Academy of Drell, Part III

[Zhure]

The Hidden Underwater Grotto

Kith suggests Victor go ahead and take the time to dry eveyone off and then casts a cantrip.

He detects a lingering aura of magic, strong transmutation and moderate enchantment. The strongest source is near the northern, cooler cave mouth. No footprints can be seen near either egress, save for the groups.

Arana is about concerned about Fian. Normally he enjoys being towelled and ruffled, but now his back is arched and he's extremely upset.

"That was completely uncalled for," Fian mentally tells her.

Sildarin with Serbanas's blade drawn, sets himself so he can see both cave entrances, as well as the pool on the floor of the cavern.

Rallyn, with his more sensitive gnomish nose, catches a faint hint of rotting foulness coming up from the damp northern cave. From the eastern, warmer entrance, he can clearly smell sulphur.

 

[Jeremy]

Rallyn whispers softly, "Can you smell that? That entrance," He indicates the cold northern cave, "Has the stench of death or the dead... Or maybe the undead."

He shrugs uncomfortably, rolling his shoulders back and tightening his grip on his short spear, "It could just be my imagination. But that's what it smells like... And there is a tinge of sulfur from the other way, like an alchemist's lab or maybe a magma vent. Be careful poking around Kith."

I don't like this... Something is---off...

 

[Lichtenhart]

Victor lets his magic dry everyone, then he slowly and calmly approches Fian, trying to stroke her with his warm hands and dry her hair. If Fian lets him , when she's no more wet he will caress her on the back of the head, fondling her forehead with his fingers.

Answering to Rallyn he says absent-mindedly "I try. I had to make a point of being someway useful in every situation. I'm glad to help."

He walks a little forward, and when he catch the smell he unsheathes his beautiful sword.
"It looks like adventure lies that way. Be cautious."

Victor walks towards Kith and try to listen to the two cave mouths.

Listen 19+8=27 North 12+8=20 East

 

[Zhure]

Rallyn makes sure everyone knows about the odd scents coming from both directions.

Victor finishes drying everyone with his spell, including the slightly less irritated Fian. He draws his weapon and approaches both exits, listening intently. No sounds are apparent from either direction.

As the group quietens down and the pool resumes is no longer disturbed by your splashing entrance, it gets deadly quiet in the cavern. The only obvious sounds are the breathing from everyone.

 

[Dalamar]

Sildarin appears nervous, even more than when he normally is going to speak up.
"I don't... think... the silence... is good... It... makes me... nervous..."

 

[perivas]

Arana's vote

"Thank you, Victor. Is that better, Fian? Baby, I know you don't like to get wet, I'm sorry." She produces a small treat for her feline companion from her backpack and then proceeds to scratch her behind her ears. A soft purr emanates from Fian.

After a little while, Arana looks up and speaks, "Undeath and alchemist's lab! Told you there was adventure here." She eyes each passageway with curiosity. "Well, my vote is for the north. The more imminent threat should be tackled first. It could come out after us when we least expect it. So that's my vote." She begins to head in that direction, holding her lantern with the everburning sphere in front of her to try to get a better look.

Spot check: 13+3=16

 

[Jeremy]

Let's see.. If I remember right the man-at-arms goes first, followed by the priests, then the spell casters.. But we haven't got any trained warriors or priests...

"Stick together or send someone ahead to sneak a peak and scout out the danger?"

Rallyn looks around quickly for opinions, "I'm of the opinion that while knowing where you're going is good, splitting up is universally bad. Nothing good has ever come of splitting up in any adventure story I've read..."

 

[Zhure]

Sildarin seems completely unnerved by the developments, the silence of the cavern and it's ominous atmosphere. Perhaps it's merely his sensitive psionic nature, or his elven disposition regarding being closed in.

Arana tries to get Fian to be a little less angry.

Fian: 'There had better be something better than simple treats after this. I'm thinking of a saucer of iced milk and a warm and dry way out of here."

To the group, Arana suggests they travel northward (and downward) along the passage that smells of death. She makes a few tentative steps into the darkened tunnel with an everburning torch lighting the way.

After only a few feet down the passage she can see it widens up to a comfortable height of eight feet and seems to be roughly hewn, rather than natural stone. The slope increases, although not dramatically, and appears to bear directly north.

Rallyn tries to cobble together a 'marching order' by group concensus and seems content to wait for everyone to chime in. He does recommend a few basic strategies.

Sorry for the confusion brought about by my minivacation and the board swap. I was under the assumption that everyone was in the grotto. Let's wait for the others to either catch up or declare their intention to be in different scenes before we progress a lot further. See the OOC thread for a slightly longer discussion on this. Whatever each character wants to do is fine. From a DM's POV, splitting up takes up more of my time and makes it more difficult to run the game, but it's ok if you feel that's what your character wants or needs to do.
-- Greg

 

[evileeyore]

"Not to shatter the romantic ideal of adventure, but I doubt it is either an alchemists lab or Undead. The sulphur is probably venting from some lava pit. Which isn't say that can't be pretty adventurous. The smell is more than likely just some dead animal."

I really hope its not Godwin. Or even Coles for that matter.

Kith turns to Arana.

"As for a Fian. We graciously offer shared accommodations within our carrier." He taps the familiar carrier on his hip. "It kept Turin snug and dry."

At that the carrier door pops open and the masked face pokes out looking incredulous.

WHAT?! What, what, what?! Share my luxury suite with a cat?! Are you out of your mind?!

Kith grabs the ferret and hoists him up in front of his face.

"You can play the hero here Turin. Help the little lady in distress."

I'll help that 'little lady' out of her cat suit! Heh, more than one way to skin a cat. He he

"Now play nice. And remember who controls the treat cabinet."

Ooh, threaten the treats again , eh?

"Hmmm, your right too much stick, not enough carrot. Okay, new deal. Extra treats for a month, you share the carrier on the way out. Or extra treats for a month, you get to swim"

You bastard. You know I can't swim underwater. I'll think about it.

The ferret squirms out of his grasp, and scampers back into the carrier closing the door.

"Well, now as for travelling order. I've discovered you either want to lead with heavily armored warriors or lightly armored scouts. I am a bit of both, and as such I wouldn't mind leading.

 

[Jeremy]

Rallyn prevents himself from rolling his eyes at Kith.

I coulda sworn I said dead, dying, or undead, and I know I said it could very likely be a magma vent. I'm the one who was studying geothermics...

"Perhaps you misheard me Kith,"

Repeatedly.

Be nice! Karenia cuts in like a mental kick in the shin.

"I was really after whether we should send someone ahead to scout alone quietly, or if we should stick together. My vote is together, in which case you are quite welcome to take point."

Rallyn is courteous but quiet and deadly serious quite aware that ahead may be the dead bodies of Yodwin and Coles, both of whom may be---or rather have been---more powerful than the students combined.

"Who is for scouting ahead, and who is for sticking together?"