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Post by Daos on Dec 25, 2017 9:56:40 GMT -8
"I am not certain...that would be wise," Ingot comments. "I do not believe...this device is capable...of holding all of that weight...at once. It may break...if we try."
Theron examines the glyph. While he can speak and read the goblin tongue, he does not know much about their culture. So he recognizes the glyph stands for the goblin word 'oknog' which roughly translates into 'spirit devourer' but he isn't sure what that means. It looks like something of a warning, though.
Ingot walks out onto the platform and it creaks under his weight. "I believe...I can operate...this device. This locking lever...can be used...to bring the platform...to a halt."
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Post by notARobot on Dec 25, 2017 11:33:16 GMT -8
"Do you know what that is all about?" she asks, motioning to the glyph. Theron volunteers an answer to Ladonna's question, despite the fact that it was addressed to Ryan and not him. "It's goblin," he says. "A warning of some kind, I think. It means something along the lines of 'spirit devourer', if I'm not mistaken." His tone as he translates the glyph contains more than a hint of trepidation and foreboding. "I am not certain...that would be wise," Ingot comments. "I do not believe...this device is capable...of holding all of that weight...at once. It may break...if we try." Ingot walks out onto the platform and it creaks under his weight. "I believe...I can operate...this device. This locking lever...can be used...to bring the platform...to a halt." "I did not know you possess such a degree of mechanical expertise, Master Tenhammer," Theron says, shooting Ingot a surprised look. "Serves me right, I guess, for imagining blacksmiths did nothing all day but stand around the smithy swinging their hammers." Still looking at Ingot, Theron continues, "Since you brought it up...how much do you weigh, exactly? If this device were constructed with the expectation of conveying six-or-so goblins at a time...well, I hope you'll forgive me for speculating that a person of your, um, composition could easily outweigh six goblins all by himself."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Dec 25, 2017 12:56:54 GMT -8
"Spirit devourer?" Ladonna repeats softly. She doesn't know enough about the goblin culture to even venture a guess as to what the warning is all about. "I wonder if it is a reference to the hooded one?" she asks. "And if that is the case, that makes this just a little more terrifying," she admits with a sigh. She looks towards Ignot and the others. "To be safe, maybe we should go two at a time?" she offers.
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Post by Nuke on Dec 26, 2017 7:36:13 GMT -8
"Two or three at a time, at the most. Perhaps as the first group gets to the bottom, some can slide down the rope for more support." Ryan offers. "And, assume we need light as well."
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Post by Jherek Everfull on Dec 26, 2017 8:20:27 GMT -8
Jherek snaps to shaking his head as if coming out of a daydream. He removes the large bag from his belt, looking over the contents once again. Favorite axe, half the bread, meat, and vegetables he had packed for the adventure. Satisfied with what he sees he moves to where the little goblin baby has been placed...and drops the bag beside her. Then strips himself of his metal arm guard and vambrace. He places that beside the tiny creature as well. He hopes the others are busy enough with discussions of continueing on that they do not notice him.
He mutters a small prayer and requests Crizza keeps the child safe. Satisfied he turns back to the others, rolling his shoulder, finding comfort in the new freedom he has in his arms.
"Apologies on not catching that trapped floor Miss Marche, I...uh...I don't know how come I didn't see the trigger. It won't happen again folks...I can say that, well unless they are craftier than I am." He blushes before abruptly changing the subject.
"Soul Eater? Sounds like this hooded fella means some sorta business. If we are going two at a time...do we want to go in loud and angry? Or soft and noiseless? That first group would be very different depending on that answer?"
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Post by notARobot on Dec 26, 2017 9:13:27 GMT -8
"To be safe, maybe we should go two at a time?" she offers. "Two or three at a time, at the most....And, assume we need light as well." "If we are going two at a time...do we want to go in loud and angry? Or soft and noiseless?" "There are five among us who cannot see without a source of light," Theron says. "They're going to have to stick together and take the stone Kohen McIntyre gave us with them, or else they'll be stumbling around in the dark. Although there's still the question of whether this platform can support Ingot's weight together with anyone else's -- if we don't want to risk snapping the ropes under the strain, perhaps he'll have to make the descent alone, darkness or no." Responding to Jherek's question, he says, "I think Katya's right...a winch that size, carrying any significant amount of weight, is bound to make quite a bit of noise. I'm afraid 'soft and noiseless' is probably out of the question, this time. Hell, any goblins lurking down there might've heard the echoes of our battle against their comrades, already. Whoever goes down first should be ready for an immediate attack from all sides." Theron's eyes travel over the assembly of adventurers as he continues. "For this reason, I'm wary of taking as few as two or three people down per trip. Aside from the blindness issue that our humans, Ingot, and Finbul would face, such a small group might face insurmountable odds immediately upon reaching the bottom...and we don't know how far down this contraption will take us, so who knows how long it would take for the second and third groups to join them?" "So I propose: myself, Jherek, Lillian, and Garnet go down first. We can all navigate the darkness well, and none of us are injured -- we should have the best odds of holding out against whatever's waiting for us below. Ladonna, Ryan, Katya, and Finbul take the second trip down, carrying the stone of light with them so they can see." He pauses a moment, turning to Ingot. "Do you think you'd be able to operate the platform's mechanism by yourself, in the dark? I understand that's asking a lot, but...as you yourself pointed out, this thing probably has a maximum weight capacity, and we don't know precisely what it is. If you think you'd struggle with operating in the dark, or if you need an extra pair of hands to work the winch and the brake simultaneously...maybe Garnet could accompany you?"
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Post by Ezeze on Dec 26, 2017 11:00:51 GMT -8
Katya breathes again.
Theron had come to the same conclusion she had, and had broken the group almost exactly as she would have. She didn't have to ask anyone to do what she couldn't. It was easy to volunteer herself for dangerous, even foolhardy tasks. When she went she took with her the knowledge that she had chosen. It was much harder to ask the same of other people.
Theron was allowed to make that suggestion; he was one of the ones going into danger. She was not, and so could not have. It was said now, though, so she supported it.
"It's a good plan, but one person from the first group might have to come back up. I don't see a way to recall the platform from up here."
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Post by Daos on Dec 26, 2017 11:14:59 GMT -8
Ingot looks down at Theron in silence for several moments before answering. "I weigh two hundred...and two pounds and...four ounces."
Jherek leaves behind most of his armor and his large sack containing most of his food, then rejoins the others.
"I thought you were injured," Finbul pipes up. "Didn't that big leech take a bite out of you back in the swamp? There's no way that healed already."
Ingot looks at the winch and the lever, and nods slowly. "I believe...I can. I am ready...when the first group is...ready to go."
"I will...take the lift...back up...to retrieve the first...group," Ingot offers.
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Post by notARobot on Dec 26, 2017 12:16:23 GMT -8
Ingot looks down at Theron in silence for several moments before answering. "I weigh two hundred...and two pounds and...four ounces." "...that's it?" Theron asks, incredulous. "Huh. I'd have sworn a big guy like you, made of solid stone, would have to weight at least twice that. I apologize for my presumption, then. And we can probably safely assume -- well, maybe not safely, but as safely as any other reasonable assumptions might allow -- that the platform can bear the weight of Ingot and three, maybe four others at once." "I thought you were injured," Finbul pipes up. "Didn't that big leech take a bite out of you back in the swamp? There's no way that healed already." Theron stands motionless for a moment, a pensive expression on his face as he brushes his hand along his backside, where the leech had bitten him. "You're right," he admits. "So much has been happening that I'd forgotten, but...the wound seems to have disappeared. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I'd originally thought?" Ingot looks at the winch and the lever, and nods slowly. "I believe...I can. I am ready...when the first group is...ready to go." "I will...take the lift...back up...to retrieve the first...group," Ingot offers. Theron smiles, noticeably perking up upon hearing this. "May the bards sing your praises, Master Tenhammer. It sounds as though we have a plan of action, then. Shall we go down in two groups, then? Me, Jherek, Lillian, and Garnet on the first trip, the humans and Finbul on the second...with Ingot working the controls each way?" The gnome seems almost giddy, all of a sudden, eagerly bounding over to the platform and wasting no time climbing aboard. "Let's do this," he says. He goes to draw his daggers, then seems to remember he's still holding the stone of continual light. "Acolyte McIntyre -- catch!" he yells, tossing the stone over to the cleric.
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Post by Ezeze on Dec 26, 2017 13:04:53 GMT -8
"Thanks be for small blessings" Katya remarks noncommittally. She settles in to wait for Ingot's return.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Dec 26, 2017 21:06:12 GMT -8
Ladonna seems content with the idea that Theron proposed, so she simply waits until it is her turn to get on the platform to descend further into the cave.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Dec 27, 2017 7:51:33 GMT -8
Lillian also concedes with Theron's plan.
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Post by Daos on Dec 27, 2017 11:55:29 GMT -8
"I am not...made of stone," Ingot states.
Theron returns the enchanted stone to Ryan, then he, Jherek, Lillian and Garnet all climb aboard the platform. Ingot begins lowering down into the darkness, none of them certain what may be waiting for them below...
==========
End Chapter 4!
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Post by Daos on Dec 27, 2017 12:25:03 GMT -8
XP is as follows:
Ladonna Marche (Enchantress 2) Breakfast with family - 25 XP Discussing the mission with the party - 50 XP Group briefing with the reeve - 50 XP Thanking the kohen - 25 XP Discussing traveling with Jherek - 50 XP Discussing the swamp with Lillian - 50 XP Discussing elven sleep with Lillian and Katya - 50 XP Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Retrieving Davion's ring - 300 XP Discussing goblins' smelling range with Katya - 50 XP Arguing with Finbul about tone - 25 XP Discussing what to do with the baby - 50 XP Discussing non-lethal solutions with Theron - 50 XP Casting Sleep on the goblin guards - 50 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP Sub-Total: 994 XP (+10%) TOTAL: 1,093 XP
Ryan McIntyre (Mage 1/Cleric 2) Breakfast with parents - 25 XP Group briefing with the reeve - 50 XP Thanking his father - 25 XP Argument with Katya over the mules - 50 XP Discussing marriage with Theron - 50 XP Turning Undead - 100 XP Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Giving last rites to the dead [Gonto] - 50 XP Discussing what to do with the baby - 50 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP Sub-Total: 240 XP/240 XP (+10% cleric) TOTAL: 240 XP/264 XP (504 XP)
Theronymous P Wiggledigit (Illusionist 1/Thief 1) Breakfast with aunt - 25 XP Discussing the mission with the party - 50 XP Group briefing with the reeve - 50 XP Introducing himself to Lillian - 50 XP Discussion with Katya about Jherek's past - 50 XP Discussing marriage with Ryan - 50 XP Discussing Moxie's fate with Jherek - 50 XP Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Discussing worgs with Katya and Ladonna - 50 XP Stealth in the goblin village - 200 XP Killing the goblin woman [Renos] - 50 XP Telling the party the truth [Gonto] - 50 XP Discussing what to do with the baby - 50 XP Discussing non-lethal solutions with Ladonna - 50 XP Climbing the slope outside the cavern - 200 XP Moving silently at the cave entrance - 200 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP Sub-Total: 627 XP/627 XP (+10% both) TOTAL: 690 XP/690 XP (1,380 XP)
Theron reaches level 2 Thief! *He gains 1d6/2 HP *He gains 30 thief skill points
Katya, Mereida's Daughter (Paladin of Crizza 1) Breakfast with mother - 25 XP Discussing the mission with the party - 50 XP Checking on Damon - 25 XP Group briefing with the reeve - 50 XP Thanking the kohen - 25 XP Argument with Ryan over the mules - 50 XP Discussion with Lillian about her motives - 50 XP Discussion with Theron about Jherek's past - 50 XP Entrusts a secret to Finbul - 25 XP Asks Garnet about herself - 25 XP Discussing the night worms with Jherek - 50 XP Discussing elven sleep with Lillian and Ladonna - 50 XP Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Defeating 15 HD worth of enemies - 150 XP Not caring about the fate of the corpses [Crizza] - 50 XP Exchanging secrets with Jherek - 50 XP Discussing goblins' smelling range with Ladonna - 50 XP Discussing Jherek's demeanor with Finbul and Lillian - 50 XP Discussing what to do with the baby - 50 XP Calming Jherek down [Gonto] - 50 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP Defeating 4 HD worth of enemies - 40 XP Sub-Total: 1,044 XP (+10%) TOTAL: 1,148 XP
Katya reaches level 2 Paladin! *She gains 1d10+1 HP *She gains +1 to hit *Lay on Hands improves to 4 HP/day
Jherek Everfull (Fighter 1/Smuggler 1) Breakfast with parents - 25 XP Discussing the mission with the party - 50 XP Group briefing with the reeve - 50 XP Thanking the kohen - 25 XP Discussing the sickle with Finbul - 25 XP Discussing traveling with Ladonna - 50 XP Discussing the mission with Ingot - 25 XP Discussing the mission with Finbul - 25 XP Discussing the night worms with Katya - 50 XP Discussing Moxie's fate with Theron - 50 XP Discussing the swamplands with Finbul - 25 XP Acting reckless in battle [Crizza] - 50 XP Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Defeating 15 HD worth of enemies - 150 XP Wanting to give the corpses a proper burial [Gonto] - 50 XP Discussing secrets with Katya - 50 XP Lying to the party [Crizza] - 50 XP Discussing what to do with the baby - 50 XP Threatening his teammates [Renos] - 50 XP Climbing out of the pit - 200 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP Defeating 4 HD worth of enemies - 40 XP Sub-Total: 585 XP/585 XP (+10% Fighter) TOTAL: 644 XP/585 XP (1,229 XP)
Jherek reaches level 2 Smuggler! *He gains 1d6/2 HP *He gains 30 thief skill points *He gains a new language slot
Lillian (Bard 2) Discussing the mission with the party - 50 XP Group briefing with the reeve - 50 XP Introducing herself to Theron - 50 XP Discussing her motives with Katya - 50 XP Discussing the swamp with Ladonna - 50 XP Discussing elven sleep with Ladonna and Katya - 50 XP Casting Armor on herself - 25 XP Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Defeating 15 HD worth of enemies - 150 XP Singing a dirge for the fallen [Gonto] - 50 XP Discussing Jherek's demeanor with Katya - 50 XP Discussing what to do with the baby - 50 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP Defeating 4 HD worth of enemies - 40 XP Sub-Total: 744 XP (+5%) TOTAL: 818 XP
Ingot Tenhammer (Fighter 1) Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Defeating 15 HD worth of enemies - 150 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP Defeating 4 HD worth of enemies - 40 XP Sub-Total: 269 XP (+10%) TOTAL: 296 XP
Garnet Glun (Cleric 1) Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP TOTAL: 79 XP
Finbul Padner (Druid 1) Casting Entangle on the zombies - 100 XP Defeating the giant leeches and rage zombies - 72 XP Defeating Goblin Guards - 7 XP Sub-Total: 179 XP (+10%) TOTAL: 197 XP
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