Idril Bladesong |
Idril nods to Sukune as the depths begin to become dangerous and the party constructs a raft. Drying his blade, he sheathes it and returns to Kalkamedes to aid the others into placing him om the raft. As he does so, he speaks to Gamin. "Blade, I could not help but overhear that you had been this way before. When? How long? What purpose? What brought you to this location?" Idril waits for the Gamin's answers.
Therin Baldaros |
I wonder if there is a dam or obstruction building up the water. Is this a regular path Gamin? When not underwater, that is?
Therin looks around for unnatural formations that might cause a buildup of water.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Baphos I |
Baphos doesn´t say anything to the group, just pronounces some words, moves his hands and touches to his fellows to cast Guidance on those that help to put Kalkamedes on the raft.
GM Zoomba |
With Lukaas’s song keeping Kalkamedes calmed the six of you manage to get him onto the raft with little difficulty. As you push it along the surface of the pond the depth of the water continues to grow, eventually forcing some of you to swim along while the heavier amongst you have to hold their breath as they walk upon the floor. A task the snoring ex-paladin would have done quite poorly at. This deepest section goes on for about 40 feet, but just as Lukaas’ charming tune ends and Kalkamedes stirs you begin to reach the other end of the makeshift lake.
As Idril and Therin bob alongside the raft, pushing and guiding it, Gamin answers their questions. ”Didn’t you hear the racket last night? No, you just arrived. We had quite the thunderstorm last evening roar through. And with thunder usually brings more water, in the parts of the world where nature acts the way it’s meant to at least!”
”Even on good days this region’s a bit on the boggy end of course. That’s why Kalkamedes has been attempting to map it out. It may not be as grand of a quest as some ‘adventurers’ may feel worthwhile but those records would be a nobler legacy to leave behind than most.” A tone of defensive pride enters the sound of his voice at this. ”My…faculties are somewhat more limited than Kalkamedes as it is, but I assist him as I can.” He’s quiet for a moment, but just before you assume the conversation is over he speaks once more. ”I recall us heading in this area before. That cypress tree is distinct enough to stick with the old steel. But we approached it from the north and curved off east at that time. Whatever path he’s taking us on tonight is new to me.”
Assuming you return to your previous location….
Kalkamedes’ path continues to wind westward as the night goes on. He starts leading you into a steep mountain pass that brings up up several hundred feet. Eventually the surface levels out, but from his point position slightly ahead of the group Idril is the first to see the large problem that quickly looms before you: fifty feet ahead (and 70 feet before Kalkamedes) is a precipitous drop downwards into a 30 foot wide canyon!
Idril Bladesong |
Idril nods, contemplating the sword's words, as he travels on. Wet and increasingly frustrated with a mystery he cannot get his cunning mind around, frown as he walks. His look becomes more despondent as he spies the danger ahead. He looks back to Sukune.
"I do hate to add more trouble, but I think we will have difficulty ahead."
Baphos I |
Baphos comes close to Sukune and cast Guidance. "This should help you, big fellow." Then, looking to Idril, "How do you think we should avoid this new difficulty? Any idea?"
GM Zoomba |
Sukune manages to pull at the rope the halt Kalkamedes, with Baphos giving him some divine aid. The sleeping man dutifully tries to move forward, but the rope being held by the occultist goes taut and hlds him back for now.
At the cliff's edge, Idril estimates that the chasm drops down 70 feet, with each sides' irregular levels and stones making it possible - but far from easy - to climb up and down.
GM Zoomba |
”No.” The sword answers Idril. ”Though we did go on a jolly trek through the canyon bed a few months back. Excellent echoes. Why, one day we were…” the sword begins to drift off into a story before catching itself. ”But that’s neither here nor there, in regards to the now. Hmm. Have any of you one of those massive birds friends you Society folk sometimes have? Or perhaps a grappling hook: swing across like Hamius’ assault on the archmage Prowse’s stronghold!”
As Therin looks around, he gazes over the edge of the drop and takes in the steep slope down. There are several ledges and handholds that could be used to climb down and back up, but many of the safest looking paths require a decent amount of stretching and clambering from side to side – something a sleeping man would never think of.
Stepping back and turning to the pass around you, the cleric also notices two mostly dead trees knocked over, presumably from a storm. Each is around ten feet tall.
Baphos I |
"Lukaas, sorry. I don´t know those spells you mentioned." What to do? What to do? "How many ropes do we have? Probably, we can create a basket or cage to bring down the sleeper and then we climb down by ourself."
Therin Baldaros |
Therin relays his findings.
There are a few handholds...but i do not think he can negotiate them asleep. There are two trees we might be able to make use of...mayhaps as a bridge or ladder of some sort?
Killia |
Killia nods at Therin's assesment of the situation and moves over to the trees carefully to examine them and their suitability to the task.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
"A bridge is a good idea, i still have the rope from the raft, a little wet but usable I hope. Though i am not sure these two trees are long enough to bridge the entire gap.
GM Zoomba |
Kalk Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Lukaas starts playing to calm Kalkamedes once again.
With his woodcraft skills, Killia’s fairly certain he could craft a makeshift bridge out of the logs, but his concerns are correct: the twenty odd feet of logs Therin found won’t be enough to bridge the wide gap at the canyon’s edge.
At this point, I’ve seen a few options proposed:
* A magical solution, though none of you think you have the spells known for this situation.
* Climb down and back up the canyon. With ropes and pitons it shouldn’t be incredibly difficult for you. An unmanaged Kalkamedes might be another matter.
* Make a bridge across. A makeshift bridge would require some Acrobatics, but Killia’sremembered a good amount of his Survival basic training so it shouldn’t be as dangerous as a climb might be. The problem: with just those two trees and some rope such a bridge wouldn’t be long enough. You could wedge the logs across a narrower segment below, but that would then still involve some climbing (but less of it)
* Lower and then raise Kalkamedes via ropes from either side (which would have to get him significantly subdued or restrained somehow).
* Something else you may think of.
I don’t mind telling you: this is the most open-ended of this scenario’s challenges.
Killia |
Killia finishes checking the logs and shrugs his shoulders slightly, the numerian scavenger prowls back to the rest of the group and shares his findings.
"Sturdy enough, but not long enough as I feared. We could easily make a bridge and wedge it in the canyon, but this requires a small amount of climbing and balancing across. Sukune, do you think you could climb down with our charge?"
My vote is on bridge, though more than happy to br outvoted/ listen to other suggestions.
Baphos I |
"To build a bridge we would need 2 ropes, an ax and someone who knows how to do knots. This could be like a ladder, but horizontal. The ropes are more than 30 feet long."
GM Zoomba |
So, going with the lower bridge plan...
Lukaas' music lulls Kalkamedes into a motionless stupor just long enough for him and Sukune to wrap the Pathfinder in bindings, restrainign him from moving forward at all while their fellows work to create a bridge from the two trees. As Kalkamedes wriggles about trying to escape his bonds, Gamin calls out "Please chap. For your own sake stop struggling for just a bit longer. They'll get you up and over, just wait!"
It's going to take a bit of time to make and set a bridge (longer than Lukaas' performance could last at least, but with a round of performance and two more as it Lingers that will be enough time for you and Sukune to make sure K stays put until your team is ready to try to move him.
With some woodcraft and supplies, Killia, Baphos, Idril and Therin manage to tie together a passable crossing bridge and guide it down below. There's a heart-stopping moment where it look like the log span will slip loose and tumble down to the canyon floor, but in the end the four of you wedge it securely between a few crags about 30 feet below (and about 40 feet from the canyon floor).
So, with a bridge constructed, each of you can cross with a DC 10 acrobatics check. Once on the other side, climbing up the cliff face will be a DC 15 Climb check - though once someone reaches the top they can set a rope to lower this to a DC 10 for everyone below.
I will also need to know how you are going to get Kalkamedes down the 30 feet to the bridge, and whether you'll let him cross on his own, carry him, etc. once there.
Idril Bladesong |
Idril wipes his brow, sweating profusely after almost witnessing their log topple into the ravine. He looks back to the struggling Kalkamedes and shakes his head. "I sure hope this expedition yields something of value. In any event, we need to get the operation moving again. Anyone up for a climb across the bridge?"
Therin Baldaros |
i think carrying him across would be the best bet...
I can bestow a minor boon to whoever wants to cross first.
I can cast guidance...+1 is better than nothing
Take your armor off..it will allow you to move easier. and tie your self off to the bridge, so if you fall, the rest can pull up.
Baphos I |
"Ok. Here I go."
Baphos casts Guidance on himself and then try to cross the bridge.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Getting to the other side: "Come on, who is next? I will stay here to cast guidance on those who want to climb."
Killia |
Bridge slowly slid into place and heart pushed back into his chest, Killia slings his musket over his back and readies himself for the balance across.
"Someone else should take your guidance Therin, maybe Sukune if he is going to carry Kalkemedes across, I shall head up to the top and prepare a rope."
With tht he moves across the trunk of the Tree with the grace of an acrobat.
acrobatics, dc10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
With hardly any effort he makes it to the Gnome on the other aid, gratefully taking the magical aid he attempts to climb the cliff face.
climb, guidance dc 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
With surety the scout climbs the cliff and lowers a rope for the others, finding a tree or rock to affix it too first.
GM Zoomba |
You can take 10 on the Acrobatics and Climb you know, assuming you have a positive modifier so that it would work. You doubt Kalkamedes would meticulously taking his time of course.
GM Zoomba |
Killia and Lukaas cross over the chasm across the bridge and climb their way up to the opposite side, with Killia letting down a rope behind him. Baphos and Idril also make their way across the logs.
From back on the far side of the canyon, Sukune and Theirn still stand with a tied-up and squirming Kalkamedes. From Therin's belt (?) Gamin's voice calls out. "Well done men! That's four down already. Of course let's be sure you didn't forget anyone, say a poor soul fighting desperately against a vile curse and needing assistance...."
Therin Baldaros |
Well, my beefy fellow...it looks like it's just us now...let's go.
Therin casts Guidance on Sukune for his trek across the bridge, then he sets off himself after casting Guidance on himself as well.
Taking armor off...not taking chances...then taking 10
Sukune |
Knowing it will take too long to get in and out of his armor and deal with Kalkamedes, he decides to take a chance. He then releases the cursed pathfinder and allows him to start moving, though he rushes ahead, dropping the rope off the side.
Acro: 1d20 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) - 4 + 1 + 1 = 15
Once he is down, he rushes over to grab the rope and try and direct Kalkamedes to follow him. Not attempting to stop the man but direct them.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
The goal is to run and catch him...or use the wand on him afterwards...
GM Zoomba |
Therin manages to make it down and across the bridge fine.
Sukune gambles, dropping the rope and scampering down the cliff. As soon as he's down, the hulking man turns to try and catch Kalkamedes.
After a few moments, Kalkamedes finishes shrugging off the tightest of his bindings. All of you see his walk unflinchingly towards the edge of the canyon, then take one more step and begin to plummet. Sukune rushes forward, but seems about to miss catching the falling Pathfinder. Then, at the last second, the occultist has a flash of insight and adjusts his arms as Gamin's voice rings out "A quarter arc to the left!"
He catches Kalkamedes, barely. Gamin give out a gas of relief (which sounds especially odd coming from a chunk of metal). The sleeper remains typically unimpressed.
Killia |
Killia's eyes widen and his heart stops as Kalkemedes steps oblivously off the cliff, with Sukune seemingly about to drop the poor retired pathfinder he is amazed at the guiding voice of Gamin as the hulking man just manages to catch him.
"Well done, now i have a rope steady of you want to bring him up?"
GM Zoomba |
"Well done? Pshaw. More like: 'well, it's done.'" Gamin yells back, sounding a bit agitated, likely by the close call. Meanwhile, Kalkamedes starts squirming against Sukune's arms.
While if given the rope on the other end you think your charge will use it to climb up, I still need to know how he's crossing the bridge - will you let him try to go across on his own, carry him, or try to guide and aid him with a tether?
Baphos I |
"Sukune, that was impressive. For a moment I thought you are crazy, but this was just impressive. Well done. Now, cross the bridge so I can help you with a small boon to climb up."
GM Zoomba |
With Sukune holding him tight and Therin using the rope as a guide to correct his course, Kalkamedes crosses the bridge without further issue and, once his hands feel and grasp the dangling rope, ascends up the canyon’s opposite side.
With your aid and his skill ranks, he cannot fail at this point.
As Sukune, Therin, and the rest finally pull themselves up over the chasm’s lip behind him, Kalkamedesstarts to continue onwards toward a set of game trails in the distance. Gamin speaks up again, slightly more chipper now that the precipice is passed. ”Well, I suppose that could have gone a bit worse. It’s good to see they’re still properly outfitting men with their full kits. You never know what you’ll end up needing!”
GM Zoomba |
You continue following Kalkamedes as he heads towards a patch of mountain shrubs. Simple trails chase through a series of berry bushes, well illuminated by the bands of stars above.
As the path winds around a thick shrub, Kalkamedes and you turn a corner to see two small bear cubs munching on berries from some of the bushes. Looming beside them is a full grown black bear, who turns to you as you approach and lets out a deep roar.
New slide/map added, link still in profile
Baphos I |
Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
"It is just a bear. Please, don´t use letal damage on it.
Baphos said that as a free action and now he will wait his turn.