Chapter 2: Better heroes (IC)

Akwehawk · September 22, 2023

Reitan Rhuin

^{Tempest Cleric of Talos}

AC: 18 | HP: 15/15 | Speed: 20 ft | Features and Traits

Wrath of the Storm | Spells | Attributes | Channel Divinity

Reitan perked up when he noticed the symbol of his deity. Were these all worshippers of Talos? Away from water?

(He would obviously know its his deity but what could he discern from it being among the ruins?)

Edited September 22, 2023 by Akwehawk (see edit history)

JubalBreakbottle · September 22, 2023

Gilavar Oakhallow | High Elven Ranger | HP 20/20

Saves & Abilities

Speed: 30 ft | Saves: Str +0 | Dex +5 | Con +2 | Int +4 | Wis +1 | Cha +0

Attacks: Shortsword +5, Piercing 1d6+3 | Shortbow +5, (80/320) Piercing 1d6+3 | Sneak Attack +1d6

Stealth +7 | Acrobatics +5 | Sleight of Hand +5 | Survival +3 | Athletics +2

Gilavar steps out of the shadows into the sight of the dwarves with his hands raised. Yes, his left hand still holds his shortbow. "Hey dwarves. If you're the prospectors who are investigating these dwarven ruins, we were sent by Townmaster Harbin Wester in Phandalin to deliver you a warning: there's a white dragon called Cryovain that has moved into the area."

"Now that we're here, can we share your camp for the night? We need to deliver a similar message to the gnomes of Gnomengarde. There are six of us." He slowly drops his hands and stows his shortbow but stays put, in case the dwarves react weirdly.

Edited September 22, 2023 by JubalBreakbottle (see edit history)

Siryuu · September 23, 2023

Sviga lævi - Vala Hel | ᚢᚨᛚᚨ∶ᚺᛖᛚ

token_1b.png.4530f4bc21e540d5ea426dbf32b613bc.png

ᚺᛖᛚ - Paladin II (Vengeance)
"The starving raven tells of Hel"

AC (18)

Initiative (+2) Speed (30 ft.)

HP (22/22)

PP (12)

LH (10/10)

Status: Normal

Saves & Abilities

Vala
Saving throws: Str (3) Dex (-1) Con (2) Int (-1) Wis (1) Cha (5).
Unarmed attack: 1d20+5, (4).
Abilities: Divine sense, divine smite, dueling fighting style (+2 to damage), lay on hands, spell-casting (DC 15) or (+7), spell-casting focus (decade/valknut).

Mule & Cart
Saving throws: AC (10) HP (11) Str (2) Dex (0) Con (1) Int (-4) Wis (0) Cha (-3).
Attack (hooves): 1d20+2, (1d4+2).
Abilities: Speed (40 ft. | 4.5 mph | 7.2 kph) Capacity (300 lbs. + 1900 lbs.)

Prior to following the trail of the elf, the Paladin thanked Katya and Makaria for their insight. She was particularly interested in Reitan’s remarks, for his face sparked with a peculiar sense of anticipation. Then, Vala noticed Gilavar breaking his stealth and spotted the Dwarves; let’s see what they have to say, she thought. The warrior intently observed the ensuing scene from the ageless stones, with one hand clutching onto her blade and the other onto her shield.

@Shocker Thanks for the information!

Dorik · September 23, 2023

MAKARIA :

The Sorceress of Hlal

AC: 13* | Hp: 8* Speed: 30 ft.

Draconic ancestry: Brass & Fire resistance. *Draconic resilience trait's. read/write/speak Draconic.

Asmodeous bloodline: *Intelligence increase & Thaumaturgy cantrip. read/write/speak infernal.

https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2814689

4 hours ago, JubalBreakbottle said:

Gilavar steps out of the shadows into the sight of the dwarves with his hands raised. Yes, his left hand still holds his shortbow. "Hey dwarves. If you're the prospectors who are investigating these dwarven ruins, we were sent by Townmaster Harbin Wester in Phandalin to deliver you a warning: there's a white dragon called Cryovain that has moved into the area."

"Now that we're here, can we share your camp for the night? We need to deliver a similar message to the gnomes of Gnomengarde. There are six of us." He slowly drops his hands and stows his shortbow but stays put, in case the dwarves react weirdly.

Makaria; doesn't recognise the three lightning bolt symbols from the pinnacle of the gateway; but it doesn't deter her from moving forward inside the ruins. Then she hears the voice from a familiar person speaking; it was Gilavar the high Elven Ranger greeting someone.

She waits for the opportune moment to enter after his introductions before composing herself to speak; "Greetings; I'm Makaria and I can vouch for what he said is true; we mean you no harm and do come from Phandalin tasked to deliver such a warning; do you know of Cryovain perhaps,"? she asked in as much a friendly non-threatening tone as possible. Even if it meant pouring on her persuasive charm to help.

She knows that she is treading precariously here; and is secretly hoping that her other companions would step in for more familiarity and trust. She hoped that there was still a certain level of respect even between the Elves and Dwarves?

Shocker · September 23, 2023

Reitan you recognize the symbol of course, but the whole architecture of the temple, and it must be some kind of temple seems odd, it looks like something dwarves would build, but since when did dwarves worship Talos?

Gilavar and Makaria. One of the dwarves motions to the rock pile “Sure feel free to chose a place, finest gravel for miles. My name is Dazlyn Greyshard, I would offer you some food, but all our rations have prepared by Norbus there, and he doesn’t believe in the need of food actually tasting like something”

”just because you have no sense of taste at all, food needs to be spiced subtly not suffocated in salt and pepper.” The other dwarf offered

“My mother, may the gods bless her soul, always said a fine meal deserves plenty of spice.”

”Oh give it a rest, if your mother had taught you anything about meal preparation, I wouldn’t have to do all the cooking.”

you get the strong impression, this is a discussion that has been going on for a few decades.
“Be that as it may” Dazlyn cut in “Thank you for the warning, it is well received. We used to have a few goats to keep us supplied in meat and milk, but they were an appetizer for Cryovain, last week or so. The dragon doesn’t bother us often, nothing for it here to eat or to burn. But there seem to be orc now lingering in the area, found one today eying the temple.”

JubalBreakbottle · September 23, 2023

Gilavar Oakhallow | High Elven Ranger | HP 20/20

Saves & Abilities

Speed: 30 ft | Saves: Str +0 | Dex +5 | Con +2 | Int +4 | Wis +1 | Cha +0

Attacks: Shortsword +5, Piercing 1d6+3 | Shortbow +5, (80/320) Piercing 1d6+3 | Sneak Attack +1d6

Stealth +7 | Acrobatics +5 | Sleight of Hand +5 | Survival +3 | Athletics +2

Gilavar leans comfortably against some rocks and calls to his companions, "we're over here!"

Not really trusting how easy this was, because these dwarves could be magically disguised giants and would want to eat them, the elf tests their story. "Greetings Dazlyn Greyshard and Norbus. I'm Gilavar Oakhallow. The Townmaster said you were prospectors but you found these dwarven ruins. What could you tell us that you've discovered so far? And what kind of token could we bring the Townmaster that he would know if was from you?"

Edited September 23, 2023 by JubalBreakbottle (see edit history)

Shocker · September 23, 2023

Dazlyn's eyes begin to take a dreamy look as he launches into his explanation, while Norbus sighs and raises an eyebrow as if to say "Well that's on you"

"This is a quite amazing discovery. This settlement dates back to the time of King Donavar of the rumbling mountain, sure you have heard of him. Well we had heard of this lost settlement likely to contain a good source of gems, but we found this amazingly beautiful temple over here. It must have been originally been dedicated to Moradin, as you can see by the specific way those columns were formed. But is has been evidently taken over by a cult worshipping Talos. Can you imagine that Dwarves and Talos?"
"So we got curious on what might still be in there, and began clearing out the rubble from some cave ins, imagine the historic value, not to mention the monetary one of what we could find. The work progressed wonderfully and we have found the altar, when we ran in a little snag."
He looks sheepishly to Norbus as asking him to continue

Akwehawk · September 23, 2023

Reitan Rhuin

^{Tempest Cleric of Talos}

AC: 18 | HP: 15/15 | Speed: 20 ft | Features and Traits

Wrath of the Storm | Spells | Attributes | Channel Divinity

Reitan overheard the dwarf talking to Gilavar. He strode over, shield (with emblem) in his left hand and clearly visible to the dwarf.

"Cult? What do you know of them?"

Edited September 23, 2023 by Akwehawk (see edit history)

Dorik · September 23, 2023

MAKARIA :

The Sorceress of Hlal

AC: 13* | Hp: 8* Speed: 30 ft.

Draconic ancestry: Brass & Fire resistance. *Draconic resilience trait's. read/write/speak Draconic.

Asmodeous bloodline: *Intelligence increase & Thaumaturgy cantrip. read/write/speak infernal.

https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2814689

"The time of King Donavar? I cant say I've heard of him perhaps you can enlighten us as to what has made him famous here? You said you found a snag at the altar care to explain what you mean by that here? Perhaps this cult of Talos may have tampered with it,"? she asked the Dwarves.

Shocker · September 24, 2023

Norbus looks at Reitan's shield, and the eyebrow moves up again. "No offense meant, but Talos is not alligned with traditional dwarven values. We don't really know yet how long this temple has been used by disciples of Talos, and who they might have been. But those lightnining strikes have not been carved into the stone just a week ago. There has been rumors of some folks trying to summon the power of Talos, but I don't know anything for sure."

At the same time Dazlyn looks with wide eyes at Makaria "You have never heard of Donocar, the great dwarven leader, who had among other things the wisdom and foresight to put the recipe for seven cave ale into a law? It's now literally set in stone. Next to his other great achievements as his scholastic work on the dwarven history and development of language. His defeat of the Dullomer Orcs at the laurel bluff."

"He alsos came from Dazlyn's village" Norbus interjected.

"True our greatest son, it was a deep blow to all of us when he died 50 years ago." one could see Dazlyn's deep emotion about this.

"Miss, the snag isn't so much with the altar itself, you say there was this slimy thing hanging from the ceiling. A fellow digger Tengor had a closer look, and well, it took him. We came to his rescue and hit it with an axe, split it in half actually, but well..."

"Both parts then had Tengor for dinner."

"We need help to get rid of those slimes, you seem competent people. Would you care to have a look at it, can't be more than two or three of them."

"Or so you hope."

"Of course I hope. We could make it worth your while, you see there are those two sending stones we have, we don't need them why would we want to talk with each other anyhow. But perhaps if you could clean the place out."

"Should you find any treasure ..."

"Then that belongs to them. Ancient dawrven tradition Norbus Finders keepers." he turns towards you "What do you say?"

Siryuu · September 24, 2023

Sviga lævi - Vala Hel | ᚢᚨᛚᚨ∶ᚺᛖᛚ

ᚺᛖᛚ - Paladin II (Vengeance)
"The starving raven tells of Hel"

AC (18)

Initiative (+2) Speed (30 ft.)

HP (22/22)

PP (12)

LH (10/10)

Status: Normal

Saves & Abilities

Vala
Saving throws: Str (3) Dex (-1) Con (2) Int (-1) Wis (1) Cha (5).
Unarmed attack: 1d20+5, (4).
Abilities: Divine sense, divine smite, dueling fighting style (+2 to damage), lay on hands, spell-casting (DC 15) or (+7), spell-casting focus (decade/valknut).

Mule & Cart
Saving throws: AC (10) HP (11) Str (2) Dex (0) Con (1) Int (-4) Wis (0) Cha (-3).
Attack (hooves): 1d20+2, (1d4+2).
Abilities: Speed (40 ft. | 4.5 mph | 7.2 kph) Capacity (300 lbs. + 1900 lbs.)

Vala was the last person showing up; she walked tall, with calm pace and demeanor, talking to the dwarves when opportune.

Well met good men, I’m Vala Hel of Icewind Dale; the paladin waved as she approached. I understand this isn’t the mines, and whilst you may relay our message to your fellows, could you tell us where the actual mines are?

...May the soul of your leader rest in peace, his deeds are indeed awe inspiring, said Vala in reply to Dazlyn's and Norbus' accounts of Donocar.

As the conversation carried on, she was curious about the excavation site. You mean this is some ancient dwarven fortress; this probably is a great discovery! How many of your kin are here?

The paladin paid attention to the conversation, noting as much details as possible; when dwarves mentioned the slime, she chimed into the conversation again.

I trust you would accompany us, as you’re familiar with the site. If this is to avenge the death of your fellow, I’m in if the others are. Conviction had sparked in her eyes. The paladin manifested her interest in venturing into the ruins, and her agreement towards the potential rewards; what will the others say? She wondered whilst looking at the party.

@Shocker As for the loot, was it a typo when you wrote “Norbus finders’ keepers”, As if Norbus’ snuck into the sentence.

Shocker · September 24, 2023

From the job board

"Dwarf prospectors found ancient dwarven ruins in the mountains southwest of here, and have been working an archaeological dig seeking treasure and relics. They need to be warned that a
white dragon has moved into the area. Take the warning to them, then return to Townmaster Harbin Wester to collect a reward of 50 gold pieces."

As for the last part, it ought have to been „Ancient dwarven tradition Norbus, Finders Keepers“

tyrtaeus · September 24, 2023

Katya Evermoon | Circle of the Moon Druid | Human

AC: 12 | HP: 11/11 | Speed: 30 ft | Spell-casting: +5 / DC 13
Senses: Passive Perception 20, Insight 15, Investigation 19
STR: Score: -1
Athletics: -1 8 | DEXScore: +2
Acrobatics: +2
Stealth: +2
Sleight of Hand: +2: 14 | CONScore: -1: 9 | INTScore: +2
Arcana: +2
History: +4
Investigation: +2
Nature: +4
Religion: +2: 14 | WISScore: +3

Animal Handling: +3
Insight: +3
Medicine: +5
Perception: +5
Survival: +3: 16 | CHAScore: +2

Deception: +2
Intimidation: +2
Performance: +2
Persuasion: +4: 14
Languages: Common, Elvish, Draconic, Druidic

FeatsObservantQuick to notice details of your environment, you gain the following benefits:

Increase your Intelligence or Wisdom score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
If you can see a creature's mouth while it is speaking a language you understand, you can interpret what it's saying by reading its lips.
You have a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Intelligence (Investigation) scores.

  | FeaturesRitual CastingYou can cast a Druid spell as a ritual if that spell has the ritual tag and you have the spell prepared
Wild ShapeStarting at 2nd level, you can use your action to magically assume the shape of a beast that you have seen before. You can use this feature twice. You regain expended uses when you finish a short or long rest.

Your druid level determines the beasts you can transform into, as shown in the Beast Shapes table. At 2nd level, for example, you can transform into any beast that has a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower that doesn't have a flying or swimming speed.
You can stay in a beast shape for a number of hours equal to half your druid level (rounded down). You then revert to your normal form unless you expend another use of this feature. You can revert to your normal form earlier by using a bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die.

While you are transformed, the following rules apply:

Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the beast, but you retain your alignment, personality, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving throw proficiencies, in addition to gaining those of the creature. If the creature has the same proficiency as you and the bonus in its stat block is higher than yours, use the creature's bonus instead of yours. If the creature has any legendary or lair actions, you can't use them.
When you transform, you assume the beast's hit points and Hit Dice. When you revert to your normal form, you return to the number of hit points you had before you transformed. However, if you revert as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to your normal form, For example, if you take 10 damage in animal form and have only 1 hit point left, you revert and take 9 damage. As long as the excess damage doesn't reduce your normal form to 0 hit points, you aren't knocked unconscious.
You can't cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form. Transforming doesn't break your concentration on a spell you've already cast, however, or prevent you from taking actions that are part of a spell, such as Call Lightning, that you've already cast.
You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so. However, you can't use any of your special senses, such as darkvision, unless your new form also has that sense.
You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as normal, but the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature's shape and size. Your equipment doesn't change size or shape to match the new form, and any equipment that the new form can't wear must either fall to the ground or merge with it. Equipment that merges with the form has no effect until you leave the form.
Circle Form: MoonThe rites of your circle grant you the ability to transform into more dangerous animal forms. Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Wild Shape to transform into a beast with a challenge rating as high as 1. You ignore the Max. CR column of the Beast Shapes table, but must abide by the other limitations there.

Starting at 6th level, you can transform into a beast with a challenge rating as high as your druid level divided by 3, rounded down.
Combat Wild ShapeWhen you choose this circle at 2nd level, you gain the ability to use Wild Shape on your turn as a bonus action, rather than as an action.

Additionally, while you are transformed by Wild Shape, you can use a bonus action to expend one spell slot to regain 1d8 hit points per level of the spell slot expended.<1/2>
Wild CompanionAt 2nd level, you gain the ability to summon a spirit that assumes an animal form: as an action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to cast the Find Familiar spell, without material components.

When you cast the spell in this way, the familiar is a fey instead of a beast, and the familiar disappears after a number of hours equal to half your druid level.

  | ActionsWeaponATTACK: -
RANGE: -
MAGIC BONUS: -
CRIT RANGE: -
DAMAGE: -
TYPE: -
DESCRIPTION: -

  | SpellsCantrips
GuidanceGuidance
Divination Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: One willing creature
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Description:You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends.
DruidcraftDruidcraft
Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Target: See text
Components: V,S
Duration: Instantaneous
Description: Whispering to the spirits of nature, you create one of the following effects within range: You create a tiny, harmless sensory effect that predicts what the weather will be at your location for the next 24 hours. The effect might manifest as a golden orb for clear skies, a cloud for rain, falling snowflakes for snow, and so on. This effect persists for 1 round. You instantly make a flower blossom, a seed pod open, or a leaf bud bloom. You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as falling leaves, a puff of wind, the sound of a small animal, or the faint odor of skunk. The effect must fit in a 5-foot cube. You instantly light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire.
Level 1 <3/3>
Speak with Animals
Cure Wounds
Entangle
Detect Magic

With everyone moving ahead without her, she clutches her hands to her chest, before setting a determined look, and moving between the two stone columns comprising what was once a gate. Staying behind Reitan, she peers over his shoulder and around the corners of the walls, following him along until it is revealed that the ruins are not as treacherous as she had first thought, but she does feel as though they might now always be so lucky. The Dwarves are amicable enough, and slowly everyone reveals themselves to them, and they come face to face with the two that Adabra had told them about. Turns out they had found the right place after all. As the Dwarves tell their tale about their excavation, Katya is intrigued by the story, knowing of the history of Talos and Moradin, though evidently not as much as Reitan, who seems perturbed by the moniker of cultist imposed on him by the Dwarves with his association to Talos. While they reiterate their words and explain the history of King Donocar, the Druid is particularly interested in learning about the treasure and the relics allegedly buried within these ruins here. Then that interest turns into creeping fear, knowing that if Cryovain was interested in relics and treasure, he would no doubt descend upon them if anything of true value is discovered here. Likely why Wester had wanted the Dwarves warned about their actions, wanting to starve the Dragon of treasure and hope it flies away instead of solving the problem.

"It seems we have found you at a very difficult time, trapped between Slimes, Orcs and Dragons, yet you seem so at ease regardless of the dangers, I have heard that the Dwarves are an adamant folk, but you seem exemplary examples of your kin"

Katya finds herself torn between being endeared to the Dwarves and their familiar bantering, and horrified by the blasé dismissal of the death of one of their companions to the slimes. It did give her the feeling that they were being viewed as canaries by the explorers.

JubalBreakbottle · September 24, 2023

Gilavar Oakhallow | High Elven Ranger | HP 20/20

Saves & Abilities

Speed: 30 ft | Saves: Str +0 | Dex +5 | Con +2 | Int +4 | Wis +1 | Cha +0

Attacks: Shortsword +5, Piercing 1d6+3 | Shortbow +5, (80/320) Piercing 1d6+3 | Sneak Attack +1d6

Stealth +7 | Acrobatics +5 | Sleight of Hand +5 | Survival +3 | Athletics +2

After listening to everyone, Gilavar asks the dwarves, "could you describe the dividing creature more? Sounds like an ooze or slime."

To his companions, he asks and offers, "Does anyone know anything about that thing? I'm up to try to kill it before supper. Anyone else?"

Akwehawk · September 24, 2023

Reitan Rhuin

^{Tempest Cleric of Talos}

AC: 18 | HP: 15/15 | Speed: 20 ft | Features and Traits

Wrath of the Storm | Spells | Attributes | Channel Divinity

Reitan eyed the dwarves suspiciously. He didn't think they meant to offend, but their use of the word cult was concerning to him. Certainly Talos did not consider cultists among his worshippers, and least likely dwarves among them. Could it have been a band of humans? What happened to them if so? Reitan would very much like to explore further.

In response to Gilavar and Vala, "Im in."

Text_1	Text_2	Text_3	Bold_1	Accent_1	Mood_1
Warm_1	Warm_2	Warm_3	Bold_2	Accent_2	Mood_2
Cool_1	Cool_2	Cool_3	Bold_3	Accent_3	Mood_3
Bright_1	Bright_2	Bright_3	Bold_4	Accent_4	Mood_4

Chapter 2: Better heroes (IC)

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