North of the Wind (Inactive)

Game Master dien

Ulfens and tigers and bears, oh my. Except no tigers.

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Male Human (Ulfen) Ranger 3 [HP 23/27 | AC: 17 (Tch:14 FF:13) | Fort +4 Ref +7 Will +3 | Init +4 | Perc +8]

Taking Yngvi's buff again - health 20/22, AC 16

Knute feels invigorated at Yngvi's words, and the snake's now telling wounds also encourage him. Surely we'll bring it down soon... It shouldn't be able to stand too much longer against our entire band.

Hoping to be the one to bring down the beast, the ranger carefully takes aim at the snake and looses two more arrows at it.

Attack 1 (PBS, Heroism, RS, Soft Cover): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 + 2 - 2 - 4 = 12
Attack 2 (PBS, Heroism, RS, Soft Cover): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 + 2 - 2 - 4 = 9

Both arrows streak wide of the target, but Knute only growls in anger and vows to himself that his next shots will find their mark.

In response to Leif, Knute calls "Yes, it's now slithered onto land! It's still crowded up here though, so be careful trying to move forward if that's what you want to do."


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

Knute's bow twangs twice, bolstered by the heroism of his people, but the close quarters work against the young hunter and the arrows fly across the cavern to hit the far wall with a clatter.

Leif pushes past Knute near as soon as the words are out of his mouth, squeezing by in the narrow hall and bringing a large axe down towards the serpent. "Not all of us have seidr, elf, but we do have blades!" he cries as he strikes.

Leif, raging attack, power attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 26
Confirm?: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 14 (No)
Damage: 1d12 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Leif resembles his father-- and the tales of his father, as well, the legendary warrior that Hrolf exists as in the stories Yngvi spins on long nights. The axe Leif wields chops through the serpent-- the chank of it hitting the stone beneath can be clearly heard-- and then Leif's triumphant laughter that follows...

....and dies a second later as he realizes the severed halves are each still moving, now independent of each other. *

Yngvi barks a laugh, despite the tension of the battle. "Odyn jests! You brought that on us, Leif, by tempting Fate! You cannot say the elf did not warn you..."

(Sven, Bjorg, and Yngvi have no clear shots and refrain from crowding in, but Yngvi maintains his performance.)

Thorgal makes no jests-- he merely switches to trying to bash one of the two writhing serpents with his shield.

Thorgal, raging, heroism: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 26
Damage: 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

He manages to smash one of the two blue snakes to pulp-- not the most dignified way to kill a creature, but it seems effective.

The remaining serpent, looking near death, rears up with a weak hiss-- then slithers back over the edge and sinks down, quickly disappearing beneath the dark water. Within seconds, it has swum below the reach of those on shore, the last they saw of it being a panicked wriggle downward to however deep the underground river might reach.

(The snake is withdrawing; Eysteinn will get an attack of opportunity but will essentially need a 20 to hit due to improved cover once it's back in the water: 1d20 ⇒ 7? (No). You can narrate your characters taking pot shots or whatever if you like, but we're effectively out of combat rounds.)

"Tor's thunderings, get back here," Thorgal snarls, stabbing his blade's tip a few times at the water's surface, but the snake does not oblige him by reappearing to be skewered on it.

"The thing looked near dead," Yngvi says helpfully. "That was a mighty blow that Leif landed."

The young man looks somewhere between pleased and abashed. "Well... it was a good hit! And-- Thorgal was using his blade, too," he adds on quickly, a defensive attempt to forestall any criticism his attack might yet bring.

Thorgal doesn't respond immediately, gazing into the dark water. "...well, the wyrm doesn't seem to be coming back up," he admits after another handful of seconds pass.

"Then we'd best see to our wounded," Yngvi says, glancing over his shoulder towards Rikka. "The seidrkona was struck, were you not, lady?"

* (for the curious):
So technically that ability is only supposed to trigger if the critical hit is confirmed, but it was too funny not to happen, right after I'd written Leif's dialogue. So sue me.


Female Human (Ulfen) Oracle (possessed) 2/ Summoner 1 | hp 10/16 | AC 14 - t 11 - ff 13 | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +5 | Per +2 Init +1

And when you say 'we'..., Halla thinks sourly in Yngvi's direction. Still, she puts away her crossbow with a sense of relief that she didn't have to use it; having successfully shot the winter-child when it was attacking the elves, she has undoubtedly used up her luck at arms for some time to come. "Leigheas," she intones, touching Rikka with healing power before picking up and shouldering her heavy pack once more.

cast clw on Rikka 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

A very little healing power. :P


Human Sorc 2 | HP 9/12 | 12/12/10 | F+0 R+2 W+4 | Per +7 Init +2 | Spells: 1st 5/5

Hey, I'll take it - low roll or no. That practically doubled my HPs. :)

Thorgal wrote:
"The seidrkona was struck, were you not, lady?"

Despite the blood loss, Rikka raises an amused brow at Thorgal's solicitous attitude. "It's just Rikka. Ladies don't catch fangs." Nevertheless, she doesn't argue against the offered healing and lets out a contented sigh as the slash in her gut begins to heal from Halla's magic. "Before that snake returns, let's get across the bridge and see if there is a secret door over there."

Status:
HP: 7 / 12 | AC:12 = 12+0
1st Spells (5): xx
Dancing Light (3):
Spell Effects:


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

Tassidar walks to the water's edge.

"Both parties survived this day. Hopefully we don't have to pass this way again before the beast regenerates."

"I commend you on your bravery, all of you."


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map
Rikka wrote:
Despite the blood loss, Rikka raises an amused brow at Thorgal's solicitous attitude. "It's just Rikka. Ladies don't catch fangs." Nevertheless, she doesn't argue against the offered healing and lets out a contented sigh as the slash in her gut begins to heal from Halla's magic. "Before that snake returns, let's get across the bridge and see if there is a secret door over there."

(It was Yngvi playing the gentleman, not Thorgal. ;) Minor, irrelevant detail.)

The skald merely inclines his head at Rikka's words. "Thorgal-- you yourself were bitten by the serpent..."

"I need no witching yet," Thorgal says with a shake of his head, keeping his distance from Halla even as she murmurs in her foreign tongue over Rikka's injuries. "I've lived through worse wounds than this bite."

(Eysteinn is also badly hurt; but as he has some ability to heal himself, I'll give him a chance to throw in a response if he can before I decide for him how he wishes to handle that.)

As no further censure is forthcoming for his attack that split the beast in two, Leif is in high spirits at Tassidar's compliments. "Yngvi, will you weave this into a tale?" he demands of the skald, standing at the bridge's edge and swinging his axe in the air back and forth. "You said yourself it was a mighty blow! Then Leif the golden / struck a... a... um... Leif swung like a bolt of Tor's..."

"Leave the sagas to the skald, boy, and put that cleaver away before you nick one of us," Sven says from behind him. The trader reloads his strange bow. Bjorg silently checks her remaining weapons, looking grimly at the water that took one of her javelins, before she says, "Who crosses first?"

(Thorgal will stride across if no PCs volunteer to be first over. Either way....)

Nothing further impedes the cautious progress of the band across the span of stone. The other side seems much like the first: an ancient, all-but-rotted-to-nothing barrel that smells of piscine matter and is held together with rusted bands of metal... there is also a small niche here carved about three feet off the ground; a quick glance in reveals a half-a-dozen heavily tarnished fishhooks. They are stuck to their little shelf by deposits of calcification, but a little work with a dagger could free them, if anybody had a pressing need for fishhooks.

Perception DC 20:
There is also, as sharp eyes can see, the outline of a door, crafted to blend with the rock, but not so well that it cannot be spotted if you know what you're looking for. A few moment's hunting discovers latch and hinges; the door opens outward towards you, and does not appear to be locked.

Knute:
(Knute, your Heroism will last for 40 minutes. I'll keep track on my end, of course, but just so you know.)


Human Sorc 2 | HP 9/12 | 12/12/10 | F+0 R+2 W+4 | Per +7 Init +2 | Spells: 1st 5/5

Well that's what I get for posting when half asleep. :)

More than willing to get away from the snake in the water, Rikka quickly crosses the bridge... and runs a hand carefully along the wall.

"There's a door hidden here." She follows the outline of the portal. "Ah, and here's the latch. It seems to open outward - so don't crowd forward."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

If no one scout-ish comes forward to open the door, I'll do it.


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

"While I commend you on your bravery Leif, consider that Thorgal would have slain the beast outright. Like an earthworm, you divided it in half so it will return whole. Our victory has become a draw."

"Some parts of tales are better left untold. Instead I would focus on the bravery and sacrifice among comrades that took place here, with a health respect for your leader's instincts and example."

The elf crosses over the bridge.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

"You have sharp eyes. Here is the latch system. I will open it when everyone is ready."


Male Human (Ulfen) Ranger 3 [HP 23/27 | AC: 17 (Tch:14 FF:13) | Fort +4 Ref +7 Will +3 | Init +4 | Perc +8]

Knute whistles low, impressed at Leif's heavy blow on the snake. The ranger is not even angry at the young warrior pushing him out of the way, instead only mildly disappointed that it wasn't his arrows that sent the creature fleeing. He edges towards the pool, ready to put an arrow into anything moving, but sees nothing.

Assessing the Ulfens around him, Knute is happy that no one seems overly put off by Tassidar's and Rikka's magic. They can't judge me too harshly for treating with the elf and fey now. Much as we might be uncomfortable with it, seiðr did help, and we'll certainly need more of it before our encounter with the orks is over...

A small smile can be seen on Knute's face at Sven's chastisement of Leif. He then quickly crosses the bridge to take a place beside Tassidar. With his bow out, Knute says to Tassidar and the surrounding Ulfens, "ready."

To be clear, Knute will let Tassidar open the door since his eyesight is keener. But he'll be there, ready to fight if need be.


Female Human (Ulfen) Oracle (possessed) 2/ Summoner 1 | hp 10/16 | AC 14 - t 11 - ff 13 | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +5 | Per +2 Init +1

Halla waits on the far side of the bridge, not wanting to be caught on the span over wyrm-infested water if there proves to be danger behind the door.


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

Leif scowls at Tassidar's further words. He stops waving the axe around at Sven's chiding and sullenly takes up a space after Thorgal.

Yngvi calls softly to Tassidar, "Our struggle with the beast was none too quiet, master elf; there may be an ork, or something stranger, on the other side of that door, ready to swing their damned swords-- are you sure you wish to be the one to open it?"

Thorgal gives Yngvi a mild look and a rare smile. "Are not you and Hrolf always saying we must respect our friends' ways?" he chides with an arch of his graying brows. "Clearly, he knows his business-- whenever you are ready, master elf."

Sense Motive DC 15:
There's an edge to Thorgal's words beneath his teasing tone, and Yngvi frowns a second in answer before smoothing the expression away.

Yngvi shrugs and gestures for Tassidar to proceed.

During the discussion, Eysteinn has moved to the back of the group, one hand pressing at his side where the beast's fangs sank in. The NPC eyes are on the discussion pertaining to the opening of the door, so he sags momentarily back against the stony cavern wall, then unhooks his waterskin from his belt for a swig.

Perception DC 10, only those hanging back on this side of the bridge may see:
Eysteinn is drinking, not from the skin itself, but from a small bottle he has palmed. After a few swallows, some of the color returns to his cheeks, and he stands up again, looking much more at his ease.

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10(Eysteinn is at full hp again)

Eysteinn pushes off the wall and takes up a spot behind Leif, his blade ready again.

Tassidar opens the door... the door itself seems to be of stone, but it swings open as lightly and unnaturally balanced as the door that is now behind them.

The seidr-lights play into a more-or-less round cavern room whose walls are broken up by three other doors other than the one that Tassidar has opened. The walls of this chamber appear to be covered absolutely with line after line of small script, floor to ceiling. There is also some larger script on the smooth-as-ice floor, the words forming an engraved circle around something that is probably of more import at the moment than writing:

There is a large birdcage here-- a very far cry from the cages of twined twigs that the Hofn-folk are familiar with. It is three feet across and almost the height of a man. It looks to be made of brass, and is beautifully decorated with tiny embellishments in the shapes of vines and flowers.

It is also occupied, by a black raven that appears to be somewhat bedraggled and molting a bit. The raven lifts its head towards the open door and the faces staring in.

"₩εℓℓ. ℋ℮ℓℓ◎."

Tassidar:
The bird is speaking fluent Elvish.

Everyone else:
The bird is speaking fluent Skald.

Thorgal's face is a picture in befuddlement. He says in a hoarse, plaintive whisper, "...did that bird just speak?"

(Map updated)


HP 17/17 :: AC 15 T 13 FF 12 :: CMD 19 :: F +6 R +6 W +4 :: Initiative +2 Perception +5

Sheesh. So Monday morning became Wednesday morning. Im’ really sorry, folks. I'm going to try to be a bit more consistent moving forward. I know it's a strain on everyone when someone's a no-show.

So Eysteinn is at 10 damage from full? Leaving him at 6. Sheesh.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Ha! Had to make the DC for my own spoiler. (It’s what I would have done, anyway, so thanks, Dien). I guess that addresses the above. :D

”Loki’s balls!"laughs Eysteinn, looking on in fascination at the talking bird, its fantastic cage, and the circle around it. "But that’s a neat trick. I've never set eyes on a Skald-speaking bird. Yngvi?” He shoulders through the group, getting as close as he can to the door for a closer look.

Any knowledge checks to help ID who or what this bird is?
Knowledge (Arcana/Local/Nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

How about the engraved circle? Does it look magical? And if so, any info about it?
Knowledge (Arcana/Local/Nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18


Human Sorc 2 | HP 9/12 | 12/12/10 | F+0 R+2 W+4 | Per +7 Init +2 | Spells: 1st 5/5

Sense Motive v DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Perception v DC10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

From her position at the back Rikka can only try to peek into the room for the moment.

Dien, what kind of Knowledge checks might be appropriate here?


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

"Yes, it most certainly did, but it spoke in my native tongue to me."

In Elven:
"Greetings in return."

"Before we enter let me study these runes."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19


Female Human (Ulfen) Oracle (possessed) 2/ Summoner 1 | hp 10/16 | AC 14 - t 11 - ff 13 | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +5 | Per +2 Init +1

Perception1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Halla trudges over to Eysteinn as he puts away his waterskin. "At least be clever enough to pretend to need my services," she hisses cuttingly as she lays her hand briefly on his arm. "Do you think Thorgal will forget that you should bear marks from wyrm-fangs on your body?

Perception DC 15 + distance penalties for anyone to hear the whispered conversation, and she'll take 10 on a Bluff for 14 to look like she's healing Eysteinn


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 +2 more for sight based.

So the son must conceal his abilities . . . Ostracized because of his magic? And the woman can heal as well. Interesting dynamic. Their leader cares little for me, but the others are at least reasonable.


HP 17/17 :: AC 15 T 13 FF 12 :: CMD 19 :: F +6 R +6 W +4 :: Initiative +2 Perception +5

"What?" Eysteinn replies to Halla with a playful sarcasm, "Don't I look that tough?" Anticipating her non-entertainment, he shrugs, "Things can get blurry in the chaos of battle. The wound looked worse than it is. Or something."

As he moves to look at the bird cage, he nods, though, "But I'll be more careful."


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

(In response to Eysteinn's Kn: Nature check of 21:) The bird looks like, well, a raven. It's a large specimen, but not outside the bounds of what nature can manage. It does not appear to be in good health-- feathers are moulting off it, collected in a little drift on the floor of its cage.

(In response to Eysteinn's Kn: Arcana check of 21 (just giving you the benefit of a roll there): It's... possible it's a familiar, since birds, like many other beasts, serve as familiar spirits for seidr workers. You've never heard of anyone keeping such a creature in a cage, though. Beyond that, you have no idea.

(In response to Eysteinn's Kn: Arcana check of 18 vs the lettering on the ground): It's not a language you know, but it doesn't look like the runes of seidr work.

(In response to Tassidar's Spellcraft check): Which use of Spellcraft are you going for, Tassidar? Are you casting detect magic? The 'runes' are not exactly runes. They are more Sylvan text, such as you have come across twice so far. They read:

Shall you forget the color
Of the sky at dawn?
Shall you forget the horror
Of a lover wrongly gone?
Feckless souls let moments pass
Like sand through Shyka's hour-glass
But I hold all you've ever had:
I keep them all, and thus am mad.

Knowledge Religion, DC 20:
Hmmm... scraps of poems about forgetting, and madness... a raven... it's possible this room has something to do with a figure of folklore known as the Lost Prince? Supposedly he is some sort of haunting ghost or lord of ghosts, something along those lines-- a figure concerned with mourning and the remembrance of things that others have forgotten. They say he dwells by himself in a tower at the edge of the world, a tower falling apart and crumbling into the sea, and that his only companion is a raven.

Thorgal hear or notice any of this stuff between his estranged son and Halla?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 (Nope)

The raven gazes with a beady eye back at the little knot of people trying to peer into the room. Thorgal is obviously ill at ease, shifting his grip on his sword's hilt, and gesturing Yngvi forward to deal with this, because it is obviously unnatural. Yngvi hurries forward. Yngvi Kn Religion?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 (Yngvi will relate what he knows when he's not trying to talk to the bird)

"Ah, yes, a fair day to you, as our friend here said," Yngvi says to the raven, struggling to appear as if talking to a bird was nothing out of the ordinary.

The raven shifts a little on its perch, wings rustling in what seems almost like the equivalent of a shrug. "Шнαт'ṧ ḟαḯґ α♭øυт їт, тℌℯη?"


Female Human (Ulfen) Oracle (possessed) 2/ Summoner 1 | hp 10/16 | AC 14 - t 11 - ff 13 | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +5 | Per +2 Init +1

Knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

The Lost Prince, Maeve remarks mournfully. I used to know a song about him: a sad one, it was always good for a few coins from the elderly and bereaved in a crowd. The young ones were generally only interested in dances.


Male Human (Ulfen) Ranger 3 [HP 23/27 | AC: 17 (Tch:14 FF:13) | Fort +4 Ref +7 Will +3 | Init +4 | Perc +8]

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Knute tenses as the door is pushed open, just waiting for an ork or another monster to be behind it. At the sight of the crow, he is relieved, then stunned as it speaks. A moment later, he joins in Eysteinn's laughter, amused and confused.

Catching his breath, Knute examines the bird more closely. "It doesn't look that much different from normal ravens I've seen," the ranger says quietly. He hesitates before speaking to the raven directly. When he notices Yngvi approaching to speak, Knute moves from his place at the door, happy to let someone else figure out this puzzle.


HP 17/17 :: AC 15 T 13 FF 12 :: CMD 19 :: F +6 R +6 W +4 :: Initiative +2 Perception +5

Dude! How long does it take to format even one single sentence of that bird’s speech?! Good show!

Eysteinn can’t help his curiosity as he watches the bird.

”Well, it’d be fairly terrible to be stuck in a cage, I guess. Or do you choose to be in there?” he asks without any antagonism. ”I’ve heard stories of animals with powerful connections to those who work magics and seidr. Are you such a bird? Or something else?”

Eysteinn raises his eyebrows about Yngvi’s revelation about the Lost Prince, then he looks back at the bird. ”Is this true? Is there a lonely Lost Prince somewhere missing his only companion? And if so, what are you doing here?”


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

"If you know of The Lost Prince, do you know of Shyka as well Yngvi?"

"This can't be the Lost Princes Avatar. . . Is this an illusion?"

Detecting Magic on the bird and looking for auras.


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

Sorry for the slowness. Paizo was down when I went to post last night, and then today was busy.

At the risk of ruining how impressed you are with me, Eben: the bird's speech takes me very little time, because of this, ahem. Though usually I swap out a few symbols for legibility's sake.

GM:
?: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Yngvi Kn Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

To Tassidar's question about 'Shyka', the Ulfen skald shakes his head, no. "Never heard of it," he murmurs back, keeping his eyes on the bird.

Tassidar casts a spell to detect magic... and finds his vision swimming and his head throbbing. Yes, there is magic in the room ahead-- strong magic, quite beyond his own abilities. Tassidar, Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 However, he is unable to identify the auras present, perhaps because they are so strong. Both the bird and the cage seem to have auras on them.

The raven watches Tassidar's casting with infinite resignation, before giving Eysteinn and his questions a long, morose look.

"ℐт їṧ ωℌαт ☤☂ їṧ▪ ℕ◎ ρ☺☤η☂ ⊥ґ¥☤ᾔℊ ⊥☺ ¢нαᾔℊℯ ї⊥▪ ℵ☺т μü¢н ℘☺їᾔт ⊥я⑂☤ᾔ❡ ☂ø ¢ℌ@η❡℮ αη⑂☂♄їη❡, яεαℓʟ⑂, їḟ ⑂◎ʊ ℓ☺øḱ @т ☂н☤ηℊṧ ḯη ☂нε ʟ◎ᾔℊ ♥ḯℯω▪ Ї мℯ@η, тнε ṧʊη ωḯℓʟ ßüґη |⊥ṧεʟƒ ☺ʊ⊥ ṧ◎м℮⊥ḯღℯ, @ḟ⊥ℯґ αłℓ▪▪▪"

The raven's head twists back and forth, keeping the visitors in view.

"Ѻ♄, ℑ❝м ηø☂ ґℯαłł⑂ @ ♭ḯяḓ▪ ℐ❝м тℌε ї∂℮α ◎ḟ α ♭ḯя∂, ¥øʊ ღ|ℊнт ṧαƴ, øґ тнε ℯ¢ℌø▪ ∀ᾔ∂ Ħḯṧ Ḻøяḓṧ♄☤℘ ẘ|ℓʟ мαη@ℊ℮, Ї‷ღ ṧυяℯ▪ Ѻя ♄ε ẘ☺η❝т▪ Ḏ◎ℯṧη❝⊥ мαкε ღʊ¢ℌ øḟ α ḓїḟƒℯяεᾔ¢℮▪ ℐη ⊥н℮ ł◎ηℊ ṽ☤ℯẘ▪

"ϟ◎▪ ḠѺ|ηℊ ☂◎ кḯʟʟ м℮?"

(If anybody finds the wonky text difficult to read, since I've noticed some of the symbols don't come through depending on what browser I'm using):
"It is what it is. No point trying to change it. Not much point trying to change anything, really, if you look at things in the long view. I mean, the sun will burn itself out sometime, after all...

"Oh, I'm not really a bird. I'm the idea of a bird, you might say, or the echo. And His Lordship will manage, I'm sure. Or he won't. Doesn't make much of a difference. In the long view.

"So. Going to kill me?"

(Thorgal looks as if he's tempted to say yes.) Yngvi blinks several times. "No... no, I don't imagine... we are not foes, are we, Master Raven? In fact, we should like to be friends..."

The bird again spreads its wings, in that maybe-a-shrug gesture.

(Mechanically, y'all will likely wish to make a Diplomacy check with the bird. Yngvi diplomacizes at a +8, which I believe is better than any of the PCs, so it makes sense for him to champion, and others to assist. However, if you are a) talking the bird and b) wish to roll your own diplomacy, you may do so. I will post sometime tomorrow with Yngvi's championing-roll, but if you roll a Diplomacy before I post, specify whether you are rolling an aid another, or your own Diplomacy attempt.)


Male Human (Ulfen) Ranger 3 [HP 23/27 | AC: 17 (Tch:14 FF:13) | Fort +4 Ref +7 Will +3 | Init +4 | Perc +8]

What strange bedfellows this mission has led to...

Knute doesn't speak, preferring to let Yngvi and the others do the talking, but he does stow his bow and step back, attempting to appear friendly. Or at least non-threatening.

Diplomacy Aiding Yngvi: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18


Human Sorc 2 | HP 9/12 | 12/12/10 | F+0 R+2 W+4 | Per +7 Init +2 | Spells: 1st 5/5

Knowledge: Arcana (related to Detect Magic): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Boy, I hope Yngvi beats that #

Rikka casts a spell and slides forward to examine the room herself (map updated) given the silence of the staggered elf. She smiles at the bird, "We're here to help, if we can."

Cast Detect Magic

Status:
HP: 7 / 12 | AC:12 = 12+0
1st Spells (5): xx
Dancing Light (3):
Spell Effects:
x - effects - Rnd x of y


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

"The perfect unworked walls, the silvery script, the Lost Prince . . . This is an entire fey complex."

"I wonder . . . "

Tassidar removes the small bird from his scroll case maintaining a firm grip on it and offers it some water. The elf waits patiently for his turn to speak with the raven.

"This raven must be speaking telepathically."


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

Tassidar Wisdom check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Tassidar, you have a strong gut feeling that pulling out a small, possibly magical bird from your makeshift scroll-tube cage, in the view of another magical bird who is currently in its own cage, might not endear you to the big bird in the cage. Would you like to reconsider that action at all?

Weekend ate my posting. That said: aside from the resolution of the little-bird-thing.... Tassidar, did you want to attempt to aid the diplomacy going on right now? Or make your own diplomacy check? Don't worry about 'waiting your turn' right now; I basically need to know the bird's attitude going forward based on things you guys have said and done so far. And that's going to hinge on the results of your guys' Diplomacy check or checks.


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

I'm going to abuse my GM fiat and decree that Tassidar does not take out the little bird right now, mostly because a) it seems like something he would in-character realize is not conducive to the situation at hand; b) there's no reason the bird needs to be taken out right now; and c) writing out the raven's reaction to that is going to needlessly complicate and slow things down on my end.

I'm also lazily going to stop using Encool for right now. Y'all got the idea.

Rikka, there's definitely some magic here. You detect powerful spells on the bird and cage both, but you are unsure exactly what types of magic they might be. The bird watches your gesturings and vocalizing with a resigned air.

Yngvi Diplomacy plus 2 aids: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 15

The raven lets out a throaty, sort-of-chuckling noise at Yngvi's assertion that he would like to be friends, eyeing both Rikka and Knute in turn as they do their best to smile and seem non-threatening.

"Alright, friends it is. Won't you have something to drink? Ah wait, seems I'm out of beverages. Well, then, let me offer you my hospitality... want a perch in here? No? Humm, rotten friend I am. Mind you, I can't say a whole lot for you people either. No housewarming presents. Not really sure what we could do to spice it up in here, but maybe a nice lamp. Curtains. Something new to read. Not that I'm complaining, mind you, don't see much point in it, not like it changes anything. Not in the long run."

GM:
1d20 ⇒ 9

"Still, even in the long run, it's better to not be killed. Doesn't feel very good. Not a fan, mmnope. Gets old. Of course a lot of things do. You'd think orks would get bored after the first five or six times but I'll give them this, they're persistent. Anyway, enough about me, let's talk about you:

"What are you needing remembered?"

Yngvi blinks. "Sorry, did you say orks?"


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

Sorry I was at the Ghost Town of Bodie, CA. Zero signal like not even phone calls.

Tassidar thinks better of his course of action. His intent was to try and speak to the bird, but that might look bad to the already caged one. Also, just because the bird was communicating telepathically, did not mean it had ESP after all.

"These human's have also been mistreated by the orcs."

"May I offer you a drink? I have some to share."


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

It's not speaking telepathically, for the record. You can clearly see its mouth moving and hear noises coming from its mouth. It's just that you are each hearing it as your native tongue.

The raven spreads its wings, croaks, and settles again. "Well I don't suppose orks have a very good record with anyone, do they.

"A drink? If you like. No silverwine, I don't imagine..."

Yngvi clears his throat. "Pardon, but-- you've run into orcs recently?"

The raven's glossy black beak prods at a spot on its own wing, grooming a bit, perhaps. " 'Recently' is a mental construction, isn't it? Time in general. I mean, you're mortals, so your 'recent' is what, a few days or so? Me, now, we could be discussing any point in the last few centuries. Not that I have any particularly good way to note the passage of time. Not exactly any water-clocks in here. Nor sun nor moon nor stars. You try seeing how good your sense of time is, like that."

Thorgal twitches in frustration; Yngvi lays a hand on the arm of the acting-chieftain.

Yngvi can keep up with the line of enquiry; I just want to give you guys a chance to ask questions too so it's not 'dien writes a novel with no input from the PCs. I'll post again later tonight.


Male Human (Ulfen) Ranger 3 [HP 23/27 | AC: 17 (Tch:14 FF:13) | Fort +4 Ref +7 Will +3 | Init +4 | Perc +8]

Knute stares at the bird, still surprised that they're conversing with it. He clears his throat and asks softly, "How do the orks get in here? The way we came? Or another?"


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

Knute's question earns another croaking noise, then the dark head bobs in direction of the three other doors.

"Oh, in through those. It all connects. Nobody's come through the door you did in.... well, I couldn't say, but a long time, I imagine. Quite a few feathers ago."

Thorgal can no longer keep silent. "So there's orks on the other side of those doors?! And we've crept up on them from a back passage?"

The bird makes the sort-of-a-shrug again. "Well I don't know if the orks are still there."

Thorgal pushes past Yngvi and into the room, blade drawn. "Good enough for me, by Tor!"

Yngvi grabs at his arm. "You're acting like Leif," he hisses. (Leif looks briefly pleased before realizing that this was not a compliment.) "This raven may still have useful things to tell us!"

Thorgal eyes the ceiling a moment before huffing a sigh. "Very well, but ask what you will, quickly-- we must strike while we still have surprise..."

Yngvi nods and looks back to the raven, who is watching all of this in a bored fashion. "When these orks came in... were there children with them?"

"Children?" The raven sounds taken aback. "None that I saw. No, just big, ugly chaps. Pulled me out of the cage, killed me a few times. Ate me once. Can't say the experience was delightful for either of us."


Female Human (Ulfen) Oracle (possessed) 2/ Summoner 1 | hp 10/16 | AC 14 - t 11 - ff 13 | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +5 | Per +2 Init +1

The bird is immortal, Halla reasons from her humble place in the rear of the party. Whenever it dies, it merely returns to its cage.

There is a flash of sadness and fellow-feeling from Maeve. Yet it's not a real bird. An echo, it said. Real enough to die and be eaten? I can't imagine it made a very satisfying meal.

A ... memory of a bird? Halla ventures, unsurely. But it knows it's a memory. If it could forget itself, perhaps it could be free. She remembers the elf-woman and the forgotten memory she traded. Do you suppose the elves could free it? Take its memory of itself? Or is someone else remembering it and keeping it caged? She starts to get a headache from the metaphysics.


Human Sorc 2 | HP 9/12 | 12/12/10 | F+0 R+2 W+4 | Per +7 Init +2 | Spells: 1st 5/5

Judging by the unreadable magics and the creature's words, Rikka doesn't doubt this bird may not be a bird at all. It could be a demon for all she knows... which makes her next actions 'ill-considered' at best. She steps over the words on the floor and sits down near the cage, looking at the bird earnestly. She pulls what meager rations she has in her pack and offers them to the bird apologetically.
"It isn't much, immortal one, but it is what I have. Or perhaps a distraction is something you'd appreciate more?" The last is a guess as she imagines eternity in a cage would be boring beyond belief. The sorceress pulls out the dwarven puzzlebox and shows it to the bird to gauge it's interest. She'd hate to part with it, but to abate the bird's boredom would be worth it. "It won't make the long years shorter, unfortunately. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

Diplomacy (still trying to make friends if we can): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 *sigh*

I've got follow-up questions but they'd seem odd when trying to make friends here.


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

Rikka sidles into the room and has a seat. The stone is cold, but nothing seems to steal her soul, burn the life from other, or otherwise harm her. The raven cocks its head at her, quizzically, at the offerings she holds out.

"...-hraw-. Keep your dried meats and breads, hunger's a bit irrelevant. But that box..."

The raven hops, from the perch of polished brass in its cage down to a lower one, closer to Rikka. "A diversion... well. Well, that's something, indeed. Shiny, too.-hraw-!"

There is a door on the cage, with a small latch-and-nob. The bird nods towards it; and Rikka bypasses the several obligatory moments of trying to figure out if it is trapped ;) opens it to offer the box through. The raven lands on the puzzlebox immediately, pecking curiously at the many little faces and facets of the cube. It seems quite taken with the gift, hopping about more actively than you have seen since you first entered the room.


HP 17/17 :: AC 15 T 13 FF 12 :: CMD 19 :: F +6 R +6 W +4 :: Initiative +2 Perception +5

Eysteinn, who'd been entranced into distraction for the last few minutes, steps up beside the squatting Rikka. He clear his throat uncertainly.

"I have one, as well," he mutters, drawing a second dwarven puzzle-box out. "I can't imagine being caged forever." He frowns at this, "So you're an echo of a bird. How is it that you got stuck in this cage?" The urgency of their situation seems to be forgotten by Eysteinn in the face of such a mystery. "Do you know who trapped you here? Or why?"


Human Sorc 2 | HP 9/12 | 12/12/10 | F+0 R+2 W+4 | Per +7 Init +2 | Spells: 1st 5/5

Since the bird takes a shine :P to the puzzlebox, Rikka hastily breathes on it and rubs it against her coat to polish it up before placing it in the cage. "I expect moving the pieces may be a bit difficult with beak and claw... that but having it take more time may be a blessing."

She gives Eysteinn a nod when he hunches down. She listens to his questions and waits for the bird's reaction before offering questions of her own.

"You asked what we'd like remembered... What is worth remembering, ancient one? And what is better forgotten?"


HP 17/17 :: AC 15 T 13 FF 12 :: CMD 19 :: F +6 R +6 W +4 :: Initiative +2 Perception +5

"I have more than a few recent things not worth remembering," Eysteinn mutters under his breath.


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

". . . Do these memories extend beyond these walls? As in could you tell me about events some 700 years past?"


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

"Hrumn! So many questions," says the bird, looking far more interested in the puzzle box than in answering them. (Peck-peck-peck at Rikka's gift.)

"Ooh, yes, if yours is different, leave that one too..." the raven answers Eysteinn.

Yngvi sidles into the room as well, as no threat has manifested; Thorgal enters, but only to move to one of the doors and press his ear to it, clearly seeing the raven as a mere distraction from the business of ork-slaying.

GM:
Thorgal perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Leif lingers outside the door of the room, obviously unnerved by the bird; Bjorg edges up to the door to peer in, but stays out for now, and Sven stands back outside the room stroking at his short beard and muttering beneath his breath about how much a talking raven might sell for in the southlands.

The raven continues to use its beak to poke and prod at the dwarven box, a sight that might be comical under some other circumstances, on some other day.

"Let's see now, order in which you, -hraw-, asked. How did I get here...? Might as well ask how the hearth gets put into your home, eh: someone built it, surely. And you can't have a home without a hearth, just as you can't be having an outpost without someone to keep track of the remembering." The explanation breaks off for a few moments of rapid-fire pecking, the raven's beak dinging off the metal, before resuming.

GM:
? perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

"Now, as for what's worth remembering! Child, you could grow old and die before I finished telling you all that. Worth's something for scholars to argue over, in any case. Mine is not to judge the worth, merely to observe, then remember. Dross and gold, all together, yes? I remember the secret names of five and nine priests of the grove--" the raven puffs up a bit, importantly, "...and also the fact that one of them was fond of onions and had terrible breath. Of course they're dead now. Or I imagine they are. That was a long time ago, inasmuch as one's deciding to accept the premise of 'time.'"

The raven shifts a little, hopping over to the second box to study its faces in turn. "There are limits. I remember what passes through this room, or is told to me to remember. Makes it a manageable size, more or less. But seven hundred years is not the issue-- are you asking about some event in particular--"

Perception DC 16, or 20 if you're not in the bird-cage-room:
Over the sounds of the bird's chattering, you think you heard what sounded like the scuff of feet on the other side of the door where Yngvi stands-- and a male voice, though the words were indistinct.

GM:
Thorgal Per: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Yngvi Per: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Yngvi's head snaps up from his rapt listening to bird's words. He holds up a hand for quiet, looking behind him at the door at his back. "Hst. Did anyone else hear something?"


HP 17/17 :: AC 15 T 13 FF 12 :: CMD 19 :: F +6 R +6 W +4 :: Initiative +2 Perception +5

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Any way of telling what language? Or the race of the voice?

Eysteinn's eyes flash to the door, and he lays a hand on Rikka's shoulder before holding a finger up to his lips for quiet. His blade rasps quietly from its sheath as he motions for everyone to hug the walls and ready weapons.


Female Human (Ulfen) Oracle (possessed) 2/ Summoner 1 | hp 10/16 | AC 14 - t 11 - ff 13 | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +5 | Per +2 Init +1

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Halla has only had time to begin to get angry at everyone for getting distracted by the magic bird when the children are in trouble when Yngvi and Eysteinn call a sudden halt to the conversation. She hears nothing but fumbles a bolt into her crossbow, not yet knowing which way to point it.


Human Sorc 2 | HP 9/12 | 12/12/10 | F+0 R+2 W+4 | Per +7 Init +2 | Spells: 1st 5/5

Rikka motions the bird to silence - politely - and prays it accepts the direction. She then stands and moves around the cage to the side closest to the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19


Male elf wizard 3, Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10/+12/+15 visual in light, AC 13 [17 Mage Armored], touch 13, flat-footed 10 [14 Mage Armored] hp 14 (2d6+4) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, Sense Motive +8

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27


Male Human (Ulfen) Ranger 3 [HP 23/27 | AC: 17 (Tch:14 FF:13) | Fort +4 Ref +7 Will +3 | Init +4 | Perc +8]

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Knute eyes Thorgal as some of the others talk with the raven. He is well aware that the man is losing his patience for calm, philosophical discussion. He is about to ask the raven how many orks it has seen, when Yngvi hears something, and others stiffen and motion for quiet. Knute hears nothing himself, but trusts their ears and stops moving. Noticing others pulling out their weapons and backing away from the doors, Knute follows suit.

Could it be the orks, finally? Or another monster, maybe worse than the serpent? Knute stares at the doors, waiting for movement.


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

The raven duly silences, although it looks quizzical, as if not understanding the reason for the fuss. Everyone is tensely silent and on edge. For a span of a few deep breaths nothing happens. Thorgal sidles as quietly as he can a little closer to the door that Yngvi stands by, his blade draw, and Yngvi also looks ready for battle.

The door starts to open.

Check the map when you can; you can't actually see the room shown yet, but just confirm your tokens are where you would like them to be for when the door opens the rest of the way.

Eysteinn: no, you cannot make out the words or language, unfortunately. Tassidar hears it more clearly with his elven ears, but does not know the language; the tone sounds curious and questioning, perhaps.

Will update later today.


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

I'll assume everyone's where they wish to be!

The door-- which, incidentally, is wooden, oval, and has a number of handles set at various heights in it-- creaks open. On the other side of it there is an ork female, standing and blinking in momentary stupefication at the sight of four Ulfen in the room. You would guess the ork was not expecting that.

(Essentially a surprise round for you guys. Let's see if the orc lives long enough to make it to a real combat...)

Initiatives:
Initiative-ork: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Initiative-Thorgal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Initiative-Other NPCs: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Initiative-Tassidar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Initiative-Rikka: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Initiative-Eysteinn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Initiative-Halla: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Initiative-Knute: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Order of resolving actions in surprise round: Knute, Eysteinn, Tassidar, Rikka, Thorgal, (Orc), Halla, Other NPCs

Knute, Eysteinn, Tassidar, and Rikka all react rather quickly to the site of the surprised ork. Well, Knute's not in the room, so he technically doesn't see the ork.

Actions for the four of you? Remember that in a surprise round you may only take a standard or a move, but not both (you can still take a 5-foot action). Essentially, you could attack the ork with a ranged spell or weapon if you're in the room (or move to engage). Tassidar could juuuust take a five foot step and have line of effect to the ork, barely, for a spell, if he wishes.


HP 17/17 :: AC 15 T 13 FF 12 :: CMD 19 :: F +6 R +6 W +4 :: Initiative +2 Perception +5

Dangit! I was thinking the noise was coming from the northern door. My misunderstanding, and you were more than generous with our chance to update our positions, so I'll just roll with it.

So, what I'd like to do is cut off her escape, and the Overrun action seems the most appropriate. Can I do that as part of a surprise round? It would seem so except for this wording: "As a standard action, taken during your move or as part of a charge, you can attempt to overrun your target, moving through its square." So does it require a full-round action? (which is lame) Or can I do it as part of my move action in this surprise round?

If you're okay with the attempt, Eysteinn thinks quickly, then rushes forward. "Cut her off! She may give us information!" He drops his shoulder, bringing his natural bulk to bear on the orc in an attempt to run right over her.

Overrun: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Ending in the square just behind her, if it's possible/successful.


Plaguestone Map | Gallows of Madness Combat Map

Hurrmnn. Interesting corner case. You could certainly do it as part of a partial charge (see the text at the end of 'movement during a charge'), and that would be legal, but unfortunately, you don't have a path for a legal charge, as Rikka or the birdcage are both obstacles that would prevent you from charging. So... no charge, unfortunately, and I believe it does need you to have both a 'move action' and a 'standard action' to use Overrun in the first way described. In short: no. Sorry. :(

Do you wish to move towards her regardless, with no possibility for the overrun on this turn?


HP 17/17 :: AC 15 T 13 FF 12 :: CMD 19 :: F +6 R +6 W +4 :: Initiative +2 Perception +5

Yep. That makes sense. Let's do this, then, for the time being.

Thoughts of heroically rushing to cut off the ork's escape swirl though Eysteinn's head, but the realities of the situation force him to disregard them. He considers briefly.

"You two," he grunts with a brief look to Rikka and Tassidar, ready to spring into action after the seidr-workers respond, "anything you can do? She could give us information, but she may also give up our surprise."

Delay until Rikka's/Tassidar's decided their surprise actions. From Eysteinn's position, there's just not much he can do without compromising everyone's clear lanes to the ork.

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