Mantooths steps to the edge of the broken bridge and looks down at the cold current below. Though his face reflects a calm exterior, his thoughts fall on the horros of an icy death. "I am not so sure I am going to be able to leap over this gap.."
Looking across the bridge, Mantooth spies Thordak's grappling hook in his hand. "Master Dwarf!" The paladin calls out. "Could you perhaps throw me a line? This suit of armor would make the jump difficult alone."
Oh, yeah, 'course! Hold on... He says, coiling the loose end of the rope up and tossing it across to Mantooth.
Toss:
Here ye go! Mind the drop, ye don't wanna smash yerself on the rocks an' lose hold o' that rope!
Thordak puts tension on the rope to make sure it stays attached to the ramparts of the keep.
@Bofus
The halfing thief easily jumps across the chasm to the other side. While Thordak waits for the others to cross, Bofus begins searching around the wall of this old abandoned ruin of a tower. The walls appear old and in disrepair, but there is still enough of them up to prevent you from entering the small courtyard beyond a great wooden door.
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Beginning at the left side of the bridge I begin a clockwise perimeter, looking around/listening for anything out of the ordinary--paths, lights, noises from within, possible entryways, that sort of thing. If I see anything that catches my eye wiht a "general look," I'll take out the DRagon Eye and look closer.
Specifically if there's any kind of entry way in to the building (door, window, hole in the wall) that seems a likely egress, I'll check that/those for traps, using the Eye.
My great-granfather was a rope dancer? Did I tell you...
Florence rolls her eyes and tries to get over the gap.
Matthias looks at the gap and decides whether or not he thinks Humphrey could jump the distance....
What checks would I have to meet to jump the crevice on Humphrey?
@Matthias
@Cebrë
Cebrë takes a running start and leaps over the broken bridge.
Cebrë's Jump Check
"Well, that was fun!"
@Florence
You take a running start and leap across the chasm, barely landing safely on the other side!
@Bofus
Looking around the wall of the old keep, you easily find a set of old oak double doors that are closed (Located at N13, N14, N15). It appears to be barred shut from the other side.
Watching both Florence and Cebrë make it across the gap, Mantooth decides to jump. After saying a brief prayer, the paladin grasps Thordak's rope tightly and makes the leap across the gap in his chain mail.
Acrobatics
Florence tries to balance at the edge, flailing her arms
Ha! You see, I'm an acrobat in the disguise of a beautiful woman, heh!
@Bofus. You do not recognize any traps on the double doors. Strangely enough. The doors appear better built than you would expect for such an old ruin.
@Mantooth. Iomedae is looking out for you, for your prayer worked. You land safely across the bridge!
Matthias and Humphrey are still looking across from the other side trying to decide what to do.
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Do I think that a skillful bugger like myself could unlock the doors? In any case, I'll continue my perimmeter, looking for other ways in, or signs of life inside. I'd also like to note whether there are any spots on the wall that might be better for climbing--more vines to grab, or perhaps the top crumbled slightly so as to make for a shorter climb and easier "crossing over" the top.
I'll make my way back and report
Also, can I hear them crossing the bridge, or does the sound of the river cover the Daikini noise??? :-)
Hurry up an' get over here, Matthias! Just get off Humphrey an' jump! Moi beard is growin'! Thordak calls over the gap to the indecisive cleric.
@Bofus
You proceed carefully around the wall of the old ruins. Around the back side you notice the wall is not nearly as high. In fact it starts getting lower and lower as you proceed.
After getting his bearings and praising Iomedae for allowing him across the bridge, Mantooth hands the rope back to Thordak. "Thanks for that. I would not have liked to make that jump without it." Approaching the ruins , the paladin surveys the area.
Perception
Florence follows Bofus, whispering
Did you know? my other grandpa was a master burglar?
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@Bofus
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You proceed carefully around the wall of the old ruins. Around the back side you notice the wall is not nearly as high. In fact it starts getting lower and lower as you proceed.
Stealth:
Florence follows Bofus, whispering "Did you know? my other grandpa was a master burglar?"
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Stealth = 7
*whispering* Maybe you should have taken more lessons from Gramps. Or, just keep to singing? *wink*
Assuming we circle back and make it all the way around without incident, I make my whispered report.
These doors here are barred from the inside. I think I can open them, but it will probably make some noise--not that we haven't already made noise, but . . . In any case, around back the wall is crumbling; the lowest point is only ten feet high. I can climb that easy, and either bring a rope with me so you all can climb behind, or I could open the door from the inside. What do y'all think?
Do you think they have some sort of reconaissance? a scout sitting on the rooftop or an animal or something?
That's it, Matthias! If you're just gonna sit around on yer horse all day an' make me wait, you can find yer own way over! Thordak says, coiling up his rope agitatedly. He follows Bofus and Florence to the back of the keep where the wall is shorter. He does his best not to make too much noise.
Stealth:
When he gets there, he peers up at the halfling on the wall, wondering what he sees.
Psssst! Wot's on the other side? He asks, taking out his grappling hook and preparing to climb as well. Realizing that it is a short wall, and he probably wont need a rope, he stows it and scales the wall, peeking over the top at what gnaws below.
Climb:
Perception:
Florence calls up to Bofus
And?
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And?
I'll scamper back down and circle back to the group.
It's a Bear-Owl. Or is it a "raptor-bear?" Or a Grizzly-Hooter? no no, it's an "owlbear." *wink* It does not look like the kid of beast I'd like to tangle with--at least not when it's close enough to reach me with those wicked claws or beak. But you metal-skinned wonders look better equipped to handle him.
I'll relay the terrain to my comerades so they can see what I saw, and we can discuss what to do next.
I see three possibilities.
One: We all climb the wall and stay up there, firing missles on it.
Two: We all climb the wall, and those of us more adept at melee can have at it while those of us who are NOT can stay on the wall and shoot at it. This might be tricky, as it might eat us one at a time as we descend to the other side . . .
Three: I could try to climb into the courtyard, sneak across, and open the gate so everyone can barge in a bit more comfortably. I'm not too sure I could sneak by this thing, though--it's cramped quarters and there's not a lotta cover in there that I saw.
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which is your favorite--or does anyone have a fourth option?
Matthias ignores the ramblings of the boisterous dwarf and carefully decides his next move. Matthias decides Humphrey has come this far he might as well come across the gap as well. He mounts Humphrey and backs up as far as they can to have a straight shot over the bridge. They gallop towards the bridge and Humphrey leaps as he reaches the edge...
Ride Check:
@Bofus
There is a simple looking padlock securing a long beam that braces the set of double doors.
Hey, now, Bofus! We don't have te go shootin' an' killin' the poor fella if we've never even met him! Look at his little stubby wings! Awww... Thordak says from the top of the wall, watching the Owl-Bear. Oi wonder if he can fly...
Knowledge, Nature:
How 'bout we see if he's friendly? Maybe he'll help us get that flute player?
...If he isn't so friendly, we can get him...but Oi might as well try, right?
@Thordak
You have not yet had a chance to see the beast, but from Bofus' description is sounds like it has soft feathery fur and would be a lovely pet.
@Cebrë
Cebrë's Knowledge, Arcana Check
Cebrë says,"I have seen many creatures in my day, but I have no clue what this is. It doesn't sound natural at all!"
Florence ponders for a moment
A cuddly owlbear you say? Awww, do we have to kill it all? On the other hand...owlbear ham and steak sounds also great.
Florence sighs and draws her sword.
I'd say we solve this like men and women and not like mice!
I'd say we solve this like men and women and not like mice!
Agreed! Thordak exclaims from his perch on the wall. Let me see if he's willin' te make a deal, an' if not, we hop down an' challenge him to a duel...Oi wouldn't just shoot him from the wall, that just wouldn't be fair, now, would it!? You wait here an' if Oi need help... you'll know it.
Thordak takes a deep breath and swings himself up so he is sitting on top of the wall.
OH MY! Wot an impressive Owlbear you are! Oi'm Thordak, son of Throtgar! He says cheerily, admiring the feathery head of the beast.
Oi've seen some ferocious lookin' Owlbears in moi time, but never one like yerself! How is it that ye came to be enslaved by this silly flute-man? You know, Oi know a nice piece o' mountains you might like! Plenty o' caves, plenty o' deer an' such, too! Oi think you'd like it! Wot d'ye say we get you outta here, eh?
Handle Animal:
Florence looks to Thordak and furrows her brows
Didn't we have that already with the winter wolf?
Hey Thordak, watch his beak, he might just bite your hand off.
@Thordak
Climb:
Animal Empathy (Improve initial animal attitude):
@Thordak
After trying to improve his attitude, this amalgam of fur and feathers, this bizarre half-bear, half-owl monstrosity raises its huge, ursine claws in anger and roars a hideous shriek at you.
As Florence hears the owlbear, she says
OK,, I agree it does not want to play...don't expect me to climb in there, if you can shoot it from the wall.
Initiative
Bofus Initiative
Cebrë Initiative
Florence Initiative
Mantooth Initiative
Thordak Initiative
Matthias Initiative
Owlbear Initiative
Round 1
13 Florence (unresolved)
13 Thordak (unresolved)
12 Bofus (resolved)
10 Owlbear (resolved)
9 Matthias (unresolved)
7 Cebrë (unresolved)
7 Mantooth (unresolved)
@Bofus. You release the arrow and it hits straight into the thick feathery hide of the beast and it lets out a hiddeous shriek of anger. It immediately rushes toward the wall and begins climbing up it with its sharp hooked claws!
Round 1
Wha—Where'd you come from, Bofus!? Awwww, look at wot you've done! He was tryin' te talk to me, too! Now we'll never get him calmed down... Thordak says disappointedly, standing up on the wall and drawing his axe from behind his back.
Climb:
Sorry 'bout this, but you don't seem like you wanna play! 'Least not nice, anyhow... As the beast reaches the top of the wall, Thordak swings his axe down upon it with all of his might, using both hands to grip the haft of his much-talked about axe.
Axe:
Damage:
Crit:
Damage:
Crit:
Damage:
Crit:
Damage:
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There's an optional "instant kill" rule--if you roll a natural 20, then a second natural 20, then a successful hit, the target dies. I don't think we're doing that rule--in fact, i"M not even sure that's in Pathfinder (it was in D&D 3 and 3.5)
ROUND 1
After seeing the questionably cuddly critter's reaction to my tiny arrow, I look around quickly for an escape route.
[ooc[]Does the earth shake and tremble after Thordak's hit? If not I climb the wall.[/ooc]
My grandma was often called spiderwoman!
@Bofus.