Act 1, Scene 4: "Eroding the Wetrocks" (Main Game Thread)

[Jenara]

"Its a Lizard as big as you, tough and its bite hurts, but has see you to turn you to stone." She explains.

(Are there any symbols on the plate?)

[TristenC]

[It's a bowl. But yes, there are many delicate and artistic carvings on it. It is quite ornamental.]

Earthaniel's brow furrows. Basilisk... Looking back to Dellinanth, the other elf's grim countenance seems to confirm the worst. I... cannot ask you to do this... We will go to my people. Those who volunteer will come and... and we will do what can be done. he finishes with a determined tone. The elves hardly glance at the bowl. Looks like it was made by the High Ones. Dellinanth says, though the pair do not give it much thought.


[Back at Camp]
Most of the notes and things gathered from the goblin cave are poorly worded communiques, scribbled in goblin between Mixeg (Signed by an M with a small x crossing the rightmost leg of the letter) and a similarly initialed Ax (where the x is positioned the same). By and large they speak of movements and supplies, pushing Eastward to take more loot or search more caverns. A particular pair of notes, however, have a bit more substance to them... [Translated by Elden, who understands goblin ]

Secund-Cheif Mixeg,
Won of ur axes [apparently a term of rank among the goblins] take nu caves at bridge.
Bone-shaman see the dark god in his dreem, and we mus o-beh.
Have heem sersh eet wel, an leesen two da shaman. Hee dose Ossunin's weel.
Hidein in da caves is a peece of majiks. Our lord mus hav eet, or wee face hees roth.
Wif nu ruum, yu make beeger ur caves. Don kare haw, fine slaves or deeg eet urself!
Da Wetrox bee da beeges Gobyn trybez under our nu lord!

Four Ossunin!

-Ax

[the parchment is dingy and damaged in places, and must be at least a few months old by the worn appearance of the writing.]
//

The next note is in equally poor shape, but slightly more legible. and signed with a pair of sinuous 'S' shapes that cross [§]

Mixeg,
My broder beeneat Ossunin. Da Bone-shaman de-manz yu aid. Eye go to heem to bring da nu caves unner Kuntrol.
Da hoomans an Elfs frum Board-er-ton hav geev heem truble. Hee dos da weel of our lord. Eye com bak when hee
has enuf slaves an stuffs to keep heem going. KEEP UR DOOTIE while eye aweh. Ossunin espec SACRIFISE!
Don kare eef eet slaves or gobbins. Our lord deeman burnd offrins. KEEP da wayz or Ossunin know.. an we all lost.

-§

[The signature is made with a greasy, sooty mark like the scraping of an over-burned bit of flesh]
//

The final item is a map of the area, at least partly not drawn by goblin hand. In fact it is a fair representation of the road and bridge crossing the chasm and the area just west along the cliffs. It was obviously a work in progress, but the detail ends approximately at the party's current position. The map continues westward, as if drawn by a child not yet developed of motor skills. Or perhaps a goblin not paying much attention to its work. It lays out three more locations, one of which is marked through with an 'x' and appears to be a cave with a scribbly black lump drawn next to it labeled only 'Scruff'. The second marked position is another cave labeled 'BEEWAR!!! STON LIZUR'. The third and final location marked is to the south of the canyon and somewhat farther west (though scale is difficult to divine in the goblin portion. That area is labeled only 'Horkag'.

[Chris1234]

Linar says, "I'll be happy to help. Just tell me where."

***
If there's still some daylight left Linar is happy to take his trance early and then stay alert for the rest night when his night vision will be most effective.

======
Does Linar recognise the plate?
How long is it before he needs to return to the Rift?

[Nocturno]

Nocturno will look over the plate, take a meal with the Human(Elden) before he goes, and volunteer for a watch in the dark hours as well.

"Well it seems our work is not done. I wonder if this is a lead Elden could send us word on in the Theljeers."

[Jenara]

(actually Katten kept the bowl hidden and only revealed it to the Elves, she's being a Cat, and Cats often obesssed with shiny things).

"You will not go through this alone, I will help. High Ones? The Elves, can you read it?" She can't explain why she cared about it, but she did.

[TristenC]

[others might have seen the bowl in the cave, because it wouldnt fit in her pouch, but they dont currently have it to examine. There is no writing on the bowl, only images. It seems to be decorative only.]

[Squirrellord]

Jordek spends his time moving through and among the group of people they rescued listening to any concerns voiced and attempting to help where and how he can at camp.

[TristenC]

After a long silence, Earthaniel speaks to Dellinanth. I must go and ask our people... we may need many to free her...

Indendien and I will keep watch, and track the habita of this beast from afar so that when you return we will be ready. The men clasp arms and the newly frees wild elf turns, ready to go back to camp.


[Back at camp]
Some of the freed captives ask about the others that were rescued and if they were well. Others spoke of their homes, reminiscing and talking about what they would first do when they returned.
'===
Does the party wish to escort any of the prisoners home?

7 of the captives will be going north (together) across the Great Pit and on to various places :
(2)Meadville. 3 -1/2 days overland or by road swinging towards Thel Jeers

(2)the forest north of Meadville. 4 days overland

(3)Thel Jeers 3 days by road

2 are going south to Bordertown. 2 days by road

1 is going east to Lesoger (Jordek's home town) 3 days

[Jenara]

"And I will aid you, you are all precious to me." Clasping the two elves tightly. "We must take by suprise, it cannot see us, we kill it, what if it saw its own relfection, like you would in the Pools in my home, would such a thing be possible?"

[TristenC]

The Elves return her gesture, and as they head back to camp he muses over her question. I do not know if it is immune to its own baleful gaze or not, but we would need something very well polished if it were to work at all. At the very least we should cover our own faces or do our best to avert our eyes. It will be difficult fighting so.

As Katten and Earthaniel return to camp they see the others are settling in and discussing where to go after their rest. The papers are all out as the rest of the adventurers have been perusing them.

[Jenara]

Laying the bowl on the floor next to the papers she views them in turn, "This place where Basilisk hide, these other caves. I not go while friend is in trouble. Kill Stone creature, rescue friend." she explains, repeating it (abet much better in Elven).

[Chris1234]

"Is that anything I can help with?" Linar asks the feline.

======
If Katten wants Linar to help then he will.
Otherwise he'll do escort duty.

[Nocturno]

Nocturno will look over the bowl, give any information about it if possible.

He will want to setup escourts for the escapees, but he will also want to help with the monster.

If a plan to deal with the monster after the escourt is done, he will favour that. But he won't leave the liberated prisoners unescourted.

[TristenC]

The bowl appears to be decorative only. Likely crafted by High elves.

[Chris1234]

Is the bowl highly polished, like, say, a mirror?