You think you recall hearing about a hidden cave nestled in the foothills about 15 minutes from your current position, which you think would serve as a decent place to make camp.
"As I was saying, I definitely think a good night's rest would serve us well, however this might not be the best place for it. Bandits are known to roam this thing, and who knows what the forest fire may have stirred up. I think it would be best if we made camp in the hills. I know of a small cave nestled in the foothills not a fifteen minute ride from here. Provided no other occupants have taken up residence there, it might prove to be a better fortified spot than this. "
"Right. This site is a little exposed. Let's check out this cave and hope that other creatures don't have the same idea that we do."
He adds on, with a guilty facial expression. "Oh, and I hope you guys ended up bringing extra food with ya, cause I didn't and I'm f***ing starving."
Seeing that the sorceress is still alive, Eleri runs over to the tents, frantically searching for any kind of healing potion or item. Assuming she finds something, she'll tend to Pygrado first and then, if she still has something for the sorceress, ask for help in healing her.
Gareth attempts to be as stealthy as possible and follows Jamros' lead, bow in hand.
Stealth:
"Don't worry, I have some trail rations with me, and in the morning I can take a look around for some more game before we set out again. As for now, lets take a look inside this cave."
Martin, begins to crouch, and tries to slink behind bushes as he makes his way up the hill on which the cave is located.
Stealth:
** spoiler omitted **
You soon find your way to the cave. As you survey it from the sparse cover of the bushes, you can see that it has seen activity of late. A large bloodstain mars the ground outside the cave, while a freshly-dug grave lies atop the nearest crest of the hill. Peering into the cave, you are just able to make out the burned-out remains of a campfire.
Around the cave, you can make out the carefully-concealed tracks of human and horse. They appear to lead off to the east, toward the gorge and the vista. The tracks appear to be about a day old.
Gareth shudders as he sees the bloodstain. He whispers to the others, "Looks like there's been company here after all. This place gives me the creeps... What happened here?"
Probably a longshot, but Knowledge:religion to see any kind of religious markings/remnants of particular rituals on the freshly-dug grave.
Martin examines the scene, taking in the campsite.
Survival:
Perception:
"Well, it looks like people were here, but the question is if they have left or not, and why the blood stain?"
Unless Jamros tells Martin to stop, Martin is going to start heading towards the cave, and try to stealthy peak his head in.
stealth:
"Eh, this looks ugly. Should we scamper?"
Eleri grabs the "CLW" potions and speaks the words for Sense Magic in order to confirm that they are what the label says they are. If the potions are indeed potions of cure light wounds, she trickles the contents of one down Pygrado's throat.
Martin trips and stumbles noisily into the cave. Fortunately for him, nothing is inside to leap out at him.
Jamros simply calls out to the others, asking if you should move on.
Some of Pygrado's wounds close up.
Gareth calls out to Jamros, who seems to be hanging back. "Jam, come take a look at this."
When Jamros approaches, he points at the gravesite. "This was freshly dug. The only marking I could find was this." He points to a symbol on the gravestone, of a blue spiral, which seems to swirl as you watch it.
"This is the mark of Pharasma, the goddess of death and rebirth. Not an evil goddess, but... well you probably know a bit about Pharasma yourself. What do you make of this?"
Caladrius has been busying himself unloading the blasting powder from the horses and laying out all the rope he can find.
If Pygrado regains consciousness and emerges from the tent, Caladrius will fill him in on the plan to run the explosives under the Vista and ask if he has any engineering based suggestions to help with that.
Martin looks a little flush after tripping on the rocks, but picks himself up and pokes his head into the cave. Martin takes a look inside the cave.
Perception:
You detect four auras, and are able to identify all of them:
- Faint Necromancy: Gentle Repose
- Moderate Universal: Permanency
These two auras radiate out from the grave.
- Strong Conjuration: Maze
- Moderate Universal: Permanency
These two auras radiate out of the headstone itself.
Additionally, the swirl is identifiable as an Arcane Mark, likely placed by one of Pharasma's priests.
Pygrado's eyes open with a flutter, and he moves to sit up abruptly before wincing at the pain of his wounds. He bursts a series of questions at Eliri.
Gah! How long was I out? Where are we? The soldier-- no, the girl, is she still alive? Either of them, we need information. The key, the signal... He calms a bit.
Has Stronginthearm passed the vista yet? And where's Caladrius? Did that man with the sword get him?
Martin walks strides inside the cave, and calls out to the group,
"Well, it looks like the cave is clear. Whatever happened to it's previouse occupants, they're not here anymore. It should be safe enough for us to spend a night. What does that tombstone say up there?
"Any rate, seems like we'd be ok 'ere."
"Champion of the fallen. Eesh. And may he never return to lead who? This could be something big. I don't know my history, but we should seriously look into this matter when we get back home. Or at least read a bit about it."
Gareth takes Jamros' assurance of safety in faith. "But enough for now. If it's safe, let's set up camp here."
Gareth gathers the horses and leads them up to the cave entrance. He removes a large sack and his bedroll from Petey. "Martin, can you tie these horses up for the night? I'm gonna go set up my tent. And I'd love some food right now if you guys are still willing to share."
"Sure, let me take off their saddles for some rest as well.
Martin walks out of the cave and begins to tie the horses up to a nearby tree, and removes their saddles for the night. He also pours them some water from his water-skin and makes sure that they are feed (assuming they came with some sort of feed when we took them). Walking back into the cave, Martin spies Gareth setting up his tent and chuckles,
"You know we don't need a tent if we are sleeping inside a cave. Ain;t gonna rain on you in here, and that tent aint gonna keep out any critters that a cave wouldn't. Might wanna just save that for next time we go camping"
Perception Check#1, DC15
Martin pulls off his pack and lets it fall to the ground. From the back he begins to unstrap a large bedroll which he curls onto the ground near the entrance to the cave, but not so much as to be blocking the entrance.
Martin reaches into his pack (Perception Check#2, DC11) and pulls out a package of cooked and slated meat, carefully wrapped in dried leaves. He then takes this package and tosses it to Gareth.
"Here's some good salted deer meat for you. Isn't the tastiest stuff in the world, but it lasts a long time, and sure tastes better after a full day of marching.
Martin then proceeds to pull out another packet of dear meat. After closing up his bag,he then slumps down onto his bedroll, and carefully unwraps his own package, which he unceremoniously begins to chow down on.
you see Martin give a slight smirk, and comment under his breath "Ah city folks"
Stuffed in Martin's bagged you see a silver cloak with a red insignia on it.
Knowledge Local or Nobility, DC 15.
You think that the insignia on the cloak is that of the Mithral Guards. A group of elite guards personally responsible for protecting the king of Silverkeep.
Perception#1:
Perception#2:
If #2 successful, K(Nobility):
Gareth pauses as Martin pokes fun at his tent. "You know what? You're right. We might as well embrace the wilderness." He laughs and starts to pack the half-constructed tent back up, and when he is done removes his breastplate. He is too occupied with these actions to notice any details of what Martin is up to.
After packing up the tent, Gareth accepts the deer meet graciously from Martin and takes a large bite. "You know, this isn't half bad. It just needs a few spices or something." He leans back on a rock and asks, "While we're at it, are you guys up for starting a fire? It's just that... this sounds silly, but... it... being out here setting up camp reminds me of when I was young."
Jamros lays out his bedroll in the cave, exhausted from the day's journey. As he looks up from his pack after grabbing his food, he sees something in Martins bag.
"Hey there, Martin. You' been so secret about yo'self, I'm curious 'bout that silver cloak in that bag. What's that insignia?"
He munches away at his last third of the day's trail ration.
Martin flushes when he hears the mention of the cloak, "oh, you saw that did you? Guess I should have hide it in my bag a little better. Any way, that old thing is probably why they asked for me to go on this whole mess."
Knowledge Nobility:
"Wait, hold up. That's the insignia of the Mithral Guard!"
Gareth looks a little bewildered. "You're part of the Mithral Guard? In that case, it's an honor to be traveling with ya. Not that it wasn't already."
He chuckles, then explains to Jamros, "These guys are handpicked by the king as a special force to defend the throne."
He pauses and then asks Martin, "Out of curiosity, why would King Heric send one of his finest men out here with the coming battle? And why you of all of them? And do you know anything about why all of us were selected for this mission?"
"You've only been out for a short while. Caladrius is fine; he's started setting up the explosives. We have to hurry if we want to save the mage you cut to ribbons. Come with me."
Eleri rushes over to where the sorceress is (hopefully) still bleeding out. Kneeling next to her, Eleri opens the remaining potion and presses it to the young woman's lips so the contents trickle down her throat. As she does so, Eleri looks back towards Pygrado.
"Honestly, did you have to do.. all this to her?"
She's stable, but remains very unconscious.
He pauses while her wounds heal.
Well? Wake her. We need to figure out what Stronginthearm will do now that he's been warned.
He stands over the girl, producing both sleeve blades with a flourish. He puts on his most intimidating demeanor. Intimidate
Unfortunately, she gets some kind of bonus to CMD for being unconcious.
Martin flushes one more time, stammering "I'm not a Mithral guard, that is to say I am not one anymore... well not that I every one was... to say.... I mean.. What I'm trying to say is that I was a candidate to be a Mithral guard. Both my father and my brother were members, and I was being groomed as a cadet, but that was a while ago. I am not one anymore, Ok? I am just a guide now." and then continuing quickly, "And as your guide, I think it's getting late. Jamros if you'll take first watch, I'll take second and Gareth can take last watch. I'm getting to bed.
Martin quickly takes off his armor, hicks close his backpack and slumps into his bedroll.
Gareth shrugs at Jamros. He mutters, "Didn't mean to bring up a sore subject."
He then says a little louder, "You fought really bravely today. Get some good sleep, okay Martin?"
"Good night Jamros. Happy watching."
Gareth then unrolls his bedroll in his own corner of the cave and attempts to fall asleep. He tosses and turns uncomfortably for a little while but eventually settles down and falls asleep.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
K(Engineering) for Caladrius:
With that, he outlines his plan to you, explaining that by using all of your blasting powder tied together into one big charge and then slung under the vista, you can bring down the vista into the gorge, blocking travel within it. He estimates that rigging this should take two people about 6 hours.
Spotting the chest within the tent, Caladrius searches around for a means of opening it, but is stymied by the task. "Do either of you know how to open this thing?"
After an hour, the sorceress remains unconscious.
Gareth awakes early to take the third shift. As he takes his post, he is a little groggy but quickly works to be alert. After all, he did get the most sleep of anyone. He takes a perch at the exit of the tunnel, bow at his side, looking over the land. The sun is starting to rise; it looks like it will be a beautiful day outside. Gareth whiles away the time by thinking about the events of yesterday and how he hopes that his group's efforts will ultimately lead to Silverkeep's safety.
Perception:
Martin stands up, and picks up his shield from beside him. He glances around the camp site, but decides not to wake his companions. However, he does walk over to the fire, and stirs the embers, throwing another branch on the campfire to keep it going. Having done this, he pops his head out of the cave and takes a look around. Seeing nothing at first, he looks around the cave entrance for any signs.
perception:
Satisfied, Martin renters the cave and begins stirring the campfire once more.
Eleri, sitting patiently by the sorceress in case she wakes up, listens to Caladrius' plan for use of the explosives.
"It occurs to me that perhaps I have limited the horizons of my studies to too great an extent. It's not often that I must rely upon others to do the thinking and planning, but here I admit that I have absolutely no training whatsoever." She shrugs. "Thus, I cannot see any flaws in your plan, if there are any. By the way, in the case that our captive here wakes up, could one of you young men tie her up? I'd hate to have her wake up only to cast her way into an escape."
Now to see if Pygrado actually knows any of that. Knowledge(Engineering)
Sounds like a great idea!
Pygrado reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out some lockpicks. Why don't you get started on that while I get this chest open.
Disable device
He turns to Eliri with a smile. Better than that, I've got a pair of manacles in my saddlebags. Should be easier and sturdier. An assassin is always prepared.