Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Nihal]

In one second she stares at me as if she would break my neck, in the next one she smiles. This woman is crazy!

However, her smile is warm, signaling I'm safe from their fury at least for now. It wouldn't hurt if I could stop looking over my shoulder while traveling, worried about my magic and fleeing at any hint of danger.

"I did not notice this opening, I've only caught a glimpse of this room when my second spell failed. Do you have any idea of what is it?"

A second thought comes to my mind. "If it turns out to be a passage get your whole group before going in there. Who knows how far it goes or who uses it? For all I know it could lead directly to the dark lands."

I stretch my neck so I can have a better view of the stone, suddenly aware of the mysterious dagger's weight against my hip. "Did you see any signs of recent use?"

 

[Sparkie]

This is more difficult than I thought it'd be. I'd use mt sword to pry the stone up, but I don't want to risk snapping the blade.

"Does anyone have something that we can use as a lever?" I ask loudly. "A pry-bar perhaps?"

 

[Phietadix]

I hand Rydh a Javelin.
"I can sacrifice one if you believe it will work."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Aw… I hate it when I crack a nail. Speaking of crack, though, I do have a hammer with me. It's not meant for fighting. In fact, I'm not sure why I packed it. But if leverage doesn't work, maybe I can chip away at the stone… the way it did at my nail."

[STR w/ javelin: 11]

I scrape some of the slippery gunk away with the pointy end of the javelin, then try again. [14]

If that doesn't work, I'll give it a good whack [21] with my hammer. If I see any real damage, I'll finish the job.



((Note: Primal Instinct not used for the STR rolls since (a) Baldhart got into a discussion instead of just throwing herself at the task and (b) these are careful strength-based feats, not exactly raging-barbarian uses of brute force.))

 

[Sparkie]

A battle is like sporting games. The battlefield is the arena, the warriors are players, the generals are the strategists. Each person must function in their role induvidually, but the army that wins the day is the one that functions as a team.

Engagements - Codex 1:609

*****​

I stand back as Baldhart uses her bulk to her advantage. She's amazing. I just wish I could be as decisive as her sometimes.

I look around the room at our companions, and it hits me: Everyone in this room has something essential to offer. Cadell is as stalwart as they come, Matthew shows a huge capacity for loyalty, Aliron displays near-preternatural finesse, and Ankari is a natural investigator. While I don't know Hiljikki or Mauve very well, I'm sure that I'll discover what gifts they possess soon.

Could this be what Betula wills for me? Could this be His troop of True Soldiers? It would be according to a liberal viewpoint in accord with my faith if that were the case, but don't the Codices themselves speak of other races besides Elves?

And what about me? What do I have to offer?

Everything. I'll offer up everything I am if it means ending this Taint, and I think most here with me would do so as well.

 

[Ravana]

The lichen has been intentionally dried and appears to be well-preserved. You know of its properties, and you could probably create a poultice of some sort that would have mild healing properties when applied to wounds. The lichen is supposed to have substantial properties when used as a component in magical cure, though the art of using it in that way has been largely lost, as far as you know.

"This has been preserved on purpose. I do not know if this would preserve its full virtues, but it is a good sign. Leave it with me. If we face a need, I can attempt to make use of it… somehow or other. If we do not, perhaps we can find someone who can bring forth its full potential."

Assuming no one objects, Hiljikki stows it carefully alongside her tool pouch. Täplä's sharp nose is seen briefly; he appears neither to approve nor disapprove of his new neighbor—which is to say it's not noxious and not a mouse, in reverse order.

•

((Baldhart can Intimidate one person or creature at a time at level one. In the case of Mauve, you can RP it. If you are trying to un-intimidate her, and Nihal decides Mauve is no longer intimidated, that's fine. In other cases, with NPCs or monsters, we'll have to look at it on a case-by-case basis in terms of trying to stop intimidating without leaving the area. In some cases, it may be easy to undue the effects of the intimidation. In others, it may not.))

((Suggestion, from another veteran GM: if Baldhart stops deliberately trying to maintain intimidation, she surrenders any bonuses to her actions it might provide. The target still suffers penalties if (s)he takes actions against Baldhart—it's a psychological thing, after all. If Baldhart is trying to "un"-intimidate the target by being friendly, a new CHA roll would be appropriate: either by Baldhart, to succeed, or a new save by the target. Or both: there's no reason Baldhart should be able to automatically reverse the effect, since this isn't magic… once you scare someone, it tends to stick for a while, no matter what you do to remedy it. If the target wants to try to overcome being intimidated after Baldhart stops being deliberately intimidating but makes no attempt to reverse the effect, allow the target a CHA save; failure indicates ongoing intimidation for the length of the "encounter."))

•

Hiljikki tries to recruit those who have not gone downstairs to see if we can right the statue. Hopefully the mechanism which prevented its fall will aid in the attempt. (By my count, Ankari and Sir Matthew are still up top, along with Burnbright… who is quite likely stronger than Hiljikki; the other two definitely are.) If not, it'll just have to wait.

((Not going to roll it, as it would involve the combined STR of at least three people; figure I'll let you decide if it works or not.))

Whether it succeeds or fails: since no one has responded to Hiljikki's suggestion that they investigate the upstairs, but no one has called us downstairs either, she begins a cautious investigation of the stairways, looking up both to see what can be seen. If there's no obvious termination visible from the temple floor (i.e. doors), and no obvious hazards, she will go to the top of one, look, return and go to the top of the other.

 

[SeverinR]

"You can try to move it by brawn, I will continue to look for the mechaniism that will open it easily."
check for mechanism [1d20+3] = 18+3 = 21

21

"I too, believe all casters are dangerous, I'm just not sure who's more in danger, the group or our enemy."

 

[Phietadix]

Hiljikki tries to recruit those who have not gone downstairs to see if we can right the statue. Hopefully the mechanism which prevented its fall will aid in the attempt. (By my count, Ankari and Sir Matthew are still up top, along with Burnbright… who is quite likely stronger than Hiljikki; the other two definitely are.) If not, it'll just have to wait.

((Here's where everyone is to the best of my knowalage.
Aliron: Downstairs (At least it looks like he went down, but that was after you posted)
Matthew: Downstairs
Rydh: Downstairs
Cadell: Outside
Baldhart: Downstairs
Hiljikki: Uptairs
Ankari: Uptairs
Muave: Downstairs))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Regardless of Baldhart's success or failure to move/break the loose(?) stone…))

I brush chips of stone off of my new dress, and smile at the blue silhouette of a valkyrie that looks so much like Nissa, I almost wonder if she appeared in Arn's dream.

I didn't. Brynhild would never send me into a guy's dream!

Dreams. Thanks for the reminder, Nissa.


"I really appreciate the gift, Rydh. Arn's decoration is meant to honor my goddess, but… you're a holy man. Surely you understand there is more to worship than… decorations.

"I need to know about the knife. We were interrupted before, but I must know if you had a dream as disturbing as mine when the knife was in your possession. If this stone knife is evil, tainted, I… I need to know. A follower of Brynhild must make a sacrifice. I don't want to be one of those women who give up chocolate for several weeks, and leaving a deer's head next to an idol is disgusting! To bear the burden of this knife would be a true sacrifice. But… only if the stone knife is the evil thing I think it is.

"This is very important to me. I'm about to enter the third battle in my entire life, and I don't want to make a lame, desperate sacrifice this time. The knife. It sends bad dreams—dreams of fish demons. Please tell me it does!"

 

[Nihal]

Misery loves company.

Their failure to move the stone amuses me, making me feel a little better about myself. Well, it's not my problem if they're so reckless, I already had my daily quota of foolishness.

I don't feel like going to them and helping, from where I am the stone looks too thick and heavy, all the spells I know wouldn't do anyway. Such a heavy stone, so difficult to move makes me wonder about who placed it there. Didn't they leave any mechanism or object to move it? I scan the room, arms crossed, but don't voice my thoughts. They ignored my questions and warning...

When Aliron speaks up I almost smile. Hey, look, at least one of them is clever enough. I make a face at his comment about spellcasters.

It's tempting to search the place now there is light, but I still don't want to leave my corner. I keep quiet, watching them and listening their talk.



((If I need to roll CHA for the intimidation just tell me. By now I'm considering that Mauve isn't scared to death anymore, she's even considering to stick along - not that she feels like she has a choice right now. Matthew asked her to come along and she took it almost as an order.

She still feels very suspicious about them and any harsh order coming from Baldhart may make her act sheepishly again, what is nothing like her usual behaviour. Even Rydh looks intimidating!))

 

[Sparkie]

Ah, yes. The knife.

"Well, I didn't have the knife long enough to get sleepy, so I had no dreams. I felt a sort of foreboding holding it, though. Beyond that, I have no knowledge of its origins or makeup. Sorry."

((Rydh has no idea, and neither do I. I PM'ed you the description from Steerpike, and that's all I have on it.))

 

[Ireth]

((Here's where everyone is to the best of my knowalage.
Aliron: Downstairs (At least it looks like he went down, but that was after you posted)
Matthew: Downstairs
Rydh: Downstairs
Cadell: Outside
Baldhart: Downstairs
Hiljikki: Uptairs
Ankari: Uptairs
Muave: Downstairs))

((Cadell should be with the others downstairs; I'm just having trouble figuring out exactly what he should do or say, since I'm so bloody far behind. It's been a long time since I've RPed with so many people in one place -- I don't do too well in larger groups. ^^; ))

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart & Rydh

Trying to lift the stone is no use, even after clearing away some of the gunk from the edges. When Badlhart sets to with her hammer, though, it is another story. The blows against the stone ring out in the cellar, and the rock crumbles beneath the hammer, Baldhart clears out a an opening about six inches in diameter, near one of the edges of the stone. The stone itself is some eight inches deep, and below it is an unyielding metal surface. You can't make out any more of it based on the amount of stone you've chipped away.

Mauve

Peering past Baldhart and Rydh, you can also see the metal structure beneath the stone.

Matthew

You hear feet coming down the steps as Baldhart and Rydh are intent on clearing away some of the broken stone. Coming down the stairs is Burnbright, crossbow in hand. She takes in the scene, her eyes fixing briefly on Mauve. She asks you "what's down here?"

Cadell

Moving into the main room of the temple, you see the scene as previously described. The statute of Gefjon is tilted onto its side, though it doesn't rest against the floor. The new female, Hiljikki, is gathering others to try to right the statue. Aliron is searching along the walls of the room. You pass by them and head downstairs, falling just behind Burnbright.

Aliron

There! Underneath the stone shelf set into the wall is an indentation that runs along a foot of its length. It is scarcely noticeable at a distance. An iron lever of some kind rests in the indentation.

Hiljikki and Ankari

Burnbright has her crossbow out and disappears into the doorway, heading to where Baldhart went. There doesn't seem to be any cause for alarm at this point. Even with the two of you, the statue is so heavy that it can only be budged a little. Without the mechanism holding in place, it could easily crush a person.

Hiljikki can't get an good look up the stairs from down in the room. The stairs are not walled, and are exposed to the room below. Once they pass through the ceiling, they appear to extend into upstairs corridors (this hold true for each of the two staircases). Nothing more can be seen from the vantage point below.


Everyone can hear Baldhart hammering against the stone down below. The sun has begun its descent outside, though there is plenty of daylight remaining. There is still no more snow falling, at least.

 

[Sparkie]

Stone to metal. I look up sheepishly to Baldhart.

"Looks like I had you work up a sweat for nothing."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Be where you want to be. Cadell's location hasn't been confirmed. Plus he's quiet, so it wouldn't be weird if he jumped into a conversation or searched a room. Without enemies, there doesn't seem to be a need for turn-based timelines or a post that says, "I go down the stairs. Doh-dee-doh-dee-doh…"))



"A foreboding feeling…?"

How disappointing! I feel like a fool!

Baldhart, are you really gonna let that response stop you from making your chosen sacrifice?

What sacrifice, Nissa? He didn't dream anything. The knife just creeped him out. The dream was just a dream.

Was I just a dream?

That's different, Nissa. You're still around when I wake up. Anyway, why would I be the only one to dream about fish demons just because I'm holding the knife.

You did kill the demon that held it. You were the only one who hit that demon at all, and you were the only one cut by its knife.

Nissa! You're right. That knife truly is my burden to bear then.

Yours and mine.

"Yes, Rydh! You must have sensed its evil, but… the knife cut me. And I killed its owner."—In a single blow!—"Maybe it really is evil. If I keep having dreams while it's in my possession, then I can be sure it's not just a dream, right?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Yeah… brute force does nothing here. I'll go put that statue back as it belongs, than we can get our group back together."

Ung…! [9 - weakest possible again!]

"Oh, for crying out loud!"

Hyaa! [17]

 

[Sparkie]

((I love it when Baldy throws her weight around!))

 

[Nihal]

I cover my ears, trying to protect them from the sound. "Geez!"

They could be shouting our position to any enemy in the area as well, the result would be the same!

I see the metal and I am glad I didn't try to help. Only an inch of metal is enough to block my spell, adding the stone it would be, probably, a good waste of energy. Either someone is trying to keep some magic from prying eyes, or... I look over towards Aliron, trying to see if he found anything.

It's hard to keep track of the talk about a cursed knife, what also interests me. I make a mental note of trying to discover more about this later.

 

[Ankari]

"Keep the pouch. I ask that you don't use it until we determine why it was stowed away in this temple. Come, let's go upstairs while we have some light. We can join the others after a quick look around"

I go upstairs to see if anything is of interest.

 

[Phietadix]

Matthew asked her to come along and she took it almost as an order.

((That was his intent. He wanted to keep an eye on her. Make sure she didn't cause any more trouble))

Turning to Burnbright I say:
“Put your crossbow away, there’s little danger now.â€
At least I hope so.
“This is Mauve; she’s a Magic user of some kind. Don’t worry, everything is under control now.