*
*
*
Janos moves outside the Temple, looking to see if it helps him see a way to the upper level.
Janos wanders outside, and sees there is a staircase running up the southern side of the temple.
Janos returns to the room. "Outside. There's a staircase running up the side of the Temple." He turns back and runs back towards the base of the stair. He looks up to see if he can see any movement or werewolves at the top.
"Then it looks like we dawdled long enough." Besides, it's not like I was having any success figuring out Estovion's toys. B'yelka goes with everyone else toward the stairs.
Let's press the advantage then. If we can't learn anything from Estovian, perhaps Malthus will talk.
Anton bounds up the stairs and draws his bow as he reaches the top, scanning for enemies as he does so.
Feral's words rumble as he almost purrs at the mention of Mathus, "Yes, indeed, Anton. I've just been dying for a chance to talk to Mathus. It'll be so fun when we find him."
Anton cannot help but grimace at Feral's response and has to force himself to remember that the stoic, even-tempered Dantrian is still in there somewhere.
Janos grabs Anton before he heads up the stairs. "Wait. You two are going to rush in like puppies. These packs have been ambushing us because that's what they do best. Let me try something. I've been listening to the nature spirits more. I think they'll let me use them for a moment." He picks up a small dandelion puff, cupping it in his hands. Janos appears to be whispering to the dandelion, nodding several times.
After a minute, he opens his hand to show only the wispy dandelion seeds. The Ranger blows them high into the air and the seeds shoot up, flying high above him towards the top of the tower. Janos closes his eyes. "It's working. The seeds are letting me see what they see. They're climbing the air currents higher and higher above us. I told them this would help them spread far and wide afterward."
Feral shrugs at Janos' suggestion, "I was going for more of a brutally savage entrance, something with some shock and awe, rather than that of an excited puppy, but if you want to peer through flower petals first, be my guest, Janos."
"Don't be rude." B'yelka turns from Feral to Janos. "Good idea, none of us, least of all me, want to get shot again."
Anton is halfway out the door when Janos calls him back.
You can see up there? the Paladin asks. More Wolves?
Feral looks at B'yelka and chuckles, "You'd rather we knock?" He then shoots Anton a wide and wicked grin as he flexes one large, clawed hand, "Let's hope so, Anton. I'm rather enjoying the exercise. Haa ha ha!"
"No, don't be rude to Janos. And if you think Mathus and his pups don't know we're here, feel free to knock."
Broken columns line the perimeter of the flat roof of the low, trapezoidal building adjoining the observatory tower. Exposed to the elements, the floor has suffered from years of weathering, and wide cracks now run across the surface, but a faded mosaic of a giant butterfly can still be made out in the shadow of the observatory tower.
Across the roof a set of spiral stairs rise steeply, coiling around the tower’s exterior. A scant three feet wide, in many places the stairs have been left worn and dangerously crumbling from weathering.
Janos whispers to the air and plant spirits to send the seeds hugher into the air, giving his a greater view of the temple from above.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Anything more, Janos?
The stairs emerge onto a wide, circular platform at the top of the tower, standing almost one hundred and fifty feet above the forest floor. An arrangement of large menhirs and megaliths encircles the perimeter of the open-air observatory. Two werewolves stand there talking in their hybrid forms.
Let's make our way up. Anton says.
Drosil begins making his way up the stairs, keeping his eyes peeled for signs of danger.
"Let us hurry, then." B'yelka follows up the stairs, dreading each step. You know you're safe girl, just don't look down!
"Two above us near the top of the platform. There's a roof up there, so I can't see everything." The Ranger quickly casts two more spells and then he nods at the others. "Ok, let's go." He moves quickly up the steps.
[Ooc]Good Hope should still be in effect, let me know if not :)[ooc]
Anton follows behind the ranger
The spiral stairs begin 50 feet above the ground, and climb another 90 feet before ending at the chamber above. The stairs are precarious and have no rails to prevent a fall.
form guard this area, they spring to attack as soon as one of the Six enter the room.
Anton gingerly makes his way up the steps. Everything is telling him to rush to the top but he fights the instinct, knowing that any misstep will lead to him plummeting to the ground, and after what happened at the top of the Schloss that’s the last thing he needs.
Janos easily finds his footing on the precarious stairs. He tries to help the others up the steps to avoid anyone falling. "Careful, try to stay away from the edge."
B'yelka gathers her courage and takes a first step. This isn't so bad! She takes another and the ancient step instantly crumbles under her foot and she stumbles. "Ahhh!"
Chagrined at her slip, she bites her lip before admiting, "I think I will need some help if I want to get up safely... "
Feral looks at the narrow stairs for a long moment before turning to regard B'yelka. With out a word of warning he strides up beside her then scoops her up in one arm. "Hold on." His voice is gravelly and harsh, but his hold is surprisingly gentle. The large wolfish figure then bounds up the stairs without sparing the diva a glance as he focuses on his grip and footing. As he nears the top, he waits out of view for the others to make the climb before releasing B'yelka and springing into the chamber.
HP: 56/67 // 0 non-lethal
AC: 26 (12 T / 25 FF) (18 vs incorporeal touch attacks)
CMD: 22
F/R/W: +10/+10/+6
Mutate used: 1/2
Spontaneous Healing used: 15/35hp
Enhanced Potions used: 1/3
Hero Points used: 1/3
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [X] [X], open [ ] [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], alchemical allocation [X], barkskin [X], false life [X]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): displacement [X], thorn body [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
false life (7 hrs)
ablative barrier (7 hrs): 10/40 hp converted, +2 armor (force)
barkskin (70 minutes): +4 natural armor
heroism (70 minutes): +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks
shield: 7 minutes
Drosil, too, climbs the stairs; he takes his time, but arrives safely at the top. Warned about the werewolves guarding the area, he stays out of sight as best he can and waits until he is given the nod to charge in and lay waste to the creatures.
Feral scoops up the diva in his strong fur covered arm and she gasps. When lunges up and starts his ascent she cringes, Too high, too fast! Halfway up she realizes she has dug her fingers into his shoulders, looking for purchase. Suddenly she understands, He's enjoying this! But is it carrying me, or the pursuit itself? Once at the top and Feral's grip is realised, Was he really that gentle? Dantrian would have, excuse me Dantrian has, just collared me to get me where he wanted! and B'yelka is on her own two feet, she breathes "Thank you..."
Anton:
Drosil:
B'Yelka:
Dantrian:
Janos: (+2 in forest)
Monster:
Party 17.2
Wolves 15.6
And the curtain rises on the final scene of this act!
As the werewolves turn to face the party B'yelka takes a step forward and shouts, [bigger]"Do not think your actions were unnoticed. Your war has killed too many innocents, and you end tonight!" Magical energy flows from her voice and into the gathered hybrid-men, scorching them and forcing understanding. Once her spell is complete, she raises her voice into song, How long since Desna heard song here? What an odd thought!
Drosil rushes onto the platform and attempts to bring down the nearest werewolf.
The Ranger moves in, suddenly seeing a werewolf near B'yelka. He moves quickly to intercept it, lashing out with his magically enhanced sword.
Feral looses a throaty laugh as the battle is joined, his hulking frame bounding through the press of bodies before the other wolves have a chance to react. Spinning around opposite the one nearest to B'yelka and Janos, Feral's borrowed dagger flashes hungrily for the smaller wolf's chest.
HP: 56/67 // 0 non-lethal
AC: 26 (12 T / 25 FF) (18 vs incorporeal touch attacks)
CMD: 22
F/R/W: +10/+10/+6
Mutate used: 1/2
Spontaneous Healing used: 15/35hp
Enhanced Potions used: 1/3
Hero Points used: 1/3
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [X] [X], open [ ] [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], alchemical allocation [X], barkskin [X], false life [X]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): displacement [X], thorn body [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
false life (7 hrs)
ablative barrier (7 hrs): 10/40 hp converted, +2 armor (force)
barkskin (70 minutes): +4 natural armor
heroism (70 minutes): +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks
shield: 7 minutes
inspire courage: +2 hit, +2 damage
flanking: +2 to hit, +4d6 sneak attack
Anton looses a volley of glittering silver arrows at the advancing werewolves, hoping to finish them quickly and push on to Mathus – he is the one they need to talk to, the one who understands the Whispering Way’s involvement here.
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