(IC) Quickleaf's Rime of the Frostmaiden

[Steve Gorak]

Curious, Aric summons a bond fire away from the road, in front of one of the trap holes, to see if it will trigger

 

[Quickleaf]

Curious, Aric summons a bond fire away from the road, in front of one of the trap holes, to see if it will trigger

Aric conjures the Bonfire on the ground about 15 to 20 feet beyond the ice toad. Immediately, a piercing glow forms in the weep hole that is in the uppermost wall above the bonfire, and a few seconds later three bolts of magic launch from the weep hole down at the flames, striking the flagstone beneath. The single weep hole glows with piercing white light again, but no more magic missiles shoot forth...at least for now.

However, this agitates the ice toad, which begins making a fearful glub-glub-glub sound, soon echoed by the other ice toad down the western passage which takes a few quick steps forward and pauses, listening. Alma can tell it has interpreted the sudden commotion as a danger, and it shifts its splayed toes out into a wider stance as if getting poised to leap.

 

[Aethmud]

"That's it, Aric, now you've got those magic missiles roasting and toasting! Let them chew on that instead of us." Jack grins widely as he claps Aric on the shoulder.

"Alma, could you tell our new toadies to keep their croaks calm and rest their rumps? Just explain that we'll soon be on a shared mission to find some prime toad chow, and back in a jiffy."

Jack wonders just how many more times they can prod the magic missile trap before it runs out of bolts. The thought of it running dry brings a greedy glint to his eyes, as if imagining a treasure trove just beyond their reach. Excitedly, he exclaims to the whole party, "Let's hope our luck holds and we don't get zapped into next week. This is our chance to behold an ancient dwarven marvel in all its glory." Before even finishing, he begins rushing down the passage toward where Brydum said the gem press is located, calling back to everyone, "Why keep fortune waiting? Onward, to the Arcane Gem Press!"

 

[happylace]

"Of course," Alma nods, eyeing the toads warily as they react to Aric's experimentation. She raises her hands, turning back to the closest toad. Careful not to move any closer, lest that be seen as aggression.

"There is no threat, you are safe," she explains in Deep Speech. "Our companion is attempting to overcome an obstacle that keeps us from moving forward. If you would be willing to help us and travel together, we can find some fresh food for you. We are traveling deep into the tunnels, where live creatures dwell. We can help you obtain food that will taste good. That's what you want, right?"

As she's parlaying with the toads, Jack's declaration pulls her attention and her head snaps back towards him. Eyes blowing wide as he just launches himself towards the hallway. Not at all how she thought they'd be handling the trap. But she doesn't want to yell and startle the toads or agitate them further.

She quickly throws out a telepathic link towards him, calling out in his mind with a shuffling arrangement of voices, 'That's a bad idea. We don't have the resources to heal you for that much damage.'

 

[Quickleaf]

"Of course," Alma nods, eyeing the toads warily as they react to Aric's experimentation. She raises her hands, turning back to the closest toad. Careful not to move any closer, lest that be seen as aggression.

"There is no threat, you are safe," she explains in Deep Speech. "Our companion is attempting to overcome an obstacle that keeps us from moving forward. If you would be willing to help us and travel together, we can find some fresh food for you. We are traveling deep into the tunnels, where live creatures dwell. We can help you obtain food that will taste good. That's what you want, right?"

As she's parlaying with the toads, Jack's declaration pulls her attention and her head snaps back towards him. Eyes blowing wide as he just launches himself towards the hallway. Not at all how she thought they'd be handling the trap. But she doesn't want to yell and startle the toads or agitate them further.

She quickly throws out a telepathic link towards him, calling out in his mind with a shuffling arrangement of voices, 'That's a bad idea. We don't have the resources to heal you for that much damage.'

GM: How about a DC 10 Persuasion check to make a temporary alliance with the ice toads for the offer of food? I think earlier you said you had no fresh food, there was an illusion of a flower...but also you are fresh food, and you seem to capable enough to help them, there's been no hostile action on either side, so a 50/50 baseline check seems appropriate. also, to everyone else, i posed a question about letting Jack guinea pig himself or if anyone wants to run with [OOC] Quickleaf's Rime of the Frostmaiden [closed but waitlist is available]

 

[happylace]

GM: How about a DC 10 Persuasion check to make a temporary alliance with the ice toads for the offer of food? I think earlier you said you had no fresh food, there was an illusion of a flower...but also you are fresh food, and you seem to capable enough to help them, there's been no hostile action on either side, so a 50/50 baseline check seems appropriate. also, to everyone else, i posed a question about letting Jack guinea pig himself or if anyone wants to run with [OOC] Quickleaf's Rime of the Frostmaiden [closed but waitlist is available]

Persuasion: 1D20+5 = [13]+5 = 18

 

[Aethmud]

At first, Jack responds verbally to Alma, in a wry tone, "If you think this is a bad idea, you should have seen my first dozen other ideas!" Then, turning to look at her while the voices are speaking, he suddenly realizes that Alma's lips aren't moving. There must be some mind-to-mind connection at work. He thinks very hard, trying to add telepathically, "By the way, when you say 'we,' are you talking about some group of invisible friends with peculiar voices that you haven’t introduced me to yet?"

After a moment of hesitation, eyeing the glow from the holes near the ceiling, Jack acknowledges, aloud, "Fair point, Alma. We might need another decoy to dodge those dastardly darts." He surveys the scene, quickly scoops up a severed zombie forearm, and arranges it next to another to create an X shape on the floor. With a swift motion, he pulls out a torch and breathes fire on it, lighting it instantly. After propping the torch up on the crossed zombie limbs, Jack darts off in the direction of the Arcane Gem Press.

Spoiler: Spellcasting

Jack actually cast Druidcraft, a cantrip, to light the torch. The fire is real, but the appearance that he created it by breathing fire is a minor illusion.

"Now c'mon, let's see what ancient wonders await us!" he calls back as he runs headlong down the passageway, excitement and determination clear in his voice. He shouts, over his shoulder, "If you wanna take it slow and steady, just let the trap torch my torch first!"

 

[Quickleaf]

GM POST

At first, Jack responds verbally to Alma, in a wry tone, "If you think this is a bad idea, you should have seen my first dozen other ideas!" Then, turning to look at her while the voices are speaking, he suddenly realizes that Alma's lips aren't moving. There must be some mind-to-mind connection at work. He thinks very hard, trying to add telepathically, "By the way, when you say 'we,' are you talking about some group of invisible friends with peculiar voices that you haven’t introduced me to yet?"

After a moment of hesitation, eyeing the glow from the holes near the ceiling, Jack acknowledges, aloud, "Fair point, Alma. We might need another decoy to dodge those dastardly darts." He surveys the scene, quickly scoops up a severed zombie forearm, and arranges it next to another to create an X shape on the floor. With a swift motion, he pulls out a torch and breathes fire on it, lighting it instantly. After propping the torch up on the crossed zombie limbs, Jack darts off in the direction of the Arcane Gem Press.

Spoiler: Spellcasting

Jack actually cast Druidcraft, a cantrip, to light the torch. The fire is real, but the appearance that he created it by breathing fire is a minor illusion.

"Now c'mon, let's see what ancient wonders await us!" he calls back as he runs headlong down the passageway, excitement and determination clear in his voice. He shouts, over his shoulder, "If you wanna take it slow and steady, just let the trap torch my torch first!"

Three magic missiles pummel into the burning X of zombie arms. Half sprinting, half fluttering past the ice toad, Jack can feel his breathe nearly turn to ice in his lungs – the aura emanating from the toad is that cold. Just as he nears the entry into the Arcane Gem Press – catching a fleeting glimpse of an icy pool to the south – another weep hole lights up. Hissing through the air, one missile is diverted by Aric's bonfire, while the other two strike Jack in his back, sending him toppling into the chamber (6 damage). However, within the Gem Press he seems to be safe.

GM: magic missile trap v Jack: 2D4+2 = [1, 3]+2 = 6 force damage

Spoiler: Map

A massive machine, resembling an antiquated hydraulic press, occupies the center of this circular chamber with its walls engraved with a procession of dwarves carrying gems – with the gem carried appearing brighter and more multifaceted as the eye follows the carvings around the chamber. Clamps and knobs are set up to secure a gem no larger than a human's fist in the device. Pipes and pistons disappear into the ceiling, though there are gaps that would let a Small creature just barely squeeze up into the upper crawlspace. There are also several controls that Jack cannot make heads or tails of. However, there is a palpable hum of magic emanating from the Arcane Gem Press that any sorcerer could feel thrumming like the magic in their veins.

 

[Quickleaf]

"There is no threat, you are safe," she explains in Deep Speech. "Our companion is attempting to overcome an obstacle that keeps us from moving forward. If you would be willing to help us and travel together, we can find some fresh food for you. We are traveling deep into the tunnels, where live creatures dwell. We can help you obtain food that will taste good. That's what you want, right?"

Kr-koa-kwat blinks rapidly and makes soft nibbling sounds as if tasting invisible food. Telepathically, the ice toad responds to Alma: "Kr-koa-kwat and Twister help help. You help gulp. No slosh nosh. Good nosh. Hop hop? Or hop not?" The ice toad glances back over its shoulder around the passage with a quizzical cock of its pony-sized head.

 

[happylace]

'We as in the party--'

As soon as the toad starts making sounds, Alma drops the telepathy with Jack and turns her focus back to Kr-koa-kwat. She hears the missiles connect in the distance and the crash of a tiny body into the floor. But it doesn't sound like dying, so she hopes for the best. "Thank you. Ah. Yes. Hop hop. If you would."

"They'll help us," she relays to the others. "Do not attack."