How about the dawn twilight rather than the dusk twilight so it's sunny while we investigate the place rather than dark. We'll be more obvious with light sources in the dark I think. But I totally like twilight for the trip over, excellent suggestion.
Spasi nods along with Bibic.
"Yeah, let's do that. Dawn it is. Good call, Bibic," Spasi agrees.
Spasi gets in the boat.
Rhesus spits on his hands and grabs the oars.
"Let's do this."
With steady heaves he rows the group across.
In the dim morning mist, you ease your boat through the still water, heading in the general direction of the large stone piling know as the Crow. The trip is unerving in the stillness and silence of the thick fog and more than once you think that you've become lost.
Suddenly, the massive stone structure appears out of the fog in front of you, its entire surface carved in horrific avian gargoyles that give the piling its name. Circling around you find a small dock of sorts.
A tall lancet arch at water level leads into a chamber at sea level within the side of the Crow. Inside is what was once a small, stepped terrace, now filled with sea water to the level of its top step. Three rowboats are tied off to heavy stones placed on this step. Above, the ceiling rises almost all the way up to the top of the monument. An opening leads off this shaft to the west near the ceiling. At the west end of this room lies a small alcove whose floor shows the stains of countless campfires. The back wall of this alcove has broken through, revealing a passageway beyond.
Spasi jumps out of the boat, anxious to be on solid ground again.
I don't like boats much. Actually, boats are fine...it's the fear of drowning and the rocking motion that is less good.
Spasi holds the boat steady so everyone can get off safely, then ties it up.
"Well, let's go."
Spasi takes his position behind Rhesus and the rest, wondering if he should armor up again and what they'll find inside.
"You ok Spasi, you don't look so good. Water get to you?"
With a might clap on the back Rhesus attempts to comfort Spasi, before pulling his earth breaker out of the boat and moving to the head of the dock.
"You ready Clem?"
Bibic nods his thanks to Spasi holding the boat as he gets out. He releases his new bow and looks around a little as he waits for the others.
He concentrates a moment on the shard. Satisfied, he murmurs to the others, "I think this is the place."
"I'm fine Rhesus. It's just...yeah, it's nothing. Let's explore this place."
Seeing the group ready, Rhesus moves into the next area and looks around.
Rubble from the collapsed wall has been pushed out into the next chamber. Traces of recent habitation, bits of trash and rubbish and the odd piece of clothing or equipment, are scattered here and there, though the room now appears to be unused.
To one side is a staircase leading up and to the other is another small room. The foul odor and suspicious stains on the floor reveal that this chamber was used as a privy within the last few weeks. Huddled in one corner are the rotten remains of a small dog.
Bibic takes a careful look at the room.
Can Bibic tell how the dog died?
Spasi walks in, nodding, as he looks around, smiling.
Perception
Survival
"Ah yeah, this is the brisket. I bet that shard is nearby. Probably right near here..." Spasi goes and looks under a rock and then is disappointed when it isn't there.
Clement frowns at the sight of the deceased dog, sad that such an animal would meet a fate in a place like this. He wastes no time approaching the dead creature and immediately begins to excavate a small grave for the it.
"Go ahead and check that room out, I'll just be a moment. Poor thing."
"Looks like there were 10 of them. Probably recent."
Rhesus watches as the others play with rocks and dead things.
Ah, childhood.
"Looks like there were 10 of them. Probably recent."
"Rhesus, ten of what? What came here before us? Humanoids or dogs?"
Spasi looks at Rhesus, seeking clarification.
"What's that? 10 dogs were here? How did they get here? Doggypaddle?"
As Bibic and Clement approach the dead animal, it becomes clear that what had appeared a dog, is in fact an exceptionally large rat.
Clem frowns when he realizes the remains belong instead to a rat, and chooses instead to not bury the creature into the dirt at this time.
"Well, looks like we don't need to wait while I bury this... err, thing. So, what's in that room over there? Wait for me, Rhees!"
Clem stands and moves over to stand next to his friend, retrieving his shield and mace as he does so.
"10 dogs? No, 10 humans. Why would there be 10 dogs here?"
Shaking his head, Rhesus moves on.
Noya walks by the corpse
"Yuck, Rats.
Hope there aren't to many more of that size."
Between two curving stairwells lies a small landing. Three stone boxes, their lids raised, stand lined up against the east wall. A fine yellow powder surrounds them on the floor.
Spasi follows behind Rhesus into the next area.
"Yeah, the shard is probably in this room. Let's get it and go back to get paid," Spasi says, looking for the shard (and anything else of interest) that is obviously nearby.
Perception
* * *Not finding anything...and when people are ready:* * *
"Well, let's go up this way," Spasi points to the stairs and B5.
Spasi will follow along.
With each passing moment, the lack of danger heightens the anxiety building in Clement's gut.
"Careful... I just know something is going to jump out any moment!"
Clement avoids the yellow powder, giving it wide berth.
"Watch out for big rats, Rhees!"
Clement gives his protector a pat on the back while whispering a prayer to his empyreal angel.
Noya adds after seeing the yellow powder
"Let's be alert not just of living opponents, but of environmental hazards as well."
Spasi coughs into his hand and wipes it in his britches.
Climbing up the stairs, you enter an large room. Pillars line the centre of this long hall. At the far end is a low rostrum, the dusty stumps of ancient votive candles lining its outer edge. Two of these have been knocked over. Colourful murals of Thassilon pilgrims and giants marching over an intact Irespan cover the walls.
Creeping in to the chamber you hear a squeak of alarm and a large Rat bolts out of the far corner of the room heading for the stairs
Round 1
17 Clement
15 Rat
14 Spasi
13 Noya
6 Bibic
3 Rhesus
AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 12
hp 20/20
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion
Round 1, Initiative 17
"Rat!!"
Clement looks to the others for guidance, and seeing nobody stepping ahead of him, decides to show his bravery in battle.
for
for
Spasi stands stunned as Clement charges into combat.
That guy is a killing machine...and hates rats.
"Great we have Rodents of Unusual Size in in here."
Round 1
17 Clement
15 Rat
14 Spasi
13 Noya
6 Bibic
3 Rhesus
Round 1 Init 15
The rat withdraws from combat and heads up the stairs.
AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 12
hp 20/20
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion
Round 2, Initiative 17
Clement looks to the others for assent in giving the rat chase. Seeing no obvious disagreement, he covers half the distance the rat covered in his attempt to chase it down and provide some extermination services.
Round 1, Initiative 6
Bardic Performance = 10/10
Bard Spells Remaining: (First: 2/2)
0) Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Spark
1) Cure Light Wounds, Grease
Bibic shrugs, "It's just a rat." but as everyone else is chasing it, so shall he. He runs 30' after it, and if there's a shot, takes a shot with his bow. If there is no angle, he continues by double moving (60' total).
Round 2, Initiative 14
Spasi follows cautiously and behind the rest of the party (double move).
Round 1 & 2
Rhesus will keep up with the group.
"That's one tough rat. Don't worry Clem, just hit it harder next time."
Noya moves quickly to catch the rat, double speed, since last set of actions became void.
The stairs go on for what seems like forever, but eventually the stairs end and an open archways stands before you.
hp 13/20
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion
Spasi pauses to let others go ahead.
Might be a good time to re-protect myself.
"That was a tough rat. Quick too. I wonder if it was one of them fancy rats."
Know (Arcana)
Know (Religion)
Fancy rats? What the hell is a Fancy Rat?
"What do you mean by a 'Fancy Rat' Spasi? Do you think it might have been someone's familiar?"
Bibic looks around, his bow out and ready.
Apparently he can't get the idea of a Rat in a tux out his mind and, so distracted, finds nothing of interest.
Noya quickly looks over the new room
And hardly notices anything odd.
Glancing from the doorway, you see that bits and pieces of old rubble, fragments of furniture, and broken weapons and armour clutter the floor of this room. The room continues off to your right.
Spasi nods and gives a greasy smile to the others.
"I really think that was one of them fancy rats...a dire rat. That's why it's back was so tough. We should be careful."
"Ok Spasi. Let's go."
Rhesus moves into the room, ready for more rat bases shenanigans.
Noya moves on with the group into the room.
Stepping into the room, Rhesus turns to see two woman and a horrific rat person looking over an over-turned table just as they release their crossbows,
Round 1
21 Rhesus
20 Bibic
20 TGs
19 Ratty
15 Spasi
12 Noya
1 Clement
2 XP 200 each
Init +3; Senses Perception +5
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)
hp A:11/11, B:11/11
Fort +2, Ref +s, Will +1
OFFENSE
Speed 30 fl:. Melee short sword +1 (1d6+1/19-20) Ranged hand crossbow +3 (1d4/19-20) Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
LE Medium humanoid (human, shapechanger)
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 15
hp 20 (2d8+8)
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion; DR 5/silver
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee short sword +4 (1d6+2/19–20), bite –1 (1d4+1 plus disease and curse of lycanthropy; DC 15)
Ranged light crossbow +4 (1d8/19–20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
STATISTICS
Str 15, Dex 17, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 17
Feats Dodge, Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +8, Bluff +3, Climb +7, Intimidate +3, Knowledge (local) +5, Perception +8, Sense Motive +8, Stealth +8, Swim +7
Round 1 Init 21
Rhesus grunts as the crossbow bolt impacts on his body, thankful that the chain shirt stopped the worst of the blow.
"Found your rat Spasi!"
With that he attacks.
Round 1, Initiative 20
Bardic Performance = 9/10
Bard Spells Remaining: (First: 2/2)
0) Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Spark
1) Cure Light Wounds, Grease
Bibic, concerned about the new creatures, tries to remember something of them.
(shard)
"I think it's a wererat - a shapeshifter, but more than that I do not know. He can die though!"
Knowing nothing more useful, he attacks the rat with his bow, but misses. He also begins to guide the party with oration to inspire them to greatness (+1 attack/damage everyone!).
"Nice swing Rhesus, just a little higher next time! Noya, get in there and show him how it's done. Clem, you too. Spasi, uh, er, do your thing!"
Noya moves into the fray.
and her sword swings well, but the towergirl dodges it.
Round 1, Initiative 15
Spasi stays back and casts Daze at one of the Tower Girls.
"Hey now, no need to shoot us! Just show us where the shard is and we'll be on our way."