"We're taking these people home to Triel. We were asked to bring them home. Unfortunately, no, we're definitely not going to Waterdeep. We're helping the people by fighting the rising evil here and righting wrongs. I am Yngvar, Druid of the Reaching Woods." He replies while continuing the trek back to Triel.

Torvek follows Krackor, letting Corym lead the way, ready to act if necessary.

06:25, Today: Corym Ildroun rolled 993 using 20d100 with rolls of 28,3,74,60,79,81,88,74,99,56, 2,83,58,17,40,19,1,32,6,93.  Find Traps/Secrets 95%. – 2,83,58,17,40,19,1,32,6,93.  Find Traps/Secrets 95%' class='helphover'>993
This message was last edited by the player at 11:27, Sun 31 Mar.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Corym says brightly.

Krackor knew he had time to check the walls and the feel of the passageways, as he knew that Corym would also be checking for Traps.

The tunnel slopes down and down and down, running deep into the earth in almost a straight line until even Krackor is uncertain how far underground you are. The floor is bare, save for the cart tracks, and if it isn't dusty, it's merely due to the fact that there's no air movement with which to bring it. Though he's unable to determine how far down you're going, Krackor does spend some time analyzing the construction. This is definitely dwarven work; the way the passed is shored is very distinctive. But it's also old dwarven work. He's not exactly an expert on mines, but this shaft doesn't have as many refinements as the access passages he used to guard back in the old clanhome.

Between Corym and Krackor, your small group is able to advance in safety; quite confident that this tunnel is just as stable, and bare, as it looks. This is dwarven hard-rock mining, built to last for milennia, and so far doing exactly that. The iron torches continue, though the enchantments are failing at a much greater rate than in the level above. Only about one in six or seven is still burning, and the light flickers with more than just the movement of faux flame.

Eventually, in the light of a guttering torch up ahead, you can see the tunnel open into a room. There's been no branching, no traps, no hidden passages. Just one long, sloping shaft from one point to a second.

((Awesome! Let’s keep going))

Triel?  That is just a small camp isn't it?  Is that were they all came from?  Last time I was in Triel it was not much more than a camping spot for merchants on their way to bigger cities.

He continues to move his shoulder like it was injured.  Then places his hand on it under his armor and says a prayer to Mystra.  A glow encompasses his hand and shoulder and he lets out a heavy sign.

"Much better.  Might be back in place now."

"If you were not taken from Triel--where were you captured from?" inquires the august elven woodsman.

'I was traveling north up the Trade Way heading back to Waterdeep to report to my Superiors about the Giant activity along the route to gather others to the cause and return but I was taken in the night when I slept.  They must have taken my horse out first as I never woke from sleep and when I came to I was being held captive. They must have taken my gold and horse or worse yet ate him.  He was a Black War horse pretty large for his size.  He was given to me by my Sister as a reward for completing my first mission for the Church of Mystra which allowed me to enter the Knights of the Mystic Fire.  Good thing you all came along, I might have been eaten next.'

While he speaks he rubs a round circle of stars necklace that hangs from his neck.

Torvek trusting in the expertise of the scouting expertise of Corym and tunnelling expertise of Krackor follow his companions.

In reply to Torvek Ragdar (msg # 529):

"Old, very old, may even been before my Grandfathers Grandfaster's time, especially with the enchanted torched no longer working, maybe even before your Grandfather's time Corym.".

He keeps going, "Time to watch for Guardians" He exclaims without much urgency.

Underhill

The invisible Corym moves forward, after giving a quick signal to Torvek and Krackor that he's continuing. The tunnel widens out into room ninety feet in diameter, with a domed roof fifteen feet tall. On the opposite wall is the room's single exit, and the rail tracks run straight across the room to disappear into the darkness. In the center of the room is an ore cart, standing upright. It's a bit rusted, but otherwise unremarkable.

Along the walls of the room are mounted a series of platform beds, and there are several additional free-standing beds off to the sides, away from the track. You do a quick count, and there are twenty in total. The bedding has mostly disintegrated, but the wood of the frames is still intact. Which is probably a good thing, because each bed is holding a skeleton, the skulls all staring up at the domed ceiling.

Over The Hills

With the bulette safely wandering in a different direction, you get the former prisoners moving again. It's going to be a long day and a half, but the sun in shining, and everyone seems to be taking strength from being under its gaze again.

((ooc: I need someone in the group to roll 1d10. Also, you're welcome to continue to chat amongst yourselves.))

Shyte, another encounter! 18:37, Today: Yngvar the Mad rolled 1 using 1d10.  encounters. – 1

"This means that they're ranging farther than we thought.  And they're more capable than perhaps we first imagined.  I am Kitheras, of Evereska. We've left a party in the Giant's lair to scout and disrupt while we deliver the peasants back to their homes.  Would you like to return with us--whether for rescue or revenge"

"Workers. Seemingly killed in their sleep. We could scour it for loot and clues, but disturbing the dead unnecessarily is unwise. More importantly, undisturbed.  It's possible that the giants haven't penetrated to these levels yet. If we could find a scrap of paper with a name to jog my memory! Lets do a quick search to see if we can find anything identifiable."

22:03, Today: Corym Ildroun rolled 17 using 1d20.  16) Ancient History [Western Heartlands]. – 17

Over the Hills

Much of the day progresses without issue, the group staggering their way through (and sometimes over) the hills. The sky clouds over, but blessedly doesn't actually start raining.

The afternoon finds you walking through a series of hill bottoms. Though there isn't a stream, each lowland has its own little pool. As you approach the third, you hear the bleating of sheep. A little cautious scouting, and you see that ahead of you is a fairly sizable herd of sheep, spread out across the hillside. There are two gnomes near the herd, keeping watch, and a third one, much of the way up a hillside, waves at you. "Pleasant day! What brings you into the Trielta?"

((ooc: There are 36 hp worth of ioun stone healing that can be distributed. All of the rescuees, including Ulfric, are currently at 3 hp (unless Ulfric used Lay on Hands). You can either further heal Ulfric, or bring 5 of the rescuees up to full hp, which will make it less likely that something random takes them down.))

"Hail and well met, we rescued the party taken from Triel by the giants and are returning them home. How far good shepherd?" Yngvar asks the gnome.

I have a CMW I can cast and the points from the ioun stone can be split among the injured. What is CLW in this edition? ;-)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:39, Tue 09 Apr.

"No visible sign of battles and multiple deads in their beds.  It must have been a place where they felt safe and didn't feel the need for guards. I wonder what did that." says Torvek as he looks around the room for any clues.

23:42, Today: Torvek Ragdar rolled 9 using 1d20.  Observation check (18).

Yngvar cast CMW on Ulfric.

18:56, Today: Yngvar the Mad rolled 6 using 1d10+1.  CMW. – 6

"Yes, I would be happy to return with you and destroy the Evil that lives within that place. Good to meet you, Kitheras.  Giants are a greedy lot they kill for no other season than the fun of it.  I will return with you.  I will need to replace some gear and heal up first but, I will definitely return."

He continues walking with the others helping Peasants when needed.


Ahh!  Thank you, Yngvar that made it better.  I am still pretty beaten up but if you are able heal more of the injured if you can.  I will manage.  It will take days for me to return to full health.  Mystra will grant me health every day until we return to the Giants.



Ulfric already Lay on Hands for the Day and I am back to 32 of 71 with that CMW.  Should be good for a while.

Yngvar

"Giants!" The gnome's eyebrows go up. "That's a new one. Haven't been any giants here since before my grandmother was a girl. I'm glad you were able to make your rescue." She adjusts her straw hat and waves it towards the southeast. "You're heading the right direction for Triel. Long legs like yours, you should get there around highsun tomorrow."

((ooc: Cure light wounds in 2e is a straight 1d8 healing.))

The Mine

None of the skeletons show any sign of violence. They are also completely lacking in flesh, which is somewhat odd for bodies this deep underground. All of them appear to be gnomes.

At the foot of each bed is a locker, the wood in most cases having survived better than their former owners. Many of the locks are rusted, but you're able to force them open. Inside you find the usual detritus of working miners: rotted spare clothing, rusted personal weapons, bottles that have either leaked or gone rancid. Nothing looks particularly interesting or valuable.

"I can't see any clear explanation of what has happened here" says Torvek.  "And these bodies are well past telling us their story.  What do you think?  Should we keep going deeper?" he asks his companions

"Some sort of fungus?  Or perhaps they were ceremonially prepared for eternity and laid to rest. Y'know what's crazy, is I can't even tell what they were mining. The answers aren't likely to come to us in any case. I'd really like to find some form of writing. Something with a name on it. I feel like I must know this place."

I want to do a more thorough search of the periphery.  Secret passages are a gnomish specialty, as are illusions.

"I'm eager to rejoin our companions," Kitheras confides to his companions, "but given the dangers we have already encountered, I feel we had best see these refugees all the way home. Let's get our feet on the road."
This message was last updated by the player at 03:06, Tue 16 Apr.