Blood Under The Snow (DM/Al) Monday November 8th, 2004 10:40:09 AM
Above, the sky is a dome of deep blue-black in the twilight of Ice Vein. The snow itself seems to glow in it's blanket of white. To one side of the small plateau the ice cliff continues, rolling off into the darkness. The other side opens to layers of blue-black of different shades of lightness. Nearby the light white of snow stops. The edge of a cliff? Beyond, a darker blue, the open fields of Ice Vein. Beyond that, layered themselves, the dark purple of distant mountains. And above all that, the deep emptiness of the sky.
The view is spectral in its beauty. Disturbing to some. There are calls to move on. To move somewhere. Anywhere but here. Tokun walks softly, clearly not immune to the eerie atmosphere on the small plateau.
Firn'gaer scans the area for the invisible. Jason scans the area for the evil. Peerimus scans the area for the unnatural.
Nothing presents itself save the solid cliff face to the left and the unbroken blanket of snow.
Luke stops.
"Strong. Here," he barks. Both Peerimus and Ilsidur can confirm that. The sharp iron tang of blood is all around them now, a subtle yet pervasive tone just under the frosty bite of the frigid air.
Luke paws the snow. A few tentative scrapes breaks a hard upper crust of frozen white. Then he begins digging. Snow flies and piles, a mound forming behind the fighting dog. It takes but a moment before Luke stops and backs away. The snow is shallow here, no more than six inches deep. But even in the flickering twilight the dark bloodstained ice below is plain to the eye.
Peerimus and Firn'gaer spot the metal links still half buried under the snow, metal links attached to manacles.
Blood and manacles. What secrets lie just beneath the pure white crust of snow
Sly (ac20 79/79hp) and Luke (ac21 59/59hp) Monday November 8th, 2004 4:22:02 PM
Sly hurries to where Luke was digging, "The smell come from here? Did you find any thing under the snow?" Sly look at the blood, then the Manacles. "Oh! No!" Sly turns ashen face, "I hate to think what is burried there, Do we want to see what is burried here?"
Sly walks a few feet away as his heart sinks down into his boots.
Luke will dig until told to stop.
Savin Monday November 8th, 2004 10:07:59 PM
Savin will pull out dagger and help Luke start digging. "I hope we don't find a frozen body of a family member down here." he thinks to himself.
Sly (ac20 79/79hp) and Luke (ac21 59/59hp) Tuesday November 9th, 2004 6:36:30 AM
Sly head snaps up as he hears something about family members. "Your right! Savin, we have to see who is down there." Sly will take out his dagger and go help dig out the body. "Besides I want those manacles since we are going into a Slavers Nest."
Ilsidur Tuesday November 9th, 2004 7:43:19 AM
Ilsidur will take off his snowshoes, and use one of them as a makeshift shovel to help clear some of the snow. For Sly and Jason's sakes, he is a little worried about what they might find under the snow.
"Shiraz, you and Jason and Niobe keep an eye out for visitors while we dig up this site."
Shiraz AC 26 hps 84/84 d20=14 d20+1=4 Tuesday November 9th, 2004 8:44:19 AM
Shiraz assumes a defensive posture and stands about five feet from those digging in the snow. Shiraz carefully scans the surroundings, searching for any possible attack. <Spot 14 Search 4>
Peerimus d20+17=23 d20+20=31 Tuesday November 9th, 2004 8:53:02 AM
Peerimus whispers to Yorrick. [Defend Niobe] Then taking to Ilsidur's suggestion just before the body was found, Peerimus shifts to a grey feathered eagle and takes to the air. Circling out and up to 100' to keep an aireial view. [Spot 31]
Firn'gaer d20+6=24 d20+6=26 Tuesday November 9th, 2004 10:05:15 AM
Firn'gaer gets a sick feeling in his stomach as he sees the manacles. That could have easily been me frozen there. The thought doesn't sit well.
To keep his mind off that he continues to look around; anywhere not to nave to look at the whole being dug.
[Spot DC24, Listen DC26]
Active Spells Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hour Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours
Working Into The Night (DM/Al) Tuesday November 9th, 2004 8:50:48 PM
Digging commences.
The party quickly finds that they are ill equipped to dig in the snow. Narrow blades break the upper crust of ice quite easily, but they do little to scrape the snow away. Ilsidur's snow shoe provides some measure of functionality. The work is hard. But the party motivated by their fears. Tokun helps, scraping snow to one side with his arms.
Shiraz and Firn'gaer turn their attention to the perimeter while Peerimus takes to the air. Nothing stirs upon the little plateau. In the swiftly decreasing light, the bird-form druid finds that the plateau upon which the party stands, is in reality something more of a large ledge open to the south is a 50 foot ledge that drops to the plains below. At the far end, the path cuts once again into the steep hills, plunging into unknown darkness.
Darkness comes soon to the skies as well, as full night descends. The landscape, for the eagle that is Peerimus is lit with southern starlight.
Below, the work continues. Darkness becomes a factor. Both because it brings the deeper cold as well as because it steals the light. Tokun begins to visibly shiver. Still, he works on. In places the snow is no more than six inches deep. In others, three feet of snow much be cleared in order to uncover the hard ice below. A space is cleared, roughly 20 feet in diameter.
Ilsidur and Shiraz see the dark splotches of blood-stained ice, black splashes of black against the white of the ice. To Sly, the blood is brown against he cold blue-white of the exposed ice. In some places, the blood is still red, preserved from oxidization by the cold. Three short swords and five more manacles also lie frozen into the ice. All steel. Cold cold steel.
Of bodies ... none are found.
[[ Search DC15 or if you have the Track feat DC10 to reveal the following: Highlight to display spoiler: {Prints litter the area uncovered. Some are clearly human. Some are much smaller. Others are large, deep, and misshapen.} ]]
Ilsidur Tuesday November 9th, 2004 9:54:30 PM
After clearing away the snow, Ilsidur steps back and looks at the bloody signs. He takes a closer look at the manacles, to see if they are opened or not. "I wonder what happened here? Were a number of the slaves freed, or was a slave train attacked, and all the bodies removed? Since the swords were left behind, it seems reasonable to assume that the people bearing the swords were the losers. Otherwise, they would have taken their swords with them. What can the rest of you make out?"
Niobe Tuesday November 9th, 2004 9:59:59 PM
Niobe crouches down as she continues to scan the area ahead. She takes the opportunity to rest while she waits. Niobe waits as patiently as she can while the others dig. The thief quietly calls over her shoulder: "did any of you find anything?"
((OOC: Niobe will try to read any possible tracks before moving on from this place. She has the tracking ability.))
Sly and Luke Wednesday November 10th, 2004 7:05:28 AM
Sly look up to see tha their guide is shivering, "All I can see right now is blood, swords, manacles but no bodies yet! there some prints here in the ice and snow."
Sly look around and tell everybody. "Look here even our guide is cold, and night is coming. We need shelter and we need to change our charcoals. Let's make camp and tomorow I will cast a fire spell to see more."
To Luke, Sly tell him "A very good job, Thank you." Luke answers "Welcome!" then takes another sniff down the expose ice.
Frin'gaer d20+6=14 d20+6=14 Wednesday November 10th, 2004 8:35:45 AM
"I guess it is getting pretty late." Firn'gaer says hearing from Sly. "Let me know and I'll conjure another shelter." He says continuing to look around.
[Spot DC14, Listen DC14]
Active Spells Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hours Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours
Peerimus d20+1=19 d20+20=28 Wednesday November 10th, 2004 9:57:27 AM
Peerimus returns as darkness descends and reverts to his human form. He moves to the excavated area with Niobe and carefully examines the ground [With Track Search 19, Survival 28] He relays what he finds as he discovers it, "Markings, everywhere we have dug. Some human, others much smaller. Gnome or Halfling maybe. Also some large, deep, and misshapen tracks. I'm afraid that is all I can see in the dwindling light. Perhaps tomorrow's sun will allow more." Peerimus stands, "I suggest Firn craft his magical shelter and he remove ourselves from the cold night air."
Once inside, though quite crowded to be sure, a fire is blazing and hopefully spirits are picking up slightly, "Also from my vantage, though I saw no signs of immediate danger it appears this plataeu is more a great ice shelf. Open to the south our 50 foot ledge drops to the plains below. At the far end, the path cuts back into the steepening hills."
Niobe must be snowblind... She will take her tracking ques from Peerimus for the moment! ;)
The Chill Cloak of Night (DM/Al) Wednesday November 10th, 2004 8:47:43 PM
The cold dark air is filled with the beat of great wings as Peerimus comes in for a landing.
Ilsidur bends to one of the manacles lying in the snow and ice. They are indeed open: Forced open. The dark iron is deformed, and the locking pin shattered. Oddly, the pair taken by Sly had been shut, though crusted with blood.
Luke sniffs again at the snow and then wuffs. Blood. Old blood.
Niobe and Peerimus both examine the ground. They both report footprints, preserved in the layer of ice. Small, medium, and the large unknown. Despite the starlight reflecting from the snow, here is no more to be seen in the the southern night.
Firn'gaer offers to create shelter for the night. There are words of agreement.
Savin Wednesday November 10th, 2004 10:33:21 PM
Savin will look at the blood and the prints and then up at his companions. "I really don't know how to take this. It could have been anything and who knows the timing. In this desolate place it could have been last week or months ago.
Still it seem the mystery is calling us. At least we didn't find any bodies of kinsmen. Hope is still alive."
Savin will head into the newly created shelter and thank their new wizard for its warmth.
Ilsidur Wednesday November 10th, 2004 11:54:43 PM
Ilsidur leans the travois up against the side of the magical shelter, and makes his way inside. Taking off his outer armour, the dwarf finds a spot to sit, and think about what the party found buried in the snow and ice. "Obviously, those manacles were being worn before they were broken or torn off. Would it be worthwhile in the morning to try to figure out the direction that they were moving, once the sun is up again? Maybe there is another way off this ledge, other than out the trail on the other side. I agree, not finding any bodies is a good sign."
Sly and Luke Thursday November 11th, 2004 9:08:32 AM
Sly takes the young Guide into the shelter, "Magic,(Sly points to his Body) Keep Warm!" Sly will sit with him (to chase the fear in the young barbarian) Sly will put aside the charcoals that will be needed for what ever tomorow might bring.
"Your right! if there is or was anybody down in that ice, it is old and we cannot tell how old in all that ice. But one thing we do know, some of them survived and some did not??"
Sly remains silent for a mimute, But Luke Churps in with just Three words, "Look like Sacrafice!" Sly Look at Luke with aquesting look?? "You mean a offering to a god or worse a thing?? That would explain the manacles??"
Peerimus Thursday November 11th, 2004 10:55:14 AM
"Unfortunately we do not have appropriate digging equipment, I doubt we can clear enough to determine where any survivors were taken and or fled too. My guess is we have come across a rescue."
Peerimus sits near the fire and attempts to capture everyone's attention.
"Human prisoners being lead by larger creatures, perhaps giants, or orcs riding native beasts to Ice Vein. They were set upon by the smaller creatures. We are near hills so possibly a northern relative of Ilsidur, gnomes or mayhaps even dwarves. The freed captives were taken with the victors. I suspect, because of a lack of bodies, the victors to be the attackers, the gnomes we shall call them. I also believe the attack to be of Opportunity by the gnomes. It would explain the complete lack of bodies. The dead, be they enemy, gnome or captive were all taken back. Had the slavers won, I doubht they would have bothered to burn, bury or cart the bodies off. A hunting party doing what must be done in this land may have very well done just that."
"Tomorrow I will ask for Mother Wolds guidance again and see if she will answer. I will be able to learn a great deal about our surroundings within a day's journey."
"As this abode is not secreted from sight we should post watch. Yorrick and I will stand first tonight. Who should I awaken at midnight?"
Savin Thursday November 11th, 2004 1:23:53 PM
Savin after entering the shelter will pull off his boots and wiggle his toes. He will sigh with contentment and wrinkle his nose at the sudden smell. He will look sheeplishly around and say, "I haven't had those boots off in days. They need some airing out. I will take the second watch gladly."
Savin will take a piece of jerky out of his supplies, nibble on it and then wrap himself in a blanket and tuck himself into a corner. Soon everyone can her soft snores coming from him.
Firn'gaer Thursday November 11th, 2004 2:48:24 PM
Firn'gaer finds a spot in the shelter and starts to eat some of his half-frozen rations. Rufus sits on his lap taking small pieces and eating them, both are quiet. He takes out a bottle of wine hoping that it too isn't nearly frozen.
"A portent..." Is all the wizard says before going back to his frozen meal. All the while staring off to nowhere.
Sly Foxx and Luke Thursday November 11th, 2004 5:52:07 PM
I only need four hours of sleep a day, I'll take any shife you want." Sly said, "You know Peerimus, I too don't think that there's are any bodies in that ice, I hope your right, Oh! I do hope so." Sly get ready to sleep.
Niobe Thursday November 11th, 2004 6:19:52 PM
If the shelter is warm enough then Niobe will take off her heavy outer-clothing; including her boots. She will listen to the discussion about the findings, before making any comments of her own.
"Not to be the voice of pessimism, but that might all point towards the fact that the 'rescuers' wanted the captives for their own purposes. The captives could be in the hands of altogether different captors... The fact that the manacles were removed could be something as simple as the need to choose speed and improved mobility over the need to restrain the captives."
Niobe barely glances up from her work sharpening one of her knives; eventhough it is probably rude not to bother looking at whomever you are speaking to.
Niobe will take any watch that the others see fit to give to her. She will most likely go to bed shortly; unless she is asked to take a watch immediately - or anyone cares to discuss her statement.
Jason of Aisildur Thursday November 11th, 2004 8:30:03 PM
It was all Jason could do to keep the thoughts of the blood and who it might have come from out of his mind. His beloved parents were being held as slaves, no doubt, and the thought of one of them being cut, or torchered...well it was too much.
"By Domi I will have the heart of any creature that harms Nadia or Dajabin." he says. The paladin instantly feels remorseful, knowing Domi would frown upon such a selfish thought, especially spoken aloud.
Jason moved a little away from the rest and offered a prayer of penance for his transgression.
Night Passes at the Ambush Site (DM/Al) Thursday November 11th, 2004 9:01:05 PM
Firn'gaer pulls a chip of stone, a sprinkling of crushed lime, a few grains of sand, and some splinters of wood from his pouch. Snow melts in his hand, providing water to mix the ingredients. Once again, a cottage springs from his hands. It is secure, and with a fire in the hearth, it is warm.
Tokun stares. Not only at the magic, but at the alien construction. Hard doors of rare material. Holes cut in the walls with more precious wood to cover them. Still, he enters under Sly's encouragement. It is that, or meet the certainty of death in the cold of Ice Vein.
With Shiraz and Yorrick inside, the shelter is a trifle cramped. But it is cozy, and a welcome haven from the cold through which the group has traveled since sun up. Like the breath that one does not realize that one is holding until it is released, the group unwinds within the comfortable little cottage after a long day on the ice and snow.
Outside, the patch of excavated ice waits. What secrets does it hold? Both speculations and fears run the circle of the small warm cottage.
The night is short. Watches are posted, but not a sound is heard save the faint rumble of thunder from the far distant mountains to the south. Morning comes to the shuttered cottage. Outside, the area cleared of snow is no different than the night before. In the light of day, the eye can now encompass the totality of the tale within the 20 foot diameter circle that had been cleared the night before. There are three, separate red-brown blotches of blood. One, larger than the others, may possibly have come from two separate bodies. All three extend further under the snow, partial pools yet uncovered.
The various indentations of the ice at the level of the blood are, at times clearly defined as footprints. Many, however, are less recognizable as such.
[[ If you have the Track feat roll vs DC15 for the following Highlight to display spoiler: {You pick tracks out from random indentations in the ice. There are only a few of the smaller tracks, found around the perifery of the cleared area and never within the areas stained with blood. Human tracks litter the area. You identify at least seven to ten distinct sets of human tracks, though there may possibly be more. The smaller tracks are too small to make a differentiation, though from the way they are spaced, you suspect at least three individuals. The large misshapen prints are clearly from at least one large sized creature. The prints stand within the pools of frozen blood. Blood also stains the prints themselves. Another set of large prints appears almost canine, and yet the print is melded together in a way that a natural print would not be. } ]]
Peerimus d20+20=31 Friday November 12th, 2004 9:26:48 AM
Peerimus takes a relaxed postion outside with Yorrick during the first hours of night, marvouling still at the grandness of the land about him. His shift ending, he goes back inside to wake Sly and Niobe for thier watch and goes to bed.
Daylight comes and Peerimus is once again outside with Yorrick. This time in meditation for the following spells. Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Speak with Animals
Peerimus will first cast Extended Endure Elements on himself, sharing with Yorrick and then move back to the excavated ground to see what dawn has chosen to reveal. [Survival 31]
A few minutes of study and a few more of thinking, Peerimus returns to the small cottage to tell the others his surmations over a warm breafast.
"Good morning my friends, another glorious day no matter where the day finds you eh? I have looked at the track field we dug up and it looks like there are only a few of the smaller tracks, found around the perifery of the cleared area and never within the areas stained with blood. So a rescue seems less likely from them. More like after the fact scavangers or curiosity seekers. About three of them."
"The Human tracks are everywhere. I count at least seven to ten distinct sets of human tracks and there may be more. The large misshapen prints are clearly from at least one large sized creature. The prints are within the pools of frozen blood. Blood also stains the prints themselves. This very well be the aggressor then I am afraid. A second set of large prints appears almost canine, and surely unnatural."
"After breakfast I was going to ask Mother Wold to speak with me, unless there are other plans or ideas?"
If there are none, Peerimus casts Commune with Nature after breakfast.
(Ooc Al I'm confused by thie sentence...'Another set of large prints appears almost canine, and yet the print is melded together in a way that a natural print would not be.' melded with what? the first set of large prints?)
Sly (AC20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac21 59/59hp) Friday November 12th, 2004 11:51:21 AM
Sly eats breackfast ay the same time listening to Peerimus. "Hmmm! Let's see what the day brings." Sly tells Luke "Luke help Yurrick and Peerimus track, I think they trust your nose also." Sly gives Luke his trait meat for breakfast.
Luke takes the yack meat, "OK!"
Sly get ready to go out side, now that every thing has been renewed(Charcoal), He turns to the paladin, and slaps him on the back, "It's alright to react the way you did, Don't regreat it. Domi knows your heart. Just wait untill I get my hands on those slavers, I'll show you what Elves do when they got mad!" Then walk outside, still with out a smile.
Savin Friday November 12th, 2004 9:25:30 PM
Savin looks on with concern as the group scurries around trying to follow the prints and different tracks. He is frustrated as he can't follow them effectively.
"Shouldn't we try and get to our destination? Zaran City? I would bet there are more answers there then digging around in the snow."
Savin will then get to his morning rituals of doing his katas. He will pull the young barbarian guide over and try to teach him some basic grappling moves.
Shiraz d20+1=18 Saturday November 13th, 2004 5:24:47 AM
Shiraz snaps too out of his intense concentration as his friends finsh digging snd enters the sturdy cottage last. Enjoying a good nihgts rest Shiraz rises early and prepares to leave, "I agree Savin, we would probably do well to remember where this is and continue to the city."
Firn'gaer Sunday November 14th, 2004 8:47:58 AM
Firn'gaer wakes and prepares himself for the day before even sitting down to breakfast.
Firn'gaer steps from the shelter and hears the conversation, or at some of it. "Excuse me," the wizard says, "I do hope there isn't any talk of looking for individuals responsible for that." He continues pointing to the blood stained ice. "I don't want to go traipsing all over this ice flow looking for something we'll not likely find no matter how good Master Peerimus may be. I'd say continue to this Zaran City."
Active Spells Extended endure elements Extended mage armor
4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, secure shelter
5 -- telekinesis, wall of force
Ilsidur Sunday November 14th, 2004 6:28:27 PM
Ilsidur says, "Before we leave, I suggest that we spend another hour or so, digging out the area of the combat. I would hate for us to lose a piece of information, for a short hour's worth of digging. Peerimus, can you use your tracking skills to figure out when we have run out of area to check?"
The Pull (DM/Al) Sunday November 14th, 2004 9:29:29 PM
Peerimus kneels over the odd prints. Paw prints? The shape is right. But unlike paw prints, the five pads of the foot, normally separate, seem melded together, almost one pad. Less of a paw print, than the mold of a paw print.
Breakfast can almost be said to be had in familiar surroundings. At least the cottage is not a tent, nor is it the frigid wasteland outside. Peerimus delivers his findings to the group and there seems a consensus forming to leave this area and move on to Zaran City.
The Children of Chaos emerge from the conjured cottage and out onto the ice. The sky is as cloudless as the day before, bright under the pale blue sky.
Ilsidur requests another hour's worth of digging. The edges are widened, and soon it becomes apparent that the edges of the excavated circle at either ends of an oval uncover more tracks. The oval points at one end from the canyon from which the Children of Chaos had themselves emerged, and the other end, down the ledge toward the point at which the trail runs back into the high cliffs. Effort is concentrated in those directions, and the tale further unfolds. The medium, human-sized prints had apparently emerged from the canyon. Both the large unusual prints and the smaller ones had come from the other side. From the length of stride, they came swiftly. From the distribution of blood, there is little doubt as to which side emerged victorious. Both two large, three small, and six to nine medium tracks lead toward the other end of the ledge.
The far end of the ledge dips dark back into the cliffs. And, as the group turns their gaze down-ledge in that direction they are seized. Or rather, the backs of their hands are. Each tattoo rises, pulling along with it, the hand of its owner. All eight of the Children of Chaos stand gaping as their arms rise, pulled into the air. And then the dark fragmented pinwheel tattoo itself lifts from the backs of each of their hands. Eight dark tattoos spin lazy in the air in front of its owner, floating, turning, dipping and diving. And then they crack, each broken piece fragments into further broken pieces. Crack. Crack, crack, crack. Each symbol fragments again and again, dividing into dust, a dust that turns and moves, swirling through the air like a whirlwind or an cloud of angry bees.
The dark dust pauses, holding at a peak like a snake a fraction before it strikes. Then it dives, each cloud straight and unerringly down into the eyes of its owner. And each Child of Chaos sees. Each sees with their heart, and for each it is different.
For Niobe, it is a vision of danger. Vipers lie strewn along the path, a time for watchfulness.
For Peerimus, it is a feeling of privation. Lost and cut off from the world to which he has always felt a part of.
For Ilsidur, there is a sense of completion. The end of a long road comes into view, though still hazy tantalizing and soft in the distance.
For Shiraz, there is the feel of battle. Bright steel, pain, and the sense that, from this one, there may be no return.
For Firn'gaer, the pulse races, not with the heavy beat of fear but, with an excitement born of answers, quarry run to the ground.
For Savin, comes the feeling of defense. Though possessed of no family himself, he feels the threat to his own, that, and the knowledge that without him they will die.
For Sly and Jason, the sorrow is crushing. The tears of angels fallen from the heavens would not know such sadness.
Luke stands apart wrapped in his own canine thoughts. Yorrick and Rufus too stand silent. Only Tokun moves. His head turns, looking from first one of these strange and powerful outlanders to the next.
The feelings fade. They die away. And as they ebb, another comes to the surface. It strengthens as the rest drains away, as though it had been there all the long. There, yet submerged within the other more intense images.
It is a feeling of destiny.
[[ OoC: This is your Friday post. Sorry it took me so long to get it out. ]]
Greg OOC Sunday November 14th, 2004 10:58:18 PM
Al, what an incredible post! I don't mind waiting, if these are the kinds of posts that take the extra couple of days for you to develop! This is one of the most powerful posts that I have ever read, right up there with Stephen's early posts on the dragon!
Sly and Luke Monday November 15th, 2004 8:12:39 AM
Sly stand there with the feeling of total lost, he thinks if he look at his hands he will find his or his mothers heart there. A shadow stands in frount of him, So he raises his eyes to see their young Barbarian Guide Tokum, Sly raises his hand in a stop/hold motion and looks off into space.
There is something building inside of him, but waits for what?? He does not know.
Luke stand there with Yurrick, then sits and watches his master.
Peerimus Monday November 15th, 2004 12:15:55 PM
The druid drops unceremoniously to the ground as the vision fades and the force keeping him aloft disperces. As he stands he faces bears a dark countanence and his brow is furrowed in thought. Glancing side to side, quickly confirms it was not him alone who was beset with such disturbing portences.
Sly and Jason seem to be weathering the event the worst. Strange just as the puzzle reveals more this should happen. Does the result lie down this path, or because we turn from it? A question to which there is no answer to be sure
Breaking from thought, "Given what has just happened I would like some time to speak to Mother. I myself am still sorting out internally what happened. I suggest each of us digest this over the next few hours and when we break for camp tonight discuss what we have learned."
If the time is given Peerimus casts Commune with Nature - Presence of powerful unnatural creatures- Terrain features - Humanoid Population within 9 mile radius
Jason of Aisildur Monday November 15th, 2004 6:19:01 PM
Jason falls to his knees, the sorrow to heavy for him to bare standing. He moves his hands to his head, holding his skull to prevent the tears from showing.
"My heart breaks from some unknown cause, yet I feel the answer lies inside me, if only I can find it." he states. The paladin then, true to Domi, finds courage, and puts aside his own dispair for the moment.
"A vision... or perhaps more accurately a feeling, I have just had. I suspsect from your expressions, you have all had similar." he states.
"When the time is right, I would like to hear what each of my brothers and sisters have felt."
What Mother Doesn't Know (DM/Al) Monday November 15th, 2004 10:28:07 PM
The Children of Chaos stand in the morning sun of Ice Vein. The Wold, is it real? Or is reality the intense inner landscape they have all just trekked through?
One by one, the Children pull themselves together, returning to The Wold, returning to each other.
Peerimus decides it best to draw council from the bosom of Nature. Within the protective circle of his fellows, he releases his spirit and reaches out to the land. As before, the frozen jewel of the south opens to the druid. The plains below the ledge stretch on to the limits of sense and vision. While the hills and cliffs at the group's back create miles of twisted canyons, the bottoms of which sometimes never see the light of the sun.
Within the whole of it, the only humanoids are the tiny cluster of figures around the druid himself. No creatures that afford an affront to nature reveal themselves. And yet, there is a spot. Into the twisted canyon at the other end of the ledge and then some miles along is a darkness. It is a void of which Nature knows naught. When queried, Mother Wold knows not how to reply. There is nothing there. And yet naught amiss.
Savin Monday November 15th, 2004 10:45:44 PM
Savin as well drops to his knees as the vision assualts him. Tears fill his eyes as he realizes something very important. He stands up and announces to all, "Children, I expect we have all had some kind of vision or something placed in our hearts. Each of us must interept what we feel. If you indulge me in a few moments, let me tell you what has been revealed to me.
All my life I have been alone. As some of you know, I am an orhpan. I was raised by kindly but very strict monks. All were my family but none were close to me. Sort of like 2nd and 3rd cousins.
My life was spent mainly alone. I drifted from group to group, fighting evil and then moving on. After the rebirth of the gods and the world, I found that I was placed with the Children. I had no idea why this happened but like always, I went with the flow.
Now I think I know why.... at least for me. You are my family. My brothers and sisters. You have been given to me to fill the void in my heart. The hole that I could never fill, but was driven to fill. Which drove me to the search."
He pauses and wipes at his eyes, "I get the feeling that I am to defend the group. I swear to you all, that I will lay down my life for you."
Savin stops talking as his voice gets all choked up and he spins away from the group and covers his face.
Ilsidur Monday November 15th, 2004 10:52:08 PM
Ilsidur thanks the party for spending a little more time trying to figure out what the tracks had to say. "So, it appears that the little tracks beat the medium tracks, and some of the medium tracks went away with them. I wonder, did the medium tracks go because they were rescued, or captured? It appears that the manacles were on the medium tracks, so maybe some of them were set free. I guess we need to keep moving along the trail, to find out what is ahead.
As Ilsidur looks towards the continuing trail, the Chaos symbol takes hold, dissolves, and enters his eyes. His feeling from the symbol gives him a satisfied feeling, although exactly why, he doesn't know. having worshipped a god of travel, and having lost the god, he now worships all the Woldian powers. Could this mean that he will find his God again, or a God that speaks to his heart? It seems the answer also lay ahead down the trail. He looks at the back of the hand, to see if the tattoo is still present.
After hearing the results of Peerimus' commune with the natural forces, Ilsidur says, "There is an area that is invisible to mother nature? What could possibly cause such a hole? Are there anti-scrying spells that would allow someone to stay hidden from your commune spell?"
Shiraz Tuesday November 16th, 2004 4:58:07 AM
Shiraz stands motionless save for his hands which have become sweaty, and fold and unfold around both sword hilts. Shiraz looks down the road, at the battle that occured at their feet, and then at each of his friends. Shiraz turns as if to speak, then suddenly spins around as if afraid of what words might come out. Shiraz walks away slightly and stands viligant over his friends.
Sly and Luke Tuesday November 16th, 2004 7:04:39 AM
Sly wipes his eyes telling his friends, Elves don't cry." To Jason, he tells him, "The Vision you just had, is a Vision of Chaos. I don't know if your parents are alive nor if my mother is alive. But now you know that you belong to this family, Brother Paladin."
Sly answers Savin, "Savin, I have seen this Vision before, when I first met this group, I was a young teenager of 34. I had never been outside of my village before. My first vision was that of pain, blood and death. That night the group rested on the elven highway, I had to get something down in the forest, when I was attack. By a great Big Fighter Named Bear, and his two brothers White Face, the other had No Face. They beat me until they though I was dead. It was the group that saved me, that is when I knew I belong to this Family.
This Vision is almost the same as my first vision. The pain, blood and the death all around. If the vision of Mother Nature, Brother Peerimus was of a Void. That Void is Chaos! That is our mission. We cannot solve all of Ice Vein problems. That's for the people of Ice Vein to do.
Now I swear to you, Brother Savin and all my Brothers and Sister here. I will lay down my life Defending and Proctecting all of you, against Chaos. Now we have a big job ahead of us." Sly wrap his cloak around him waiting! Just waiting.
Firn'gaer d20+17=31 Tuesday November 16th, 2004 9:10:00 AM
As affirmations abound from various people of there experience, Firn'gaer remains quiet. He pulls a bottle of wine from his haversack and drinks. One, two, three...large swallows to calm his edginess.
The answers I seek...
...and one step closer to being home...
"A hole in your divination...something someone, or something, doesn't want found." He says standing up.
I hate to suggest it...
...I need to know for all our sakes...
"If it is indeed a hole in Master Peerimus' magical perceptions, then...I can't believe I'm suggesting this...we should, perhaps, look into it?" He finishes as he glances around at the rest of his traveling companions.
[Knowledge arcana DC31]
Active Spells Extended Endure Elements Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hours
Peerimus d20+12=14 Tuesday November 16th, 2004 11:46:11 AM
Peerimus remains quiet on his vision but does indeed share the findings of the Commune. "There is a less diabolic answer to the Void and that is a structure of some kind. Construction, houses and possibly hewn tunnels, are hidden so to speak from Mother. As to a magical mask, there could be, I have never encountered one."
Peerimus notes Shiraz's hand movements, but most certainly says nothing. A most disturbing vision to have unsettle the proud and powerful Shiraz as such
"We should continue moving, Zaran City, the trail and the hidden canyons all lie in the same direction for now. Nothing can be gainied by further stretching our supplies standing here."
Capturing Tokuns attention, Peerimus drops to make a small diagram. A boot print, "Zaran City", a foot away another boot print "Us" indicating those about. between these two prints he draws a line and then point to the canyon. "Our path?"
To Tread The Path (DM/Al) Tuesday November 16th, 2004 9:26:20 PM
A ripple of concern and speculation rolls out amongst the Children of Chaos as Peerimus announces that nearby there is an area unknown to Mother Wold. Firn'gaer knows of several arcane methods of temporily blocking a scrying. Most notably various spells of non-detection. And yet, to hide from Mother Wold? Further, without examining the effect first hand it would be extremely difficult to identify the cause. Peerimus offers likely explanations based upon his own knowledge and experience.
Peerimus communicates to Tokun through gesture as well as word. And the barbarian lad listens patiently to the Bear Friend. Tokun nods and he glances off at the distant mountains as though gathering his bearings.
"Zaran," he says swinging the tip of his mitten, pointing in an arc that encompasses a 45 degree arc in the direction of the cliffs. Zaran City could be anywhere in that direction. From the twists and turns that the group has experienced in the canyons so far, it is unlikely that the path would lead straight there. And yet, at least it is in the right general direction.
The exit off the ledge dips down again between high cliffs and into shade. Here, the group finds yet another reason to continue in this direction: A continuation of the tracks.
Snow lies thinner at the bottom of the high canyon walls. In some places the snow fall from four days ago is very thin indeed, and the larger heavier prints are clearly visible. Frozen traces of blood stain the bottoms of the prints.
Savin Tuesday November 16th, 2004 10:10:36 PM
Savin will hear Sly's speech and reach out and squeeze his shoulder. He will then shoulder his pack and start heading down the path heading towards Zaran City.
He will call over his shoulder, "Lets get this show on the road. We have family to rescue."
Ilsidur Tuesday November 16th, 2004 10:30:08 PM
Ilsidur puts his snowshoes back on, then takes them off once he sees that the snow is getting thinner on the ground. He slings everything over his back, and readies his axe and shield. He takes his place near the front of the party, and, wrapping his cloak tightly around his shoulders, he makes his way down the trail.
Sly and Luke d20+3=19 d20+3=16 Wednesday November 17th, 2004 7:35:21 AM
Sly crack a smile to Savin "Let's go" Sly will walk next to his Minotaur friend Shiraz, then confides to him, "You know I always knew that you were Special!" they maqrch on following the bears and Luke. All the time looking for trouble and listening in case of a advalance.
Spot 19 Listening 16
Peerimus d20+20=21 d20+17=26 Wednesday November 17th, 2004 10:05:07 AM
It is obvious to Peerimus that Firn is having some trouble with his sudden new surrounding, quite understandable. Being magically diverted from a destination would cause any weaver of magic to become distressed and then top it off with just about the worrst destination a city dweller could think and there you have it. Peerimus whispers to his great companion Yorrick and the mighty bear takes position at left heel of Firn'gaer. [Handle animal 26 to defend Firn'gaer.
The druid takes towards the front of the group once the tracks are noticed and then the man born of the wild sets to better understand the beasts they now follow. [doh! nat 1 for 21]
Jason of Aisildur Wednesday November 17th, 2004 11:12:51 AM
Jason nodded to Sly. In his heart, he knew that the answer, good or bad, he had to have. Even if his parents were lost for ever, the uncertainty of not knowing would be a thousand times worse on his soul.
Jason gathered his things and anxiously waited for the others to move on, toward Zaran City, where Jason hoped, the answer he sought, could be found.
Firn d20+2=19 Wednesday November 17th, 2004 12:07:57 PM
The great bear moves along Firn'gaer. At first Firn'gaer seems unsettled to have Yorrick so close, but then not used to having a 12 feet tall animal so close it is understandable.
The decision to continue towards Zaran City causes a look of concern to cross Firn'gaer's face.
"Excuse me." He says. "But I don't think the blank spot is something that should be overlooked with such casualness. Why in this place would we have such visions? And the hole in the divinations? Coincidents...maybe. It is all too suspect for me...at least it should rate a slight detour. This symbol," he lifts his hand to expose the broken pinwheel, "Seems to have a purpose; not give to idle fluanting of power."
He pauses to allow his words to penetrate the thoughts of all before continuing.
"This place isn't far only a few miles away. Isn't that correct Master Peerimus. If so I would go to this place I ask that I'll not have to go alone. There may be answers or at least clues to our journey or there may be nothing. Being so close is it not worth looking into?"
Peerimus Wednesday November 17th, 2004 1:06:51 PM
"It appears my friend Firn'gaer, that the hole I witnessed, the tracks and Zaran city all lie along the same path we travel for now. That trail being into the canyon, but that said, I agree with you on both facets. WE should look into this hidden location while we are here. It calls to me as well."
Niobe Wednesday November 17th, 2004 5:25:58 PM
Niobe gathers herself then starts to look to see if there is any trouble in the immediate area by making a patrol of the area around the group.
Niobe constantly is looking from side to side as if she is seeing possible ambushes everywhere.
The Mystery Deepens (DM/Al) Wednesday November 17th, 2004 9:34:45 PM
The Children of Chaos walk the path between the steep cliffs of rock and ice. The canyon twists and turns, often doubling back upon itself. The group takes precautions against attack. None comes. The deep blue shade of the canyons is quiet. Tokun ceases to lead. Instead he simply walks along with the group watching and listening into the silent shadows.
The tracks at times show under the increasingly thin layer of snow. The largest prints are often most apparent. After some three hours of walking, the concealing layer of snow disappears completely, the storm, perhaps never having reached this far. From this point on, those with the skill to Track, tease an increasingly detailed story from the footprints that move along the bottom of the canyon.
[[ Track DC10 to reveal the following: Highlight to display spoiler: {Two large sets of tracks. One roughly humanoid in shape, but misshapen. The other roughly canine, definitely four footed. Seven medium sized tracks. The medium sized tracks occasionally show signs of difficulty walking. The gaits are uneven. There are places where it is clear that one or another has stumbled and fallen. There are also signs of smaller footprints. Oddly enough, there appear at times to be three separate tracks. Sometimes only two. And sometimes only one.} ]]
The sun rises in the pale blue sky. And, for a while, it's kindly face sheds light and warmth down into the bottom of the canyon. Soon enough, though, it passes overhead, and the group is plunged into shade once more. Unlike the canyons the group wandered through the day before, this one seems to have no branchings. North, then east then south then east again. From Peerimus's dead reckoning, the area of unknown darkness should be near. Somwhere. A switchback to the west, and the party rounds a bend to find ...
A dead end.
The canyon continues straight for another three or four hundred feet. Then it slopes upward, ending at a solid wall of rock and ice. Large boulders of what seem to be solid ice lie near the end, stacked along the sides of the canyon. What's more, the tracks continue, unwavering down to the end. Some fifty feet from the sheer rock wall, however, they disappear.
Savin d20+13=28 d20+13=25 Wednesday November 17th, 2004 10:16:43 PM
Savin will smile sardonically at the young guide and tap his foot a couple of times with his eyebrows arched.
He will then say, "Let me go check it out. Stay here and wait for my signal that it is safe."
Savin will jog down and look for anything unusual.
Not being a skilled tracker he isn't able to follow the tracks any better than a normal person could.
He looks to see if the cliff is climbable.
Spot check 28 Listen check 25
Sly and Luke d20+5=24 d20=17 Thursday November 18th, 2004 10:27:56 AM
OOC; Luke tracks(scent) 24 - Sly tracks 17.
Sly watches Savin go down to the end, He'll also takes a good look at the tracks, Funny but his heart strats to beat alittle faster.
Sly thinks that he reconises the small foot prints, but he will need something that has the cent of a full blooded elf scent. Then he remembers the Hollie Leaf the the King gave them, for everybody (the Children of Chaos at that time) a safe passage on the elven highway. So he takes off that pin and tells his dog "Luke smell this leaf? Theres elven scent on it besides my scent. See these track follow them to where they disapere."
"Peerimus, let Yurrick go with Luke. I think they will find something!" Sly tells the Druid.
But to the paladin, Sly ask "Jason! Are your parents full elves or half elves? My mother IS a full elf. Watch the animals!"
Peerimus d20+20=36 Thursday November 18th, 2004 5:18:44 PM
Peerimus moves up to look at the tracks as Savin moves off. [Survival 36] "Be wary Savin."
"Two large sets of tracks. One roughly humanoid in shape, but misshapen. The other roughly canine, definitely four footed. Seven medium sized tracks. The medium sized tracks occasionally show signs of difficulty walking. The gaits are uneven, they stumble, one fell here roughly. The smaller footprints are here as well, though are strangely absent, perhaps they are being carried."
Peerimus will further examine some of the fall zones for signs of the smaller creatures tumbling off shoulders.
At the tracks sudden disappearence, "Ilsidur, Have you a detect magic? A residue of the spell to mask them might linger still."
Jason of Aisildur Thursday November 18th, 2004 6:33:22 PM
Jason turns to Sly upon his question.
"My Father, Dajibin, is of elven-blood, but not pure. My mother, Nadia, is human." at remembering them again, the paladin's face goes from initial joy, to bitter sorrow.
Ilsidur Thursday November 18th, 2004 10:44:55 PM
Ilsidur moves to look where Peerimus is indicating. On the way past, he puts his hand on the young paladin's shoulder, and says, "Son, we will do all we can to find your parents. But we all need you to be strong, since I am sure that our situation will get worse before it gets better, and we will need your strength."
Then he moves up to the spot where the tracks disappear. He casts detect magic, and starts to scan the most recent tracks, and the area where the tracks disappear. Then he makes his way towards the rock wall a few hundred feet in front of him, continuing to scan ahead, left and right as he moves. He moves forward until he reaches the rock wall, feeling for any residual magic.
[OOC: Al, a couple of posts ago, I asked if Ilsidur can still see a tattoo on the back of his hand. Is it still there.]
Sly and Luke Friday November 19th, 2004 7:01:18 AM
In answering Jason liage of his parents, "That means that your farther is an half elf like me. I have a feeling that we are getting clost to something. Be on the look out for secret doors or an opening behind snow drifts or piles of rocks. It's just a feeling."
As Sly advances behind the animals.
The Dead End (DM/Al) d6=5 Friday November 19th, 2004 11:24:31 AM
Peerimus follows the tracks to the point at which they disappear. Luke and Yorrick flank him on either side. Savin moves ahead mounting the gentle slope to examine the sheer walls beyond.
Peerimus relays his findings to the group then moves to the fall of ice at either side of the canyon. The area around the tumble of ice boulders reveals no tracks.
Luke sniffs at the ground. "Elf. Scent. Yes," he barks in reply to Sly's question. "Like Sly." He sniffs around the area in which the tracks disappear. His tail is arched into the air and wagging. He moves a few steps toward the end of the canyon, then lifts his head and whines with confusion.
Savin walks up the slope, the sound of his boots as they crunch lightly in the ice and snow add a light background counterpoint to the voices of his companions behind him. His eyes lift to the cliffs that rise around him. The walls are sheer. Cracked and pitted with striations, as are all cliffs of this type, they are climbable. Almost all cliffs are climbable. Yet, in the monk's estimation, it would require superior training and equipment to successfully make the 75 foot ascent.
At Peerimus's request, Ilsidur casts Detect Magic. He begins with the tracks and makes his way toward the end of the canyon where Savin stands looking up at the sheer cliffs. The tracks themselves show no trace of magic. The dwarven cleric swings he focus of the spell to both left and right. Neither the cliffs nor the tumbles of ice boulder reveal signs of magic either. From the point at which the tracks disappear up toward the cliff face, under the feet of both Luke and Savin, the ground radiates a very dim aura of residual magic. Ilsidur mounts the slope continuing to scan both sides of the canyon. He directs his magic at the final rock wall, the end of the line ... nothing. The cliff stands revealing no trace of magic.
As he scans the area, directing the magic of the spell across the canyon, Ilsidur's thoughts go back to the early morning and what they had all seen within themselves. He debates with himself again, wondering if he should bring it up. They would find out eventually. But what does it mean? The new symbol? It would be best to tackle the mystery as a group. The new tattoo. The pinwheel had changed. Now a rough and broken diamond within which lay a darker circle. And eye? As Ilsidur swings the cone of magic in a new direction the question once again comes to his mind: What could it mean?
[ OOC: Sorry, Greg, I had intended to reply to that, but in all the other details, it slipped my mind. So many details, sigh. ]
Firn'gaer d20+6=21 Friday November 19th, 2004 9:48:31 PM
Standing with the others at the end of the dead end, Firn'gaer decides to cast a spell. Pulling a rod from his waste, he says the incantation. The rod pulsates briefly as does his eyes and he looks at the walls again. This time for that which is magically hidden from view.
[Casts See invisibility] [Spot DC21]
Active Spells Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hours Extended Endure Elements Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours
Rod of Lesser Extend -- 2 of 3 uses left.
Savin Friday November 19th, 2004 10:55:57 PM
Oh he is tempted...he looks at the cliffs and knows he can make it. He is itching to climb. He will look at his friends and ask, "So what do we do from here. Do you want me to try and climb up the cliffs?"
Shiraz Saturday November 20th, 2004 1:00:28 AM
Shiraz walks quietly behind the party as the others more suited attempt to find safe passage to the city. Looking up at teh cliff shiraz flexes his shoulders, "I can climb it as well if need be Savin, but can our friends make it up as esy as you and I?"
ooc: Sorry about the sporadic posting I was switched to days for 1 week and my body is screwy.
Sly and Luke Saturday November 20th, 2004 9:47:32 AM
Sly thinks for a moment, then ask Fun'gar, "Fun'gar you suddies Wizardry, Do you have a Spell that is called Levitate?? I have one but it's in my book, I would have to read it to use it. If you have one then you could lift some one up there and I could use mine to lift some one and we all could get there alot sooner."
Firn'gaer Sunday November 21st, 2004 8:46:54 AM
"I'm afraid my dear Sly I do not know how to do that. However..." He pauses, "I could attempt to learn the spell from your book. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to do it until tomorrow."
What Lies Beneath (DM/Al) Sunday November 21st, 2004 11:47:29 AM
Savin and Ilsidur stand at the top of the slope. The monk scans the surface of rock and ice mapping out a free-climb. Ilsidur is lost in thought. What do these things mean, the significance of the changed tattoo, the dim magic trace in the ground.
Firn'gaer makes his way up the slope to join them. He takes two powders in his hand. A quick incantation and the powders are tossed into the air. A rod, drawn from his waist, ensures that the spell will remain with him for several hours. When the wizard blinks, however, and the magic asserts itself, nothing new is revealed.
Shiraz moves up the slope to join his companions. His eyes too scan the crags in anticipation of a climb. "I can climb it as well if need be Savin." A sharp pop cuts through the still cold air of the canyon floor, dull echoes bounce from the sheer walls. "but can our friends make it up as easy as you and I?"
"Fun'gar," from the bottom of the slope, Sly calls up slope at the same time, "you suddies Wizardry, Do you have a Spell that is called Levitate??" A soft low creak sounds in the chill air of the canyon. The hard walls to either side refract the sound, making it appear to come from all around. "I have one but it's in my book, I would have to read it to use it. If you have one then you could lift some one up there and I could use mine to lift some one and we all could get there alot sooner."
"I'm afraid my dear Sly I do not know how to do that. However..." He pauses. *Crack* Another pop, this one explosive, demanding. The creak rises in pitch and volume, climbing toward a deafening climax. Beneath the high pitched escalation a rumbling crackle plays and builds. Firn'gaers eyes look about with unease. "I could attempt to learn the spell from your book. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to do it until tomorrow."
Rumble. Pop. Snick. Pop. All eyes lift to the cliffs hung with deadly ice. Too late, the realization that the sound comes from beneath.
Savin, Ilsidur, and Firn'gaer watch as Shiraz drops suddenly from sight. Then the ice beneath their feet gives way as well and they all tumble downwards. [ Savin, Ilsidur, and Firn'gaer treat this as a 20-foot fall. 2d6 damage unless you have a way to deal with it. Tumble is acceptable. In this case, Jump Down is not. Shiraz, you are further down slope. For you, it is only a 10-foot fall. 1d6 unless you deal with it. ]
The rest of the party rushes from the bottom of the slope forward some 20 feet to look over the edge. Large blocks of ice, the remains of a now collapsed ceiling lie scattered below. It is a 10-foot drop to enter. The area exposed spans the width of the canyon, perhaps 25 feet across. To the wall at the end of the canyon is another 30 feet. And now, at the end of the canyon, exposed by the collapse of the ice, the mouth of a cave is revealed. The cave is some 15 feet across and 20 feet deep. And, in the depths of the cave, viewed in the dim light that filters down from the heights of the canyon walls, is a door. [To enter the area exposed by the collapsed ceiling, you must successfully negotiate the 10-foot drop or take 1d6 fall damage. This shouldn't be difficult for characters of your level, but I'd like to see the rolls, please.]
Sly and Luke Sunday November 21st, 2004 1:56:08 PM
"WoW!" said Sly as he runs to the edge of the ice, "some magic! Now I have silk rope. to let some of us down. Don't worry Shiras! We'll be right down to cure you!"
Sly take his rope from the back pack, A hammer and a spike. Then hammers the spike into the ice floor.
Luke come up to him "Me first, Yurrick two?"
Firn'gaer 2d6(5+3)=8 Monday November 22nd, 2004 12:06:24 PM
Seeing Shiraz drop from view, Firn'gaer's stomach drops out the bottom as dread wells from down deep. "...Oh, noooo....."
Tumbling down the hole Firn'gaer arrive very unceremonially at the bottom. [8 points of damage] He lays there for a moment before getting to his feet.
"By the Gods, that sucked." He says matter of factly. "The rest of you alright?" Looking around to see how the other three fared.
Active Spells Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hours Extended Endure elements Extended See invisibility -- 3 hours
Peerimus d20+17=30 Monday November 22nd, 2004 1:56:49 PM
Peerimus moves quickly to the 'new' hole for a visual on his companions. Thank Mother Wold it did not open to a glacier rift.
After verbally affirming they are relatively all right, he asks the next logical question from the top.
"I believe we have found the entrance to the 'hole' Mother Wold could not tell me about. We should explore this, however what of our guide Tokun. Submitting him to such dangers. Though returning to the village on his own may be just as hazardous."
A hand signal moves Yorrick to his side [Handle animal 30]
Sly and Luke Monday November 22nd, 2004 3:11:43 PM
"You have a point there Peerimus!" Said Sly, then think for a second or two, "But I think the lesser of the two evils, is for him to keep folowing us. Safer for him, But an added strain for us!, I think I have a master bone sword I pick up in the Lottory. I could give it to him to defend himself. He's green, but not that green."
Niobe d20+5=13 Monday November 22nd, 2004 5:43:21 PM
Niobe follows the others to the gaping hole. She looks down into it and thinks to herself that climbing down there should be no real problem. The rogue takes out her climbers kit, rope, piton and makes ready to climb down. With any luck it all goes well and she makes it down gracefully. Hopefully there is a way to get the rope down from the piton (quick release?). If not then Niobe will have to risk getting showered with falling snow and ice as she tugs at the rope to try and get it down! (Can't leave a good rope behind you know...) If their guide decides to join them then that is good, if not then they will have to make do she supposes to herself. Niobe decides to not openly involve herself in the debate of what to do with their guide and his decisions. Niobe will move closer to the cave opening and take a look around while waiting for the others to regroup. She will not go too far away from the others.
[Al if Niobe can take 10 then she will have 15 on her climb check due to the climbers kit. However if she cannot take 10 then she has a climb check of 13.]
Savin d20+11=24 d20+13=31 Monday November 22nd, 2004 6:07:29 PM
Savin feels his feet suddenly shift and come out from under him. He will stay calm and try to grab the walls around him to slow his fall. If he isn't near a wall, then he will roll into a ball and tumble down. (slow fall 50' monk skill or tumble roll of 24)
Savin is glad he was one of the pack to fall into the pit. His skills were able to deflect the damage and keep some of his friends from harm.
He will bound gracefully to his feet and brush himself off and then take a careful look around. spot check 31
Ilsidur (AC 25, 94/98 hp) 2d6(3+1)=4 d20+9=25 Monday November 22nd, 2004 8:42:55 PM
Carefully contemplating the new symbol on the back of his hand, Ilsidur suddenly finds himself plummeting to through the ice, and into a chamber below the ledge. He falls to the ground hard [OOC: 4 hp damage], and gets up, shaking himself off. He looks over at the door that is suddenly revealed. "Do you think that this is where the footprints disappeared to?" he asks no-one in particular.
He takes another look at the new symbol on his hand, wondering its significance. [OOC: knowledge religion roll of 25]
Shiraz d20+5=6 d6=4 Monday November 22nd, 2004 9:25:01 PM
Shiraz falls hard,<reflex DC 6, natural 1>, and manages to lose his footing in the ice and tumbles forward, "I'm ok!" Shiraz shouts out, "Be careful coming down."
After the Crash (DM/Al) Monday November 22nd, 2004 9:52:03 PM
The weight of the mighty minotaur is the last straw for the roof of ice, and Shiraz drops through bringing the whole thing down with him. He falls into the crushed ice below with a heavy thud, but scrambles up with nothing but a few minor cuts and bruises.
Firn'gaer, on the other hand, takes a rather painful and nasty fall. Though, when all is said and done, he rises from the broken blocks of ice with dignity, inquiring of the well being of others before considering his own.
Savin swipes at the cliff wall as the ice gives way beneath him. His hand finds purchase, and his fall begins to slow. Then the wall disappears, opening instead onto the mouth of a cave. The monk falls the rest of the way, hitting the ground and rolling to safety. Rising, he brushes himself off, uninjured.
Ilsidur crashes to the ground with a startling clank of armor. Oddly enough, despite the painful sounding crash, it would appear that his armor has possibly saved the dwarven cleric from more serious harm. Standing and shaking chips of ice from himself, Ilsidur wonders whether this is where the foot prints might have disappeared to. Then, again, he looks at the symbol on the back of his hand. Odd sort of thing. Broken diamond shape surrounding a dark circle. Reminiscent of an eye. The symbol of the far off god, Gargul, is an unblinking eye. This symbol, however, is different. Long time veteran of the group, something tickles Ilsidur's memory like a sneeze that refuses to come. Eye. Looking. Seeing ...
Peerimus rushes to the edge of the hole and signals Yorrick to come up beside him.
"I believe we have found the entrance to the 'hole' Mother Wold could not tell me about," he says. And indeed this seems just about the very spot revealed to him in his commune. He mulls the wisdom of taking the young barbarian Tokun with them as they explore this newly revealed area.
Sly and Niobe also both rush to the edge of the hole. They secure ropes to the edge using metal pitons. While the half elven fighting wizard expresses his disagreement to Peerimus, the woodland rogue takes hold of the rope and walks herself down the 10 feet of wall to the jumbled floor of broken ice below. Once there, she opts not to involve herself in the discussion above, and picks her way through the rubble toward the cave mouth and the doorway beyond.
Tokun, himself, stands staring with mouth ajar. Precious heat escapes his mouth, and mists in the fridge air. He blinks and backs a few steps away.
"Nee ah heup lasah uhch weh," he says pointing to himself then the hole, and then shaking his head. "Lasah uhch weh," he repeats with more head shaking. "Peh shea lasah uhch weh," he says once more, and the look in his eyes is pleading.
Meanwhile Niobe and Savin stand at the mouth of the cave with Firn'gaer and Ilsidur just behind them. The cave is plain as plain can be, incapable of hiding secrets in it's shallow depth. It is little more than a hole in the cliff face. It is 15 feet wide, 10 feet high, and barely 20 feet deep. At the other end is a large double door ten feet across. Through the gloom (Savin can see it) is a rather sturdy lock holding the door closed.
[[ OoC ]] Still up above are Peerimus, Sly, Jason, Yorrick and Luke.
Here are some ways you can get down the 10 foot wall. Looks like climbing down the rope while bracing your feet against the wall would be the easiest. For Luke and Yorrick, maybe jumping. They can't climb a rope and they can't tumble.
I will also accept Aide Another rolls here. They would be the equivalent of people in the pit reaching up and helping someone down. Or people at the top of the ledge helping another person over the edge.
Climb: DC 5: With a Rope: A rope with a wall to brace against, or a knotted rope, or a rope affected by the rope trick spell. DC20: Free climb: An uneven surface with some narrow handholds and footholds, such as a typical wall in a dungeon or ruins.
Jump Down: DC15: If you intentionally jump from a height, you take less damage than you would if you just fell. The DC to jump down from a height is 15. If you succeed on the check, you take falling damage as if you had dropped 10 fewer feet than you actually did.
Tumble: DC15: Treat a fall as if it were 10 feet shorter than it really is when determining damage.
Niobe d20+10=17 d20+15=33 d20+16=28 Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 6:49:41 AM
If the rogue actually spots the lock on the door her natural curiousity will get the best of her. She will immediately head for the lock and begin to search for traps (disable device, MW thieve's tools +2) before enthusiastically attempting to pick the lock (MW thieve's tools +2). If anyone tries to tell her to wait or to leave the lock be she will simply pretend not to hear them - even if their reasoning for waiting is sound.
(Spot 17, Disable Device 33, Open Lock 28)(Class ability: Trapfinding, Trap sense +2, Feat: Nimble fingers (+2 to disable device and open lock)
Sly and Luke d20+1=11 d20+1=20 d20+1=9 Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 9:11:03 AM
Sly look towards Peerimus, "I don't think our young Guide want to come along! Now Luke are you ready to go down?" Sly makes a rope haulted for Luke, Then lowes the dog down (11).
Sly will bring up the rope and make a bigger haulter for Yurrick. Sly ask Peerimus. "I will need your help to lower our buddy Yurrick, even if he's too heavy, as long as we break his fall. he'll be alright (20)."
Sly will again bring up the rope, undo the halter and will even the rope (so it sits double in his hand), Sly start to lower himself down(9).
To lower Luke Check of 11 To lower Yurrick Check of 20 To lower himself down 9
Peerimus Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 1:46:39 PM
Peermus considers Tokun for a moment. He seems more terrified than anyhting else, there must be a story.
He nods assurance to Tokun and makes a dismissive gesture towards the hole and door with his left hand. Stepping to the young man he puts his hand on his shoulder to move him even farther from the source of his consternation.
Calling loudly back, "Does anyone have teh ability to comprehend any language or speak in Tongues."
"Our young guide Tokun may very well have a story to share involving where we dare to tread."
At Sly, "I am not sure Yorrick and I will be descending just yet. You go on ahead friend."
Peerimus remains a the top with Tokun, for now. Hoping the answer to his question is yes.
Savin Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 4:25:53 PM
Savin will look up at the folks coming down the ropes and then at Niobe who is proceeding towards the door. Temptation wins out and he scurries ahead and asks her, "Want some company?"
Niobe Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 5:19:24 PM
"I'd love your company. Maybe you will see something I might oversee." Niobe smiles, and continues determinedly towards the lock at any rate.
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