(IC) Quickleaf's Rime of the Frostmaiden

[Neurotic]

Lumrolur slips onto the passage, trying to rain unseen, using shadows of his conpanions as distractions from being observed.

He avoided the last blast, and additional light from the trap might make the difference.

Ooc: go over the rubble to the right. does he know of blue crystal frogs from underdark? Away from conp, roll as needed

 

[Aethmud]

Following his companions' gaze, Jack is able to make out some hazy shadows down the hallway. Intending to show the mystery creature that the party means no harm, he gathers up a handful of fey energy, his wings fluttering lightly as he holds his palms open.

Spoiler: Spell casting

Jack is casting Minor Illusion (for the snowman and flower) and Druidcraft (for the snow flakes), both cantrips.

Tiny motes of light and glittering frost coalesce around his fingers, forming a shimmering orb that he tosses gently toward the center of the scattered array of zombie arms. As the orb lands, it expands into a charming scene: a small snowman, perfectly crafted, holding a vibrant, oversized flower. The flower is a brilliant, otherworldly bloom with petals that shimmer in iridescent hues of violet and teal, radiating a gentle, soothing glow that casts playful reflections on the snowman's frosty surface. Around the snowman, a gentle flurry of snowflakes twirls, creating an enchanting scene that stands in stark contrast to the dank, foreboding cave.

Jack watches the results of his spell casting with satisfaction, as a whimsical grin spreads across his face. The snowman, with its jaunty hat and bright button eyes, seems almost to wink as the snowflakes swirl around it in a magical dance.

"Mysterious creature, we come in peace," Jack calls out in a soft and and cheerful tone, his voice echoing softly through the passage. "No need to fight when we can share a bit of wonder instead. Consider this flower a peace offering. Let's keep things friendly, shall we?"

 

[Necropolitan]

Zeth hangs back, ready to cast a spell if this new creature turns out to be hostile.

"Be careful, there's no reason to take a risk like this."

Guessing that other group members might not see the crystal toad he calls back to them.

"There's something up ahead. Looks like a giant toad covered in crystals. Whatever it is it's big enough to eat zombies, so watch out if it attacks."

The creature looks magical. Maybe it could be useful somehow? Zeth wracks his memories to figure it out.

OOC: Arcana check = 1D20+6 = [13]+6 = 19

 

[Quickleaf]

GM POST

@Neurotic As Lumrolur slinks carefully over the rubble to the west, the false weep holes along the upper walls in the curving west passage begin to illuminate with piercing light. Best not to chance it without a strategy. Stepping back, Lumrolur observes the light dissipate.

@Necropolitan Based on the sudden drop in temperature that emanates from the eastern passage, Zeth would hazard a guess that this giant toad is imbued with elemental frost emanating an aura of extreme cold around it. Perhaps the crystals could be enchanted to create perpetual ice – though such a commodity would have little value now with the Eternal Rime blanketing Icewind Dale in frost, it might have great value beyond.

@Aethmud The illusory glittering snowman spins about with what seems like a smile, holding the teal-and-violet blossom as if a peace offering. Thud. Thud. Thud. The pony-sized toad comes into the red light, lending its blue skin a purplish hue. Only the zombie's arms stick out of its mouth, as the toad cocks its head, nicitating membranes closing-and-opening on its quizzical eyes. It seems to recognize that words are being spoken, but it seems much more interested in the snowman. Leaning forward, the toad causes crackling veins of frost to form on the stone where it steps, its frosty aura which you all can feel seeming to become more potent within 5 feet of it. A series of curious croaks show an unusual fluctuation of low and high tones for a mere beast.

Suddenly, the toad snaps forward, attempting to bite the snowman and flower, which scatter in scintillating snow dust.

In the process, the dwarven zombie (wearing the necklace with silver-axe pendant) pries itself free of the toad's maw, collapsing on the cold ground covered in saliva. The zombie's legs are completely frost-bitten and it seems unable to do much more than crawl.

 

[happylace]

Alma sticks close to the wall, senses perked and ready to act [Readying Mind Sliver for if the creature attacks]. Since Jack has already given away their presence, she has no qualms calling out, "It seems like an animal. It's unlikely it understands your attempts to parlay. We need to either get moving or deal with it. We don't want to risk it pushing us down that trapped hallway."

 

[Quickleaf]

GM POST

Alma sticks close to the wall, senses perked and ready to act [Readying Mind Sliver for if the creature attacks]. Since Jack has already given away their presence, she has no qualms calling out, "It seems like an animal. It's unlikely it understands your attempts to parlay. We need to either get moving or deal with it. We don't want to risk it pushing us down that trapped hallway."

As if in response to Alma's voice and dismay at finding the flower to be illusion, and not food at all, the toad bellows a low whurm-whurm sound, glancing between the struggling dwarvish zombie at its feet and the frontline of your party. Brydum calls over his shoulder, "I don't like the way that Underdark beastie is looking at us!"

Then, echoing in the darkness of the western passage, a throaty croaking response pierces the tunnel. Those of you who have Darkvision can make out a slightly larger giant toad – this one the size of a pony fatted on too much grain, swollen to absurd proportions – padding down the west passage in tentative steps.

Strangely, the weep holes above both passages do NOT illuminate as the giant ice toads move down them.

Spoiler: Map

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[Neurotic]

"There is another one! Bigger! I'll try to get them in the trap. Don't move!"
With that, Lumrolur steps into the trapped area again.

Spoiler: Actions

Move: into the area starting the trap, just far enough to trigger it, no further
Action: ready to dash out of the area when it seems to trigger

OOC: The strategy IS to trigger the trap by myself, counting on save advantage against magic and expectation of the trigger to move out of the effect

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Logrim takes in the new data and comes to a hypothesis. It's possible the trap is detecting their body heat. He could test this theory with a torch but first they would need to get rid of these toad creatures.

"I have a theory that the trap is thermodynamically reactive. It is the only explanation that fits all the available data."

Logrim raises his crossbow.

"I don't think they're friendly."

Logrim holds his fire waiting to see if the toads continue to threaten the group.

 

[Quickleaf]

"There is another one! Bigger! I'll try to get them in the trap. Don't move!"
With that, Lumrolur steps into the trapped area again.

Spoiler: Actions

Move: into the area starting the trap, just far enough to trigger it, no further
Action: ready to dash out of the area when it seems to trigger

OOC: The strategy IS to trigger the trap by myself, counting on save advantage against magic and expectation of the trigger to move out of the effect

Lumrolur pads forward along the western passage, getting a better view of the bigger toad with crystals along its back and waves of frost emanating from its body. As fast as he is, when the light gets too piercing, suddenly three streaking missiles of sparking whitish-bluish light streak right at Lumrolur faster than an arrow, changing direction mid-flight to target him!

None of them redirect toward the ice toad, as if it weren't even there... However, it does pause momentarily, blinking with a confounded cro-ooak?

GM: Edit: Ah, I forgot my own house rule! @Neurotic Make a DC 14 Perception check. If you succeed, you're able to take a reaction before the trap triggers, leaping out of its range, and taking no damage. If you fail, take the (mitigated) damage below... Natural 1, take 11 damage instead. Magic missiles deal 8 force damage to Lumrolur magic missile trap v Lumrolur: 2D4+2 = [4, 2]+2 = 8

 

[Quickleaf]

Logrim takes in the new data and comes to a hypothesis. It's possible the trap is detecting their body heat. He could test this theory with a torch but first they would need to get rid of these toad creatures.

"I have a theory that the trap is thermodynamically reactive. It is the only explanation that fits all the available data."

Logrim raises his crossbow.

"I don't think they're friendly."

Logrim holds his fire waiting to see if the toads continue to threaten the group.

Upon Logrim raising his crossbow, the other pony-sized ice toad pauses and cocks its head at him, throat expanding and contracting. It makes a bizarre sequence of croaks, that seem equal parts curious, cautious, and hungry. The variety of intonations seems rather complex for a toad.