DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3W - Two Paths Diverged Near the Evermoors

Kriv

The Dragonborn listened to Zhu's assessment, but added his own nuance. "On the whole a reasonable split, though I will say I can see to my own injuries and in a swifter fashion than imbibing a potion in the heat of battle. Whilst there is a logic to giving powerful magic to powerful casters, it may be wise to assess the impact. I tend to cast spells whilst closing with the foe, my magic drawing upon my innate affinity for fire in most cases. I was at a disadvantage in our most recent clash given our enemies were also aligned with fire, I was able to make do, but lacked the reach of my usual options. Those who invoke the Art as their first and foremost have no shortage of alternatives, but given the likelihood of coming up against fire giants again, as they seem to be leading the charge on collecting these parts, it may be prudent for me to ask for a ranged option our foes are not immune to."

Pavel

While tempting, the lightning stone in his hands might be more a detriment than a benefit. With the last couple of fights hhe'd closed in on their opponents and had more use for healing items than need for a longer range option. And anyway Kriv was right. He had other spells he could learn that would give him more options.

"Give the stone to Kriv or take it yourself. I have needed healing options more than I needed more firepower. (OOC: And better rolls). I'll take my chances with one of the potions." Pavel said sitting back down.

"Anyway we might find something else with the smith and the magic shop."

Zhu

She nods, moving the barrels aside and slowly opening the door. She pauses, peering down the dark space, letting her Darkvision reveal to her more details.

DM

Zhu's darkvision reveals a long, dark tunnel headed generally toward the northwest. It gently turns a few corners, limiting forward sight without traveling down it, although after ducking through the opening it's big enough for humans to walk through upright. [OOC: No grid map here but assume a one-grid-square-wide tunnel with occasional corners.]

They are already on the northwest side of the inn, and if memory serves, there's nothing to the northwest of the inn above ground except.... a wall.

Sindar

He makes a motion with his hands and with an Elvish word "cala" said softly light springs to life in his hand.

[OOC Cantrip Light cast.]

Zhu

Seeing nothing threatening she steps forward to see where it leads.

DM

Zhu steps forward, with Sindar's light providing them (and anyone following) enough illumination to clearly see the path ahead.

While it's far from "well-traveled" it does show signs of relatively recent usage, with boot-prints of previous parties still visible in softer portions of the dirt floor.

After a few hundred feet the tunnel turns at an angle, running along a rocky base, with occasional wooden pillars set to keep the ceiling stable. Finally the tunnel turns into the rocks, the path carefully chiseled out.

And it's right about this corner that note written on parchment has fallen next to one of the support posts.

Zhu

Bending down she picks up the note and looks at it. If it is a language she knows she reads it aloud for the others. If it is not, she passes it to others to see if they understand it.

Sindar

He looks at it as well.

[OOC I suspect it is a no for Sindar as well without magical aid.]

(OOC - Does the dwarf picture look anything like the dwarf we are tracking)

<Bern>

He lets those that are better at figuring these things out take the lead. He will keep watch for anything that might decide to 'come from behind'.

DM

Sindar would recognize the writing as Orcish, but not be able to recognize any of the actual words in the message. Sindar might also recognize the picture as carrying a slight resemblance to the wanted poster Aubric showed him, although there are enough differences that relationship is far from certain.

Zhu

As she passes the note along she muses aloud, "Looks a bit like the wanted poster of the dwarf we're tracking doesn't it?" As she sees some others shake their heads at not being able to read the writing she asks, "Does anyone know the Comprehend Languages spell?"

<Bern>

He shakes his head, "Sorry, I do not."

Sindar

"I believe it is Orcish. In addition I could adjust my spells and use Comprehend Languages if we wish to give it the time."

(OOC - No need to adjust spells. Comp Lang can be cast as a Ritual. All you need is 10 minutes to do it that way and you don't have to have it on your daily list. Unless Sindar cannot use Rituals?)

[OOC: I believe he can, but up to the GM. Either way it takes time.]

(OOC - If not I guess we can ask around town for a translator.)

DM

While the party (or whatever subset is exploring this tunnel) is passing the note around to consider how to translate it, they can also look further into the portion dug into the rock. It seems there's a set of stairs carved into the stone leading upwards toward a heavy-set door. Bad news: it's locked with a heavy crossbar. Good news: the crossbar is on this side so they could easily remove it.