D&D 5E The Lichway - IC Thread

OOC Thread
Rogues Gallery

The steep-sided walls of the Korm Basin slide by; Blackpearl's skiff has travelled the many miles from the opening to the sea, past rocky cliffs and scree of dark stone, the only sign of life some scrubby plants clinging to the side and birds wheeling overhead.

Now the walls of the Basin draw closer as you approach the southern end. The still waters are swallowed up by a huge cavern into which you pass. Ripples of reflected light play across the ceiling and sounds echo back to you. As the cavern roof descends there, at the rear, at the extreme edge of the daylight that shines through the mouth of the cavern, is the wharf of the Lichway.

Three stone towers project outwards; between them, two sets of stone steps lead upwards. To the right, a small river flows into the Korm Basin, under a stone bridge that leads away through a tunnel. By the left-most steps, the prow of a partially sunken barge pokes out of the water. All is as quiet as the grave.

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As all good old school adventures must, you begin at the "entrance" to the dungeon.
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Captain Blackpearl steers the craft next to the bridge and throws the anchor.
"Welcome to Lichway, people. Remind me again, what are we looking for?"

OOC: [MENTION=21938]Dr Simon[/MENTION], is there a way for the ship to pass the bridge into the river (you said it is calm, may be safer for the boat). If not, just put out the bumpers and anchor to the bridge

Mistral finishes a song about a crew who fell in love with a mermaid and never found their ways home. Seeing the wharf, he lays his lute down and prepares to leave the ship. He takes a hard look at the surroundings (6 perception bah)

Javier squinted at the sight of the Lichway. The warrior didn't bother to get up, seated somewhere in the middle of the boat. A ratty brown cloak provided scant protection against the weather, and his boots were well-worn and travel-stained. His jaw moved as he chewed on a small bit of leather, a habit he'd been indulging for most of the voyage. The big, lanky man hadn't spoken more than a handful of words, and most of them had been directed at the dwarf.

His eyes held the stone facade for a moment, narrowed a little, as if the structure offended him somehow. Then, still chewing, he looked at Rurik. "Ugly," he grunted. He slid his sword free of its sheath; it was a short, brutish weapon with a broad blade and a leather-wrapped hilt. He checked something on the grip, then slid it back into its sheath, apparently satisfied.

Zanword disembarks holding his cutlass in hand and looks over the remains of the ship on the far left.

OOC: Perception +2, Divine sense to feel unnatural presence.
Invisible castle seems down for good. Any alternatives?

Nissa stands, slowly walking toward the bow of the ship. Her wide eyes gaze in wonder as she takes in the sight of the three ancient towers.

She takes a moment to adjust her armor and weapons, before responding to the Captain.

"My thanks for the safe voyage Captain. The objectives of our quest are twofold. Firstly, discover and record whatever possible about the ancient burial rites of the Sandlanders. Secondly, uncover enough historical artifacts to make this a profitable venture."

Her purpose stated, Nissa resumes looking around, her eyes searching for any distinguishing markings or features.

OOC: Perception +4, any particular dice roller we should use?

Zanword studies the river under the bridge as he approaches the ancient wharves, but the bridge looks too low for his vessel, and not far beyond that the tunnel gets too low as well.

The bottom few steps of the wharves are covered in slimy weed and small shellfish, hinting at the tidal nature of the Korm Basin. They are also scattered with stone debris carved with the shapes of bones, and it looks like at one time an arch, or pillars, stood at the top of the stairs as the pediments are still there.

Nissa and Mistral scan the surroundings. At the top of the stairs, two tall sets of double doors lead away from the wharf. Immediately in front, the doors depict skeletons framing a stylised flame, but these doors are barred with four huge iron bars, rusted in place. At the left-hand end, opposite the bridge, the doors depict a similar set of skeletons, this time flanking a sylised waterfall. These doors are slightly ajar. A faint sound, like wind blowing gently through the trees, can be heard.

Zanword takes a look at the sunken barge. It is resting on the bottom, about 5 ft underwater, and bears a bier, a skeleton still lying askew on top of it, accoutred in rusting arms and shield. A small chest rests near the bottom too. He senses nothing unnatural nearby.

Ren shares an uneasy look with Ethian, then follows Nissa to the prow of the boat. He looks down at her and raises his eyebrows. "So this is the Lichway. Interesting stonework." He scans the construction from right to left, his gaze finally settling on the double doors at the far left. "Kind of dark. Guess you expected that, though." He gestures to the left with his chin. "I suppose that's where we need to go?"

The walls either side of the "fire portal" have old cressets for torches, but they are rusted and empty. As Ren points out, the only light is the natural light coming from the mouth of the water cavern.

[sblock]He actually meant dark in the spiritual sense - you know, skeletal carvings, etc. - because the stonework is the first thing Ren would notice. But if the lighting is poor, too, then the double meaning works. [/sblock]