View source for Embla Moves to the Water

'''Continued From [[A Wet Cavern]]'''

==Summary==

Englehart makes his way down to the water with Embla. Meanwhile, Lothar discovers that the kegs are full of ale mixed with blood, and after some thought of pouring it down the slope to draw out any hidden foes, Engelhart casts light in the centre of the room under the water, drawing the attention and ire of an enormous frog.

==[https://juvenis-campaign.blogspot.com/2017/06/embla-moves-to-water.html Original Page]==

[https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgz5VIlHhqtIewBGjkIUcVsU5ZZyNOvj2C9f18K3X6BqFVyAJPUKJfx7vehPD5UUgjP2WXXjyOi_cCYIuwQhlBdeb_W9xO6bNSkRQfpK3UAtknIN2gvLvMxLf-qHNm4Xi1EGbzMlhxUAs/s1600/Water+Cave.png Water Cave]
[https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HIYOVWjDHuSledEboke3FVsJ_1vLVU0WueRN3RnpfpCzHiwDlETiB409iAk2jGGpDkTFWGet6JoGEED-YM3AvHZoLJwEDvzVGQPgdvThonq1H4v-4RwvMs7jSXtYyX2oXgYr7DdR2bA/s1600/Water+Cave+-+Detail.png More Detail]

'''The DM:''' Here is a view of the whole water cave, and a detailed view of the party.  Embla, you've reached the water line.  What do you wish to do?  You can hear the lapping water against the rocks in the pool, but otherwise your senses are as they were before.

'''[[Embla Strand|Embla]]:''' I take the haft of my battleaxe and probe the water to see how deep it is. I know that will create ripples and alert whatever is down here, but this is vital info.

'''The DM:''' You'll have to reach your axe down until it is mostly wet, and your hand too, to touch bottom; the depth is about three feet, with a rock surface (at least, immediately next to the slope).

'''The DM:''' You can smell moss strongly; there is a grey species is growing on the rocks sticking out of the water and on the bottom four feet of the walls.

'''The DM:''' I have to ask; does anyone else want to make their way down the slope to stand beside Embla?

'''[[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]:''' I'll ask Lothar about the moss, it's a longshot, but...

Other than that, sure, I oblige to 0406, stashing the sling and grabbing the maul.

How slippery or stable do the rocks seem to be, Alexis? My mind can't help but notice that they form a hopping pathway of sorts.

'''The DM:''' The rocks are damp, but not impassable. If you had to fight on them, there would be a round-by-round check to hold your position. To climb down, however, I'll rule there are enough hand-holds that there's no need to make a dex check.

Embla, Engelhart moves down the slope towards you.

Lothar, Pandred? I haven't heard much from either of you lately. Are there any problems?

'''[[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]:''' I don't feel too shabby about things with Pandred & Lothar's missile support.

Two thoughts:

- My light spell has a 20' (4-hex) radius, enough to illuminate the entirety of this section of the cave and, though I'm reluctant to waste it, I put the option on the table all the same.

- We might get by with emptying the contents of one/several of the blood-derived content of the barrels into the water and see what comes out of it.

[Alexis: Lothar did declare that he would crack open one of the barrels, not sure if you ever replied to him about contents].

'''[[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]:''' To clarify: When I say "illuminate this section of the cave", I mean as in "under the water".

But, so far there's no great indication of danger and there's really no telling just yet for how long the cave system may run.

'''[[Embla Strand|Embla]]:''' I watch Engelhart, making ready to catch him should he fall.

'''[[Pandred]]:''' I'll be ready with the throwing axe.

No problems, but Lothar and I are very injured, and having just hit 2nd level, I personally am living torn between the desire for that sweet loot and the desire to live to spend it.

Otherwise this is the exact sort of thing I'd be all over. Geronimo!

For now, caution abides.

'''The DM:''' Ah, I remember Lothar's saying that, but I put it off, meaning to respond the next morning. Then forgot.

The barrel indeed includes ale; it is a somewhat more reddish color than normal, but it is effectively transluscent as always. You would guess that about a pint of blood has been added to the full barrel. This makes it smell off, considering the lid has been on.

If the light spell were cast under the water, yes, I agree, that would likely make the water more translucent than the ale. Considerably so, and enough to illuminate any large, moving mass that was underneath (excellent strategy, if there is anything there!)

'''The DM:''' Hell, Pandred, you can still take 14 damage before you die!

'''The DM:''' Engelhart, sorry. You're by the water's edge.

'''The DM:''' There, Pandred, I've added another skill to your balancing ability. This is something everyone should look at, given the present situation.

'''[[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]:''' I'll ask Lothar for a barrel and proceed, with Embla's help, to pour one out for our little friend... (unless someone objects)

'''The DM:''' The barrels are full, 63 gallons, or about 270 lbs. Pandred has the strength to tip one over, but not carry one or even move it slowly down the slope. If rolled off the ledge, however, it would make a spectacular fall and would likely break just before it hit the waterline, spewing its contents into the pond.

'''[[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]:''' Uhm, too much of a splash, I reckon.

Maybe effect the spillage starting from the top of the slope, for a bit of a crimson waterfall?

An empty barrel is bound to be of use anyway.

'''The DM:''' 63 gallons on a 20 foot slope would show, but a lot of the fluid spread over that much uneven rock would simply collect, pool and dribble into the pool. You might get a bit of a flow, but picture yourself emptying a rainbarrel over 20 feet of jumbled stone (rather than over pavement).

Not saying a third of the contents wouldn't get there... just might not be that impressive.

'''[[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]:''' I've no worries about that, after all we've got more than one barrel to draw upon.

What say you, party?

'''[[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]:''' Well... since no one stirs and I don't really want to waste the day's running with no significant progress, I'll go ahead and resort to using the crutch.

I cast Light at the center of the cave.

Tell us things, Alexis.

'''The DM:''' [I don't know about Lothar; Pandred is shy about hit points and Embla has let me know she's going to be spotty for the next two MONTHS, given that she's taken on a commitment ~ so we'll make headway as we can]

Lighting up the cavern pond definitely produces a reaction! There is a large, a very large black shape that comes moving forward quickly. I'll spare the surprise, since this is precisely what you expected to find. But I will need a d6 for initiative. Since we're the only ones who are up right now, please go ahead and roll, Engelhart.

'''[[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]:''' I rolled a 2.

I don't know if it applies, but as per the spell there might be a chance that the creature be blinded.

'''The DM:''' You have to target the eyes of the creature specifically to take the benefit of that blinding. You randomly cast the spell under the water; it is very, very unlikely that you lucked out.

I rolled a 4, giving me initiative.

A huge, 500 lb. frog rises out of the water and strikes out with its tongue...

[I am working on an intense post for the moment, then I'm going to rework some writing that won't count in today's word total. So I'm going to leave the party hanging at this point ~ yes, cruel, I know. I'll be working until Tuesday after that, but I will fit the next post - and the frog's attack - in somewhere.

It would be great to hear from Lothar]

'''[[Lothar Svensson|Lothar]]:''' Sorry, all. I've been dealing with an unusual uptick in family stuff this week, on top of a freelance writing gig with a tight deadline. Things should be back to normal for me next week. I will try to keep on top of stuff better.

'''The DM:''' Thanks, Lothar. Just want to know that you're there.

'''The DM:''' [Hello all.

[I must think there is a level of dissatisfaction that is the result of my disappearing for long periods. Just now, I feel like Bilbo, a worthy metaphor since I am working in a bakery. The days I am on, it is all I can do to get myself motivated to make the day positive and all I can do to get some writing done before I collapse.

[On days off, like today, I'd like to get some running of the campaign done; but on days like today I don't feel much like doing anything. I actually don't have days just now where I'm free. I have, I think, bitten off more than I can chew.

[I don't want to suspend the campaign, not at all. Most days, I am up to it; and I am taking steps to cut the number of hours I'm working at the bakery so I can rest more and be more personally productive, on writing and on other things. For the sake of my back, if nothing else. So just now, I'd ask that you be patient.

[But I need to know, what is the truthful level of your frustration. It will make a difference to me, my commitment to the campaign and my sense of responsibility. If you tell me it's cool, not to worry, etcetera, I will take it as a privilege to screw off and do other things, when I don't feel like trying ~ so don't tell me that unless you really mean it. Tell me you're getting steamed and I'll likely push myself harder to get more posts up per week.

[Just now, I'm doing nothing but playing a wasteful but relaxing video game. I have the time to run, I just don't have the mental state. So let me know how you feel. Seriously.]

'''Danielle Osterman ([[Embla Strand|Embla]]):''' I am very much enjoying the game, and I absolutely do not mind that you are taking care of yourself and working. Right now, I wouldn't be able to move very quickly anyways, but even before I left, I was very happy with the pace.

Being greedy, I'd prefer you at your best, when I can get it, rather than you in whatever state you happen to be in more consistently.

'''[[Lothar Svensson|Lothar]]:''' As another busy human, I am more than willing to be as patient as necessary. I have not felt at all frustrated with the long pauses. I might start if they extended more than a week between meaningful runnings, though. But at present I understand the need to relax the mind and body, and am willing to extend quite a bit of grace to ensure 1) the campaign continues in the long run, and 2) the quality of the game maintains its high caliber.

You do what you need to do, I'll be here when you're ready to run.

'''Drain ([[Engelhart Askjellson|Engelhart]]):''' You do this on your own time, I've got no moral ground to complain.

That said... well, you can see your blog stats, many o'those daily visits is me, refreshing like Pavlov's own barker, instead of subscribing an update feed like I hear grown-ups do.

I wouldn't want you to rush things on any elaborate scene, it's more the combat rounds (funny I should mention this, huh?) that can do with a bit of off-the-cuff running, just to keep us in the swing of it.

(I appreciate that the initial round of a combat is much more work-intensive than the subsequent ones)

'''[[Pandred]]:''' I'm not frustrated except that I'd like to play more.

But I'd like to play everyday, for at least six hours, and that's just not happening!

You do you, and we're ready to jump in when you've got it together.

'''The DM:''' Thanks to all. Much appreciated.

The only thing I really have to do just now is to put the frog on the map and make it roll against either Embla and Engelhart. Then you can decide if you want to fight the thing or run away.

I've had the day to rest. We'll for sure do that round tomorrow. I'm going to post my new comic now and get in about an hour of writing/editing before I go to bed.

'''The DM:''' Okay. At last, I have created a new post.

'''Continued on [[Frog! ~ Round 1]]'''