Eleven Dukes: Lori's Labyrinth

[Leush]

Eleven Dukes: Lori's Labyrinth

...Thus it happens that the ten Dukes of Mydia had wrought their own downfall, which not even the sages amongst them could see ahead of time. It is not up to them how their tale shall end:

Brair: Sent from Tariola.
Elzak Brindle: Power is rightfully his... And he shall find it!
Leif Songbird: Who sought to escape the cold by facing it.
Torak Vias: In service of the Winter.
Nooglikwik: An orc from far away Tuqre- Risen by the Forest.
Cecille Celeste: To do good one must first know what good is....

The frightful chill of a clear night settles upon the forest, upon Muoris and the remaining outlanders, and a few curious locals settle in the great hall of the village. Built upon the stone foundation of some structure that has lost its place in history, the hall's wooden walls are the only walls in Muoris which seem to be crafted by hands of carpenters rather than by the will of the forest. Even so, the hands that build the great hall seemed to put in a fair measure of love into their labour and the sturdy wooden structure is warm and homely. Into the logs around the entrance the hands have carved the shapes of numerous birds and beast, one chasing another. Strange faces looked out in surprise upon the world where the timbers crossed in the corners and logs carved simply and elegantly into seats lined the stone foundations.

On the inside, rows of tables and benches have been lined up in the lower half of the hall, a yellowish oil burning with a lively flame in braziers that stood on three legs at the head and foot each table. The upper half of the hall stood mostly empty, save for a gigantic platter of a dark metal- part of the message that the envoys of Seethin had guarded with the lives, the one part that the survivors of the journey had managed to safeguard- leaning against one corner of the hall and two ladders leading to the loft in the other.

Muoris provided a healthy system shock to travellers who arrived and sought shelter at the local inn. For in Muoris there was no inn. In Muoris the Great Hall provided the function of the Inn. It also provided the function of a town hall, school and temple. Less than a week ago, any traveller would have found it crammed full with loud, jubilant bodies- music and heartfelt song would rise up above the crowd, merry dance and strong drink and sincere laughter reigned here that week.

Tonight, however, with the winter festivals gone and done, the song and dances but a warm memory of of days that had gone and were to come, the atmosphere was more subdued with but a handful of people clustered on a couple of benches. The many paths that lead all mortals to a single point had brought them here...

The door opens slightly, and a figure wrapped thickly in furs makes his way quietly into the hall. Leaning quite heavily upon a simple quarterstaff, it is an elderly elf of somewhat regal bearing, his eyes sly and his silvery hair in a short pony tail. He turns and gently closes the door before walking up to the tables and stopping. Yet there is something very tired in his steps. He surveys those seated briefly with the same sly, twinkling eyes as those you are used to for a moment before speaking. Most of you know him to be Saolusias, one of the messengers from Seethin.

"When I was younger." He permitts himself to chuckle at the thought. "When I was younger,and my arms a little stronger than now, I came upon a pixie who was preoccupied with cutting a log into firewood with a tiny saw. Now you can imagine that I was quite perplexed at this, since I've never heard of a pixie doing work, let alone chopping wood, instead of protecting it, so I asked it why it was cutting firewood. It looked perplexed for a moment, dropped the saw, turned into a gnoll and tried to make a meal out of me... Luckily my legs were somewhat stronger then than they are now."

He stopped for a moment. "I suppose the message in all that if you smell a rat, then there's probably one there. When we travelled from Seethin, we were set upon no less than four times in our journey, each time we had no idea why- and I dare say, for the last two attacks, we are still non he wiser as to the goal behind them. I wouldn't so much as raise an eyebrow if the whole story about the diadem is a ruse to lead you far from the protection of Muoris.... Though the swords-mistress isn't one I'd except to be an enemy." Suddenly he stopped in his tracks much as someone who had only realised that they had forgotten their coat a good ten paces after closing the door. "It appears that I got ahead of myself- did anyone else happen to bump into her today?"

Torak: Despite the warmth, there is something welcoming about these halls. They are not like the rest of the forest, for here there was at least a measure of peace. Out there, you could feel the call of your master, you could feel the winter's touch, but at the same time you could feel another presence all around- huge and smothering. The forest, you knew. It reached out towards you, as if you were some lost child, and with every step you could feel a challenge to your faith. In the rustling you could almost hear a soothing rebuke. As if it was telling you to follow it, to abandon your winter... At least here you could no longer hear it- it was still all around you- you could feel that much, but its presence was barely palpable..

Brair: As you listen to Saolusias speak, perhaps because of the slight hunch in his shoulders, perhaps because of how he looked away for that split second when he stopped, you can tell that he seems a fair bit more tired than usual, as if a great weight had been placed upon his back and he was doing his best to avoid showing it.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif Songbird

Leif glanced up only briefly when the man from Seethin entered the room. He didn't wish to be rude but he was just finishing re-stringing his balalaika. The top string had snapped when he foolishly came into the Hall on a frigid evening, sat down right next to a roaring fire, and vigorously strummed the first chord of a drinking song. It was no problem - the incident won him a few laughs, and he could easily sing a cappella and still please the audience. Though he hadn't made as much coin as he was hoping to in Muoris. He should have expected that - in an isolated place like this. An entertainer could make more money in a large city on a busy trade route.
Ah, but the real money - and the appealing tingle of danger - was to be found in adventuring. So there was no way this Saolusias fellow was going to dissuade him from seeking this diadem.
Finally the instrument was repaired to his satisfaction. That was my last spare string! Once I earn some coin, I'll need to find a master who knows how to craft me a balalaika that can hold up to my travels and my strumming. Leif now gave Saolusias his full attention.

"I was one of those the lady spoke to of the diadem. I have full intention of pursuing it, as I have no reason to remain in Muoris anyway."

He glanced at the others in the room to see if he could read their intentions. Every one of them intrigued him. An orc - well, he'd seen one before in his travels, but not one nearly as strong and menacing-looking as this. And a kobold! The glowing blue eyes fascinated him. Even the less colorful man who'd arrived with the dog team had him curious. Leif prided himself on his competence in archery, but he suspected just by the way he'd seen the sled-rider handle his yew longbow that the man was a deadly marksman. Perhaps if they went on this adventure together Leif would be able to hone his skills under the man's tutelage.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The big scarred orc was perched on a bench, listening. He sits in his woolen jerkin, his hide armour piled in his lap. Slowly, methodically, he pushes a bone needle and sinew thread through a big tear in the armour over and over. The big bladed spear, the traditional weapon of his tribe's guardians, was tucked under the bench at his feet.

Nooglikwik shook his head. Ever since...ever since waking up, it's been harder than ever for him to keep things straight. He looked up at Saolusias. Noog's voice is a hesitant tenor, a strange contrast to his hulking frame.

"Um. Bump into who?"

[Revanmal]

Elzak Brindle

Empty black eyes met light blue for a moment, as Master and Servant glanced at one another. They said nothing, but the message was understood. Bobbie the Raven hopped from Elzak's shoulder, lightly fluttering her wings as she landed on the table.

"We did see the lady, yes. Very strange. Not of this world, we think." she said.

"We will do as she asked. She offered twice its worth, and if it's so hidden, then it must be worth a hefty sum." Elzak responded to Bobbie's call, the sentences flowing as if being spoken by one person.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif Songbird

Part of Leif's restless mind was already wandering, even as he listened to the other persons in the room speak. Under his breath he hummed a simple tune he was using to remember the lady's words: ...beneath the earth / There you will find a hall / In the hall you will cross a fire / Beyond the... wait, 'cross a fire'? I'm prepared for the snow, but I'm not sure about fire! Maybe before we leave we can see what assets we have as a group against fire... or I might have to go shopping for more supplies. Blast! My purse is light enough as it is.

[Leush]

Leif: "And I'm not saying that you shouldn't- no point keeping this bench warm till next winter- you'd only go wooden. You should go after it young man (I don't think that I caught your name). I did wish to advise you that you should think very carefully about how to approach it, not to imply that someone as yourself who in all likelihood knows so many fine lessons passed down in verse, wouldn't. Only that you remember those lessons."

...

Saolusias perches on one of the benches, not far from Noog, carefully placing down his staf, looking over the Orc with some concern..

" A most unusual lady I have to say, only one here who wears summer garb in this weather. The swordsmistress, Noog- at least that's what they call her here- she keeps her name to herself, quite unlike her sword. From what Janadel told me, she travels from somewhere in the deep south every year." He says the last sentance with a sweep of his hand over the table. "Every year she wins the hand to hand, stays for the rest of the festival and disappears back into the south."

He looks towards the youth and the raven and nods vigorously. "I too have a similar theory. You see, since the first time she appeared in Janadel's realm, he insists she hasn't aged a day. Ofcourse, if she's only been coming here for the last fifty years, it's quite possible that he wouldn't see it."

[Revanmal]

Elzak Brindle

Elzak's gaze sharpened considerably at this news. 'She has not aged a day in fifty years? Even elves would gain lines of age of some kind over such a long period of time.'

Though his mouth could not be seen, covered as it was by his cloak's high collar, a smirk slowly spread across Elzak's face.

'Could she be some kind of immortal being? She spoke with an accent I had never heard before, and left no trail when she walked. A spirit, maybe, or some ancient magic user.'

"This holds promise, Bobbie." he murmured, even as she looked at him with something akin to worry. She could feel his curiosity burning in her own heart.

"Maybe, Elzak, but if this thing is to be done it must be done with caution. We must not be careless, yes?" She looked expectantly at the people gathered who had shown an interest in the proceedings, though the statement was mostly directed at her Master.

Her meaning was not lost on him, and he nodded in agreement, reigning in his ambition for now.

He turned again to Saolusias. "Can you tell us anything else about this mysterious Swordsmistress, kind sir?"

[SandDemon]

Torak

Panting a frosty breath as he takes a moment of peace among the crowd, Torak's sigh spells relief as if a relentless burden is held at bay. Digging his javelin into the floor as a mock cane, he turns to those speaking of the strange swords-mistress....seemingly caring little of the damage it carves into the mock temple amongst the many stares.

Clearly there is more to this lady, the one that defies the Winter and denies his grasp with her summer clothe. There is purpose in this all, I just have to find the reason....and survive the damnations that speak in the forest.

"It seems..." *coughs lightly* "It seems that this mistress holds a mystery beyond her request - indeed, tell us what you know... Saolusias is it? The Winter greets you."

ooc: Can we have people post with their character name at the top of each post for awhile, so we get used to names? Thanks - also italics for thoughts is alright? :smallwink:

[spectralent]

Cecille

Cecille had just entered the room as the old man had started speaking. The room seemed sparsely populated now the festival was over, and the old man's sage speech was the most entertaining thing in a few weeks. The others there seemed an unlikely rabble. There was a sorceror or wizard of some kind, conversing with a raven, an orc preparing his equipment, and some man fiddling with his lute in a very unwholesome manner.

She pulled down her hood and let her hair tumble down past her shoulders.
"If you're so concerned, wouldn't the simplest thing to do be to go and look?"

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Nooglikwik nodded slowly.

"Also like the simple plans. Fewer things go terribly wrong. Going sounds good."

[Revanmal]

Elzak Brindle

Elzak shook his head glumly at their words, not quite believing what he was hearing.

"I've no doubt that woman we all met has some mysterious magics within her. She has won the tournament 50 years running from what Saolusias has said, and she leaves no track to follow. She has not aged at all the 5 decades she has traveled here. These things point to one conclusion: she is powerful. If she is not able to obtain this crown she seeks, there must be a reason. The path ahead seems dangerous, and 'only fools rush in where angels fear to tread.' Impatience will only lead to undue suffering."

[Adlan]

Brair

Brair supped his pint as the others talked, sat next to Nooglikwik at the bench, he too was working on a project, binding a new flight to one of his arrows, though he was running out of his own red dyed and all he had bought locally was some good grey goose.

He and Nooglikwik had been out in the forest, hunting, though careful as always to show the respect the forest deserved. It wasn't that he needed the income, the reward of his travels was enough to keep him in luxury, and warm beds here at the Hall, was finer than even his cabin, at home in the far off Tariolan mountains. But over their journey, he and the big Orc, Noog, his name abbrivated to, had become friends, and a day hunting with friends was always well spent.

I saw her also he said, in his deep, base rumble, I have seen her many times in the contests, but she spoke to me He turned with a smile to his friend And to you. The last day of the Contests.

But I saw her again today, In the forest. She spoke of a Diadem.

He turned to Saolusias, another fast friend made on the hard journey. He looked worn down.
Sit yourself down Saolusias, I'll get you a warm one He hoisted his own mug, a pint of mulled cider 'Something is on your mind?'

He said, as he crossed to the fire, the warm pot of cider was at the side, warming in radiated heat, and he laded a mug of it for his aged companion.

[Leush]

Torak: If the elderly elf disapproves of your use of the Javelin, he doesn't show it upon his face, but looks with a mild curiousity as you speak your words.

....

"As Elzak says, I doubt it is so simple young lady. What reasonable elf would want to be bothered at this time in the night- not that I'm reasonable- nor is it the kind of weather you would seek her out it- if what I have heard is true, she will be wondering somewhere in the woods, you would comb the forest in the middle of night to find someone who might not even be there? Much better to learn what is known first and then to seek her out... Unless you were talking about this Diadem. In which case, the simplest thing would indeed be to go forth and find it."

He turns to the Kobalt and Sorcerer. "I see I've perked your curiousity." Saolusias notes. "Sadly, the book that is the swordsmistress is as closed to me as it is to you: I know only what could be learned from the people of Muoris and the Old Man. She first came here about fifty years ago in time for the Winter Festival, accompanied by another of her kind. Both dressed as if the days were the warmest of the year- at first people thought it work of spells, but- ah there is a story in this, but I shall be brief. It was no simple magic that protected these elves from the cold. They stayed for exactly a single week, wondering the town and participating in the games and tourneys, but not mingling with the people of Muoris. When the games had ended, they disappeared to reappear for exactly one week- the same week, year after year, after year." He stopped. "The swordsmistress takes part only in the hand to hand, and not once has she been defeated. From the fights that I watched, she moves quite slowly, but is hard to evade an hard to hit. I wouldn't rule out sorcery of some description, although I do have my doubts about whether she truly does not age- there is after all many a glamour that can conceal the passage of years."

Torak & Leif: When the elf told you that the book is closed to him, you are sure, perhaps by way he blinked, perhaps by a waver of the voice, that he wasn't as convinced as he wished to sound. He also sounded a fair bit less convinced about the glamours.

Leif: You have actually heard a few of these stories yourself... Some speak of the Swordmistress' skill, some of cunning. None of them are particularly useful as far as you can see. Apart from one. One winter, a human maiden by the name of Esper Tulis, a huntress of sorts, having been soundly defeated by the Swordsmistress asked if she would train her, to which she agreed, and for three days the strange elf had taught Esper her strange style. Each day Esper grew more and more suspicious of the Elf's nature and when the training was over, and the Swordsmistress and her companion left, the huntress followed her. The elves walked day and night. They bore steadily south for seven days, and the human was beyond the brink of exhaustion when the elves finally stopped at one of the many ruins that littered the forest. At that point the Swordsmistress' companion turned to her and asked if it was safe now- to which she replied that they had been followed for the whole week, but their stalker was harmless as long as she would learn no more. That was the last that Esper remembered before waking up in her house, a healer tending to her- she had been found a few miles to the north east of Muoris.

From the tale you know that either the Swordsmistress or her companion do indeed possess some sort of magic, that they are not limited to the rules that govern most humanoids and that she has extremely keen senses.

Brair: Saolusias turns to you, accepting the mug with a thankful nod. "You do know the way an old man's mind works Brair." He sips silently. "That she only mentioned the diadem now is no surprise- she would probably have wanted to see us tested fully in the contests before in any way commiting the task to us."

He sips away silently for a little longer. Then speaks again. "I won't be coming with you this time. I came here to seek Janadel's advise on a matter that's been plaguing me for quite some time and now it's only his advise which is plaguing me. He advised me to have a good look through the maps and books that he's managed to salvage in his time here. Old Age stuff, lad. Might learn something of where that bird took the Lady Tulis... Though I have to admit, I doubt it will give more than the vaguest clue."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

"It would seem that we are warned to be cautious. Agreed. But I do not think this swordmistress sends us on a doomed mission - what would be the point of that? Perhaps there are some sort of wards on this barrow against magical beings, so she requires the services of us mere mortals.
"I'm going, though I'm not too proud to change my mind once I see the dangers. And I believe there's strength in numbers - I welcome the company of anyone here in this room who would split profits with me, rather than compete against me. I've no skills in traps or locks - that was my old partner's job - but I've some useful magics and other abilities, and I can defend myself well enough."

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog finishes mending his armour, and carefully sets down his needle and thread. The big orc slides the skin creakingly over his head and settles it in place with a comfortable sigh. Better.

Smiling faintly at Brair, this man who he knows from the time that is lost to him, Noog rises and stretches. He walks over to a barrel near the fire, where water is kept from freezing, and takes a mug. He stands for a moment by the fire, drinking both water and fire in at once.

"Leif, I have no magics in me, but a little knowledge of the winter and the wood. I would come with you, if you would have me."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"If I would have you? I am flattered, Nooglikwik. Besides, you may be just as good at opening locked doors as my old partner, though admittedly you may use a different method!" Leif nods at the big orc's glaive.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The big hunter simply ducks his head in acknowledgment. He smiles, a bit shyly, and settles on his bench again.

[SandDemon]

Torak

Torak seems quite amused with the elf's statement. "Perhaps you may think I might believe you, Saolusias, if I was but listening only to your words and not your heart beat - the cold tone doesn't lie as you do, albeit you were nice and polite. The crowd could hinder your desire to speak more so maybe it's best said in private." Turning from the elder elf, Torak's gaze falls onto the others about.

Something scares this man, I'm guessing - the power to defy the grasp of Winter will definitely be worth knowing....

"I won't say I offer anything to anyone but my master, but I do agree that it is beneficial that we pull together to find this diadem - our desires why are different but the goal the same none the less. May Winter guide us." He nods slowly to the others, a simple greeting.

Torak returns his cold gaze to Saolusias, seeing if his words held any effect.

How roll heavy do you want this all to be? Things like sense motive/etc just through how we talk and you handle it all or do you want us rolling or just not at all? Just curious.

[Leush]

Torak: The elf takes another sip of his cider and looks back at you, his gaze flicking quickly from bitter to amused and he chuckles darkly before hissing back at you. "Servant of Winter. There is no lie that I hide from you." And you can tell that he said this statement with utter conviction.

He takes another sips and speaks in his own pleasantly soothing voice again, addressing everyone. "I have my own matters to meddle in. My stubbornly faithful, long-eared, four-legged friend, however is at your disposal. I shall be rooted right here until you return."

[Revanmal]

Elzak Brindle

Elzak nods as he and Bobbie lock eyes once more. She flutters lightly to his shoulder and speaks for all to hear.

"We too would journey with you. My Master has magics of many kinds, and can summon allies from both above and below. They will be of great assistance, friends. No doubt this quest will bring us all glory untold, yes? An epic tale of great courage and dangerous walls of fire!"

Suddenly hit with an idea, Bobbie takes flight from Elzak's shoulder, landing daintily beside Leif.

"Perhaps you could compose a ballad of our journey, Sir Leif!"

[Adlan]

Brair
Brair spoke to Saolusias,
"If you do learn something of the Lady Tulis, or of the Bird that took her, send me word, or leave a meassage here so that when I pass by this way I shall find it."

He Glanced at Nooglikwik, the great Bird that had carried off the Messenger, the Lady Tulis, had been a ferocious and unfinished battle.

But at Noog's smile, and the prospect of a fresh adventure, his heart lightened.

If Nooglikwik is going, I shall go too. You'll find few finer trackers or woodsmen than my friend

The large shaggy sled dog at Brair's feet uncurled, and gave a single deep, hushed bark. Like it's masters voice. Brair reached down and tousled the beasts scruff. It was his lead sled dog.

'I was Forester, and Game keeper, I have some small skill with the bow. He smiled with a shrug, modestly, for those who had seen him shoot at the Competition.
"And I run a fine sled, in the winter, even in this warm clime, it is always a good idea to carry more supplies than the bare minimum.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
Leif smiles at Bobbie but chooses to allow the conversation to continue rather than replying to her suggestion.

He decides he'll have to learn more about this Bird and Lady Tulis later, rather than choosing this moment to make a point of his ignorance. I don't even know what this 'four-legged friend' of Saolusias is - but all in good time. Leif's mind starts to race, thinking of countless preparations the newly-formed party could make before starting their journey, but he draws on the countless hours he has spent practicing quieting his mind and decides to let the others make preparations as they see fit. He does so with some difficulty because his new partners are all strangers, but they do seem competent enough.

"I am fortunate indeed in such a wilderness to have such skilled outdoorsmen guiding me. I defer to your judgment as to the moment we should leave. However, I would beg a couple hours at least for some last minute purchases of supplies - that is, if Master Brair will permit me to load his sled with a few items I'd rather not carry on my back." (bowing slightly to Brair) "They are common items that should not take me long to find."

"Saolusias, is there a cooper here in Muoris you could direct me to?"

[Leush]

Brair: Saolusias bows his head slightly. "Rest assured- if I find something, I will endevour to make you the first to know about it. Ofcourse, if I had a way to contact the Duke, it would be his right to know first, but as it stands...."

Leif: As you speak, you pass into somehing of a reverie, drifting through all you know, trying to understand who this Lady Tulis is. Sadly, you really do have no idea who she is. Somehow, despite all your travels and all the gossip on all those streets that has passed between your ears, you have never heard the name....

"...Elf who goes by the name of Thomas. Short fellow, lives in the first house into Muoris from the road." Saolusias' voice reaches you. "Though from what he says, he is only an apprentice and not quite a cooper, I think that he'll be able to help you. If not, I am certain that he'll know someone who will."

....

As you converse the oil in the braziers continues to burn with the an almost smokeless flame, its level not a hair's width lower than it was when you entered the hall...

[spectralent]

Cecille
"Well I could hardly let you wander into that place on your own, it would be far too dangerous. I'll accompany you, so you won't be hurt." Cecille said, stepping toward the group with a dissaproving look.

[SandDemon]

Torak

"Well whenever the group is ready, we should move forth to the diadem. A short break would be good while Leif shops...." Torak closes his eyes as if listening for something. "Yes, whenever ready we can proceed."

Even though it is hard, I shall prevail as Winter will guide me among the enemy. Is there anything you desire before I gather forth, master?

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The big orc nods slowly.

"It would be well to make the most of the short daylight. Could we finish any bartering today, and depart at first light tomorrow?"

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Leif agrees and hustles off to the cooper's.

.......

The next morning Leif is punctual. Before the first glimmer of dawn he standing ready, his pack on his back, his bow in his right hand and his two purchases from last night in his left. He finds the closest fireplace or brazier to where the group had decided to meet and keeps an eye out for the others as he warms himself. (His magic boots keep him reasonably comfortable, but the warmth of the flames is pleasureable nonetheless.)

He makes small talk about the weather with anyone he meets there. When he encounters Nooglikwik, he presents him with one of his purchases.


"For you, Nooglikwik: a crowbar. I knew a cooper would have an extra one lying around. Wouldn't want you to damage your primary weapon opening doors and chests for us. That and I wanted to thank you for trusting me enough to agree to adventure with me - which in turn led to Brair and the others. Now we have what looks to be a formidable party.
"Anyway, if you don't feel like carrying it, we can put it in the sled with this shovel I bought in town. In case we want to bury or un-bury something in the snow."

[Leush]

As you, depending on your disposition, either retire to the attic (or wherever it is you have mde your dwelling here) or run off to bother the locals for the night, the hall empties itself and the fire in the braziers continues to dance almost alone, with only the old elf who sat thinking for company, eating non of the oil offered to it by the keepers of the Hall of Muoris who none of you had seen this night...
....
For some, the night was a time of peace, for others, a time of visitations of another realm....
....
This night starts of cold and clear, but some time later on clouds roll in and obscure the sky, though the temperature doesn't rise by much. As the night wears on the cloud thickens and a sleepy mist consumes the town. By the time the sun is preparing to rise again, large snowflakes drift lazily down from the sky, dusting the tracks of the activites of yeasterday, as if to emphasise the anisotrophic nature of the relationship between past, present and future.
....


Any matters of Day 1 that aren't yet dealt with can be dealt with in PMs or spoiler tags.

[Adlan]

Brair
Bait the Dogs, Pack the sled, check the supplies, tie it down. Dried Meat from the Hunts, Thick bundles of suet trade for the furs he had a tanned in the week.

All through his morning tasks, his dream stayed with him, a disturbing message, but for some reason, it only made him seek to press further on with his cause.

Dressed for the Road, his tough Boots warm with fur, his Leather Jerkin covered over with two warm cloaks, one, fine red silk, from a fallen companion, the other, rich thick bear skin. His Quiver and Bow close to hand on his back, and his sword also.

'Ah, a fine morning to set off'

[SandDemon]

Torak

Torak finds himself wandering the village during the night as sleep doesn't really seem to interest him. Staying away from the contact of any guards, Torak paces under deep thought and then eventually rests somewhere outside in the wild - his home.

Awakening to the new day only after a few hours of rest, thanks to his ring gifted from Winter itself, Torak grabs his meager belongings of only his armament and cold weather clothing and greets the group ready to dive into the depths of hell itself. He seems more grim than normal.

Odd night indeed...guide us, Winter.

"Winter is coming, you'd best prepare for a hard journey - have any the desire to lead this denizen of duty? I will give my aid if desired."

[Revanmal]

Elzak Brindle

Elzak emerges quietly from the Inn's front door, his hood and cloak obscuring most of his face. Bobbie peeks somewhat warily from inside his hood, trying to shield herself more effectively from the cold. His pack was just slightly heavier. He'd used a few coins the night before to get a few more days' rations. He wasn't entirely sure just how long they'd be gone, but he didn't think it would take much more than that.

He silently nods by way of greeting, content to simply wait for the others to arrive so they could leave.

[Leush]

Brair: Still unable to shake off the sights and sounds the night had visited upon you, you are even more determined to dig your way to the bottom of all this mess. Yet you cannot help but feel distinctly odd, almost as on those ocasions when you had drunk a little too much of something a little too strong and felt its fire mix with your blood- only without the drunkenness. Odd indeed.

Torak: As you wondered the town, wrapped snuggly in the peace of the clear night, keeping to the shadows of the roots of the great tree and away from the lights of the homes that were quite chaotically scattered through this settlement, you notice two things. Firstly you don't notice anyone out at this hour. Secondly you notice that there are no guards- at first you think that they are merely well hidden- but eventually it becomes clear that they are absent all-together. Rather lax if you ask yourself, or perhaps arrogant and lax. The forest is quieter in the night- and the chill stronger. Perhaps because of this, its nagging is also a lot less audible.
.......

At another table there are three figures- two relatively squat and one dow right short. The third is a halfling, light of build and clad in leather. The second, a man, short of stature, clad in furs and a thick brown beard, had nervous grey eyes that scanned the room as he conversed with the two others. The first was an elf, wrapped in a simple cloak of grey wool, neither particularly young or old, he sat proudly upright. Upon spotting the others gathering, he gives something of a wave in the direction of Noog and the woodsman and the three of them approach.

Brair & Noog: You instantly recognise the three figures as Fragoin, Ruthgar and Artest- how odd that they were not there the last evening.

Everyone: Having approached, the elf greets you and introduces himself politely, but coldly as Artest, and his two companions as Fragoin- the slightly smug halfling with the dangerously spikey looking chain strapped around his waist and Ruthgar, the rather plump, stocky man, clad in furs.

Brair & Noog (though everyone can hear): Artest turns to you and addresses you. "Saolusias informed me that you intend to venture into the south whilst you wait for the Old Man to reply. We were not going to wait for him to reply- we are going to head back to find our prisoner and make sure that he does not return to warn Alamagra of the failure of his task. I believe that as a small group we'll be able to evade most of the dangers that faced us as a caravan and catch him before he has left the forest."

He stops and takes a deep breath addressing the whole party. "I wish you luck in your little quest- but do come back alive, for I do think Saolusias would have trouble delivering it alone."

He permits himself a momentary smile and then becomes solemn again and stretches out his hand to his former companions. "Goodbye friends. May our roads cross. May your journey be long and swift. "

[Adlan]

Brair
Brair shook his companions hand warmly.
'Goodbye my friend, Mayhap we shall meet one day. If you ever pass through Tariola's Mountains, you can be sure of a warm welcome and no charges for tresspassing.'

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif (to Torak)

"Ah, do you mean choosing a leader for our party? I don't think we know each other well enough yet, but I plan on following Brair and Nooglikwik's lead initially - I believe they have worked together before, and who better to lead us through the woods than huntsmen?"

[Leush]

Brair: For a moment Artest's eyes flash with something between anger and amusement, but he says nothing.

.....
The party sets out from Muoris, well prepared and well rested and is does, the snow keeps falling, settling upon man, beast and sled alike. At first it is easy to navigate- you head away from the great hall, down between the two hills. Soon however, the terrain flattens out and the trees stand closer and close, once again slightly smaller than the ones in the village. Like the women and children, too weak to make it to the centre of a crowd. Keeping the sled on a straight course becomes more and more challenging. Brair, Noog and Torak all agree that the easiest path would involve bearing slightly west until you hit the black stream, from there on in, it should lead you straight to the cliffs. Your progress is steady, but the group quiet and uneasy, the party of strangers yet to fully warm to each other....

Brair & Torak: You attempt to read the signs and determine what weather awaits you this day. However, whether it is terrain that you are unfamiliar with, the fickle will of the forest or simply inability to see most of the sky, it is not clear to you what awaits.

Noog: The wind is changing- and you don't expect that it should snow for more than a few hours- nor should it snow particularly hard, afterwards it should clear up, and an easterly wind should blow away any remnant clouds and mist by nightfall, leading to another freezing night.
........
Noog's prediction however, does not appear to hold, as by midmorning, the weather very suddenly turns on you. Hammering the trees with a fearsome wind, it drops something akin to a wave of snowflakes on you. Even on the floor of the forest, beneath the protective canopy, the wind makes forewards progress all but impossible, checking your pace one moment and knocking you forewards the next. The snow flurries make it near impossible to see who is before you and who is behind and the individual snowflakes sting the eyes...

------------------------------------
OOC: I apologise if I have fast forwarded too much, however I shall not be able to post again till a similar time on sunday, so feel free to pretend that the above event didn't happen until after you've finished talking.

Otherwise...
Fortitude saves, survival checks to aid fortitude saves. Actions, decisions....

[spectralent]

Cecille

Cecille hugged her robe close to her and shivered.
"This is ridiculous." she mumbled.
"How are we meant to go anywhere in this snow?"
Cecille looked up and murmered a prayer to her god, and was rewarded with a faint shimmer of light briefly flickering around her.

OOC
I cast "Endure Elements", my first level spell

[Adlan]

Brair
Wrapped up sufficiently to ignore the cold, a blizzard like this was still a hazard, with the lack of visability, they could easily become seperated and lost.

'Nooglikwik!' he called to his companion 'We must stop and better prepare for this weather'

Brair halted his sled dogs, and turned against the wind, using the side of it to give a small spot of shelter from the blinding snow. the dogs promptly turned and curled up, hiding nose and face, individual warm bundles huddled together to out last the cold. All except his lead dog, which snuffled at his side.

'Everyone, Hold or we will get seperated! Make for my sled!'

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Nooglikwik is briefly shamed by the turning of the weather in the morning. He was out of practice, and this tree-studded land was harder to read than Tuqr sometimes, but still, he should have done better. Brair's excellent suggestion pulls him from his reverie. The big orc's tenor sails into the face of the storm.

"Brair is right, everyone. Together, with the dogs. Build up a hollow in the snow, and our heats together will save us. Come, follow my voice! This may not be natural, and may not pass quickly."

Setting his pack down on Brair's sled, Noog quickly sets to work burrowing down with his gloved hands into the gathering snow, to find what shelter he could there.

Survival check to gain a +4 bonus on fort save vs cold. For every point this check is above 15, he helps one other member of the group (we'll go alphabetically, for the sake of ease) get the same bonus.

Survival: [roll0]
Fort save (doesn't include +4 bonus): [roll1]

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif is relieved when Brair and Nooglikwik call a halt. The cold and the snow on the ground are not bothering him, but he is concerned about getting separated from the rest of the party in the poor visibility. Leaning into the wind, he makes his way to the sled, finds the shovel he bought before departure, and helps scrape out some shelter in the snow. Leif's not exactly sure of the best way to do this, but he follows Nooglikwik's lead.

[Adlan]

Brair
'You think this snow mayhap be unnatural?' Brair spoke to Nooglikwik, as he obtained something from the tightly packed sled.
'Only in the Mountains have I seen snow drop all of a sudden like this, never in these lowlands... have you?'

He had a coil of rope from the sled, and tied it securely to his belt.

'We should tie together to ensure we do not get lost'

[spectralent]

"If it is magic, who would have cast it?" Cecille asked, lowering herself down to within speaking range of the group.
"Are you certain it couldn't just be unusual weather?"

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"Magic or natural, I don't see how we can change the weather - all we can do is choose our response to it. We either press on, turn back, or find a good spot to wait it out. Is everyone alright?"

Leif tries to look in each person's face to see that they are responsive and not in shock from the cold. Of course, he's not exactly sure what a kobold suffering from hypothermia looks like.

[SandDemon]

Torak

Torak cackles madly into the face of the storm as the rest huddle together - he's not foolish enough to leave the others but none the less stays outside the makeshift cover. "Come now, do not mock the blessings of Winter! We've been graced with his touch, nothing more. Enjoy it! For these small moments will be fleeting to be in his view. Huddle as you must, protect your beasts and we shall see how we are guided." Torak closes his eyes and mutters a small blessing to his Lord.

For why do you grace us this day, Winter? Insight into our path perhaps?

Let's see....same benefits as Toliudar mentioned for the check.
Survival of [roll0]. Then Fortitude of [roll1] and another +4 if the Survival passes.

Not sure which exact roll to use either, but I'd like to see if I can determine if the storm is of natural causes or something divine/magical.

ooc: a 6 and a 2 out of 20 - priceless

[Revanmal]

Elzak

The sorcerer gathers huddled along with the others, taking his rope from his pack and tying it to the sled as well as anyone who had not been secured, finally looping it about his waist. Bobbie caws sullenly beside his ear, huddling even closer to his neck in an attempt to shield herself from the driving snow.

After he is tied, Elzak says a few words of power, and moves his hands in the prescribed arcane signs. He glances about, searching for signs of magic in the driving storm.

I'll cast Detect Magic and try to find any auras around us. And as an aside, can I use my Spellcraft to try and identify it if this is a spell?

[Bonecrusher Doc]

As Leif checks the faces of his fellow travelers, he asks Brair for an end of a rope and ties himself to the sled like the others.

[Leush]

As soon as the weather bares its white teeth and you feel its fresh, but sadly cold breathe upon you, the three of you whose domain of strength is beyond the grasp of civilization almost spring into action.

Noog: Whilst you yourself are used to the hardships of the cold winters and are seemingly uneffected by the wind which threatens to knock down a smaller individual, you are are also aware that you must act quickly and it doesn't take you long to locate the nearest and densest thick clump of trees, which will probably hold best against the wind and digging down, first with your hands and then with Leif's shovel, quickly excavate a site, which whilst sadly insufficiently deep for a snowhole, provides sufficiently sturdy walls to keep out of the worst of the wind and wind-driven snow. When it is near complete, you usher the party into the shelter and taking the Canvas of Saolusias' tent throw it over the others and instruct them to sit on the edges.

Brair: Knowing that it would be near impossible to make progress in this weather you turn about the sled and prepare to rope together the party to prevent anyone from being lost. Whilst you feel completely unbothered by the chilling wind and the snowflakes melt instantaneously upon your cloak, you notice that not everyone is as comfortable.

Elzak: At first, you feel distinctly uncomfortable as the wind pierces you to your core, sapping your strengths, but then you quickly remember to tuck your shirt in and button up your wildly flapping coat. You assist Brair in tying into the sled. It is not a difficult task, though the wind does make it take longer. Once you are safely sheltered, you speak a word of power- not a very strong word mind you, but one sufficient for the purpose. You pass a hand before your eyes and they glint in a most unnatural way. Before you, the forest is becomes a sea of colours- all different, all streaming this way and that way, appearing and disappearing at will, but all these auras are weak, and from previous experiments, you know them to be fairly normal here, although you are are yet very far from penetrating into their mysteries. There is one other aura and it stings your eyes ever so slightly, floating on the winds and it too is all around, although it is something you have not seen before. As much as you try to probe into its secrets, you cannot find what could be causing it.

Leif: Seeing that you yourself are safe from the cold, you try to help as best as you can. Perhaps because of the wind though, your aid in building the shelter is limited to bringing hte shovel. Once in the shelter you try to assess how eveyone is holding up, but as far as you can tell, well lets say that whilst you know what it's like to be cold, you can't seem to tell whether or not they're suffering of the cold.

Cecille: What a travesty! Couldn't the weather see that your quest is of utmost importance and more importantly that you couldn't look after the others if you're being blown about like a leaf caught in a whirlwind. You pray to St. Sirinee for shelter from the storm and he grants you sanctuary from the cold, but not from the wind, and you are pretty much forced to at least crouch low next to the others in order to make yourself heard.

Torak: You know that storms are more common in the Month of Storms, which has passed, they do occur during The Season of the Deepest Frost, so it could be a perfectly mundane blizzard. As Noog builds the shelter, you teach the party how to take cover as to least feel the effects of the wind and cold. Sadly for yourself, whilst your warm attire and the Winter's blessings prevents the cold from seeping through to your body, the wind makes it all bt impossible not just to make yourself heard but to move without stumbling, reeling and falling. Once the shelter is built, you step outside for a moment looking into the storm and listening to the voice of your master. It is clearly your master's power at work here, and you cannot tell whether your master's hand is guided by your master's mind. It is only then that you hear the forest's insiduous voice amongst the winds, it speaks in the language of secrets that you had learned... Then a stronger gust of wind blows you off your feet and back into the shelter. "In thy house thou art thy master and thy servants rush back and forth to fulfill thy will...

--------------------------------------
OOC: This time I'll wave it away, but bad weather makes spellcasting harder. Also, the fortitude save was against wind and cold. Since you decided to stop, you don't need to make a save against the wind (which most people would have failed). Since between them Noog and Torak pretty much melted Antarctica, and most people are either wearing cold weather.

[Revanmal]

Elzak turns to the others within the shelter, and speaks.

"There is magic on the winds. I don't think this storm is natural. Someone or something seems to not want us to go any further. This is also powerful magic - it physically hurts to look at it."

[spectralent]

Cecille's ears pricked up at the phrase "Hurts"

"Ah, are you injured, my dear?" she said, smiling and moving closer.
"Please, let me help."
Her expression seemed more like an order than an offer...

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Once everyone is inside, and Elzak confirms Nooglikwik's suspicions that this storm is not of a natural cause, the big orc settles in to helping everyone stay warm.

"Maybe even a magic storm can't be forever, yes? Only so much snow to snow. My people, in cold, we stay together, hold on, tell stories, sing. With trees, even easier - maybe we can light small fire here."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif (misses what Nooglikwik says as a gust of wind thunders the canvas)

"Looks like we're here for a while then."

Leif arranges his pack comfortably behind him and gets his cold iron dagger ready should he need to defend their little shelter. It's too noisy to make idle conversation, so instead he passes the time running over verses in his head.

[Revanmal]

Elzak Brindle

Elzak leans backward slightly at Cecille's approach, not really sure of her tone despite her words of concern.

"Um... N-no. I am fine, Lady Celeste. No damage. Thank you."

[SandDemon]

Torak

Torak backs slowly into the group after hearing something from seemingly nothing and ponders the meeting in cold silence amongst the chaos. "My master is at work but I know not why...." His voice falters as he keeps thinking.

Thy house....are these flakes the servants and the master is someone else? Troubled times it has been of these last few years but never like this.

[Leush]

As you sit within your shelter, warm with your spells, furs and combined body heat, the blizzard outside continues to rage. Minutes pass and stretch on and eventually turn into hours as it keeps blowing (it is still light) but finally, as the orc hypothesised that it would, the howling of the wind begins to die away and the ominous creaking of thetowering evergreens all around is replaced by the breaking of the weakened wind against the branches. The worst of the weather seems to have passed with no attacks or other such unpleasentaries and not a single frost-bitten appendage..

-----------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Actions. Survival checks navigate if you decide to do so.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif is eager to stretch his joints and climbs out of their shelter. He decides if the wind is calm enough to use his shortbow without penalty, and if so, selects that weapon as ready rather than his dagger. He looks around to see if there any other creatures present, or anything that looks like fresh footprints/tracks in the snow. If all looks safe, he walks just a few yards away and discreetly urinates on the far side of a tree. After all, even with a ring of sustenance and little need to drink water, it has been several hours.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog helps dig out of the shelter, and guides those with less steady snow-sense up and out as well.

Mister Leif has the right idea. We should stretch out, get comfortable, and then make a new trail. If a magic-person is so intent on slowing us down, it would seem right to be moving as quickly as possible.

Survival check to re-orient himself: [roll0]

[Adlan]

Brair
With a bark, Brairs lead dog playfully checked the snow, rousing the other dogs, who shook themselves and padded around in the cold, snow crunching under paw.

The Sled was buried, snow piled up around and upon it. Brair began gathering the traces, and brushing snow off with big sweeps of his arms. Harnessing the dogs to pull it free seemed the best way.

'Shall we bare on again' he said, looking akin to a bear himself, with his fur cloak, and black beard.

can you roll for me Leush, cheers, Survival check for navigation and for getting me sled free

[Revanmal]

Elzak follows Brair out into the cold, hood drawn. Bobbie peeks suspiciously from the warm folds of his cloak, not trusting the weather to stay calm any longer.

"Well..." she says "That was quite the experience."

Elzak shrugs in response.

[SandDemon]

Torak

"Just a blessing from my Master, a gift to lead us on our way. Everything has purpose and his point was made." Torak dusts himself off a bit and also takes a look around at the savaged land after the storm - he sighs with a smile.

Indeed, it is thy house Master...

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The orc wheels on the little kobold, suddenly eager.

"What's this? You know who sent the storm? What lesson did he mean for us to take from the snowfall?"

[SandDemon]

Torak

Torak turns to the orc, an odd look on his face as he states clearly "No matter if it was his choice or the choice of another to show us his great power, it is always a blessing."

[Adlan]

Brair
'Bah, Father Winter can take his blessing and save it for a night we are not travelling, His plenty is in good snow for tracking, and his legacy for the Lady of Spring.

Brair heaved, and with the dogs hauling, his sled lurched, and rose up to the top of the snow.

[Leush]

Leif: As always, you feel uncomfortable- wherever you go in this forest, it always feels like you're being watched. Well, after all, you are a bard, so the world might as well be a stage... You aid Noog & Brair with the navigation, helping to point out features in the land and trees that look more or less familiar. On the other note, as you look around you, you see only the snowladen trees- some of the branches clearly broken. You hear only the rustling as countless needles brushes against countless needles.

Brair: You dig out your sled- even with the extra foot (or so) of snow the blizzard wishes to be remembered by, it is not a difficult task. You pack up the canvas sheet and ready the team for more pulling....

Noog: Having extracted yourself- and the others from the shelter, you take a moment to stretch thoroughly after the long hours of motionlessness. Then you start to look around, aiming to regain any sense of direction. You get a sense of where you're going, but with it a nagging feeling that something doesn't quite add up..

Elzak: Whilst your familiar is clearly somewhat ruffled by the experience, you ar not so much perturbed and try to help the trackers, but all the trees look the same and the extra snow has altered the land enough that together with the patches of fog, it is enough to mean that you end up only getting in the way.

Party: As the worst of the weather passes, the snow falls calmly once again, patches of freezing fog drifting around you. With the aid of the bard, Noog & Brair find their bearings again and set off in a south westerly direction, where they should meet the black stream...

....
At first you travel at a slight downhill, making slow, if steady progress, but soon the terrain turns slightly more rugged again, and the trees around you are again bigger, the land slopes away from you to the left and climbs upwards to the right with no signs of the stream...

Brair & Torak: You simultaneously realise that instead of heading towards the stream, you are travelling parrallel to it, north west instead of south west.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Moving out well in front of the dogsled, Nooglikwik passes his bow from hand to hand, deep in thought. Torak's Winter-Father may be as wise and powerful as the little lizard-man thought, but it did nothing for the big orc's memories of family members starving slowly in the depths of a long winter. Blessings come in strange packages, here in the south.

[spectralent]

As they walk, Cecille looks around herself at her companions, and slowly drifts to Leif.
"I hardly think it's very polite to go about like that" she grumbles, walking up behind him, clinking softly in her armor.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

"I beg your pardon? Go about like what?

[spectralent]

Cecille turned her head away in slight embarassment.
"Doing your... business like that in the forest. You know this is a public place, so anyone could walk through. What if a child stumbled across it? Did you even think of the children?" she grumbled quietly.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Leif decides that no answer is the best answer in this situation, and so stays silent.

[Leush]

After that comment an increasingly awkward silence fell upon the party, which proceeded to redirect itself as needed.

Following some awkward downhill you reach the black stream- or at least the winding gap where the trees lean over the snow looking down as if into a mirror- only the mirror is covered. Noog takes the precaution of digging into the snow till he hits the ice of the streambed to be sure that the stream has truly been reached. He nods to say that it is the right place indeed and the group continues south, towards the flat hill.

The mist clears as predicted, and the sky lightens, although the grey haze above refuses to relinquish what little grip it has on the sky and you are not to see the sun today. navigation, however, becomes almost unnecessary and progress speeds up a little.

It is not long, however, till the end of the short day is within sight and the shadows, having noticed this, begin to wonder amongst the trees. The grey haze in the sky catches fire as the setting sun brushes through it on its way down and soon begins to fade...

Brair, Leif & Torak: You hear, near the edge of your ears' sensitivity, somewhere not too far off to the left, high in one of the trees, the quiet Meowling of what appears to be cat.

Elzak & Torak: Whilst the Kobald's eyes are driven by his keen ears, the sorcerer's eyes gaze is drawn by the lady luck, but they are both drawn to the same place, where high upon a branch of a tree to the left of you sits a bird. It appears to be a small bird of prey, its dappled white plummage is cast slightly pink in the sunset. Then it turns its head and you see that the head is that of a cat. It looks at you with its wild feline eyes and flies away into the east.

Elzak: Ah! It is just like a picture you had seen on your way south! You're pretty sure that this bird- or more correctly this creature is a kittyhawk. It is kin to the gryffon, but whilst the gryffon is an embodiment of courage and nobility, a kittyhawk better represents cunning and stealth. Whilst it is not uncommon to hear themin remote areas, they are rarely seen. They are the natural enemies of all things pixie...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Okay, if you are going to set camp for the night, pick an order of watch, it may or may not have influence on things that may or may not be relevant.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Turning his head too late to see the creature, Leif does see Elzak and Torak looking in the direction where he heard the sound.

"What was that? Did you see something?"

[Revanmal]

Elzak nods and turns to Leif.

"A kittyhawk. Sneaky things; it's rare to actually see one. Could be nothing, could be something important, I don't know."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

"Hmm." (to the group): "I know it's getting dark, but should we press on while the weather's still reasonable? I didn't bring any torches or a lantern, but we haven't put in a full day's march yet, thanks to that magic blizzard."

[SandDemon]

Torak

"Agreed, it could always mean something...why the interest in us..." Torak ponders it for a moment then decides it's likely not worth bothering about now. Looking around the surrounding area with a critical eye, Torak begins to look for somewhere suitable to rest for awhile. "I take it you will all need rest - I'm probably likely best suited to watch for awhile given my lack of need for such things, but wouldn't mind another pair of eyes..."

[Adlan]

Brair

'Suppose another blizzard struck in the dark,' Brair directed his words at Leif 'we stop well before nightfall, as soon as we find a good place to lay up, it's not safe or sensible to wander and unfamiliar wood after dark.'

As for a watch, If we both take a watch at a time, we should do well, and we can tend a good fire also, stave off the cold. First watch will be two of us, then after an hour, someone can be replaced and get some sleep. If we rotate thus, we should all get a good nights sleep.'

'Who has had least experiance of wilderness travel? they can have first and last watches, and get a solid few hours of sleep in the middle.'

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The orc lowers his bow, pleased that there was no need to shoot the pretty bird-cat, but does not stop watching it as it flies off.

"I am used to sleeping in little bits. I can keep the darkest watch, if you wish."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

While the first and last watches are usually the most desired, Leif plans on taking a double shift so he doesn't feel bad about calling dibs on first watch. He keeps his eyes peeled for a good campsite.

Depending on availability and the differentiation between player knowledge and character knowledge, Leif is looking for terrain that is defensible (high ground), hidden (not on a ridgeline) and with a bit of a windbreak (large trees, boulders, or a depression). See Dice thread.

As soon as he sees something likely, he suggests it to Brair, who he figures has enough work handling the dog team.

[spectralent]

Cecille politely raised her hand, and when she thought she was noticed, began to speak.

"I would like to have a watch where I might be able to sleep for as long as possible. I need rest to prepare my interventions once again." she said, feeling a little embarrased for asking for a light watch.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

"I'll take your shift, Cecille. I don't need much sleep."

[Leush]

Leif: You look around you, and behold the forest, trees as far as the eye could see in what is left of the daylight- and though it is not completely flat, and the fozen stream meanders slowly uphill, it all looks quite the same to you and to your growing disappointment, you realise that you are unable to tell what would make a good campsite and what would not. Luckily, it is not so difficult....

Everyone: Everntually you break camp pretty much next to the stream, frozen and snow covered though it is. It seems like there is no advantage in heading away from it and only an added risk of not being able to find it again if the weather takes off again. It does not appear to be that there is a spot that is any easier to defend than any other, but at least here you can see anything that tried to approach the camp from the other side of the stream, small advantage though it is.
....
In the end, it is decided that those of you who possess the very handy little rings you are so attached to, the ones that enable you to go without food and drink, can each take three shifts of the watch, with Noog and Brair watching whilst they rest.
...
First Watch: The fire crackels unnecessarily as Brair and Leif tend to it whilst keeping watch over those who sleep. The veil over the sky slowly lifts to reveal the myriad of stars, and it is almost painful to have to tear your eyes away from them to watch the mass of shadows that stood upon the snows. From time to time they shift, and then Leif would put his hand upon the hilt of his dagger, but it is always but the fire playing games with the eyes. There are ofcourse the calls of birds and beasts but they are somewhere else- they are uninvolved with the camp- they want nothing from you and you are undisturbed for the first two hours.

Second Shift: At this point the woodsman wakes the Kobold and having wrapped himself in his cloaks, drifts off to sleep. Torak, awaking, extinguishes the fire- the wood should be saved till when it is needed, and besides, a fire interferes with the night vision. The sky is clear and the air is still. There are no disturbances and the cold, combined with the stillness make the woods seem incredibly serene- somewhere between a shrine and a grave.

Third Shift: The bard and druid continue their vigil and somewhere in the third hour time begins to lose meaning. A slight wind rustles the canopy, and pricks the senses, raising goosebumps where it touches, reminding you that you are in the south, and that you are still heading further south. Towards the end of the shift, the wind lifts just a little and Torak is sure that he hears something in the wind. He points this out to Leif, who listens carefully and suggests that it sounds like something between song and weeping, though it could just be the wind. It is somewhat spooky, very far off and moving further and further away, till it dies away completely... Nothing else happens that is of any interest.

Fourth Shift: Leif heads off to cath some shut eye and awakens the Orc to stand watch in his stead. So begins the last shift, and to start off, it is as dull as any that came before it. The forest is dark, though not as peaceful with the wind. The sky is clear and starry, any heat the previous day left, long since dissipated beneath the frigid gaze of the countless watchers. Then, about half an hour in, Torak hears, quite distinctly, as something brushes against a branch above him and lands softly on the sled. However, when he turns his eyes to the source of the sound, he sees only his sleeping comrades....

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Zzzzzzzzz....

[SandDemon]

Torak

"So Orc..." Torak begins nonchalantly as he twists his weapon into the dirt at his feet, "...how good of a FIGhter *cough* truly are you? Your kind is known for such, yes?" In the straining cough of his voice he tries to hide emphasis, his glare is ice cold into his companion's eyes - even his grip seems to tighten. He's trying to communicate something...

The unknown is here....

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Straining to make conversation with the strange kobold, Nooglikwik clears his throat.

"My tribe are herders and hunters. Not warriors like some to the south. I have snapped the neck of a walrus with my hands."

He lifts his thick spear to emphasize his point.

"Mostly, my time here in the south have been stupid stand-around-and-look-big work. It feels good to be out and walking the snow again."

"And you, um, kobold? You are dragon-magic like others, or do you worship the winter-father?"

[SandDemon]

Torak

"Winter-father....an interesting view, I had never thought of Winter as male - I mean, there is definite undertones of strength and of his attitude there is....wait a minute, hah, I forgot my audience. If anything I'd say to your question it would be my roots to Winter, albeit the source isn't necessary to know beyond it is from him alone." During this point, Torak is pacing around the center of the camp a bit, scouting about at the weird noise around the sled.

"Nooglikwik is it, right? We need not racial tone our talks - I am Torak. You...didn't hear anything did you?"

I swear I heard something...

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Nooglikwik listens, not at all understanding Torvak's response - if it was a response - to his question. Torvak's last question brings him to his feet, patrolling the perimeter with spear in hand. He shakes his head in response.

Listen [roll0] Spot [roll1]

[Leush]

Torak: You look around, now alerted to the presense of someone or something and dearly hope that the Glaive wielding orc is capable of catching your message... You head towards the centre of the camp, where the sled stands along with the shelter, and where the others lie sleeping. The only sound is that of the even breathing of sleep and Leif's hideous snoring. Nothing seems amiss until you look at the sled again...

Noog: You make a perimeter check of the camp. You listen carefully for disturbances, for creatures of the night and less otherworldy foes, but you hear only the crunching of your footsteps and the moaning of the wind. Your orcish eyes, on the other hand, see well in the dark and you can see the tracks of many small animals at the edge of your vision, but not the creatures themselves and nothing that should be threatening. At that point you turn to the sled...

Torak & Noog: "Please, it's following me, you've got to help me..." You hear a delicate and worried voice come from the sled and immediately see a pair of butterfly-like wings, swirling with greens and yellows fade into existence, along with them a very slender being, no taller than Torak. It wears a pointy green cap, lined with fur, which does little to hide its oversized pointy ears (too pointy even for an elf). It also wears a tattered green coat and trousers, along with similarly green and tattered shoes, which seem several sizes too large for it. Its large eyes scan you and the canopy, a hunted look within its eyes.

Noog: A pixie!

Leif: You hear something through your sleep...

Cecille & Brair: Whether it is because of the lack of familiarity with the forest or too much familiarity with the forest, you sleep lightly, ready to spring to action at the slightest noise. Then you hear this noise: "...You've got to help me..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Leush may or may not be blatently abusing sleep and listen rules, but Leif, Cecile and Brair may awaken due to hearing a noise...

[SandDemon]

Torak

Expecting something wild, and definitely not talking to him, Torak is taken aback by the winged creature. Answering without much forethought he asks, "What is following you?"

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The big orc lowers his spear. This was a pixie, a woodland spirit like those who had brought him...who had returned him...he owed them a great debt.

"Stay. I'll help if I can."

He turns his head to their sleeping companions and lifts a booming voice.

"Wake up! Someone is in trouble!"

He immediately turns back to the pixie, hoping that Torak's question will lead to illuminating answers.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Leif's eyes were already open, as he thought he had heard something, but Nooglikwik's shout brings him to his feet. Already wearing his armor, his dagger is in his hand and his crossbow is on the ground next to him, unloaded.

[Adlan]

Brair
Like a bear rising from it's den, Brair woke from his pile of Skin's, cloaks and live dog.

'Whats going on?' He asked, hand on the hilt of his sword, and the other on the scruff of dogs neck.

[Leush]

Leif: You spring to your feet, dagger in hand, ready to fight whatever horror the night has brought upon you. In the darkness you do do not see very much. You see a hulking form and small form near the sled- Noog and Torak. Upon the sled you see a third form, that in the darkness is best likened to a halfling sixed elf with the wings of an insect. From stories youare sure that it is a sprite of some sort.

Brair: Dang it! You were nice and warm and cozy! Now the night air assaults you and drives away any remnants of sleep fom your mind. You see immediately that there is a pixie in the camp. You can't see much in the gloom, as it appears that Noog and Torak were most comfortable guarding with no light, but it appears to be a very scared looking pixie. Now you don't know much about pixies, but there were rumours of a pixie village being hidden somewhere in Tariola, although it was never found. You do know for certain, that only under very rare circumstances would a pixie become visible to the human eye...

Those Who Are Awake: The pixie twitches nervously as Noog wakes everyone, watching him like a deer watches a hunter. It snaps out of it in a few moment, fixating on Torak. It regards him for a few seconds before answering.
"The kittyhawk. It almost got me. I.. I got seperated from the others in the storm... And then... And then it found me... I've been watching you all night, but had to wait till it was distracted to come to you." It stops and shuffles its feet. "Don't let it get me... Please... They play with their food..."

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Elzak awakens slowly, and despite the commotion only only manages to drag himself from his blankets as the pixie begins speaking. So it seemed that Kittyhawk from earlier was not just a coincidence.

Elzak emerges from his blankets fully dressed, with Bobbie perching on the sled near the pixie and blinking somewhat sleepily at it.

"Please, be calm. Where did you last see the predator you speak of?"

[SandDemon]

Torak

Pondering the statements and implications of aiding a being of nature, Torak asks bluntly a few questions. "So, the kittyhawk we saw....how many were there when seperated and what caused the storm from my Master Winter? Assuming it wasn't your doing, you said it had found you - yet it did not flay you, so it is here then?" Torak looks at the small being, more contemplative than any other sign of emotion. Looking around the surrounding treetops it tries to spot or hear anything from the predator.

Who am I to judge who gets eaten or not....the little one best pray he did not cause the Storm...

[Leush]

The pixie looks at Elzak, clearly not expecting the question, and immediately looks around again.

"Yes yes, it was here! Gaa! I lost track of it!... Umm... Last I saw it, it was in the trees over there... But I can't see it now..." It says, pointing at the trees on the other side of the stream. The pixie points its sharp-nosed face skyward before looking back at Torak.

"Call a storm!? I can see it's not natural, but we're not wizards to cause our own demise!... There were twelve of us... And we were going to... a reunion, when the blizzard hit and scattered us... We can take it down as a team, but on our own we can't do a thing- it can see us."
It stops, and whilst it's not entirely coherent, it is a lot calmer than a few moments ago and considers Torak's question again.

"I didn't think to ask the forest who called the storm, but as far as I know, the only ones around here who can control the elements like that are the Lastrian and the Forest itself."

Brair, Noog & Leif: You are sure that as the pixie said that it was heading to a reunion, its tone wavered ever so slightly, as if between hesitation and remorse, as if searching for a euphonism.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Leif stays quiet but shakes the last bits of sleep from his brain and tries to remember everything he knows about sprites and kittyhawks... and the cold iron dagger he has in his hand, what was it the salesman said it was good for? Maybe I should switch to my crossbow. Might as well load it, anyway. Leif crouches and loads his crossbow.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Nooglikwik continues to peer into the darkness, hoping now for a glimpse of dawn. His voice comes with unusual formality.

"I owe this man's people a great debt. I will do what I can to protect him. Friend, what may we call you?"

He tilts his head, thinking about Torak's question about asking the forest about the storm.

"Would the forest...know who had called the storm? It seems to have much knowing of itself, and it would be very helpful to know who is hindering you, and us. Could you ask?"

[SandDemon]

"Very well, I've been itching to demonstrate the power of Winter to this group anyways....granted, I thought it'd be more challenging than a kitten bird. And finding out who called that Storm then might be in your best interest, whatever your name is. Any chance on your friend's coming to your rescue or did they all just ditch you saving their own lives?" Torak smirks and looks to the woods across the way trying to spot anything - his attitude seems a bit more grim given the creature's answers and definitely less comforting.

"If you've got some debt to pay, by all means stand infront." Torak darkly chuckles, a sad attempt at a joke to the orc.

OOC: Nooglikwik, it's Torak not Torvak :smalltongue:

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"Well as long as you're here in our circle, you're safe. Who is this Lastrian of which you speak, good forest Gentle?"

[Leush]

The pixie looks at the orc. "Ah, I forgot to introduce myself- but then I was scared, so you can see how I forgot. In my clan I'm called Dithering Sky," He says with a practiced smoothness and bows slightly. "But usually they just say 'Sky', it's quicker."

"Ofcourse the forest knows!" Sky frowns. "But it doesn't usually answer, not straight away anyway- the trees always answer, but they usually don't know." He suddenly smirks at something. "Funny thing is, I'd have to go to sleep before I'd get the forest's answer."

Torak: You look around, but once again, all you see are the trees, and not the creatures that they allegedly hide.

"Don't doubt my companions' intentions! And don't underestimate the kittyhawk! It sees through every trick and never rests, it's smaller, stronger and swifter than we are! If my friends are okay, they'll try to get to our reunion, then figure out who's missing. If they weren't scattered by the storm, they'd probably have found me already..."

Leif: The pixie takes a breath to calm down and areplies to your question.

"You must have heard of the Lastrian! He lives in Muoris and rules over the elves and humans." The pixie furrows his brows, but his face clears almost instantaneously. "Ah, silly me! Ofcourse you know him, it's me who doesn't know his name! We just call him the Lastrian... He used to travel a lot, through our woods..." The pixie seems to suddenly become distant and thoughtful at the thought, slowly fading into invisibility again, before realising and becoming completely visible again.

[Adlan]

Brair

Brair grunted, Huh, the Old Man we call him..

The woodsman began clearing his camp, and packing up the sled. working around the changingly visable pixie.

'Why are you showing yourself to us, They say there are pixies in the mountains, where I come from, but No one has ever seen one, you could simply vanish, and avoid any kittyhawk, no matter how sharp it's eyes, with the magic you have'.

[Leush]

Brair: The pixie smirks bitterly at your comment.

"If I could simply vanish and not be seen by its sharp eyes I wouldn't be here now." It states with a voice between venom and regret. "The kittyhawk can see us even when people like you can't... I'm showing myself so so you trust me, and aren't scared of helping me... All I need is for you to continue being big and it'll be too afraid to attack me, and then hopefully the others will find me." It pauses and looks around the camp, looking for something or someone, but seems not to find them. "Will you help me? I can't grant wishes, or I'd wish that beast to suffocate on its own feathers, but I can try to to speak to the forest for you..."

[Adlan]

Brair
In the folklore of the mountains, the pixies aren't evil... prone to tricks, magical pranks, mischevious and powerful... but not actually evil.

So, speaking guardedly, he looked round at the group.

'Aye, We'll help you, I suppose'

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The big orc slides his spear down into one hand, and extends his thick right hand to the pixie.

"Sky, I am Nooglikwik of the Yellow Tusk Clan. None will harm you if I can stop it. Speaking to the forest, it sounds like a very good thing."

He turns to the others, bursting into a wide smile.

"This is a very good omen."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

"Sky, perhaps you should keep company with us as we travel. We will keep your predator at bay, and perhaps you may help us find our way and keep the winds down, if you can."

[Leush]

Leif, Noog & Brair: Encouraged by your words, the pixie seems to cheer up somewhat. "I don't know what I can do about the winds, but if you need directions, I'm the fey to ask."

A clear dawn finally breaks and with most of the preparations finished the party sets off south once again, accompanied by Sky, who is quite jovial at first, flittering around on his colourful wings, discussing strategies for confusing unweary beasts, frustrating travellers and getting out of trouble when late to assorted gatherings, but quickly begins to show signs of weariness and alights upon the sleigh. The pixie doses off, muttering something about waking him up if they need him, periodically fading into invisibility and back.

There are no signs of the kittyhawk. Either it is very good at the whole stalking business, or it has given up on its prey.

In the meanwhile the weather stays fine, albeit a little on the blustery side, with the breeze reminding you that it is indeed still winter and that you are heading deeper and deeper into the south.

The terrain around you, on the other hand, begins to change come afternoon. Even through the canopy you can see wooded slopes rise up to the left (aka the south east) and a great rocky outcrop somewhere ahead. As you travel on and on, the outcrop grows, and soon (or for some, after what feels like an eternity) you find yourself not a mile from a great grey cliff face that stretches for a couple of miles both to the south and the west. Not entirely vertical, cracked weathered and in many places covered in ice, the semi-circle of cliffs rises to about three hundred feet and is capped by more pines. It looks very much like a the hand of a god, reached down with a knife into the earth, and having cut a perfect semi-circle, or perhaps a circle (you wouldn't know till you went all the way around the cliffs) reached down and pulled a chunk of earth up, trees, rocks and all, and kept it as a podium, to look down upon the rest of the forest.

In the meanwhile, the sun grows weary of lighting your path, and you realise that you haven't more than an hour before night falls.

Brair, Celeste, Elzak, Leif & Torak: Since you're not familiar with these lands, you're not entirely sure what the flat hill is ment to look like, but you've been travelling for two days and you are approaching the only cliffs in the area, so this is probably it.

Noog: Ah! it looks like a place! Umm... Yeah... Maybe?

-----------------------------------------------------------
So... Hopefully we can start on the interesting stuff soon.... :smallwink:

[Adlan]

Brair
As the Sun began to arch down in the sky, with the evening rays on his back, Brair looked towards the cliffs.

'We should bear towards them, and look out for another spot to pass the night.'

He glanced to the sled, where the pixie lay snoozing, shifting from visible to unseen, allowing tjhe supplies beneath it to be seen.
'Sky, do you know ought of the cliffs? I do not care to spend the night too close to the unknown, should we be concerned'

The Grey Cliff's awoke memories of the Ghost Haunted mountains of Tariola.


((OCC: We've had so much snow recenty in the uk, it's quite easy to get in character))

[Leush]

The bolts upright and visible as you call to him. He wears an expression of anger even as he sits up, probably having taken it from whatever dream he had dreamt, taking a glance to the left before shaking the expression off his face and looking around properly.

"The Flat Hill!" He blurts out with the voice of someone who put their hand on a hot stove, then takes a breath. "You have good instincts human, to be scared of the flat hill... Well... It's okay on the north side, but the south side's got a lot of caves. There's meant to be a rock monster that lives in those caves. Personally I never come here, so I haven't seen, but I know some fey who have, apparently it's really ugly."

He finishes and sits there solemnly, still apparently angry at something.

_____________________________________________
OOC: We have snow too, it's great.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog stares up at the plateau, his hand tightening instinctively on his spear.

"Ugly does not mean vicious, friend. And pretty is not nice. Maybe better we stop here? No good walking into somebody's home. Even by accident."

[Adlan]

Brair
'Maybe you are right Noog,' Brair conceded.
'Still, we've a while left of day light. Lets Set a Camp and if we have some time spare, we can prepare for these caves'

He looked at the magical being on his sled.

'Do you know anything about these caves? What Rock is the Cliff, and how are the caves made? Wind, Water? Did someone.... or something make them?'

He glanced around at the forest.

'We should Look for a Fallen Pine tree, See if we can cut some good Torches from them. The Base is rich in resin and burns well and brightly'

Survival roll I suppose Leush? You still cool with rolling for me? Also a Survival roll for spotting any deer or other game trails nearby

[SandDemon]

Torak

Scratching his neck after the travel of the day, Torak seems generally unamused at the situation. Perhaps it was the pixie or the ominous hill or no reason at all, but he seems more annoyed than joyful at their resting spot. Looking around at the skyline for the bird, more for his own sake than the pixie's, Torak looks to the woodland creature and asks flatly, "Rock monster eh? And where do the caves lead? Maybe we've nothing to fear at all because he's just an apetite for freeloading winged creatures..."

It's never a good thing to take along those you do not know...

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif stays out of the decision-making and decides to do something he can competently do without messing up right now: he gathers kindling, careful not to stray more than a couple spears' lengths from the sled and the rest of the party. He keeps his eyes open for anything interesting he might find, footprints or droppings, et cetera.

[Leush]

"Ofcourse it's vicious!... And ugly. Anything with claws this big is going to be vicious, but I definitely wouldn't want to go into its home at night" Sky notes with exxagerated gesticulation addressing the orc, before addressing Torak over his shoulder. "And I think that freeloading winged creatures are delicious. I once met a grig who made a wonderful stir fry with mosquitos. Maybe I'm a rock monster?" The pixie turns and meets Torak's eyes in a particularly meaningful stare. "Seriously? All I know about these cliffs is heresay. I don't know where the caves go or what made them, or even what the cliff's made off, although, round here, most rock you find is granite, so they're probably granite cliffs. Oh, and then there's a legend about a sorceress who made... Ahem!... 'A Citadel of Brimstone Black and magic dark, but dragons sealed its gates with light and where the good and evil clashed the magic turned to shades of granite grey.'" He throws his head up and laughs. "Ofcourse, it's a legend and it only gives an excuse for why the place exists and not the reason..."

Brair: You look around hopefully, and notice several fresh trails, belonging no doubt, to hares that had scattered when they sensed the parties approach. You are quite confident that half an hour is all you need... As for a source of firewood, you can't see any fallen trees nearby, but you do notice that some of them have broken branches, most likely from the storm, and you're quite sure that going a little further afield will yield what you're looking for...
You are quite, quite sure that the Pixie does not believe that the legend is only an excuse for the place's origins...

Torak: Anything strong enough to carry off a pixie is strong enough to take a Kobald, or so you reason a you cast your gaze amongst the endless branches, searching for the yellow eyes of the tiny predator. You do not see them, but then, that isn't very reassuring. In fact, given the pixie's ongoing presense, it may well be less reassuring.

Leif: You manage your small task quite admirably, pointing out the little things you see. Which isn't very much at the moment. The talk is quite distracting, that and the aches that you get after two days solid marching. You think to the legend the pixie might be referring to and note that never once have you heard of an evil sorceress who lived in the south and was defeated by dragons. There are few enough legends of the south, and fewer still of dragons, though evil sorceresses are literally made for legends. This legend must be quite obscure indeed- a legend of the fey, potentially unheard by human ears. To your disappointment you find no coins and no booby traps.

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Elzak, having decided to remain silent during the trip, is intrigued by the legend the pixie had told. A powerful sorceress was involved with the creation of the gray cliffs against dragons, and apparently whatever they were after was around here...? And that woman...

"I've a thought, fellows." he says suddenly. "And it is only a thought. But... our companion's tale has a certain..." He schrunches his brow, trying to find the words. "I don't know. An unusually convenient quality? We seek an artifact for our most peculiar client, on a journey which just so happens to take us to a place where an ancient battle between an evil sorceress fought dragons, creating an entire range of cliffs. Perhaps it is only a legend, but legends have some grain of truth to them."

Bobbie finds herself suddenly on edge. This all sounded very convenient.

"I do not like this place. Not at all. This seems too unlikely to be a coincidence." she murmurs from Elzak's hood.

Elzak will cast Detect Magic again and if he sees nothing suspicious will hold it as long as he can while he helps set up camp.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

As the little folk keep yakking, Nooglikwik gets busy setting up camp for the night. If they're going to go cave-diving, he'd much rather do it after a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast.

"Maybe tonight, Sky should sleep under blanket or something. Hide from Kittybirds?"

[Adlan]

Brair
Here, look Brair reached up an indicated some dead lower braches on the pine trees. Directing Leif, he murmmerd a little.
Thank you forest, for this gift He broke one off, and showed the raw end to the halfling. It was waxy looking with the resin.

'Daughter's wood we call this, it's dead, and removing it dosn't harm the tree. It stay's dry even in the wetest weather, and the end is sound with this pitch.' he picked at this end, and scraped some of the waxy stuff off, and rolled it in his fingers, it smelled piney, and green, even in midwinter.

'Collect these, and we can have light in the darkness.'

Brair went back to the sled, and retreived some braided cordage.
'There's some Hare trails back there. We can also have some fresh meat, if the forest wills.'

Brair gatherd the dogs, and they huddled down to guard the sled, with a little whining and a quiet yap, they obeyed his orders to stay and guard.

His Lead dog though, followed the hand gesture and whistle to follow, and the hunt.

He set quick snares. The Winter Hare would flee, but hide nearby, and followed predictable routes. He Could set them on the trails, and when he shifted position, the dog could circle round, and flush the hare into the noose. It would then be quickly dispatched with a spine breaking stretch of Brairs deft hands.

Hare Meat was tough, but it would make good quicky biltong. Cut into thin strip's, he could smoke dry it over the night's fire embers.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif collects bundles of the "daughters' wood." If he is able to find some twine, he makes them into torches.

[Leush]

The group sets about breaking camp amongst the trees, away from both the frozen trees and the somewhat ominous island of cliffs amongst the leafy ocean.

Elzak: It all seems very convenient, perhaps too convenient and therefore worrying. As such you are slightly worried. A quick incantation later a glint appears in your eyes and you begin to attempt to discern the auras in the air around you. The ground, the trees, the snow- nothing is safe from your attempts to pry away its mundane disguise. You can sense weak auras in some of the group's equipment and the flickering of still weaker auras in the air all around you- the tell-tale signs of the forest at work. You do not, however, sense anything out of the ordinary. There are no painfully strong, or even moderately strong auras within reach of your senses. Then again, the cliffs are beyond the reach of your spell. Still, it seems suspicious that the pixie knows all this. Surely someone else must have spoken to fey at some point and made these things known to the world...

Brair: You show Leif what to look for when taking wood, looking down at the halfling. Then you blink and look again, and realise that Leif is actually human... Well, the shadows the trees cast in the setting sun can play tricks with the eyes....

You set off to set up your traps, shaking your head, and whilst you are sure that they are set with due care and in suitable locations, when you check them, later, you find all but one empty. Apparently the hares here are particularly wiley- thinking back to the what Gretchin had said about the consciousness of the forest it is not surprising. Conversely, the trap that has worked has caught a plump specimen- it has silky white fur and is almost a pity to eat, but it will feed pretty much the whole party this night.

Leif: It is easy to bundle the wood, though it is not so easy to find sufficient twine... Yo do notice however, that you can use strips of the hare's skin to fasten the bundles...

Noog: You make sure that the camp is well equiped to deal with the elements, erecting small snowy embankments and spread the canvas between the sled and biggest embankment, burrying one end in the snow and weighing the other one down by the sled. You thought better of spreading it bewteen two trees. With the basics done, you build a firepit and light a fire with the wood that Leif and Brair have gathered... The pixie ofcourse tries to help, but he is very small and can only help in very small ways. In other words he is no help at all. He assures you that he would be much happier to sleep where the bird-cat wouldn't see him. Sky even offers to share the remainder of his rations with you- but then, one portion for a pixie is a one bite for an orc.

------------------------
OOC: Leif & Brair can make makeshift Torches without extra materials.
Elzak will find no outstanding auras.
Noog will be able to set an adequate camp.
The party can keep talking if you wish or go sleep and set watch.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

As the camp is set and firewood gathered, Noog finally manages to relax a bit. He sticks the butt of his spear into the snow behind him, in reach but out of way, and relaxes into the warmth. There is nearly a coo of comfort as the fire's heat penetrates his furs.

"Mmmmm. So, Sky. Bad to ask what you were going to do at the um. The reunion?"

[Adlan]

Brair

One Large, Fat mountain hare, still heavy with its winter store of energy, was a good meal with some of their dried rations.

Brair took it back to camp. There were supplies to make torches, and Leif, working on it, a different race, but strangely similar to the halfling that had accompanied him on his first journey.

Skinned, the white fur made a dainty bundle, scraped and steaked out on a withy loop it would cure over night, rubbed with the brains. The Rest of the head went to the Lead dog, a cruchy treat. The Feet and Tail to the other dogs.

The Meat though, Legs done on the joint, Ribs as a whole flank, and organs, kebbabed on a green rowan branch. Seasoned with winter herbs.

Before they set the watches, they had the meat, with some hot bannock bread, baked on a large granite stone, brought down by some long ago glacier and worn as a large flat disco of stone.

[SandDemon]

Torak

Content with saying little but grumbling under his breath about telling the pixie why they're here, Torak keeps mostly to himself with his eyes in the sky. As with the last watch, he figures he'll be resting the first set of time and picks a spot near the dogs to lay down with despite their behavior around him - the unknown.

First they take the pixie along for no reason, then tell them why they're here. The woods will betray us....only Winter can guide us.

[Leush]

The Night:

This evening, the party camps in style. The forest around you is as it usually is; quiet and patient. With the warmth of the fire, even the shadows upon the snow, shifting constantly in their dance with the flames are powerless. Only the frost on the cliffs, like a low cloud on the horizon holds the promise of hostility. Possibly the first particularly comfortable camp since reaching this forest, it is accompanied by the usual fire and fresh meat.

Torak: The forest is alive! It is always shifting and neither its motives nor its action are constant. It will toss you aside when it has finished with you. That much you are sure of. Now for example everything is peaceful, a little too peaceful you could say... The winter at least promises constant struggle and delivers without fail.
...........

Noog: You finally make yourself comfortable and turn to ask the pixie your innocent question.

In response Sky chokes on a cracker and starts coughing and sputtering. "I.. Ah... I... Was going to meet all the other tribes of Pixie in this part of the forest... And then I was going to... Umm..."

"...Die. It is quite alright Dithering, you may tell them now. There is no use in keeping our secret now that it serves no purpose, now that the reunion has been scattered." A frosty voice echoes from a little above. The tone is, if anything a little weary, but otherwise quite emotionless. You look up above, but see only the swaying branches. It pauses and adds. "I have to thank you for taking care of one of ours. I would not expect it of your kind, but he should be safe now. Oh, and do not worry, now that the spell has failed he shall suffer no harm."

Everyone: The trees and snow are momentarily cast red in a flash of light that came from somewhere far off to the west. The light isn't particularly bright, at this distance, but must have been quite bright at the source.

Torak: Your ears listening for any sign of danger, you hear a faint and shrill cry on the wind, accompanying the flash. It sounded vaguely like a cat would if a cart horse stands on its tail.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif (assuming the other voice was also a pixie)
"Forest friends, do you know what that flash was? Do you have some way to find out?"

[Leush]

The is a cold laugh above, melodic, but cold. Only now it's shifted roughly five meters to the right and is slightly lower. You cannot tell whether it is a pixe or not, but it would make sense...

"Can you not guess, Leif?"

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Not understanding the nuances and games of the southern folk - and the fey folk, for that matter - was becoming second nature to Nooglikwik. He stands up, instinctively reaching for his spear. Not that he'd be able to say what he'd hoped to do with it.

Casting his eyes upwards towards the new voice.

"I would like to know what all of this means. Will you tell us?"

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif shakes his head, both to say "no" and to try to clear the cobwebs of confusion.

[Leush]

Leif: You hear a smirk, now from somewhere behind you. "Then I shall give you but one clue, though it is a most weighty clue. It was us." It speaks as it shifts upwards again. It is clear in the meanwhile that the pixie in your camp is becoming uncomfortable.

Noog: "No, I shall explain only the part that is simple." The voice retorts with un-pixie like bitterness. "The rest I shall keep hidden from you, lest you stumble upon the bright idea to make an attempt to use the new-found knowledge for the good of the world. We were scattered by several spells before we could allow Dithering Sky to make a sacrifice of himself to re-enforce the wards placed on a rather dangerous place. As a result..." The voice stops and there is a sigh. "The traitor is too well protected... And it is not our way, though I am tempted. Come Sky, we have far to go. Thank them and let us depart." There is a longish pause and the voice adds. "We and the forest are not one and the same Nooglikwik. Do not credit us with the deed of the forest for we are not the only spirits it is shelters."


With the last words the pixie next to Noog begins to fade. "The pixie cod says we can't leave your stuff untouched. Seek and you shall find..."
.............................

If you want to make knowledge checks or stop the pixies or be sensible now is the time.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The big orc had only the haziest understanding of all this talk scattering spells and reinforced wards. What WAS clear to him that this new pixie, the unseen one with the mocking voice, was up to no good, and he was forcing the nice pixie, Sky, to go with him. Well. Not if Noog had anything to do with it.

Looking over as Dithering Sky started to fade from view Nooglikwik dropped his spear, and lunged forward with a burst of desperation to grab the little pixie.

"No! Stay here! We will help."

Oh, what the heck. Entering rage, Melee touch attack: [roll0] Opposed Grapple check: [roll1]

[Adlan]

Brair

Brair stood enthralled by the pixie's conversation, the words and meaning almost lost on him as he tried to deipher them,

When Noog made a move, Brair's hand insantly went to his sword, but he did not draw steel.

delaying my action

[Leush]

Noog: As Sky begins to turn invisible, you lunge for his wrist and catch the unweary pixie in a grip of steel, who turns completely invisible in surprise. He does not attempt to break your grip and instead speaks. You are however, aware of exactly where he is, since you've got his arm.

"Help how? I know you want to, but really? What do you intend to do? Challange the Lastrian? Seek out a wizard who can conjure a ward comparable to the old ones, when they all died at the end of the world? Dig a giant hole and bury the whole damn...." with that you feel the bones in his hand shift and his frail wrist slip through your grasp, and you no longer know where he is...

"Now now, Dithering Sky, before you tell these humanoids what we intend to do and they another knee-jerk reaction." The other voice muses as it circles around the camp. "We have much to do and we have wasted enough time. Let us be gone.... Do not attempt to follow us... I shall not threaten you with an 'or else' clause for it is not our way, there is no way you can follow us anyway." It smirks. "They shall start another war and the world will end again. You would do well to find a quiet corner of the world and prepare to rebuild when it has blown over..."
.....

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Elzak raises an eyebrow at the invisible one's challenge. 'How can we be sure we aren't following you if you're invisible...?'

"Just what are you little fey talking about? Why bombard us with riddles? If disaster is coming, tell us, so that we might avert it."

Elzak tries his hardest to remember something, anything, that could be related to these pixies' tales. Names of powerful female spellcasters, major magical events that happened in this area, anything he could have studied in his brief tenure at the magic academy.

Trying for a knowledge (arcana) check about anything these pixies may be talking about.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif (dagger in his sheath, loaded crossbow in hand, pack on his back)
"It seems to me that they speak of the end of an era, of wards that no longer exist, and perhaps that may be some reason for these terrible storms. I suggest we continue on our mission, but be watchful for the unexpected and the supernatural, especially whatever may be an enemy of the Fey."

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The orc remains frozen as the pixie slips from his grasp. He will replay that moment a hundred times in the future - the moment when he failed one who might have become a friend, one who seemed a strange and noble soul.

Words. Words fly around noog like summer flies, stinging and confusing. He had now to block out the flies. Concentrate on the sound of the arctic tern's wing, that he would know not just where it was, but where it would be, where to send his arrow. Or, in this case, his heart.

All of which is to say: Listen check to see which direction the pixies' voices seem to be moving. [roll0]

[Leush]

Elzak: You think back to what little you have gleaned on your quest for power. Powerful individuals were something of an interest of yours, how would you become powerful if you rule the world if you did not know anything about those who would stop you? As such you know a fair bit, but nothing directly useful. You know a lot, but do not possess the depth of knowledge to pinpoint the meaning behind the words. So...This place.... If by this place you mean the lands of Muoris in general, has a rich history, much of which you have not studied. You know that you are still within the borders of Muoris, though by all descriptions the borders are very vague since there is no one to contest them. Muoris was founded sometime shortly after the Duke of Seethin emerged from obscurity some two hundred and fifty years ago when explorers from his dutchy found a band of elves who were led by Janadel in this area of the forest. It is known that before it was a great Elven nation, that had made the world safe and comfortable. It is hinted that there was some sort of conflict directly before the end of the world. It is known that the gods were barred from influencing the world after it ended, so it is quite possible that magic caused the calamity. But it is not clear how that relates to the pixies' words. Now since so few adult elves had survived the end of the world, very little is known as to what came before. The only powerful spellcasters from before were Komos, Kanton and Janadel... And the Lich. The former three were male, and of them only Janadel survived to this day. According to the pixies he was also the Lastrian and partially responsible for this mess. The Lich- a very interesting topic in and of itself is of an unknown gender, lives in his own special "Land to the Dead" to the west and keeps to himself, though he (often referred to as a male for simplicity) is thought to be responsible for causing the Dutchy of Komos to 'die'. You also know that prior to her disappearance some fifty years the Dutchess of Tariola was becoming quite an outstanding magic user, though probably not of the caliber to cause world-wide calamity. Something that you do know quite well is that there are no dragons. There have not been any dragons for a very very long time. You also know that there are studies on their anatomy, behaviour and magic. It is rumoured that there is a poem written by a dragon, but it is kept in Timespan and closely guarded. You know the common folklore that a being called the Dread Goddess was meant to command and preside over all dragons, though she is most likely a creation of the imagination of frightened peasants. You wonder whether the absence of dragons is related to the ruins and cliffs you were sent to and this sorceress that the pixies speak of... You know nothing of potential calamaties, but know that there is already a war- the three other nations are all locked in a struggle with Avin, though the situation is quite stable and certainly not world threatening.

"You did hear Sky, human. How I wish that you had listened though!" The unseen pixie says wistfully. "If you could achieve in your lifetime what we have not since our forefathers fell, if you could find her and convince her to let go of the mortal coil..."

"Don't say that!" Sky replies. "There's always a way..."

"For us there is a way. With humanoids on the other hand, war will always prevail."

Noog: It does not matter what they speak of! It is most probably a trick to make Sky follow the other pixie... For whatever foul purposes it could have. You focus on the voices, for you must know where they are... You can hear them, and whilst you can tell roughly where sky is, as he takes off and heads slowly to the south west, you cannot discern the location of the other voice- it skips about far too quickly, appearing suddenly on one side and the on the other side. Its location shifts almost too quickly... More precisely, you can at each moment tell where it is, but not where it will be the next.

"Ashiin sie efu Shaleith? Efuul Whiss?" You hear Sky's voice as it moves away.

"Sien efu, sien efu." The other voice replies. "Azith whiss mhea. Lori whiss thaias..."

[Adlan]

"I guess they've gone then Brair said, as the voices faded away
"not even I can track them by footprints on the wind"

Brairs lead sled dog began snuffling, and gave a small bay, in the direction of the last heard sounds.

Can I track them using my dogs scent ability

[Toliudar]

Noog

Noog sets his spear in the direction the voices seemed to be going in the the long term, and then scratches a large arrow mark in the snow.

"Forest creatures don't be seen unless the want. But maybe if we travel after them in the morning, we get somewhere interesting, sometime. Yes?"

[Adlan]

Brair
"Aye, I suppose we might, but we have this Diadem to be finding now don't we?" Brair called in his dog, which had been trying to find any trail, but pixies had ways more than invisibility in their skills to avoid detection.

"We best camp and press on to the cliffs in the morning, I do not fear the pixies warning" He said, trying to remember what a nobleman would of said, belying the actual trepidation in his heart.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif is glad for an opportunity to break the tension.


"See now Brair, that wasn't hard / You've the makings of a bard!"

Leif winks and then hurriedly scurries about the business of looking busy before anyone can respond to his doggerel.

[Leush]

Noog: You are almost about to take off after Sky, but the darkness between the trees stands like a wall at sixty feet and checks your haste.

Deciding that it would be futile to pursue the pixies for now, you make sure to mark well the direction of their travel, just in case, in their haste, they would travel directly to their destination and you could follow them.

Brair: Your dogs sniff away at the surroundings, and your lead dog points almost immediately in the direction of the departed voices. Still, you hesitate, you already have a task in mind, and besides pixies know many tricks, but non is as discouraging as that if they flew above the forest the scent would be as lost as in a river both swift and deep.

Leif: You retreat quickly from the scene of the the verse and busy yourself with being inconspicuous...

--------------------
OOC: So decide whether you're going back to sleep or heading off after the pixies. Or going to sleep and then heading off after the pixies.

[Revanmal]

Elzak stands silently as the pixies retreat, watching Noog and Brair's dogs track them without comment. He pondered the mysterious voice's warnings, thinking carefully through their task and the portents the invisible one had spoken of.

Bobbie sighed into his ear. "Tracking Fey through woods sounds like a tricky endeavor."

He grunted in agreement.

"But what they said... this seems too suspicious."

Another grunt. She locked eyes with him for a second and then looked away.

"You're going anyway, aren't you?"

Grunt. Another sigh.

"Fine..."

Elzak steps toward the others, trying to catch their attention.

"I doubt those Fey are going to be easy to track for very long through the snow and wind, especially flying." He gestures to the south. "We should continue on our journey."

[Toliudar]

Noog

The big orc's shoulders slump, as he continues to look off in the direction where Sky disappeared. He had an empty feeling in his chest. Nooglikwik turns to Elzak.

"All right. In the morning."

Thinking of nothing useful to say, Nooglikwik sets out his bedroll and curls up tight, trying to hold onto what warmth he can."

[Leush]

The Night: Take 2

The night is quiet. Like it was ten minutes ago. Like the gloomy pixie was never there and Sky had never gone. There is still a wind amongst the branches and a dance of shadows on the snow, curtousy of the fire. The darkness now, however, does not seem anywhere near so powerless. Every rustle on the wind seems like a rustle of wings and every step in the shadows' dance appears to hide a figure stalking and watching.

There are however, no more disturbances, even as Torak and Celine watch over the camp. Though Torak appears lost deep in thought for most of the time, he sees and hears the harmless creatures that hide in the dark, no pixies, unfortunately or luckily.

When the time comes, Celine is replaced with Leif and later, Celine by Brair. Leif sees very little in the dark, but keeps his ears sharp and can hear the rustle in the branches and the low scraping of what can only be tiny claws along the bark. He points this out to Brair who in the direction of the noise and discerns a shadow wend its way up a nearby tree. Careful not to jump to conclusion you wait for it to go spiralling up the bark and as the grim pre-dawn light draws it out you recognise the creature to be a squirrel, though its fur is coal black. Its eyes are red and the way they stare into Brair's talks of centuries... Then it is gone on the other side of the tree.

In the meanwhile, the grey turns paler and paler until finally sunlight strikes the treetops and another dawn has broken. It is deadly cold.
------------------------------------------
OOC:Yay, another day!

[Adlan]

Brair
As the dawn slowly breaks, Brair, with his back to the warm fire, reaches into his pocket, and throws a crumb of suet to the squirrel.

'I've never seen one like you before' he says, in his smoothest, calmest voice.

Animal Handling and Knowledge Nature check please, what do I know about the Animal?

[Leush]

Brair: You throw it crumbs and try to speak to it soothingly, but your voice cracks just a little and you don't sound quite as soothing as you want to. It does not come for the crumbs. Perhaps, however, it is not due to the voice. You see, as a game keeper you know a lot about small game, and you're sure you know just about everything about squirrels. Red squirrels, grey squirrels, flying squirrels, shadow squirrels, arctic squirrels, desert squirrels- okay, perhas not desert squirrels, however, you know your squirrels.

That creature, however, whilst it runs and looks like a squirrel, is not a squirrel, in fact, from your rather limited observations you get the impression that it isn't really an animal in the conventional sense. That is what makes this creature somewhat creepy.

---------
OOC: Morning has broken.

[Revanmal]

Elzak emerges from his blankets once more, and dresses again in his usual warm outfit, throwing his impressive-looking cloak over his shoulders. Bobbie perches on his shoulder for now, needing to stretch her wings after a night's sleep inside.

As he leaves the confines of the sled, he looks warily about and sits next to the others.

Bobbie turns to their companions and breaks the silence. "Where do we go next?"

[Adlan]

Brair

"Travel south two days till you reach the Flat Hill, there, on the southern cliff hide the ruins of black rock. There you will find stairs that lead beneath the earth." Brair quoted.

He turned to work out the best route.

'I suppose we must find this black rock... I wonder what it means by ruins of a black rock though."


"Should of asked the fey when we had the chance."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif (doing what little prep work he needs to do to for the journey)
"Maybe Black Rock was once a village, or a fortress, or a temple. Perhaps when we think we are close, Bobbie could go aloft and look for anything that looks promising - assuming the weather is reasonable enough for flight."

[Toliudar]

Noog

The big orc seems even more subdued than usual as they broke camp in the morning. His voice came, as from a distance.

"We will find the stairs. We will reach this rock today, and we will find the stairs today. I feel it."

Gathering up his few belongings, he checked to ensure that the others were more or less ready to proceed, and headed out in the direction of the mountain.

[Leush]

Brair: You look up and ahead. There the cliffs of the flat hill are outlined against the clear sky. The forest slopes slightly upwards towards the cliffs and with all the trees there probably isn't an optimal route as such. Still, if you angle slightly east it'll take you a little longer to reach the cliffs, but the slope will be so gentle that you will hardly feel it, and you'll be practically at the southern side of the cliffs.

Leif: You make preparations to set off. You pack away the canvas, level the defenses and bury the ash in the snow- though it shall still be a stain on the ground when it melts, it shall wash away easily and hide your passage for the time being. As you pack away the canvas, you see that the provisions are in some disarray. Realising that this is what the pixies have taken as they left, you try to figure out what is left, but find nothing has been removed. As you move a sack of Dog fodder, having placed almost everything back where it should be, you see something beneath it. It looks to be the hilt of an ornate dagger. There are what look like green vines spiralling around it, unwinding at the end to form the guard. Only the blade seems missing. As you take the handle, which feels colder than normal metal, despite its almost living looks, there is a shimmer and something like a blade fazes into being. It is translucent enough that you can look through it to see the sled and quivers like the surface of a still pond disturbed by a pebble. It also emitts an ever so faint glow...

......................................

Noog: Satisfied that the others are ready to proceed, you set off towards the cliffs. The snow is no longer as soft as after the storm, but still nowhere near hard enough to be trodden without sinking. Despite the clear sky the forest here seems darker to you, almost like the darkness that comes upon the fae of anger. You see few creatures, but are sure that there eyes are upon you. You hear only the pixies' voices in your head, repeating over and over 'What do you intend to do?' and feel the slight wrist slip easily through your grip... Then there is a wall of grey rock before you. You look up and see a most irregular cliff face loom above the forest like a giat looms above men. It is made up of large grained granite, large cracks and grooves running in this direction and that. Some are filled with ice, some with moss and some are hollow. Some form of erosion, or perhaps something else has excavated pockets and carved spikes and flakes upon the rock. Now where are those ruins of black rock....

The party: May do as it wishes.

[Revanmal]

Elzak

As the party reaches the cliff face, Elzak murmurs to Bobbie.

"Leif has the right idea. Fly up a ways and report back if you see anything interesting."

"It's so cold..." she whines.

"That's what your feathers are for." he says neutrally.

With a huff, Bobbie takes flight, spiraling upward to scout their location.

Although she could not hear him, he whispers after her anyway. "Be careful."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Leif puzzles over the dagger-like object. He decides not to distract Nooglikwik, who is on point, and Brair, who is managing the dogs. Instead, as the party moves toward the granite cliffs, he walks alongside Elzak.

"I hope I didn't misspeak, volunteering Bobbie for aerial reconnaissance. I've never had a familiar, so I'm not really sure how one should be treated. But anyway, I'd like you to take a look at something." (shows him dagger) "I think the pixies left it on the sled. You don't think it's Brair's do you? It's got to be some kind of magic, obviously."

[Adlan]

Brair

Brair soon had the sled moving over the snow, the gentle slope didn't tire the dogs, and they would be able to carry them all the day.

He Kept his eye's peeled, looking out for anything that might match the rough description 'black rock'.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Like Brair, Nooglikwik chose to keep silent until he had something to add. As the group moved towards the ominous cliff face, he started to enumerate in his mind the various places that they might best start checking for the stairs.

[Leush]

The cliffs were not particularly far, but the terrain a little awkward as always and it takes the party a little under an hour to reach the cliffs.

Elzak: You are overcome with a distinct grumpiness as your familiar leaves the shelter of your collar and flies up along the cliff. You can feel its displeasure, but it is only skin deep. For a while there are no distinctive feeling, then Bobbie disappears over the top of the cliff and there is only more disappointment. A few minutes later you feel a twinge of your familiar's excitement. Some twenty minutes later Bobbie reappear from the south...
...Your familiar can tell you of what it saw. Bobbie flew up to the top of the flat hill and circled around before returning to you. Atop the flat hill is a plateau roughly four by four miles across. It is covered in pine and as such no easier to scout than the rest of the forest. It is also spooky if you happen to be a small bird- something that Bobbie reiterates more than once. Your familiar did not find anything amongst the trees, but as she flew down and around the south of the cliffs she spotted a circle of black stone, roughly five meters across, toothed and standing roughly a meter above the snow on the very edge of the cliff. There also appear to be openings in the rock roughly half-way up the south face, directly below the black circle.


Brair: On the way you notice, as always, more signs of life- mostly in the form of tracks. You notice a couple of small birds- they look like sparrows, only they are easier to spot, for like the squirrel you saw, they were black and like with the squirrel, they make you just the slightest bit uneasy.
Once you reach the cliffs you see no sign of the black rock mentioned, you see only the forest and the granite cliffs, stretching on to the north and the south and curving around and away slowly as they go.

[Revanmal]

Elzak

"Worry not, Leif. Bobbie is a big girl, she can take care of herself."

While Bobbie scouts, Elzak studies the strange dagger quizzically, trying to notice any familiar-looking patterns or symbols on it, as well as examining it with a Detect Magic spell, in order to identify any magical auras it may have.

After some minutes, Bobbie returns and alights on Elzak's shoulder, reporting back what she had seen.

"So it seems our ruins are on the other side of these cliffs. Anyone know a quick way there?"

One Knowledge (Arcana) check and one casting of Detect magic please. (That seems to be the only spell I've cast this game :smalltongue: )

[Adlan]

Brair

"I know not, save if we simply circle round. Brair jeed up the dogs, mushing them to a faster pace, and hopping off to lighten the load, his long legs striding out the pace, akin to Noog's long strides, if not as practiced, for the Orc was a master of moving in the winter snow.

"I do know there seem to be alot of Black Critters, strange that there should be black rock, and black beasts."

[Leush]

Elzak: You have not seen a dagger quite like this before. It has no markings that would associate with any of the nations of the present day and no signs to tell you what mage or smith created it. It is undoubtedly enchanted- not only due to the blade which swims slightly and seems to have problems... Existing, but also because the hilt feels colder than it should.
....................
As you cast your most favourite of spells you detect two auras on the dagger; a weak aura of evocation and a moderate conjuration. You are aware that enchanted weapons radiate evocation, proportional to the power they were imbued with. So on one hand, this is not likely to be a strong weapon. On the other hand, you have no idea what the conjuration is about.


Brair: Eager to find the what you came out here for, you jump of the sled and start heading around to the south... It is hard work, walking in this depth of snow.

Not long afterwards: The party begins to circle the cliffs looking for anything black or stair-shaped. The nature of the cliffs does not change and the cold granite stands impermeable before you. There are no openings- no way down and no way in, only a precarious potential for up. At last however, Bobbie gives a cry and looking upwards a gaping opening is clearly visible roughly two hundred feet up the cliff.

Brair & Torak: Looking up the way you spot something like a black rock between the top of the cliff and pines above, directly above the cave.

[Adlan]

Brair
'We should Set up a Camp'

Brair tugged the reins and the sled slid to a halt at the base of the cliff.

'I'll Tether the dogs and they can guard most of the supplies, anything upto a Bear won't mess with a whole pack of dogs, and we shoudn't be too long. We Take what we need...

He looked up at the Black Rock.

'....But first, we need to get up there'

He turned, and looked at the shed, wondering if he had enough rope. Maybe Enough for a single climb, but he was unsure if he had enough for a climb with a doubled rope for saftey.

Oh Mighty GM, I beseech you, how much rope does Brair have in the Sled, and How high is the cliff? Will a Top Rope Climb with a belay be possible? Or Would a Single line have to do? Or are we short of rope completely?

[Leush]

Brair: It looks like it will be possible to set up camp here- looking up at the cliff, you wonder how on earth six of you are going to get that heigh. The sense of wonder fades quickly, for though you are only a mediocre climber at best, preferring terrain where you can actually hunt, you can see several cracks winding up to the cave and more criss-crossing one another as they creep higher and higher. The cliff is not quite vertical here and the rock is rough, so it's probably doable. Having said that you're going to have very cold hands by the time you're there...

-------------
OOC: See OOC thread.:smalltongue:

[Adlan]

Brair

As Brair set's up the camp, he asks the others to get out as much rope as they can.

While busy staking the dogs on long tethers, and giving them a big meal, he speaks to Elzak.

'Can your Bird Carry a Rope? Or Investigate that Cave, see if there is anything that a line could be secured too. If I Bind all our ropes into a single length, and we tie a loop in one end, mayhap that will be the easiest way up?'

I wish Fragoin were here, Brair thought, the sea fairing halfling had been a master of knots and ropes, while Brair had only the knowledge a backwoods man and bowyer had.

[Revanmal]

Elzak looks up to the cave entrance for a few moments, then up to the clifftop, then nodded.

"Bobbie could indeed. I've another idea as well." he turned to face Brair. "I am able to summon a variety of extraplanar helpers. Including a giant centipede. Were I to summon one, and one of us were to cling to it, it could carry them up the cliff face. The creature does not stay on this plane of existence for long, but if we lift our strongest member up, they may be able to aid other climbers."

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog is used to eyes turning to him when people say "our strongest member." He nods.

"Yes, if your scenter-thing can carry me part-way, and then I use something to help me hold on, I could drop a rope and help lift you up to me. Then we do it again, and so on? And the others follow on the ropes? Yes. That is good."

[Adlan]

Brair
Okay then, lets get started' Brair gathered the rope, and began constructing the long length they'd need, carefully ensuring it's strength and security.

taking a 20 here

When that was finished, he coiled the length, for noog to carry.

'We ready to go?'

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

The big orc ensures that his sack and bladespear are secured to his back, and that his climbing gear will be easy to grab once he gets off of the manylegs. He nods nervously.

"Ready."

[Revanmal]

Intoning the ancient contracts aloud, Elzak makes the required arcane motions, power crackling between his fingers and arcing from the spell foci - a candle and bag. An arcane summoning circle forms on the ground, fiery unholy runes surrounding it. From it emerges a gigantic centipede, black as pitch.

"Servant: Carry Nooglikwik up the cliff face to the cave."

The centipede gives what amounts to a positive answer and waits for the Half Orc to climb onto it.

Centipede will delay action until Noog is on, then move toward the cave at full speed. Hopefully it'll make it up.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Murmuring a steady prayer to any gods or spirits who might be willing to listen, Noog grabs hold of the manylegs, and then tries to look up and ahead for possible handholds in case it vanishes on short notice.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
While the rest of the team focuses on the task of getting up the cliffs, Leif decides to make himself useful by keeping a sharp lookout for any signs of trouble, carefully looking and listening all around the area.

Likewise taking 20 to Spot and Listen, if allowed.

[Leush]

Leif: You stand guard, but positively do not notice anything suspicious, especially once most of your attention is absorbed by Elzak's giant millipede.

Brair: You carefully tie the ropes together. Making sure to avoid knots that weaken the rope, you go for a simple triple fisherman's knot and test it tighten it carefully for each rope you splice. It takes you a while, but when you're done, you're sure that you have a set of knots that will hold.

Elzak: You take out the candle and bag- the metaphors upon which your spell relies and reaching deep into the lower planes with your mind, pull forth a creature that, whilst bearing a superficial resemblance to earthly creatures, is essentially a demon. It phases into being and towers above you- a nightmare made real. Its wicked mandibles clack eagerly as it listens to you, before moving over to the rock and awaiting for the Orc.

"I obey. But next time, let me kill. Gladly spill blood for master." It utters in the harsh, almost unpronounceable tongue of the abbyss.

Noog: You sling the coiled rope over the your shoulder and grab hold of the centipede which immediately shoots up the cliff face. The creature is hot to the touch and covered in hard bristles. The scent is of acrid smoke and you can tell immediately that the creature doesn't belong here. It moves swiftly and smoothly upwards towards the cave. Over the harder patches of rock it slow down, over the easier ones, it speeds up to a run. You scan the wall for holds on your arrow-like upwards trip- there are plenty, and for the most part you are sure that you would be able to make it safely up without the monster's aid... However, you are there. The creature rushes into the cave , turns it vicious maw towards you, utters a sharp screech and disappears, leaving you alone with your rope, which isn't an entirely bad thing, given that it was a fiendish monster. Looking out of the cave, you cannot see the people standing closest to the cliff, but can see the camp. You can see a long way from two hundred feet up- and all you can see is the forest, stretching on to the horizon and becoming more and more hilly the further you cast your gaze. Turning back to the cave- it appears to be essentially a roughly ten by ten foot wide tunnel pounded into the rock. There is a series of fissures roughly ten feet into the tunnel and you are sure that you would be pretty much immovable should you wedge your feet or your seat against them.

Party: The creature races up the cliff, Noog clinging to its back. There both of them disappear into the darkness.

----------------
OOC: Take 20 on use rope is fine. You can't take 20 on spot, but you can make lots of spot checks. Such is life. Noog makes it up to the cave, which as far as his darkvision can show him, is a mostly straight, natural tunnel.

[Toliudar]

Noog

Noog examines the tunnel only enough to confirm that no weird rock creature is going to rush out at him and push him off the cliff as soon as he turns his back. The disappearance of the weird many-legged-thing-from-hell is something of a relief. As it was, he figured that he'd be in for a nnight or two of bad dreams about being pushed and pushed into its awful, prickly flesh.

Finding a solid outcropping of rock, Noog uses his pitons to help secure the rope, and triple checks his own knots before dropping the long, long rope down to the others below. Once it comes to rest, he tugs it twice to indicate his readiness to help in the others' ascent.

With taking 20 on the knotting and +2 for silk rope on this end, that's a 24 to secure the rope. He'll then find a stable place to stand and be ready to offer aid another checks on others' climbing. With silk rope, he's an auto-success to help the others out, lifting them up to the cave.

[Adlan]

Brair

With his cloak rolled up on the top of us rucksack, filled with supplies, Brair was the next to go up the rope, sword and bow and quiver slung free of his hands. He fed the rope through as a slip line, so he could force him self up, and use the rope as break in case of sudden descent. As he was about to begin the climb, His lead dog came to the end of it's tether, straining at the tie down. It undid the loop and bounded over. 60lb of dog were alot to add to his weight.

Still, he didn't want to leave it, and so he tied it on, around it's chest, hoping it wouldn't be encumbering. The Dog lay still, and balanced perfectly.

He began to climb.

[Leush]

Brair: You tie man's best friend to your back- though it takes a bit of time to get him to stay still enough to do so. Afterwards it is no challenge to walk up the cliff as you pull on the rope. Though by the time you're half way up your arms are aching and as you come over the ledge they are positively screaming from the extra weight. There you found Noog with a simple, but apparently effective set up, tailing the end of the rope just in case.

--------
OOC: -Animal companions- can't live with them, can't live without them, eh?
-DC for rope and wall to brace against is 5, so everyone can make it taking ten, so feel free to to place a post in the cave.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

As Noog helps the last of his companions up over the lip of the cliff, he rolls his shoulders back a couple of times. It had been a long time since he had used such motions to reel in the seal and the walrus through the ice of his home. And while these people - thankfully - were not struggling half so much, the repetition of the action had begun to wear on him.

Carefully, patiently, Nooglikwik began teasing apart the knots he had made in Brair's rope. Carefully, with the knowledge that all of their survival might depend on that rope soon, he coils it and hands back to his friend. Noog gestures back to the tunnel.

"That is no regular cave. Something weird about that. Why make a tunnel this far up?"

[Adlan]

Brair

'Who knows the minds of the fey' Brair said, grooming the dog as it nuzzled his hand.
As the wizard's head popped over the ledge.

'Apart from our arcane friend of course.'
As the last of the party made it to the top, he had laid out the pine torches, and was striking a coal from his flint and the back of a knife blade.

'Look's like there's gonna be a need for these,

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Bobbie alights on a rocky perch as Elzak is pulled up onto the ledge. He pants lightly despite himself. Students of the arcane did not get as much exercise as he might have liked.

Elzak looks cautiously about, somewhat disturbed by this formation. Brair was right in that he could scarcely imagine it being natural, but...

"Knowledge of Fey falls under the purview of others besides myself, Brair. But what little I do know doesn't speak of many faeries who live in caves 200 feet above the ground. Dragons, however..." he scratches the back of his hand nervously. "I could see a dragon living here..."

[Adlan]

Brair

'I thought the wyrm's were great beasts, surely they would scarecly fit down this passage way'

The torch flared into life as he transferred the small flame from tinder to pine.

'We ready then?'

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Nooglikwik grunts an affirmative, sliding his spearblade out and ready into his hands.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
Leif, now with the others, wipes a few beads of sweat from his brow after climbing, and draws his cold iron dagger.

[Leush]

The Party: The torch flares into light and the grey stone of the cave flickers orange. A piney smoke, however, reminds you that despite being surrounded by rock, you are still in the forest. The tunnel- for from the inside, it becomes apparent that it is not quite as natural as it appears. Whilst the rock is rough and natural and the crack is chaotic and deep, the tunnel runs in a straight line beyond the end of the torchlight and further than the orc's and kobald's vision can reach.

At that point Torak narrows his reptilian eyes and heads a litte further into the cave. He brushes the stone gently with one hand, almost lovingly and motions the rest of you over. There, poking out of the granite, you see small bulge, perhaps no more than a few inches by a few inches, of something smooth and black.

Furthermore he points at the junction between the black rock and the granite- it looks very much like the large grains of the grey rock and the smooth surface of the black, glassy material are fused... At this point Torak points out one more thing, muttering something about understanding why the winter led him here- the black 'rock' feels significantly colder to the touch than the granite...

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Bobbie returns to Elzak's shoulder as he follows the others.

"Well, maybe not a big dragon, but a small one..."

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog whimpers softly at the thought that, in addition to rock beasts and crazy fairies, they might now have small dragons to contend with. He shakes his head in dismay.

holding his poking stick out in front of him, Nooglikwik starts the procession into the tunnel.

[Leush]

In the Dark

The party assembles with Noog and Brair, the two members of the party most capable of taking a hit barring the way for any horrors that lurk in the dark. Elzak Leif and Torak bring up the rear, occasionally glancing over their shoulders at the slowly retreating light as curiosity draws them deeper and deeper into the passage. Between the front and back Elzak and Celine are well protected and ready to protect those before and behind them.

The tunnel continues in a straight line some hundred and fifty feet. All around the rock looks and feels natural- hard, cold granite. There is no more of the black, glassy material to be seen. The air here is both cold and still and with only a low whistling as the wind sweeps past the distant entrance, the darkness speaks of a peace that has lasted for centuries.

Somewhere between a hundred and fifty and two hundred feet into the cave the walls of the tunnel flee into the darkenss and you find yourself before something you hoped to see only in your worst nightmares, and ideally at a distance. Not twenty feet before you lies the head of a great monster- it lies on its side, half the lower jaw, bristling with sword like teeth by its side. Not ten feet behind it- the remains of the beast itself. Both appear to be granite.

A double take reveals that it is more like half a dragon. A body roughly thirty feet across, fractured ad cracked, a dangerous looking crest running along its back at one end patters out into the darkness. Two powerful stone limbs are spread in a manner that leave no doubt to the joints having been torn from their sockets and the bones fractured. Further forwards along its back is a protrusion of brocken rock- like the stub of a swan's wing that had been ripped away by a the jaws of a wolf, a fragment of rock that cannot be mistaken for anything other than a shard of bone protruding beyond all. The front legs and everything beyond that are missing entirely, with the exception of the head. The granite eyes are open and blank, reptilian nostrils flared, the curved swept back horns propping it against the cavern floor. Even broken as it is- there is still a sort of majesty in the object. The torchlight shows you nothing beyond the statue of the broken beast.

Brair: Whilst the broken statue certainly takes most of the attention, and you do not fail to remark that it may well be in some way far more dangerous than a ordinary rock (and not just because crumbling chunks the size of a carriage may fall upon your heads at any moment), you see something that appears to be a much more likely threat. Atop the broken stub of a wing sits something which is trying very hard to look like a statue, but isn't. It is a creature of glassy blackness, wings of an angel and half a dozen arms. Two of the clawed hands hold a head each- one wolf like, one hawk like and you are sure that both are watching you hungrily.... You have no idea what the creature is or even if its possible for it to be alive although given your luck...

[Adlan]

Brair
'See that,' Brair nodded at the creature on the statue. Here, the tunnel was large enough for him to wield his bow, so he unslung it, and strung it in one simple move, quicker than a blink, he had an arrow knocked and aimed, ready to be loosed the moment the creature attacked.

'I don't ken what it be, but I don't like it'

Readying and aiming longbow, Delaying loosing my shot untill the creature makes an aggressive act.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Almost whispering, Leif chants the arcane words that imbue great bravery and morale in battle... he directs his magic to act upon Brair. Those who can hear the vibrato in his voice can only guess at whether it is purposeful, or arising from fear.

Heroism

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Elzak cautiously observes the monster as best he can, trying to recognize its rather unique appearance.

Knowledge (Arcana) check!

[Leush]

Brair: Having a ba-aad feeling about whatever this thing is, you whip out your bow and point an arrowhead directly at the monster. As you do, both heads laugh in unison- a hoarse and harsh sound that seem uncharacteristic of their shapes.
"So there is no hiding from you human." It says in what is barely recognisable as elven- a strange dialect and a strange accent in the mouth of the hawk's head. "Sadly there is no running for you, try if you like! Have a head start!" The wolf head says nothing, but continues to stare hungrily.

Leif: Attempts to whisper the spell as he looks apprehensively to the monster, but finds that confidence and energy imbued within it makes his voice louder than he would like. Nevertheless as he touches Brair's shoulder, he transfers that energy and confidence into the Gamekeeper...

Torak looks up at the beast and speaks.

"I don't know what it just said, but with the winter's will, it won't speak again." He states coldly and raising his scaly arms begins to chant something dreadful in a language non of you are even sure is a language...

"That thing..." Celine stammers. "What on earth is it?" Then she regains her composure and speaks strictly and stoically as she usual. "It can't be good... Noog, your Glaive."

She makes a brief prayer, and if Noog permits will touch it and bestow upon it the blessing of St.Sirinee.

Elzak: You look at the creature and recognise it tentatively as a gargoyle. Only it is bigger, has more limbs, more heads and waitaminute... That's strange it cannot possibly be alive if its heads aren't attached to its body... It should be dead...
------------------------------------------
Minimap:

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...........................r......... Letters stand for players,
(A) stands for Monster,
R stands for 'Rock',
r stands for 'small rock' which does not occupy the whole square.
The dots (.) are a 'grid', each dot is in the centre of a five foot square, so twenty five feet between one line of dots and another.
Initiative Time! (The time that everyone has been waiting for!)

You have one round to prepare.
Prep Round Actions: Brair- ready attack, Leif, Heroism on Brair. Celine Casts Bless Weapon, Torak starts to cast something.
Round 1:
Brair 22:
Arrogant Monster: 21:
Celine 12: (Being DMed until Spectralent posts)
Noog 11:
Torak 10: (Being DMed until SandDemon posts)
Leif 9:
Elzak 7:

[Adlan]

Brair
At the Monsters foul words, Brair's Arm draws back his bowstring, fully past his ear, coming full compass, and springs loose a `Cloth yard' shaft. goose flights sending the deadly arrowhead straight.

In a Flash, smooth motion, another arrow is knocked and drawn, and loosed, at the monster.

2 attacks with the bow, -2 for combining them, 1d20+11; 1d20+10 → [19,11] = (30)
1d20+11; 1d20+10 → [18,10] = (28)
(http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2397399/)
And Damage
1d8+2 → [6,2] = (8)
1d8+2 → [6,2] = (8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2397403/)

[Toliudar]

Noog

Noog turns to Celine as she mentions his name, and looks uncomprehendingly as his spearblade glows for a moment.

"Uh. Thanks! Whatever that was."

Having the weird bird-man talk about head-starts suggested that it might be best for all concerned if at least one more of his heads were to come loose from his body. Noog felt a rush of the hunter-sweat on him as he jumped up onto the wing in order to slash at the weird creature. The breath was coming

Entering Rage
Jump check to get up to a place on the petrified/statue dragon where he can reach the gargoyle-thing, [roll0]

Making a charging attack, power attacking for 4 [roll1]
Crit confirm on 20: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Being deep in thought over just what this monster they were fighting could be, as well as just what it was doing here, left Elzak slightly up in the clouds, only snapping to after everyone else had already acted.

With a curse, he positions himself and begins another summoning. He draws from the depths another many-legged creature, albeit this one has a good fewer number of legs than his centipede.

I'll move SouthWest 10 feet, then begin Summon Monster 2 for a fiendish spider summoned 30 feet South of my position. If the garg moves, I'll move toward where it stops and summon the spider as close as possible instead.

[Leush]

Noog:Whilst the others prepare for the upcoming battle, as soon as your weapon is empowered, you feel a rush and rush at the beast, intent upon knocking at least one of its blocks off. You leap from below and with a mighty swing bring the glaive down upon the arm that holds the head of the hawk. It swings quickly out of the way and the vicious cut of your blade makes a solid impact with the monster's Torso. The black rock shatter like glass, leaving a great jagged gap in the monster's side. To your surprise it is hollow, a thick mist billowing from its insides. The monster staggers back by half a step, its balance just a little off now...

Brair: In quick succession you loose two arrows at the heart of the beast. They fly true, past the orc and hit the monster where a man's heart would be. For a split second before the impact you feel a sure triumph. Then the arrows strike the beast- and shatter.
...
At this point the hawk's head speaks in its odd dialect of Elven. "Your time has ran out." Then it bites deeply into the Orc's forearm.

It claws with one arm, rips with the second, gouges at the orc's viscera with the third, and slashes with the fourth, leaving four distinct scars. Then the wolf head bites down on his shoulder, and he can he hear the crunch of crushed bone.

Then Celine runs forwards, encanting with her arms in the air as she runs. At which point a glowing Warpick with a wicked sharp point, size suitable for a giant appears above the creature and as if wielded by one's great hand buries itself between its necks, and more of its shell shatters and it begins to have likeness to broken wineglass, with wings, and four clawed arms.

Almost immediately Torak finishes his spell and brings a great white, blue eyed, winged creature of his own into the cave- a mighty stallion with a vicious beak and clawed forelimbs. It appears in mid air and circling around, dives at the beast from behind, clawing and biting as the black beast tries ineffectively to wave the hippogriff away. There is a dreadful screech of claws against glass as Torak's summon makes its vain attack. At the same time Torak rushes forwards and begins to chant again...

He is joined in his chant by the strumming of Leif's Balalaika, which in a strange way embues every last one of you with strength.

At the same time, Elzak falls silent and a creature, black as the darkness around you, black as the beast you face, and most importantly black as the centipede he last called forth, crawls forth from the dragon's mouth. Its fangs twitch eagerly as its eight black eyes stare at its master, each a little speck of the abbyss whence it came. "Slaughter- I sense- Slaughter...." It whispers in the tongue which Elzak understands.

--------------------------------------------------------
OOC:
Prep Round Actions: Brair- ready attack, Leif, Heroism on Brair. Celine Casts Bless Weapon, Torak starts to cast something. Elzak Begins to summon. Noog attacks. 23 Damage to the Monster
....................................
Round 1:
Brair 22: Shoots. Two hits. Damage Reduction not overcome.
Arrogant Monster: 21: Attack the Noog. 6 Hits. 43 Damage in total (see dice thread). Thank your rage. Or not?
Celine 12: Spiritual Weapon: 11 Damage to the monster (Total Damage 34)
Noog 11: Your turn again!
Torak 10: Finishes summoning hippogriff-like Creature. Creature Attacks the Monster. Torak Moves Forwards.
Leif 9: Bard Song. (Remember you're inspired/ Remember add plus one!/ And hit the vicious monster/ With everything you can!)
Elzak 7:Finishes summoning the Spider. >>>>Spider Action?
..................................
Minimap as of near the end of round 1:

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. . RRHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR . .
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Round 2:
Brair 22:
Arrogant Monster: 21:
Celine 12:
Noog 11:
Torak 10:
Leif 9: (Remember you're inspired/ Remember add plus one!/ And hit the vicious monster/ With everything you can!)
Elzak 7:

[Adlan]

Brair

Seeing his arrow shatter, and his companion wounded, Brair draws again at his great bow of yew.

This time, a fine arrow, and aims a single powerful shot at the head of the beast.

19 and 7 http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2397717/

[Toliudar]

Noog

The big orc howls loudly, unashamedly, as a reasonable percentage of his intestines poke out of the holes in his belly. Knowing that he would not be long for this world, he grit his teeth, resigned to at least holding it off from the others for another moment. Nooglikwik backed off a step in order to give himself room to swing his long blade, and hacks at the horrific hollow thing.

"Join me in the afterlife!"

Hoo-iie! How many times is this character destined to die? :smallamused:

He takes a 5' step NW in order to have room to use his glaive and swings.

Attack (again, power attacking for 4): [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Revanmal]

Elzak

As his summon finishes, Elzak directs the gigantic spider toward the gargoyle creature.

"Web that monster in place. Keep it stuck until you can't anymore or it is dead."

Now free to act again, Elzak moves towards the fight, then calls from the ether a translucent ball of green ichor which then flings itself at the gargoyle.

Spider will use Web on the Monster, then move South 10 feet.

Elzak will move South 25 feet, then cast Acid Splash on the monster.

[Leush]

Noog: Howling the battlecry, partially to take your mind away from your body, partially to keep your spirit within it. You slam your weapon into the beast, sending black shards and white mist in all direction as most of its chest shatters into uncountable pieces. Somehow it manages to stay standing, and most disturbingly with all of its limbs still attached...

Elzak: You command the hellish creature and it obeys, scuttering up the side of the statue and stopping some 10 feet away from the monster, it raises itself uon its legs and casts its web. The sticky threads catch the monster full on, ensnaring arms and wings and encumbering its movement. You yourself utter a simple incantation as you take a few steps towards the creature. A corrosive, greenish blob of your creation impacts the creature's wing and dissipates harmlessly.

Brair: Seeing your first attack not have the desired effect, you try again. You take aim and let loose one more arrow. It strikes the beast's thigh, but once again, the arrow shatters on impact.
......

The monster's onsaught continues as it swings at Noog with two left claws. The Orc ducks under the first, but the second catches him upside the head in an almost unconcerned manner and all goes black for Noog. He falls from the wing and lies motionless by the side of the dragon. It then turns upon the hippogriff and lays into the magnificent creature, tearing at its side and breaking one of the great wings.

At this point, the great Pick strikes again, driving itself right through what is left of the monster. The glassy rock shatters an both heads tumble free from its grip as it does and come to a rest on the cavern floor. Celine and Torak rush towards Noog, and begin to chant...

The hawk's head lies silent, but the Wolf's head begins to speak in the strange, strange dialect of Elven....

"Remember sorcerous Lori,
For her there'll be no glory,
Nor respite for the sorceress,
For cheating life and death..."

Then this head too goes silent.


------------------------------------------
OOC:
Round 1:
Brair 22: Shoots. Two hits. Damage Reduction not overcome.
Arrogant Monster: 21: Attack the Noog. 6 Hits. 43 Damage. Thank your rage. Or not?
Celine 12: Spiritual Weapon: 11 Damage to the monster (Total Damage 34)
Noog 11: Hit again, 28 damage. (Total 62)
Torak 10: Finishes summoning hippogriff-like Creature. Creature Attacks the Monster. Torak Moves Forwards.
Leif 9: Bard Song. (Remember you're inspired/ Remember add plus one!/ And hit the vicious monster/ With everything you can!)
Elzak 7:Finishes summoning the Spider. Sider Webs the Monster, Elzak uses acid splash. Only save DCs affected by spell focus. Weapon focus (Ray) gives attack bonus with ranged touch spells. Anyway, does not overcome damage reduction.
........................................
Round 2:
Brair 22: Shoots, Hits, no damage.
Arrogant Monster: 21: Full Attack, 8 Damage to Noog. 15 Damage to the hippogriff.
Celine 12: CMW Noog, Spiritual Weapon Attack. 6 Damage. (Total 66) Kaboooooom!
Noog 11: You're conscious again.
Torak: CLW Noog.
Combat Over!

Noog HP: -1 (-8 temporary) +13+6= +10.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"Is... everyone alright now?"

With a quick word, Leif casts Light on his own backpack, preparing to search the chamber.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

In a matter of seconds, Nooglikwik had tasted a kind of victory as his blade pierced the horrible thing's hide again, fallen into black unconsciousness as his body betrayed his spirit, and then revived to the sight of Celine and Torak above him, sending a wave of relief through his body. He was still in the grip of the warrior sweat, but managed to croak out a brief response to Leif's question.

"Um. No. But they are like spirits. Better."

He gestures towards Celine and Torak with a weak smile. Glancing down, he is relieved that he can no longer see his own intestines.

[Adlan]

Brair

Brairs Dog snuffled at the remains of the beast, and Brair stooped to pick up a fragment.

'I still don't understand what this was. A magical creature of some kind?'

searching the area for interesting stuff, with bonus for the dog.

[Leush]

Leif: You encant and give your backpack a tap, and it lights up las if it was doused in oil and torched. So no you have a lantern that you don't have to hold. On the downside, its behind you and you have to stand a little side on to see anything, but you can live with that. You make a round of the cavern with your new light and as you round the statue of the dragon discover a rather grisly sight... A disorderly pile broken arms, armour and frozen body parts of both humanoids and wild beasts at various stages of consumption. Let us not forget the bones- there are always bones...
In any case, the collection of equipment is quite motley, but mostly battered, rusted and unuseable. There are however a few packs here and you decide (for the moment at least) to let them be. From what you can tell, the corpses do not belong to any one group- some bare the Mountain and tower of Avin's troops, some bare the the snowdrop of Mydia, others have no insignia although you do notice one relatively freshly frozen torso encased in a very well made (if bloodstained) looking breastplate with a shirt coloured with a silver hour glass upon it. You know it to be the flag of Timespan, but are unsure as to why someone would be wearing it.

Noog:[/] To your great relief, you discover that your intestines are inside you and most of your wounds have stopped bleeding but as you move your arm to gesture and lift your head to observe your intestines, discover that whilst you look better, most of everything still hurts.
.....
At this point Celine puts a hand gently but firmly on Noog's shoulder and utters strictly. "Stay still please. I'm not finished with you yet." And begins to chant again, moving her hand over the Orc's other wounds. In the end, while there is a flood of relief, it will probably be some time before full recovery.

[b]Brair: The dog sniffs at the shards that are scattered over the floor, but dares not approach the heads. In the meanwhile you pick up one of the shards. The planes are smooth and black, shining in the torchlight, whilst the edges are sharp. All in all it appears to be very much like obsidian, except perhaps... The cold. The stone, even with the monster destroyed, appears to be colder than the air temperature should allow. It warms quickly however, and does not retain the supernaturally low temperature it was imbued with.

You too make a round of the cavern, in the opposite direction of Leif. There is not much to see for the most part- the missing half of the dragon is still mostly missing. There appear to be no other tunnels leading from the cavern. However, there is what appears to be tower wall- made of the same obsidian-like stone standing at the back of the cavern. There are statues on that tower wall, large rhomboid windows every few meters, starting from ground level, and as soon as you see them your heart stops for a moment and you feel yourself spiralling into nightmare. Each statue- you count seven in total (it appears that there are two besides each window of the tower bar one, where it appears that one has been ripped from the wall)- is black, eight foot tall, in possession of six clawed arms and two heads- one wolf like and the other hawk like. Then you calm down, noting that all three pairs of hands of each statue were folded in prayer, and the heads were still attached to the bodies. You notice no sign of movement- or life of any kind for that matter in these statues and calm down somewhat. Looking further to your left you see Leif staring down at what looks like a small battlefield.

----------
OOC: Leif- Essentially you find lots of bodies and treasure- Most simple and martial weapons, as long as they are essentially metal can be found here. You also find a masterwork breastplate.
Brair- You find some black ruins right at the back of the cavern, with statues that look like the monster you just fought. You also find the bodies.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

As Celine completes her tending to him, Nooglikwik reaches out to take her hand.

"Miss, you saved my life. I can't repay...your kindness."

[Adlan]

Brair

Brair backed nervously away from the statues, and quietly whistled up his dog.

'Elzak' he called, keeping an eye on the statues. One had already been awakened, or brought to life some how, he wanted a wizard's opinion on what else was going on.

'What do you make of these?'

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Elzak moves beside Brair, and although he didn't show it, he felt relieved and yet even more nervous at once. Whoever had created that creature had the resources to make more, but that one had nearly killed their toughest member and had appeared broken, forced to occupy two arms with holding its own heads. If it had been at full strength, they very likely would have lost Nooglikwik.

"I think we're in for a very rough journey, Brair. We faced one broken creature and it very nearly killed our strongest frontline fighter."

Elzak then casts his spell for arcane Sight and scans the room for arcane magic signatures.

Elzak will cast Detect Magic and Search/Spot around the room.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

With Celine's help, Nooglikwik clambers to his feet. He picks up his blade and bows again to the healer. He wanders over to the pile of dead soldiers and the like.

"Maybe...many brave people died here. Died to fight the statue-things. Or maybe the statue-things collect the dead from battlefields?"

Speaking of collecting the dead, Nooglikwik goes over to the shattered remnants of the creature they killed, and examines the heads. How very strange!

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"It seems that normal weapons are useless against these creatures. Which leaves me woefully unprepared should we face another one. I hope we have some more magic ready."

[Leush]

Noog: As the priestess takes your hand and helps you to your feet. "You can repay me by continuing to lead a good and honest life and dodging when something strikes you rather than charging mindlessly." She says.
.....
Having made a round of the chamber- which seems to serve no particular purpose other than to house the monster- for the entrance is far too small for a dragon of this size to fit through. You stop at the remains of the statue. The two heads appear undamaged for the most part. The featureless eyes stare blankly ahead of them. The hawk head looks positively predatory and plain evil. The wolf head isn't much better- giving you the impression that it is still waiting for you to make a misstep before pouncing- how silly to think that it can pounce with no body. Still, there is something eerily familiar about this wolf head... Looking more closely you see upon its forehead the engraving of a star with four points. One looking up, one down, one left, one right. The other head has an identical star. How very strange indeed!

Brair: You back away a little, keeping your eyes on the statues- as before, they continue to act just like what they appear to be to an unobservant eye- statues.

Elzak: Once again you speak the magic words that are so familiar to you and with a glint in your eyes attempt to read the forces around you. You sense two seperate auras in the cavern. Firstly there is a weak aura eminating from within the ruins. Though weak, it is grotesque and dizzying, and whilst yo at first suspect it to be of necromancy, it is most likely a form of evocation. The other aura is but an echo of something that was and is fading as you look. Judging by the rate rate of dissipation it was a pretty strong spell. This one comes from the heads of the creature and whilst you can't pinpoint the school, you can hazard a guess. On the up side, you cannot feel any magic in the other statues.

Leif: You say this and then instantly remember that this is not quite true...

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif makes sure his holy water flasks are secure and readily accessible on his belt.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog whuffles a brief laugh at Celine's advice. "Yup. Should have gone left and not right that time. Still. It's like I heard when I first came south to start soldiering. Sometimes, the best defense is a quick blade to the guts."

Heading over to the piled-up remains, Nooglikwik carefully lifts out a quiver of arrows that seem to be of an appropriate length for his own pull. If they were going to be travelling for some time, they might need to start hunting more.

[Adlan]

Brair

'Shall we press on?' the big hunter asked.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"Better than standing around here waiting to be attacked. Lead the way!"

[Toliudar]

Noog

Noog leans a bit on the shaft of his bladespear as he shifts forward.

"Yes, on with duty."


Sorry, Leush: what was the amount of the additional healing from Celine? And does the tunnel continue past this cave, or was this the end of the road?

[Leush]

Noog: Celine does not answer the last one, looking first at the cut in your armour and then the shards of the statue. You walk over to the 'graveyard' and looking at the unpleasant scene... Both similar and dissimilar to what you had witnessed on the battlefields of Avin- for whilst the bodies look like they have been simply savaged and left here, their age varies from between what is probably half a year to what you guess is well before your birth- in any case, you have no problem finding a quiver that is not too old. It is a plain affair, but the arrows seem straight and sharp, so you take it.

Elzak points out that there was a clear sign of a powerful magic within the statue which must have dissipated once it was destroyed, whilst there is no trace of this magic within the statues upon the tower. He also notes that there is a fairly simple spell coming from within the tower. Being from the school of evocation, he explains, it may or may not be a trap of some sort, but if it is, it is probably fairly simple. Either way, you should proceed with caution, as whatever cast the magics could still be around...

Looking at the tower- it rises from under the floor and burrows its way into the roof of the cavern, windows at regular intervals. There is one roughly at ground level and approaching it close enough to be well lit by the torches, you can see a staircase of the same smooth, black rock spiralling both skywards and into the depths...

Brair, Elzak & Noog: You notice that there are beautifully intricate runes spiralling down the opposite wall of the inside of the tower.

Brair: It takes you a few moments to register these runes as elven, though they are far from the usual script, heck- they're hardly recognisable. In addition as you stare, you hear the faintest of echoes of light footsteps echoing from within the tower...


OOC:
The only natural way into the cavern is the tunnel. The tower may or may not contain a way out. The healing for Noog is a disappointing 11 hitpoints. Forgot to mention.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Seeing the eagle-eared (no, that was eyes. What was it that had good hearing. Rabbits? "Rabbit-eared" sounded wrong. Ah well) Brair react to the sound of something from within the tower, Nooglikwik turns to look. With a smooth motion, given only a slight hitch from his injuries, he slips the glaive onto his back and slides his bow into his hand. Perhaps he could take Celine's advice and try out these new arrows, all at once.

Any healing is good healing. Thanks, Leush.

[Revanmal]

Elzak

The sorcerer moves as quietly as he can at the rear of the group, allowing those more heavily armored than himself to go first rather than risk himself. All the same, he feels somewhat sorry for Noog, injured as he is. The Half-Orc's choice of a bow instead of his glaive strikes Elzak as a good idea.

[Adlan]

Brair

'I hear footstep's' Brair whispered, pitching his voice just to carry to the farthest member of the group.

'Elzak, what do you make of the runes? they are worse than the monster's own speech' He spoke, the held up his hand for silence, to listen for more footstep's.

Whatever knowledge checks I can make for the runes, and my best attempt to listen for the footstep's, are they approaching, retreating? ect.

[Leush]

Elzak: Peering at the runes with a twinge of guilt from the back, you feel your guilt grow just a little- for you do not recognise them. If they are related to magic in some way, it is probably not a standard notation. Damn ancient ruins which don't follow modern convention!

Leif: Though you have no understanding of the runes, something in your subconsciousness tugs at your heart-strings. This place, dreary and cold reminds you of your early adventures. You remember a chest- Darkeyes lifting out a book- you have no idea what it was about, but apparantly it was important enough for someone to be willing to pay extraordinarily good money for it, and for good reason- apparantly it contained details of the history and rituals of an age so far gone that no mortal in civilised lands should remember its name... You didn't manage to get that treasure out of that dreadful place, but it has a symbol on the front. From what you know, that symbol stood for 'D'. You could sigh, all this long gone past is really starting to become just a touch tiresome...

Brair: You keep listening, but her no new noises. The footsteps echo through the whole of the tower and you cannot tell whetehr they are above or below. You can tell that they are neither drawing close, nor putting further distance between you. It seems more like milling around. Hard, light footsteps against a hard, cold, polished floor. The elvish tongue is a funny langues- having a smooth and flowing form for handwriting and a more elaborate script for impression upon stone and a further adaptation for wood, making it easy to confuse the letters, especially when they are so odd. So from what you can see here, it is a list:
"Saeth Graellanan 3rd #### 1st army #### on the 834th #### ## ######## upon the woods of winter. Mirth Graellanan 85th #### 1st army #### on the 834th #### ## ######## upon the woods of winter. Rhaellith Graellanan 85th #### 1st army #### on the 834th #### ## ######## upon the woods of winter. Scattered Grain 93rd #### 2st army #### on the 834th #### ## ######## upon the woods of winter. Saiara Graithin 85th #### 1st army #### on the 834th #### ## ######## upon the woods of winter... And so on and so on and so on."

Noog: Knowing danger when a hunter senses it, you draw your bow. Ready, should another abomination appear before you.

[Adlan]

Brair

'I think people... something is moving in the tower, but they arn't getting any nearer. If they didn't hear the noise of combat, I don't think they'd hear us now, if we tried to contact them. I reckon we oughtta head into the tunnel. The Runes, I think, list an army. 2 armies maybe. Something, a name I think and then a last name, a number, maybe a date, something something, upon the woods of winter'

Brair puzzled for a moment.

'Maybe it's a list of the dead?'

[Toliudar]

Noog

Noog nods at Brair's assessment, and quietly slides his bow back into its holder on his back.

"A place where two armies are buried...together? Strange. A very tall inukshuk, indeed, for these dead."

[Adlan]

Brair

'I dunno, it's all some odd kind of elvish, army one and army two'

He glanced at the bard,
'Lief, do you know anything of this sort? Any elvish civil war way back when?'

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
Leif shakes his head. "Nothing comes to mind. I'm afraid elvish lore isn't my forte. Say Noog - you still look a little rough, do you need more healing?"

[Toliudar]

Noog

The big orc looked down at his belly. Blood was no longer oozing from the wound, but there was still an angry and puckered red welt where the statue-thing's claws had gouged him.

"Um. If you have a way to make this feel better, that would be nice."

Noog is still 21 points down.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"Allow me, Noog."

[Leush]

Leif: You sing your spell, calling upon the rhythm of life, taking it and rearranging it- making it bolder, stronger. Approaching the Orc you point at the wound. As you do, there is something of a small flash, and the welt looks immediately more placid.

Noog: You feel a surge of warmth as the spell arcs into you and as it recedes, it takes with it a fair portion of the pain. At the same time it leaves a little of the memory lost.
As the spell arcs into you, there is a flash in your mind- for a moment you remember standing in the snows, halfling assassins dead in the snow. The messenger rides past you, Hylan's grey cloak around her shoulders. Upon nearing a spell arcs into you, much like this one, wiping the cut of a blade from existence.

Brair: You stare into the words- name after name, number after number and slowly something comes back to you. You recall from your conversation with the Duke of Tariola that the true elves haven't had a homeland since the end of the world. There was meant to be a kingdom far, far to the south, deep in the Frostwall mountains, he said something else, but you didn't catch it, for you were concentrating on tracking that pesky boar...

[Adlan]

Brair

'N'er mind then, save we must be careful, maybe that statue was once ment to protect their memorial'

He shifted his pack of supplies, and checked. Quiver's full of arrows, sword loose in sheath. Torch with plenty of life left in it.

'Shall we get goin' down the tunnel?'

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

"Probably a good thing I left that pretty breastplate alone."

Leif resumes his position in the order of march and moves out, crossbow ready and his belt pouch open so he can easily grab a flask of holy water.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog thanks Leif with a nod, taking up his long pole again. Perhaps this time, he'll do a better job of keeping the nasties at a distance.

With a faint, weary smile to the others, he heads off into the tunnel again.

Bonecrusher Doc - thanks! What just happened? Was that a CLW?

[Leush]

The party: You climb through the window onto the strairwell. The grim Elven names, the smooth black stairs spiralling up and down, the cetral pillar of the same stone... All are lit up first by the flickering yellow flame of Brair's torch and then by the steady glow of Leif's spell. Yet the light, whilst bright enough to eluminate that the stairs are in pristine conditions- undamaged and clean- seem somehow ominous.

Brair, Celine, Elzak: This place has non of the feel of the forest. It is not alive. It is detached. It is cold. Not physically, but it chills you from within.It feels- not like a tomb and not like a temple. Nor like a grim castle or a dank dungeon. It feels like a maiden of ice or a day with no sun. It feels wrong...

Party: The sounds that were here a moment ago are nowhere to be heard, only your own breaths break the weighty silence of this tomb-like place. There are only the stairs and the window. There is a choice before you: You can climb up or walk into the depths. You can turn back and climb out of the window and give up the whole quest or you can go on, but up or down?

[Adlan]

Brair
'Who know's how far down that goes?" Brair pondered aloud at the darkness beyond their torch light.
He looked at the same darkness up the stairwell.
'At least Up can't go too far, Let's look there before we venture down"

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"That does sound safer, but let us remember our instructions: There you will find stairs that lead beneath the earth. There you will find a hall. In the hall you'll cross a fire. Beyond the hall you shall find a dais, upon the dais you will find a diadem. Still, I am in no rush to delve into the bowels of the earth. I will go either route."

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Elzak stares upward into the waiting darkness, not at all happy with going into the unknown, though he didn't see any alternative.

If they went up, they would have to likely fight their way back down, because Elzak had no doubt they were walking into a trap of some kind. Still, it was easier to fight going down rather than up, meaning going down first would make their lives harder in the long run.

"Upward seems a solid choice."

[Leush]

OOC: I'm assuming Noog is leading the marching order.
------------------------------------------------------------
The party: You make your way upwards, climbing the black stairs, each spiral you pass, there is an arching window, opening up with a view onto the grisly cavern. Looking out, you still see no sign of the missing parts of the dragon- mind you there is only so far that you can see in the torchlight. In any case, the staircase wends up, and up and up, and after a while, like when a clock strikes midnight and you feel like the bell will continue to ring forevermore, you begin to image that that you will be spiralling up for all eternity. All the time acompanied by the string of runes, spelling out names to whom no face could be put. Yet as soon as that feeling sets in....

....There are no more stairs above you, and the tower opens up into a chamber of a similar black rock. As you approach the opening....

Brair: As soon as the torchlight hits the letters upon the ceiling you hear the scrabbling of claws against polished rock and imagining another stone warrior, brace yourself.

Noog: You see above you, amongst the spiralling runes on the ceiling something that looks a crack- in fact it looks more like a hatch- like a slab that has been closed over. But there is no time to think on that, for they are upon you.

Party: There is that magical moment when there are no more stairs upon you and then there is a sudden scrabbling and there are four forms rushing down from the chamber to meet you, menacing curved swords raised- the torchlight burning along the length of the blades. They are dressed in brilliant chainmail and silvery helms- the four point star upon them. Yet there is something amiss about these warriors. It takes but a moment to realise that there is neither skin nor flesh upon their delicate bones. It appears that the dead are upon you..... They move quickly, more quickly and purposefully than they could possibly do in life.

Elzak: It's a trap! You are sure that someone very important once made those words very famous, but you can't put your finger on who. In any case it turns out, as the skeletons pour into the stairwell from the room above, that you were quite right...You remember what your eyes told you of the aura within the tower- a weak evocation. Nothing at the time told you what that could have been- for you cannot tell from the aura alone what the spell might be. But now you are certain, this place is under the effect of desecration.

The four unliving creatures rush into the stairwell, the first catching the Orc off-guard and having rushed under his guard, slashing at his chest with its scimitar. Its strike, luckily, is guided only by a mechanical determination, with non of the finesse of a living warrior and it strikes where the hides are thick and does not cut to the flesh.

------------------------------------------
Initiatives:
~Surprise Round~
Elven Skeleton 2 (17): Attack Noog, Miss.
Brair 9:
Elven Skeleton 4 (8):
Elven Skeleton 1 (8):
Elven Skeleton 3 (7):


~Round 1~
Torak 20:
Elven Skeleton 2 (17):
Celine 16:
Elzak 14:
Brair 9:
Noog 9:
Leif 9:
Elven Skeleton 1 (8):
Elven Skeleton 4 (8):
Elven Skeleton 3 (7):

SO I didn't know your marching order, but I assumed this one. Things can be summoned into the room if they can fly, but you do not have line of effect at the skeletons on the floor above (marked #). Essentially you're in the top of the stairwell.

.........................
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. A . B . C . D . E .
. . . . . .
.........................
.###.####.####.####.####.
.###.####.####.####.####.
.###.####.####.####.####.1
.###.####.####.####.####.
..........................
.###.####. . .####.
.ES3.#ES2. . .####.
.###.####. To . Le .####.2
.###.####. . .####.
..........................
.###. .####. .####.
.ES4. .####. .####.
.###. ES1.####. El .####.3
.###. .####. .####.
..........................
.###. . . .####.
.###.Noog.Br . Ce .####.
.###. . . .####.4
.###. . . .####.
..........................
.###.####.####.####.####.
.###.####.####.####.####.
.###.####.####.####.####.5
.###.####.####.####.####.
.........................

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Nooglikwik flails out at the indistinct shape as it lunges at him. He feels the ancient sword scrape across his chest, and offers up a grateful prayer to Obad-Hai that is no less honest for the fact that it is VERY brief and completely silent. Bracing himself on the stairwell and taking a step backward to give himself room to thrust, he lines up another strike and counterattacks in earnest.

Because Noog has combat reflexes and a reach weapon, he would have gotten an attack of opportunity on the elven skeleton as it reached him, even if he was flat-footed. 2 Points of power attack.

Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]

He then takes a 5' step away from ES1 and ES4 and attacks again. If ES1 is still up, it's his preferred target.

Attack [roll2] Damage [roll3]

[Adlan]

Brair

With the Skeleton so close, It shocked Brair, but he could of drawn his sword and rushed in. Were it not for Noog's strength and skill with a Polearm, there was hardly room to get at the foe.

Instead though, his Lead Dog was snarling and growling, small enough to make it into the fight without getting into the northern orc's way.

Brair sent off the animal with a word, and it seemed that it's fangs flashed with something more than torch light.

Attack command for Dog, at nearest still going skeleton, And Casting Magic Fang. I don't know how ranger magic is working in your world Leush, but this would be Brair's first encounter with it. Dog's Attack would be 1d20+3, pircing, bludgeoning and slashing damage, with 1d4+2 damage

[Leush]

As the first warrior strikes, the Orc lifts his pole-axe, and strikes it solidly on the upswing before smashing the one coming up from behind it with a powerful chop and sending a cracked helmet rolling down the stairs and past the rest of the party. At this point the third skeleton in shining armor makes its mechanical advance into the jaws of Noog's pole-axe and its bones are scattered through the stairwell along with those of the other two undead creatures that fought along side it.
...
The Orc is not, however, quick enough to lift the heavy weapon before the fourth foe advances towards him- at this point Brair's dog dashes past him and tears into the creature's chainmail, but not striking bone. The undead creature swings its scimitar at the pesky dog, but unbalanced by the attack, strikes only air.
..
At this point however, Noog finally raises the pole arm above his head and sends it crashing down upon the bag of bones and it fragments with the impact, the magic holding it together unable to withstand that amount of force.

Thus the party stands ankle deep in bones near the top of the stairwell once again, ears ringing in a silence which was just filed with the thunder of steel upon steel.
------------------------------------------
Initiatives:
~Surprise Round~
Elven Skeleton 2 (17): Attack Noog, Miss. (Noog Uses attack of Opportunity-Boom!)
Brair 9: Cast Magic Fang, Dog gets ready to move.
Elven Skeleton 4 (8): Approaches, (Noog Uses attack of Opportunity-Boom!)
Elven Skeleton 1 (8): Approaches, (Noog Uses attack of Opportunity-Boom!)
Brair's Animal Companion:Tries to take down an old bag of bones: Misses.
Elven Skeleton 3 (7): Approaches, (Tries to rid Brair of his Animal companion but misses.)


~Round 1~
Torak 20: Wait
Celine 16: Wait
Elzak 14: Wait (Too far to act and besides, situation is under control.
Noog 9: Attak Skeleton- Boom!
Leif 9: Doesn't matter- everything is dead.
Brair 8 (Due to delayed Dog action courtesy of Leush): Doesn't matter- everything is dead.
Elven Skeleton 3 (7): Everything is dead.

Most One Sided Combat Ever Over!

Brair- I assumed your animal companion was a riding dog, since those are the ones used for sleds. (I know you originally bought dogs, but that was two levels ago... And since this one was just a puppy I assumed it grew up, but if you'd rather it didn't, I can make it so- it makes no difference here.)

[Revanmal]

Elzak

A raised eyebrow is all the reaction Elzak deigns to give at the skeletons' advance, both due to the suddenness of the attack and the swiftness with which it was dealt. He casts a wry glance at the helmet slowly rolling its way down the stairs past him but not much else.

Those skeletons had not stood much of a chance. Elzak thinks perhaps he misjudged the difficulty of this task, though he'd never say that aloud, for fear whatever fortune they'd found abandoned them.

[Adlan]

-Leush:
Makes sense, riding dogs are way better than oridinary dogs, Didn't think to compare entries. So that makes his attacks 1d20+5, pircing, bludgeoning and slashing 1d6+4 damage. Much Better!.

How do you want to handle the magic, will Brair realise he just cast a spell?

Brair
With a Low Whistle, Brair ordered down and the Hound returned to his side from the bones.

What... in the name of the Mountains and Vales, were they!?

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif

Leif starts to go after the helmet crashing down the stairs behind them, but thinks better of it and stays close to the group.
Anyone whose business it is to know we're here, knows we're here already.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog stands panting in the stairwell, half-afraid to lower his spearblade for fear that other skeltons, statues and stranger stuff would leap out at them. His hands still grip the pole tightly.

"First statues, now dead men? This is a nasty place."

Giving Brair's dog as wide a berth as the narrow stairewell permits, Noog continues walking up, struggling to moderate his breathing again. He smiles back at Brair.

"That's a smart dog. A brave dog."

Reaching the hatch that the skeletal warriors emerged from , he pokes his head through to see what's on the other side.

[Leush]

Leif: The skull and helmet roll past you and you pause with an outstretched hand as it rolls past you. Whatever horrors dwell below will undoubtedly know of your presense now. That is not the only reason, however why you stop with your hand outstretched. The star upon the helmet caught your attention. It was a symbol used on several occasions in history. One particular event comes to mind...
Once you overheard a drunken half-orc at an inn who claimed to be the descendant of a powerful mage who had in his youth helped vanquish another powerful mage up north some three hundred years ago. Everyone laughed at the downtrodden man until he produced a four pointed star of platinum. It came from a helm of an undead warrior was his claim. That it stood for the Star of Madness, under whose banner the warrior had fought in the age when he was living. That night the half orc was murdered in his sleep and his platinum trinket never seen again... Star of Madness indeed. The star of Madness (also known as the Lost Son and the Madman's Lantern)-the half-orc had whispered in the tavern before his death- rises every sixteen years and stays in the sky for two months at a time- an omen of misfortune when it sets.

Elzak: This battle seemed both swift and relatively painless. Even with the curse upon the ruins, it appears that the undead have been no match for you.

Brair: You call man's best friend back to your side, unsure of what it was that hit you. You can feel an energy dissipate and you are not entirely sure of what this energy is-something of a living mist, but if Artest's words were anything to go on- it belonged to the forest.

Noog: Still breathing hard from the brief encounter, you climb out of the stairwell and into the room. You are still looking up at the hatch and figuring out exactly how to get through it safely, when a grey speck in the corner of your eyes catches your attention and your gaze snaps towards it. You level your pole arm towards before you realise that it is but a statue. Near one of the walls stands a granite beast upon three clawed legs, the fourth outstreched defensively before its predatory, reptilian snout. Its neck is arched, its bat-like wings are spread, almost in surprise. Yup. This looks like another dragon, no bigger than a horse, and like the last one, it is granite, though unlike the last one, it appears to be completely intact.

The room itself is round and roughly twenty five feet across and made of the same black stone as the rest of the ruins. The ceiling is about eight feet above the floor and you can easily reach it if you decide to.

If you go for the hatch: As you touch the hatch and push, the heavy stone lifts a little and thin blades of daylight cut into your eyes and floor sparkless with natural light for the first time in what you can only imagine to be centuries. You feel like you should, with a little effort be able to lift the stone completely...

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OOC: Brair Since you have neither spellcraft nor knowledge arcana, you don't have a clue what you're doing (other party members can explain). You'll find yourself wishing for something and then involuntarily (or perhaps instincitively) doing and saying things which trigger the spells. You might realise that you're using magic and figure it out (Brair isn't a village idiot), or you may need guidance, that is up to you to decide how to roleplay.

Noog: I was not clear about the room- essentially the stairwell opened up into a room (think hole in the floor), and you looked up and out of the stairwell and saw a hatch on the ceiling of the room.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"Good - we're at the top. Let's make sure the room is secure. It may be that the stairs and the ceiling are not the only two points of access. We may even want to rig some rope to the ceiling for those of us not as tall as Noog."

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Noog is pleased to see sunlight again. This place could use a little less mystery and a little bit more of an honest sweeping-out.

"I think I can manage to get this..."

Extending his arms fully, Noog continues to push the hatch up.

[Leush]

Leif: You circle once round the room and you find, on your way around only runes, runes and more runes, and of course the dragon statue. You press a few suspect patches of wall, look closely at this rune and that which appears marginally outstanding, but find no trap doors or secret passages.

Noog: You stretch and heave and the hatch lifts off the ceiling and with a push moves aside. At the same time, daylight floods the room and a fresh breeze dispels the light smell of dank. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the new level of light, but from this angle you can see only a clear midday sky.

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

Nook shoves the hatch aside and hauls himself up bodily up through the hatch a few feet - just enough to be able to rest his elbows on the other side and have a look around.

[Leush]

Noog: You easily haul yourself through the hatch- though can feel your ribs from the last encounter as you do. Your elbows rest upon a round platform, roughly twenty five feet across. Around it a parapet that looks more like it was made more for cover than for decoration, being blocky and thick. Above you is a clear sky, the sun shining directly into your eyes from the north. To the west the pines loom, silent in their curiousity. To the east- to the east, beyond the parapet you see only more sky. You begin to understand where you have emerged...

[Toliudar]

Noog
With a loud grunt, Nooglikwik allows himself to slide back into the room. He points up.

"It's, uh, like a castle. Tower. Whatever. Up there. I think this is the top of the rock. It's set up to watch, and defend."

[Revanmal]

Elzak

The sorcerer watches Noog from inside, though allowing Bobbie to flutter past him and fly about outside for a few moments. She'd missed the open air, though they'd only been within these walls for a short time.

"So this place was a military outpost, or some kind of defended monestary." He wasn't entirely sure military bases employed funny looking gargoyles and dragon statues in their design, but then again this place seemed to have been occupied by elves.

[Adlan]

Brair
'Well Leif' Brair said, petting his dog, and wondering exactly what that strange sensation had been
'I guess you were right, we need to head down to find what we came here for'

He picked up one of the relic's from the long dead, recently destroyed skeleton. 'I suppose we should take some of this stuff down to the entrance, we can carry it back to the Old Man, maybe he can tell us about it.'

'I mean, what manner of magic imbues a corpse to rise again, so long after it's dead'

[Revanmal]

Elzak

Elzak kneels beside the bones at Brair's question, carefully inspecting them to see if he can identify any sign of arcane magic.

"There is a wide range of spells that can animate inanimate objects. Forcing statues to do ones' bidding is not necessarily uncommon, but corpses... If these things were made by some sort of wizard, then they seem to have few scruples."

Spellcraft Check, I guess.

[Leush]

Brair: You pick up one of the skulls, still wearing its helmet. It's an interesting helmet, not a fashion too common around here: The top would be a simple metal cap, if not for the point at the top, the two swirling fins by the side and the star upon the front. The neck and back are protected by a curtain of chainmail, which though it does not appear to be of an exceptional quality, is still in good shape. The skull itself is definitely not quite human- the bone being thinner, with higher cheekbones and larger eye sockets, this skull belonged to something like an elf. Then you look more closely and realise that there is something of fey in this skull...

Elzak: You examine the bones and think upon the dark magics used to return movement to the long dead. You are not too familiar with this branch of magic, knowing well the terrible price often paid for its use by its wielders, but you know well enough to search for markings upon the bones, and idols and objects of dark intent within the skulls, but the bones are pristine, as if time itself and not some an abhorrent sorcery had stripped the flesh off the bones and made them walk. In short you find nothing of the sort... Meanwhile, you can sense Bobbie's relief. You can sense a vague expression of grandeur from the bird, and she can confirm upon returning, that you are indeed in the little black circle of black rocks that stands at the top of the cliffs.

Celine looks over the mage's shoulder and points out that the skeletons might be foul abominations, but they are fairly normal foul abominations and there seemed to be nothing unusual about these ones- just the work of some run of the mill necromancer who died and went to hell a thousand years ago (this she says with a little too much zeal).

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OOC: Leush
"Looks like their spellcraft checks were nowhere near high enough..." Leush muses, cackiling and stroking a shaggy mountain goat. "How much more interesting this makes things..."

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif
"Not to be reckless, but speed may be our ally in retrieving this diadem. I do not wish to stay overlong pondering past necromancies. I would like to leave this place while it is still daylight."

[Toliudar]

Nooglikwik

With one hand on his polearm and the other still at his ribs, Nooglikwik nods once at Leif's urging.

"Okay. Down now?"

Once the others are ready, he leads the way back down the stairs.

[Leush]

Down...

Noog takes point and the party begins to head back into the depth of the ruins. Noog steps out first, holding his glaive ready- himself ready to ward against anything that should attempt to come at you from below. With Brair and the spellcasters behind him, Torak brings up the rear.

You continue to spiral downwards until you reach the windows into the cave again. Nothing has changed there. The broken stone dragon is still prostrated upon the cavern floor and the 'graveyard' does not appear to have moved either. Still, the party continues on its way down.

Brair: When you reach a little below the level of the floor of the cavern, you hear the the faint patter and scrabbling reaching you from far below once again.

Elzak and Leif: You continue spiralling down into the depth of the ruins and one more twist of the stairs below the floor, you hear the sound of something hard on stone. It is both faint and far away and echoes just a little on the black stone around you.

Brair: One more twist of the ladder and the party, aware of the sound below them is especially quiet. For the tiniest of moments it seemed that the stairwell was holding its breath and you discern in full clarity the sounds from below. On the couple of occasions when you had entered the Duke's castle in Tariola you had heard this sound: It is the clanging of arms. It is the rattling of pots. It is the sweeping of floors. It is a faint, faint and repetitive strumming. It is the shuffling of countless feet...

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif switches to his crossbow, figuring that if they encounter an enemy on the stairs he will be more likely able to shoot into the melee than join it with his dagger. He quietly clears his throat in case he needs to sing.

Leif's modus operandi is to just use singing for spontaneous performances and his bardic abilities. His balalaika is usually only for prepared performances, to be combined with singing, unless he's got some down time in a secure area where he won't need his hands free for a weapon.

[Adlan]

Brair

'I hear the sounds of a whole Castle? Echo's of the past? Or are we heading into some bustling citadel?' Brair loped down the staurs behind Noog, his Dog at his side, and his Bow in Hand, an Arrow Grasped firmly point down, ready to be knocked at loosed if any opponent sprung at them, and his sword loose in it's sheath.

[Leush]

Hearing the sounds below, Leif pockets his dagger and laying an arrow into his crossbow he cranks the winch as he descends. Brair knoks an arrow, not entirely sure whether what awaited them below were ghosts of the living, unable to let go of the past, or the living themselves.

The party descends further and further, with the sounds becoming steady louder and more distinctive. Eventually everyone can hear both the repetitive music and the footsteps. The scraping of objects being dragged and the scratching of brushes against the floor.

Leif: There appear to be several instruments involved, something which may be a harp, something which may be a set of symbols and drums... Perhaps an organ? In any case, there is no stumbling or variation in the tone of the melody. Each instrument repeats the same set of cords over and over.

In what feels like a lot of spiralling, the staircase ends in a more or less featureless -save for the names- corridor with a high, arching ceiling which continues for a further ten feet before splitting into two more which run on into the darkness.

Before the corridor splits there appears to be an elegant scrawl burned into the wall and the ceiling and down the other side. It is not at all like the neat runes that it runs perpendicular to and cuts through.

Most of the Party: Looking at the script, you find it completely illegible.

At this point Torak steps up and reads it. "With her walls adorned with spirits, peacefully her dead will rest. But her shade shall know no heaven, endless torment may be best..." He finished, shaking his head. "It appears that we stand in the footsteps of a madman- or madwoman- and one who fancies themselves more of a poet than they can be rightfully credited with being."
Suddenly he stiffens and a few seconds later whispers. "Listen... Do you hear the pacing?"

Brair & Noog: You can hear footsteps approaching through both corridors. They appear to be at least eighty feet away, and they draw near at a steady, almost leasurely pace, then they turn away and continue awy for roughly six seconds before approaching again and then retreating. In both cases, it appears to be a group of four.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Leif (whispering)

"Stealth or cleverness may help us here. Depending on what lies ahead, perhaps we can avoid a direct assault... perhaps one of us should sneak forward? I am willing to do it."