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

DM

The troll reluctantly follows, keeping within sight of Zindra but trying to hide around corners whenever he can. He doesn't answer the question.... he's not interested in making friends, just making it out of this cave alive. Which means he does follow the instructions to raise his arms when directed.

He does look around for any other ways to escape in case these giant-killers go back on their word.

Zindra

She emerges from the tunnel with the troll following close behind, hands in the air.

"He won't tell me his name but he wants to live. Let's make sure he doesn't find a way out of here and then we'll have a chat with him. Keep your weapons sheathed unless he decides to run away. He says we should talk to Galdrmaðr. Does anyone know what that means?"

Davroar

He will cast healing on Pavel, and with Kriv nearby he will heal him too.

Davroar cure wounds level 2 on Kriv
Dugan rolled 2d8+7 and got 16

Davroar cure wounds level 2 on Pavel
Dugan rolled 2d8+7 and got 15

Aubric

"Did he say where we would find this... uh... whatever that word was?" the cleric asks.

Jaliera

If Zhu is following the moaning, Jaliera is following her.

<Bern>

He lowers his bow at Zindra's request.

Kriv

"It's the staff, isn't it? Nothing else here seems worthy of a name."

Aubric

The cleric tilts his head toward the darkened passage that they haven't yet explored.

"Yet."

(OOC - It is being explored by Zhu. Am waiting for results.)

DM

For those who have decided to explore the dark corner of the cave where moaning sounds were heard, they can see down the passage entrance up until it turns a corner. A large rune is present within a few feet of where the passage branches off, in clear view and possibly intended as a warning to anyone that there could be magical warding. Whether to keep the moaning creature in or investigating creatures out, or both, is unknown.

The giant's spells during the fight displayed a rather high level of magical expertise, dealing damage typically seen from level 7 or level 8 spells, and with a unique mastery of magma/lava -- the floor is still lava in the other passage, despite the giant's passing into the beyond.

OOC: Zhu and Jaliera, and anyone else joining them, please describe what you're looking for more specifically, and how you're looking for it. Visually? Spells? Throwing a willing or unwilling victim down the passage?

Jaliera

She whispers.

"I don't think a glyph would affect Whisper. Living things only, right? In which case I could get her to take a look. Unless you could neutralise it?"

Zhu

"Dispelling magic is not among my specialties", she replies. "Let me take a closer look at it and see if I can recognize what it might be. As for Whisper, that is certainly possible, although glyph's are typically triggered by the spellcaster's definition so if she said anything passing by rather than any living being it would go off."

She doesn't bring up the fact, due to Jaliera's attachment to the Owl, that both she and Jaliera know that should Whisper be incinerated she can be resummoned later.

Approaching to a point that doesn't cross the Glyph but is close enough to see it clearly, she thinks thru her Magical knowledge to see if she recognizes it.

After a moment or two, she shakes her head. "I can't tell what it could be, though we do know it is from a Fire Giant so there is that. If you want to try Whisper go ahead."

Another thought strikes her. "We could also get Davroar to send some of his bats across it if you don't want to risk Whisper? Why don't you see if he's willing?"

Zhu Arcana roll
Zeim rolled d20+3 and got 4

Jaliera

"Hey great idea! Won't be a moment."

She jogs back to the others.

"Davroar? Got any of your bats left? We have an unknown glyph they could fly over.. or settle on."

Aubric

"I could attempt to dispel the magic, but given how powerful that giant was, I think triggering any ward with a summoned creature is a fantastic idea," the cleric notes.

"I'd also advise we all stay well clear of the area.... I'll certainly plan to be at least twenty-or-so feet away."

Troll

The troll observes the party inspecting the rune, and while he isn't exactly wanting to be friends with Zindra, he decides to offer some information to hopefully help the party -- and increase his own chances of survival.

In Jotun, he calls out, "Wall make fire. Two carvings. Galdrmaðr other side."

Zindra
"Thank you ..." she says to the troll, looking for it to provide a name.

Then she calls out to the others, in common, "Our friend here says that the wall makes fire. There are two carvings and Galdrmaðr, whoever or whatever that might be, is on other side."

Zhu

Hearing Zindra's call she replies. "We need Davroar to send some of his bats to trigger the glyphs. In the meantime, ask the Troll what it knows of the raids on the village and anything about the whole Giant uprisings. I guess also, why did the Fire Giant want it with it? Did it have some sort of task to do?"

Zindra

She is hopeful that the troll, who she does not trust in the slightest, does not understand common. Zindra snickers at the instructions from the eladrin sorceress before answering her but loud enough for all to hear, "The troll made it clear to me that Galdrmaðr will be a fountain of information. At this moment it is unbound and I would suggest we do something about that before we proceed with any interrogations."

DM

The troll gives no evidence of understanding common. And as evidenced by his simple speech, even his knowledge of Jotun is limited.

He is hungry, though, and would probably trade information for fried bat.

[OOC: if a summoned creature dies, does its corpse return to the other plane of existence before you can eat it?]

Davroar


Hearing Jaliera calling his name, he heads over to where the group is inspecting the glyph and says, "I let the bats go earlier, but I can summon another few."

Pointing to a empty spot just outside of the area he will cast his spell to summon more bats.

"So, want me to send all in at once or once at a time?"

[ooc: Up to the DM if I get the bats again or something else though. ]

Jaliera

"One at a time in case it resets itself. And I agree with Aubric, we should stand well clear."

She retreats to what she hopes in a safe distance.

Zhu

".... or in case there is more than one rune."

Davroar

Casting his conjure animals spell again, he will direct the first swarm of bats into the passage way once everyone backs off to a safe distance.

DM

Thee first swarm of bats flutters down the dark, narrow passageway, their wings creating a soft, whispering rustle that echoes off the stone walls.

Abruptly, as the swarm passes the conspicuously carved rune, a wall of fire suddenly appears in the passage, completely blocking further passage, other than for those who might be resistant or immune to fire.

Wall of Fire
Level: 4th (cast as level 6th)
Duration: 1 Minute

You create a wall of fire on a solid surface within range. You can make the wall up to 60 feet long, 20 feet high, and 1 foot thick, or a ringed wall up to 20 feet in diameter, 20 feet high, and 1 foot thick. The wall is opaque and lasts for the duration.

When the wall appears, each creature within its area must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 5d8 fire damage, or half as much damage on a successful save.

One side of the wall, selected by you when you cast this spell, deals 5d8 fire damage to each creature that ends its turn within 10 feet of that side or inside the wall. A creature takes the same damage when it enters the wall for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. The other side of the wall deals no damage.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 4th.

The swarm of bats is consumed in a heartbeat, the flames licking hungrily at the tiny creatures, reducing them to nothing more than wisps of smoke and charred fragments.

Seems the troll was telling the truth.

So far.

[OOC: the wall will remain for a minute. Talk amongst yourselves.]