I have been known to get into and out of precarious situations undetected before. Don't see why this would be any different.
Silas looks around at the group, shifting the new helm into his bag of holding. He sighs frowning just slightly. "Ragnvald or Talon, would either of you be of a more..., stealth like persuasion? Think you could give us an idea of what is going on up there?"
Talon stops before he says much more, I'm sorry, and you are? and for that matter who are all of you I fear that you have been given my name but beyond that I have no idea who you all are, or perhaps I shall give you each a name .
"I am Taerine Doumont, the Devil's daughter," Taerine responds with a bite to her voice.
She looks over the camp.
"It doesn't look as if it would take any great ability to investigate, which I can do if none else has the skill. Though it seems easy enough to avoid too, should we seek to enter above."
She points up to the rift in the ice wall that seems like an obvious point of entrance.
"It may not be wise to leave potential enemies below, though. This could in fact be an opportunity should they choose to oppose us, to see what each of us is made up of."
"I am Tor of Clan Deathsteel. I am a forgepriest in the service of Torag, and I am also something of an expert on languages."
"I am Taerine Doumont, the Devil's daughter," Taerine responds with a bite to her voice.
She looks over the camp.
"It doesn't look as if it would take any great ability to investigate, which I can do if none else has the skill. Though it seems easy enough to avoid too, should we seek to enter above."
She points up to the rift in the ice wall that seems like an obvious point of entrance.
"It may not be wise to leave potential enemies below, though. This could in fact be an opportunity should they choose to oppose us, to see what each of us is made up of."
Talon give a modest bow to the lady Taerine, The Devil's Daughter huh? And here I thought that was the name of my half-sister. he replies with a smile.
Though Kat wasn't really any relation to him at all, she was merely his master's daughter, still the title did seem to fit by the way she acted.
Still I think I have heard of this one before, at least stories anyway. I will have to see where her loyalties lie before this is over
Talon make it a point to not touch any as he greets them.
it is strange or perhaps a trick of the light, but Talon casts no shadow where there should be one. you clearly see your own in the available light, but Talon has none.
"I am Tor of Clan Deathsteel. I am a forgepriest in the service of Torag, and I am also something of an expert on languages."
Turning his attention to the dwarf, again he avoids physical contact. Tor, the dwarven linguist, best be careful what we say around you then. Talon's greeting is pleasant enough. he smiles at his little quip, though possibly ill timed.
strange observation, Talon's shadow seems to resemble some monstrosity of a creature as opposed to his own form. it's movements contradict those of Talon, as though his own shadow had life of its own.
Silas chuckles softly, pouring a mug of tea and handing it over to Talon. "Silas Runesong. Pathfinder agent, and Venture Captain of the Lodge in the city of Goka. Pleasure to meet you Talon."
Silas chuckles softly, pouring a mug of tea and handing it over to Talon. "Silas Runesong. Pathfinder agent, and Venture Captain of the Lodge in the city of Goka. Pleasure to meet you Talon."
Talon greets Silas, with a bow. not surprising considering where Silas hails from. And I thank you for the tea. I knew you had to be from somewhere exotic to make such tasty tea. Talon give a grin as he thanks Silas for the tea.
still one can only wonder what lies beneath that smile
great, a pathfinder, only had to deal with a few of them, they ended up in an early grave. still their persistence does them a credit. but still, they are known for gathering artifacts, I am sure Marcus would like a little look around those archives.
You notice (though you missed it at first but now it is clearer). Talon's shadow, cast by the limited light, it has some semblance to some sort of deformed Oni. at least that is the best description you could give it.
It does not shift or move with Talon's movements rather it seems to choose its own movements, even in violation of the light's direction.
Silas smiles, and he studies Talon for a moment. After spying some movement that seems odd to his eyes, his eyes widen a moment and he sits back in his seat a moment.
"Ah, I see. You are of the kayal, are you not, Master Talon?"
He holds a very ornate book, covered in arcane runes and sigils that he has pulled out to read while the others get settled and prepare for a plan of action.
Talon acknowledges Silas but does not answer. the simple look is sufficient to confirm (or deny) Silas' observation.
If you need me to, I will scout out that other encampment. I already noticed that they are not very vigilant in their guard duties.
But before I go, Talon goes to the last member to be introduced, I am to assume then that you are Ragnvald?
Taerine shakes her head at Talon's first comment.
"No, as far as I am aware, I have no siblings. And have a care that you do not take Father's name in vain. I don't know who your sister or father were, but I suspect they are not of Asmodeus."
She nods, though, as he makes his later offer.
"Very well. If you wish to scout out that encampment, let's see what we can find out, shall we? We get no closer to the torc sitting here."
Ragnvald is unperturbed by the cold, a light gray coat and thick boots the only real consolation to the winter.
"Yes, I am Ragnvald Hrolfson, and I will accompany you to this camp. I do not wish to go into that place without full knowledge of what is to come. I've yet to prepare the appropriate tinctures today for exactly that reason. Give me a few moments and I'll prepare a few necessary ones."
As he speaks he reaches into his bag and unrolls a large number of various bottles and tools.
"Please do not assume that because you see no visible guards that they are unwatchful and unwarded. The Winter Witches have held their iron grip through ruthlessness and no small amount of cunning."
Silas ponders as he looks at the other camp and the veil. He shrugs. "I suppose if those forces belong to the Winter Witches, we should figure out just how strong they are, and do we really want to alert anyone inside to our presence. In theory, we could just try to barrel our way through, though perhaps not the wisest choice."
He looks over to the pair offering to scout. "Is there anything you might need to assist you in heading over there?"
regarding Taerine, Talon simply shakes his head, nevermind apparently his comment went right past her and Talon had no desire to explain.
Talon, addressing Ragnvald's concerns. I am glad to have your company, but I do warn you, I have been accustom to working alone for most of my life. the few times I have partnered up; lets just say the results were, interesting.
as for the guards, I never said there were no guards, just that they were less attentive than expected. As for the witches, lets just say that there are dangers in the shadows that even the winter witches may fear. it is those same shadows that I call, home
turning to Silas, agreed, scout only, avoid conflict, gather intel. I do not think there is much you can provide, except possibly a means of communication.
Silas smiles at Talon when he speaks of communication. "Now, my good man, you have an idea there. Come, all of you." Silas smiles as he shuts his book, laying it across his legs, and holds out his hands as if to draw the others into a circle.
"Oh come now..., everyone..., I don't bite..." He casts his glance over at Taerine and adds, "...too hard that is." He lets a somewhat more amused grin slash his face looking at Taerine as he says this.
"Circles can be powerful things, in my experience. I would know what you plan to do before I join yours."
He smiles at Taerine softly. "A circle is not what is truly needed, but I will need contact with each of you. Master Talon has requested a means of communication, and that is something that I can provide to us all."
He smiles wider and sighs. "If you choose not to participate, Madame Doumont, that is your choice. The spell will only bestow its gifts on the willing as it is. Communication over distance to those that join in."
Ragnvald joins in, simply happy to get it done and over with.
Taerine hesitates a moment more and then nods, extending her hand. Her skin is hot to the touch, just shy of burning.
Talon joins in as well, and unlike Taerine, his hands are rather cold.
Tor does not even hesitate, but makes note of the spell that is cast.
Silas smiles, his hands drawing all theirs into a point in the center. His fingers draw complex symbols across each person's, each symbol beginning to glow for a moment.
"Quinque manus pervenire quinque corda percutere. Quinque vult ut in ipsis experiretur excitarent, unus animus participatur occurret."
A quickening of the heart and the body, as the feeling of something being gently tugged into the center of the circle of hands. After a moment, the sensation is gone.
Silas then smiles, and looks at the group as his soft smile remains. Curious though, his lips do not move, but all can hear:
"Will this do well enough, Master Talon?" It is Silas's voice, soft and firm. Deep and full, but it seems to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
Talon tries to silence the voice in his head. the loudness of it seems to disturb him.
concentrating to return a message back. communication only, pry no further, you may not like what you find.
Talon seems to be accepting of the mental link, but worries that Silas also has the ability to pry further. (not really understanding this kind of magic)
Once his mind (no pun) in at ease. Lets move. he whispers.
Talon slips into the shadows disappearing into any darkness that the existing light cannot penetrate.
(+8 more if in dim light)
Talon tries to maneuver among the campsite taking stock of all the creatures that are here. he searches for any signs of a commander, or leader. looking specifically for where a leader would bunk (a command tent)
Well, gentlemen, it appears we have our first decision to make together. Do we avoid these giants, approach peacefully, or simply wipe them off the face of Golarion? There do seem to be some number of them, but I'm sure nothing we can't handle, thanks to my Father's grace.
Ragnvald prepares and drinks several tinctures before they proceed (Overland Flight (17 hours), Heightened Awareness (170minutes), Heroism(170 minutes), Countless Eyes 17hours)
While obviously not nearly as stealthy as as the fetchling even floating silently above the snow the older man's keen eyes leave no detail unnoticed.
Stealth
Perception
Talon and Ragnvald recon without being seen. Talon learns the information spoilered above. He determins the camp's layout (haphazard) and the command "tent". In all there are 15 frost giants, 10 ogres, and a pack of half dozen winter wolves. The stable line consists of 9 woolly mammoths and a dozen woolly rhinos.
Ragnvald notices that the Giant in charge is not, in fact, even the second in command. He is third. (He is missing the leader's token of authority, meaning he is a lieutenant at best, or possibly the strongest of the sergeants.) He also appears to be twisted by demonic powers in some way you haven't seen before, but it doesn't seem to be hindering him in the slightest.
"Well, gentlemen? It sounds as if there are 25 of them, plus the wolves and mammoths. It may be easiest to simply avoid them, or reach some understanding, find out where their leaders are. What say you all?" Taerine presses.
"We should just bypass them if we can. Do we know if there's a way to teleport into the waterfall? I ask because that many giants would likely cause us to use resources when we don't really need to."
"I have something that can let us simply fly above them. It appears we can simply enter from above," Taerine responds, pointing to the shelf. "Or if we want to enter below, it shouldn't be that difficult to sneak past them. If we are not all able to move invisibly, I can call up a mist to hide our passage."
"Do we have anyone who can use teleportation magic to get us inside? That would probably be the easiest way to do it."
If there is time, Talon will take 20 to search the tent (that is a 44 total)
If there is not enough time for that, can he take 10 for a 34
or
(yeah, take 10)
"I have a carpet that can carry anyone who cannot fly under their own power," Taerine replies to Tor's question.
Talon- you discover that the leader of this group, Ferric, and every one of his lieutenants entered the Veil 8 days ago. The one in charge now is named Hingarl.
As the others discuss entry, Talon offers his suggestion. The leaders of the camp entered from the bottom, well, most likely from there. We could follow their step and avoid having them blocking our escape. It concerns me that they would take all of their top leaders in with them. and they have an 8 day head start.
Silas puzzles at the information, and scans the camp and the entrance. "I suppose it depends. If we follow after where they went in, we may have less of a fight, but we are also several days behind. The upper path could avail us more, but we also could run into hurdles that are unknown. The fact that they are eight days in and no sign of them means most likely that their search has been fruitless thusfar. My suggestion, if any of you are decent at tracking, let us follow in their footsteps and see what they have discovered. It will give us the most information on how to proceed forward."
Listening to the others make their suggestions he adds his own thoughts. "Entering from above requies that we face each threat not previously dealt with. From behind the giants we have the advantage of forewarning. They will have either dealt with each threat according to their capability or have fallen. I doubt we've the means to physically track them but we have a number of skilled mages do we not? What of means to magically track them?"
"Then the main entrance it is. Do we try to reach some accommodation with the giant camp, simply sneak through it, or wipe it from the face of Golarion?" Taerine asks, seeming to have no preference for the course of action, concern about the fight, or pity for her possible victims.
"Leave it be. Our task does not require pointless conflict. I've the means to escape the place rapidly should any hostile force deem to trap us."
The party creeps by the camp as low as it can. Things get slightly hairy once when an ogre who is going to relieve himself stumbles upon Tor, but the ogre is slain well before he can raise his voice, much less an alarm.
You skirt the camp and make for the jagged break in the ice. You discover a steaming crater of a geyser that has carved a jagged crevasse in the side of the waterfall here, creating a cathedral of dripping ice stalactites above. Barely visible through the steam to the right of the geyser spout is a secondary crevasse in which can dimly be seen a stair, rising upward into the obscuring ice. Seeing no other means of entry, you ascend. The air inside drops to an even more unbelievably cold level (around -25F/-31C). The floor is roughly carved (normal ice movement does not apply), but you know that charging or running will be hazardous (DC 15 acrobatics to run or charge).
20 feet up, three suspicious lumps of ice catch your eye. Then a tremendous rumble shakes the ice under your feet and you know why.
The geyser picks now to make itself felt. Scalding steam and burning water erupt from the crater just to your left! The steam envelops you, making navigation is suddenly tricky. Your only hope is to get up the stairs.