CH 3: Descent into Darkness

[JadedDM]

The gully dwarves 'ooh' and 'aah at Raistlin's performance. A number of them leave the line and crowd around the crimson wizard, elbowing and shoving each other to get a better look. When Raistlin appears to pull a coin from one gully dwarf's ear, this produced a momentary interruption in the performance as the Aghar's friends grabbed him and peered intently into his ear, one of them even sticking his finger inside to see if more coins might be forthcoming.

While they are distracted, Raistlin singles out one and casts his spell. The gully dwarf in question blinks a few times, but seems to just shake it off. The Aghar, a female, must have had a particularly strong will for her kind.

====================

Just a note, Charm Person only affects one person, not a whole group.

Gully dwarf's saving throw vs spell (1d20-1): 16, pass. The gully dwarf is not charmed.

[Jenara]

Sturm shrugs as he watches the show, the mage was a showman, that was for certain, but he always was.

----

Assumption,
Laurana arrives as The Mage is pulling a coin from the horrible little creatures ear, she notes the signs of magic and waits to see what happens, disappointed she steps forward slowly putting on her best smile.

"Hello, did you like the show? We were looking to find the Highbulp, to give him the greatest show you have ever seen, only we can't tell the bosses, if we do they will stop us." she produces a shiny copper piece. "My friend is going to make this coin magical, with strong magic. He will give it to whoever will show us to the Highbulp." she flashes a look to Rastlin

[JadedDM]

One of the Aghar, a female, steps forward. She is scrawny and unattractive, not wearing shoes, and has her filthy black hair tied up in a bun. Small flies buzz around her head, as she smells of refuse. "Me help!" she proclaims.

"No help!" another one, a male, says tugging on her sleeve. "Masters get mad. Have to ride pot."

She ignores him, however. "Give magic coin to me. Me know secret way down to city, can take you to Highbulp!"

[Jenara]

Laurana smiles kindly, flipping the coin in her fingers she passes the coin to the dwarf.
"The coin is yours, show us the way and my friend will do strong magic." pausing she adds. "I am Laurana."

Stroking his moustache Sturm looks to the rest of the group, he gives Tanis a confused glance. Could they trust these creatures?

[Breila]

Golmoon looks at Laurana, surprised that the young elven lady took the lead. But why shouldn't she, she had a good idea after all.

[Kafen]

Tas briefly ponders his collection of shiny things and waits to see if Flint's cousins are into such things. If they require trade, he might have something useful. Still, it is a shiny coin that she has. He admits to himself. He shifts over and nudges Flint. "What's the pot? Dwarves have punishment dishes?" He asks in awe. "Wow, you guys are strict." He says in a low whisper. "I would have never thought of that kind of thing."

[Jerrard]

"Interesting." Sturm tries to hide his smile, the girl had a brain. While he dissaproved of the methods, the idea worked.

He stands still waiting for the Gully Dwarfs reaction.

[JadedDM]

In the distance, there is the sound of a whip cracking. The gully dwarves, save for their new guide, immediately get back in line. Then the line begins moving forward.

Their guide walks back toward the way the party came from, near the gaping holes in the floor. "This way," she says. "Me know way bosses not know. Is secret."

[Talyn]

Raistlin quickly follows after the Gully Dwarf, obviously not troubled by the creatures. He does not look back at the others, too focused on moving deeper into the city.

[Breila]

"Wait a minute" Goldmoon tells their guide. "Most of us are taller than you are. Are you sure we can use the secret way?"

[mltillis]

Caramon stands silent as Raistlin begins to follow after their guide. Looking first to Tanis and the others, his gaze drifts over the gully dwarves and then towards the sound of the whip cracking. Slowly the big man turns and shuffles after his brother...

[Jenara]

Laurana had gone with the dwarf's only pausing to attempt to pull Tanis along with her. When he resisted she goes alone.

"What is the pot?" she asks as she follows the little ragged creature.

When Goldmoon speaks she adds: "Yes, how are we to fit?"

[Kafen]

Tas tries not to run ahead while following along next to Flint. He eagerly awaits news of this pot penalty of the dwarves.

[JadedDM]

"No problem, fit fine," the gully dwarf says with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Good fun, you see." In answer to the other question, she says, "Big pot, go up and down. Bosses use. Not use big pot, too many bosses. Two bosses. Secret way have no bosses. We use secret way."

Maneuvering around the large holes in the ground, the gully dwarf takes them east. To the south, they can hear a cranking sound, but the gully dwarf ignores it and continues east into a room. It appears to be some kind of temple.

The 30' wide octagonal room rises 60' to a domed ceiling. The back wall bears a relief statue of the goddess Mishakal. The arms of the statue reach down as if to receive something. Exits lie to the north, south, and the western one they just came from.

"Secret way this way," she says, pointing north. "Bosses not know it. Take us down to city."

Riverwind pauses at the statue. "This is...familiar. I have been here before," he says, remembering.

[Breila]

Goldmoon turns towards her beloved. "Is this where Mishakal gave you the staff?" she asks. She proceeds toward the statue, ready to lay the staff into its hands.