Akkad stands tall at the front of the travel group, poised to venture forth with gusto.
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 15 ft. / MEDIUM LOAD (-3 ACP)
Wealth: 26 pp -> 16 pp
Equipment: Chain shirt GET!
Encumberance: 93.5 lbs. (light load) -> +25 lbs. = 118.5 (medium load)
"Gnashbone said we should follow the river that's north of the town."
Alata brings out her magical wayfinder, the one treasure of her tribe entrusted to her, and gains her bearings. Her survival skills, honed in the wild forests of Kyonin for decades, lead her to find the river very easily. Finding water is often the difference between life and death for a hunter.
"If anyone knows how to reach this castle, now is the time to say so. I can navigate the wilderness but I don't actually know what a castle looks like," Alata says looking embarrassed. "I am told it is many stones piled on top of each other? Can Captain Gnashbone assist us?"
"If you look around, a castle is like a walled city just smaller!"
Targan
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The group departs from the village, having a general sense of where to go.
The group finds the river known as the Steam river known to flow through the swamp and through the long since abandoned Brinewall settlement.
You begin the journey following the river upstream, eventually having to travel past Lake Stormunder or finding a different route.
The lake is well known for being a hunt ground for Roc's, incredibly dangerous birds.
camping in this area at any point could be fatal, even traveling through might prove dangerous
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 15 ft. / MEDIUM LOAD (-3 ACP)
Gene is naturally stuck at the back of the group.
"We will reach the lake you now call Stormunder before arriving at our destination. This is an unfavorable position, as the local population of Rocs are notorious hunters. Exsanguination and dismemberment are possible. The faint of heart may wish to turn back. I suggest an alternate route as a compromise."
Vimana walks in the center of the group, Akkad all too happy to lead from the front.
"Honorable Master Conjurer, Prince Akkad Min-Alqadima, I must protest your placement. Your spells would be more useful cast behind...I am sorry, sirs but I do not think we have been formally introduced. I am Alata of the Faelindr." Alata bowed formally to both Gene and Yoshimitsu for they have never spoken their names to her nor has she spoken her name to them.
Taking a spot in the back, the samurai rides for the first part of the journey. Back so that others don´t step on the horse droppings.
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 15 ft. / MEDIUM LOAD (-3 ACP)
"... local population of Rocs..."
"What's a Roc?"
He didn't know what that was.
"I am Alata of the Faelindr"
"Gene," replies the Cheliaxian, before quickly adding, "of the Shadowhunters."
He didn't know what a 'fay-lint-er' was either, but felt it better not to ask. The girl in-front of him was an Elf, and he did know what those were; Worldbreakers, every one of them. Gene had heard all sorts of things about elves though, and he figured it best to not say anything that might upset her. Besides, she seemed nice enough.
"Alright then Girl, you know your way around the wilds. You lead the way."
"Pleased to meet you, Gene of the Shadowhunters. A Roc is an eagle of enormous size. It would be unwise to antagonize them by entering their territory. I will find us an alternate route."
Using her wayfinder and years of experience, she navigates an alternate route around the Rocs' lair.
Akkad scoffs at the idea at first.
"A leader must be willing to lead by example. But very well, I shall allow practicality to win today." He slows his pace til he reaches the middle of the group.
"... local population of Rocs...""What's a Roc?"
He didn't know what that was.
Vimana explains "A Roc is a bird that, for comparison, is known to pluck horses off of the ground and carry them to its nest for food." As she focuses on finding a comfortable space to walk in.
"Thank you for your wisdom, Vimana. Please stay behind me as we travel and I will protect you and your servant."
Alata easily manages to lead thr group through the insect infested, muddy swamp. Her skill at this get's you back on the trail rather quickly. Thankfully you manage to get out of what is considered Roc territory, by nightfall you reach a swampy clearing.
a vine covered stone sign reads Brinewall. an old, uncared for road and the ruined houses sinking into the bog seems to form what once was a town.
Alata looked around the ruined town. "What a waste. So much effort went into building these houses. So many spirits destroyed now by the hostile spirit of the swamp."
She took a quick stock of their food and supplies. Then she looked at the stars and moon to determine the time. "This would be as good a place as any to set up camp if we do not wish to push further ahead. I do not know how much further the castle is."
"Aye. Lets find a nice dry and defensible spot shall we."
Scanning the area for a good camp
"Vimana, help them with the camp." Akkad instructs the outsider to help hole up for the night.
Which she does an okay job at.
For his part Akkad holds a single arm out in the direction of the houses. Then lifts his index and middle fingers upward with his palm directed towards his face. The earth in front of him bulges at the gesture, cracking as a vaguely humanoid creature rises from the terrain. The thing itself seems to be golden in make-up, as if chunks of the precious metal had animated merely to bend to the will of the summoner.
"Én parancsolok nektek. Keresés a házakat."
"I wouldn´t mind some hot chow and some hot tea. Would be unneccessary dangerous to cross the bog. Well apart that maybe the houses hold dangers."
Taking a deep breath the samurai looks around and finally dismounts to lead his horse on the reins.
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 15 ft. / MEDIUM LOAD (-3 ACP)
Gene walks in with the others.
"How about we take one of the abandoned houses? Better than sleeping outside."
He draws his sword, Thirteen, and readies his shield, Snow, as they approach.
Alata kneels near the center of the town, spear at her side. She joins her hands, interlocking all her fingers save the index fingers and thumbs. The index fingers instead reach towards the sky while the thumbs point towards herself. Once in proper position, she begins to chant:
"Aye, lets have a roof over our heads for the night, and a few walls for some defense." Targan agrees with Gene.
Akkad's elemental inspects a nearby area, house and all deeming it clear, with the exception of crawling mice though they scatter at the sight of the group.
entering the house you feel an odd chill, though feel nothing.
inside the house, definitely had a chelish design at one point. Bookshelves with books long since rotted by age, carpets and furniture old and tattered, the floor is old cobblestone, the door to the basement is locked there is however nothing else of note in the building.
you all begin setting up camp inside the ancient building, a fire and such all set up.
"That will be all, Theodore." Akkad dismisses the golden elemental.
"My servant Theodore was somehow unable to enter the basement rooms to any of these buildings. This leads me to believe the rooms are warded in some way. Likely for a reason. That reason is unimportant. What matters is that I wish to know what is to be found in there. Of course, the residents of this castle may well have come to expect my arrival. It would not be undue for them to have prepared for my, well, our approach."
Alata seems troubled at this idea. "If they warded the door against spirits as well as physical beings then there must be something incredibly important or incredibly dangerous in this 'basement.'" Alata readied her spear. "We should open this door if possible and investigate."
"Are you sure it is ... wise to do so? Maybe it is warded for a reason?" For a moment the cleric seems to think, how to proceed. "But it could be a first test of our ability and work to make us a party!"
"...Party?"
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 15 ft. / MEDIUM LOAD (-3 ACP)
"Hmm. I dunno. I guess we are supposed to be out here investigating, so we ought to, well, investigate." Gene hefts his sword. "Are we going to try to kick the door down, or does someone want to try a lockpick?"
Targan grumbles. "Better to find any nasty surprises now, rather than when we're all snuggled up and sleeping."
Targan easily unlocks the ancient lock, the door swings open a chill fills the room a long stairway going downward.
"This is a bad place. We must cleanse this place. I only wish we had a spirit channeler here to guide us. In their absence, I will lead us into wicked place." Alata holds her spear ready as the heroes prepare to enter the basement.
Holding his polearm ready Yoshimitsu prepares for the climb down!
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
Gene leaves his bag at the camp and heads down with the others, bringing up the rear.
you head down the stair case, until you come to a solid field of force.
an inscription on the wall reading, Recite the prayer in the tongue of the prince of darkness
Alata frowns at this. "I do not know this 'Prince of Darkness.' Is he someone important?"
"Asmodeus. He is the ruler of Hell." Akkad changes his tone ever so slightly, most notably, not finding a way to mention himself during his brief explanation.
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
Gene stands up a little straighter at the mention of that name, Asmodeus.
"What's the prayer?", asks the Shadowhunter, hesitantly.
Though your no priest of Asmodeus, you do know he is the lord of hell, his profile being : contracts, pride, tyranny, and slavery.
he's known for the art of negotiation.
his most famous religious texts being : The script of flies, the Asmodean monograph, and the book of the damned. if anything would have the correct prayer your looking for it'd be one of those
His ″tongue″ would be Infernal
"The prayer would be located in one of his holy texts. If anyone speaks Infernal, they would have to recite it. I once spoke two dozen languages. Unfortunately, of the seven that remain, Infernal is not among them. The memorization of this prayer too, is lost to me."
"I received a short education on Common before I left the forest but even that was too little. This leaves me with just Elven and most of Common. I was never taught any of the languages of the spirits."