Gravel to Granite (Inactive)

Game Master Lareg

A bit of book keeping I forgot to mention. As an after effect of breaking the lengths of wood for the ritual that transported the three of you to the keep each of you was healed to full.

Silx nods to him "I understand using secrecy for safety, it is a wise tool" Silx takes a blindfold, then attempts to put in on in such a way that he can either vaguely see through it or make it so he can just see under it

Sense motive (vs burand)1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Bluff1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Sleight of hand1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

im not sure if bluff or sleight of hand is required for this, i THINK sleight of hand, but theres bluff just in case you need it

"It's disconcerting isn't it. If you wish to remove it until your friends are ready to depart I would understand."

Silx takes it off rather quickly, sweating a little "Where does the heat come from?"

As Silx mentions heat, the man with the torch comes through the door to the left. He turns toward Buand.

"The doors won't hold much longer."

Silx takes a reluctant glance towards the door, then the blindfold. He sighs "Very well, let's get moving"

Burand and Brother Mal'c help the three of you fill as many available waterskins as you want or are able to carry while Granita packs up her supplies in the other room. While everyone prepares Burand makes a point to ask about Thomas. (Provide whatever response you wish to when able.) Once everyone has their supplies packed everyone gathers in the room with the basin of water (to the right of the main room).

Progressively lounder cracks can be heard in sequence with the pounding sounds of the ram as Brother Mal'c addresses the group.

"I am Brother Mal'c, you may address me as brother or as Mal'c - whichever you prefer. I will lead us through the caverns through the hill in which the keep is built. There are several sets of stairs that lead down to the the mouth of the cavern. Once we have reached the bottom of the stairs I will ask each of you to secure your blindfolds. Granita will follow in the rear to make sure all those blindfolded make the trip through the caverns safely. We will move quickly, but know that much of the caverns are dry and easy to navigate when you know which tunnels to follow. When I say to go slowly, go slowly. I will tell you when you may remove your blindfolds. Once we have made it through the caverns on the north side of the hills we will have some journey yet to the monastery. There will be time to rest soon enough once we find cover among many of the trees that sprinkle the valley. Until it is safe we will travel by darkness, getting what rest we can during day light."

Once everyone is ready and any last moment concerns are addressed Brother Mal'c will take a lantern from near the base of the water basin. Holding the lantern before Burand, the halfling lights it with a flick of his hand. Brother Mal'c then leads the group down a series of stone steps which lead to the mouth of a cavern. The flickering flame of the lantern reveals a short length of tunnel that forks in two directions. Granita pulls a length of soft rope from her pack before securing the pack over her shoulders. She passes it Brother Mal'c who take a few steps forward, stretching the rope taught.

"Stand near the rope so that you may grab a hold of it after your blindfold is in place. Please secure your blindfolds."

Once everyone has their blindfold secured brother Mal'c pulls the rope gently.

"Pull on the rope if you begin to stumble and hold it snuggly so that you may feel when I am picking up pace. I will speak instructions only when needed. If you wish to say something please whisper. We do not need to disturb the vermin that live in these caverns. Do you understand?"

Brother Mal'c waits until everyone has either spoken or nodded to indicate they understood.

"Very well. Off we go."

Silx sighs, putting on the blidnfold. He strains his ears to hear whats going on around him, firmly grasping the rope, wrapping part of it around his wrist so he cant easily drop it

As each of you secures the length of fabric over your eyes it begins to shift on its own. It quickly covers from the middle of your forehead to just above your nostrils. The fabric, though it does not seem to feel heavier, seems to thicken. You find yourself in complete darkness. Though strangely, you can feel heat ahead of you near where you heard the voice of Brother Mal'c. For a moment it is like nothing you have felt before. And then suddenly you recognize it as the gentle flicker of a lantern. You can feel it as if the lantern were being held before your face.

Though Brother Mal'c starts walking slowly to give everyone a chance to adjust to their blindness and the floor of the cavern, he slowly begins to quicken the pace.

Roll Reflex

Perception roll for Silx (all may roll perception, but please provide a 'sense' description like Silx's)

Reflex1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Perception1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Rolls for Shayne
Reflex 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Aak will grab the last of his supplies. Waterskin, fur cloak, etc. He then dons the blindfold. Taken aback by the shifting cloth, Aak is startled briefly, but once reassured it is all okay, he quiets down. Aak will fasten the rope to his wrist, making sure he has a good grip as he treks through the cavern. His ears adjust to compensate for the lack of vision, but not very well as he would like. The echoes are all jus that, echoes and the smells and sounds are all foreign to him.

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Silx now begins straining his nose as well, glad that his other senses are keeping up

Everyone easily keeps their footing as the pace quickens. Aak notices the penetrating blackness of the blindfold.

Lol. Aak notices the blindfold.
"What is that faint smell?"

"That would be some of the less fortunate creatures that find their way into these caverns. If we're lucky we won't encounter the larger beasts that prowl these dark passages."

Brother Mal'c picks up the pace slightly, after a series of quick turns. The passage that follows seems nearly level and heads what seems quite straight for some time.

Perceptions rolls for everyone (with descriptions).

Silx shifts around nervously as he mentions the creatures. He strains his ears, then turns his head to either side and inhales to see if his nose picks up anything. After a moment, the pretends to itch his nose to try to slip the blindfold up

Sleight of hand1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

A hissing sound can be heard...

"It would be wise to leave your blindfolds undisturbed. Such noise will attract predators."

Silx starts "My apologies, I'm just a little on edge" he leaves his blindfold alone "I know it may not be my place to ask, but may I inquire to the nature of these blindfolds and their relation to our surroundings?" Silx's voice remains calm and steady, but he has a white-knuckled grip on the rope

"Let me ease your mind with only a small portion of the tale of your blindfolds."

Brother Mal'c pauses briefly before continuing.

"They react here as they would in any environment. Far to the south in the same mountain range that we will soon see there is another monastery. Some of the monks there create these blindfolds, which other monks of their order use with great skill. They often travel to the monastery I call home. And sometimes, brothers of my order make the journey south. During these meetings we often trade for such treasures."

He pauses briefly. When he speaks again it is in a whisper just loud enough for the group to hear.

"You have my word. They will do you no harm. And if you wish we may pass our time sharing such tales. For now we must quiet ourselves and tread carefully."

The pace slows.

Perception, Reflex, and Stealth rolls for all.

Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Reflex 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Stealth 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6

Shayne quietly submits to all of the lecture, packing, blindfolding, and travel. As he walks he occasionally scratches at the fur cloak, which is quite different from what he is used to wearing but does promise to be helpful.

A monastery of magical monks! What might Hanjah have foreseen about that place to cause her to request having her head taken there? He will find out soon.

Perception1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Reflex1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Stealth1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Rolls for Aak;
Perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Reflex 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Stealth 1d20 ⇒ 18

Though Aak and Silx don't quite adapt to the new pace smoothly, the lightness of their footfalls makes their hesitation difficult to notice. Shayne easily shifts his pace.

"We must move quickly before we are spotted."

Mal'c quickly increases the pace to a run. Reflex rolls with a +4 bonus for all. Each of you can feel the heat of the lantern decrease to that of a weak candle light.

Quietly Mal'c begins to whisper as the group's pace quickens.

"Run, not with fear in your hearts. See not the darkness, but the hope in your heart. Hold fast to each breath. Knowing, that if it is your last - you will fight to defend it with every beat of your heart."

Reflex1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 4 = 22
Silx's heart begins thumping and he draws a dagger, placing it in his teeth while he continues his death grip on the rope

Reflex 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15, then +4 modifier

Shayne runs quietly, internally critiquing Mal'c's attempt at poetry. "Must be a monk thing, calmly holding one's breath for several heartbeats while fighting."

Reflex roll for Aak
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

As Silx, Shayne, and Granita easily adjust to the quickened pace, Aak's larger half-orc physic struggles to shift his pace quickly enough. He reaches toward where he thinks the side of the cavern might be and feels the solid rock. He pushes with all his strength to help steady himself.

Strength check for Aak 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Aak easily steadies himself. As the labored breathing of everyone, but Mal'c can be heard - he slows the pace to a more comfortable jog.

"We should be safe now. The northern exit isn't far now."

Silx nods, returning the dagger to its sheath

The remaining time in the caverns is uneventful, though the stench of death seems to grow stronger as the group passes a particularly large tunnel from which the echo of water droplets can be heard.

Though the time in the cavern was hard to gauge, your feet feel as if you've traveled for hours.

"You may remove your blindfolds."

With your blindfolds off you can see that much of the night has passed. The first signs that sunrise is approaching can be seen to the west. The silhouette of the mountains is nearly obscured by clouds rolling in from the north. A stiff cold breeze greets you as you clear the dank stench of the cavern from your lungs.

"We cannot stay more than a moment. We must head for the cover of trees so that we may rest during the relative safety of daylight." Mal'c points to the northwest where you can see grove of trees in the valley that sits beside a rough trail. There also seems to be smoke coming from something on the trail you can't quite make out at this distance.

Granita collects the length of rope before the group heads toward the grove. Though Mal'c moves at a steady pace, the gradual slope toward the trail makes going easy. As the group nears the trail it is easy to see the source of the smoke, a fading fire.

"It appears some travelers have camped beside the trail. I must warn them about Tolin "

Near the fading fire four figures can be seen. Close by is a large wagon and what appears to be the remains another smaller wagon. There are three horses secured to the larger wagon and a fourth horse near one of the standing figures.

"Keep your distance as we near the trail. I don't wish to give them the wrong impression."

Once the group nears the trail, Mal'c ask everyone to wait as he move ahead toward the travelers. Granita nervously prepares her weapon as Mal'c heads toward the fire. Though one figure is clearly holding a crossbow at the ready, he lowers it as Mal'c speaks. He seems to be say something about offering assistance. After a few minutes talking with two of the travelers, Mal'c turns and motions the three of you and Granita to join them.

Perception rolls for all.

Perception1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Sorry, was doing work and family stuff. Thanks for DMPCing me while I was gone.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Between the trunks of tall pine trees the glow of firelight flickers intermittently between the shuffle of humanoid silhouettes. One lone, covered wagon is parked beyond the fire and a trio of horses tied up nearby, with one other nearby that rests on bended knees. The remnants of a second, smaller wagon are not far away, much of it looking to have been hatched apart for firewood with some of the timbers still burning in the fire pit. Only a wheel and a few lengths of wood and hammered metal suggests its former shape.

Speaking with Mal'c is a rough looking man in trail-worn clothes and light armor, that once-raised crossbow held at his side and a pair of sheathed blades at his waist, tattered cloak wrapped over his shoulders. By the fire, a traveler with ruddy skin and a weathered complexion stands in tense silence, clad in a thick cloak and patterned shawl with a head scarf the color of turquoise and amber, bedecked with ceramic beads and charms.

Apart from him is another man in thicker, simpler clothing trimmed with fur and a cap with fur-trimmed leather flaps to cover his ears. A bristly white beard covers his mouth and beady eyes watch the kneeling horse. One human child seems set apart from the adults, beside the kneeling horse as well with her hand on its flank. Thin and frail looking, she is swathed in a thick robe of white linen and sheepskin with a hood drawn up over coal black hair. Eyes of deep, burnt umber shift their focus away from the monk conversing with the other travelers and down to the horse at her side. The teenager's hands are bandaged by strips of linen the way a clearly injured person's would be. She watches the horse for a moment, though when her stare drifts up from the animal to the monk, the firelight reflects in her eyes clearly.

Among the four strangers there are three men and one woman. From this distance it is clear that at least one of them is armed (the man with the crossbow). He also seems to be wearing armor. A second man near the monk has slipped what appears to be a blade of some sort back into his boot. The other two individuals have stayed near the fire, the woman seems to tending a horse with the help of the remaining man who is dressed simply. The fire is fed by bits of wood from the smaller wagon. It looks like they have been doing work on the larger wagon.

"These travelers have had a bit of trouble with their wagon. They've nearly fixed it."

Mal'c sounds hopeful as he turns to greet the four of you by sharing some of what he's learned. Conversations and actions? Do you join Mal'c, head toward the fire to enjoy the last of its heat?

Granita stows her weapon over her shoulder. And smiles broadly. The guard seems more at ease.

"Looks like I won't be needing this anymore. How can I help?"