Simo will follow Cole up the rope ladder.
"What a strange method of conveyance. The wonders of this place never cease. "
Upon seeing the airship; Nigel stands wide-eyed and open mouthed until a fly enters the open orifice. Causing the Gnome to cough and spit out the offending insect. He then walks slowly toward the airship staring up at the ship, an enormous grin on his face. He is so engrossed that he runs into the pilot as he is circumnavigating the perimeter of the vessel.
"Fine ship old boy, fine ship indeed. I just know that travelling in this marvelous machine us going to jolly good fun. Now tell me, what are her dimensions? What does she displace? Oh and the gasbag what is the volume? And lad, tell me what is her top speed?” Do you use hot air or one of those special gasses?
Before the elf can utter a word, Nigel holds up his in a stop gesture, and says. "Don't bother good chap." He says as he scrambles up the rope ladder. When he reaches the deck he looks back over at the startled looking elf and says. "I brought my on measuring tape and toolkit, I'll get my own answers."A few seconds later he peers back down at the elf and says.”Did you it's Halflings they say are lucky and not Gnomes? What rubbish.” He then off to begin his examination/inspection of the vessel.
At the top of the ladder, Cole steps out of the energetic gnome's way.
"Don't you think you should leave all of this to the experts?" he asks the little gunslinger.
"Now this is what I'm talking about." Tatsumi says as he climbs up. He starts to laugh at the sight of Nigel running back and forth like a kid in a candy store.
Isavara returns to her room at the inn and stows her belongings neatly into her pack. She slings the gear over her shoulder and walks back to the Pilot Square. As she approaches, she stops in her tracks and takes in the scene. No matter how many times she had witnessed the spectacles of the air ships before, they were still unbelievable. Their size alone should make what they do impossible, but here it was, right in front of her eyes. She stood awe struck. It took a few minutes for the feeling to pass and her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as she imagined how silly she must look, wide-eyed and jaw agape. She grumbled to herself and forced her feet into moving forward. She simply nodded as she passed the elf holding a sign with Eliza's name on it and began boarding the vessel.
The elf glances at the large clock tower and mutters. On board the ship, a few crew members are busy securing lines, checking pressure gauges, and performing checklists. At one time or another each of the crew can be heard to say, "Sir, I appreciate your interest, but we are under strict orders to not speak with the specialists we are transporting except as needed!" to the excited gnome.
Once that final passenger has boarded, the elf calls up to his crew, "All aboard! Disengaging ground moors, begin final check!" He then climbs aboard and reels the rope ladder up with a winch.
Cole looks over the rail of the ship at the ground far below.
He sways a bit as vertigo strikes him and he steadies himself on the rail.
"We could have just rode horses ...." he says to noone in particular.
Nigel having interrogated every crewmember and being told repeatedly "Please Sir get down from there." Or, "Please don't touch that Sir." And more than once. "Sir please refrain from disassembling that."Looks about for something new to do. Then he spy’s Cole standing by the rail looking a bit unsteady. A slight mischievous grin appears on the Gnome's face as he heads toward the Paladin.
Cole Redhand feels a nudge on his boot. He looks down and sees Nigel standing beside him. The Gnome is holding something in his cupped hands.
Nigel says. "Be a good fellow and please hold this for me?" As he raises his hands up to the much taller Human.
Assuming Cole accepts what Nigel hands him.
Cole lowers his hand and hesitantly accepts then contents of The Gnome's hands. He then notices he is holding about a dozen or so screws, nails, and nuts and bolts.
Nigel,while peaking the rail says. "No worry lad just some redundant bits from the Airship. Nothing they really need. Probably? You do have a feather fall device don't you?" A few seconds later, after the Paladin has had a chance to ponder the statement. Nigel looks with a big grin and says. "Don't get excited old boy. Just having a jolly bit of fun at your expense. Those are from my toolkit. I do apologize but pranks are in my nature. Oh and if you keep your eyes on the horizon it helps with getting used to being up here."
If Cole does not accept the items from Nigel.
Nigel shrugs and says. "Right! I'll be off then." and walks away.
The ship heads west into the Mana Wastes and after reaching a decent flying height and speed the crew begins to relax some. They tend to stay quiet overall, but the elf attempts to be the best host he can be and breaks out a bottle of wine. "The trip should take about six or seven hours assuming we don't run into any problems. Please, relax, you're all perfectly safe up here."
Simo will take some of the wine and then stand at the rail watching the view. "You can see for miles from up here. It's like climbing a mountain. Sure I've used flying devices before, but this feels rock steady and I don't have to think about duration. Just amazing. "
"Very amusing" Cole says dryly to the gnome as he hands the spare parts back to him.
Isavara can't help but notice the excitable little gnome running around examining every little aspect of the airship. She stifles a chuckle at his antics and tries to forget where she is. "Wine, excellent! Just what I need to calm the nerves and steady the hand. Six or seven hours, well I hope you brought enough." Isavara drinks for a few hours before finding a spot to lay down and nap for the rest of the journey.
Cole spends some time studying the landscape below and the trails leading in this direction.
"Never know if we might have to retrace this path on foot if something happens to our airship."
"Good thinking. I should have thought of that. Guess I was a bit overawed by the view. "
Cole looks back at Simo and says "I really think we could have just ridden horses and done this without attracting this much attention."
"It's their job. If they think this will work, I'm game. If it turns out to be a mess, I will come back and make my objections. Vehemently. "
Nigel looks about the ship.
He sees the crew going about their tasks, most avoiding eye contact with the Gnome. He takes note of Isavara napping in a corner. This would normally require a prank response. But Nigel has been wary of desciples or Gorun, especially half-orcs. Eversince that time in Lastwall. Who would have thought that simply changing the color of priest's robes would cause such a fuss. So he decides to forgo the prank for now. He has also been watching the "Reptile". Nigel knows that his distrust comes from his peoples inate intollerance. Over the years he had known several members of reptillian races who he called friend. However his inborn ire made approaching such beings tricky. But anyone who enjoyed a cup of tea couldn't be all bad. He knew that he would chat with Tatsumi eventually, after everyone deserved a friend like Nigel. Seeing Simo and Cole standing by the rail talking. Reminds the Gnome of something he had been meaning to do and he abmbles toward the two humans. "Excuse me lads, but I've been waiting for a chance for the three of us to converse. I've been admiring your weapons and wanted to complement the two of you on the fine workmanship." (looking at Simo) "Your crossbow there, looks to be an heirloom. I'm sure it has quite a story."(Glancing at Cole)"And that pistol of yours, it's a very interesting design. I assume your own work? Now as for me I've been faithful to me lady for going on 15 years. We take care of each other."He reaches into his handy haversack and removes a long object in a rabbit fur bag. He slides the fur bag off to reveal the object is also covered in oilskin wrappings. The Gnome carefully opens the oilskin. Inside is an odd looking firearm, that is easily as tall as Nigel. It looks like a musket but it has 3 barrels and numerous springs here and there. Nigel proudly raises the weapon up for all to see and says. "Gentlemen, may I introduce Prudence."
"Quite a large piece for such as you. Impressive though. Still don't care for such devices. Too noisy and messy. All that smoke and gunk to clean. Better a clean bolt. As to my crossbow, yes it has been in my family some time. I've had it enchanted further over time, but I wouldn't imagine parting from it. It's saved me more times than I can remember. Hunting around the Worldwound makes definitions of hunter and prey quite interchangeable. "
"My weapon has long been blessed by Iomedae, It has always served me well." Cole says to the little gnome.
"Both it and myself are but instruments of her will."
The desolate ground below passes with little of interest below. Time passes in a similarly uninteresting manner.
About the time the sun begins to go down, the crew suddenly jumps into action and the captain is called to the helm. There is some hushed conversation from the crew.
Engineer: "The mana storm is moving fast, we don't have the coal to fly too far out of the way, sir."
Captain: "We can get close enough with what we've got on board, even if we have to detour some though, right?"
"As long as we're only talking about an extra hour or so, yes, sir."
Nigel crooks his head to the side and leans slightly toward the whispers.
Tetsumi attempts to listen in
and listens intently.
Nigel digs through his pack and produces a map. 2 small notebooks. and several scrolls.
"Snore."
The sky darkens and the winds pick up. To the south, you see flashes of lightning. The humidity increases over the span of the next hour and the elf captain's face shows more and more concern until he finally announces to his crew, "That's it, we've got them as close as we can without risking a crash. The weather is too rough to go further, ready the ladders, we'll get as low as we can!" The wind is howling enough that he needs to shout to be heard.
Nodding to one of the crew, he hands control of the helm to him before telling his passengers, "Okay ladies and gentlemen, this is where you get off! The heart of the storm is close, but the mine should shelter you effectively!" He points to a spot a few hundred feet away from where the ship is lowering, "That's the entrance! I suggest you make haste!"
"I understand your concern about the storm. But would you mind letting us know when you planed to return for us? I don't mind a little hike now and then but it's near enough 60 miles back to town. Oh and lad if you double insulate your condensers you could get another 4 to 6% out of you boiler."
The captain laughs, "Typical of the Guild! This was a one-way trip for us, no extraction! Good luck!"
The engineer rolls his eyes and replies, "Yeah, I'll consider that. Now get the hell off of my boat!"
"No extraction?!? Well I believe I will be having some harsh words with our employers when I get back. " and he moves to the ladders but actually steps off the side and falls instead.
He will rely on his boots of the cat to make the fall safely (1 point of damage/10' fallen and lands on his feet). He will bring his crossbow to his shoulder to give cover to his new compatriots as they climb down scanning the area for threats.
NigeL grabs his gear and begins to descend the swinging rope ladder.
"I trust you realize I'll be sending a strongly worded letter to your superiors. And I may even decline further use of your airservice."
perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39
The wind howls and dust swirls. Beyond the scraggly brush, nothing else is moving out here. You assume any animals, small or large, have sought shelter from the approaching storm. With the storm shifting earth and leaves everywhere, it is impossible to detect any tracks.
There are partially buried cart tracks leading to a mine entrance that is not well secured.
Nigel continues his attemt to descend the swaying ladder.
The Gnome struggles to negotiate the wind blown ladder.
Nigel finally makes it to the ground. Pulling his pith helmet lower he heads toward the mine entrance.
Observing the slow progress of NIgel: "Are you climbing that rope ladder or making love to it? We're a bit short on time here. "
Cole steps up onto the airship's railing and tosses a salute to the airship crew. "Adios" he calls as he drops into space.
His pancho billows about him in the blowing wind as he separates from the ship.
His Ring of Featherfall catches him and eases his descent so that he lands softly beside the end of the rope ladder in a crouch.
He straightens up, turns and looks back up at the airship with a grimace before walking over to stand next to Simon.
Nigel stops by a small outcropping of rock that affords a little protection from the wind. he cups his hands around his mouth and shouts.
Tatsumi walks over to Isavara and attempts wake her. "Hey, I think this is our stop." Tatsumi says, making sure that she is up before descending the latter.
Wha...huh? What, is it time for church already?". Isavara sits up and rubs her eyes for a moment, looks around and begins to remember where she is. "Here already? Man, these ships are fast." She stands up, slings her pack, ensures her sword is secure, and begins her descent to the ground below while calling up "nicely done captain, and the wine was excellent."
Half a minute later, Isavara puts boots to the ground and follows the others.
Seeing that everyone has made it down, Simo makes a dash for the entrance of the in. He wil stop to the side and peek inside to make sure there are no apparent threats.
"Best we hurry inside, I don't like the way the crew was panicking about the inbound storm. "
Cole looks about at the building storm, taking stock of the rolling thunderheads and lightning strikes.
He looks to the gnome, inquisitor, and serpent-man. "Simo's right, we need to get under cover before the storm gets here. Come on!"
He follows Simo towards the mine shift, pausing at the entrance to pull out his pistol. Then he hurries in after the bolt-slinger.
He looks around after he enters, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light.
The turbulent winds sweeping through the Karggat Hills are causing no shortage of havoc on the airship above as it makes its ascent away from the rocky landscape south toward Martel. However, on the ground in front of the mine shaft, the wind fades to a strong breeze. The pitch-black tunnel descending into the abandoned Karggat Mine howls sporadically, thanks to the Mana Wastes' unpredictable air currents, and the gunmetal-gray clouds above indicate a tempestuous storm in the making.
Nigel Follows the Paladin and the Deamon Hunter to the mouth of the mine tunnel. There he pauses to adjust his Eyes of Keen sight goggles (+2 Per and double distance lowlight vision) before entering the darkness.
Isavara hustles after the others to the mine entrance. Once inside she unsheaths her sword and begins looking around. She then focuses her attention on the ground looking for tracks.
Tatsumi follows everybody into the mine. Drawing his sword, ready for anything.
The dank walls of this dark mine drip with condensation. Mine cart tracks from the tunnel entrance continue to the north. A wooden sign promises lower levels in the tracks' direction. To the east, several abandoned mine carts lie strewn around the dirt, some tipped over. In an alcove to the west stands a sizable but nondescript shrine half-buried in loose stone, a heavy sheet of black soot covering the steps leading up to its weathered altar. To the south of the shrine stands a rickety wooden door.
Cole will approach the shrine and try to determine what god it is dedicated to.
Cole finds the shrine has several holy symbols surrounding it. The small altar and pulpit appears to be intended for multi-denominational use as opposed to dedicated to a specific deity.