It is possible - I thought you were merely hanging on for dear life!
;)
Indeed - or you can attempt to "aid" laz - your choice, but we still need to know how far she goes, and where she is looking if you aid her.
Normally the "where she is looking" would not matter - except the coasts are a 150 feet apart - so it is kind of important.
Perception, 1d20+10
I'd say Lax should search the north side, as she can fly, and Clari and Khromm look on the south side Laz can easily fly back if there's trouble.
Riding, with Khromm, asking "I mean, sure it's transporting supplies, but where? Think it's Saravale, or somewhere else that they're going?"
She won't move too far, making sure she can keep an eye on Laz. and when she has a chance to communicate with the flyer, SHe'll indicate that she'll be moving west on the south side of the river, so that they don't get split up.
At this time you are able to perceive heavy trees - you can see the river is less then a hundred yards north of you - you can tell the smell from the bogs to your east is foul - the wind shifted and you can smell it - and the current to the river picks up the farther west it travels - but you see no signs of tracks at this point...
While she's waiting, Clari takes a moment and asks Krohmm, "What was this caravan of which you spoke. I remember the dead slavers, was it them going north, and where are they headed? It took her a moment to think of Khromm's words on the matter, simply concerning herself with moving north, but in hind-sight perhaps there were marks left by the caravan... Perhaps this is why she could not find her target. Pitty she had no huntsmen in her service
Survival check to look around for tracks of this "Caravan"
survival 1d20+1
”Caravan to this “Saravale”? Hell– you didn’t listen so good! No, I said that “riders like a caravan are making trips north – from here to some nation or city state up by rocks and water – but that’s all I know,” he adds, while you sigh at his adherence to semantics ” – and when we found you, you and the bird-girl were jumped by a company of men with horses; also heading north! Now, you don’t have a company of men with horses riding somewhere unless they have a plan, they don’t just ride around for amusement – and if they do have a plan, namely, riding north for reason – and there is a city up north that their folk travel too, then it seems likely the riders who are heading north to the city have dealings with the city and know how to get there easily – in which case it is even more likely that there is other types of foot traffic between the cities – gear, troops, men… And they need to know how to get there and travel there, even if the way is secret. But, secret or not – they’ve got to make their way north, and they got to get by this damn river, which means there is likely a way for them all to get past it!” Khromm adds with a grunt.
Hearing your suggestion to search for tracks, he shrugs, and reigns in his horse, hops off and looks around with you.
Seeing your efforts and trying to search for tracks, and you ability to barely find your own feet, he passes his heavily calloused hand over his face and bites back a curse.
”Gods damn my eyes! What are you northern elves good for? No skill in poison – no cunning in intrigue – no ability to rob a man so sly that he’ll stop you only to hand you more money – no knowledge or understanding of good ways to torture a man – and, seemingly, not a drop of skill in the wild in your veins!” he says with an angry sweep of his arm.
He moves away from you then, crouching low the ground, his eyes flicking over the grasses, peering up and around, then back again for a while. After a moment or two – he tells you what he sees.
”Now - there are some damn tracks – maybe... maybe two days old – horses for sure – hard to say how many, but I'd gather at least seven or eight – the fools ride all over – at least desert elves travel in single file – to hide their number,” he adds to you, with a sour voice.
”You northern folk have it soft here – water all over the place to drink, fresh meat, fresh game, and nary a trouble on the trail, but other men who were so easy to kill that it near dulled my blades!” he adds, patting his sword hilts fondly, then pausing to turn and look at you for a moment.
”Well – should we follow the tracks? They seem to be heading under the treeline – and to the west – but wherever they are going – I don’t think the two up there will see what’s happening,” he adds, grabbing the reigns to his horse and jerking it forward as he walks slowly, following the grass – not waiting to see if you follow.
It is possible - I thought you were merely hanging on for dear life!
;)
Indeed - or you can attempt to "aid" laz - your choice, but we still need to know how far she goes, and where she is looking if you aid her.
Normally the "where she is looking" would not matter - except the coasts are a 150 feet apart - so it is kind of important.
Clari glares at the half-dwarf, then quickly turns to the other horse and whistles at it, beaconing, walking over and taking its reigns if necessary, "Come along" she croaks. "I'm sure you'll see what we are good for soon enough." she hisses, seriously considering hexing him, but deciding against it.
<The low born perverse piece of filth! how dare he speak to us in such a way. It is not your place to be looking down on the ground for prints in the mud. There are those who can hunt down a humming bird among your number! allow me to cut him down, pour your power through me, and mark him as the fool he is!> Keravel rages in clari's mind.
<Filth, yes, but useful. He's found a path for us to take, and our ends are worth suffering this wretch. so calm yourself.>
"Wait for the priestess and the bird girl." Clari directs her horse to wade slightly into the water, only the shallows, unless the ank has a steep droop, in which case she moves the animal to the edge, casting making the sound as loud as men shouting in unison, from a point 35 feet farther into the water, "Lazurien, we have located tracks of the men moving north. they move toward the forest! rejoin us on this side of the river!"
Khromm stiffens suddenly, and turns a cold look on the elf.
Her spell has echoed throughout all the forests - at least, presumably - loud enough that a flying creature that is literally 75 feet north of them, and 200 feet above them - can hear the shout over a churning river...
So, too - can any other creature, which is - perhaps - what makes Khromm tense.
He says nothing for a moment, staring intently at the forests around you -if there is a mysterious place to cross - a hidden path, a secret tunnel - and it is guarded...
Khromm turns and walks back briskly to Clari - his eyes dark.
"Be quiet - now!" he growls out, his hand leaning on his sword hilt.
Then, he turns, and gestures to the ground, pointing at the terrain, and speaks to Clari as if nothing happened.
"Look here - the mud - the tracks are confused - I've never seen the like before - but it reminds me of something - like a giant snake - see how the slime is pressed down in a smooth pattern here..." he says, stabbing a finger at the mud.
"It's almost as if something was dragged or pushed here - but what could it be?" he adds, the last to you, but also to himself.
He sees nothing for a while - the tracks are now plain - even without searching for them - farther south down the river you can see in mud a few remains of shod hoof prints.
The river twists a bit, but suddenly, the bank rises up somewhat from the river into a small, shallow pool - possibly seventy feet end to end, it runs about fifty feet deep from the coast, and it looks to be about two or three feet deep, maybe...
Heavy trees hang overhead - and the area is completely covered. But no the south side of the pool, both you and Khromm see something.
A heavy post, possibly two feet in radius and about six feet tall. There are heavy iron rings on it, and what look like the makings of a long chain.
Khromm drops his reigns and fishes in the water with his hands, and drags from the water a heavy chain, about one foot in width - he looks at you quizzically - then tugs on the chain, and it slides from the pool.
He continues to tug, and it comes forward easily through the muck.
Soon he has nearly sixty feet of the chain hauled from the pool, and you can clearly see it is being dragged from somewhere near the beach. But the chain is still moving easily...
In a few more moments he pulls the chain up from the water, and you both see the end of it - it looks broken - the ends seem to be twisted - as if one of the links were snapped; the metal to the iron is splayed and twisted - as if something tore it loose.
But from what - and to what purpose.
Khromm stares at the water with a frown... then turns and examines the pool again. In due time, with your help, feeling in the water you can feel flat stones - there is something like a stone "deck" just under the water. It is about twenty feet in width and roughly forty feet in length. then it drops off into mud.
Khromm turns and looks at the iron pillar - and the broken chain - and stares across to the wide river, then back to you.
"Well - what do you make of it, elf. It looks like this chain was fashioned to something - but what? Could it be linked to something on the other side of this water? But if so - what was it? Is this sort of thing common for your northern types - to have a chain across a river? What's the point of that - never mind that the chain broke - why tie it - to stop people from traveling down the river, like a massive garrote? It makes no damn sense!" he says, shaking his head in confusion.
"And for the stone deck? What's that all about? This little pool is nice and private - no wonder the two above missed it - but it's also away from the pull of the river - yeah, I understand that - but to what end - to what purpose? Why would anyone do that?" he asks you again.
It all depends on when Laz wants to return - for now - I still don't know how far down the river he is going - maybe a hundred yards down the river - maybe ten miles - hard to say - but, that depends on when you would use your perception roll. At this time that would be +21 to your Perception Check - plus there is cover -
But - though you cannot see anything - your roll makes it easier for you to hear Clari calling your attention.
From there, assuming you have not gone too far down the river - you can return relatively quickly - land somewhere near the banks - then you can move forward quickly to find your companions under heavy tree cover by the wide pool I mentioned above...
You can also hear Khromm's confusing question to Clari. And though he has no idea what this device is (the chain attached to the metal post), or what it is used for - it is very likely that those of you who are not so used to the deserts may know exactly what it is, and what it is used for - and how to use it to help yourselves cross the river...
Looking up at the industrious Lazurien, and raising her voice to be heard over the wind and wings, "Miss Lazurien, I heard Miss Clari's voice, or what sounded like an amplified voice. They require us to return to their side of the river. They have located the tracks of the men moving north and the tracks lead toward the forest. Mister Khromm and Miss Clari are under heavy tree cover by a wide pool. We should return to them quickly. Yes?"
Having heard Khromm's question to Clari regarding the device (stone deck beneath the water, iron pillar and the broken chain) and its possible usage, Isani ponders the snippets of information she has heard at this distance, waiting for Lazurien to turn them around and fly them to the half dwarf and elf.
Lazurien will go where Isani directs, not having seen much on her side.
Having heard Khromm's question to Clari regarding the device (stone deck beneath the water, iron pillar and the broken chain) and its possible usage, Isani ponders the snippets of information she has heard at this distance, waiting for Lazurien to turn them around and fly them to the half dwarf and elf.
The links of the chain are very heavy - and very strong. You would think it would take a massive force to sunder them - and it is connected to more of a "pillar" then a "post" - as it is fairly thick. Pushing around the mud you can see this post goes very deep into the water.
If someone DID pull on the chain, it is likely they would not be able to pull the post out.
Still - what the chain is for - and what it could be used for - you don't know. There are many possible options - but as for the specific one - no doubt some guesswork may reveal more - or some exploration....
Even so - at the base of the pillar - as mentioned - is a flat stone floor under the water - why that is there, you don't know either.
Your "Geography" roll make you glance around you and you observe that despite the depth and force of the river - the mouth to this relatively shallow pool is such that the pool is filled with shallow water - but it is not overflowing - also - if you stand in the pool, the river doesn't flood the pool out - it almost reminds you... almost possibly... kind of...
Well - kind of like a bay or harbor - protected from the heavy seas - where a ships captain could careen a vessel - but, no ship could fit in so small or shallow a pool? And even if it did - why would there be a chain there?
Hmm....
Perhaps it was a ferry of some sort. I know that they use chains such as these to pull the boat across and the stone could be some sort of landing area. As for where the ferry is now I suppose it is safe to say that it has been destroyed somehow.
Isani nods upon Lazurien's theory. "A ferry or a barge would make sense, Miss Lazurien. The large, thick chain could have been used as anchorage or even a pulley system for the water transportation. That the chain is sundered such as it is, one could presume it was destroyed for a direct purpose."
And considering the stone deck on the floor of the shallow waters,
"The flat stone beneath the water, I wonder, could it be raised to the surface and used for crossing?"
Since it seems we need to cross and apparently it was done here often, perhaps I could fly Khromm across and he and I could pull the horses across the river if we had enough rope. Then I could fly across and fly Isani and Clari over. What do you think?
Looking back at Lazurien, believing there is merit in her plan, "Could we not attach the horses' reins to this long chain, and once deposited on the other side, Mister Khromm with his commanding strength, as well as you Miss Lazurien, can pull them across the river using the chain itself?"
Thinking upon the idea some more, "Will you not tire, Miss Lazurien? You have made two significant flights already, one with me on board, and you will need to cross this river a number of times more to fly each of us over. I would not see you over exerting yourself and doing harm to your health."
"The chain's only sixty feet in length - maybe less - no, it won't reach the other side -it's too gods' damned far," Khromm says, holding up the coils he picked up from the water, glancing to other side of the coast - nearly 150 feet away, plus at least thirty more feet to the iron post stationed behind him.
"And the rock here under the water? No - rock won't float - but, if your thinking's right - maybe this damn stone was a dock for some water craft to rest on, or something like that... The raft might be gone - but then again... It might not... Maybe we should try looking over there first - and see what we can find, eh?" Khromm says with a grunt, looking at all of you, but eyeing the water skeptically, as he waves vaguely at the opposite shore.
Lazurien smiles and says Oh no I am fine thank you. My people spend more time in the air than we do on the ground so it is no more difficult than walking. As for your added weight, these cords here were a gift from a shaman of my people and it helps me lift heavy loads with ease. She points to a series of leather cords wrapped around her arms and shoulders. The magic is limited though. It only works to help me carry things and is useless in things such as the ebb and flow of combat. Still it is useful nonetheless. She smiles again and says Let's go look at the other side then. Who wishes to go?
"The cords are very effective, and a most prized gift. I shall go with you, Miss Lazurien. Perhaps we shall discover the missing ferry on the other side of this river."
Lazurien smiles again and says Wonderful! Shall we be off? With that she picks up Isani and takes off over the river, flying low over the water and looking for other signs of the ferry. Once across she lands and begins looking around.
"Indeed!" Isani was becoming familiar with the sway of the flight and was not as fearful of the movement as she was the first time.
Upon landing on the shoreline, Isani like Lazurien, begins scanning the foreshore and the water.
"What worries me is what broke the chain. Was it a large boat, or some king of creature from below the waters? Or did the ferryman cut the chain half-way across and pull their boat the rest of the way, leaving no way of crossing in the same manner?" Clari suggests to the group. "they may have scuttled the boat on the other side, or let it drift down river if it was the latter. But if there is a barge of some sort still, using roap, we can connect it to the end of the chain, extend it to the other side, Laz flying over, grab the severed chain, and re-connect the two halves in the middle, and use the boat. And if it's missing, and it was set adrift, it may be down-river. I'll come along down river to whoever looks for it."
Lazurien smiles again and says Wonderful! Shall we be off? With that she picks up Isani and takes off over the river, flying low over the water and looking for other signs of the ferry. Once across she lands and begins looking around. 1d20+5
On the far side of the river you discover - under heavy trees - another similar structure much like the one you saw on the southern shore. There is a shallow pool, stone "dock" and massive iron post with a chain attached to it.
The chain is heavy and rests in the water - how long it is - you don't know at this time, unless you are willing to drag it out of the water link by link and gauge its length.
However - in either case, you see no ferry at this time... Though, with some rather extensive examination, you notice that about forty yards downriver is what looks like a massive wreck of wood.
Moving down to explore this - you discover a large raft - approximately thirty feet in width and roughly thirty feet in length. There is the remains of a broken oar-lock, and two stout iron posts with heavy circles affixed to them large enough to "thread" the chain through.
You quickly deduce that the chain was fixed through the loops, and a person could stand on the vessel, grabbing the chain, and tug the vessel across the water. A bit clumsy, perhaps - but the nature of the craft would allow horses to stand on it (though with some difficulty) and gear to be put upon it.
All that is needed is that someone would need to fetch the vessel from across the river. How they would do this - you are not entirely sure...
You believe, though, that if Laz was able to right the vessel (hard - but not impossible - though she may need Khromm to help her - it is very heavy, with many logs and planks and the two heavy iron fixtures besides, but most annoying it is stuck in heavy mud, looks like it has been this way for about a day or so...)
You think that, if you could get the raft free and righted - and fasten a rope to one of the iron posts, you could drag it across the water - it would drift a bit - but you'd get there. Then, once you had the horses - you could push yourself back with the horses on it. Difficult, but not impossible.
What is your move?
Scanning the remains of the raft and its heavy structure of logs and planks embedded in the mud, Isani turns to Lazurien, "It looks considerable and I am afraid I am not much use to you where strength is concerned, Miss Lazurien. Perhaps we need Mister Khromm's sufficient muscle to aid you in righting the vessel in swift time?"
Then upon further contemplation of what could be useful, "I have rope in my gear, 50 ft silk rope. It is attached to my saddle. It may be useful in elongating the chain if we attached the rope to the existing chain."
"What worries me is what broke the chain. Was it a large boat, or some king of creature from below the waters? Or did the ferryman cut the chain half-way across and pull their boat the rest of the way, leaving no way of crossing in the same manner?" Clari suggests to the group. "they may have scuttled the boat on the other side, or let it drift down river if it was the latter. But if there is a barge of some sort still, using roap, we can connect it to the end of the chain, extend it to the other side, Laz flying over, grab the severed chain, and re-connect the two halves in the middle, and use the boat. And if it's missing, and it was set adrift, it may be down-river. I'll come along down river to whoever looks for it."
Khromm's eyes are on the forests around you - he seems very ill-at-ease. It is as if he does not like the forest and is very tense around it - this makes sense, you'd gather - he was not born in the wilderness, but in the slave pens of a city - and whatever knowledge of the wild he learned seems to have come from with the sands, badlands, open plains or rocky wastes of the south lands.
And though the forests seem dark and intimidating - but you sense there is something else more sinister that is encouraging his tension.
However - when he hears your words, he grunts somewhat in his answer.
"You raise good points woman - but they're no value now. The other two have already left," he adds, indicating with a gesture to the northern side of the river, as his eyes continue to roam the trees, staring hard and intently at them.
He frowns a bit - again, as if he is on edge about something, but holds his tongue.
Finally - when the tension is getting nearly unbearable - he finally turns to Clari - and, in an almost roundabout sort of way says with a slow few words...
"You northern elves - you're handy in the forests at least - that much all the lore in the south agrees on.... Tell me - in your northern lands - do you... Have you ever heard of a creature some call a "halfling"?" he asks, his tone edgy, and his eyes continuing to flick through the trees, giving you a look that is seemingly perplexed on why you seem so relaxed in the woods by the water.
Clari looks at Khromm's jitteryness at the wood and water, with a quizzical look. "Yes, i've heard of them. Little folks, they look like human children. They're a slave race in some nations. pleasant enough folks, i guess. WHy do you ask?" she says, somewhat disinterested, watching Lazurien.
Khromm's face pales at your description.
For the first time since you've met him - you believe you have actually stunned and impressed him with a tale of your courage...
"Pleasant?" he says with a choked cry, as if stifling a curse.
"Aye - you're right on many accounts - they do look like children - but, in our lands - they're not so... pleasant..." he glances through the trees, again with nervous tension, then leans forward, his eyes flicking around him.
"They say..." he says in an almost conspiratorial voice "that the Halfling folk are small like children, aye - but they hide themselves in the deep jungles and forests near ancient mountains - no man ventures too near, even for the water that the forests hold - for the rumor of the halfling horror is too strong!"
He wets his lips and continues.
"They, too - like the elven folk - use poisons - and they hide in trees - many of their folk are, at the least - druids of high renown - they hate magic users with a fierceness - almost as much as any who would stray into their forests and jungles!"
"They watch you from trees - biding their time - careful, cautious - ever patient - then, when they deem the moment ripe - they strike at you in a group - but not to kill, oh no - they use darts and needles, and you can't even see them, so cunning are they in stealth - and the poison hits you, and your muscles lock up - and you collapse so they can take you back to their vile places of worship," he adds.
"Some say there are ancient temples to dark cults of Nameless gods before our own in the jungles, and the halflings tribes were corrupted by the evil power that clings to those dark haunts - others say that the halflings were cursed by the gods themselves - old wives with their tales, or weak-minded fools protest this accusation. They insist that treating them well is the only way to cure their "madness" - and, on a time - saying that halflings have been merely abused and mistreated - and so they strike back at any who would take them slave!" he adds.
"Pah!" he says, spitting to clear his mouth at that bit of nonsense about a halfling that can be "healed" of his vicious and vile practices.
"I've never heard of a halfing slave - prisoner - yes - taken by sages, alchemists, priests - and others - to dissect, to study - and to observe - but no man I know has made a living halfling a slave - the closest I ever saw was when I stood bodygaurd to a noble who desired to watch a halfling have his brain tinkered with - the creature screamed so loud it was almost pitiable - until the knife-man hit something in its brain - and then it just lapsed into slovenly drooling..." he adds the last bit almost to himself.
Then, rousing himself a bit, he continues to peer through the trees.
"In our land a halfling is known for his skill with stealth - his refusal to submit to slavery... and... worst of all... his appetite!" Khromm says the last.
"Do your halflings in the north here - are they rumored to feast heavy - no, I can see that this is false! For you would be much more cautions if it was true," he adds with a condescending tone.
"Still - the poisons they use - they take folk alive to their dark jungle temples for their feasting - for they feast on man-flesh, and elf too, when they can get it - and other more horrible things!"
He turns and watches you, his face still strained and nervous.
"And maybe - if you've fought well - or if someone in their tribe honors your courage - they'll kill you before they start eating..." he adds.
"Aye indeed - it seems that you northern folk have little troubles here - the south is more grim, it seems - where a man who strays too close to the woods will likely be hunted down or killed my those who guard such places - and folk guard water more then they guard gold - yet, even so - in this land there is water aplenty - mayhap that's why you do not fear the halflings so..." he adds.
"And - by all accounts - it seems there is something to be said for them being weak as well - for they allow themselves to be taken slave! Ha - what madness is this? No halfling in the southern waste would tolerate such things - if I ever see a halfing that was once a slave - he will have a fine gift from me.... Contempt!"
This last statement strikes you odd - as you believe Khromm himself admitted to being a former slave... His contempt for anyone who would tolerate bondage - it is almost as if he is trying to prove something...
You are also greatly relieved to know that his fears for halflings are, at the least - unmerited in the north! A tribe of halflings surrounding you with poison darts to render you helpless so they could literally capture you and eat you - simply for straying onto their land...
What horror!
Perhaps this, and other similar fears, are why Krhomm's been so tense...
Clari tries to hold it it, and remain composed, but soon can't and begins cackling! After a few moments, she swallows her laughter and wipes away a tear from her eye. "I've never thought of any halfling being so frightening, and believe that there are certainly northerners that would give contempt to ay so frightened by a mere halfling. I understand why one would have reason to fear a stealthy man-eater like that, tho. I just had a moment imagining a silly little halfling gnawing on a bone like a puppy dog, and it was too much." She sighs heavily, then composed begins to explain.
"They are certainly stealthy, in fact that's an admirable quality in a slave, as a master would not want to see them unless summoned, so the halfling is a natural choice that they may keep out of sight. But those that are free are potentially dangerous. They are very quick and stealthy, excellent with a variety of ranged weapons, and many are indeed skilled with poisons or black-powder weapons." then she smiles slightly, a bit between a sneer and a grin, and says "And in terms of feasting, they do feast, but on the most delectable of dishes, pastries, sweetmeats, stews, their seasonings... Best chefs aside from elves, in the north, if you ask me. So no need to worry about them eating you. And offering you food doesn't mean they're trying to fatten you up to make you more filling, but rather they're just generous."
<Silly little gluttonous fools. There is no need for such extravagance in food, simple elegance is by far more admirable.>
<Hush Keravel, you don't even eat>
"Anyway, I wouldn't show them disrespect for having been slaves. Many were born into slavery, and the ones that freed themselves did it from terrible devil-worshiping tyrants. Instead it's the ones who're happily enslaved and obedient, smiling at their masters, that are deserving of contempt. A free one may just shoot you for looking down on them. Seems that's another thing both breeds have in common."
Khromm gives you a flat look, staring you up and down, his eyes cold.
"Yes - you have never heard of a halfling so frightening - in your world things are soft and weak - there is no reason to fear the halfling who should cut into your flesh and pull out your organs and feast on them while you scream - here they make "sweatmeats"."
"In my world an elf can run over eighty miles in three days over open desert - they know of poisons that can kill with ease - and they are the best I've ever seen at a slave who smiles at their master - even as they, the abused slave - plans revenge of a such delicacy it would drive a man mad with agony. In the north, it seems - elves here are not trained, though they do make fine "chefs""
"The southlands are deadly in many ways - and the northlands are soft, so it seems. But now, it seems - the southlands are invading into the north. Woe to any northman who has contempt for a man of the south - for it seems that my folk are somewhat more deadly then our cousins here - and it seems the northerners will start to see true trouble approaching - the like as which to rival the mundane threats they are accustomed to - if indeed a group of halflings were here, in the forest - we'd both be dead already, should we be lucky - and if we were not - we would be alive when they feasted on us. This does not worry you overmuch - why should it? You have not met such cause for worry - very well - you are fortunate. But know that the creatures in the south are coming - and hell is coming with them," Khromm adds, somewhat ominously.
Quickly, and in due time – the party is able to rip the ferry from the mud – throw it into the river – and then, with an attached coil of rope – Laz is able to drag the ferry back across the water, albeit it comes to the southern beach somewhat down river.
The party then gathers their gear, gets on the water – and Laz drags them back, as they use branches as crude oars to direct the vessel. Somewhere about half-way across Khromm discovers that when he stabs a branch that is a little over 15 feet into the water, he cannot find the bottom.
Then they party reaches the other side, takes the horses, and advances.
With no time to explore the mysterious damage to the chain, or scout either the unusual mists to the west or the strange bogs to the east, they push forth north with alacrity – eager to simply get things going.
After about a day or so of more travel – all the while seeing slowly stabbing water on their right flank (i.e. – to the east) and more forests to the west, they eventually notice – in the distance – a huge range of cliffs some seven miles in width. There seems to be a break in between the cliffs, and at the base of this break is a wide lake, from which the deluge has moved south. As they are on the west side of the break – they keep advancing west, until they come up and over some terribly rocky cliffs or badlands.
Although it seems like there may be some mysterious caves in the unusual canyons and gorges, the party simply is too fast to explore this mystery – and continues to advance quickly!
Soon they reach a bridge, and are able to cross it, and then head east. The bridge itself is one of the surer signs of civilization – and when it is crossed, the party loops around and heads south. As they advance they see the same series of cliffs they had passed in the distance looming in the horizon.
Oddly – in the past several days of their journey – absolutely nothing else of note has happened, and the party has actually reached a wide grassy plain about two miles from what looks a bustling town or civilization.
The town itself is perched on a ridge, and is flanked with a wide river which spills into a valley, and beyond it seems – to the cliffs below.
”Well,” says Khromm ”That was very quick – I am glad we actually pushed on the way we did, and am pleased to see how fast we got here!”
It seems Khromm is right! You have now reached the mysterious and recently formed town of Saravale!
Quickly you advance – you sense, that there may be some mischief afoot – for there seems to be heavy activity.
Even as you move on, you are aware that there is a company of outriders moving to you. Instead of wasting time deciding to talk to them – you merely surrender yourself to their humble request that you be brought forth – at once – to the inner parts of the town and discuss with the city elders your business.
Naturally, you don’t waste time with talking, and instead simply advance, quickly – to the town, to meet with this self-same group of “Town Councilors” – all the while you move forward, hardly even able to see what is going on around you – even who is talking to you or what they look like. All you know is that in due time you are now brought to a fortress on the very cliffs at which point you are asked to wait patiently in an antechamber on the outside of an important meeting.
You have been told this is because you are southern types, and apparently this is a particular issue – there has been trouble to the south – and with southern folk in general in town – yet all shall be explained – quickly, no doubt – once you meet with the people who run this town.
Khromm needs no puny gear - he has all that he needs on his own back!
His arms - his wits, and his muscle - those alone will see him through the day!
Meanwhile - when will the rest of you start posting your actions on the trail? Khromm is impatient - and demands action!
Dot
Isani rises just before dawn, washes/dresses and at dawn undertakes her prayers to the Blessed Everlight, then returns to the Keep to collect her gear and supplies etc. She walks down to the dining hall for breakfast and hopefully meets up with her southern companions or possibly one or more of the council members.
She has 4 days worth of good meals packed in her backpack and has refilled her waterskin. She has her scimitar (+2 bane) and dagger. The rest is as per gear on profile page.
Shae wakes early, prepares spells, sends Galen on his errand, goes to give the council the list of magic item properties, them When Galen returns Shae is prepared to head out.
Shaezon carries far less food than normal, but has many times the normally required amount of water.
Shae thinks to himself, "I wonder if I can create an arcane version of the Create Water spell?" he contemplates the necessary magical formula and constructs for most of the day as they travel.
Excellent!
At this time the following folks will then leave - as posted
1. Isani Isu
2. Shaezon and Galen
3. Khromm
4. Arasmes
5. Kae and Kae's back-up
Am I forgetting anything? Due to some potential complications in peoples schedules - we probably will be "social RPing" the combat for a bit - until you get to the cliffs - which is probably likely to happen by the end of the weekend.
Meanwhile - expect a map of the canyons soon. This map will come long before you get there - but it is not metagame knowledge - as at least Kae has visited the canyons before - and can give you a detailed description of what he discovers.
Good luck!
"Alright then - enough all this sodding around! When do we leave, eh?" Khromm adds, and, as the party has no reason to dally - they say nothing, but follow his lead and proceed north.
"Alright then - enough all this sodding around! When do we leave, eh?" Khromm adds, and, as the party has no reason to dally - they say nothing, but follow his lead and proceed north.
"Aye! Aye! Ready to go when you are." Shae says enthusiastically, then quietly coughs into a cloth.
She hears Khromm and the wizard talk about proceeding and so she climbs atop of Sadiki, speaks a quiet prayer to the Blessed Everlight, gently kicks her horse's flank with her right leg and begins to ride after them.
"I am ready, Mister Khromm. I will follow."
The wizard's cough catches her attention but she says nothing on the matter. She will content herself with privately observing his health as they travel, unsure of his affliction at this time.
"Oh! An adventure -- I do enjoy those. Now, be a good girl, and not give that Khromm fellow a reason to call you witch and start all that silly warding again. Although...it is very amusing."
Eirene laughs just beyond Isani's left ear, knowing it would acutely annoy the Changeling priestess.
The spirit was an annoying entity! In very soft Ancient Osiriani, she answers Eirene's laughter, "Stop laughing, little troublemaker. This is a serious quest. Now be gone!"
This only spurs the spirit to greater fits of laughter ... and Isani scowls inwardly.
Khromm glances to Isani - sensing her inward scowl - and nods to himself - knowing that she must be planning something both devious - and (probably) - "witch-like". Yet - he says nothing aloud on the matter...
Galen is currently trotting along next to Shaezon - you notice that at this time he is wearing a black, wide-brimmed hat - which you would guess is to protect him from the elements.
Certainly it will keep the sun from beating down on him - and it will also protect him from heavy rains, if any come. And you also notice a very ornate hat band around it.
You are forced to do a double take, then - and notice that the hatband near the front has a small box-like structure affixed to the front of it - and though you presumed it was a clever way of holding extra gear, such as spell components and such - now you see you are wrong!
Now you can see that this "box" opens up; there seems to be some sort of little door - and out of this doorway Param peeps out, glances around, then scurries forward and sits on the brim of the hat - now able to watch everything safely and comfortably as Galen rides under him.
At this time, Galen turns to Shaezon, and looks over at the elf from his horse.
"Begging your pardon Master - do you think we'll see much action?" he asks, and you can hear in his voice both a bit of nervousness - and a touch of excitement for what is shaping up to be a bit of an adventure - certainly more exciting then copying scrolls!
FYI - Expect the battle map either today or tomorrow - we start "Battle" no later then Sunday Night.
Kae - still waiting on your move - Arasmes is no internet util Sunday - we have a bit of social RP to do here - if you want.
Kae - you'll be gaining a bonus of 2 BP for your barony (when you get one) for stating out the troops! Thank you very much.