Expedition to Tharkad-Kûl

Game Master Patrick Curtin

"Divel, I believe this arrow is enchanted to slay the undead. The runes speak of the power of the Holy Sun to burn them from their miserable existence"

Perception (1d20=20)

Perception=22

Navorn stays alert and seems to be taking notes

perception 14,dungenneing 7, any other knowledge skill 11

"Sondergang, I agree with your keen obsevations, but do we just wait until the stars come out?"

"Tracks?"

Divel adds as he puts the arrow back in his quiver.

As her party walks by her, Svetla picks up a hand full of dirt and tries to scrub the orc filth from her hands as best as possible. Feeling she's removed most of the filth, Svetla stands up and begins walking after them.

Reading the posts, I get the feeling / vibe that Svetla is bringing up the rear. So Svetla will only make a Perception Check.

Knowledge (dungeoneering) (1d20+6=14)
Knowledge (engineering) (1d20+4=8)

Borondon is too worried about orcs to notice anything else.

Svetla looks around the pocket canyon

Perception: 1d20+2=12, K(engineering): 1d20+5=8, K(dungeoneering)1d20+6=7. Nothing leaps out at her.

The others wander about. Divel looks for tracks, and finds them leading towards the edge of the canyon wall near the ruined statue. Sondergang squints at the ruined statue and attemps to align himself to it.

The night is thickening. Eldon hunts around where Sondergang is searching and he notices the same tracks Divel has seen. He glances up and sees a path cunningly laid alongside the canton wall. Unless seen at the perfect angle it blends into the rough wall almost seamlessly.

The path runs up at about a 45 degree angle, tracks in the soil by its base point to some frequent traffic. It appears as if the trail ramps up to a portal in the rock face over a 100 feet up in the air.

>>ENTRANCE RAMP<<

"Haha! Seems like I have found something of importance, my friends! Shall we?"

Svetla makes her way up to Eldon and Sondergang to take a look at what Eldon is talking about.

"Good work, Eldon," she claps the halfling on the shoulder in congradulations. "This is a crafty challenge."

Turning to Sondergang and speaking so everyone can hear, "How do we want to proceed? I'd suggest Borondon and I go first to clear the trail as the cliffside curves inward which'll make it difficult to use ranged with much efficiency."

Borondon walks up to the group. "Aye, we should go first."

He smiles at Eldon. "Or we could send the halfling ahead a bit to scout for us, har!"

"Aye Svetla and Borondon up first..Ingra, myself, Navorn and Merzhan in support. Divel and Eldon watch our rear but if you get a clear shot at anything ahead take it"

"Caution will still serve us well here my friends let us remember that this is but the first stage of the journey we are completing"

"Indeed. Navorn, your epic awaits," Merzhan says with a smile.

Divel takes up position within 50ft of Eldon's route. Then he starts to watch all around for more danger.

He sorts through his arrows until he finds one of white and grey fletching. Then the elf readies his bow at his waist.

Watching and waiting Divel looks up as the others begin the ascent.

"Beware traps," he calls.

Ingra keeps her senses sharp " Yes Divel, may the god's bless us on our descent into the Halls" Ingra adjusts her armor straps and readies her shield and takes her place as Sondergang suggests right behind Borondon.

to Borondon

Ingra:

to Borondon

Borondon pats his belly and laughs.

Navorn smiles , "Yes my friends an epic doth await us." With his sword and shield out he falls in behind the others, humming a tune to himself as he does so

>>UPDATED MAP<<

The party ascends onto the curved ramp. Full evening has fallen, with the night sky coming alight with countless stars.

High above the party, the ramp terminates in a dark cavern mouth. Starlight illuminates the cavern mouth in a pale bluish glow. The cavern mouth was once sculpted to resemble an open-mouthed dwarven warrior, but generations of goblinoids have chipped away at the face until it looks like a freakish orc. Graffiti spangles the carven head and the surrounding rock. One large graffito is plastered across the abused statue’s helm:

Orcish:

Perception rolls from all please. Also, what is everyone’s vision status? It is very dark and I need to know if anyone will be requiring torches, and how many torches there are. I also know there is a shortage of food, could everyone sound out with whatever rations they have? You can assume that only two days rations have been used, with the occasional rabbit or fish caught stretching the food budget as you travelled.

Borondon peers into the opening.

Perception (1d20=16)

darkvision 60 feet, 5 days rations left.

"Good work, Eldon," she claps the halfling on the shoulder in congradulations. "This is a crafty challenge."

That might be a little hard

He smiles at Eldon. "Or we could send the halfling ahead a bit to scout for us, har!"

"Hey! What are you sayin'!" Eldon loads his crossbow, and eyes Borondon suspiciously before looking around for anything that might be more hostile than Thurgund.

EDIT: oops. Perception=11

normal vision, lamp [common], oil x5, 17 rations after eating her next meal

Low-light vision, 3 torches, no rations.

Divel lets the group ahead go and slowly keeps looking left and right. He occasionally watches above for more danger.

Perception check (+2 for sight/sound)=26)

Navorn keeps a sharp eye out for anything as he squints in the dimming light
22 perception

2 days left , no torch, I forgot to update b4 we left an felt it to be cheating to do so afterward

Merzhan tries to peer through the darkness and considers using Dancing Lights.

Preception 1d20=13

3 days rations, no torches, normal vision, will use spell or fire ray when illumination is needed.

Loose stones crunch underfoot as the party slowly ascends the crumbling ramp.

Divel & Navorn:

OK for those with normal vision, it is dark enough to neccesitate some sort of light source. I am posting the rules for torches and lanterns. Merzhan if you could be so kind as to tell me the spell you would use for illumination and the area it effects, I would appreciate it. EDIT: Missed the Dancing Lights you mentioned

Spell & common light source Info:

DarkVision 60 feet

6 remaining rations

8 days rations, 60ft darkvision perception roll=14

perception 1d20+4=10

Ok that gives us 41 rations. Enough for five days in total..three days exploration which I wasn't planning on exceeding anyway this time

"Yeah, guys, I have no food..."

Normal vision

OK just need to know what light sources you are using, and we can move on. It seems you have enough rations for five days, so there will be no need to forage the dungeon for mushroom treats. :)

phew.. mushrooms just aren't my thing. Hmm... lightwise, I guess I have a torch (lit, of course) if it is as dark as you say.

Merzhan will go by the light of the others' torches and lamp. The moment there is any sign of warning from the scouts or danger of any kind he will cast Dancing Lights (Torch flame version) to completely illuminate the area.

OK, Eldon's torch should illuminate the entire area sufficiently, so we'll roll on.

Eldon sparks flint and tinder to get a torch alight. The night air is filled with the scent of pine resin as the torch catches. The flickering flames dance in the canyon breezes, causing shadows to swing back and forth.

Everyone give me a Reflex check please

The party advances up the ramp, feeling along the cracked and rubbled surface looking for large cracks as they go. The floor of the canyon slowly falls away from them as they ascend.

Reflex check 1d20+0=18

Sondergang pays careful attention to where he is putting his feet on the rubble strewn ramp.

Reflex save (1d20+2=9)

Borondon's foot slides on a piece of loose stone, casting him off balance. He teters perilously near the edge of the ramp.

Svetla stumbles as well, her foot catching in a wide crack and throwing her off balance.

Svetla's Reflex Check 1d20+3=5

Sondergang can steady either Svetla or Borondon on a successful DC 10 Dex Check. After Ingrahild makes her Reflex Check she will also be able to assist either on the same DC10 Dex Check (assuming she isn't tumbling as well).

Reflex check 8+7=15.

Divel shares his concentration (such as it is) with the footing and keeping a look around.

He still has the arrow notched and waiting for a target.

Reflex Save=9
.
Ingra slips as well ;(

The two nearby party members slipping catches Ingra unawares. Borondon bumps her accidentally and she teters backwards.

Wow .. that ramp is slippery! Sondergang has the option of trying to steady one person on a DC10 DEX check, 2 people on a DC 15 DEX check or the trifecta on a DC20 DEX check. If Merzhan and Navorn make their initial Reflex check they will also be able to assist one of the others: Navorn can steady Svetla with a DC10 DEX check, Merzhan can steady Ingra with the same.

Used to the shifting nature of the desert sands, Merzhan keeps his footing and easily slips his hands under Ingra's arms steadying her.

"Be careful my dear, the way is treacherous"

Reflex 1d20+2=16

Dex 1d20+2=22

Reflex = 21

"whadya mean, Measles? This is a stroll in the park!"

Sondergang grabs for Borondon but just fails to secure a hold

Dex check 1d20+0=9

"Oh noooo....."

Navorn moves forward and says " I hear something, chimes or orc's I can not say"

He slips on the wet lose rock

Reflex 16, dex check 20

wILL try to help others if he can

OK Ingra and Svetla are steadied. Borondon make me a second Reflex Check.

Navorn and Merzhan leap forward to steady Ingra and Svetla. Sondergang attempts to grab Borondon, but his hand closes on empty air.