DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3V - Into the Unknown / Out of the Darkness

DM

As the echoes of the fire giant's fall faded into the depths of the cavern, and the heavy footsteps of the retreating troll grew distant, silence settled over the party.

The enormous adamantine staff lay on the ground next to the defeated giant, a reminder of their hard-won victory, its engraved runes also a reminder of the giant's magical power.

The battle had taken its toll. Wounds were fresh and deep, and the party had not yet rested to refresh their magic; clearly they needed to take time and use caution, as this particular quest was far from over. As everyone caught their breath, the faint sound of moaning drifted from a dark passageway on the western portion of the cavern, the only way out as the fire giant's magma still blocks the other exit.

As the party cautiously approached the dark passageway, more runes could be seen inscribed on the wall, not even attempting to disguise what may be some sort of ward or trap for anyone headed into it. Or perhaps out of it?

Zhu

Carefully she examines the Staff and it's runes, trying to determine their purpose. She reaches out carefully to touch it and if nothing untoward happens she picks it up and then heads towards the moaning sound, Pausing to examine the runes on the wall first as well.

DM

The staff doesn't do anything when touched.

The runes are not in any recognizable modern language.

However, picking it up isn't quite as trivial. It's sized for a giant, and appears to weigh a hundred pounds.

(OOC - Oh well. Was hoping if it was magical it might resize for the wielder, like armour does. In that case, once she realizes how heavy it is she will leave it and go explore the other runes and the moaning.)

Sindar

Once Zhu drops the staff back down, the half-elf wanders over and takes a look at it. He mostly examines it in light of what he saw in the mural. He expects it is a old relic, but wants to learn more about the conflict.

<Bern>

As the others begin to assess the worth of what remains, he continues to scan for any 'threats' that may have been attracted by the sounds of the battle.

Zindra
She was not interested in the trinkets right now. She was interested in the troll. She didn't have fire but she had a blade and a bow and she knew how to move quietly and could see in the darkness. So could the troll, but she didn't intend on getting close enough for it to lay a hand on her.

She waved over to Bern before she disappeared into the darkness, letting the fellow ranger know which way she went.

Zindra moved after the troll, sword in hand, as quietly as she could, looking for drops of ichor on the ground, staying close to a wall or behind any outcropping to pause and listen for it's voice or footsteps. As she moves, she hears her foot touch a pebble that loosens a stone. It makes a noise.

Zindra Stealth
Neptune rolled 1d20+6 and got 10

Kriv

The Mephits had been as nothing, and it was but the work of a moment of will to wipe out the temporary effects of being exposed to their heat.


Kriv Second Wind
AJ rolled 1d10+7 and got 8


The Dragonborn returned to the group, eyes alighting on the staff. Items of historical significance were the scholar's forte.

Pavel

Seeing Kriv head back in, Pavel follows. Since his weapons are no longer trying to burn his hands he assumes all the flying creatures are dead.

DM

There's eventually a dead end and the Troll can only go so far.

It's not particularly observing whether it's being followed, just trying to run. But knowing it's being chased, it eventually finds a spot to maybe try to defend itself. For weaker foes it would have maybe been more threatening, but this party just took out a Fire Giant and the troll knows it's outmatched.

It speaks in the Giant language, "I no hurt you. Let me go."

Outside the cave, the Mephits see how useless they are, and the one who belongs to this plane of existence [MM4] returns to its original home, resembling an ordinary mound of magma. The rest blip back to their own plane of existence about 24 seconds later.

OOC: Sindar, roll Intelligence (Arcana).

Zindra
She replies in giant, "Then come out. We saw the giant punish you. We came for the giant not to kill you."

DM

Not being killed is a bonus for the troll, and it creeps back close enough to be able to see Zindra, but still mostly hides around a corner. "I stay here until you go," he says simply.

DM

Sindar's close investigation of the staff seems to hint at some connection with the story told on the mural in the ancient ruin. He recognizes that the adamantine metal that it's made of seems to be the same metal as the construct depicted in that story. And that metal seems to match the description Glork gave of what the Fire Giants who burned his home were after as well.

The runes themselves are not decorative; they look like they might tell a story. But what story is anyone's guess.

Zindra
"How about you follow at a safe distance. That way I can introduce you as an ally."

DM

"Why you need me?" the troll answers. "You want talk galdrmaðr. You passed on way in."

Kriv

The Dragonborn approached Sindar, casting a historian's eye over the massive artifact.

Davroar

Davroar cancels his summons of the bats When the Mephits disappear, and quickly looks for Jaliera, giving her a big hug when he finds her safe and uninjured.

"I'd better see if anyone else needs some healing..."

Making his back to Pavel and Kriv he will offer additional healing if they want it.

Pavel

"Yes, thank you." Pavel says at the offering from Davroar.

"Those things were trying to roast me and make sure I was lava broiled. Not to mention I almost became the giant 's squeeze ball. Any healing is welcome."

Jaliera

Seeing Davroar, she is delighted that he is well and better looking than when she last saw him. She returns his hug and smiles, proudly watching him offering healing.

"I have some healing potions, if we get to the point of needed them."

Zindra
"We want to talk to you. I don't know galdrmaðr but you show me."

She slings her bow over her shoulder and shows her hands knowing that her sword ready and within reach if things go poorly.

"I could kill you. I shoot wings off of flies for practice. I don't want to harm you. Come with me now and you are spared."

(OOC - Pande - Anything on the runes on the wall and the moaning sounds Zhu was investigating?)

DM

Threat of death is sufficient motivation for the troll to at least partially comply.

"I follow. But you not need me. Galdrmaðr help you."

Zindra

She leads the troll back to the others. As she walks, she asks the troll, "What is your name? I am Zindra."

When she gets close she says to the troll, "Raise your arms above your head. It is a signal that you are not going to risk your life by trying something stupid."