DaWay's Rise of the Rune Lords - Burnt Offerings (Inactive)

Game Master DaWay

No you are at C2

since we're at C2, do we see the road?

"Why don't we take the path leading east? towards C3 It look like it curves to the north ahead, and I can scout ahead in the briars south of the path.

"Seems like it would be easier passage for the rest of us than through these briars." Alric moves cautiously along the path, watching for any trouble...

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

so if we take the paths, is it an open trail? Or are the paths actually the four foot tall tunnel like things we would have to duck to get through?

Four foot tall tunnels through the briars

Filled with bugs. And sweat. And dirt. Brilliant.

Eeeew! >_< *Clutches wings even tighter*

Cerin sneaks ahead of the group through the briars until he spots anything out of the ordinary.

This entire section of the adventure was created to make short folk and druids feel good about themselves... ;)

out til the 8th of July--feel free to roll for Radbar as needed. He will be following Cerrin and trying to be as quiet as possible---LOL

Moving north the trail splits to the east and west.

Arabeth wriggles and shuffles along with the group trusting to Cerinnibert's sense of direction.

Cerin continues sneaking through the briars, peeking out periodically to make sure the way is clear. When he reaches the fork, he waits for the others to catch up, then points to the east path and continues scouting ahead.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

I'm a little confused. Is this north of C3?

No I had you going north from C2, the path splits east and west.

Cerrin again reaches a fork in the path to the west lies an opening. To the south east another path, and to the northeast lies a curving path where the sound of water hitting rocks can be heard.

Cerin sneaks along to the northeast, hoping the sound of water will lead him to the coast, and an easier way to the island.

Stealth: (Take 10) +9= 19
Perception: (Take 10) +11= 21

You see the cliff and some 40' below is an entrance to a sea cave.

Arabeth moves along behind the others, ignoring the dirt upon her hands or the skuffing of her knees.

Alric stays close behind Arabeth, moving as quietly as he can among the brush. He tries to follow Cerin's path, but cannot seem to do so quite as efficiently, getting snagged in brambles constantly.

Cerin sneaks back to the group and pops out of the briars.

"There is a cliff up ahead, with a cave down below. Did we want to try and climb down, to possibly make our way around the beach to find a way to Thistletop or would you rather continue to make our way through this thicket?"

"Do we know what this 'Thistletop' actually is...?" Arabeth asks.

"Is the beach the only approach?"

"I believe Thistletop is the island that I saw from the top of the cliff, and it looks like there is some sort of bridge further east so there is probably a passage through the briars." Cerin replies quietly, keeping a sharp eye out for any signs of movement while they talk.

"A bridge that's likely guarded."

Still kneeling in the briar tunnel Arabeth sighs, "So...it's the bridge....or swim?" She asks hesitantly.

With a grin and a twinkle in his eye, Cerin replies "Yes, unless you would like to finally spread your wings and fly there..."

Trapped within the tunnel of thorns, all Arabeth can do is shake the hair from her face and offer a wan smile back to Cerinnibert.

Radbar lets out a sigh of relief, worried for a minute Arabeth may have taken Cernnibert up on the challenge.

"THere's a cave down there too, perhaps there's an underground entrance through that way, in addition to the probably-guarded brige."

I swim like a rock

"Maybe if we wait for the tide to go out, we won't need to swim..."

Arabeth scoots forwards as much as she can and people's press of bodies allow. If she can get out into the open, she stands and stretches. Arching her back and spreading her wings as far as the glossy black pinions will go.

Eventually she settles, blushing as she looks to her companions.

"Sorry...it's just...being so confined..." And she glances back towards the tunnel of scrub and thorns.

So which direction are we heading?

*Points to Cerinnibert* I'm following the expert.

"I'm with Radbar," Blythe says, nodding at him.

She hisses as Arabeth stands. "Would you get down!"

Arabeth blushes and kneels at Blythe's reprimand, tucking and folding her wings protectively around herself.

"We should at least investigate the cave. Radbar, would you mind lowering me down on a rope so I could take a look? If I tug on it, quickly pull me up, please!" Cerin asks, retrieving his rope and tying it firmly around his waist.

If Radbar agrees, he will hold on to the rope until he gets almost to the top edge of the cave, then turn upside down so he can peek in without being spotted. Hopefully...

Take 10: Stealth 19 / Perception 21

Arabeth offers to help lower Cerinnibert, as a way of making up for her previous gaff....

How long is the rope?

Cerin has 50ft; if that is not long enough, Radbar and Alric both have 50ft each as well.

do you need a strength check from me? With Arabeth helping I will still wrap it around one of the stronger looking vine stems to give us some help if they are treelike.

Yeah it's 70 to the bottom of the cave.

I don't think Radbar would need to worry about a Strength check. Cerin weighs 70 lbs, including equipment. Radbar could probably lift him with one hand! ;)

I don;t think Cerinnibert wants to get to the bottom of the cave. Just low enough to look in?

"Wait...why are we checking the cave?" Blythe says, staring at everyone in turn. "We're clearing Thistletop of goblins. I don't think Thistletop is at the bottom of this cave..."

"Ah, but if this cave happens to be a way to get to Thistletop, wouldn't it be better to sneak in through the back door and take them unawares, rather than attacking them from the front where they are ready for us?"

"What is Thistletop, anyway? What was it?"

Cerin being lowered into the hole sees a cave and a large tentacled creature at the bottom awaiting some prey to snack on.

Cerin peers at the creature for a moment, trying to make out enough details to identify it before tugging on the rope to be pulled back up. As he rises back up to the group, he tries to remember what he has been told about Thistletop.

He reports to the group that this is probably not the way they want to go.

Knowledge 1d20 ⇒ 18 :(nature) +13=31
(religion) +10=28
(local) +5=23
(arcana), (dungeoneering) +4=22

Knowledge (history) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Arabeth nods in agreement at Cerrinibert's description of the monster below.

"Something to come and deal with another time?" She asks, even as she looks around.

"So...where do we go to get to this Thistletop?"