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Eldon searches about, and he spots a gleam in the dirt. There is a silver coin half-buried in the loose soil. Next to it is a silver chain also buried in the dirt. When Eldon pulls on the chain, it reveals itself as a broken necklace with a iron mace pendant with an enameled white skull head looped upon it. The coin is an ancient Tharkadian silver bit
Sondergang turns his eyes towards Tharkad...
"We have many miles to travel yet my friends..let us push on and find a safe campsite..at least one as safe as we can find in these parts"
Borondon sees the pendant and the coin and thinks it likely they, and the orcs, came from Tharkad-Kûl. His heart is filled with dread, but also with grim resolve, and he turns toward Sondergang.
"Aye, brother. There is nothing for us here."
Merzhan tries to determine if Magic was involved in the killings.
Upon closer examination by Sondergang, it looks like the pendant indeed was once a hammer that was modified into a white-enameled skull mace pendant.
The few sun's rays that break the clouds begin to dwindle as Merzhan uses flame to ignite the rotting corpses. The dark greasy smoke rises to the cloudy sky with the disturbing frying bacon smell of charring corpses filling the party's nostrils.
The party resumes its ascent up the Western Pass. The clouds are thickening, and the sky behind them fills with a sullen reddish glory. The party comes to another stacked stone campground just as the light is fading. A sprinkle of cold rain begins to patter down.
As another day of walking comes to an end, Eldon reaches into his pack, and after some fumbling around, blanches, "Oh s!##... I forgot to pack some food... hey, guys, I will be right back, need to do some foraging." Eldon has learned what to do in such situations, and goes off looking for anything edible in the forest. Of course, nobody really knows what else there might be found in the woods... So, Eldon travels at maximum 'sneak'.
Hide - 26
Move Silently - 21
Spot - 15
Divel does not eat for a while, his stomach still being a little delicate. He sleeps and after four hours wakes to eat and watch with the others.
Navorn spends the time as is needed he takes notes, plays for his companions a few songs of travel, adventure and life. then takes his watch on the night after some rations and a few hours of rest.
Sondergard organises the watch rota and then takes his time to restore the symbol to its true state with his domain power. He stows it in his belt pouch
1st watch Ingra, Merzhan
2nd watch Borondon,Navorn(Divel after the first hour)
3rd watch Sondergard,Divel
Sleeping Svetla,Eldon
We'll have a shielded fire for cooking and let it die down to embers for the watches then stoke it for breakfast
He waits for Eldon to return before setting out his plans for the morrow
Eldon goes out to do a little scrounging along the mountainsides. The forest cover is a bit scarce at this altitude, but there are pines and ironwood copses about. Eldon discovers a nice stream where he can fill his water flask . He finds some Thembaith roots, what the commoners in Garona call 'Elf Taters'. A couple of river stones bring down some incurious rabbits as well. Eldon completes his scrounging by coming upon a mat of creeping thyme along a rock face.
Although the sky remains dark and stormy, the rain holds to a random sprinkle now and again. The camp's fire blazes and the return of Eldon with some nice conys and a few Thembaith roots and thyme cheers the company. Ingra takes control of the components and starts concoctiong a savory stew for the group.
Later, as the evening darkens Sondergang and Divel are on watch. The fire is banked and the wind outside the stone enclosure howls loudly. The rain is still holding off fo the most part, but there is an edge of ozone in the air and the distant peak of Tharkad is wreathed in lightning.
Slight backtrack to when we were cooking.
Sondergaard outlines his thoughts on the dungeon.
"This first foray is more in the nature of a reconnisance than anything else..I doubt we have enough food between us for an extended stay."
He does a quick check of the parties supplies(taking into account what has been consumed on the way and will be eaten tonight)
Svetla 18 days
Merzhan 3 days
Ingra 6 days
Sondergard 8 days
Borondon 5 days
Divell 0 days
Navorn 2 days
Eldon 0 days(how on earth could a halfling forget to bring food??????)
"Aye as I thought some of us were not prepared sufficiently..never mind we have enough to keep us going for three days in the halls and the trip back."
"I propose that we find a room to camp in once we get within the halls and use that as our base..we can return there to rest and hide the treasure we recover from our explorations. So we need to find somewhere that's reasonably secure"
"Ingra make a note that the next time we make the trip from town we bring a cart..or buy a mule or something to carry food for the party. Eventually you and I will be able to create food for our friends here but till then I guess you are quartermistress as well as our accountant""
He studies the map that Navorn has
"This will sound strange but I think we should investigate this area first...there might be more foes moved into those rooms since this was made but at least we have an idea of the layout"
Borondon munches on one of his rations, happy to let Sondergang do the strategic planning for the party.
Perception check (1d20=13)+6=19. Forgot me bonus.
Divel enjoys the solitude of watching the fire die. He relies on his acute vision and hearing to guard against attack.
After finishing his own meal of berries, Eldon eyes Borodon's ration for a couple of minutes, but he does not focus on the food as much as his movements. He then sets off behind the dwarf, sneaking in and deciding what he might like. He goes for a loaf of bread, the closest piece of food to him.
A few minutes into his meal, Borondon thinks he had another loaf of bread to eat. He looks around for it then figures he must have eaten it already and forgot.
"I could have sworn I had 'nother piece of bread." he mutters to himself.
Eldon retrieves his prize, and will sneak back into position and begin munching on his bread. After halfway through his small meal, he looks up at Borondon. "Mmm... this bread is excellent. Much better than a few measly berries." He says with a smile.
Eldon retrieves his prize, and will sneak back into position and begin munching on his bread. After halfway through his small meal, he looks up at Borondon. "Mmm... this bread is excellent. Much better than a few measly berries." He says with a smile.
"YOU LITTLE...!" Borondon roars and gets to his feet ready to knock the halfling unconscious with his meaty fist.
Eldon goes diving off into some nearby bushes, giggling with glee, hoping to finish his bread in peace.
Borondon chases the halfling around the campsite, but of course Eldon is much too quick for him. Eventually Borondon collapses, gasping for air. When he can breathe again he starts laughing.
"Har har har! Aye, you are the sneakiest halfling to have strolled this world."
Eldon's laughing can be heard from up a tree, "Well, being the sneakiest does help on one's resume when auditioning for a spot in an adventure."
After an evening of good cheer despite the sullen weather the group banks their fire and begins their rest.
In the small hours of the morning, Divel and Sondergang watch over the camp. Suddenly, a clink rattle sound issues from the darkness.
As the two on guard perk up, they hear feet pounding the gravel towards them.
Sondergang shakes his head at the antics of the two clowns before him...ah well best let them have such entertainment as they can tomorrow we get serious he thinks.
"As I was going to say for the moment it would be best if we pooled our resources for the good of all"
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Later
DM
Sondergang grips his hammer two handed and braces for whatever is coming.
Despite his usual quickness, Eldon is not an early riser. He rubs his eyes, and yawns, "Going to have to get used to this again."
rolling initative for ingra
Out of the darkness Sondergang and Divel see a wedge of orcs racing up to their position
No need to keep a quiet camp now...Sondergaard Bellows "ORC ATTACK" as he moves to block the way into the camp.
Move to K8 and ready an attack for the first orc to close with me
The elf shoots at the first orc coming.
At the same time he lets out a piercing whistle. Then he quickly steps back and away from the orcs covering the others with another arrow.
He moves to K7 and hurls a spear at the first orc that comes within 20 ft.
His spear slips out of his hand and flops uselessly to the ground.
The elf takes his quick shot at the orcs first appear.
The lips purse, "one."
Eldon stumbles to his feet, and fires his crossbow at the lead orc.
Off course that should have been Sondergang and I forgot to take my racial hatred and two handed usage bonuses into account so the damage is 7
upon hearing the cry of orcs Navorn rolls from his bed roll bringing his sword from its scabbard and sliding his hand into his shield.
Upon waking up, Svetla grabs her sword belt, slings it over her head and across her chest. She stands on bare feet in only a plain cotton slip that hangs to her knees.