"Baber, there's a blue gemstone in the water - diagonally ahead, stuck in the rocks. Do you wish to try and retrieve it?" Gear says. "Dont stay on the rocks - We need to keep moving, the rocks will collapse if we stay on them. Worse, there's seaweed in the water - shredded, but the same type as... whatever those were we fought."
Baber looks up towards the bugs on the ceiling for a couple of seconds contemplating Gear's request before sighing and blowing out air and saying, "Aye, I'll go down there and take a look at that gemstone. But I just know something is going to grab me, wait and see!"
Then they secure their net to their belt, take a firm grip on their trident, and gracefully slip into the water and dive down towards the gem.
[OOC: I forget exactly how underwater movement without a swim speed works. Endless_Serpents, just have me move however far I can while I go look it up]
[OOC: I’ve got all the core books but it doesn’t seem to cover it well. Or I keep missing it when I look.
From the Player’s Handbook:
“Each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 extra feet in difficult terrain) when you’re climbing, swimming, or crawling. You ignore this extra cost if you have a climbing speed and use it to climb, or a swimming speed and use it to swim. At the DM’s option, climbing a slippery vertical surface or one with few handholds requires a successful Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, gaining any distance in rough water might require a successful Strength (Athletics) check.”
Except water is a 3D space with an important up and down, right?
So that’s 1 extra foot per 5 feet going down as you dive too.
Which is... You just make it to the gem, and are able to reach it. You’re at the bottom of the water.
Dislodging the gem it relatively simple, and will end your turn, but won’t require a roll.]
Endless_Serpents on
0
Options
Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
Hado points out the insects on the ceiling, "those bugs - they're harmless but they make a loud racket if they're disturbed. We should do our best to leave them alone."
"Gear, how do you want to proceed here? I think we should probably not get too far from Baber while they're deep underwater. Once we're sure there's nothing lurking to threaten them, do you prefer to try to swim or to make the leaps across to the other side?"
Gear twists her mouth. "Neither's really my forte to be honest. I think swimming with Baber's or your help is likely to be safer than jumping and risking a fall - the jagged rocks below look like they'd mess any of us up something fierce if we fell upon them"
Baber checks the area surrounding the sparkly gemstone before reaching out and taking it from it's resting place.
[OOC: If nothing happens, they'll inspect the gem while swimming up on their next turn, breaking the surface but otherwise staying in place above where they got the stone]
You make your way across the water smoothly. There’s no trouble here, and you’re quiet enough not to spark interest the bugs on the ceiling. Hado is forced to wait with a hand on the outcrop, there’s no room for him to get on.
Across much deeper water you see the unmistakable architecture of New Zellatia, black stone, sharp and brutal. It has none of the bright paint, hanging silks and mosaics you’re used to in order to take the grimness of it away.
The dome is guarded by two pillars covered in spiralling spikes. The dome itself has razor sharp obsidian blades jutting from it, and around the ominous archway carved figures in agony provide the only welcome. There are no windows or other means of entrance to the dome. Around the dome seaweed floats on the surface, torn to pieces.
The whole area is overgrown with stark white plant life, withered from lack of sunlight.
—
Baber, the gem is a small sapphire cracked on one side. It’s only worth 30gp, but that’s practically a day off work for you!
—
Hado, make a Perception check.
Gear, make a History or Arcana check.
Endless_Serpents on
+1
Options
Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
You’ve only seen pictures of it before. It’s not a subject you read up on lightly, and not one you read for long. The dome is one of the many sacrificial chambers the... you know... Vilelord... used for a couple hundred years before they were slain.
The Vilelord built thousands of spy towers and fortresses above ground, and tens of thousands of dungeons, mazes and worse below the earth. This cave system is connected to one of the ‘deeps’, a dangerous network beneath New Zellatia where terrible things came to pass.
Life could be drained from a being here for purposes known only to the Vilelord.
You hear a single droplet fall into the water, and flinch.
Gear blanches as she realizies what she's looking at. "...that's a sacrificial chamber. one of the.. the vilelords sacrificial chambers. Which means this network connects to the deeps"
geth roll 1d20+5 arcana to see if i can rember anything that might help us further about the sacrificial chamber, or identify a way to shut it down for good.
"Well, we said we'd get Fatta's joy back. We should hold to that. but we might have to do something about this chamber too... cant say i like the idea of leaving it intact behind"
Baber nods slowly and says, "Whatever they built it for can't be good. If we can't do something about it, we should at least let people know about it and have someone that CAN come here."
There’s no more you can glean by looking Gear. It could have been used regularly once, or never. The Vilelord built things all over the world out of some insane need.
Gear nods. "When we get back to town, we need to alert the proper authortiies on this. This is way too close to the city for comfort." She squares her shoulders.
[OOC: Please try your best to edit that map to give me an idea where you end up. Swimming costs 6 feet of movement per space.
There is only one narrow arch into the dome, so only one can enter at a time. You move in whatever order you post, so likely the first to post makes it to the dome and the rest must spend a turn in the water.
I’ll post a new map using your best effort as a base.]
Baber nods their head to the proposed plan and heads off towards the dome opening.
[OOC: Baber can make it to between the pillars in one turn I think, that's 24 feet of movement right? Also, once inside they'll wait to see if anyone else needs help since they can breathe underwater. Sorry it took so long to respond, I'm at work!]
From between the pillars you can see a huge mound within the dome, deep in shadow. You hear an odd bubbling noise, like a pot of boiling water, and the sound of something tapping over and over.
Hado, between climbing onto the outcrop, diving into the water on the other side and beginning to swim you don’t make it as far as you intend. You can feel what must be seaweed against your feet.
Gear, make your move. Each space costs 6 feet to swim across.
Gear moves up between hado and Baber (i'll update the map - i think that's 24 ft of movement? I'm not sure how much move i should have total since we're swimming, sorry!)
Baber whispers back to Gear and Hado, "Uh, there's something up ahead in the dome, and I think it's making weird sounds. I'm gonna keep going forward a bit, see if I can make out what it is."
Then Baber cautiously moves up towards the opening, trident at the ready
0
Options
Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
edited June 2020
Hado will move toward the opening after Baber and try to get a better look inside the dome.
Baber’s look:
One arm resting on a water worn step, you peer into the darkness. Your body’s natural glow has dimmed a little, but you’re easily able to make out a curved shape and two massive claws! You splash back, kicking frantically... but it barely moves. You can see it’s legs tapping, but it’s otherwise tied down inside the dome by masses of kelp and rotten old ropes.
It’s Rogo-Rogo! And. He. Is. So. Angry!
You can see him foaming at the mouth, straining against his bonds.
Hado’s look:
In front of Rogo-Rogo you see five pearls, they’re not especially large or perfectly shaped. Two are black, cracked and burnt. The other three are pristine. There are lines scratched into the tiles of the dome that link them up, and each line links to a sigil written in... not a language you know.
Gear’s look:
For your part you notice a lot of torn up seaweed inside the dome.
Taking in all angles for danger, you manage to take note of another structure on your right. It is built out of the cave wall and has a closed stone door. The door has no handle or keyhole, it looks sealed shut. Something for later, but always good to get to grips with your surroundings.
Gear looks back and forth at Hado and Baber. "We're freeing Rogo-Rogo, giving him his fish, then doing something vile to the bastard who did this to him, yes?"
The shock of adrenaline from suddenly confronting such a huge creature causes Baber's glow to pulse frantically for a second, but it slows down and goes back to a steady glow. They take in the entire scene and feel sadness for Rogo Rogo, and anger that someone would do this to it.
"It looks like Rogo Rogo is being restrained for some foul ritual. Hado, do you think you can calm it enough that I can free it without harm to either it or me?"
[OOC: maybe freeing it, even if befriended, isn't the best plan, but it's what I came up with lol. If y'all got a better one, go ahead and suggest it]
0
Options
Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
Hado nods in agreement. “That poor beast. He looks in terrible pain. Gear, what do you make of those pearls? I can try to calm the crab, but I wonder what that arcane sigil is doing. Which do we deal with first?”
Posts
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
Then they secure their net to their belt, take a firm grip on their trident, and gracefully slip into the water and dive down towards the gem.
[OOC: I forget exactly how underwater movement without a swim speed works. Endless_Serpents, just have me move however far I can while I go look it up]
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
From the Player’s Handbook:
“Each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 extra feet in difficult terrain) when you’re climbing, swimming, or crawling. You ignore this extra cost if you have a climbing speed and use it to climb, or a swimming speed and use it to swim. At the DM’s option, climbing a slippery vertical surface or one with few handholds requires a successful Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, gaining any distance in rough water might require a successful Strength (Athletics) check.”
Except water is a 3D space with an important up and down, right?
So that’s 1 extra foot per 5 feet going down as you dive too.
Which is... You just make it to the gem, and are able to reach it. You’re at the bottom of the water.
Dislodging the gem it relatively simple, and will end your turn, but won’t require a roll.]
"Gear, how do you want to proceed here? I think we should probably not get too far from Baber while they're deep underwater. Once we're sure there's nothing lurking to threaten them, do you prefer to try to swim or to make the leaps across to the other side?"
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
Hado eases into the water and follows Baber, staying at the surface.
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
[OOC: If nothing happens, they'll inspect the gem while swimming up on their next turn, breaking the surface but otherwise staying in place above where they got the stone]
Across much deeper water you see the unmistakable architecture of New Zellatia, black stone, sharp and brutal. It has none of the bright paint, hanging silks and mosaics you’re used to in order to take the grimness of it away.
The dome is guarded by two pillars covered in spiralling spikes. The dome itself has razor sharp obsidian blades jutting from it, and around the ominous archway carved figures in agony provide the only welcome. There are no windows or other means of entrance to the dome. Around the dome seaweed floats on the surface, torn to pieces.
The whole area is overgrown with stark white plant life, withered from lack of sunlight.
—
Baber, the gem is a small sapphire cracked on one side. It’s only worth 30gp, but that’s practically a day off work for you!
—
Hado, make a Perception check.
Gear, make a History or Arcana check.
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
The Vilelord built thousands of spy towers and fortresses above ground, and tens of thousands of dungeons, mazes and worse below the earth. This cave system is connected to one of the ‘deeps’, a dangerous network beneath New Zellatia where terrible things came to pass.
Life could be drained from a being here for purposes known only to the Vilelord.
You hear a single droplet fall into the water, and flinch.
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
"How do y'all wish to proceed?"
"Well, we said we'd get Fatta's joy back. We should hold to that. but we might have to do something about this chamber too... cant say i like the idea of leaving it intact behind"
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
((How much time do we figure has passed?))
"Nothing to do but move foward"
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
There is only one narrow arch into the dome, so only one can enter at a time. You move in whatever order you post, so likely the first to post makes it to the dome and the rest must spend a turn in the water.
I’ll post a new map using your best effort as a base.]
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
"Baber, if you lead, i follow, and Hado follows behind me - is that accepatble?"
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
Hado agrees, "Yes! Let's keep moving. I will follow you, Gear."
((Putting my move target lowercase inside parentheses. Hado will move towards that space following the others.))
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
[OOC: Baber can make it to between the pillars in one turn I think, that's 24 feet of movement right? Also, once inside they'll wait to see if anyone else needs help since they can breathe underwater. Sorry it took so long to respond, I'm at work!]
Hado, between climbing onto the outcrop, diving into the water on the other side and beginning to swim you don’t make it as far as you intend. You can feel what must be seaweed against your feet.
Gear, make your move. Each space costs 6 feet to swim across.
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
The water is cold and still.
What do you do now, Baber?
Then Baber cautiously moves up towards the opening, trident at the ready
Geth roll 1d20+5 for perception
((My dice are ornery today!))
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
Baber’s look:
One arm resting on a water worn step, you peer into the darkness. Your body’s natural glow has dimmed a little, but you’re easily able to make out a curved shape and two massive claws! You splash back, kicking frantically... but it barely moves. You can see it’s legs tapping, but it’s otherwise tied down inside the dome by masses of kelp and rotten old ropes.
It’s Rogo-Rogo! And. He. Is. So. Angry!
You can see him foaming at the mouth, straining against his bonds.
Hado’s look:
In front of Rogo-Rogo you see five pearls, they’re not especially large or perfectly shaped. Two are black, cracked and burnt. The other three are pristine. There are lines scratched into the tiles of the dome that link them up, and each line links to a sigil written in... not a language you know.
Gear’s look:
For your part you notice a lot of torn up seaweed inside the dome.
Taking in all angles for danger, you manage to take note of another structure on your right. It is built out of the cave wall and has a closed stone door. The door has no handle or keyhole, it looks sealed shut. Something for later, but always good to get to grips with your surroundings.
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheZombiePenguin
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/thezombiepenguin/
Switch: 0293 6817 9891
"It looks like Rogo Rogo is being restrained for some foul ritual. Hado, do you think you can calm it enough that I can free it without harm to either it or me?"
[OOC: maybe freeing it, even if befriended, isn't the best plan, but it's what I came up with lol. If y'all got a better one, go ahead and suggest it]