[Game Thread] Chapter One: Welcome to Gilga

[Paladin of Light]

Turning to see the others sifting through the dead rats and other muck the barbarian spoke.

"Rats eat garbage. Garbage pit. "

With that the human turned once again and headed down the tunnel.

[JohnnyDM]

Searching through the filth is hard work. Bones, bones, scraps of wet cloth, rotting flesh, bones. Gramorns hands become encrusted in filth and after ten minutes searching nothing of any value has been found. The bones all seem too bleached or decayed to be those of the Dwarf's sons. Koraths impatient words rang through the cavern. Perhaps he was right. Why would there be anything of value amongst the rats? However, Gramorn is not one to give up it seems, and continues searching dilligently for another few minutes, just to be sure. Just as Gramorn begins to resign himself to the idea that he has wasted his time, he notices something shine amongst a pile of bones. A small finger bone, hidden deep in a pile of garbage, has a delicate silver ring still attached. The Kobolds mustn't have noticed this when they had hastily dumped their rubbish here. Perhaps they had been rushed? Whatever the reason, the ring was up for grabs.

 

Elven Ring of Accuracy Should you choose to take the ring you have discovered an Elven Ring of Accuracy This thin silver ring bears finely detailed leaf motifs and Elven script. This ring bears a simple enchantment that can be activated by rubbing the writting back on forth three times. On activation the ring glows a dull blue colour, and the bearers next strike is guided by mysterious magic to it's target Level: 2 Worth: 510 GP Item Slot: Ring Power (Encounter): Minor Action. Your can add a +1 to hit bonus to an attack roll(even retrospectively)

[Doghealer]

My gut was right, there was something in that trash heap. After an excessive amount of digging through smelly garbage, Gramorn himself is covered in filth, although it's nothing he can't brush mostly off within a minute. He displays the ring to the rest of the party. It's magic, that much I can tell. But that's your field, not mine. he said to Xin, handing it to him. Think you can figure the rest out?

 

I'm ready to continue on.

Also, there's a second reason I handed the ring to Xin: I believe he'd benefit most from it. Because of his abundance of multi-target attacks, AND his ability to normally use two of them in one turn (Sorcerer spell as standard, Dragon breath as minor), he'd make the most attack rolls in any given encounter, therefore have the highest chance of missing by one. It's still up for grabs, but that's my two cents and vote.

One more thing: How much XP? And, did we reach a milestone and get an action point?

[JohnnyDM]

 

Experience Each member has been given 155XP plus and extra bonus 10XP each for Koraths carrying round of Danae. Everyone enjoy their 165XP

Milestone You have reached a milestone. Each PC gets an extra action point

[JohnnyDM]

Leaving the filth encrusted cavern with Korath eagerly (though not enthusiatically) leading the way the party find themsevles in what seems to be a natural cave complex. The short tunnel they walked through soon opened up to become a vast cavernous hollow, spreading reasonably high overhead but far further below. An endless blackness stretches out below the party as they walk along a broad natural walkway. Long, thin stalactites hang overhead. The air is cold and still. All is quiet here appart from the stomping of boots and the occasional drip of water. Although not vast in length, the uneven terrain and clear drop means that the party spend at least ten or fifteen minutes traversing it. Then, the only obvious exit is another low tunnel, only about five foot in height and only wide enough to accomodate two. After several minutes walking in this dark damp tunnel noises can be heard. Yapping, barking, hissing and the occasional roar. Kobolds are ahead for sure, but so is something else.

 

Preparation Just giving you some advanced warning. I'm taking it for granted that all members would have drawn their weapons/shields (where appropriate) and that the marching order is Korath and Gramorn up front; Cavuste and Xin center; Achenar and Danae at the back

[Cavuste]

As Captain Damakos followed Korath and Gramorn, he made sure his sword was loose in its scabbard. The barking and yipping ahead sounded suspiciously like Kobolds, and the roar...well, he wasn't sure what sort of beast made those noises, but it didn't sound good.

Keep alert, he cautioned to the crew. I'd hate to be taken by surprise down here...it doesn't look like there is a way out of here if the winds turn in the enemies favor.

The captain peered through the gloom for any sign of the sounds' owners, but the deep shadows only confused him more.

Can anybody see anything? He asked quietly.

 

Dismal Perception roll

[Daendil]

[Achenar]

Achenar stood by the exit and watched Gramorn rooting the garbage. The elf shook his head "I thought a paladin would have more dignity...". But his disapproval vanished as the dragonborn found the ring. Achenar took a look and immediately noticed it's elven origin. A sudden anger came over the elf. "Women wear those..." - he whispered. His amber eyes narrowed as he hissed with clenched teeth: "Those filthy kobolds will pay for that!" - he started for the exit but then turned back. - "Use the ring if you will. It probably has some magic bound to it. But when we finish our job here, I'd like to bring it back to the family it belongs..." - he added over his shoulder.
He walked at the rear quietly until they reached another tunnel out of which alarming sounds could be heard.
- "Let's be more careful this time." - he whispered as he readied his shield and prepared himself to either draw his sword or reach for a javelin as the situation would soon require. His eyes searched the darkness of the tunnel hoping to glimpse anything.

 

- marching order is fine with me
- Achenar has his shield equipped, but his sword is sheathed (he might need a javelin first)
- perception to notice anything: 23

[Stijl]

She nods at the Captain's statement. "Agreed, I don't cherish the idea of having to climb up that rope under duress. Or be twirled away from charging vermin again, for that matter."

She looks about the path as best as she can, but she leaves the closer evaluations to those who can see better in the dim light than she.

[NCSamurai]

Xin walked with his companions, his nerves set on edge when the roars came. "There's that alleged dragon."

He moved forward and whispered to Gramorn and Damakos.

"If it is a dragon, we might want to speak with it before attacking. They're intelligent, if not self-centered beings, and we may be able to work something out without risking our hides."

[Doghealer]

Gramorn is nearly crawling in the low tunnel, being more that two feet too tall to be able to walk upright. Such movement had proven impossible with his shield attached, so he put it away (He is still able to hold on to his weapon, however.)

I wouldn't expect to make much headway in a negotiation with a dragon. At least, not a chromatic. They're not known for being open to compromise, especially in their own territory. I won't throw the option out the door, but if it so much as lifts a claw toward any of us, it's answering to my axe.

[NCSamurai]

Xin thought about it and nodded. "Not to mention, it's most likely young and inherently arrogant." He considered. "We'll let the beast make the first move. If it seems open to palaver, then we'll speak. But if it makes a single aggressive motion..." He lifted one of his claws and ignited a small flame. "Then we'll roast it.".

[Daendil]

[Achenar]

- "Except" - the elf added in a low voice. - "Roasting a red dragon just might turn out a little more difficult..." - With a careworn face he looked around. "Is there really no another passage?"

[Paladin of Light]

Korath quietly crept forward, holding his axe and the attached sunrod low as to keep their presence a secret as long as possible.

As he listened to the others speak behind him he grew annoyed once again. Voices carry, especially in a cave. And if whatever evil creature they were approaching had wished to make deals, it would have done so with the dwarven miners instead of driving them from the mine.

Whatever subterranean creature was ahead would undoubtedly send its kobolds to kill them. And that was the sort of negotiation that he understood.

[Cavuste]

Watching Korath stride purposefully forward, Captain Damakos couldn't help but wonder what the Barbarian's views on life were. In elven, the Captain muttered under his breath to Achenar, and the only word the Barbarian heard was "Korath," and the general understanding was that the Tiefling was talking about him.

[JohnnyDM]

The party find themselves in yet another cavern, this one made mostly out of the same dark black rock. They are presented with a fairly narrow space in front of them. The walls around the outside of this 'pen' level off about twelve feet overhead, forming a ledge that rings the entrance to the room. On this ledge stand two kobolds, one on the east and one on the west side of the room, each with slings at the ready, peering visciously at the group of intruders. The only obvious way to reach this ledge is via a fairly steep slope on the western side. At the exact opposite of the party, standing on this higher level, is a large wooden door.

In the central area, where the party now stand, are two more kobolds, dressed in rough leather armour and brandishing crude but clearly very sharp javelins. Beside each stands a large green lizard on their hind legs, about the height of a kobold but twice the length, with rows of razor sharp teeth and deadly looking claws on their smaller forelegs.

Another primeval roar is released from one of the lizard beasts, as it looks eagerly toward the party. With a screech of approval from it's kobold master, it and it's counterpart begin to stalk towards the group of adventurers.

 

Combat Combat has begun. Information in the Battlegrounds thread as usual. It is the party's turn. Take it away