D&D 5E [IC] Uller's Out of the Abyss

[JustinCase]

OOC: I thought it would happen exactly the way Uller described. It is more convincing if we're brought into the city bound, and later are being brought to the sacrifice spot bound, too. And Topsy and Turvy need to go to the shrine, so it makes sense. I believe the city is not under the control of Ploop's daughter; I think the guards haven't taken sides (yet). Oh, and part of the Disguise spell makes Erevan look a bit more dark-skinned, as if he, too, has some drow ancestry. You never know how kuo toa react to surface elves. Just to be safe. Well, safer. I hope.

 

[Uller]

In response to Surana's actions: Ploop speaks in his own language and Shuushar translates: "If you will not let us bind them they cannot enter our city. You must not be the ones I thought you were. You are of no use to me. Take your gnomes and go. I will will not remove their curse and you may wander the underdark without my help."

OOC: If you persist or look like you are going to get violent Ploop will instruct his soldiers to untie the gnomes and then will send you away. Edit: The gnomes can either be with you as part of the "sacrifice" after the curse is lifted or they can wait at the Shrine of the Sea Mother out of the way. That is up to you.

Eldeth adds: "Look at it from their perspective, Surana. People everywhere fear wererats. They were driven off by their OWN people, for Moradin's sake!"

OOC: As for the behavior of the guards: Ploop left the city willingly to avoid violence. As in any similar situation there are the handful of stalwarts on either side (10-20% of the population) and then a bunch of folks in the middle who just want to get by and pick what side they are one based on what will most likely work out okay for them. That's how these guards are behaving. They are not Ploop loyalists but they are indifferent towards Blopp and Leemoogoogoon. You could try asking Shuushar what was said. You know that Leemoogoogoon's altar is on the lake shore and the shrine to the Sea Mother is in the middle of the village so it is likely the statue is the Sea Mother. But it is difficult to tell from here.

 

[Uller]

OOC: Also You must be bound to get into the city. The ruse is you are being brought in as gifts to Blopp. It's a little hard to sell if you are walking in on your own free will. You can take some time to wander the city if you can do so stealthily or come up with some other way. Disguise Self has a duration of 1 hour. Ploop is very anxious to remove the curse on the gnomes...that will take 20 minutes. You can proceed straight to the sacrifice from there or take some other action. If the Disguise Self spell wears off Erevan will have to recast it. Taking a long rest seems unlikely but I'm open to any path you choose to take.

 

[SunGold]

OOC: Alright, she'll let it go. Given that they're still fighting the curse, manhandling them just seems like a terrible idea. Fear and pain aren't going to help them keep it under control. But if that's what the kuo-toa demand to go get this done, let them do it and let's ditch this taco stand. Surana has no interest in doing anything in the city before the curse is lifted.

 

[Uller]

OOC: So...just to be clear. We have Ez, Erevan, Surana, Orsik and Topsy and Turvy entering the village. Everyone else is waiting back at Ploop's camp, correct? If you bring everyone, they all have to be bound (at least fake bound). That large of a group may raise suspicions, though.

You move through the village toward the nine-foot tall statue. It's body is roughly carved from some kind of wood in the shape of a humanoid female, its head and forearms formed from the severed head and claws of a giant albino crawfish/lobster thing. These parts are lashed on with strands of fish gut and emit an overpowering stench (do kuo-toa enjoy this smell?!?! Probably...).

Shells, brightly colored stones, mushrooms and rotting fish are piled at the statues feet (and maybe the glint of some coins? It's hard to tell) and strung as a garland around the statue's neck. Four stern looking monitors circle the statue and there are 6 other 'common' kuo-toa worshiping. Clearly not all the residents of Sloobludop are prepared to accept the Deep Father as their new patron deity.

A 'whip' is also there overseeing things. When he see's Ploop and they begin talking you realize this is Ploop's son, Gloogluglogg (Gloog). They exchange terse pleasantries and Gloog eyes you warily. After speaking for a few moments (and it gets a little heated), Ploop finally waives Gloop out of the way and his son hesitantly steps off to the side (is he sulking? It looks like it!). Shuushar explains that Gloog doesn't think they need outsiders to help them against his sister.

Ploop utters some sort of prayer, shakes his lobster headed staff and then turns towards you and motions for his soldiers to bring the gnomes forward. The gnomes are currently cowering behind Surana and Ez.

 

[JustinCase]

OOC: Correct.

Erevan, appearing as a bound, unarmed elf with dusky skin because of his magical disguise, whispers to the twins reassuringly.

"Don't be afraid. They'll help you to remove your curse. You'll be free, no longer outcasts, before this day is done."

Erevan hides his doubts behind his warm smile and comforting words. Despite everything, he is truly concerned for Topsy and Turvy, and all the other ex-prisoners, he found to his own surprise.

How careless he had been towards friends and family, back on the surface. All he used to care about was himself, his personal comfort and shiny things. Involuntarily, Erevan glances at the statue of the kuo toa goddess. A sparkle catches his eye; is that gold? A gem perhaps?

Erevan suddenly feels a familiar urge, long gone but sparked by his private thoughts.

He has to get his hands on that shiny thing at the base of the statue.

OOC: Not taking any action yet, but waiting for the right moment.

 

[DMAesh]

OOC: Weird, don't know why I didn't get a notification about these posts. Sorry! I would have responded earlier. Anyway, this was what I thought was going to happen, but then Surana mentioned Ploop's son. I guess it makes sense that we need to sneak into the city, if his daughter seems to be in control of the place.

Ezraen looks grim, but nods in agreement with Erevan's sentiment.

 

[Uller]

OOC: Weird, don't know why I didn't get a notification about these posts. Sorry! I would have responded earlier. Anyway, this was what I thought was going to happen, but then Surana mentioned Ploop's son. I guess it makes sense that we need to sneak into the city, if his daughter seems to be in control of the place.

Ezraen looks grim, but nods in agreement with Erevan's sentiment.

OOC: In case you missed anything: Ez, Erevan, Surana, Orsik and the twins are at the Shrine of the Sea Mother. Ploop is about to remove the curse from the twins with a ritual. Everyone else is outside the village at Ploop's camp waiting. Erevan is feeling mighty tempted by the shiny objects among the refuse piled at the Sea Mother's feet.

Two of the monitors move in and grab hold of the gnomes. The gnomes look at their friends, frightened but don't resist. They are carried Ploop who is near the statue and sat at his feet. Ploop begins reciting incantations to a beat bellowed out by the other kuo-toa. It is a deep musical beat, primal in its essence. The beat grows deeper and faster. The larger kuo-toa bleat out a lower longer tone, singing to their god as bullfrogs sing to the night. All the while Ploop continues his chant. His pupils dilate. The faint blue light reflects back out of his eyes and grows in intensity, very slowly. This goes on for many minutes.

For their part the twins are terrified. Two monitors stay with them and hold them in place but they don't struggle, although they surely want to. As the chanting goes on the two start to twist uncomfortably. It's almost imperceptible at first but then undeniable. They are changing! Their noses are growing longer. Their feet extend. Claws grow from their hands. Hair starts to sprout from their whispey heads. They hunch forward. They begin to twist...at first painfully. But then they begin lashing out.

Now it is the two monitors who are terrified. You begin to fear (or hope) they will let go!

Ploop continues his chant, not appearing to notice or perhaps unable to notice...

 

[DMAesh]

Ezraen rushes forward, praying over them with the protection from evil, hopefully before the change starts!

OOC: Knowing that Ez needs to choose one of the two, the half-drow instinctively chooses Topsy, and hopes that Orsik will follow his lead.

Lathander, Lord of the Morning, please lend your strength to this child. She needs your strength to fight this curse, if it is your will, take some of my own power to support her in this time of need.

 

[Uller]

A shell of greenish light appears around the twins. Ez goes into a trance. White light from Ez joins the green light. It conflicts for a moment then merges.

The two twins begin to revert their gnome form. You sense the ritual is working. But then something happens. The green light reverts from Turvy. Only tje white light is around him...seeming to protect him. But then it too withdraws.

Ploop looks on, terrified. The other kuo-toa back away in fright.

Everything goes black for a moment. When light returns to you Topsy is lying on the ground with her eyes closed like she is sleeping peacefully. But your horror Turvy is above her fully transformed into a rat-gnome hybrid. His bonds are gone!

He looks at all of you, his red eyes gleaming evilly, then down at his sister. He smiles wickedly. He's going to attack her!

Roll initiative if you want to stop him.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using EN World mobile app