for a multi-day trip to scope out the ghost town of Rook's Vineyard, or just wandering around in the woods looking for trouble?

>>834854
>rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4
Despite obvious interest in the item, you manage to haggle Big Morgan down to 40 gold, leaving Geoffrey with 88 gold in the retirement fund plus an IOU scrawled in the twisted runes of Nistamatsin's native language.

rolled 3, 5, 6 = 14

---

>>834911
>Are you going after Tall Jack Rat's boys inside the Mouth of Doom
Seems like the quickest way to collect a bounty, since we know where they are. Can we gather any info on how many faces we'll be dealing with? Where can we find this Drusilla, and would it be plausible to make peaceful contact? Can Tethru tell us anything valuable?

Also would like to ask around about Rook's Vineyard and why it's abandoned.

>IOU
Of course, the fat mortal shall not regret his investment.

rolled 5, 1, 4 = 10

---

>>834830

Valeno is thinking about the inscriptions back down at the doorway, was one on the left wall and the other on the right?

>>834940
>Can we gather any info on how many faces we'll be dealing with?
>rolled 3, 5, 6 = 14
More than four, less than fifty.
>Where can we find this Drusilla,
Out in the woods, further south. Mostly.
>and would it be plausible to make peaceful contact?
Not so much.
>Can Tethru tell us anything valuable?
"About Drusilla? If she shows up, don't try to run, or her pack'll chase you. Don't try to fight, or she'll kill you. Parley's probably no good either, but there were some little kids - humans less than fifteen summers, anybody's guess for the elf but he looked about equivalent - who made it work once, when they were out chasing after a wounded black bear a few miles east of the ferry. They came back alive, anyhow, marching in from the west weeks later, reeking of worg-musk, salt and ash all over their clothes and spider gunk in their hair. Niknak's crew might know more, since they were around back then and fought alongside the kids in question once or twice. Brothers-in-arms always end up sharing stories."
>Also would like to ask around about Rook's Vineyard and why it's abandoned.
"All the women 'round there got married and moved away, only nobody ever did figure out exactly where they'd gone to. Every single happy bride had all her debts paid off with unmarked gold, then scrawled her goodbye and parting well-wishes, often stuff nobody but her would know, on a scrap of vellum soaked in fish oil. Neat legible handwriting, particularly if by all accounts she'd some'ow first learned to read that very same night just before she left.

"All the women, that is, except them what slept in windowless rooms with spell-proofed doors, triple-locked from the inside. That ain't no way to live, so eventually any soul with a lick of sense just pulled up stakes and got out. Might still be some hermits down there, squatting in the shell of a ghost town, but not many care to go check, not when they'd risk spending the night there and meeting the so-called Matchmaker Under Lake Laogai."

>>834972
Both were on the right, but "welcome to the hall of healing" was just above eye level while "...resulting in your death" was waist-high, and might have been plastered over at some point.

rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6

---

>>835144
>Niknak's crew might know more
Who knew that supernatural baking skills would be such an asset? Nin will ask Rhea to bake some fresh bread before they leave.

>spell-proofed doors
What kind of warding does this imply, and could I replicate it? Seems like the kidnapper at least couldn't phase through solid walls and had no interest in the 'breaking' part of 'breaking and entering'.

Nin asks Tethru if he can provide any additional services aside from ale to repay her for all the useful information and eyeballs she's given us.

>>835181
>any additional services
She'd be interested in talks with a minor spirit court, known as the Fethine, through a neutral intermediary. They're based near the old coast road north of the river. No rush, though.
>>834972
While Valeno is standing around being indecisive, a hungry giant centipede skitters along the ceiling of the left (better-lit) hallway and moves to attack. It's about eight feet long but only as high at the shoulder as a housecat.

>>835788
Oh god(s)! Okay, well that sinches it. Fighting a giant centipede alone is never a good idea, and while Caleno believes they are resistant to most poisons, now is not the time to find out. Light is the way out, and if it comes to blows, at least they can see this insect.

So, Valeno will try to hurry past the centipede and book it to the exit. If it blocks the path, then Valeno will run to the right.

>>835809
Can't confidently dodge past the centipede and then outrun it, not with goo all over the floor, particularly not without a roll. (Capitalization error. Try turning off autocorrect.) Running away to the right, there's a couple of corners and then a dead end. In the course of frantic fumbling around for a way forward, you touch a bas-relief carving of a hand, and then experience seven seconds of total sensory deprivation.

After that, you find yourself in a brightly lit 30' square room. There are no conventional exits, but more stone bas-relief hands all around the perimeter: one straight ahead, one in the center of the right wall, at least a dozen on the left wall, and the one behind you which is visibly damaged.

Judging by the furnishings, this was some sort of small office complex. Desks and papers seem reasonably well preserved, though one has a skeleton (inanimate) in white robes slumped over it, clutching a red parchment scroll in it's right hand. The bones seem pitted and corroded, and smell slightly foul, like that pool of goo. The skeleton's left hand is missing.

rolled 3, 4, 4 = 11

---

>>834911
>Who else is coming

Well Kent is obviously devoting their time to learning a new language, but afterwards they're more interested in learning the ins and outs of all these shiny knew toys than making money. While you all hunt down some poor lost souls Kent will begin some play testing with the Subterrene.

rolled 1, 1, 5 = 7

---

Isaiah is going to focus on repairs and subsequently act as a priest of Hanspur around town, preforming whatever acts of charity he can in the name of Hanspur, trying to facilitate trade and travel specifically.

rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6

---

>She'd be interested in talks with a minor spirit court
Nin says he'll look into it once he sorts out his current tangled mess of obligations.

>Pog is the only volunteer
This is fine. Large groups attract unwanted attention, and Pog is probably tough enough to take several men on by himself.

Nin is itching to torture and dismember some evil bandits. How did that study session resolve?

rolled 3, 4, 3 = 10

---

>Nin will ask Rhea to bake some fresh bread before they leave.
Rhea is happy to help!

>She'd be interested in talks with a minor spirit court, known as the Fethine, through a neutral intermediary
Playing spirit diplomat also feels pretty in Rhea's court. She'd be glad to act as an intermediary, when she has the opportunity.

Shadowkaisen 2017/10/12(Thu)14:28 No. 836231 ID: 73e9c0
File 150784373720.jpg - (1.50MB , 3264x2448 , IMG_0431.jpg )

rolled 2, 6, 1 = 9

---

>>835814

Glad to be away from that centipede, now to figure out what's going on here.

First thing is to check out the room, to make sure it's safe. The ceiling, the walls, any sort of nooks or crannies. If it's safe Valeno will check out the desk. Checking the notes to gain whatever info there is to be had, taking some if they prove really useful. Lastly, Valeno will check the red scroll,
And see what it has written on it.

"Thanks for giving me a hand....heh."

Good thing there is no one here.

Also, what is illuminating the room?

(Oh, I hope this comes out right, but I have a quick doodle of Valeno here.)

>>836231
>First thing is to check out the room, to make sure it's safe. The ceiling, the walls, any sort of nooks or crannies.
No apparent threats, critters, or openings. The room is a solid box of stone at least a yard thick on all sides, with a permanent enchantment keeping the lights on and the air fresh.
>If it's safe Valeno will check out the desk. Checking the notes to gain whatever info there is to be had, taking some if they prove really useful.
Mostly routine hospital records of patients being diagnosed, treated, and discharged, consumable supplies expended and restocked. Apparently those left-hand-shaped carvings are short-range two-way teleporters, which can be selective about who they let through on various criteria, including presence or absence of a contagious disease. There's one patient still checked in to 'isolation cell #3,' presumably third from the left or the right along the back wall, and they can't come out until The Pestilence has run it's course.

Symptoms of The Pestilence: dizziness, mild fever, jaundice, coughing, delusions of grandeur, spontaneous (painless and bloodless) detachment of the left hand at the wrist, vivid visual and tactile hallucinations of a crab-like claw enclosing or replacing the patient's own left hand, or the right hand of other carriers (helpful for early detection), itchy pustules, necrosis of the lungs and/or bone marrow, and in most cases death within hours. Nobody has yet survived even a full week after infection without intensive magical treatment.

>Lastly, Valeno will check the red scroll, and see what it has written on it.
Elaborately illuminated prayer for relief from disease. Five vibrant colors of ink, gold leaf, and almost shimmering with latent magic. Could try to activate it yourself, but since you don't already know the prayer in question by heart (and the letters are so stylized as to be barely intelligible) that would risk a disastrous misfire. Should be easy enough to sell, though, if you can make it back to civilization.
>quick doodle
The actual art looks pretty cool, but the photo could stand to be edited in such a way as to be smaller and have better contrast.

>>835827
>act as a priest
>trade and travel
>rolled 1, 1, 5 = 7
Kalgor normally handles that kind of thing, and such a small community can't really support more than one full-time priest. That said, he's been thinking about retiring in the next few decades, and Hanspur's portfolio seems like an excellent fit for the area. You willing to help out part-time, a loose sort of apprenticeship in honoring distant speleids and dwarven ancestor-spirits, or is Hanspur a jealous god?

>>835926
>How did that study session resolve?
Anybody who stuck with it for the full week is now semi-literate (basic grammar, few hundred of the most common words and clues to others, the 'see spot run' sort of level) in the molemen's technical language, and owes the Lieutenant-Commander one more favor than they did before.

rolled 6, 2, 1 = 9

---

>>836291
>is Hanspur a jealous god?
Not particularly; it's very important to Isaiah to give credit where credit is due, so he doesn't mind acknowledging the work and prowess of other Gods. A traveling merchant doesn't try to bring goods that established stores already offer, otherwise they'd starve. Likewise, Isaiah wouldn't seek to disrupt the community that's been built here, or supersede any religious authority.

On the other hand, every action he takes, from the simple lifting of a finger, to the construction of a barn, or blazing of a new path upon which others may walk, all of these are made possible through Hanspur, and thus he credits Him for all his actions. As a prophet of Hanspur he'll be on the road again before long, to bring word to other areas, travel the lands and grow as an individual, so an apprenticeship probably wouldn't do either of them much good. He'd be happy to act as an aid for the next year or so while his travel companions work off a debt- he doesn't even need food or shelter for his work. He's happy simply to hear the thanks from the people he helps, and see the prosperity of a community grow. He'd be especially happy to discuss matters of religion, and exchange knowledge or ideas.

"As my father Elohim would say, one who learns nothing of others cannot truly teach anything. So, are your ancestors your Gods? I must admit, I'm not familiar with the Speleids you mentioned. Do you practice a local custom, or is this a larger practice that I'm unfamiliar with?"

After Isaiah is able to walk in public without his hollowness being immediately apparent, he is much more cheerful, and happily engages anyone and everyone he can, especially with regards to religious discussions. Knowing you can feed yourself and won't risk fading into the ether, or get torn apart by and angry mob do help improve ones mood. While the others study, hunt bandits, and whatever else they're doing, he'll settle into life within Zelkor's Ferry, and try to work closely with Kalgor so as not to step on anyone's toes. Rolling general diplomacy I suppose, to see how well he's able to integrate himself into this little town and make meaningful questions, while obviously keeping secrets from people in a close knit community that's just been visited by a demon and his posse.

>>836302
*Make meaningful relationships, not questions. Normally I would go back and delete my post, edit the typos out and post it again, but I don't want the roll to be disingenuous if I do it again.

rolled 6, 4, 3 = 13

---

>>836302
>happily engages anyone and everyone he can, especially with regards to religious discussions
Any attempts to proselytize to Nin result in deliberate and aggressive conversational derailment.

Getting the subterrene up and running is still a long term goal, so does anybody want to volunteer to check the place out in person and gather some more information?

rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8

---

Helen's trying to absorb information as fast as she can, reading Magic of the Dragon Lords and that three volume slipcase whenever she's not learning from Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light.

Speaking of the angel's teaching, she'll (after the language lesson) ask for training on the possible bad air we'll find in the dungeon first. Then she'll ask what the angel can teach her about curse breaking and low circle divinations.

End of the first week, a keelboat shows up - the Yellow Dagger, crewed by Captain Riko Jaskin and ten sailors, guarded by a large cat with a striped tail and oddly tufted ears. They're here to pick up the surplus ale, then head back up river to sell it in Passholdt.

Rasmus Pye approaches Nistamatsin about the possibility of shipping the three-quarter-ton solid silver statue to Passholdt as well, to be auctioned off to someone who'd be able to truly appreciate it's... positive aesthetic qualities, whatever they may be. He'd cover the shipping costs out of his own pocket, and take a 20% brokerage fee out of the final sale price, which would almost certainly leave you with a profit of at least three thousand gold.

Ten gold is enough for a suit of no-frills plate armor, but that mass produced stuff doesn't use the best grades of steel, and all the slack in the design to make the joints adjustable means it weighs about 90 pounds. For around 300 gold per person - rather more for Pog, of course - we could have a master armorsmith outfit your whole party with custom-fitted enchanted plate. That'd be half the weight and twice the protection, at least after you figure in the spider-silk arming doublets. If you're commissioning a whole batch at once, you could even get standardized insignia and decorations, or something silly like covering it in razor-sharp spikes.

rolled 6, 3, 6 = 15

---

>>837216
The party would be hard pressed to stop Kent from playing with the Subterrene now that the language course is over, unless someone is is sleeping in it and taking watch to prevent mischevious engineers from fiddling about. Kent also chimes in that, despite how unsettling the statue appears, it should be worth more than 3000 - 4000 gold though. The silver alone should be quite valuable, although the artistic properties are harder to evaluate

Rolling an appraisal check for the value of the raw silver making up the statue. The only applicable life experience I can think of is Kent having to buy silver and other metals for pet projects in the past, giving them at least a ballpark frame of reference

>>837409
Upon hearing Nistamatsin's ridiculously incorrect estimate, Azure faceslaps herself with both wings.

Azure promptly explains how a centerpiece is properly estimated. She goes into a full-blown lecture of appraisal basics; testing the purity of the silver by intentionally damaging a less detailed section with the proper acids, then using ice magics to measure the solidity of the inside, and a simple weight-by-volume test using water displacement to determine raw-material sums and shipping costs. After the physical tests are completed, enchanters are called to magically analyze the full contents; if the reports don't correspond with your physical
test results, fire the enchanter because they're working with the buyer(s). The rest depends on artistic value, something that is subjective and must be valued according to culture - but then, that would mean Mister Pye could estimate the statue in the rural areas of a country where modern art is heresy, get it stamped and purchased for the raw value of the silver, and then move it over to a country full of weirdos and sell it off to some aristocrat during one of their puffed-chest parties where they purchase overpriced junk that seems like artifacts to look good in front of their friends.

Take Ten for Appraisal and Sense Motive.

rolled 2, 4, 6 = 12

---

>appraisers will melt it with acid, freeze it, and dunk it in water
If we're going to sell the statue we should get that Dorian Gray curse removed. Otherwise Nin might drop dead one day when some clumsy mover drops the statue on its head. Can Kalgor do anything?

>matching armor and insignia
Sounds good, but Nin would like to impose some sort of communal loyalty pact on anybody who accepts the insignia. Can Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light provide witness for such a thing?

>unless someone is is sleeping in it and taking watch to prevent mischevious engineers from fiddling about.
Or rigging it with alarm spells! Nin says Kent can tinker if he's present, since the elf won't seem to take 'no' for an answer.

rolled 5, 4, 1 = 10

---

>>837516
Kent shrugs, and, although one can't really tell through the mask, they smile a little as they sign that they'd be happy to ask permission before testing out the subterrene, as long as Nin agrees to ask before using Kents bracket. They feel like this is re-hashing old ground though, and it's not like there's a conflict currently! Since they're both here and talking about it right now, why not test it out right now?

Kent tries to encourage Nistamatsin to come with them and just run a couple of short tests to get a feel for how the machine works- Kent is noticeably vibrating while conveying that point. Kent wants to start out by testing the Poilt functions, using a combination of guess and test, advice from the voice, and the bits and pieces they picked up regarding the language. Not really trying to go anywhere, or accomplish anything specific at all, other than gain and record info regarding the operation and functionality of the Subterrene

>>837450
>Take Ten for Appraisal and Sense Motive
Three-quarters of a ton is 1500 pounds, a pound of coinage-quality silver (at least ninety-some percent pure, Azure can't remember the exact lower bound, but less than the ultra-pure moonsilver that's got all sorts of exotic properties) is worth a thousand copper coins or fifty silver coins (indeed it basically IS fifty silver coins) or two and a half gold coins. So, three quarters of a ton of silver is worth 3600 gold, minus a 20% brokerage fee, does indeed come out to three thousand. Plus the value of the workmanship, which tends to be a relative pittance for anything involving large quantities of precious metals. So, Rasmus Pye seems to be basing that estimate on the optimistic assumption that this statue is indeed solid coinage-grade silver, rather than, say, a silver shell with a core of mostly lead.

A 20% fee sounds kind of steep, and Mr. Pye seems eager to close this deal for whatever reason, so it might be possible to negotiate that down, but on the other hand you don't know exactly what the shipping, tariffs, and curse-insurance costs are likely to be.
>>837516
>get that Dorian Gray curse removed.
>Can Kalgor do anything?
Soon as Kalgor finds out the statue was provided by an inexplicable deck of cards, he refuses to get involved with it in any way.

rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8

---

>>837539
>as long as Nin agrees to ask before using Kents bracket.
Nin doesn't care about the bracelet, but he thinks assigning ownership by rule of 'touched it first' is going to cause problems if the group stumbles upon more treasure.

>Kent is noticeably vibrating while conveying that point.
Maybe this is what Azure meant by 'secure their desire'? Nin's amused by Kent's enthusiasm and he'll agree to help with whatever experiments the elf wants to run, trying his best to explain some of those 'alien concepts' throughout the night. At some point he'll ask why Kent never takes off the mask and seems to have trouble verbally communicating.

Next day he'll ask Pog to accompany him on that scouting mission to the Mouth of Doom. We'll put together a day's worth of supplies for the trip.

Oh, almost forgot the statue business. As much as I'd like fancy matching armor for everyone, it seems a little suicidal to sell the statue while my physical body is still linked to it. Unless anybody else can think of a solution I'll probably have to turn Rasmus down.

>>837845
If you explain the nature of the problem, Rasmus offers to draw up a contract under which the buyer would technically be leasing the statue from you, meaning they'd be obligated to keep it repaired (rather than, say, melting it down for scrap) and if they mishandle it in a way that causes you injury, you could invoice them for any resultant medical costs, up to and including resurrection. Of course, it'd be harder to find a buyer willing to agree to such weird terms, so he'd want a bigger cut, say 25%, to compensate for the delays and additional costs involved.

>>837842
>scouting mission to the Mouth of Doom
Who's coming? Organizational stuff like marching order and chain of command would also be helpful to establish.

In order to reduce ambiguity, gimme a complete inventory of what you're bringing along and who's carrying it. Might also be worth considering what other supplies you want. Crowbars, tents, that sort of thing.

The march out to the Mouth is uneventful, there aren't any traps on the stairs down, and the first room is laid out just like the rumors say. https://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/730630.html#735622 Which door are you going to interact with first, and how?

>>837861
Azure is loathe to leave Pog again, but she realizes she has a very serious attention deficit disorder. She might have wings for scouting, but they might fly her into the jaws of death again.

Also, there's a ship with eleven sailors. This is the exact moment all her job skills will be at their most applicable in this quaint little forest town.

Azure requests that Nistamatsin promise not to abuse Pog's life debt to him (well, Azure's but whatever) by beginning the delve before the scouting and planning is done. If for whatever reason Nistamatsin decides the most logical course of action is to rush into the literally named Mouth of Doom unprepared, Pog's orders are to save anyone outside, head straight back to town, and tell everyone the "head-putty demon is in big trouble".

Azure will spend the day performing her trades with the lonely sailors; prostitution and product(merchant) by daylight, prostitution and planning(architect) by moonlight. She's also considering a few special purchases; a set of long cufflinks chaining herself to Pog with an easily-removed keyless manacle.

>>837870
>performing her trades
Roll for that.

rolled 2, 1, 6 = 9

---

>>837842
>How to claim treasures
Kent explains that they don’t believe it’s purely a case of licking something to claim it’s yours, rather that due to the circumstances of its retrieval, Kent has a right to claim ownership of the bracelet specifically. They followed up on the treasure map, reached down and retrieved it, suffering the pain and risks involved. Kent can also respect that Nin took the risks with this cursed deck and therefore he can lay claim to his spear and statue and marvelously designed, incredibly created, masterwork of engineering layers out before them. So majestic, the intricate interlocking of the parts, the mesmerizing alien designs...

What were we discussing again?

>Mask and speech
The mask makes them feel secure- they feel sick and disoriented when it’s too bright out. They’d take it off right now for you as a demonstration, but they’re not so sure they want to give you better access to their face; no offense of course. And Kent has trouble with their words- mouth doesn’t quite make all the right sounds and work the right way. It’s somewhat embarrassing, and makes Kent nervous, so they try not to speak around others unless it’s really necessary. Got hit a lot growing up, guess they still haven’t outgrown those habits.

Kent and Isaiah are staying behind, unless someone can make a point about why they should come. It’s not so much that they don’t want to go- they’ve just got better things to do.

Let’s do a test on those pilot functions. Rolling to use the subterrene- goal to get some hands on experience with its functions and begin to learn how to operate it, as opposed to trying to go anywhere or use it to do anything.

>>837892
After a lot of fiddling with controls, Kent manages to persuade the navigator's chair to recline. A set of straps whip out - which would have entangled anyone sitting in the chair at the time - and a spike erupts through the navigator's headrest, blossoming into a silvery fractal like a three-dimensional snowflake.

This response is initially misinterpreted as an excessively lethal anti-tamper system. Further research indicates that, no, it's supposed to do that. Controls depend almost entirely on neural interface.

'Plugging in' safely will require another roll, at least the first few times.

rolled 4, 2, 4 = 10

---

>>837870
I used the word 'prostitution' twice, I meant to add 'performance'.

rolled 4, 3, 6 = 13

---

>>837861
>seems eager to close this deal for whatever reason
>might be possible to negotiate that down
"A quarter of the price? That's quite a deduction, and I'm not even sure I can bear to part with it in the first place." Nin sensually strokes the statue to further illustrate his reluctance.

>It’s somewhat embarrassing, and makes Kent nervous, so they try not to speak around others unless it’s really necessary
"Well we are alone, and I'm not one to judge."

>a spike erupts through the navigator's headrest, blossoming into a silvery fractal like a three-dimensional snowflake.
Nin cackles, and he tells Kent that a little more research seems well worth the time to mitigate the risk of brain damage.

>Who's coming?
Pog seems to be the only volunteer. Geoffrey would probably come too, since this sort of thing is right within his area of expertise. Nin is baffled by his companions' lack of desire to throw themselves into mortal danger for the possible reward of wealth and power. But as long as they're willing to help pilot the subterrene he's not too upset.

>marching order
Nin taking point, then Geoffrey, with Pog in the back holding the magic spear.

>chain of command
Nin tells Pog that he has the most important job of stabbing monsters with the big fire spear but still needs to listen to whatever Nin or Geoffrey tells him.

If you mean overall group chain of command, Azure seems to have some management skills and Rhea has insight beyond what her flowery disposition reveals. I'll tell Azure she's in charge while I'm gone, and I'll inform Kent that Rhea is now the party's quartermaster and any requests to use the subterrene must go through her.

Assuming we have enough turnip wealth to get the mundane items we need...

>complete inventory
-Nistamatsin
Crown of nails
Cinnamon incense
That spoiled brass balm
The statuette
Clean cloth, hooked needles and thread
Feathers and parchment (why scout if you can't draw a map?)
Ten foot pole (carried in hands)
Candles (one tied to the end of the pole)

-Pog
Water jug
Chain armor
Dried meat
Helicopter
Manacles
Concealed plate armor
The magic spear
Tents
(or whatever Pog wants to bring. He's gotta carry the tents though)

-Geoffrey
Dagger
Enchanted belt
His armor (breast plate and a pauldron on his shoulder)
Skullcap helmet
Lamp
Rope (50ft)
Dried Meat, and as much fresh bread as Rhea can cook given the short notice
A new weapon if we can get one

>Azure requests that Nistamatsin promise not to abuse Pog's life debt to him
Nistamatsin says he will take good care of Pog.

Woo! This is the longest post I've ever made, anywhere

rolled 5, 5, 6 = 16

---

>Which door are you going to interact with first, and how?
The north door with the message. By prodding it and checking for traps.

>>838065
>checking for traps
>rolled 5, 5, 6 = 16
Seems safe. Which hand are you using to grab the handle and pull the door open? Left, right, delegating to somebody else in the party, or if you're doing something trickier be sure to describe it step by step.

>>838025
Azure earns four silver. Not bad for a day's work in town, but it's chump change compared to the rewards of dungeon delving.

A week's room and board for one is seven and a half silver. Ysbel and Tallie don't much appreciate the competition, either.

rolled 5, 4, 6 = 15

---

>>838200
Can I use the pole to turn the handle? Haha if not, right hand.

>>838229
Door opens smoothly and quietly as if the hinges were well-oiled. Assuming Geoffrey's got that lantern lit, a 10' square hallway on the far side is visible as it continues 30' straight on before opening out into a wider room.

rolled 5, 4, 2 = 11

---

>>838271
Poking for traps and advancing forward. Anything interesting in the room ahead?

>>836278
Is there nothing identifying how th contagion is spread or where it comes from?

Also, are there no notes on where each teleporter leads? It's seems safe to assume the numerous ones lead to isolation cells. What is the date the subject in "isolation cell 3" was submitted? Doubtful they are still alive...

Regardless, Valeno will search the drawers of the desk and pilfer anything on this skeleton, if it can be figured that his bones are no longer contagious. (I know it sounds ridiculous but Valeno wants to be sure.) Included items to take will be the scroll, and any notes that designate mapping or supplie or information on the Pestilence.

rolled 6, 4, 2 = 12

---

>>838332

OOC: stupid mobile.

>>838332
>how the contagion is spread
Skin contact or waterborne. Possibly airborne, but the pathogen's spores can't survive long in a dry environment, so if you maintain at least an outstretched staff's distance (roughly ten feet) from coughing patients and fulminating puddles, or else wear a basic filter mask or equivalent protective aura, you should be fine.

Bear in mind that this advice is from people who apparently got wiped out by the Pestilence, so they may have been missing some key detail.

>where it comes from?
Most of the victims seem to have contracted it after check-in. Patient zero is... classified? That's weird.

>where each teleporter leads? It's seems safe to assume the numerous ones lead to isolation cells.
Yep. The other three are Chapel, Front Hall, and the Lab, though it seems to be assumed that anyone working here would know which was which.

>What is the date the subject in "isolation cell 3" was submitted?
Dates are just month and day, year gets filled in when the records are transferred to Archives.

>>838284
Next room is 30' east-west by 40' north-south, and you're coming in through the middle of the south wall. Two other obvious exits, both 10' wide open archways, at opposite ends of the west wall. While glancing over the east wall, something makes the palm of Nistamatsin's right hand slightly but persistently itchy, with no corresponding sensation from the left hand.

Gimme a roll for that asymmetry phobia, and a sketch of the map so far.

rolled 1, 4, 4 = 9

---

>Gimme a roll for that asymmetry phobia, and a sketch of the map so far.
If I don't lose it completely, should be able to solve the problem by cutting my left palm in the same place and applying the spoiled brass balm to the wound.

>>838434
Resultant burning-and-freezing sensation and visible brassy patch means Nin ends up needing to cut both hands to balance things out, and is now suffering from the status conditions Moderate Pain and Bad Grip.

To avoid another roll for that phobia, it would be wise not to stick around in this notably asymmetrical room longer than the few minutes necessary to draw a map of it.

Pog asks Nistamatsin why Nistamatsin stabbed Nistamatsin's hands. Nistamatsin's response is not satisfactory, but Nistamatsin gave an order to Pog to stand there while Nistamatsin draws the map.

Pog is now guarding Nistamatsin while he draws the map. Then he'll grab Nistamatsin and get out. Take Ten for this action.

Pog proposes to look in the rooms first and see if they are assiemet... mirrah... left-not-right, so Nistamatsin doesn't enter a room and stab himself because it's not his room.

Pog asks Geoffrey to cure Nistamatsin when he's done being silly.

rolled 5, 1, 4 = 10

---

>>838062
>Scouting
"How long are you planning to be away, Nin?" (So if the scouting party is overdue, we can mount a rescue or something).

>Rhea is now the party's quartermaster and any requests to use the subterrene must go through her
*Goblin salute*

>as much fresh bread as Rhea can cook given the short notice
Roll for breadmaking is back here, >>835967 , and now that I've got spells figured out, let's retroactively say Rhea bolstered the bread with Abstemiousness so it'll keep.

>Nin is baffled by his companions' lack of desire to throw themselves into mortal danger for the possible reward of wealth and power
Rhea will see what she can do to motivate her teammates before it is time for a more proper expedition into the dungeon.

>Azure is loathe to leave Pog again, but she realizes she has a very serious attention deficit disorder. She might have wings for scouting, but they might fly her into the jaws of death again.
Rhea will point out that if Azure doubts her own judgement, she has several soldiers and military types in the group to rely on. And why should she fear death when her fire is rekindled each time it is extinguished? She can more safely explore than any of our friends!

>Kent and Isaiah are staying behind, unless someone can make a point about why they should come. It’s not so much that they don’t want to go- they’ve just got better things to do.
Rhea will remind Isaiah there are lots of reasons he would be useful on future trips. He can ask Hanspur for maps, and his body is safe from many dangers. He does not bleed, and he does not breathe.

As for Kent, jumping and climbing is surely helpful in ruins. And if we are to restore the hospital, there are ancient secrets in need of repair and an [engineer] to understand them! I think I'm just gonna denote slipping into golbinese with brackets.

>what do
Might be good to prepare and cast Read Weather on the day the scouting mission is planned.

>Might also be worth considering what other supplies you want.
For longer term trips, Rhea might want to prepare a jar of preserved eyes.

Would it be worth asking Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light to donate a vial of blood for future Celestial Healing? (I'm not strickly sure how much better or not the regen effect compares to straight up Least True Healing).

A ritual for preserving ingredients so the eyes and/or blood don't spoil seems like something Rhea should be capable of.

>>838536
>why should she fear death
Azure is quick to explain that she is unique among her peers in that she has experienced more deaths than birthdays. This has given her a very clear understanding of how lethal the world really is; even among the valiant halls of order and royalty, there's always an artistic serial killer, or some negligent broken scaffolding that hasn't been fixed to cut costs, or a supposed paragon of justice who might experience a blemish on their perfect marks one day, have a panicking crisis, and get the ball rolling towards Anti-Paladinhood. Sometimes, she would be locked up, tortured, constantly worrying that her captor would realize what she was. And of course, burning alive always hurts; the pain doesn't numb over repeated immolation because her body is restored completely, which includes the nerves that usually die off physically and spiritually after suffering extreme pain. Honestly, she's not sure how many seconds of agonizing pain she forgets after falling unconscious, but there's still enough to convince her not to commit suicide as a party trick.

Then there's all the stuff that could happen to her ashes. If Pog can catch them and find a place to hunker down, she's not afraid at all. But last time, she found herself in a river. If those ashes had submerged on the next waterfall...

In case Rhea is wondering, Azure keeps her powers as an open secret (like the Bristlebacks) because the rumors get blurry and unreliable between districts, let alone cities. I mean, what louse wouldn't want to claim they out-charmed and slept with an immortal phoenix girl? Makes it easier to play off the From The Ashes power as a bard trick, especially when others realize her feathers are painted red. Rhea's a priestess of Fire so she can be trusted with this kind of thing.

There's a lot Azure still doesn't know about her strange power or where she came from. And honestly, she leaves that kind of speculation to Hore. She has towns to seduce and cities to sleep with.

>Azure as management
Generally, most of the party have their own agendas and only need daily checkups. But in particular, Wendy and Malkov seem to have hit a writer's block on what to do in the open.

If they haven't done so already, Azure recommends Wendy and Malkov sign up for language training. Maybe not now, but after the hospital is cleaned. For now, Wendy will foster relations with the rest of the town by offering her healing services, and as someone to talk to. Malkov will protect her, and look for anything suspicious. Fostering relationships with the town is only temporary and not extremely productive, but in the event something goes horribly wrong, the town won't simply forget about the latest band of intruders adventurers to pass through.

Rhea's art involves intense heat. Azure recommends a quick trial run in the art of smoked meats; she can talk to the embers and see how they feel when they're baked into succulent jerky. She should also talk with the locals and ask for tips on quality ingredients. Deslena supplies the chickens and Adebrin supplies the fish, talking to them might get Rhea tips and a small discount.

Of all the people to take the angel's lesson, Helen's the one who has the most insight. She should look into the language further, do some research or possibly ask the angel for further lessons. Azure will assist as best she can in her spare time. Kent can also focus on this, or work on researching the Subterrene.

Isiah might need to recharge his prayers. Azure doesn't really know how he does this, so he can do whatever, but he'd better be fully charged when the dungeon crawl begins.

Azure's main focus will be researching the local Gnoll tribe. If Nistamatsin is willing later, they might be able to confront the Gnolls, see if they know more than they realize. If the opportunity presents (and nobody Hore or Azure knows is there), they could even fight the Gnolls and gain intel on where the local bandit gangs are, then fight off the bandits and reclaim the area for a reward. Or they could even convince the Gnolls to get jobs; as Hore once explained, Gnoll laziness comes from the realization that all your hard work can be stolen or used against you, but enslave another, and their work is yours alone (Which Hore has commented on as idiotic and short-sighted, as it leads to less efficiency and invisible strings instead of visible ones). If they can convince the Gnoll tribe of a particular type of freelance job that's easy to do and hard to get cheated out of (and screw the pay, because tribes live off scraps and feel rich in a middle-class environment), then yes it is possible. In theory. Maybe.

Azure asks for feedback.

>(Helen) should look into the language further
Helen says that she'd love to learn more of the language of the Derro when she has the time. Due to the nature of her curse, she can't explain or convey any sort of complicated ideas to others and so would be a poor choice for studying specialized knowledge and teaching it to the rest of the group. She also says she's studying how to protect everyone from the 'bad air' we've been warned of. (still waiting for that to resolve, but I think not enough in-world time has passed)

rolled 4, 6, 2 = 12

---

You'll have to forgive the lack of artistry

>Pog asks Nistamatsin why Nistamatsin stabbed Nistamatsin's hands.
Yes, the explanation makes about as much sense as you'd expect.

>Then he'll grab Nistamatsin and get out.
Nistamatsin allows himself to be dragged out, after he turns the corner and takes a peek through those archways. We'll try the pentacle room next. Makes sense to be methodical about this, right?

>Pog proposes to look in the rooms first
"If you wish, but you must use the pole to check for traps. You can give the spear to Geoffrey." Guess this means a switch up in our marching order.

>Pog asks Geoffrey to cure Nistamatsin when he's done being silly.
Not gonna make a separate post for this, but Geoffrey says that the demon'll be fine and he's not gonna waste his soul motes.

Nistamatsin 2017/10/21(Sat)22:27 No. 838610 ID: af6e04
File 150865004932.png - (12.27KB , 543x540 , mouthofdoom1.png )

And here it is, actually!

rolled 4, 1, 3 = 8

---

>>838608
Pog does the thing.

>>838394
Is there any other loot to be found in the desk? No stray copper pieces or tools? And is there any scroll cases to store the documents and scroll?

So, the date for subject in cell 3 states it was a week ago? Valeno will give a knock on the wall near the teleporters of where isolation cell 3 would be, and wait, say, 30 seconds for a response. And repeat it a couple times.

If there is no response, either due to depth of the wall, or (most likely) the patient being dead, it would be time to move on. Valeno will inspect the teleporter that looks it's had the most traffic. That will probably be the one to take.

rolled 6, 1, 4 = 11

---

>>838683
OOC:Good lord am I bad at this dice thing or what?

>>838565
But if you know how lethal the world can be, can you in good conscience let others walk headfirst into danger you could survive?

>>838608
>pentacle room next
>>838657
>Pog does the thing
Pentacle door doesn't open onto a room at all, but rather a hallway. To the right it ends at another door after about ten feet, to the left it continues out beyond the limit of lantern-light, with more doors spaced irregularly along both sides.

>>838683
>>838685
No coinage. Reasonable selection of basic office supplies, but nothing really ruggedized for travel. Documents can be tucked into a folder made of heavier paper and tied up with twine so they won't be scattered or damaged as easily.

No response to the tapping.

>which teleporter has the most traffic
>rolled 6, 1, 4 = 11
Judging by the cumulative effect of scuff marks polishing the stone floor, 'most traffic' would be the one opposite the isolation cells, but the path of that was to and from the cells by way of the desks. People who came in the way you did seemed to mainly head straight to the stone hand on the opposite wall, bypassing the desks. Floor on the diagonals is relatively unworn.

rolled 4, 4, 1 = 9

---

>>839116
Nin tells Pog that this room doesn't feel quite as lopsided as the last. We should check out that door to the right.

(updated map will have to wait til I get home tonight)

>>839140
Pog does not understand the concepts of search algorithms and big-O notation, but he can count. And if Nistamatsin continues this 'scouting mission' any further than three rooms away from the entrance, he's not going to follow orders any longer. There should be enough nearby rooms to scout in a whole day, too far ahead and the doors might be magic-sealed behind them.

>>838689
Azure wasn't paying attention, she was busy calculating the approximate insurance fees for the party. And by insurance fees, I mean the expected costs to resurrect party members.

Azure explains she used to have enough gold to resurrect any of her party members, but she's spent most and lost the remainder. And the number of actual team member deaths she has experienced is in the single digits; a childhood of business management training has given her the insight she neeeded to find and hire employees with high survival rates.

>I mean the expected costs to resurrect party members.
This is what I was talking about, silly. If you're willing to stand between your allies and danger, the only cost to revive yourself is pain, time, and faith.

Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light's price for reviving people probably wouldn't be gold, anyways.

>>839322
>probably wouldn't be gold
It's not a question of probability. Any and all injury, morbidity, or mortality suffered by allied forces in the course of honorably pursuing the restoration of that hospital WILL be miraculously restored, to the full extent of her ability to do so safely (with priority, when necessary, given to those who have been more consistently effective and/or less self-destructive), and she will not accept - much less demand - coin in return for that service.
>>829756
>any redistribution of material wealth (other than what's directly necessary for her mission) would violate her current standing orders

"Honorably" in this context still allows quite a bit of latitude for tactical pragmatism, the main point of concern is unwillingness to be an accessory to organ harvesting, medical experimentation on prisoners, or similar torturous atrocities.

rolled 4, 1, 2 = 7

---

>"How long are you planning to be away, Nin?"
Keep forgetting to answer this. Didn't really bring enough water for a multi-day trip, so Nin will say "Expect us back two sunrises after this one."

>>839307
>And if Nistamatsin continues this 'scouting mission' any further than...
Nin interrupts Pog's sudden meticulous streak by impatiently snatching back the ten foot pole and going through the door.

Nistamatsin 2017/10/24(Tue)18:25 No. 839353 ID: af6e04
File 150889473912.png - (14.44KB , 579x580 , mouthofdoom2.png )

And here we are!

rolled 4, 2, 3 = 9

---

>>839118
Figuring the most travelled path is the quickest way out, Valeno will take the teleporter opposite where they entered....

.....Hopefully this won't be a terrible mistake.

>>839488
Does Valeno have a light source rigged up at this point? If not, the far side of the teleporter is totally dark, so are you going to follow the wall left, or right, or wander off across the floor more or less perpendicular to the wall, or what?

>>839346
On the far side of the door there's a refreshingly symmetrical room, albeit on a diagonal plane. It's thirty feet square apart from a fifth wall cutting across the northwest corner, with an elaborate mosaic depicting various plants and animals (most of which are immediately recognizable as native to the area) arrayed around a dark-skinned elvenoid figure. The figure is carrying something, but whatever it was, the tiles representing it were chipped away some time ago, exposing plaster beneath. There's some water damage near the ceiling, too.

Only obvious exit aside from the way you came in is another door in the middle of the south wall.

rolled 5, 6, 4 = 15

---

>>839814
>a dark-skinned elvenoid figure.
Can I roll for knowledge?

>There's some water damage near the ceiling, too.
Interesting. Cracks in the stone or just tiles falling apart because of eroding plaster? Can I identify any source of the leak? What's this place actually made of? I'll take a closer look at that section that was chipped off too. Everybody knows that mosaics mean secret doors!

I won't spend long messing around in this nice symmetrical room, but hopefully long enough to center myself. Pog is right, there are too many branching paths to keep rushing through the first door we see. We'll soon make our way back to the lobby and check rooms in the following order: goat face, hand, skull, wolf's head.

rolled 5 = 5

---

>>840077
>knowledge
>rolled 5, 6, 4 = 15
Looks kinda like... one of the barmaids back at the inn, maybe? Can't remember her name.
>source of the leak
Presumably rainwater filtering down through the earth above.
>secret doors
There does indeed seem to be a hollow space behind the mosaic, but sticking a hand in there gets you bitten and mildly poisoned. Then, due to their nest having been disturbed by something delicious, {number I just rolled} giant centipedes emerge and attack.

rolled 2, 4, 1 = 7

---

Pog begins rage!

Pog yanks Nistamatsin away from the centipedes and hammers his pickax in one of the chinks between their exoskeleton segments!

Even if they bite back, a mug of poison in his veins isn't even going to make someone with Pog's constitution twitch!

rolled 1, 4, 5 = 10

---

>>840097
>sticking a hand in there gets you bitten
Enough to draw blood?

Lacking a weapon in hand, Nin tries to take the centipede's face off.

rolled 6, 1, 5 = 12

---

Geoffrey stabs whatever gets close with the magic spear.

Pog smashes three 'pedes, Geoffrey cautiously pokes a fourth with the spear's curling flame which causes the poor bug to more or less explode, Nistamatsin acquires a new disguise and thereby incapacitates the last one.
>Enough to draw blood?
As implied by the ability to inject poison, yes. Nin's taken 1 hp of injury and 2 dex damage.

rolled 3, 5, 5 = 13

---

>>840127
Nin tries to bandage himself up before the room gets too bloody.

>Nistamatsin acquires a new disguise and thereby incapacitates the last one
I've never worn a centipede's face before. How's it look on me?

>Nin's taken 1 hp of injury and 2 dex damage.
I suppose Geoffrey can't do much about the poison til it's taken its course.

>There does indeed seem to be a hollow space behind the mosaic
Anything in there but a centipede nest?

>>840204
>Nin tries to bandage himself up before the room gets too bloody.
The wound clotted up almost instantly. Probably a beneficial side effect of the poison or saliva or something.
>How's it look on me?
Like a completely non-anthropomorphic centipede is somehow standing upright, wearing clothes, and talking.
>Anything in there but a centipede nest?
'bout ten gallons of fresh blood. The hole is only a few inches wide, so you can't exactly crawl in there and search for loot.

rolled 2, 5, 3 = 10

---

>>839814
If there is a way to rig a light source that can be quickly covered or turned off, then definitely. But if not, then going into the darkness Valeno goes. Hugging to the left wall seems to be the best course of action, as it served them well before.

Pog's rage ends as he watches the still-living faceless giant centipede flail about helplessly. It's funny. He figures the centipede can be captured alive and reared for its poison... or killed fresh for whatever Rhea's cooking.

Speaking of extra centipedes, Pog realizes Nistamatsin now has a centipede's face. Pog suggests they use that face to call for any remaining centipedes, then bust open the tiled wall when they're sure the remaining centipedes are deaf or dead or some other thing that starts with 'dea'. At no point does it occur to Pog of how shortsighted his plan is.

rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7

---

>>840261
>killed fresh for whatever Rhea's cooking.
Well... maybe Rhea can make a centipede taste good. But we're burdened enough as it is.

>remaining centipedes are deaf or dead
>'bout ten gallons of fresh blood.
Guess they're probably drowning if they're still alive.

>bust open the tiled wall
This piece of art from an old civilization? A stunning display of mortal creativity and ingenuity? It would be a crime to destroy this mosaic. An act of senseless destruction. We must do it immediately. Besides, clearing out the hospital includes clearing out all the deadly centipedes, right?

Nin tells Geoffrey to stand by and hold the door open in case we need to make a speedy retreat. Then he'll ask Pog to do what he does best.

>>840256
Wall continues five feet, turns 90 degrees right, thirty feet, turns 90 degrees right, thirty feet, and then Valeno almost falls into a pit trap. Fortunately going slowly in the dark has some advantages; when you're navigating mostly by touch and echo anyway, visual concealment of a trap doesn't make it any harder to notice. Checking around the edge of the pit, it's 8 feet wide out of a 10 foot wide corridor, leaving a 2 foot wide walkway along the right-hand wall.

>>840319
>This piece of art from an old civilization? A stunning display of mortal creativity and ingenuity? It would be a crime to destroy this mosaic.
Lt. Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light is not physically present, but apparently has some means of scrying and thereby extending a whisperweb beyond conventional range. She whispers that Nistamatsin's estimate of what would be a crime is accurate in this case, since the mission to restore this former hospital to working condition obviously includes preserving or repairing original furnishings wherever possible. The mosaic must not be demolished.

rolled 2, 5, 1 = 8

---

>The mosaic must not be demolished.
Nistamatsin mutters for Pog to forget that last request and goes scurrying back to the entrance to check out that goat head door.

>>838536
As Rhea goes around trying to encourage everyone to enter the Mouth of Doom, it comes up that Kent and Isaiah didn't realize that the dungeon and Hospital were one and the same; likely due to Isaiah being preoccupied sulking, and Kent getting distracted by everything shiny Nin and Rhea brought. Kent suggests that they spend the day preparing, and leave on the morrow to go join the group with some fresh medicine and supplies- Rhea too, since she has so many shiny baubles that will no doubt be useful in such a dangerous setting.

If Rhea decides to come with, which Kent encourages she do given that she is probably going to be an invaluable asset to the team, despite any ongoing work she may be doing, she should post her inventory and such in a separate post since I don't want to speak for her. In case she needs more articulate encouragement, Kent's basic argument boils down to:
A) Super fire power is good for disinfecting wounds, starting fires, providing light, killing and cooking monsters, and avoiding dangerous traps the rest of us might struggle with
B) Culinary prowess will lift spirits and keep us in better shape to carry out our goals
C) The rest of us are leaving behind our interesting or important jobs, it'd be nice if you joined us
D) You have powerful artifacts which will be helpful in our quest
E) You're good company, and we'd miss you if we went alone! Strength of numbers and all that! Your optimism and sunny charm will make it that much more berable
Do it for the sun? Or your mom? Or because I'm asking nicely? It's clear kent was running out of convincing points a bit ago, but is generally miming and writing down various other redundant or silly reasons Rhea should come.

Isaiah brings:
left hip: a week's worth of nonrechargeable waterproof ration-tablets
right hip: Jug of Oil
left shoulder: Big Hammer
right shoulder: Canvas
chest/neck: Lantern
top of head: Iron Statuette, depicting a rat standing on water
hidden somewhere uncomfortable: Rope, tucked within the armor

Kent brings:
Left Hip: Medicine? need advice on how to obtain/articulate this inventory item, but hopefully trading favors with Isaiah's help is enough to get some for of medical supplies
Right Hip: The Several Known Languages: a Written Primer on the Nuances of Civilized Communications.
Left Shoulder: Dried Fruit
Right Shoulder: Water
Chest/neck: Kent’s Guide to Artificing, a compendium of learned and found notes/knowledge on engineering and artificing, compiled by Kent Vogner, with over half the information being sourced from Kent's former mentor, the Serpentfolk Omeyocantli of Valusia
Head: Plate Mail, modified to include a removable face plate with dark goggles, to help protect against changes in light, and make them more difficult to identify.
Somewhere uncomfortable: Tools for Field Surgery

>>840340
Describe your procedure for approaching the goat-head door.

>>840346
It's possible to carry more stuff than the equipment you started with, y'know. That represented various limitations including salvage and haste. Now that you've got time and money (well, Geoffrey has money, and based on the precedent with Nistamatsin he's willing to loan some of it out to teammates for their equipment expenses, within reason) and are back in town, backpacks and tool belts can be carefully arranged, other containers acquired or customized. You could even load up hundreds of pounds of gear on a wheelbarrow or pack-mule.
>medical supplies?
Ulman Dark wouldn't be running a very good "one-stop shop" if he didn't even stock the basic stuff you'd need for refilling a first aid kit.

rolled 2, 4, 5 = 11

---

>Describe your procedure for approaching the goat-head door.

Same procedure as always. Prod it a bit with the ten foot pole, check for traps, then turn the handle. I'll use my left hand this time. I'll wait for Pog and Geoffrey to catch up first, of course.

>>840364
After the prodding phase, when you step forward to inspect more closely, the alcove's entire floor turns out to be a pit trap. Only ten feet deep, fortunately, and nothing interesting at the bottom apart from that new centipede-face-shaped dent in the stone floor.

Nistamatsin is not even slightly injured by the fall.

>>840346
Azure practices her song and dance routine for the upcoming dungeon. She encourages the party for the adventure tomorrow with her latest performance. And does a personal checkup of everyone going to make sure nobody misplaces anything.

Azure has a purse of silver thanks to Pog's lumberjack temp job and her own liason with the sailors. She'll go to the market in the evening and buy some supplies. Request shopping list in QuestDis plz.

... Of course, they're going to need someone trustworthy to guard the subterrene and all the expensive loot they're leaving behind. The obvious choice is Lieutenant Commander Jalkaren, but that means no divine-class spells.

>>840375
Crap, did Pog bring any rope? Oh wait, Geoffrey did. Pog does the pulling while Geoffrey is on watch.

Take ten.

rolled 4, 4, 2 = 10

---

>>840375
>new centipede-face-shaped dent in the stone floor.
Wait are you speaking metaphorically or did I actually dent the floor? It's hard to tell sometimes between all the jet powered apes and time travel.

>Nistamatsin is not even slightly injured by the fall.
That's good, though something tells me the statue lost a bit of its value.

>Pog does the pulling while Geoffrey is on watch.
Roll to climb?

rolled 5, 5, 6 = 16

---

>>840320
Listen to make sure nothing is down in the pit trap that might want to eat Valeno. Otherwise, carefully skulk along the narrow walkway, making sure to be quiet. (I don't know if it needs to be stated, but Valeno is storing quite a bit of poison saliva right now, just in case things get.... hairy.)

>>840586
>roll to climb
>rolled 4, 4, 2 = 10
You're back out of the pit safely, but that still leaves an inconvenient section of open space in front of the door.

>did I actually dent the floor?
Yes.

The centipede's bite injured the palm of Nistamatsin's hand, but not the back of the same hand, even though the mandible was gripping both, and thinking back, you remember that the statue's hands are positioned such that the surface of the palm isn't exposed. Accordingly, there isn't really a surface on the statue to which such wounds could have been accurately transferred. Close study of the statue's pose might reveal other such weak points.

>>840596
After four or five feet of progress along the ledge, the floor shifts slightly under Valeno's feet with an ominous click. There's a soft whirring or ticking sort of noise from up ahead, so soft you might just be imagining it.

>>840436
>shopping list
This might be a good place to start. https://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/730630.html#733271
Copying some stuff from GURPS Dungeon Fantasy:

Minimal Delver’s Kit
This is the suggested bare minimum for short-term travel and wilderness survival in environments that aren’t terribly demanding. It includes just enough provisions and basic comforts to avoid penalties for sleeping on rocks and eating bark for a few days, light for a couple of hours underground, a little rope for light-duty climbing and binding, and a bag to hold it all. This kit’s main advantage is cheapness – all but the poorest delvers can afford it. Penny-pinchers with the Survival skill might be tempted to forego buying even this much (why buy tasteless dried rations when you can trap tasty fresh game?), but the GM may impose penalties if traveling under harsh conditions, and everyone should have climbing gear and lighting for nighttime and subterranean adventures.
Minimal Delver’s Kit
$100, 20.5 lbs.
• Blanket (p. B288) [Torso] $20, 4 lbs.
• Canteen (p. B288) [Torso] $10, 3 lbs.
• Personal Basics (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] $5, 1 lb.
• Rations ×12 (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] $24, 6 lbs.
• Rope, 3/8” (10 yards) (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] Supports 300 lbs. $5, 1.5 lbs.
• Sack (1, p. 24) [Torso] Holds 40 lbs. $30, 3 lbs.
• Torch ×2 (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] $6, 2 lbs.

Deluxe Delver’s Kit
This add-on to the minimal delver’s kit offers a more comprehensive loadout for the well-prepared adventurer. It provides better lighting, climbing gear, and protection from the elements; superior storage; extra provisions; and welcome redundancy.
Deluxe Delver’s Kit
+$559, +40.2 lbs.
• Backpack, Frame (p. B288) [Torso] $100, 10 lbs.
• Bull’s-Eye Lantern (1, p. 26) [Sack or Backpack] $100, 2 lbs.
• Delver’s Webbing (1, p. 25) [Torso] $160, 3 lbs.
• Grapnel (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] Throw to 2¥ST yards. $80, 2 lbs.
• Hooded Cape (8, p. 17) [Torso] Can be used as a light cloak in combat (DB 1). $22, 2.2 lbs.
• Lantern Oil, 5 pints (p. B288) [Sack or Webbing] $10, 5 lbs.
• Rations ×6 (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] $12, 3 lbs.
• Rope, 3/4” (10 yards) (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] Supports 1,100 lbs. $25, 5 lbs.
• Sleeping Fur (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] $50, 8 lbs.

Group Kit
Not everyone needs his own shovel or first aid kit, but no team of adventurers should be without a few such items! This kit contains accessories that every group ought to have on hand but that don’t obviously fit a specific template. Consider obtaining one per three or four party members. In the wilderness, this stuff can be loaded on a beast of burden. In the dungeon, it may be necessary to divvy it up and distribute it among several people, unless there’s a lightly armored barbarian who doesn’t mind slinging it on his back.
Group Kit
+$365, +80 lbs.
• Crowbar, 3’ (p. B289) [Sack or Webbing] $20, 3 lbs.
• First Aid Kit (p. B289) [Sack or Backpack] $50, 2 lbs.
• Group Basics (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] $50, 20 lbs.
• Pickaxe (p. B289) [Sack or Backpack] $15, 8 lbs.
• Pole, 10’ (p. B288) [Torso] $8, 5 lbs.
• Sack ×2 (1, p. 24) [Torso] Holds 40 lbs. $60, 6 lbs.
• Shovel (p. B289) [Sack or Backpack] $12, 6 lbs.
• Tent, 4-Man (p. B288) [Sack or Backpack] $150, 30 lbs.

Anything else you're looking for, or want more information on, just ask.

rolled 4, 4, 3 = 11

---

>actually dented the floor
Huh. Is it more malleable than normal stone? I'll try to hit the bottom of the pit with the pole to see. Only other possibility I can think of is that the centipede's face has some sort of stone molding property. Any other indentations from the rest of my body, or just the face?

>Close study of the statue's pose might reveal other such weak points.
When did Rasmus say he was leaving?

>still leaves an inconvenient section of open space in front of the door.
Pog should be big enough to carry each of us across on his shoulders and climb out of the pit unassisted.

>>840647
>Pog should be big enough to carry each of us across on his shoulders and climb out of the pit unassisted.
The door on the far side of the pit seems to be stuck. Pog manages to rip the handle out of it's mounting, but the surrounding door won't budge.

rolled 2, 2, 2 = 6

---

Revised shopping list/Inventory:

3 pounds of Marbles, 1 Silver 3 lbs
Deluxe Lantern 3 Silver 4 lbs
80 Yards of Silk rope 2 silver 12 lbs
Crossbow 7.5 Silver 6 lbs
50 Broadhead Bolts, 25 Bodkin Bolts, 7.5 Silver n/a
Signal Whistle and Hand Mirror 1 silver n/a
20 pitons, 1 Silver 10 lbs
Healers Kit 10 Silver 10 lbs
Big Knife, 2 Silver 1 lbs
1 Bear Trap, 7 Silver 11 lbs
Grappling hook 4 silver 2 lbs
Backpack, Frame 5 Silver 10 lbs
Group Basics, 12 rations, 2 torches, 1 crowbar, 5 silver 28 lbs
Blanket 1 silver 4 lbs
3 silver for some anti-centipede poison maybe? Making it and even 3 gold would be nice, so any sort of preventative medicine or anti-venom in the 3 silver range would be useful.

What's Delver's Webbing? Is it like mesh rated to hang your gear off of? Because that's originally what I was going for with the chains I bought for Riv- bunch of links to hang gear off of, and extra uses on top.

Revised inventory:

Isaiah brings:
left hip: a week's worth of nonrechargeable waterproof ration-tablets
right hip: Jug of Oil
left shoulder: Big Hammer
right shoulder: Deluxe Lantern
chest/neck: Backpack
top of head: Iron Statuette, depicting a rat standing on water
hidden somewhere uncomfortable: Group Basics

1.5 pounds of Marbles, pack
Canvas, pack
Rope + silk rope, pack
Rations, pack
Dried Fruit, pack
Torches, pack
Crowbar, pack
Signal Whistle and hand mirror pack
10 Pitons, pack
Healers kit, pack
Water, pack
Bear trap, pack
Grappling hook, pack
Blanket, pack


Kent brings:
Left Hip: Crossbow
Right Hip: The Several Known Languages: a Written Primer on the Nuances of Civilized Communications.
Left Shoulder: Crossbow Bolts
Right Shoulder: Big Knife
Chest/neck: Kent’s Guide to Artificing, a compendium of learned and found notes/knowledge on engineering and artificing, compiled by Kent Vogner, with over half the information being sourced from Kent's former mentor, the Serpentfolk Omeyocantli of Valusia
Head: Plate Mail, modified to include a removable face plate with dark goggles, to help protect against changes in light, and make them more difficult to identify.
Somewhere uncomfortable: Tools for Field Surgery

Left Behind:
10 pitons
1.5 pounds of marbles


By my estimations Isaiah, who's carrying the pack and most of the gear should be carrying around 120 pounds or so? The new gear in the pack should be 87.5, before the water which, assuming a gallon container, should be a little over 8, rounding it up to 96. Gallon of oil makes that 105, and then there's canvas, fruit, and a big hammer, so I'm guesstimating but hopefully thats at the threshold of what he can reasonably carry for a day trip to the mouth before they can distribute the load more evenly.

There's still time for Rhea and Azure to join the late train to the dungeon- might be useful to have a few extra eyes and ears to establish a base room to keep the gear in, preform medical procedures, and generally keep the route out open and safe.

Rolling just in case there's anything I need to roll for.

rolled 2, 5, 2 = 9

---

>Kent suggests that they spend the day preparing, and leave on the morrow to go join the group with some fresh medicine and supplies
Rhea will agree to this, so long as the Read Weather she case before the scout group set off ( >>838536 ) didn't come back with something we don't want to travel through.

...although setting off with the whole group at once would have made distribution of supplies easier. (Pog probably has the biggest carrying capacity, easy).

>In order to reduce ambiguity, gimme a complete inventory of what you're bringing along and who's carrying it.
Rhea's got:

* Cinnamon Incense
* Cookware (limited set of pots and pans)
* Greekfire
* Bronze statuette (representation of her fire-divinity mother)
* Knives (of a type more suited for cooking or gathering than combat)
* Jug of oil
* Tools for lockpicking and field surgery (and dessert preparation)
Bamboo kindling
* 3 pendants taken from adventuring priests of foreign gods. (The silliness below is due to a crit failed religious lore check).
* The Functional set of relics (charged with an eye before leaving)
* Jar of preserved eyeballs (Tethru and time willing)
* Vial of deva Blood (for Celestial Healing, if Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light is willing to donate blood for this purpose when asked politely)

Let's say since Rhea last went adventuring, she replaced or repaired her damaged frypan, used up the bamboo firewood, and no longer has that gummed up mess of cave fisher filaments.

Might want to add a pack or similar for easier carrying all that gear, and maybe throw in some food / rations prepared in advance? Not sure I should really take much more though, I sort of expect the small goblin is close to carrying capacity here.

(Actually having Rhea prepare rations and stuff that will keep while she has access to the inn's kitchen and bolstering them with Abstemiousness is might be more cost effective than buying everything premade)?

Prepared spells for the day pending.

>Bamboo kindling
>(The silliness below is due to a crit failed religious lore check)
Ignore these copy-paste errors in the item list, I meant to edit these bits out.

>>840753
Isaiah could have easily cast mending on your pot, and Pog cut up firewood. Don’t know if you wanted to salvage something useful from the filaments but that could be possible as well.

>>840711
Forgot to mention the bracelet- Kent definitely brought that

rolled 4, 1, 5 = 10

---

>>840669
Well we can't just break it down as per Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light's orders. Might as well go check out the hand door instead.

Prod, check for traps, open.

Nistamatsin 2017/10/29(Sun)23:05 No. 840957 ID: af6e04
File 150934353975.png - (19.66KB , 800x800 , mouthofdoom3.png )

And...

rolled 3, 6, 2 = 11

---

>>840618
Valeno doesn't imagine they can go much faster without risking falling into the pit. But will keep tabs on the pressure plate. With the subtlety of the sounds, Valeno guesses that even in bright light they wouldn't know what was activated.

Regardless, have to push on ahead. Keep going slowly, being extra careful of other traps. Specifically pressure plates and trip wires.

"What kind of hospital has traps?" Valeno muses.

>>840711
>What's Delver's Webbing?
Belt and suspenders with pouches for 20 lbs. of potions, gadgets, knives, etc. Readying a carried item takes just one Ready maneuver – and is a free action with a suitable Fast-Draw roll. Gives +1 to DX and Fast-Draw rolls to reach these items.

>centipede antidote
One silver, half a pint per dose to negate the ongoing effects of a single specific poison. For best results against something fast-acting you should drink it at least a couple minutes, but no more than an hour, before being exposed.

Six silver for a basic alchemical healing potion that heals 1d6 damage, or seven silver for stuff he calls "paut" which restores 4 FP spent on magic, both also half a pint per dose, and too many of those healing potions in one day is hard on the kidneys. Potions that function directly by magic rather than alchemy are only an ounce per dose, have no safe-use-per-day limit, and can revive the dead, but are orders of magnitude more expensive.

Ulman Dark is somewhat of a stingy bastard, so you'll also need containers for any potions you're not going to drink on site: one silver gets you four half-pint vials made of clear, corrosion-resistant glass, or ten clay bottles which hold a full pint (two doses) each. Clay bottles weigh half a pound each, glass vials a quarter pound.

Three more silver and one pound for a belt or bandoleer with four slots, each holding one such clay bottle or two vials readily accessible but safe under hardened leather and padding, so they won't randomly break from minor mishaps such as falling down a pit or being shot with a hail of darts.

>75 crossbow bolts
That would weigh 4.5 pounds, in addition to significant bulk. Hip quiver can only hold 20 at once, and if you just cram the rest in a backpack they'll probably end up bent (and thus badly inaccurate). If you're looking to spend a lot of money on ammo, you could invest in quality over quantity: 5x cost for competition-grade bodkins with better quality fletching for +1 to hit, or 'devil-slayer' broadheads with silver plating over finer quality steel for +1 damage and possibly other useful effects against anything vulnerable to silver. If you're feeling really extravagant, 20x cost (that is, two silver per shot) for a bolt made entirely of black meteoric iron, which is immune to magic. Rips through defensive spells like they're not even there.

On the subject of Isaiah's provisions, has he been living off the nonrechargeables during that week of study, or receiving worship by some other means? There aren't any NPC beggars readily available, but Azure might have been able to leverage her courtesan skills while other students were sleeping.

>>841020
Ledge is only 10' long total. Past the pit, there's another seven yards of straight hallway, then a row of indentations across the width of the floor. They're six inches apart, and each is half an inch wide, two or three inches deep, tapering to a point like a tooth-mark in the stone. No tripwire or other apparent trigger mechanism. Investigate further, hold back until that whirring stops, or step across right away?

>>840951
>Well we can't just break it down as per Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light's orders.
Taking nonfunctional doors off their hinges is acceptable, you just need to be careful with the load-bearing walls and any irreplaceable artwork or books. Retrieving, rather than obliterating or devouring, the relatively intact remains of any of the original staff you happen across would also be preferable.
>hand door
>Prod, check for traps,
>rolled 4, 1, 5 = 10
Another 10' deep pit. Nobody falls in this time.

rolled 3, 1, 5 = 9

---

>As for the debate of whether the head in a jar will work as a backup... that's a question for in-character knowledge skills. Occultism, Theology (any religion which has any sort of official opinion on phoenixes and/or the afterlife [...]
Fire priestess seems a good authority to speak on pheonixes, and Rhea has the first hand advantage of being able to listen to Azure's blood mutter.

And there's also the option of consulting with Lt.Cmdr. Jalkaren Blessed-Is-The-Light, the healer who would be involved.

Theology and etc check: does Rhea think the head could be used to resurrect Azure if her ashes were prevented from rekindling?

rolled 1, 2, 5 = 8

---

>>841037
Alright, bump it up to 6 gold even then, and grab 8 glass vials, fill 4 of them with 4 doses of centipede antivenom, two with alchemical healing potions and 1 with paut. Get the delivers webbing and bandolier for Kent to carry the paut and spare vial, and change the arrows to the second tier that costs 5x more, giving me 10 broadhead and 5 bodkin. That math all checks out, right?

As for Isaiah I figured the barrels of ale would be heavy enough that any haul speed up the moving process- thought that combined with providing other, misc free labor and services as he was doing before he remember he should be in a dungeon would be enough to “earn” the prayers he needs to sustain himself. Rolling for it now, unless that last roll I made can apply to anything good, like travel or haggling.

rolled 2, 1, 5 = 8

---

Also, Azure will use her charm to help get a discount on all these purchases. Rolling.

>>841049
Phoenixes are usually more of an aboveground thing, but it should work, yeah. Unless the head's not genuine, in which case you'd end up with her separated-at-birth identical twin sister or something.
>>841080
Success, 10% off the list price.

rolled 6, 3, 6 = 15

---

>Another 10' deep pit. Nobody falls in this time.
Can we open the door or is it stuck like the other one?

rolled 1, 4, 2 = 7

---

>>841037
Crap, it's probably a portcullis. Valeno will hurry on through, rolling or whatever quick maneuver gets them past that door safely.

>>841068
Kent is also carrying the centipede antidote and alchemical healing potions, and by my estimates we've saved 12 silver- enough to get 5 meteorite tipped bolts and some proper thieves tools, with 15 copper left over, assuming the discount applies to that portion of the purchase as well, otherwise we'd be short 10 copper. Throwing in the extra $15 as charitable donations to a suitable party to help "encourage" those prayers to hanspur. If a guy off the street handed me $15, I'd thank whoever they asked me to.


Just to clarify, there were some typos before that may have obscured my meaning, but Isaiah is casting ant haul to help move barrels of ale and provide labor, as well as providing other services as needed/available, all free of charge, so I was kinda assuming that'd be enough for him to earn his needed prayers.

>>841115
Also seems to be stuck, a refreshing bit of rotational symmetry.

>>841150
Valeno steps across and out of the way with several seconds to spare before the whirring timer runs out and the portcullis slams down. The gaps between the bars are wide enough to squeeze through, so doubling back is still an option.

Continuing on past another pit/ledge/pressure-plate assembly (probably linked to the same mechanism), there's a T intersection. Straight ahead, or turn right toward (judging by the echoes) a larger chamber?

>>841153
Alright, Isaiah's upkeep for that week of study is covered and Azure's got an extra fifteen copper.

rolled 3, 3, 4 = 10

---

>>841285
Pog politely volunteers to check the remaining two doors for trapdoors or some new pair of symmetrical traps.

rolled 5, 1, 1 = 7

---

>>841285
Echoes? Valeno will listen to the sounds that come down from that passageway before making a decision on where to go.

Whether or not this is going to be a good choice remains to be seen. Although, while there is a moment of thought, Valeno might have an idea about all the traps: It seems they are only for restraining or keeping people from escaping. Which after learning about the disease, makes sense. However, that might mean these traps must have been effective, as Valeno hadn't heard of this disease till they got there....

Valeno will continue to keep on their guard, drawing a dagger.

>>841300
Footsteps from up ahead, at least fifty feet away, and faint giggling. A child?

rolled 6, 3, 5 = 14

---

>>841388
Giggling? A child? In a place like this? There is no way there is a child in a place like this. If any creature is having a good time down here, it most likely doesn't wish good will on anyone.

The other path seems to be the best option. Valeno will continue to skulk away.

(OOC: Is it possible that Valeno is aware of their curse? Or is it something like, "hey demons will find you, congratulations!")

rolled 1, 2, 4 = 7

---

>Also seems to be stuck, a refreshing bit of rotational symmetry.
This place isn't so bad. How about the skull and wolf doors?

We could probably figure out how to open these trapped doors, but we have so much ground to cover that's NOT blocked off. Might be better to come back to them.

>>841470
Valeno turns right, away from the giggling, and after about six paces trips over a bench. Lots of jumbled broken furniture, probably a waiting room that's been thoroughly vandalized. In the course of trying to circle around the debris she finds what seems to be a stone staircase leading upward. Climb, or continue ahead to check out that echo-y open space? In either case, will you go slow and silent in an effort to re-establish stealth, or slow while probing and tapping ahead with an improvised cane to minimize risk of traps and further tripping hazards, or fast and reckless to put as much distance between Valeno and the "child" as possible?

>>841488
Which one first?

rolled 5, 5, 1 = 11

---

>>841590
Valeno will wait for a moment, to see if the "child" is aware of them.

If not, climbing the stairs, up means further up out of this place. And the sooner the better. As for pace, a piece of debris will work for a prodding stick. Can it be done in such a way as it's not overtly loud? Like going at a relatively slow pace, but prodding ahead to be aware of trips and traps?

Still keeping a dagger in their primary hand, and poking stick in off-hand.

rolled 6, 5, 3 = 14

---

If all the extras are covered, then I think team homebodies is ready to head out- Rhea, Kent and Isaiah set out to join Team DungeonCrawler in the abandoned hospital.

Rolling for travel, my characters at least

>Which one first?
Skull

rolled 3 = 3

---

>>841607
>wait for a moment, to see if the "child" is aware
Footsteps are getting closer, but it seems like a leisurely strolling pace.

>Can [cane travel] be done in such a way as it's not overtly loud?
The main benefits of the technique are tactile probing of the floor ahead without needing to crouch or crawl, and crude echo-mapping of the surrounding environment. Not making noise would mean holding the stick out in front without deliberately touching the floor, which misses out on most of that sensory data.

There are six flights of stairs, with 10' square landings between them, each landing corresponding to a turn 90 degrees to the left. The first five flights have 44 steps each, every one eight inches deep and six inches high.

On the sixth flight of stairs, eyes level with the floor of a larger room, Valeno spots a flickering green light, most likely some alchemically supplemented or otherwise unnatural flame seen through the crack under a door. Before this light can be investigated properly, a rubbery man-sized lamprey/slug thing drops from the ceiling onto them and attempts to feed.

>>841631
The skull door doesn't seem to have any traps, and opens easily enough to reveal a long straight corridor, but the hinges squeak so badly, even Valeno can hear (though identifying the direction from jumbled echoes while distracted by combat will require a roll). A 6 or less on the die I just rolled means the noise also attracts a wandering monster.

>>841622
>rolling for travel
>rolled 6, 5, 3 = 14
Kent can't stand the sun, Rhea can't get enough of it, and Isaiah keeps getting sidetracked with minor watercourses and game-trails. If that wandering monster roll results in a fight, you won't arrive in time to get involved.

>>841743
That description was both apt, and amusing, thank you.

rolled 6, 6, 1 = 13

---

>>/questdis/117455
>>841743
Azure's flighty nature means she's constantly distracted by simple things on the road, but this time there's a rope on her leg and it's tied to Isiah. The constant conflict in where-to-go is helping them remember they had to do something, but they're mostly sidetracked and constantly diverting from the main path. Azure can find it easily enough.

Azure's distracted by shiny things along with the others. Roll determines if she finds something valuable.

>Kent can't stand the sun, Rhea can't get enough of it
It's a wonderful day isn't it?

Prepared spells for travel day:

Zeorth: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Enhanced Diplomacy, Purify Food and Drink.
First: Air Bubble, Clarion Call, [Domain Spell]

rolled 2, 4, 4 = 10

---

>Long straight corridor
Well, might as well check out how far it goes. Moving fairly slow with the pole.

>>841783
Thirty feet, then a 4-way intersection. Straight ahead and right continue on as far as can easily be seen, left hits either a dead end or a t-junction after another thirty feet.

Meanwhile, Geoffrey has been grabbed from behind by two zombies. A spear isn't much good when somebody gets too close.

rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9

---

>A 6 or less on the die I just rolled means the noise also attracts a wandering monster.
(OOC: B-but you only rolled one die....)

Is Valeno face-down or face up? It doesn't really change the fact that Valeno is going to stab this thing till no end, but if they are face-up then can the prodding stick be used to shove into its maw?

Its going to have a hard time feeding with a large stick down its throat.

Regardless if this works or not, stabbing will definitely be the next action.

>>841910
Valeno heard the phlegmy slithering sound of the leech's detachment from the ceiling, whipped that stick upward in an attempt to knock whatever-it-was aside. Dodged the bite, but not the bodyslam. Knocked down, they tumbled together back down the stairs to the fifth landing. (Picture something a bit like panels 5 through 8 here http://lackadaisy.foxprints.com/comic.php?comicid=120 but in total darkness)

Mid-tumble, trained instinct took over: when grappling a confirmed hostile with an unarmored neck, control target's head with off-hand, draw knife with dominant hand, thumb along back of blade, insert tip of blade into target's carotid artery, then follow through and slash forward in a smooth continuous motion to sever the trachea and prevent a scream. This giant leech doesn't seem to have a trachea, carotid artery, neck, or even much of a head, but the ol' grab-and-stab still took a lot of the fight out of it. Seems to be trying to squirm away rather than pressing the attack. Let it flee, or finish it off?
>B-but you only rolled one die....
One with 20 sides, yes. Not everything in this game is 3d6.

rolled 5, 6, 4 = 15

---

>>841936
Geoffrey alerts the party that it's time to retreat with his familiar scream, then he dexterously springs himself from the zombies' grip and takes off full tilt down the hallway in the direction the group came from.

rolled 1, 1, 6 = 8

---

Nin tries to yank the magic spear from Geoffrey's grasp with his magic ring. He tries to auction-style announce a very quick warning before stabbing the zombie.

>>841995
>dexterously springs himself from the zombies' grip
>rolled 5, 6, 4 = 15
One of the zombies managed to get a rotten-yet-unnaturally-strong hand onto Geoffrey's belt. The heroic desperation overdrive enchantment is dragged partway out of it's physical alignment with, and concomitant spiritual attunement to, his navel chakra (Mr Vargas does not know the proper technical terms, but can directly feel it happening thanks to sorcerous enlightenment, though not quite clearly or quickly enough to prevent it from happening) at the worst possible time, just as it's starting to warm up. The resultant magical misfire causes painful muscle spasms in his lower back, and unfastens the belt's buckle.

Geoffrey fumbles the spear, narrowly avoids losing a hand to the ancient and terrible curling flames, then falls flat on his face with his pants around his ankles.

>>841996
One zombie's torso is obliterated by fire. Disarticulated limbs fall limp and inert, but the severed head continues gnawing ineffectually on Geoffrey's shoulder.

The other zombie shambles over, pulls back it's maggoty fist for a mighty swing, and punches Nistamatsin in the chest. It feels like getting hit with a foam training weapon, or slapped by some petulant courtier's empty glove.

rolled 6, 1, 5 = 12

---

Pog grapples the remaining zombie, tearing off its arms with his bare hands.

rolled 5, 1, 6 = 12

---

>>842013
"DAMN'D FECKIN' BELLYBUTTON MAGIC HORSE SHIT!" Geoffrey shakes the zombie head off and billiard shoots it down the hallway with the dropped pole. Then he rolls over and pulls his pants up.

rolled 3, 5, 3 = 11

---

Nistamatsin briefly tries to look for a safe angle to stab around Pog's huge girth with the deadly spear, but instead opts to snatch the zombie's face.

Azure, Isaiah, Kent, and Rhea descend the stairs just in time to see Geoffrey Vargas putting his pants back on. He glances over at Pog and Nin mutilating corpses, and reflexively attempts to clarify that this isn't what it might look like.

rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4

---

>>842570
Kent uses a combination of sign language and body language to convey an idea without an exact translation, but conveys the idea of non-nonchalant acceptance, sort of a "whatever floats your boat pal" kind of deal. suggest everyone finish up their business in this room, and make a small "base camp" either outside the entrance, or in this nearby center room for injured people to get triage and supplies to be divided up, or left if they're not important.

Isaiah, who is carrying most of the supplies, is in the center room, doing exactly that, unpacking personal supplies from within himself, sorting out tents and bed rolls, helping Rhea set up a small cooking station, etc. He's gonna start using his road sight to more or less confirm the rooms mapped thus far, and whatever else he can scan from the central room.

rolled 1, 2, 3 = 6

---

When the boys are done taking those corpses apart, Rhea will gladly preform the rites for putting lost souls to rest, and immolate the remains.

rolled 3, 4, 4 = 11

---

"Not again... oh wait, those are just undead. Phew."

Azure asks Pog what happened. Then she reattaches the rope from Isiah to Pog's neck manacle.

Azure looks over the bodies for anything valuable the others passed off as garbage, like scraps from tapestries or ugly-looking rare-metal ore. Roll for appraisal check; hopefully she won't just focus on the shinies.

rolled 1, 3, 6 = 10

---

>>842621
Nin moves to embrace the new arrivals, covered in zombie gore.

Making a base camp is fine, but everybody should remember that bandits are stationed in this place and will probably raid any stationary camp when we're not in a position to defend it. Nin will go ahead perform a ritual to alarm the area where any supplies are left.

>>842643
Kent also suggest that there are at least 2 homebodies stationed in the “camp” at all times, so that there’s always someone in watch, but also to provide redundancy against traps and such. Can’t have everyone fall victim to the trap if not everyone is there to fall victim. At least, one would hope it works that way. Since Kent is proposing the idea, they’ll also offer to take first shift, unless anyone else is interested in having a rest- Geoffrey seems as though he may be particularly interested in having fewer monster near him.

JamesLeng 2017/11/05(Sun)08:04 No. 842695 ID: d36af7
File 150989784522.png - (622.82KB , 753x997 , critscry.png )

>>842610
>road sight
>rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4
I don't want to just hand you the whole map, but that definitely deserves something.

So, you're in room 1, obviously. The visible door in the alcove beneath the carving of a hand is either some sort of magic portal, or a completely fake door mounted directly on a solid stone wall, but there's a secret passage connected to the pit beneath it. The hallway to room 30 is 30 feet longer than your maps so far have indicated. Room 30 also has a secret door. Bandits and undead are based in rooms 15 and 16. Green fire in room 12, with some sweet-scented snake-like creature seeking it out.

rolled 5, 4, 1 = 10

---

>>841936
>One with 20 sides, yes. Not everything in this game is 3d6
(OOC: Good to know there are other dice used in this game, but i figured it came across as a joke. I always forget how much context you lose from text.)

Valeno will let the monster go, as other creatures are bound to have heard them, the wounded lamprey creature will serve as good bait.

Does Valeno hear the door creak? I would imagine they hear the yelling of a frustrated man. That will be the way to go. Valeno will attempt stealth again, also trying to stay clear of the lamprey-man so he can't get a cheap shot.

rolled 3, 4, 1 = 8

---

Nistamatsin throws his own map over his shoulder and stares eagerly at the one Isaiah drew. He says this is an excellent opportunity to strike the bandits before they are aware of our presence. Though this sweet-scented snake creature seems significant in a way that Nin can't exactly articulate, so maybe we should go looking for it first.

In any case, is everybody ready for a fight?

>>842817
Kent and Isaiah are both up for a fight, although each have their own reservations;

Isaiah would prefer they give the bandits some options to surrender, or sort things out without the need for violence; at the end of the day, all we really need is for the bandits to not be here in this hospital; whatever else they decide to do, or where they decide to go, well that's their choice. If [/i]they[/i] choose violence, then that's a poor choice on their part, and we should respond accordingly. Perhaps, depending on the number, they can wait for the group to split, overpower them, and use their show of force to convince them to leave. People are often resentful of such actions however, so it may not be wise to use threats and ultimatums to start off a social encounter. Whatever, course of action they decide to take though, Nin and the others should let Isaiah scout ahead and determine the relative number of individuals, and usual paths they take to get a head for how best to approach things.

Kent on the other hand, has no qualms about a surgical strike from the darkness; they've got a job to do, and the bandit's are worth a bounty if they remember correctly. If not, it still gets them closer to their end goal, but in general individuals wanted by the state are worth more to them alive. Kent's objection is that they should still have two people watching the camp at any one time. They should sort out volunteers before such an event.

Isaiah would prefer to lead the charge, so the group can gather more information, and so that Isaiah can try to offer the bandits choices as opposed to outright attacking them

Kent is to being part of either team.

Pog should probably be on the attacking team, unless they want to utilize stealth, in which case Pog's brawn should be used as an asset for holding off anything dangerous from attacking the camp.

Nin's face stealing power is useful for stealth and incapacitating enemies; however, the demon is also wounded, and not fighting at peak performance.

Rhea's healing and diplomacy skills would be useful, but how she feels about such a raid might affect her willingness to be involved. Azure also has some diplomatic experience, and the bandits might be slightly more lonely, although if they've formed tight relationships with each-other they may not take take a great interest in her.

If the angel can scry on us, cast spells on us, etc, perhaps we can get some long range magical assistance. If we meet up with Valeno, we could have one more person to aid our cause, although he may just want to get to town. We've got food, personal supplies, and medics though, not to mention safety in numbers compared to traveling alone, all of which could be offered in exchange for some help over the next couple days.

>give the bandits some options to surrender
Nin seems to take this as some sort of sarcastic joke and cackles conspiratorially. Though a couple of the bandits could be worth more to us than their bounty, alive, if we send them ahead of us faceless and bound at the wrists to check for traps and bad air.

>the demon is also wounded, and not fighting at peak performance.
Nin says that his stigmata are more annoying than debilitating, and that he is much better equipped to deal with physical trauma than the rest of the party. The bandit hideout has two entrances, so we could probably attack from both angles simultaneously. If Isaiah insists on leading a charge, he should hold on to the magic spear.

>we could have one more person to aid our cause
Are we sure this snake creature isn't in league with the bandits? If it is, we could pick it off while it's alone and use its face to our advantage.

I would like to hear what everybody else thinks before we make a move, but we should act quickly.

Also, can we do a quick experiment on exactly how this magic ring works? If I try to retrieve the spear when it's in somebody else's hands, does it just poof away from them or can they hold onto it? If I tug, can they feel said tug? If they hold on, do I feel the resistance? Perhaps we could work out some sort of messaging system between Nin and whoever's holding the spear.

Azure sings a dwarven melody and finds her throat is slightly dry. Some gargling later, and she's putting canaries to shame. Time to charm some bandits.

Pog gets psyched to enrage when Azure gives the signal. He's a little more focused and won't wander off in boredom for a few minutes.

>>842862
>stigmata

Kent looks at the brass covered palms, centipede bite, and zombie colored flesh Nin is currently sporting, does a bit of an “if you say so” movement, and suggests that if the bandits have monsters in their side, it would serve to explain how they’ve been able to stay holed up in here. A word of warning, if whatever creature Isaiah sensed is in league with the bandits then attacking it might loose them the element of surprise. Magical alarms and communication aren’t that hard to pull off, as Nin should know

Isaiah is surprisingly eager to grapple with another large snake creature, although he would like to take up the rear if that’s their plan

rolled 4, 1, 5 = 10

---

>In any case, is everybody ready for a fight?
Personally, Rhea would be more interested in visiting that green fire to question it than to pick a fight.

It also seems silly to charge in when we don't know what we're dealing with.

Since Isaiah was kind enough to provide [coordinates], we should be able to take a peek on what's going on in those rooms! Especially now that Mode is fully charged.

Rhea will set up her artifact set, and ask Mode to take a look at rooms 15 and 16, as indicated in Isaiah's map. We wanna know how many people, and dead un-people are there. (Probably don't want the super-expensive cubic yard by cubic yard scan, but there should be some compromise bellow complete resolution that allows counting)?

>>842922
Only way to scan at lower resolution is to spread out the sampled areas with gaps between 'em. If you're not expecting these people to have any wall-mounted shelving or important stuff hanging from the ceiling, though, Mode suggests simply scanning the region from floor to waist height, which ends up taking just over 7 minutes (1.2 eyeballs) for the target area.

Points of interest:

*Densitometry can distinguish between muscle, lung, and bone, but not between living and dead. It also doesn't have high enough resolution to distinguish clothing from fur, or resolve recognizable facial features, but metal weapons are relatively easy to recognize.
*There are five bodies in room 16, four standing, one laying down in a stone bathtub with no water, or more likely a sarcophagus.
*Only apparent metal in that room is some platinum-group stuff atop or possibly implanted shallowly inside the prone body's chest, and a tripwire (composition indeterminate, too thin to get a fix on) running north-south near the center of the room. Checking for mechanisms inside the walls would require more time.
*Room 15 has eight bodies, mostly seated on wooden stools, half armed with shortswords and small steel bucklers, the other half with two-handed axes, plus various knives and sticks.
*Room 15 also has two barrels, one of which is mostly full of water, while the other is dry but has between three and four pounds of gold coins at the bottom.

Setup, scan, and basic analysis take at least ten minutes all together, before even considering Rhea's language barrier as a complicating factor in subsequent discussion. Who's guarding which entrances against possible wandering monsters during that time?

>>842703
>>/questdis/117552
A stone door pivots open on the opposite side of the room from Valeno, releasing a flood of green fire-light which dramatically silhouettes an immense skeletal figure, and reveals several more giant leeches lurking on the ceiling.

Tellus Matrem, who heard sounds of a struggle and opened the door to investigate, is not immediately visible behind the pedestal the skeletal figure is standing on.

>rolled 5, 4, 1 = 10
Valeno does, however, notice someone - or some thing - shaped vaguely like a caricature of a plague-wracked orcish child barely old enough to walk and hold a knife at the same time, perched atop the just-opened door like a prankster's bucket boobytrap. It has six iridescent wings, one pair curled around for modesty, the other two extended like a dragonfly at rest. It sniffs the air, giggles, then abruptly vanishes.

rolled 3, 2, 4 = 9

---

>>842975
(Sorry for the late reply, but i am trying to get a bit of clarification before Valeno does something else)

Did the winged child-thing(?) not notice Valeno? (I am guessing the door must have opened towards Valeno, as they wouldn't see it otherwise.) And so it seemed perched to strike? And by abruptly vanished, as in, it was perched there, then "POOF" gone? And is Valeno in range to shoot a mouth dart at this thing?

rolled 5, 2, 2 = 9

---

>>842975
"Excuse me? I heard a bit of a scuff going on in here. I'm offering help, if you're interested. There's a lot of leeches in this room, and I doubt anyone here enjoys their company."

Rolling for general awareness and perception of possible threats.

rolled 5, 3, 1 = 9

---

>Who's guarding which entrances against possible wandering monsters during that time?
Well if I'm going to be barking out orders, Nin, Kent, and Geoffrey will take the South and East doors. Pog, Azure, and Isaiah on North and West. Rhea doing the scanning. Am I forgetting anybody?

The bandits outnumber us and those zombies will certainly be an issue for anybody trying to sneak in through that way. Azure may be able to win the bandits over but it'd be risky to send her in alone. Kent may be able to cause mobility issues for the bandits with their rippling power, and I may be able to create a slipping hazard. That magic spear can take out the zombies in one good stab, which seems important...

Here's a working plan. Isaiah, Rhea, and Geoffrey sneak in through 16. Nin and Pog lead the charge through fifteen backed up by Kent and Azure. What does everybody think?

rolled 6, 5, 4 = 15

---

>>843360
Whoops, forgot to respond to the door guarding question. List sounds good to me!

As for the attack plan, Isaiah is reluctant ambush the bandits. He feels strongly they should have a personal choice, even if it's one wrung out of them through coercion and threat. He doesn't quite understand the ethics of that just yet. He's rather pushy about going to seek out the snake room instead of planning an assault on the bandits right away. That sweet smelling snack creature could be a real problem if it attacks them from behind!

At least, Isaiah, that's what Isaiah tries to convince Nistamatsin of.

Rolling to guard the doors.

>Here's a working plan. Isaiah, Rhea, and Geoffrey sneak in through 16. Nin and Pog lead the charge through fifteen backed up by Kent and Azure. What does everybody think?
Rhea doesn't understand why you'd want to split up to deal with them all at once, when we don't know the groups in different rooms are working together (or aware or each other, as they're separated by secret doors).

>>843375
>going to seek out the snake room instead of planning an assault on the bandits right away.
That's fine, but I'd rather not mess around too much down here while the bandits are still alive.

>Isaiah is reluctant ambush the bandits.
The alternatives are either to try to avoid them as we explore, hope they don't catch wind of our presence and ambush us. Or we engage them on 'fair' terms while they have superior numbers.

>we don't know the groups in different rooms are working together
The idea was mainly to attack the bandits from two different fronts instead of being funneled through a single door. Do you think it's too risky?

>The idea was mainly to attack the bandits from two different fronts instead of being funneled through a single door. Do you think it's too risky?
A pincer in general isn't a bad idea, but to pincer 15 you need to send a group through 16, which looks to me like probably 4 lesser undead guarding what might be an intelligent undead caster / mummy / vampire in a sarcophagus waiting to pop up at intruders. That thing alone might be dangerous enough that we don't want to face it with half the team. Or at least, you don't want to be counting on your backup getting past it on a time limit.

Or in more Rhea appropriate speak: "What if that's a mummy or vampire in the box? Might be tough if we're split up, or enough to keep us from getting to you in time."

Azure votes for the pincer plan; If nobody guards the second door, the enemies on the far side can outflank or escape to call in reinforcements. Splitting the party is dangerous, but keeping the enemy from getting organized is a higher priority when most of the dungeon has not been captured or explored.

>>843352
>Did the winged child-thing(?) not notice Valeno?
Probably did notice.
>(I am guessing the door must have opened towards Valeno, as they wouldn't see it otherwise.)
That door is on a central pivot. There wouldn't have been any place for the child-thing to be standing before the door started to open.
>And so it seemed perched to strike?
Possibly, though it seemed more playful than tense.
>And by abruptly vanished, as in, it was perched there, then "POOF" gone?
Yes.
>And is Valeno in range to shoot a mouth dart at this thing?
>rolled 3, 2, 4 = 9
Mouth-dart range is five or six yards, and like any solid projectile weapon it's easier to fire down the gravity gradient than up. The thing's last known position is twelve yards away horizontally and four yards above where Valeno is standing, so it's well out of range. Thrown knife or rock might be an option, though, if you want to check whether it turned invisible or teleported away.

>>843355
The room is about seventy feet north-south by forty feet east-west, with an arched ceiling about fifteen to twenty feet high, and you're coming in through a concealed stone door in the middle of the west wall. There are three other apparent exits: a wooden door to the north, a wooden door to the east with a giant leech clinging to it, and stairs down along the southeast corner surrounded by a handrail. Upper end of the stairs is close to the east door. Five more leeches are visible on the ceiling, mostly around the southern half of the room.

The stone skeleton is ten feet tall, facing east, flanked by stone wolves as big as ponies, all three atop a five foot high, twelve foot diameter stone pedestal. None of the three have responded to light, movement, or noise. Possibly it's just a mundane statue.

Might be sensible to recap Tellus's appearance and social context for Shadowkaisen's benefit.

>>843453
>A pincer in general isn't a bad idea, but to pincer 15 you need to send a group through 16,
Or figure out what the other two corners of the bandit lair connect to and come through there.

>>843360
>Azure may be able to win the bandits over but it'd be risky to send her in alone.
Her social skills lean toward seduction, which works better when she's in a position of apparent vulnerability. If she doesn't win them over, and some of those "sticks" on the scan turn out to be bows and arrows, it'd be even more risky to be standing next to her, particularly in a confined space where the force of an explosion would be concentrated by reflection off the walls (because, yes, GURPS has rules for that, including the difference between a fully enclosed space and one with doors or windows or other potential vents fragile enough to be blown out by the blast).

>>843375
Letting Azure try the diplomacy first would also be more compatible with Isaiah's concern for the bandits' right to self-determination,
>rolled 6, 5, 4 = 15
...which he's passionately arguing for, at the cost of obvious distraction from sentry duty.

(It's helpful to think of effective skill in GURPS in 3-point increments. Effective skill 3 is the kind of odds someone might describe as one-in-a-million, though it's actually closer to one in 200. That's the outer limit of what can be made to happen with probability-warping magic based on rerolls. Effective skill 6 is a slim but non-negligible chance, like the odds of a direct hit with spray-and-pray 'suppressing fire,' enough to encourage old soldiers to keep their heads down but not enough to reliably stop the bold. Effective skill 9 is 37.5%, typical of a talented amateur, or a pro on a really bad day. Effective skill 12 is average competent professionals facing typical challenges on an adventure. Effective skill 15 is the level of mastery that might tempt someone to say "I could do this in my sleep!" Effective skill 18 is where it makes good mechanical sense to go out looking for more ways to show off or otherwise challenge yourself, since an extra point or two of penalties won't make you any less likely to succeed, and effective skill 21 or above is the level of mastery where "I could do this in my sleep" starts being an accurate assessment of the situation. Isaiah doesn't have extraordinary senses apart from road-and-river-scrying, nor is he all that extensively trained in observation and situational awareness, and a spooky dungeon by torchlight isn't going to be providing any circumstantial bonuses, so a roll of 15 is a failure. If he had effective skill 5 or less due to debilitating pain, heavy fog, "jinkies, I'm blind without my glasses" nearsightedness, or something like that, then it would have been a botch, but he's not doing quite that badly.)