"Jorr, so glad to see ya, man! That fortress was not as... easily investigated as we had imagined. There were manticores, minotaurs, and hobgoblins, and they almost killed us all! We escaped just in time... Hmm, I shall have to write a hearty shanty about it..."
Reill will then agree to staying at the cabin, and suggest everyone else head there as well to lick their wounds.
Along the way, he will begin picking out some chords and softly sing.
"Spikes and swords and lightning bolts, flying 'cross the sky. Great danger in the fortress dwells, that'll surely end yer life. Run run, run run for the fading sun, run run if your life you cherish. run run, run run for the fading sun, or you shall surely perish... Hmm... no that won't do..."
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Kinda remind me of the song about Brave, Brave Sir Robbin
says Jorr
Well as long as you finish them up dead real good it would make for a fine song he concluded pouring you and other mug full of Ale
We've took a serious setback. We need to be more prepared the next time we want to assault this tower. We need to be able to fight a flying opponent and be prepared against electricity or other elemental spell.
We lost more than our pride here.
"Yes... I agree. Should we head back to Denlin's Ferry and regroup? I am at a loss as what to do, but we certainly are not prepared for a battle of that caliber. What do you suggest we do Galdamor? As a Cleric of Hextor, surely you have some ideas on battle strategy?"
We could try to be sneaky with invisibility and silence or look for another way in.
The tower is in ruins but it could have a secret entry from earlier days.
We need to be protected from the creature's projectiles too.
This will cost a lot - in money and time - but it's the only way I see. Borrum, Rufa, Silvanius or Jorr any idea ?
You might not want to take a lot of time in order to assault this old keep. Other roaming warband might drop in if you take to much time. I don't see how you can protect yourself from the manticore's spikes but if you focus fired on it for a few seconds i am sure that you five could kill it real quick. Once that menace is done you rush for close quarter with the rest and deny them mobility or defensive positions. Jorr says with a smile
"Eyes nawt ones in da ways ah magigy waigy goopy gopity, buts Eyes bees recallin's ah finger wiggler protectin' the troops from arrows. Bees that somethin' yous cans doos, Rufa?"
"An's Eyes remembers seein' troops wade through scores ah shocker lizards, as if day was if der bodies bees resistin' the effects."
Patting his throwing axes, "Eyes gots deeze fur dat manicorn next time. Maybees wees can sneak-up on it's nest an's killz it."
"Eyes aggrees though, weez gots da bees takin' dem down ones ah time, buts quickly."
"Maybees weez gots time ta goes ta town an's grabs something'"
"I'm sure if we focused our ranged attacks on the manticore for a while we could kill it... but I really think that if I was to take a single string of attacks from that thing it would kill me dead!"
Silvanius seems to ponder for a few moments, as Jorr speaks - "The problem here Jorr, is that only Borrum can actually stand toe to toe in melee with them - that minotaur killed my friend Grook in a heartbeat - if it was me, it would take him only half a swing" - his voice trails off, but then he adds - "And we honestly do not possess sufficient ranged damage to take down that manticore quickly. So I have to agree with Borrum, either we manage to take them separately, or we do not stand a chance"
Looking around at the group, he finishes - "But that takes stealth"
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"Well, Silvanius my friend, I have been known to be quite stealthy is I need to, and I am not bad with a bow. But I fear I would not stand a chance if any of those creatures happened to see me."
While waiting the day away, wondering what enchanted creature the Nature aspect of Hextor, (you know Tornados, Huricanes, Typhons, Earthquakes, Errupting Volcanoes and other means that Nature destroys with renews life with), will send to be subjected by the will and domination of Silvanius, Borrum works at padding his armor with strips of cloth to help make it stealthy.
Jorr is a rather good host and ask you all about the sights you have seen and the adventures you all had etc...
"While I know what spell you speak of, Borrum, I'm afraid it's not one I can cast. These are what I can do." Rufa informs the others of what magics she's capable of.
1st Mage Armor, Sleep, Magic Missle, Color Spray, Identify, Lesser Sonic Orb, Summon Monster I, Enlarge Person, Burning Hands
2nd Summon Monster II, Web, Scorching Ray, See Invisbility
For protecting us against the manticore, I could use a spell of obscuring mist, once in the tower.
It's the only spell who came in my mind for this case. I can prepare up to two spell of resist energy but I will be without curating spells of second level.
"Oh man, Jorr. I've been all around the lands. Back when I first started traveling and singing songs about the a-changin' times, I found myself along the Wild Coast and came across this band of pirates who paid me a pretty copper to keep them entertained along a several week voyage, and upon this island we came across a whole valley of giants and took all the treasure that the crew had gathered... I think I remember some of those old ship songs... let's see AH YES!"
ah yes that is a fine song... says jorr
Silvanius spends the next day in quiet meditation, bith mourning his deceased, long time friend Grook'O, and also asking for guidance and support from Mother Nature to face what lies ahead of them.
It is not a time of beseeching, nor asking for favours or blessings - he simply sits outside, legs crossed, letting the peaceful environment envelop him and drag him in - every once in a while, birds come and sit on his shoulders, to be scaried off by the presence of a squirrel - they treat Silvanius as if he was no more a threat than a leaf in the wind, or a ray of sunshine, and the man smiles at the comforting feeling.
By the end of the day, as dusk settles in, so does the silence fall all around the area, most animal sounds fading into nothingness, as if holding their breath - moments later, the sound of wings can be heard from the distance, closing in fast - from the copse of trees a massive creature, with a large torso almost the size of an Ox, wings spanning as much as 15 feet, glides silently to set itself down on a branch above the druid, standing upside down, motionless and soundless staring at the man for a long time - Silvanius nodded in silent understanding - his voice had been heard.
Preparing for their next move, Galdamor prepared only healing spells, praying Hextor for guidance and training with Borrum (another type of prayer to Hextor) with flail and shield.
On the next morning, he prayed Hextor for new spells, more adequate to the challenge ahead.
"Hmm, I worry that their caster may have access to invisibility magics. I believe my current setup will still be the best option. I do have magics to make a person grow. It's only short term, but would anyone care for it when we arrive?"
A full day of rest, practice and meditation at Jorr's cabin
The part sets out on the next day (June 4th) on the path that leads them to Vraath's Keep
Borrum could use an Enlarging spell.
"Galdamor, yous gots one ah dem Misty spells, right?"
"Well, mateys, what say you all, shall we go manticore hunting? I wonder why there is even a manticore there... do you suppose it is roosting or do you suppose it is allied with the goblins?"
"Jorr, I don't suppose there is any more information about this fort you can tell us? Perhaps have any old books or maps of the area around? Maybe there is something we are missing..."
Vraath keep was formerly a small fortress help and manned by the powerful Vraath family. They succumbed to a senseless feud with local forest giants. For many years the keep has stood in ruins. It was used to control and pacify the road going North of Drelin's Ferry that leads to the Endless plains a few days after Skull Gorge Bridge says Jorr after a minute gathering his thoughts.
The next morning after all the prayers have been said and done the party is after a few hours in sight of vraath keep (100 ft).
For now the trained eyes of silvanus see no signs of trouble.
Borrum approaches the ruined keep from side opposite the gate house. His intention is to let the larger tower (SW) and the stables (N) help block him from view of te Manticore's roost in the SE corner.
He has padded his armor with strips of cloth to help muffle the sound of his armor.
He is also moving in a defensive posture as much as possible.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
On Going Effects: Total Defense (+4 AC, dodge)
Reill will move up stealthily to try and get a better view of the keep.
You get within 20 ft of the entrance of the keep and you see, hear nothing