Author Topic: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast  (Read 4257123 times)

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1290 on: June 17, 2026, 02:13:52 pm »
Alice sets up the tent on the elevator and makes sure it is - and stays - clean while mumbling to herself.
Ashley damned! Just because I didn't want you to bring dirt into my tent doesn't mean you should have just left us...

"Eldermath, that drow what sells apples? His cider is great, but he himself, I'd rather not say."
Alice grins.
Let us call him - interesting!

"Of course they'd think orcs, we had to chase the orcs out when we first returned, and we had to fortify the entrance to keep them back. The goblins don't bother me, they keep to themselves, they'll even trade occasionally, but the orcs are a real menace!"
Alice nods knowingly.
Never seen an Orc since I came here, but they are generally underestimated. Manage to survive even in the toughest environment. A real pest that's almost impossible to eradicate.

I would bet the Rockseekers didn't know about Nezzner or his shenanigans and only thought you needed to negotiate with the watcher."
Which would have been worth a honorable mention, in my humble opinion...

"I guarantee no one asked you to snoop around the dark waters; that was an obvious trap."
We don't do half-assed things. We go in and kill everyone and everything that even remotely looks like it could cause trouble. And eat them. That's how it goes.
Alice pats the sack with the remains of the snake and octopus inside and smiles happily.
That also goes for those cloaked wofl guys. We will hunt them down to the last man, woman or monster associated with them. They have no idea who they're dealing with!



Alice's off-putting appearance seems to be changing slightly; she seems to know how to appear more human, and the dwarf takes her for a human child or half-ling, "nay the crystals in that cavern are mana-infused sphalerite; it's dastardly in that it's beautiful but worthless because of the mana infusion, you can barely mine it even with mithril and Harbin couldn't figure even how he'd get the iron out of it. As for the other veins, I couldn't get you there without a map."
Mhm...
I question how you could mine this place anyway, wouldn't the mana concentration constantly materialize monsters out of thin air? Well, if someone knows, it's you dwarves. I'd still call it a high-risk environment. Not to mention those bandits. We took care of the watcherspectator, or rather Mormesk did, but who guarantees that the bandits won't move it again after we leave? You might face the same problem when you return next time. You'd need a permanent escort. At least until we have dealt with them. Which might be a pain. I do not mind fighting strong enemies, but an asymmetric war against a guerilla who hides among the common population is near impossible to win - unless you eradicate everyone.

Alice shrugs, considering this a valid option, when she remembers something.
Yulya-sama! The whistle! What do we do with it?

Alice was not asked, but agrees it's safer to return to the upper level.
It is well fortified. I doubt anyone would come in this snowstorm, even the bandits said so. If the weather has improved, we can use the fortification as a lookout. There's no other way in and we set ample traps. I wonder if we caught something!




Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1291 on: June 18, 2026, 09:57:01 am »
Cat moves the elevator to the middle floor to collect the barrel there.

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1292 on: June 18, 2026, 04:59:48 pm »
Yulya still tries to make sense of Nezzers rings.


Yulya-sama! The whistle! What do we do with it?
Oh I almost forgot.!
Yulya still feels uncomfortable dealing with Ashleys things. She shows the whistle to Kingir.
We took this whistle from the bandits. Also silver brooches. It appears they enable some sort of tracking. I am unsure whether we should leave this whistle here which would cause trouble as they would return to the mine - or take it with us and risk getting ambushed on the way back to Phandalin. Alice havent you proposed to strap it to an animal? We would need to find and catch one first!

Yulya remembers her beast immunity that might come in handy. But that would till require marching out into the snow.


Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1293 on: June 18, 2026, 09:44:35 pm »
You move to the floor with your barrels, Kingir is much more comfortable.

Quote
I question how you could mine this place anyway. Wouldn't the mana concentration constantly materialize monsters out of thin air?

"It didn't bother us in the past. I can't say I know what that Nezzner was doing; if he could manipulate the energies of the throne room, then I can’t say it wasn’t beyond him."

Quote
...Nezzner's rings...

Yulya still can't figure them out, if she put them on she might know, or she can wait for an appraisal.

Quote
She shows the whistle to Kingir...

He nods and smiles, oblivious to these magical things.

You rest for another 4 hours, Kingir could use another 4, and the brown-haired girl wakes up. She is startled to find herself on the elevator platform and surrounded by other girls and a dwarf. She sees Kingir and her face turns white like she's seen a ghost. She shakes her friend, but she doesn't stir. She keeps her head down and doesn't make a sound, staring at Kingir with disbelief.



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Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1294 on: June 19, 2026, 09:47:16 am »
You rest for another 4 hours, Kingir could use another 4, and the brown-haired girl wakes up. She is startled to find herself on the elevator platform and surrounded by other girls and a dwarf. She sees Kingir and her face turns white like she's seen a ghost. She shakes her friend, but she doesn't stir. She keeps her head down and doesn't make a sound, staring at Kingir with disbelief.
Cat returns carrying a barrel.
Oh good morning Nya! No worries Nya all's good Nya! Would you like some breaded snake Nya? We also have octopus Nya or wild dog Nya - or...
Cat's ears droop slightly
...also a dry ration perhaps Nya?
Cat hopes her cooking is more appreciated by the girls than by the dwarf but leaves the talking to Yulya.


If this hasn't already been done, Cat carefully moves the elevator to the upper floor and checks if there are enemies around.

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1295 on: June 19, 2026, 03:40:13 pm »
You rest for another 4 hours, Kingir could use another 4, and the brown-haired girl wakes up. She is startled to find herself on the elevator platform and surrounded by other girls and a dwarf. She sees Kingir and her face turns white like she's seen a ghost. She shakes her friend, but she doesn't stir. She keeps her head down and doesn't make a sound, staring at Kingir with disbelief.

Oh good morning Nya! No worries Nya all's good Nya! Would you like some breaded snake Nya? We also have octopus Nya or wild dog Nya - or...
Cat's ears droop slightly
...also a dry ration perhaps Nya?
Alice had been comfortably rolled up in her clean tent and pops her head out noticing the commotion. Well rested and in good shape, Alice looks good and presentable as a humanoid - according to her circumstances.
Oh hello! Look who finally woke up! I'm Alice! What's your name? How do you feel? All fresh and clean? No need to be shy!

Even Alice notices the girl appears to be confused and scared - which is understandable.
Yo relax! We're the NPWC, Neverwinter Pest and Weed control! We just finished exterminating all pests in this mine! We're currently on the way up and then it's back to Phandalin! You're from Phandalin right?

Alice hops out of the tent to shake the girl's hand, noticing her reaction to seeing the dwarf alive.
Oh, you know him? Pretty amazing, right? That's our cleric Yulya-sama for you! She's absolutely awesome!


Alice introduces Yulya like a celebrity and pushes her forward to the girl. For now she keeps Nezzer's head hidden, waiting for the 2nd girl to wake up.
When Cat moves the elevator to the top level, Alice scouts ahead to make sure there's no danger up there.

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1296 on: June 20, 2026, 10:05:33 am »
Unable to deal with the rings for now Yulya refills the focus and rests to regenerate her MP.

Alice introduces Yulya like a celebrity and pushes her forward to the girl.
Yulya awkwardly addresses the scared girl in her usual yet odd way for her age.
Fear not my child! We are adventurers of Neverwinter! You are safe here! The enemy has been defeated. I am Yulya - Peace Cleric of Eldath! Pleased to meet you! These are my comrades Alice and Cat.

Yulya shows her adventurers tag. She isnt too happy about the girls reaction to the dwarf and prays he has not done anything bad before getting killed. Yulya shakes off the thought remembering that dwarfs are odd but seldomly evil.
And this gentleman here is Sir Kingir. Indeed the fact that you see him alive is my doing. Your friend should wake up soon. Please do not worry. I know this must all be very confusing but be at ease! Do you feel pain anywhere? You should not have sustained any serious injuries but we can treat even the minor ones!



Yulya does not want to pressure the girl into some kind of confession and for now decides to let her say what she wants to say without prying further and sits down next to her.

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1297 on: June 20, 2026, 11:24:37 am »
The girl stares at Cat fearfully and doesn't respond, thoroughly intimidated. She's a little more at ease with Alice, though she doesn't understand any of the context, she does manage to say her name, Elaine, then she brightens at the mention of Phandalin. As Yulya finishes her speech, Elaine is feeling a lot better, she explains she doesn't know Kingir but she saw him die. She explains her friend is Jonie, and she thinks she must just be very tired.

Kingir remains stoic and doesn't speak.

The platform moves to the top floor and comes to a stop without issue, the mine is dead, especially given the dead bodies, extra dead with dead sprinkled about.




Kingir speaks, "okay then, where are the traps, let's not go rushing about, they might have set more." He hands extra clothes to Elaine and explains how cold it must be outside. "What time is it anyway?" He asks Yulya.

He still looks very tired but is willing to go any time.

Elaine seems in good spirits and unijured, she manages to ask about a giant black panther she saw who helped them escape, but admits it felt more like a dream. She also mentions seeing a nude woman with glowing eyes but feels like she may have imagined her.

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« Last Edit: June 20, 2026, 11:33:41 am by Joy »

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1298 on: June 21, 2026, 05:26:19 am »
Alice is satisfied she is not taken for a monster or ridiculed as a child for once, and leaves Elaine in Yulya's care.

Kingir speaks, "okay then, where are the traps, let's not go rushing about, they might have set more." He hands extra clothes to Elaine and explains how cold it must be outside. "What time is it anyway?" He asks Yulya.
Not asked, Alice responds anyway.
My time-keeping mechanisms are completely broken, I have no idea how long we have been in here. Too long in any case. I hate caves, mines and dungeons. It's good to get outs-
Alice feels the icy draft from outside
Damneed, I forgot it's deepest winter out there! Curse that dragon! I'm gonna cook and eat it just like the others!

Alice goes to carefully inspect the traps or if there is any signs some were overlooked or set anew by intruders.She shows the existing traps to Kingir but doesn't dismantle them yet
Caaat, can you check outside on the palisades? I'm dying here, don't even have my winter clothes yet!

If the coast is clear, Alice takes her warm boots from the storage on this level and dons her wofl cloak over the miner's outfit, proudly showing it to Kingir.
These guys were with the goblins in the den on Triboar trail. I had this custom-made in Neverwinter!


Alice inspects the loot and has to agree with Cat that taking it all will unfortunately be impossible. She consumes 1lb of the bronze dwarven ore.
If I can't take I'll at least eat a bit of it! Can't hurt...

She finds the barrels with ale at the entrance.
Now this is something! We should have a party before leaving!

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1299 on: June 21, 2026, 07:34:07 am »
The girl stares at Cat fearfully and doesn't respond, thoroughly intimidated.
Cat stares back at her with a sad face as her ears droop even further.
Nyaa... but Nya - food? You gotta eat something Nya!


Cat prepares what Elaine would like to eat before heading out with Alice and Kingir to check the traps. Cat enters rage and uses Primal Knowledge to boost her perception to the max for trap detection. She explains her creations to Kingir in a frenzy
Nyaa there's the foot trap here Nya but it's just a disguise Nya you sidestep it and directly trigger the cave-in Nya! This was already in place when we came here Nya we just modified it a bit Nya...
Here we have the caltrops and ball bearings Nya. A bit bland Nya but its just a distraction Nya! Trying to avoid the caltrops you step on the bearings in this dark place Nya and trip Nya!
And here Nya...
Cat points up proudly
The swinging battleaxe Nyaaa! You fall here Nya and trigger this trap Nya and woosh Nya the battleaxe from that giant bugbear comes down Nyahaha!


Let's leave everything until Yulya Nya has decided how long we stay Nya!

Caaat, can you check outside on the palisades? I'm dying here, don't even have my winter clothes yet!
What are you Nya, a child orse some super weapon Nya?
Cat has to accept that Alice is unable to deal with the cold. If the mine is clear of additional traps and there are no signs of intrusion, Cat heads out on the palisades to check the weather and any signs of life or tracks out there.

She finds the barrels with ale at the entrance.
Now this is something! We should have a party before leaving!
Cat grins.
Sure thing Nya! But don't overdo it Nya! I can't carry any drunkards down the mountain Nya!

Alice inspects the loot and has to agree with Cat that taking it all will unfortunately be impossible. She consumes 1lb of the bronze dwarven ore.
Cat warily looks over at Kingir and determines the dwarf is in no shape to carry anything. She scratches her head.
Nyaa this will be tough Nya maybe we can burden the girls with minimal luggage Nya but it won't matter much Nya! We'll leave the ore and scrap here Nya because it belongs to the dwarves Nya! Same with the beer and some supplies Nya! As for the rest Nya...
Cat tries her best to sort the loot and package it in a way it can be transported with 1 level of encumbrance.
Then a temporary camp is set up. Cat returns to Yulya with a barrel of Ale and reports daytime and weather.
Yulya Nya we should leave the following morning Nya, The dwarf has to rest he can barely stand Nya and the other girl also needs to be up and in good shape Nya! We have everything here Nya no need to rush out Nya!

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1300 on: June 21, 2026, 03:06:59 pm »
Yulya is relieved everything appears to be alright with Elaine and there are no issues with Kingir.
Elaine I am pleased to meet you! I'm glad you are doing well. Please eat and drink a bit! Cat is an excellent cook and you need to regain your strength quickly! The descent to Phandalin will be grim in this weather and we must not stall or we will freeze to death!

Elaine seems in good spirits and uninjured, she manages to ask about a giant black panther she saw who helped them escape, but admits it felt more like a dream. She also mentions seeing a nude woman with glowing eyes but feels like she may have imagined her.
Yulyas face gets serious for a moment.
What you have witnessed indeed happened. I will explain once your friend wakes up.

For now would you mind telling me what happened to you? Any information about those bandits and their plans might help us. I admit I have not the slightest idea why you were brought here or why the bandits came to this mine. Their leader Nezzer called you his 'prize' if I recall correctly. All of them who came here are dead, but that does not mean we could not encounter them on the way back. I would rate the probability as low due to the weather though...

Then a temporary camp is set up. Cat returns to Yulya with a barrel of Ale and reports daytime and weather.
Yulya Nya we should leave the following morning Nya, The dwarf has to rest he can barely stand Nya and the other girl also needs to be up and in good shape Nya! We have everything here Nya no need to rush out Nya!
Yulya listens to Cats report and nods.
Let us move to the elevated platform South of this elevator and set up our camp there for now. I would like to have Sir Kingir rest more. Please bring him here! We will have to wait for Jonie to wake up and then assess the situation. We will not leave until everyone is in decent shape. Make sure to barricade the front gate Cat!

When the others return Yulya sets out to try on Nezzers rings at a safe distance. She orders Cat to subjugate her should anything weird happen.Yulya casts GUIDANCE on herself and hesitantly puts on the first ring
« Last Edit: June 21, 2026, 03:19:06 pm by Yulya »

Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1301 on: Yesterday at 03:51:29 am »
Alice goes to carefully inspect the traps or if there is any signs some were overlooked or set anew by intruders. She shows the existing traps to Kingir but doesn't dismantle them yet

Nothing has changed.

proudly showing it to Kingir.
These guys were with the goblins in the den on Triboar trail. I had this custom-made in Neverwinter!

Kingir dismissively grunts in a positive manor.



She finds the barrels with ale at the entrance.Now this is something! We should have a party before leaving!

To her shock the dwarf refuses to partake. "I'd rather get to a warm inn first, I feel exposed here."

Cat stares back at her with a sad face as her ears droop even further. Nyaa... but Nya - food? You gotta eat something Nya!

Elaine accepts a dry ration and nibbles on it with water.

Cat points up proudly,
The swinging battleaxe Nyaaa! You fall here Nya and trigger this trap Nya and woosh Nya the battleaxe from that giant bugbear comes down Nyahaha!

The dwarf looks impressed.

Cat heads out on the palisades to check the weather and any signs of life or tracks out there.

It's dark and quiet outside, the wind is still blowing from the north and the snow is piled to about a 2-4 ft depth in places but otherwise there is a starry sky. Cat can't tell the time given the stars without precise bearing and there is no moon, but narrows it down to some time between 19:30 and 04:30. The day is also a mystery but no foot prints are visible, none even from the ones she herself left last time she was here.

[Time: ??, Spring ??, ??, 8C Inside, -11C Windy, Clear Outside]

Elaine I am pleased to meet you! I'm glad you are doing well. Please eat and drink a bit! Cat is an excellent cook and you need to regain your strength quickly! The descent to Phandalin will be grim in this weather and we must not stall or we will freeze to death!

Elaine looks disheartened.

For now would you mind telling me what happened to you? Any information about those bandits and their plans might help us. I admit I have not the slightest idea why you were brought here or why the bandits came to this mine. Their leader Nezzer called you his 'prize' if I recall correctly. All of them who came here are dead, but that does not mean we could not encounter them on the way back. I would rate the probability as low due to the weather though...

From what Elaine says, Yulya gains no new information. She knows even less than you and says she was knocked out in Phandalin and woke up in a strange room with a towering drawf statue, then saw Kingir killed and was once again knocked out with her friend Jonie but Jonie was never awake. She feels like she hasn't eaten for days and once she begins to eat she feels better.

Let us move to the elevated platform South of this elevator and set up our camp there for now. I would like to have Sir Kingir rest more. Please bring him here! We will have to wait for Jonie to wake up and then assess the situation. We will not leave until everyone is in decent shape. Make sure to barricade the front gate Cat!

The party moves there and settles with the girls in the tent, Kingir dusts off a loose bedroll and finds a nook to rest.

When the others return Yulya sets out to try on Nezzers rings at a safe distance. She orders Cat to subjugate her should anything weird happen. Yulya casts GUIDANCE on herself and hesitantly puts on the first ring.

[Arcana 1d20+5+1d4=20,14]

Yulya can feel one of the rings is similar to the ring of the badger, it likely brings someone back from unconsciousness but only has one gem so likely it has one charge. She suddenly remembers something from a book she read about rings a long time ago, this is a 'Ring of Defying Death', a legendary ring that can cast Revive once per day on the wearer. The other she recognizes as soon as she puts it on, it's a 'Ring of Desperate Healing' a ring that will return half health to the wearer when knocked unconscious once per day. Both rings are extremely valuable, likely north of a thousand gold each, the legendary one easily double the other.

After resting 1 hour, Jonie wakes, Elaine gives her water and food and explains their situation, it's a relief to her and she also puts on many layers of clothing and takes warm food and water. When questioned, she knows even less than Elaine and apparently they are unharmed.



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Re: Campaign #1 - Somewhere on the Sword Coast
« Reply #1302 on: Yesterday at 03:56:48 pm »
Alice patrols the mine an is satisfied no intruders have shown up. But still annoyed b the weather outside.
Couldn't it suddenly have become warm? Didn't Daran say the dragon would leave on its own?

She sifts through the supplies.
Ha, a fur-lined jacket! I'll take this as an additional layer. Does anybody need the fur-lined boots?

To her shock the dwarf refuses to partake in her party. "I'd rather get to a warm inn first, I feel exposed here."
Haa?
A dwarf who refuses beer and can't wait to leave a mine? Don't get me wrong, I'd rather be in Toblen's inn than here as well, but as things are we have idle time. We can't leave in the middle of the night with one of the girls just unconscious! So let's use the time wisely - and party!

The party moves there and settles with the girls in the tent, Kingir dusts off a loose bedroll and finds a nook to rest.
After resting 1 hour, Jonie wakes, Elaine gives her water and food and explains their situation, it's a relief to her and she also puts on many layers of clothing and takes warm food and water. When questioned, she knows even less than Elaine and apparently they are unharmed.
Alice is disappointed by the lack of new info and questions whether Nezzer's ambitions would ever be revealed. She takes out his head and places it on her lap.

So this is the guy who kidnapped you. We still have no idea why. But he was a baaad fella for sure! Isn't that right Mr. Nezzer? I wonder what Daran thinks about you. Are you perhaps related?

Caaat! Bring us some ale pls!
Yulya will now tell the story of Ashley! We must remember her properly and drink to her - beach holiday!

Alice expectantly stares at Yulya with an innocent smile.


« Last Edit: Yesterday at 04:12:26 pm by Alice »