D&D 5E [IC] THE CURSE OF AMBERSTAR

[Archon Basileus]

"This one seeks a place of many caves, connected to a misty plateau on the mountain, where within the depts an ancient idol is revered. Is this the Usurping Woods the cat describes?"

Embla seems to consider Aanzu's words for a while.

"I have no knowledge of misty valleys or paths through the Woods, except the one that ends here and the other that leads to the cities. Your best shot in finding it might be around these halls, I imagine." - she pauses for a moment, studying the hall. "Is this misty valley outside?" - she stares at the prince, considering his questions as parts of a puzzle. "As for idols, well... Some guard the Gates of Undru, while others were conceived by the tribes as means of communication with their dark masters. Maybe you'll find what you seek down below..."

"Opening to new ideas and questioning original assumption is a sign of a great leader. You will have to decide if all our different backgrounds and common meeting point make more sense as an illusion or madness. Or you should question your protectors willingness to lie to stay in power and remain important in the changed world."

Suddenly, the giantess is taken by a vivacious impulse. She quickly improvises a carrying basket from leather strips and pieces of armor, tying her newborn to herself while she speaks. "What am I thinking, I can't leave this place without understanding what's in here! Sardath's warriors wanted something, and as soon as they decide who's to lead in her stead, they're bound to return and finish what they started. And I bet it won't be good for the cities." - she rises suddenly. "Some of these gates should open under pressure" - she rises, turning on her heels to decide where to go next. Choosing north, she starts towards the doors.

"Come, prince, maybe your idol lies beyond those gates."

She strolls towards the doors, looking at tink's prisoner. "Will you interrogate the greenskin?" - she asks the heroes.

"We each come from different backgrounds and some of us come from far away from the world around your mountain. There is a dukedom, just at the feet of the mountain. I believe he asked for heroes to find out what caused the catastrophy. I met them just before they entered your realm. I'm will not say we're not all receivers of strange visions and memories from this place. But you said yourself, you never saw anything like our dragonborn prince or myself. We're from outside."

She begins to study the gates. Swiftly, she tatters around, trying to find a delicate way to open them. The twin sheets are forged in some strange league, akin to bronze in the way it ages. The high relief turned dark green long ago, as it seems, but this did not make the doors any frailer.

"No offense, but you could be aberrant. many things turned as the years passed. Some are completely distinct. Surprising, even to sages." - try as she may, she can't find her way in. "Anyone here knows locks and contraptions? I really don't want to risk bringing the room down as I mash the gates..."

"You are from a Teraphim city you say? What is that like?"

She begins to push the gate, her muscles tensing under the effort.

"Ghn! Well..." - she stops for a moment. "It's better than living on your own. The caves aren't for the weak. Besides,..." - she goes for another push - "... Ghnn... The Teraphim guide us... Mmmmrrrm!.. They've done so for a long time." - she stops once more, rearranging the bay around her back. "They communicate with us through Nova Palatine. There's where the Alfar roam... It's a place to serve all, as they would put it, with the chosen armies of the Teraphim to guide us, of course. If you ask me, I wouldn't trust them, not without direct involvement of the Teraphim."

She looks at the gates once more, studying potential alternatives.

"Amberilan's Heart, on the other hand... There's the place to serve all. And in all manners, as well..." - she smiles, satisfied. "My giant brethren, for example, found a place among the smaller races there. No prejudice or limitations. It's said to have been built by the Grey Architects. They still live there, helping preserve the roads and expand, when needed. Nice place to find jobs, food and fights!"

Instead, she's taking note of the layout of the canvernous complex, and possibly any threats that may be lurking in a corner.

Meanwhile, Poe detects distant movement down the abyss. His keen eyes are able to detect the noiseless crawling of shiny little eyes, several feet below. They do not seem interested in conflict, only in eavesdropping, if much. Their distance, though, suggests at least a fall of sixty feet more, beyond the bottom of the thick plaque that grounds the banquet hall the heroes now occupy. Poe's flight is accompanied by the soft gliding of the second raven, the one that warned the heroes about the storm, back at the surface.
the creature goes across the hall and perches around a half-broken statue, remaining silent for the time being.
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=6855102]Greenmtn[/MENTION] [MENTION=6776182]JustinCase[/MENTION] [MENTION=8858]hafrogman[/MENTION] [MENTION=23298]industrygothica[/MENTION]

 

[Neurotic]

"I know of all things mechanical. Let me check for the traps and maybe the lock can be found."

OOC: Thulwar is proficient in thieves tools, I didn't know what else can be takes for mechanical bits so I put jewellers (with all the fine tools), but if there is anything better, let me know.

 

[JustinCase]

Aanzu watches as Embla attempts in vain to open the gate, tilting his draconic head sideways as if he is a predator who is still deciding whether the curious creature is a potential meal or just a nuisance. When Thulwar offers to see what he can do, the dragonborn prince nods. This was the time for subtle mechanics, not brute strength, and Aanzu knew it was not his forte and lets the little creature do his thing.

"The misty valley was visible outside," he says slowly, as if having decided the giantess would not understand his words otherwise. "This particular idol is said to keep foes out. Do the foul greenskins have such an idol?"

Aanzu yawns, not really expecting any sensible answer from the giant anymore, but still listens to any response she makes. He then turns to his allies and speaks a little quicker, obviously finding them more intelligent than Embla.

"When the little one opens the gate, time is here to follow the sands to our destination," the Sethmandu prince says with his strange imagery.

 

[Shayuri]

Having been silent for a time, absorbing the giant's information and of little help in dealing with the gate, Icosa abruptly speaks up.

"Have you encountered any Teraphim personally? What is their nature?"

 

[Archon Basileus]

"I know of all things mechanical. Let me check for the traps and maybe the lock can be found."

Embla steps aside, giving Thulwar - and potentially Tink - space to work on the door.

[Thieves' tools is perfect, considering we are to broaden its usefulness. Roll against it, by the way!]

"This particular idol is said to keep foes out. Do the foul greenskins have such an idol?"

While Thulwar works on the door, the giantess seems to consider Aanzu's words. Oddly enough - and even though she probably can't capture AAnzu's feelings - she returns the contemptuous look that Aanzu gives her, as if finding him too strange - or too limited - for a proper debate.

"I'm assuming you can point out the direction of your 'misty valley'... If it shows, I can try to guide you under the earth to the relative position of your valley." - she turns once more to the door, following casually Thulwar's handiwork.

"Have you encountered any Teraphim personally? What is their nature?"

"Indeed. We all have, at one point or another. Although it is difficult to speak of their nature. For each of us, they manifest through a unique form. Sometimes, they appear as the armor-clad warriors of legend, brandishing their bolt-machines. But they never reveal their faces. I take it that they can choose how they appear, according to the person and the situation..." - she looks at Icosa. "To me, they appeared as the ethereal titans of old, for the most part, but I have heard people describe them as children of melodic voice, golden serpents, lions with human faces, talking totems and even winged beings." - she rearranges her baby within her arms as she speaks. "Most of the times, the descriptions told more about the observer than they did of the Teraphins. Except when they dressed for war - on their armored manifestation there are no discrepancies to record."

"Aside from that, their appearances are a rather common sight. They preach, lead, heal the sick and wounded, take the young ones when they show potential, bring food and point towards new, hidden areas that might serve us well. They educate us in the ways of the world and fight on our side when needed. They operate the systems around town, and train the most talented among us to do so. To those, they even grant access to the inner sanctum, beyond their metal walls." - she seems to hold them in a great deal of respect.
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=6855102]Greenmtn[/MENTION] [MENTION=23298]industrygothica[/MENTION] [MENTION=6776182]JustinCase[/MENTION] [MENTION=8858]hafrogman[/MENTION]

 

[Neurotic]

[roll0] didn't mention any ability or skill so basic roll with only proficiency only

 

[Shayuri]

(I think it's a Dex check with Proficiency?)

 

[industrygothica]

Meanwhile, Poe detects distant movement down the abyss. His keen eyes are able to detect the noiseless crawling of shiny little eyes, several feet below. They do not seem interested in conflict, only in eavesdropping, if much. Their distance, though, suggests at least a fall of sixty feet more, beyond the bottom of the thick plaque that grounds the banquet hall the heroes now occupy. Poe's flight is accompanied by the soft gliding of the second raven, the one that warned the heroes about the storm, back at the surface.
the creature goes across the hall and perches around a half-broken statue, remaining silent for the time being.

Lyllie waits for an opening in the conversation and then relays what she's seen to the others.

 

[Neurotic]

(I think it's a Dex check with Proficiency?)

OOC: IIRC it is a floating proficiency bonus that can apply to a skill (such as perception) or dex check or whatever else is pertinent for that particular use. I might be mistaken. Anyhow, if it is straight dex + proficiency total roll is 19

 

[Archon Basileus]

[It went for perception or dex, no problem! Sorry, I keep leaving it out!]

While Lyllie presents her findings, Thulwar uncovers the secret of the door. It should leave most explorers stuck outside, since the contraption is far from common. The gates employ an internal pressure system, hidden behind two small sliding plates. Since they're integrated to the high relieves, it would take the combined efforts of thieving and machine-tinkering to open it. Thulwar studies the triggers for a while, and eventually he uncovers the means to open the massive doors. The gates slide inside the stone walls, leaving the way open for the heroes to go through.

On the other side, what seems to be a great, long hall stretches ahead. Inside, a thick fog, not unlike the one found in the valley above, hides the contents that the new area might be hiding. Waves of heat come from inside, coloring the walls with moist and oddly-drawn forms of mold and fungi.

Embla turns over her shoulder, looking towards Aanzu with a mocking, delighted air. "Maybe this is part of your mystery, Your Highness" - she turns again and steps inside the room, graciously.

[According to Yttrian's maps, this should be a ritual room, dedicated to cults and sacrifices in the old days of the Teraphim. Marked on the papers the elf brought along are several thermal pools, build to allow the cleansing of the faithful as they appeared before the Teraphim. Strange signs suggest ventilation chasms above, as well as a heating source below.]

As above, the fog allows almost no visibility. It begins a few steps beyond the doors, and it surrounds the room from the floor to the roof, some fifty feet above, maybe more. The floor was once carefully covered in decorative plaques, but many were set loose, whatever kept them in place rotted away by the persistent vapors. On the sides, stone shelves can be seen, preserving entire sets of clothes, eaten away by the strange conditions of the environment. The air feels heavy, and the hissing sound of gases escaping through thin openings is constant. Beneath it, the rumoring of waters can be heard, coming from within the copious steaming clouds.

@Neurotic @industrygothica @JustinCase @Greenmtn @hafrogman @Shayuri