Jarovbees
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Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on Dec 2, 2019 22:51:16 GMT
The assignment was a simple one, as much as freelance adventuring ever could be. A new and prominent addition to Waterdeep's notice boards desperately sought those not opposed to some travel outside the city, for the purposes of investigating one Montarthas Manor. According to the notice, people have been going missing when traveling in the areas around the manor. The mayor of the nearest town has offered fair compensation to those brave enough to enter and skillful enough to return, with the promise of additional funds should the source of the disappearance be dealt with once and for all. Naturally, Solstice jumped at a chance to lead the charge. She wasn't going to say no to any coin -equipment needed to be maintained and there was a growing boy in the house to feed- but it was easy to spot the eager gleam in the firbolg's eyes as she recruited nearby adventurers -familiar and otherwise- into joining the quest. As a paladin, she felt oath-bound to face this new challenge and thwart the source of the evil that lurked within. The past few days of relatively uneventful travel gave her little else to focus on, so that by the time the group approached the mansion on a chill and windy evening, she was fairly itching to see the inside of this dreaded manor for herself. As the group approached the mansion, it was easy to notice that the blackness of the stone was unnatural and almost tainted. The air grew thick and what little light the night gave became duller and duller with each footstep. Solstice reached into the pouch at her side and activated her driftglobe, but even the bluish light it shed felt somewhat stifled, enhancing the shadows around them. The firbolg paced around the area, peering around before shaking her head at the others. "I'm sensing nothing outside. Whatever evil dwells in the area, it must solely be within." Before them were a set of steps that lead into the high archways that govern the entryway into the mansion proper. A large set of dark oak double doors remained intact and as Solstice approached them, those taking a look around might notice small crystal blue eyes peering at them from behind a dark window beside the doorway. Briefly, and then they are gone. The firbolg narrowed her eyes in that direction, waiting a moment before testing the door's strength. A gentle tug yielded nothing; the door wouldn't budge. "Stand back...." She backed up as well, before slamming her bulk against the door to see how it would hold up against the bulk of a giantkin. ElTnuBLa1d20+6Despite her best effort, the doors remained firm and unmoving. Solstice wiped her brow and sighed, then glanced back at the rest. "That's one strong door! It didn't so much as budge. Anyone else want to give it a shot?" moralhazard sojourn 3personal5me (We are not going to do a posting order outsider combat, so just go ahead as you will!) 1d20+6 |
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Post by moralhazard on Dec 2, 2019 23:05:40 GMT
Something something treasure, was more or less what Miri remembered having heard about Montarthas Manor. Sure, there had been vague rumors of disappearances, and hauntings, and missing people, and sure, the building seemed to suck up all the light about it in a way that Miri was sure was naturally caused by the stone, and not remotely unlucky in any way.
Definitely treasure though; Miri was sure she’d heard something about treasure.
Miri glanced up at the moon, winked, and eased down the sleeve of her leather armor to kiss the crescent moon on her wrist for luck.
She watched, grinning slightly, as Solstice slammed herself against the door. Miri was quite sure that sort of tackle would move her – effortlessly – and she was equally sure she wouldn’t mind in the least, if Solstice wanted to practice with her.
“I can try,” Miri offered. “Maybe a gentler touch,” she winked at Solstice, trotted up the steps, and cracked her neck, followed by each of her fingers, popping them lightly at the knuckles. Gloved fingers disappeared into her hair, and emerged with a set of lock-picking tools from beneath the thick curls.
Miri squinted at the door’s lock, and leaned forward, giving it her best shot.
Lock-picking attempt: iQUMgKtJ1d20+111d20+11
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on Dec 2, 2019 23:21:19 GMT
One thing was certain; if that door could have been opened through lock-picking, Miri would have had it well in hand by now. Her technique was flawless to the naked eye, pretty damn good to an educated one...and yet, the lock holds fast. The door does not open. The lockpicks, no matter how Miri moves them, fail to find a hold that causes the lock to move.
(Anyone who wants to can make an Arcana check.)
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Post by 3personal5me on Dec 3, 2019 0:08:21 GMT
Anthony was always looking for work. While his family had vast resources, his finances were a bit limited so far from home. And if normal adventuring gear wasn't costly enough, he also had to contend with the costs of raw materials (and occasional damage) that his work required. If the price tag wasn't enough of a reason to take the job, the location sealed the deal. He had heard of the Montarthas Manor before, given his natural interest in the unexplained and the arcane. The mystery itself would prove fun to unravel, and who knew what he may learn along the way. The chance to help people, and save lives, was the icing on the cake. This was exactly why he moved to Waterdeep.
He suited up, donning his Iron Defender armor and RPM Harness. Scale mail armor with ceramic plates overtop, giving it a streamlined look that complimented the brilliant reds and golds of his family crest. He carried a myriad of other gadgets with him, worn on primarily on the belt. With his power monitoring system and nightvision active, the helmets "eyes" gave off a soft blue glow.
By the time the group actually reached the manor, he was excited to finally do something that wasn't walking. He hung back at first, as the group took their first impressions of the building. He watched as the firbolg, Solstice, barreled into the door and bounced off harmlessly. A solid door, he surmised. But when another member of the party failed to pick the lock, he was intrigued. He was familiar with lockpicking, and this woman was clearly an expert. The fact that the door did not yield to their combined efforts made him think that perhaps there was something more at play.
"I think it's obvious this is no normal door and lock. I'm guessing magic. Do you mind if I take a look?" The last part wasn't really a question, as he was already leaning over Miri to inspect the door frame.
(Arcana Check on dat door)
bRiyQi2e1d20+61d20+6
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on Dec 3, 2019 0:24:41 GMT
After some study, Anthony will notice that there is an eerie presence which surrounds the doors, as if they themselves do not wish to be opened. It's not a specific spell that he would know, but it doesn't take much effort to determine that something arcane, divine or otherwise beyond normal limits is at work here. Solstice, about to tap into her firbolg heritage and cast Detect Magic, pauses and waits for Anthony to finish, eyebrows raised as she's very interested to hear the answer. If she can save that magic detecting ability, all the better; she has a feeling it will be needed inside.
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Post by 3personal5me on Dec 3, 2019 0:38:41 GMT
He passed his artificial hand along the seams of the frame. Deep within the metal limb, sensitive crystals absorbed small amounts of the trace magic emanating from the door. "It's magic, for sure. Not sure what kind though. Could need a secret word, could need a ritual sacrifice. Probably the first one, if only because it would be annoying to bring a sacrifice with you when you leave the house". He took a step back from the door, hoping the change in perspective would spark an idea. "Please open?" he implored.
(Forgot to do Anthonys Infusions and spell selection. Infusions are his arm and nightvision goggles. Spell choices are Faerie Fire, Expeditious Retreat, Cure Wounds, Identify, Jump, Grease)
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Post by sojourn on Dec 3, 2019 3:26:59 GMT
M issing people generally meant someone was looking for them, but if people went missing for too long, that just meant that there was a bigger problem. Whether it was for the potential profit of finding someone who had been lost or for the potential safety of dealing with something dangerous even this far outside of the comfortable walls of Waterdeep, Kieran had been led to follow the notice board request not only out of greed but also out of curiosity.
It was with a bit of cheer that he found himself traveling with a few familiar faces—faces he had no particular complaints about getting into trouble with, either. Solstice's tall, calm self and Miri's familiarity more than made up for Anthony's strangeness.
Admittedly not a conversationalist by any means, he wasn't a difficult companion on the road so much as a quiet, aloof one, but at least he could cook. What he lacked in social graces, the half-drow more than made up for in talents that did not require talking: tasty food, silent tracking, and the occasional bout of patiently listening to someone else talk.
As their small group finally made it to the strange manor, Kieran made note of the disquieting unnaturalness of their surroundings and the strange atmosphere the entire estate seemed full of. It was windy and once they were close enough to the manor itself, he had to wonder why anyone would consider the place safe at all—no wonder people had disappeared here!
A bit of initial poking around produced no real clues, and so it seemed as though starting with the front door was at least marginally logical. Tense and on edge by the weirdness of the exterior, Kieran followed the others as they made their way toward the front door as if it was the most logical of all beginnings—maybe a window would have been better? or a back door? or any other way, really?
His violet gaze caught a glimpse of something watching them—or at least, he was sure he felt it!—but as soon as he attempted to make eye contact with whatever was peering in their direction, it was gone! Chewing the inside of his cheek and shifting his grip on his quarterstaff, he stepped aside warily to give the tall firbolg her opportunity to attempt to open the door. He stayed out of the way when that didn't work and Miri offered the talented use of her hands. Well, to the door. Teeth against the ring through his lip, the half-drow chose to keep his comments on gentler touching to himself, humorous and off-color though they might have been.
Strangely enough, between the two of them, nothing happened!
He didn't like the unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach or the way it seemed to tingle along the back of his neck. Watching quietly as everyone investigated, Kieran hung back, watching the windows and attempting to make sense of things.
"Seems 's though enough folks 've gone missin' that sacrifices may not be far from th' truth." Kieran finally grunted, the pronouncement of magic and persistent sensation of something willful still filling his senses, "Perhaps we came all this way for nothin'—"
He smirked, slipping past the others to knock instead of beg, calloused knuckles with new, runic tattoos rapping with a firm confidence,
"—'f this doesn't work, I s'pose we can try bustin' a window." Tongue in cheek, if the knocking produced no response, he'd stay true to his word and step toward the closest window, ready for a good smash with his quarterstaff, grinning now, "Either that 'r we can jus' go home—I didn't know this place would be invitation-only." |
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on Dec 3, 2019 4:36:44 GMT
"So polite...." Solstice watched Anthony's plea with interest, though she shook her head when it produced no result. Not that she thought it would -creepy houses that practically radiated evil didn't typically respond to manners- but the usual means of entry weren't working, and that made her a little more desperate. Kieran's tongue-in-cheek comment provoked a thoughtful look from the firbolg woman, who stepped away from the double doors and down the steps. "A window, hm? Well, I should be tall enough to help someone test them, if you'd like to stand on my shoulders. Don't worry, I'm steady enough and I'll not drop you. It's either that, or you can watch me smite the door. You ought to at least stand back for that, though. It can get a bit flashy."
She quirked a smile back at them, half-joking. It wasn't anywhere near the top of her list, as she preferred to keep such divine power ready for the foul beings within. But if that's what it took to get inside, then so be it. She would have to ask paladin acquaintances in Waterdeep about unusual uses for smiting later, just to satiate her curiosity. For now, they had a mission...no matter how determined the mansion might be to keep them out. Solstice was never that good at following orders.
Placing herself below the nearest window, she waited for her companions to join her. "So, who will it be? Any of you look light enough to me, so don't be shy."
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Post by moralhazard on Dec 3, 2019 6:32:33 GMT
Miri glanced sideways at Kieran, then back at Solstice. She grinned, a flash of white teeth in her dark face. “Windows are something of a speciality,” she said, and winked at the half-drow. Whatever shame she felt - or didn’t feel - she saw little point in acknowledging it.
Miri was also not in the least shy about finding her way onto Solstice. “You are strong,” she told the firbolg, smiling, fingers tracing over armor as she went. Soon enough, Miri’s thighs were settled on Solstice’s shoulders, her hands finding a comfortable place to rest on the firbolg’s head - slowly, and perhaps a little lingeringly.
“Ready?” Miri asked, leaning forward to find the edge of Solstice’s ear. She grinned.
Once she had the go ahead, Miri would straighten up, carefully, until she was standing upright on Solstice’s shoulders, one foot planted one each. Miri would try to open the windows first, if she could; if not, she would grab hold of one of her short swords, and slam the hilt into the window, with as much force as she could manage.
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Post by sojourn on Dec 5, 2019 3:53:01 GMT
T he door didn't budge at brute force. It didn't budge at lock picks. It didn't budge at politeness. It didn't open when knocked on. Kieran frowned, glanced up at the windows, and chuckled at Solstice's promises, nodding along with the plan. Honestly, he could have just scaled the wall—
Windows.
The half-drow snorted. He chuckled again, but it was without any malice. It wasn't without any feeling, however, and he cut the laugh short in his throat with a sharp inhale of breath. There was no ruefulness in his expression as his well-carved face drew into one that could only be described as a mockery of thoughtfulness,
"She's no' lyin' 'bout windows, though, last time I checked, out 'f 'em isn't th' same as in." He could have said to be careful, but that wasn't Miri's style any more than it was at all his. He could have offered his smaller self to do the firbolg-climbing, but it was clear that Miri was enjoying herself and he certainly knew better than to get in the way of such a thing unless otherwise invited. He simply looked up again, hiding his doubt behind the flash of a grin, and shifted his grip on the quarterstaff in his calloused hands.
Looking to Anthony, he shrugged, "Stand back, I guess?" He laughed—some low rumble of amusement in his mostly bare, tattooed chest, and stepped a few quick, nimble steps away, "I'm jus' gonna ... see 'f we've got other options."
One more violet glance toward the door, pale eyelashes nearly touching as he narrowed his gaze, and then he simply turned and walked away from the foyer and columns and entrance altogether, thinking to get a better view of the front of the mansion in hopes of finding another way in should this prove itself just as ineffective.
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on Dec 5, 2019 4:21:06 GMT
That Miri was taking up Solstice's offer didn't surprise the firbolg in the least, at this point. A few days on the road with someone was a good way to get to know them, and Miri's flirtatiousness wasn't at all subtle. Not that Solstice minded or judged, she just responded to it all with eyes glittering in amusement and a grin on her lips. She didn't take any of it seriously, but nor was she about to tell Miri to be anything but what she was--and much like herself, she had a feeling that the human woman didn't care to take orders anyway. So, she was an amiable, good-natured climbing post for Miri, patiently assisting the woman upward. She chuckled, some of her sense of foreboding lifted by Miri's antics, and glanced up, barely feeling Miri's hands atop her thick mass of curls. "Don't get too comfortable, lass. We're going to need your talents more than ever, and this is just the beginning." Reaching up to help steady Miri's feet -just as a precaution- Solstice fell silent so as not to distract Miri from testing the doors. The windows themselves didn't open, but something else happened. A loud ‘creeeeaaak’ nearly made Solstice jump out of her skin, and she glanced over only to see that the doors have opened, on their own accord. The looming black space beyond the entryway was utterly silent. Solstice raised her eyebrows and made a thoughtful noise. "An invitation, at last. I guess it only wanted us here on its terms, then? I hope it's not as finicky about us when we need to leave...."
3personal5me sojourn |
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Post by moralhazard on Dec 5, 2019 21:35:45 GMT
Miri was standing on Solstice’s shoulders, the firbolg’s hands lightly settled on her feet, her hands busy with the windows, when the door creaked noisily open. Solstice jerked beneath her, and Miri shifted her balance, and didn’t even come close to falling.
“Well,” Miri said, glancing up at the window, then down at the long column of darkness leading indoors. She grinned, broadly, and climbed back down, sitting for a moment on Solstice’s shoulders. She lost her train of thought for a moment, brushing gloved fingers delicately through the Firbolg’s hair.
“You have lovely curls,” Miri said, cheerfully. Then, regretfully, she patted Solstice’s head, and eased the rest of the way down, off her traveling companion and back onto the ground. Miri made towards the door, glancing around for anything obviously worrying in the dark entryway.
“I think someone just has a sense of humor!” She called, cheerfully, as she made to enter. “Or, at least, I hope so." Miri grinned, broadly, and assuming she saw nothing which made the motion seem like a terribly poor idea, would step inside unhesitatingly.
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Post by 3personal5me on Dec 10, 2019 1:50:29 GMT
Anthony joined Kieran as they moved away from the building, hoping a new perspective may spark an idea. While he wasn't entirely against forceful entry, it seemed prudent to maintain some sort of stealth while they could. He considered the possibility of entering on the second floor when the door began to open, ending his planning phase.
"Well, they know we're here. Guess they didn't want a busted window. Let's go say hi!" He was already heading towards the door with Miri.
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Post by 3personal5me on Dec 10, 2019 8:04:17 GMT
(Forgot that Anthony also has Shield and Thunderwave prepared, thanks to his subclass)
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on Jan 19, 2020 17:00:17 GMT
Solstice, easily catching up to the pair, took a moment to cast Aid on Miri, Kieran and Anthony. The eerie atmosphere of the structure brought out her protective side, and she was well-defended enough on her own without it. Her companions, capable though they must be, were just a little more 'squishy', so she thought to even things out a bit.
That done, the firbolg withdrew a small sphere of thick glass. Muttering the command word under her breath, she caused it to glow with the light equivalent to a torch and, with another word, it hovered in the air. Slowly, it descended until it was floating no more than five feet off the ground. A bit short for Solstice's taste, but she was sure it would suit her companions well enough. She flashed an apologetic smile their way. "I can't see in the dark, so excuse the extra light source."
Her hands now free after that, she readjusted her shield and kept a hand on her sheathed sword, moving ahead of them so that anything emerging will have to deal with her first. However, nothing lashed out at them. The light the driftglobe provided was enough to see the entry foyer clearly, which consisted of a large open space with a floor of black marble. Two imposing looking demonic statues stood to either side of the foyer as if motionlessly keeping watch over the empty room.
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