Eyvindr the Proud |
Chops looks to the group, but says to Ragnar and Eyvindr, "We need to check on this brother of yours. Damn the evil."
"Yes, let us find this kindred soul," says Eyvindr, "and let us hope he has not become one of them." The latter half of the sentence sounds more like a growl. "Lead the way, Muni." The elder Dorn draws his blade and follows the raven and the others...
Chops the Defender Dworg |
Solvistania, on hearing Chops reply, clenches her fists and replies to him in a scathing voice, "Chops, I hope your bravado doesn't get us all killed." Then, almost without thinking about it, adds, "Be careful", as she follows the warriors into the prison room.
Chops stops and turns back to Solvistania, "I will." he whispers back. Then he grips his hatchet tight and continues to follow the large Dorn.
Ragnar Death-Speaker |
Ragnar stops a few paces into the prison hall, aware that if he pushes forward any more the party will have to abandon any pretense at stealth. A faint rythmic tapping begins to echo, as if someone in the distance was taking a stick to the bars.
"Shhh!" Ragnar hisses harshly. The ringing fades, but the sounds of shuffling feet and unintelligible voices still hang in the air. It sounds as if a chorus of children are all telling each other to quiet down, all at once, heedless of their own noise. Ragnar rubs his forehead under his cowl and sighs.
"Brother, I think I'll guard the rear. Pete, Chops, you are both adept at staying quiet, if you would my brother safe while he investigates? The rest of us can wait here in case something goes wrong."
"It's that one down there on the left" The raven squawks quietly winging onto the other Dorn's shoulder.
Eyvindr the Proud |
"You have a queer presence about you friend. I hope that you are well." Chops steps into the front position, attempting to remain as quiet as possible as he moves towards the cell.
Stealth 1d20+7
Just to avoid stepping on toes... is Eyvindr scouting ahead of everyone, and Chops and Pete are leading the party behind him? Or are Chops and Pete ahead of Eyvindr? And what of Sky'tor? I know his player dropped out, but did the character disappear in a puff of smoke??? I think it would be nice for the elf to be NPCed until he has a logical exit point...
Solvistania Elghreah |
Just to avoid stepping on toes... is Eyvindr scouting ahead of everyone, and Chops and Pete are leading the party behind him? Or are Chops and Pete ahead of Eyvindr? And what of Sky'tor? I know his player dropped out, but did the character disappear in a puff of smoke??? I think it would be nice for the elf to be NPCed until he has a logical exit point...
What I understand is happening here is Eyvindr is leading the way, followed by Chops and Pete, down the cell corridor. The rest of the group is waiting outside in the room. As for Sky'tor, we have to wait and see how Nightflier handles this, but I agree he should be NPC'd as well.
Eyvindr the Proud |
Once again, I'm gonna need your party order. I'm assuming that during your rest (and my flight problems) Sky went to investigate worg tracks outside, perhaps lead by a dream. Or he decided that Witch Queen needs to know about bonebearers. Or something like that.
Would one of the new player prospects perhaps be interested in taking over Sky'tor and modifying him to suit their tastes? I've seen that approach work well in other PbPs... and it would be more logical... Just my two cents...
Eyvindr the Proud |
Chops the Defender Dworg wrote:"You have a queer presence about you friend. I hope that you are well.""He ain't well." the bird says quietly from Eyvindr's shoulder "He ain't been well for a damn long time. He'll be fine though. Let's go."
Eyvindr follows Muni a respectable distance ahead of the rest of the party. He moves with long strides and is less stealthy than he has been of late, perhaps overly eager to locate the Dornish prisoner.
Stealth: 5 + 4 = 9 (11 vs. Fell); Perception: 1 + 6 = 7 (9 vs. Fell); remember Sense Dead 10' radius.
Ragnar Death-Speaker |
Ilona Ebonblade wrote:I'm thinking Evynder, then Chops and Pete, then after a distance, Ilona, Sky'tor, Solvistania, Gillan then Ragnar guarding the rear. Unless Pete is back there with him.This sounds right to me.
Yeah, this.
Gilian |
Fine with Ilona order.
Gilian stays well behind the front men (and halfling and dworg ...), listening for the noise of the traps they are going to spring.
As Ragnar takes his place at the rear, she squares her shoulders and talks to him about his brother.
"Tell me, Ragnar. What is going on with your brother. I noticed he hardy got some sleep the last two nights. Whatever concoction he is taking to stay awake is going to ruin his health. and if he's not taking anything, he's going to drop down at some point or start hallucinating. do you want to talk to him about that or shall I do it ?"
nightflier |
The big Dorn walks down the line of cells silently as Lady Death Herself. Feral hunter and big brawler follow him at the distance. Only one cell seems to be occupied. On a closer look, there is obviously a Dorn inside. Naked and chained with the manacles to the wall, he seems to be in a deep sleep that certainly is not natural. At the end of the corridor there are thick doors made of rusty iron. A strange sounds can be faintly heard through the thick iron. Perception, sound based.
Solvistania Elghreah |
Gilian stays well behind the front men (and halfling and dworg ...), listening for the noise of the traps they are going to spring. As Ragnar takes his place at the rear, she squares her shoulders and talks to him about his brother.
"Tell me, Ragnar. What is going on with your brother. I noticed he hardy got some sleep the last two nights. Whatever concoction he is taking to stay awake is going to ruin his health. and if he's not taking anything, he's going to drop down at some point or start hallucinating. do you want to talk to him about that or shall I do it ?"
Solvistania overhears the exchange, and walks over to the healer woman and leans over to hiss in her ear, in Erenlander, Enough, Gilian! Do not question further, if you would have any sense left in your brain! The relationship between the brothers is a delicate one, and must not be altered, as your questions will do!"
Ragnar Death-Speaker |
The relationship between the brothers is a delicate one, and must not be altered, as your questions will do!"[/smaller][/b]
Ragnar looks quizzically at Solvistania, as if he does not understand either what she is saying, or perhaps even why it matters to her. "It is fine Solvistania. My brother and I have no secrets. The bond between us is as strong as any could be. It was only a matter of time before someone noticed that my brother and I are not exactly normal. We carry the curse of our home with us. It has changed us, and is no small burden, but with it comes certain things we have found beneficial. My brother no longer sleeps nor eats. He has become the perfect sentinel, like Falon the Guardian himself from tales of old."
He lowers his head deeper into his hood,
"We are the last. It is my task to guide him, keep him sane and focused so that one day the Thanes of our people can recognize him for who he is, and crown him as the heir of Nalford."
anyone with knowledge shadow or history
Ragnar Death-Speaker |
"Some must have gotten out. These two must be the last two scions of the survivors, who may have been cursed in some way."
Ragnar's brows furrow. The ghost torches that swirl about him flicker and sway. "Our father and mother both died on the walls. We spent months searching for survivors, but found only corpses and Fell. The bodies of every man woman and child were accounted for before we escaped. That is why the Vigdir were sent to me. Fenri and the pack sniffed out the bodies we could not find. Hugi identified the dead. Muni kept the names. All those that did not rise were burned. I carry their bones. My brother and I, and the children with us, were all that survived. It may be that we left before the elves sent their diviners.'
Ilona Ebonblade |
Ilona's face is still as she hears the story, listening intently. She looks forward at Eyvindr's broad back sighing quietly and shakes her head. As she turns to look at Ragnar her eyes are filled with..something. An emotion and intensity that defies words, and also a deep abiding sadness, in that moment, the young woman's capacity to feel is laid bare, vast as an infinite ocean.
The moment passes and she stands straighter,taller, nodding slightly to herself as if having made a decision.
She continues looking towards the cages and the activity within.
Gilian |
Chops the Defender Dworg wrote:"Some must have gotten out. These two must be the last two scions of the survivors, who may have been cursed in some way."Ragnar's brows furrow. The ghost torches that swirl about him flicker and sway. "Our father and mother both died on the walls. We spent months searching for survivors, but found only corpses and Fell. The bodies of every man woman and child were accounted for before we escaped. That is why the Vigdir were sent to me. Fenri and the pack sniffed out the bodies we could not find. Hugi identified the dead. Muni kept the names. All those that did not rise were burned. I carry their bones. My brother and I, and the children with us, were all that survived. It may be that we left before the elves sent their diviners.'
Gilian frowns at Solvistania interruption as she did not understand what she was referring to. She listens attentively to Ragnar story, nodding when he pauses to encourage him to go further as she knows pain can lessen when told.
Then she snaps back to reality and realises they are not in a safe place. She turns back to the dark corridor where Eyvindr and Pete have disappeared.
"Thank you for your words, Ragnar."
Solvistania Elghreah |
As Gilian walks by her, Solvistania whispers, "I apologize for being harsh with you, I was...wrong.
She watches Ilona intently, wondering what is going through her mind, how this has affected her. Unwilling to intrude further, she turns to Ragnar, saying, "Perhaps the elvish people are not as infallible as they believe. Certainly, the evidence stands before us."
Ragnar Death-Speaker |
"Perhaps the elvish people are not as infallible as they believe. Certainly, the evidence stands before us."
"You would know better than I. I have only seen elves in my youth before now, and never before spoken with one. If any came to Nalford after it fell, they surely did not come before last year. We would have seen them, and been glad for someone to lead us out."
Solvistania Elghreah |
Solvistania looks at Ragnar a long moment, before replying, "The elves were not always forthcoming with me about what they found after the Shadow destroyed Nalford. They may have discovered other secrets they did not wish to share. But we should talk of it later, I am concerned about your brother and Pete"
Ragnar Death-Speaker |
Solvistania looks at Ragnar a long moment, before replying, "The elves were not always forthcoming with me about what they found after the Shadow destroyed Nalford. They may have discovered other secrets they did not wish to share. But we should talk of it later, I am concerned about your brother and Pete"
Ragnar nods slowly and turns his attention towards the end of the darkened hall where his brother had gone.
Eyvindr the Proud |
Perception: 4 + 6 = 10 (12 vs. Fell).
Eyvindr looks closely at the chained Dorn, saying nothing. He then closes his eyes momentarily, as if searching for something within himself. After a moment, he opens his eyes again and gently tests the door to the cell, seeking to confirm that it is locked.
Solvistania Elghreah |
Solvistania moves up to the front of the group next to Eyvindr and Pete, and peers in at the Dorn. "What strange magic is this?
Knowledge Arcana 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Spellcraft 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
She looks over at Pete, nods at him, and then tries to determine where the noises are coming from. Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
nightflier |
Solvistania moves up to the front of the group next to Eyvindr and Pete, and peers in at the Dorn. "What strange magic is this?
Knowledge Arcana 1d20+9
Spellcraft 1d20+11She looks over at Pete, nods at him, and then tries to determine where the noises are coming from. Perception 1d20+7
nightflier |
Gilian eventually moves in the corridor and seeing the motionless Dorn, closes to it to check it health.
Heal Check 1d20+10
nightflier |
The iron doors are not locked. You can try to open them, but they are very rusty and they will probably make dreadful noise. You can try to peek through the crack between the door and the wall, but the unnatural darkness seems to be concentrated in the room beyond. Everyone except Eyvindr Perception DC 20 or they are blind beyond the doorway.