Post by Bruzor on Jun 15, 2021 20:57:19 GMT -5
DM: Hydranis
PCs: Octavian, Bruzor
NPCs: Thistle
Important Events:
Having agreed to the terms set by the Drow to bring back the head of the giant spider Triska, the trio of Octavian, Bruzor, and Thistle begin their journey. Lead through the maze of the underdark, the three are ushered to a ladder leading further down into the darkness. One of the drow guards tells Bruzor to follow the "cross" signs. With that, the trio makes their way to the bottom of the cliff.
Being in darkness does not bother Bruzor, nor Octavian. However, Thistle, being human and unable to see in the dark, asks Octavian for some light. Octavian casts a spell upon Thistle's pendant so that light will always be with him. The group gathers up their gear, which was waiting for them at the bottom and travels through a tunnel to a rope bridge.
After several minutes of testing the quality and sturdiness of the bridge, Bruzor leads the group across very slowly. Upon reaching the other side, they are confronted with a decision: go through another tunnel, attempt an 8 inch wide ledge to the right, or stone steps leading down to the left. As Octavian and Thistle converse about which direction would be best, Bruzor remembers what the drow guard told him, "Follow the cross signs." Bruzor looks around desperately hoping to find some sort of symbol. After a couple minutes, he spots the sign of a cross near the stone steps. The direction has been decided.
Traveling down the steps, winding around the "mountain", the trio finally reaches level ground where they hear the sound of running water and are greeted by yet another tunnel. This purple hued stream flows into the tunnel and is only about 18 inches deep. The pathway lays parallel and the three continue the journey. Along the way, Thistle suddenly panics and grabs ahold of Octavian's robes. Thistle looks terrified and asks, "Did you hear that whispering?" Octavian forcibly removes Thistle from his robes and tells him to just keep moving. Truth be told, all three had heard a whisper, but Octavian and Bruzor had the good sense to push it out of their minds and focus on the task.
Almost an hour later, the three discover a large purplish/pinkish plant with vines spread all over the walls and floor with large thorns and flowers. In the center is a massive flower which unfolds to display claw-like razor sharp teeth and is clearly not friendly. Octavian steps forward and casts a spell and several vines shrivel up and blacken. The massive head drops. Bruzor, suggests moving slowly and keeping an eye on the massive head as it could be playing dead. As the party moves forward, the massive head snaps up and the vines attack.
Octavian and Thistle take on the vines, casting spells and hacking away. Bruzor decides to take on the massive head. Each deals significant damage and avoids the plant's attacks. Octavian casts one last spell, setting the plant ablaze, turning it to ash. The creature had taken up the entire space of the tunnel. Now turned to ash, all that remains is a solid stone wall - a dead end.
Bruzor tests the wall and floor of the water to see if he can break through, but it is no use. Octavian has another thought and begins searching for hidden doors. After a few minutes of searching and in the direction they had come from, Octavian comes across an aura along the wall. He discovers a door and is able to unlock it revealing a thin passage way with a low ceiling. Bruzor, having to crouch, suggests Octavian take the lead. Some minutes later, they come to an opening in a large cavern that drops into nothingness. All that can be seen is a cargo net woven by spider silk along the wall. Octavian and Thistle, after careful inspection, use the cargo net to make their way down the long drop. Bruzor uses his hook and rope to climb down. As he makes his way down, Bruzor notices several webs along the wall. As the group moves along the wall to avoid any ambush, more webbing can be seen, as well as stalactites and stalagmites with massive webs.
Still unable to see far enough away, they can hear skittering and gurgling, but cannot determine the exact location. Thistle begins to complain as green, sticky goop lands on him. He then begins to scream as the goop's acid burns through his clothing onto his skin. Finally under control and not severely injured, Thistle regains his composure. However, that is short lived as a gravelly, raspy voice speaks: "Do my many eyes deceive me?...It is Octavian...Greetings old friend."
Octavian, unsure who/what is speaking responds, "Hello there." More skittering can be heard. Bruzor and Thistle continue to keep a lookout around and above for any signs of an ambush as Octavian converses with this creature. "So the rumors are true. You've come back," gurgled the creature.
Octavian: “Not by choice. Come show yourself. My companions are no threat.”
Triska: “Not by choice? What choice has been taken from the great Octavian? What brings you here in my domain?”
Octavian: “Searching for a way out of the underdark.”
Triska: “A friend of Glendria is a friend of Triska and I shall oblige.”
Octavian: “Would you grant us passage to the upper world?”
[Acid hits Octavian from the darkness]
Triska: I can grant you safe passage, but I fear there is more to why you’re down here. You remember what happened last time you were down here?”
Octavian: “Of course.”
Triska: “We never forget. Do I strike fear into the great Octavian? One of the wanderers of the unseen trail; friend of King Montague. It’s been almost 3 years since you slayed that dryder. The one terrorizing Glendria’s brood.”
Octavian: “I still carry the key from the dryder.”
Triska: “Did you ever find the door?”
Octavian: “We were delayed.”
Triska: “Many good things behind the door that goes to the key.”
Octavian: “If you tell me where the door is, I’d be in your debt.”
Triska: “Cannot describe, but can show.”
Octavian: “It is probably too far to journey. We have business in the sun lands.”
Triska: “How unfortunate. Seek me out again and I will bring you there.”
Octavian: “My companions and I will be on our way.”
Triska: “Glendria was happy to see you.”
[Party begins moving forward along the wall]
Triska: “Where are you going?”
Octavian: “We have business in the above world. Are you going to delay us?”
Triska: “There is only business with me.”
Octavian: “The drow have misled us.”
Triska: “What business do you have with the drow?”
Octavian: “We were captured by their ilk.”
Triska: “I don’t believe you.”
Octavian: “They promised us passage if we bring them your head. As you can see we cannot do that, nor do we seek to do you harm. Parlay.
[Triska moves within 20 feet of the party]
Triska: “So what are we going to do about it?
Octavian: “Go about our business. We don’t want trouble.”
Triska: “How will you leave? The underdark will swallow you whole.”
Octavian: “Hoping you would lead us out.”
Triska: “So I am to lead you out for mother?”
Octavian: “Pay debt.”
Triska: “The debt was already paid. Your lives were spared. Safe passage was already given. There is no hope for you.”
Triska then charges and attacks the group. Thistle panics and cowardly hunches against the wall. Octavian and Bruzor fight for their lives. During the battle, Bruzor notices a slender figure sitting upon a stalagmite with a bow and arrow, alongside a smaller figure. Neither engage and disappear shortly after.
As Triska bites into Octavian, Bruzor deals a heavy blow to Triska. Octavian shocks Triska twice causing massive amounts of damage. Triska, with her dying breath, says to Octavian, “Although I’ve failed, it was an honor fighting the great Octavian.” Octavian simply replies, “You should have known better.”
With that, Bruzor and Octavian cut off Triska’s head and begin the journey back to the drow (with Thistle of course).
PCs: Octavian, Bruzor
NPCs: Thistle
Important Events:
Having agreed to the terms set by the Drow to bring back the head of the giant spider Triska, the trio of Octavian, Bruzor, and Thistle begin their journey. Lead through the maze of the underdark, the three are ushered to a ladder leading further down into the darkness. One of the drow guards tells Bruzor to follow the "cross" signs. With that, the trio makes their way to the bottom of the cliff.
Being in darkness does not bother Bruzor, nor Octavian. However, Thistle, being human and unable to see in the dark, asks Octavian for some light. Octavian casts a spell upon Thistle's pendant so that light will always be with him. The group gathers up their gear, which was waiting for them at the bottom and travels through a tunnel to a rope bridge.
After several minutes of testing the quality and sturdiness of the bridge, Bruzor leads the group across very slowly. Upon reaching the other side, they are confronted with a decision: go through another tunnel, attempt an 8 inch wide ledge to the right, or stone steps leading down to the left. As Octavian and Thistle converse about which direction would be best, Bruzor remembers what the drow guard told him, "Follow the cross signs." Bruzor looks around desperately hoping to find some sort of symbol. After a couple minutes, he spots the sign of a cross near the stone steps. The direction has been decided.
Traveling down the steps, winding around the "mountain", the trio finally reaches level ground where they hear the sound of running water and are greeted by yet another tunnel. This purple hued stream flows into the tunnel and is only about 18 inches deep. The pathway lays parallel and the three continue the journey. Along the way, Thistle suddenly panics and grabs ahold of Octavian's robes. Thistle looks terrified and asks, "Did you hear that whispering?" Octavian forcibly removes Thistle from his robes and tells him to just keep moving. Truth be told, all three had heard a whisper, but Octavian and Bruzor had the good sense to push it out of their minds and focus on the task.
Almost an hour later, the three discover a large purplish/pinkish plant with vines spread all over the walls and floor with large thorns and flowers. In the center is a massive flower which unfolds to display claw-like razor sharp teeth and is clearly not friendly. Octavian steps forward and casts a spell and several vines shrivel up and blacken. The massive head drops. Bruzor, suggests moving slowly and keeping an eye on the massive head as it could be playing dead. As the party moves forward, the massive head snaps up and the vines attack.
Octavian and Thistle take on the vines, casting spells and hacking away. Bruzor decides to take on the massive head. Each deals significant damage and avoids the plant's attacks. Octavian casts one last spell, setting the plant ablaze, turning it to ash. The creature had taken up the entire space of the tunnel. Now turned to ash, all that remains is a solid stone wall - a dead end.
Bruzor tests the wall and floor of the water to see if he can break through, but it is no use. Octavian has another thought and begins searching for hidden doors. After a few minutes of searching and in the direction they had come from, Octavian comes across an aura along the wall. He discovers a door and is able to unlock it revealing a thin passage way with a low ceiling. Bruzor, having to crouch, suggests Octavian take the lead. Some minutes later, they come to an opening in a large cavern that drops into nothingness. All that can be seen is a cargo net woven by spider silk along the wall. Octavian and Thistle, after careful inspection, use the cargo net to make their way down the long drop. Bruzor uses his hook and rope to climb down. As he makes his way down, Bruzor notices several webs along the wall. As the group moves along the wall to avoid any ambush, more webbing can be seen, as well as stalactites and stalagmites with massive webs.
Still unable to see far enough away, they can hear skittering and gurgling, but cannot determine the exact location. Thistle begins to complain as green, sticky goop lands on him. He then begins to scream as the goop's acid burns through his clothing onto his skin. Finally under control and not severely injured, Thistle regains his composure. However, that is short lived as a gravelly, raspy voice speaks: "Do my many eyes deceive me?...It is Octavian...Greetings old friend."
Octavian, unsure who/what is speaking responds, "Hello there." More skittering can be heard. Bruzor and Thistle continue to keep a lookout around and above for any signs of an ambush as Octavian converses with this creature. "So the rumors are true. You've come back," gurgled the creature.
Octavian: “Not by choice. Come show yourself. My companions are no threat.”
Triska: “Not by choice? What choice has been taken from the great Octavian? What brings you here in my domain?”
Octavian: “Searching for a way out of the underdark.”
Triska: “A friend of Glendria is a friend of Triska and I shall oblige.”
Octavian: “Would you grant us passage to the upper world?”
[Acid hits Octavian from the darkness]
Triska: I can grant you safe passage, but I fear there is more to why you’re down here. You remember what happened last time you were down here?”
Octavian: “Of course.”
Triska: “We never forget. Do I strike fear into the great Octavian? One of the wanderers of the unseen trail; friend of King Montague. It’s been almost 3 years since you slayed that dryder. The one terrorizing Glendria’s brood.”
Octavian: “I still carry the key from the dryder.”
Triska: “Did you ever find the door?”
Octavian: “We were delayed.”
Triska: “Many good things behind the door that goes to the key.”
Octavian: “If you tell me where the door is, I’d be in your debt.”
Triska: “Cannot describe, but can show.”
Octavian: “It is probably too far to journey. We have business in the sun lands.”
Triska: “How unfortunate. Seek me out again and I will bring you there.”
Octavian: “My companions and I will be on our way.”
Triska: “Glendria was happy to see you.”
[Party begins moving forward along the wall]
Triska: “Where are you going?”
Octavian: “We have business in the above world. Are you going to delay us?”
Triska: “There is only business with me.”
Octavian: “The drow have misled us.”
Triska: “What business do you have with the drow?”
Octavian: “We were captured by their ilk.”
Triska: “I don’t believe you.”
Octavian: “They promised us passage if we bring them your head. As you can see we cannot do that, nor do we seek to do you harm. Parlay.
[Triska moves within 20 feet of the party]
Triska: “So what are we going to do about it?
Octavian: “Go about our business. We don’t want trouble.”
Triska: “How will you leave? The underdark will swallow you whole.”
Octavian: “Hoping you would lead us out.”
Triska: “So I am to lead you out for mother?”
Octavian: “Pay debt.”
Triska: “The debt was already paid. Your lives were spared. Safe passage was already given. There is no hope for you.”
Triska then charges and attacks the group. Thistle panics and cowardly hunches against the wall. Octavian and Bruzor fight for their lives. During the battle, Bruzor notices a slender figure sitting upon a stalagmite with a bow and arrow, alongside a smaller figure. Neither engage and disappear shortly after.
As Triska bites into Octavian, Bruzor deals a heavy blow to Triska. Octavian shocks Triska twice causing massive amounts of damage. Triska, with her dying breath, says to Octavian, “Although I’ve failed, it was an honor fighting the great Octavian.” Octavian simply replies, “You should have known better.”
With that, Bruzor and Octavian cut off Triska’s head and begin the journey back to the drow (with Thistle of course).