Continued Adventure

load previous
May 27, 2026 12:33 am
Marev steps up to the threshold, his eyes scanning the churned earth one last time before looking back at the group

"Look at the tree line and the stonework here. We’ve got fresh bear tracks, and by the depth of the prints and how much the doorframe was forced, it’s a massive one. It moved away, but it's likely still in the immediate vicinity. Keep your eyes sharp and your backs to the wall while we're exposed up here."
Marev says, his voice low to keep from carrying down the stairwell.


"Elspaeth, Borgo..."
He gestures toward the dark opening where the stale, tainted air wafts out.
"Before we step down into the dark, let's establish our bearings. Do either of you remember exactly what path you took through the main chamber when you passed through here the third time? If we're tracking Gandry or Thak, I want to know if they're following your old footsteps or breaking new ground."
May 27, 2026 12:46 pm
Borgo had been unconscious during the party's escape. He shook his head in response. He prepared to go into the enrance chamber, goosebumps climbing up his spine as he readied himself.
May 27, 2026 6:48 pm
"...The third time?" Elspaeth looks askant at Borgo and shrugs. "Did we..?"
May 28, 2026 4:28 am
To save you going back through the posts....

Borgo, Elspeath and Berith give you the following rundown as they remember it.

First level (image above):
Main pattern room: killed skeletons, seems empty, thuroughly searched.
Right Room with Giant Anvil: seeming empty, source of clean water, Anvil and it's alcove thuroughly searched.
Left room: old library/apothecary, found two potions and a bit of cash and a hidden way down through a box.

Third level:
Big room: destroyed study/office area. Killed two abominations. One stair up and one unexplored exit.

Second Level (from stairs):
Trap room: Crossbows! We able to crawl undereath firing line.
- Left Room: False Treasure: Illusion covering a chute down to a cave or lair. The beast took the priest and they fled.
- Tunnel and stairs across the trap room leading too? Seeming pit trap of some kind.

I'll create a new thread to post images, I think...
May 30, 2026 5:41 am
After the group finishes sketching out their last trip down, Berith muses on the giant anvil. "I'm still in awe of how the anvil was placed in the room, but I think we should head to the left and go back down through the box. We should tread carefully in case any one or any thing made their way into the temple." Berith moves to stand by Borgo at the entrance, waiting for the group.
May 30, 2026 7:59 am
"Still think there’s something in the big anvil room, but it’s either very well hidden, or it’s somehow locked," Borgo commented, after listening to Berith.
OOC:
We didn’t examine the pools in that room in great detail, but un underwater passage, or something hidden behind/below/beside them can’t be excluded. We should fully expect the bear to be in one of the three chambers of this level, sine it can’t have taken the ladder down. We could try to be smarter about the passages we know in the lower level, and if we ever encounter the huge multi-legged monstrosity, it is clear we should try to bring it into the crossbow-trapped room to increase our odds of taking it down…
Last edited May 30, 2026 8:00 am
Jun 1, 2026 11:53 pm
Marev uses a sharp eye around the entrance of the temple

"An animal that size isn't navigating a hidden chute or a vertical ladder. If it forced the doors, it’s either still up here combing these three chambers for a meal, or it’s waiting just outside the tree line. I don't fancy getting pinned in a choke point with a grizzly at our backs."

He drops into a low crouch as he moves toward the threshold. Marev focuses his attention on the floor of the main chamber, looking for heavy scuff marks, displaced dust, claw grooves, or any signs of moisture or fur that reveal which direction the bear took when it moved past the entryway.
OOC:
Marev is tracking the location or direction of the bear
Wayfinder: Advantage on tracking

Rolls

Tracking with Advantage - (2d20)

(184) = 22

Jun 2, 2026 12:38 pm
Leaf litter, dirt and dust has been carried down the stairs by the winds since the doors to this place been opened and in them Marev can tell the bear came almost fully down the stairs. He can see signs that it was cautious or uncertain and near the bottom of the stairs, it seemed to have gotten spooked as it hurried back up and out.

Concerned the creature might be near, Marev check back up top and finds its tracks leading around the hillock and away to the North at a fast pace. It sends it didn’t like what it sensed below and you don’t think it will return.
OOC:
Of the room itself Marc could not see much beyond the small semicircle of light. A portion of the block dwarvish pattern. A few scattered desiccated bones. Light will need to be carried down here unless you want to stumble about in the dark.
Jun 2, 2026 11:05 pm
Marev is deep in thought as he tracks the bear. He turns to the party and says

"I dont think we'll be stumbling upon a bear down here. The bad news is there's something down here that would freighten a bear into fleeing"
Marev turns and speaks to Borgo and Berith
"I suppose we'll go investigate this anvil you speak of? Lets hope whatever caused the bear to flee isn't waiting for us in there"
OOC:
After creating my character i realized I didn't start with very many torches but i can go ahead and light the first one if you all want to try for the anvil room first.

Also I think I should say its probably best Marev not lead the way too much since HP are very low and is much more useful with ranged weapons. Since Marev is a scout i will make the best use of his ability to scout ahead im just saying it should be done strategically especially if we're in the dark. If someone else is holding the torch Marev can be more useful stealth wise and maybe scout ahead out of range of the torch light if need be
Last edited June 2, 2026 11:15 pm
Jun 3, 2026 8:25 am
OOC:
Heh. You have twice as many HP as Borgo. :)
Jun 3, 2026 8:18 pm
"The anvil’s as good a place as any to start," he looked at Berith and asked "You carry the torch? I go sneaking a bit ahead?"
OOC:
Who is used to taking lead, confident his 3hp will protect him from any harm!! :)
Jun 3, 2026 10:54 pm
Elspaeth takes up her usual stance, crossbow at the ready, watching the passages about them.
Jun 4, 2026 4:53 am
Nodding at Borgo's question, Berith pulls out and lights a torch. "After you" she says as she gestures Borgo ahead back down into the depths.
Jun 4, 2026 4:07 pm
Nord takes up his shield and mace. As one of the hardier and better protected of his companions he heads to the front of the group. He touches his fist, holding the mace, to his holy symbol.

May Terrangnis protect us. Let's keep our wits about us down here.
Jun 4, 2026 7:28 pm
"This way," he called out to Nord, leading the way to the anvil chamber. "Hopefully there won’t be any skeletons on the way."
Jun 4, 2026 8:16 pm
Berith follows Borgo and Nord down
Jun 4, 2026 11:08 pm
Marev falls in line staying out of the torchlight while hugging the walls and keeping an eye out for any oncoming threats up ahead of Nord
Last edited June 4, 2026 11:09 pm
Jun 4, 2026 11:19 pm
Elspaeth brings up the rear, guarding their backs
Jun 5, 2026 5:55 am
Borgo and Nord head down the strairs almost together. Borgo is in the lead, but Nord follows a few steps behind and to the right. Berith follows behind providing close behind to light the way. Reaching the bottom step the expanding crescent of torchlight brings some of the room into view.

There is a bit more detritus on the floor than before but the still surface remains largely clean and clear but for the scattered bones from the skeletons you defeated. The acrid tang you all remember from the creatures above faintly permeates the thick musty air. 10' in front of the stair begins the massive angular pattern of inlaid silvery metal and stone. The light only reveals the closest portion of it but you know the pattern nearly fills the room. The room itself is silent with the only sound coming from the party.

Giving it hardly a second look, Borgo waves the rest of the party down and then leads them off to the right. The huge double door come into view and the one you struggled to open remains ajar. It is open wide enough to allow any of you easy entry, as you left it.

You stand grouped before the right hand set of double doors (as you come down the stairs). The door is partially open. You can see your light passes through illuminting part of the floor inside and the base of the cistern on the right side.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Jun 5, 2026 8:44 pm
Borgo sneaked up to the door, signalling Nord to stay put with his noisy clanking armor. He stretched his head slightly beyond the open doorway, trying to sense any presences beyond. He attempted to recall if the smells and sounds reminded him of their first passage, or if there was something different here, this time around.
load next

You do not have permission to post in this thread.