previously... Chapter 4 — Caves under Black Hill

[iantruesilver]

Black Hill Caves — Shallow Creek

This having been the first time Violet has ever felt ill, she simply doubled over on the side of the shore, her senses barely aware of the innuendo being passed around her, or even minding that she's now laying curled up on the mossy grossness here.

 

"Take your pick I guess, the water's -hurk- not much better." Visibly swallowing again, Val sat and leaned forward as she added, "We best not wander too far just yet though, we left a bunch of our stuff around the corner."

 

Looking over from where she is leaned up against the wall, Rain couldn't help but throw in her own quip as she scanned over the rather pale looking android's body, "Some of us more than others…"

After a few moments, Val and Rain gathered themselves together to take a look at the others to check them over for wounds, and Val said, "We're lucky. Those slime molds were probably still young. Any bigger they might've tried to swallow us alive."

 

It doesn't take much digging around for the tiefling and the half-elf to find some bones and partially digested flesh underneath the goopy layers of fungus and ooze. Pulling out something that looks like a skull, it's not difficult to imagine that this might've belonged to perhaps a halfling not too long ago.

 

With some quick looking around, you confirm that indeed each of the mounds had laid low a similar sized body.

 

If there was any equipment that these unfortunate victims may have once had, it looks like they were picked clean for the most part, save what now rot- and fungus-infested clothing they still have hanging from their decaying flesh, and a blue stone with some wavy pattern on its surface inside one vest pocket.

 

 

 

[[ Map — Black Hill Caves ]]

Edited October 5, 2023 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[Inash]

Barhuce

Barhuce raises one eyebrow “You do know that the Universal Solvent only works on adhesives, right? Your nail polish might go, but your nails and fingers would be fine. At any rate, lets grab our gear and move on.” He heads back to the gear they left and then to the cavern the frog-thing was in.

Statblock

 

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2740751][B][SIZE=+1]Barhuce[/SIZE][/B][/URL] M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 4, [B]HP[/B] 9/9, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 15, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 13, [B]CMD[/b] 13, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 4, [B]Will[/B] 0, [B]CMB[/B] +1, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 0 [B]1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) [/B] 3 (1d4+4, x2) [B] light Mace [/B] 1 (1d6+1, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2) [B] Lamellar Cuirass[/B] (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None

Barhuce
M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), Level 1, Init 4, HP 9/9, Speed 30
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) 3 (1d4+4, x2)
light Mace 1 (1d6+1, x2)
Dagger 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar Cuirass (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition None

Actions Crunch

Heal(5)

Fort save:

Free:

Standard:

 

 

[ccanary]

T'Sarra Khonnor 

T'Sarra Khonnor — Tiefling Oracle 1
AC/T/FF 18/13/15 | HP 11/11 | Init +3 | Speed 30ft | Fort/Ref/Will 3/3/2 | Darkvision
Hero Points 0
Active Conditions: +1 to atk and AC vs. robots (robot slayer trait)
Spells:

1st: (4 remaining) Cure light wounds, Bless, Inflict Light Wounds
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, mending, guidance, create water

Post moldy fight

T'Sarra looked at Barhuce and smiled as she shook her head.

"I'm a woman who knows many things, but adhesives and solvents are not among them. I'll take your word for it though."

She looked down at her leg and pulled out the wand, picked up her spear and sheathed it on her back.

"I'm not exactly at death's door, but then again probably a good idea to not get there. Anybody else hurt? Speak now before the next slimy monster comes calling. Unfortunately we have another swim ahead of us, looks like. But at least we know Khonnir isn't hiding here."

She tapped herself with the wand and then, unless anyone else needed it, put it away. Then she sealed up what needed to be sealed and waded to the shore where they fought the blindheim, vomited if need be then when everyone was gathered and ready, led them South.

Mechanics

 

Move:
Standard (full):

 

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	-2
Climb*	+4
Diplomacy	+7
Handle Animal	+4
Knowledge (nature)	+4
Linguistics	+1
Perception	+6
Survival	+4
Swim*	+4
* -1 ACP to str and dex skills

Edited October 6, 2023 by ccanary (see edit history)

[iantruesilver]

Black Hill Caves — Shallow Creek / Sooty Beach / Speleothem Cavern / Dark River Cave

"Come on Violet, let's go." Val gathered herself up and went to offer the etiolated looking android a hand, picking her up off the mossy cave floor as the pair slowly followed the others to make their way back to where they had dropped off their things, with Rain not far behind in their wake.

 

After a minute or so of rest, the trio gather their things and, with Val's insistence, Violet gets dressed again back in her clothes, and the lot heel behind T'Sarra back down to the part of the caverns where the blindheim had been.

 

From here, it looks like there's only one way to go that you have not yet explored. A section of tunnel gently slopes downward as it winds around a corner toward the right.

 

 

[[ Map — Black Hill Caves ]]

[farothel]

 

Statblock

Vrilundass ‘Vri’ Arund
Female NG Half-elf Swashbuckler, Level 1, Init 3, HP 8/11, Speed 30ft
AC 16, Touch 13, Flat-footed 13, CMD 15, Fort 0, Ref 5, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
silversheen, MC rapier +5 (1d6+1, 18-20/x2)
cold iron dagger +4 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
shortbow (20) +4 (1d6, x3)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 15
Condition None
hero points: 0/1

 

"Something to check out later," Vri said about the blue stone. She would go back to where the others had left their gear (and clothes) as that seemed the shortest way she had to stay in the water. Then she moved with the others to the cave where she had been blinded.

"I guess there's only one way to move on," she said, carefully looking into the tunnel before slowly moving on, watching carefully for unstable parts of the cave, traps and ambushes.

 

OOC

look around

[Inash]

Barhuce

Barhuce stays to the rear of the group and tries to keep a lookout behind them. The holy symbol of an evil diety implies that they may have competition or people who don't want them to succeed.

Statblock

 

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2740751][B][SIZE=+1]Barhuce[/SIZE][/B][/URL] M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 4, [B]HP[/B] 9/9, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 15, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 13, [B]CMD[/b] 13, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 4, [B]Will[/B] 0, [B]CMB[/B] +1, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 0 [B]1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) [/B] 3 (1d4+4, x2) [B] light Mace [/B] 1 (1d6+1, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2) [B] Lamellar Cuirass[/B] (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None

Barhuce
M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), Level 1, Init 4, HP 9/9, Speed 30
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) 3 (1d4+4, x2)
light Mace 1 (1d6+1, x2)
Dagger 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar Cuirass (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition None

Actions Crunch

 

Fort save:

Free:

Standard:

 

 

[ccanary]

T'Sarra Khonnor 

T'Sarra Khonnor — Tiefling Oracle 1
AC/T/FF 18/13/15 | HP 11/11 | Init +3 | Speed 30ft | Fort/Ref/Will 3/3/2 | Darkvision
Hero Points 0
Active Conditions: +1 to atk and AC vs. robots (robot slayer trait)
Spells:

1st: (4 remaining) Cure light wounds, Bless, Inflict Light Wounds
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, mending, guidance, create water

Moving on

T'Sarra moved out behind Barhuce and Vri, less stealthy than either likely. And probably less observant. Her eyes scanned ahead, her head was on a swivel looking around.

Mechanics

 

Move:
Standard (full):

 

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	-2
Climb*	+4
Diplomacy	+7
Handle Animal	+4
Knowledge (nature)	+4
Linguistics	+1
Perception	+6
Survival	+4
Swim*	+4
* -1 ACP to str and dex skills

[iantruesilver]

Black Hill Caves — Tunnel Junction

The tunnel here extends for about forty feet to the southwest, before splitting off into three separate directions.

 

Mostly to the left, a collection of crates, boxes, rubble, and scavenged metal lies heaped in what must be the northwest section of this damp cave, but there seems to be some minor amounts of spillage overflowing into the other parts as well.

 

On the wall of that same section, behind the piles of refuse, there looks to be some chalk markings of some kind.

 

 

[[ Map — Black Hill Caves ]]

Edited October 10, 2023 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[ccanary]

T'Sarra Khonnor 

T'Sarra Khonnor — Tiefling Oracle 1
AC/T/FF 18/13/15 | HP 11/11 | Init +3 | Speed 30ft | Fort/Ref/Will 3/3/2 | Darkvision
Hero Points 0
Active Conditions: +1 to atk and AC vs. robots (robot slayer trait)
Spells:

1st: (4 remaining) Cure light wounds, Bless, Inflict Light Wounds
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, mending, guidance, create water

Moving on

T'Sarra hung back, knowing she wasn't as stealthy as she could be, certainly not like Vri or even Barhuce. As they reached the point where the path widened, she paused, then tapped Vri gently on the shoulder. Nodding forward, she indicated (hopefully in a clear yet silent fashion) that perhaps the swashbuckler could move forward to scout out the room, with the rest of them holding back to back her up if it went badly.

Mechanics

 

Move:
Standard (full):

 

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	-2
Climb*	+4
Diplomacy	+7
Handle Animal	+4
Knowledge (nature)	+4
Linguistics	+1
Perception	+6
Survival	+4
Swim*	+4
* -1 ACP to str and dex skills

[Inash]

Barhuce

While Vri and T'sarra have a silent conversation about moving forward, Barhuce slips past them and stands in the opening where he can see a bit farther and start things off with a bomb before any of his group gets in the way.

Statblock

 

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2740751][B][SIZE=+1]Barhuce[/SIZE][/B][/URL] M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 4, [B]HP[/B] 9/9, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 15, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 13, [B]CMD[/b] 13, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 4, [B]Will[/B] 0, [B]CMB[/B] +1, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 0 [B]1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) [/B] 3 (1d4+4, x2) [B] light Mace [/B] 1 (1d6+1, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2) [B] Lamellar Cuirass[/B] (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None

Barhuce
M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), Level 1, Init 4, HP 9/9, Speed 30
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) 3 (1d4+4, x2)
light Mace 1 (1d6+1, x2)
Dagger 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar Cuirass (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition None

Actions Crunch

 

Fort save:

Free:

Standard:

 

 

[farothel]

 

Statblock

Vrilundass ‘Vri’ Arund
Female NG Half-elf Swashbuckler, Level 1, Init 3, HP 8/11, Speed 30ft
AC 16, Touch 13, Flat-footed 13, CMD 15, Fort 0, Ref 5, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
silversheen, MC rapier +5 (1d6+1, 18-20/x2)
cold iron dagger +4 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
shortbow (20) +4 (1d6, x3)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 15
Condition None
hero points: 0/1

 

Vri nodded and moved on, slowly, carefully and looking in all directions (including upward). When she spots the crates and rubble, she slowly heads that way, also looking at the chalk marks.

 

OOC

look around

[iantruesilver]

Black Hill Caves — Tunnel Junction

Moving up to take a closer look, Vri notes that the chalk markings are actually drawings. Here and there along this northwestern section of the cave, several chalk drawings depict what could only be described as twisted, spiny plants. There's also one of a strange three-legged creature, and a few emaciated four-armed humanoids marking the walls.

 

"What are... those...?" Val commented as she came up to join your investigative efforts at the front, her eyes poring over the chalk drawings with a keen interest. Her features change from an expression of frustration to one of pure shock when she comes across the three-legged drawing, and excitedly she points at it, "Hey, come take a look at this one guys! Doesn't this one look familiar?"

 

Meanwhile, Rain goes to town picking through the rubble and refuse. Finally she picks out a few small, silver coin-like discs, with some strange lines etched onto each one's surface. "I'm not quite sure what these are, but they kind of look like they might be important..."

 

 

 

[[ Map — Black Hill Caves ]]

Edited October 11, 2023 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[farothel]

 

Statblock

Vrilundass ‘Vri’ Arund
Female NG Half-elf Swashbuckler, Level 1, Init 3, HP 8/11, Speed 30ft
AC 16, Touch 13, Flat-footed 13, CMD 15, Fort 0, Ref 5, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
silversheen, MC rapier +5 (1d6+1, 18-20/x2)
cold iron dagger +4 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
shortbow (20) +4 (1d6, x3)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 15
Condition None
hero points: 0/1

 

Vri had a closer look at the chalk marks. She didn't know much about technology, so she didn't really know what the things that Rain had would be or do (to her it just looks like fancy money). But chalk marks she might be able to understand.

 

OOC

look around

[Inash]

Barhuce

Barhuce looks at the disks and shrugs. "Maybe some form of money for something? I don't know. They aren't familiar. We should probably take them though." He steps up and looks at the drawing..."Were any of the robots we fought three-legged?"

Statblock

 

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2740751][B][SIZE=+1]Barhuce[/SIZE][/B][/URL] M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 4, [B]HP[/B] 9/9, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 15, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 13, [B]CMD[/b] 13, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 4, [B]Will[/B] 0, [B]CMB[/B] +1, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 0 [B]1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) [/B] 3 (1d4+4, x2) [B] light Mace [/B] 1 (1d6+1, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2) [B] Lamellar Cuirass[/B] (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None

Barhuce
M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), Level 1, Init 4, HP 9/9, Speed 30
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) 3 (1d4+4, x2)
light Mace 1 (1d6+1, x2)
Dagger 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar Cuirass (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition None

Actions Crunch

 

Fort save:

Free:

Standard:

 

 

[iantruesilver]

Black Hill Caves — Tunnel Junction

"You're right! That one that you ruined my rugs for, didn't it have three legs?" Val connected the pieces as Barhuce suggested robots. But then she furrows her brows together once again, her expression clearly communicating her next question, "But why the heck is there a drawing of that here?"

 

Looking at the other drawings, Vri tries to recall the general populace and bestiary local to this part of the Numerian Plains, and much as she tries, she cannot recall anything that even resembles these thin, four-armed humanoids being depicted here on this wall. Perhaps they are some heretofore unknown, perhaps even undiscovered species?

 

Combing the rubble, Rain manages to find a total of seven of the coin-like discs. She takes another moment to look at them, before dropping them into a pouch, "We could take these back to town I guess, Sanvil will probably know what they are."

 

 

 

[[ Map — Black Hill Caves ]]

Edited October 11, 2023 by iantruesilver (see edit history)