This site is an online accumulation of the Post Reports for my current ongoing D&D Campaign - for anyone who might be interested in reading them.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

PBEM - Episode 504. Clearing the Chimney

FIVE HUNDRED FOUR

(I/C)

Wyn looked around the fireplace and gave a thumbs up. “Nice job clearing dis out, mes amis.”

Brendon nodded, heading back to the chimney. The party closed the door to the hall, clustering around the hearth as the Scout prepared to climb. “Be mindful of your steps in the garden,” he advised them. “We don’t want to leave any indication we’ve opened this up again. Then what? Head over the golem to collect the healing potions and maybe instruct him to make more.”

Kovid agreed, “Try to keep your head on your shoulders in the garden, folks.”

“Wait for my signal, ok?” Brendon asked, getting a chorus of affirmatives in reply. With his light coin once more between his teeth, he then grabbed the rope and proceeded to climb (No roll needed with rope), making it up the chimney swiftly and without issue. Once there, he wormed his way through the grate hole and pulled himself into the second floor hearth. He could see the two Shriekers slowly swelling as he readied himself, a faint whistling noise starting. Taking out the atomizer, he took aim and sprayed the poison, panning it to the side to encompass both of the fungi.

They began to blacken, wither, and darken, a fricative farting noise coming out of their spiracles before they grew silent once again. “We’re good,” he called down.

Motioning Lyra to go first, Abraxas spurred the group on, "Arriba amigos. Arriba uno. Arriba dos. Arriba tres. Vamonos amigos. A el Lab. Vistamos nos amigo, el golem." The Cleric grabbed the rope and started to climb (<Climb check, +2 rope, White 12), making herway without issue to the 2nd floor where Brendon helped her through.

“I’m up,” she called down softly.

Wyn took the rope and offered it to the Magic User, “Offop, time to head upstairs, oui?”

He shook his head. “You go, Tabasco. I don’t come in second after Miracle the Wonderpony.”

Shrugging, the elf swung into the chimney and climbed (<Climb check, +2 rope, Orange 4), making fast time and no issue with ease. Abraxas was next, the Fighter grunting as he pulled himself up and along (>Climb check, +2 rope, Blue 16). As he got to the pitched area though, his foot slipped and he slid down a few feet of the rope, catching his chest and chin on the rounded edge (1d3 Slip Damage, Blue 1 – Take 1 damage!). “Vete a la mierda! Mierda! Maldita sea. ¡Tonterías! ¡Eso duele!” He growled and wrapped his arm around the rope, ignoring his aching chin and the blood leaking through his 2 weeks of rough growth, he pulled himself the rest of the way up, feet kicking and scrabbling on the fireplace bricks.

“You ok,” Lyra asked as he hove into view.

“Si, si. Just my pride.” Abraxas sighed with finality as he finally sat down on the east wall just to the north of the 2nd floor fireplace. “Bueno! Bueno.”

Lannis smiled, looking at Kovid. “Now that the bad roll is out of the way, I’ll go next.”

“I have no idea what you’re going on about, Big Brain.”

Grinning, the Magic User climbed up (<Climb, +2 rope, Pink 11) making his way to the 2nd floor with no problem. He twirled his hat on his finger and looked over at the party, bowing once and saying, “Ta da!” Calling down the chimney, he said, “Let’s go, Short Round!”

“I’m going, I’m going,” Kovid strapped his lantern to his belt and checked the rope. “Ok, not like last time. No falling for me.” He pulled himself up, feet braced, and began to climb. (>Climb check, +2 rope, Yellow 17) But sure enough, the soles of his boots failed to grip a section of the wall and slid out from under him. “Whoo oooOOPS! THOR FUCK!” he dropped down the flue and landed on his rump (1d3 Slip Damage, Yellow 6 – Take 3 Damage!) with a clang of banging metal. “Damn it!”

“Need help?” Brendon called down.

“No! I don’t need any damned help,” Kovid grumbled.

“Sounds like you need help,” Lannis snickered. “Doesn’t it sound like he needs help? I think you need help? Need help?”

“Big Brain, Thor better protect your ass. You’re pressing down on my last nerve, boy.” Kovid grabbed the rope and tried it again (<Climb check, +2 rope, -2 loss of confidence, Yellow 12), this time moving slowly but steadily until he arrived at the top. Once there he was helped up and he nodded his thanks, giving a withering glare at the wizard.

Brendon meanwhile untied his rope from the grate frame and looked around with care. “Should we head over to the stairs so Lannis can shoot off his fireball?”

Wyn shook his head and pointed north, “Let’s go to de golem first.”

“Would be nice to get a few good potions out of that thing,” Lyra noted. “We don’t have any left, right?” 

“No Preistesse, and we are still a bit beat up.” He drew his sword and shield, “Hug dat right wall like we did de first time we went through here, den listen to de door en hope dee be no patrols we gotta watch out fer.” The group lined up, ready to go. “Iffin dere be hobs outside de garden door, we talk bout what to do next. If not, we head to lab. Allons-y!”

The group moved out to the garden door, staying close to the wall, and ignoring the rustling coming from deeper in the room. Once there, Brendon listened (WMC: Red/Black 3), hearing nothing. With care we opened the door and checking the hall was clear, went east, moving quickly, Abraxas shutting the door behind them. At the end of the hall at the “T”, another check and listen showed it was both dark and clear for now. Lyra could feel the connection with the Iron Statue once more, the melding growing stronger the closer the party got to the lab. We went south and then east again, taking the long hall to the end where Brendon listened to the Lab door on the north wall.

Sure it was clear, he took out the key to the Lab and opened the door, the party entering the room one at a time. It was exactly as we had left it, the door locks had held, and Lyra made her way to the waiting statue, the helm glowing purple from the visor as she approached. “Hey, buddy!” she said with a grin. “Good job! Real good job!”

Wyn went to the north door to listen and Brendon stayed at the south one. The rest of the group kept their weapons sheathed as the statue scanned them, Lannis and Wyn staying far enough away to avoid any issues. “How’d he do?”

The Cleric went to the alchemy table and saw 4 healing potions standing next to one another, sealed, labeled, and waiting. “How’d he do? He did great!”

Time now is Day 11, 2:35 PM

(OOC)

Alright! 4 healing potions. Taking now or saving for later? You are in the Lab. Shriekers neutralized. And once again, you have given the denizens the slip and no one knows where you are again. What’s the plan?

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