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Astyannax, walking up front with Haraldir, sees the light up above.
This place is just full of surprises.
He holds an arm up, indicating a stop to the train. Then he points up to the light.
"I don't know what that is and I'm not crazy about simply leaving it in our rear."
He turns to the ranger next to him.
"Do you want to scramble up and take a look? We can try to cover you with our crossbows. Somebody else who is good at climbing can go with you."
"If we all need to go up there, I'd like to make sure everything is okay before we leave the animals down here."
He frowns as he waits for responses.
They always told us, don't split the party...
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Standing next to Astyannax, Haraldir concentrates on the light reflection trying to discern what it could be. Is it sunlight reflecting of some steel-clad warrior lying in ambush, simple ice surface at an opportune angle or something else?
When Astyannax asks him to go and scout ahead, Haraldir responds: "Aye, we should check this out. Have someone provide me with some cover, in case things go wrong"
With that, Haraldir hands his large bow and his short sword to Omrax and drops his backpack. From within the backpack he unfolds a coil of silken rope, with a three pronged hook attached to one end. Making sure he is as light as he can be, carrying only minimal weapons (his very large dagger and a light mace), he attempts to climb the surface towards the light they saw.
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Standing next to Astyannax, Haraldir concentrates on the light reflection trying to discern what it could be. Is it sunlight reflecting of some steel-clad warrior lying in ambush, simple ice surface at an opportune angle or something else?
When Astyannax asks him to go and scout ahead, Haraldir responds: "Aye, we should check this out. Have someone provide me with some cover, in case things go wrong"
With that, Haraldir hands his large bow and his short sword to Omrax and drops his backpack. From within the backpack he unfolds a coil of silken rope, with a three pronged hook attached to one end. Making sure he is as light as he can be, carrying only minimal weapons (his very large dagger and a light mace), he attempts to climb the surface towards the light they saw.
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Omrax stands at the ready with Haraldir's bow notched peering up for any sign of hostility.
"Sir Haraldir, Mind your footing and stay low, and shout if you need us to come to your aid. How much time do you think you will need. We will come up if we do not see you in 5 minutes...cannot have you carried off by some ice yeti..."
Omrax pats his shoulder and winks...
"and besides you have the map."
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While the others look up, Luisila will keep her eyes at ground level and check the rear for anything sneaking up behind them or trying to flank them. She will grab a Touch of Luck from her domain power and scan her surroundings.
She makes a palm down pushing gesture to Rees, suggesting he find cover or at least lie prone.
Luisila also readies an action to cast True Strike if combat takes place. An arrow is knocked in her bow.
What do actors say before a play for luck?
Hey Haraldir, Break a Leg!
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Nobody is able to perceive anything more then the glint of light off the edge of a rocky cliff. There still is about an hour or so of sunlight left.
Haraldir rearranges his belongings and prepares for his climb. He tosses the grappling hook up to the nearby ledge 50' up. The ranger climbs up onto the icy landing above.
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Musing inside his head whether this is a known statue/goddess, Haraldir backs up slowly, keeping his attention trained to the shrine in front of him. Without turning his head, he speaks (but does not shout) trying to be just loud enough that the closest members of the party can hear him, without raising too much noise. You never know who or what might be listening...
"There's a small statue of a woman here together with what seems like a shrine, just over the ledge. Also there's a number of coins and gems in the shrine’s offering bowl. Which of course, we will not touch, I am just stating what I see" - he adds the last part hastily.
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Luisila smiles as she listens to the men talk it out. She misses the reduction in tension a good gossip with her charges at the Temple used to bring her. The thought of introducing some of them to her new companions amuses her ...
I think I’ll leave Badger out of this one ...
Which one for Ezrek? ... Saucy tart – no question.
Omrax ... how about a Brazen strumpet? He is known as ‘the Bold’ after all.
Astyannax could soooooooo do with some Haughty courtesan in his life.
Haraldir. Tricky. Certainly not Slovenly, Cheap or Wanton.
... and let’s not forget good ol’ Nestor Rees ... frankly the Sacred Near-sighted Billy Goat is too good for him.
What did he call Omrax that time? Was it ‘rude’? Omrax the Rude – what a joke!
Ah, fond memories of page 192 of the Calistrian ‘Book of Joy’.
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Luisila thinks about the clues being given out.
"This is a guess, but what about Desna, Haraldir?"
"Travellers favor her and it would make sense for her shrine to be up high, closer to the heavens."
"She also has a definite association with luck."
"Are you not a follower of hers, good ranger? Perhaps if you search your memory, the answer may become clearer."
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Haraldir is able pull up the Ezrek to get a better look at the shrine.
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Ezrek tells Haraldir. Sorry to make you put out the effort, it is only a shrine. He then speaks louder so the others can hear. I'm afraid all the effort was for naught. If memory serves me correctly, this is a shrine to a fallen Taldan adventuress, who sacrificed her life to save her companions in a battle with a great dragon. Maejerex, I believe was the name of the beast. Terrorized Kortos around 4592. Lady Kayle was the name of the fallen one, I think.
As Ezrek turns to go, he stops, digs into his belt pouch, and throws a couple coins in the bowl.
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"Impressive indeed" - Haraldir seem to echo half-elven paladin's words. With a slight bow, he whispers softly: "Brave deed you have done, noble lady. May the memory of you inspire generations to come, and let your heroism not be forgotten. I pay respect to your sacrifice"
Shadowing Ezrek's move, Haraldir puts a gold piece into the bowl, prior to moving to the ledge to help Ezrek climb down.
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The paladin not wanting to pass up honoring the bravery of the fallen...
"Sir Haraldir, if you are willing, put another gold in the bowl for me and I will repay you whence you climb down and reclaim your bow."
He says a short prayer to the Inheritor for the bravery of this warrior serve as an example to her followers everywhere.
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Not wanting to be left out ...
"Hey, is this one of those men only clubs, or can I get a piece of this action too?" *Smiles*
... and keeps 1 gp for Haraldir.
Luisila will say a short, silent prayer for the soul of Lady Kayle.
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Haraldir makes the donations on behalf of his companions. Soon after, he and Ezrek make their way down from the icy cliff face (along with their rope). As they leave the shrine, surge of warmth rushes through the group. A smile creeps across everybody's face in acknowledgement. All but Badger who only feels the cool wind on his shoulder
On the backside of the mountain, the group is able to find a good place to camp within the foot hills. The weather is managable and the vista, excellent. The group is able to find wood to make a fire, but it almost seems unnessary from the inner warmth most of the party feels.
The night is uneventful. The morning is damp with mist slipping in and out of the underbrush.
8 Acrobatics checks
8 Fort checks
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Hmmm, what can I do for a bit of fun ... I know,
Quietly to Badger: “Hey, Badger. Do you want to help me play a trick on Ezrek? If you do just play along ...”
She goes to find Ezrek ...
“Uhhh, Ezrek, seeing you are such a learned cove, do you think you could settle a bet between Badger and I?” *winks at Badger*
“I am sure you have heard of that wicked Darklands elf race, called the ‘drow’?”
“Well, Badger says you pronounce the name so that it rhymes with the Taldan word, ‘bow’, while I say its rhymes with the word, ‘sow’.”
“So what say you, Good Ezrek, which one of us is right?”
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Ranger spends his morning first by studying the map, and then peering into the distance. From his excellent vantage point it would seem that they have crossed the mountain bend, and they would be going towards lower ground. He squints, focusing his gaze and trying to pierce through the mist and the light fog surrounding them, hoping to catch a glimpse of the terrain.
"We have been travelling for 3 days and nights. It would seem we are making good progress, but still we're a long way from Escadar. Map seem to indicate what looks like a swampy terrain in front of us, and the moisture in the air confirms it. Please have that in mind when preparing for the day ahead"
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*Waves at Haraldir and bows*
"Haraldir, do you know what type of stag it was back at the river bridge? I think it was a ..."
I will also make a daily casting of Endure Elements if this effects any of the dice roll results.
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During breakfast, Luisila takes a bite out of a biscuit in her trail rations and discovers some meat has been unintentionally added in the form of a couple of weevils.
One is large and fat, the other is shorter and slimmer.
“Ughhh! Disgusting vermin.”
She drops them in her clay mug and shows Omrax.
*Innocently* “Omrax, if you had to make a choice between these two creatures, which one would you take?”
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Omrax gives Lady Luisila a puzzled look as he is trying to figure out why she would ask such a question. Then he stops thinking about it and he sees the ploy.
With a smile...
"Why Lady Luisila, I did not know we were offered a choice in the matter, and with the tenets of my training there is rarely wiggle room so I prefer no weevils at all. But when deciding, I would go with the lesser of the two weevils. "
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Omrax gives Lady Luisila a puzzled look as he is trying to figure out why she would ask such a question. Then he stops thinking about it and he sees the ploy.
With a smile...
"Why Lady Luisila, I did not know we were offered a choice in the matter, and with the tenets of my training there is rarely wiggle room so I prefer no weevils at all. But when deciding, I would go with the lesser of the two weevils. "
*Claps her hands in delight* “Ha, ha, Good Omrax. I tip my hat to thee.”
Wiggle room – pretty good.