On their way out of the front-door to the Inn, Yeda mutters quietly to Loxley
This Anx is tiring. If he is to help us it seems he'll extract a price in patience for it.
She gives an exasperated sigh and then looks up at the street in front of the Inn to see Zeldana and Corrin.
It's a relief to her when she see's them. Something comforting about the group reforming. She smiles and gives a faint wave before a previously unnoticed stranger speaks up.
"Hi, I'm Gunnar. I've been entrusted by father Zantus to accompany you to look for something... in particular. I guess you're all also part of the gang?"
The last bit catches her off guard.
Part of the gang...?
She quickly looks to Zeldana to get some nonverbal cue that he is in fact with her, or maybe Corrin, and seems to get the right idea.
Exiting the inn and immediately addressing Zel and Corrin is an athletic looking woman with stout legs and toned arms; clearly shoanti. Her dirty blond hair is let down just a little on the sides to frame her surprisingly fair-colored face, but the longer hair in the back is balled up on top to keep it out of her way.
However, the most striking confirmation that she comes from a shoanti tribe are neck tattoos peaking barely over the top of her armor's shoulders. They look like a pattern of branches and leaves, transitioning to mountainous coasts and seaside cliffs, with the top of a wolf's snout superimposed on the left-hand-side (peaking out from the tree branches). You assume the rest of the wolf is underneath. There are more tattoos emerging from her sleeves, along her forearms but ending a few inches before her wrists. However, these seem to be some pattern of arcane runes.
Like Gunnar, she wears scale mail, but the metal scales are not so shiny and the seams of the armor are lined with bits of leather and fur that provide functional warmth for, perhaps, a much colder place. There is a sword at her side, but curiously she holds a loose bag from which metal shards peek out, some of them seemingly having an edge not unlike a sword's.
Interesting. What's Father Zantus' interest in our search? Oh, I'm Yeda Wolfspirit, from the Shadde-Quah far to the North. My people roam the coasts and are proficient swimmers and sea navigators. Though... my current companions get a little nervous when I partake in our tradition of cliff-diving.
She looks around at the group a little nervously.
Rusty Dragon, Common Room
”Wizards…”
Loxley groaned as the man vanished without giving his leave.
”I swear they trade their manners for their magic.”
She opened her mouth to say something else, paused as she recognized the traces of hypocrisy in her next few thoughts. After all she had studied wizard’s style of arcane magic in order to harness her own natural power.
She gave a sigh and let the tension flow from her with an exhale.
She hadn’t noticed Crusk had finished his song until the man was already speaking to her. She gave the bard her attention and offered a warm smile.
”Ah, yes, I apologize. It’s been a… eventful morning, to say the least.”
She gave a wry chuckle and offers her hand to shake.
”Please, forget the whole royalty thing. I’d rather not dwell on it right now. You may just call me Loxely. And that good woman, is Yeda.”
She gestured towards the warrior as she turned to follow.
”You’re welcome to accompany us. But know, we have a terrible knack for finding ourselves in trouble’s way.”
Loxley laughed a little more brightly.
Rusty Dragon, Outside
Loxley followed Yeda shortly out the doors of the inn, only to be pleasantly surprised by several of her friends and another new face.
She gives Gunnar a bright smile.
”Well now, we have a bounty of new companions it would seem.”
She steps down to join the others.
”Just a shame they’re both men.”
Loxley teases.
Dressed in well kept traveling attire, the human woman of average height and slender build wears short blonde hair that one might notice was kept shorter, but has been allowed to begin growing out again. Her eyes are hazel and her skin is lightly tanned from travel.
While she does look like she probably spends more time reading then training, she still carries a slender blade on her hip. Little ink stains on her hands and small wrinkles at the corners of her eyes tell of long nights reading and writing.
The careful and precise movements of her hands speak of countless hours practicing to move them with precision.
All of this identifies Loxley as a caster of the arcane arts.
Loxley chuckled at Yeda’s little joke and pats her on the shoulder.
”I would offer to join you, but I fear I would need saving myself. I think I will stick to shorelines and rivers.”
She looked Gunnar over curiously.
”I guess Father Zantus feels we need watching over. Well then, allow me to add to the introductions.. May name is Loxley.”
Loxley gestures to the half-orc.
”Crusk this is Zeldana and Corrin, and Gunnar was it? Everyone, this is Crusk. A rather fine bard that would like to accompany us, if no one objects.”
"Pleased to meet you all," says Crusk, shaking hands. He had a fine grip for a half-orc. "I figured I'd have more success at finding my father as a member of your group."
As Sazzat secretly watches from the back, he sees the others leave out the front. He therefore exists the rear and heads counterclockwise around the building and covertly peers around the corner spying others that he has met previously meeting up with the others he had already met. Still just incase one of those nobles chooses to exit the Rusty Dragon he stays out of sight and just listens in.
with introductions concluded, and everyone agreeing that now is the time to go, as any more dalliance just prolongs the inevitable.
It was a short 6 mile walk to Thistletop, taking the rest of the day. the walk along the northern road yielded no encounters with the wilds found surrounding Sandpoint, but there were plenty of times when sounds caused the party to form up, expecting something.
however, in due time, with the sun traveling far overhead and holding a hands with over the horizon, the group passes into Nettlewood...
The forest grasps at everyones clothes, seeming to snag and tug, slowing progress through the woods towards The goblin fort that is Thistletop.
As the sun lowers, the ambient light diminishes greatly within the thick canopy, slowing your progress.
yet, memory of only the previous few days lends assitance to you, allowing you to find a goblin trail, and it allows you to quickly find the warrens that surrounds the suspension point of the rope bridge to Thistletop.
You stand in the narrow opening in the woods, looking out at the rope bridge, and to the wooded structure composed of driftwood and ship wreckage. The forest behind you begins to chirp and rustle to life, and the random sound of growls float upon the air.
Sazzat melds with the group as they move to leave Sandpoint relieved that the nobility were not wanting to rub more shoulders with them for now. He followed those that were more naturally inclined as he was definitely not intune with nature in anyway. His life had been one of more city life.
Upon reaching their destination he carefully scrutinizes it and sees that there appears to be nothing of issue and they could safely proceed once the others have decided that to be their course of action.
His eyes strained most of the day looking about... for what he didnt say. Goblins? elven rangers? Berries to eat it was hard to say. He did his best to not just ride through the wild undergrowth aware his friends would have far less luck moving through the foilage. He paused studying the bridge with a very very critical eye. A slight smile alit his face when he saw something low in the nettles. A good sign.. a hopeful one.
It was good to see Gogmurt had perhaps rethought his last words. There was still hope.
"It looks clear of troubles still... but wait here I will be right back... Guard them Dewdrop."
He ordered his faithful elk mount and went running torwards the edge of the cliff leaping up and mid leap turning into an owl soaring into the air couting along the bride and then the other side looking for trouble.
|
Gunnar was glad to be on the road again. He had been anxious to return to Sandpoint and see his friend and mentor again, but seeing him in such a sorry state really shook the young man's faith. Being on the road is where he felt closer to Desna, and he basked in the feeling. He considered sharing some of these feelings or even a story with the others, but felt he didn't know them well enough and he could seem a little arrogant if he were to do that.
Although bothered by the thick forest, Gunnar moved forward. For the first time, his travels had a distinct purpose and he was set to do it well.
He looks at the elkmaster and says "I appreciate the concern, but I don't detect any threats. Do you expect to find something hidden?" Before he could finish, the man ran off the cliff and very dramatically turned into an owl. Gunnar said in a low voice "Never mind."
Yeah... I don't see any threats. Yet.
"One can never truly know." Zeldana said to Gunnar before Corrin headed off.
"Corrin's connection with nature is closer than most." Zeldana explained with a small shrug. "His eyes seem keener too."
you glide to around the narrow island once, twice, your owl eyes pick out individual details of the fortress, including the poor spacing between boards, the twisting of moisture induced warping on the wood, wet rot. You marvel at how the structure remains upright...
on your third and final pass, you fly "ground level" of the island top, looking in the bushes that cling to the rocky soil, searching for signs of goblins, or worse. However, you spot a narrow boat turned upside down next to the fort. Equal signs of rot and warp indicate that this boat has been resting atop this island for a long time. But it leaves a question in your mind
How did that get up there?
you watch as corrin, shapechanged into an owl, fly circles around the island and fortress.
From what you can see on the opposite land, there is no signs of anything that would threaten you....
Being distracted easily, he couldn't focus on the task at hand. Crusk has been wondering about this place. He knew this place had goblins, thats for sure. But he couldn't see any.
"Loxley, keep an eye out," he'd say. "I haven't been able to spot a troublemaking goblin since I've been distracted by the beauty of this place."
The owl returned in short order the druid shifting in mid form and landing with a roll to his feet. He cracked his neck as his friends and smiled.
"It appears devoid of goblins... but there was something strange i saw... a boat like the rowing kind. way up there... its ..an oddity."
Yeda frowns, while one hand fidgets with the handle of her sheathed blade.
Maybe someone just brought it up to store it?
She shrugs.
So did you find a safe way in?
Loxley squinted her eyes against the fading light of the day.
“Everything looks the same as when we left.”
She comments, noting the entrance they had used was still standing open from there previous raid of the goblin outpost.
She watched as Corrin wild shaped and took to the air. Loxley watched as the druid circled the ruins and returns.
”A boat? Hmm.”
She looked thoughtful.
”I suppose we should check it out.”
She looked around at the others inquisitively.
”What say we circle the exterior? We can check the boat Corrin saw and look for other entrances.”
She offered with a nod to Gunnar, acknowledging the merit of his question.
Loxley squinted her eyes against the fading light of the day.
“Everything looks the same as when we left.”
She comments, noting the entrance they had used was still standing open from there previous raid of the goblin outpost.She watched as Corrin wild shaped and took to the air. Loxley watched as the druid circled the ruins and returns.
”A boat? Hmm.”
She looked thoughtful.
”I suppose we should check it out.”She looked around at the others inquisitively.
”What say we circle the exterior? We can check the boat Corrin saw and look for other entrances.”
She offered with a nod to Gunnar, acknowledging the merit of his question.
"Sounds reasonable," Crusk thought. "Shall I play a song to inspire your courage?"
Yeda nods, concurring with Loxley's suggestion.
It can't hurt to go around it once and make sure we're not missing any surprises. she remarks in her gruff, business-like tone of a mercenary.
"it looks clear...doesnt mean it is clear perhaps we wait on the music til we are sure its empty.... or until they attack. Keep your eye out for Gogmurt. I saw a few druid signs about i didnt notice before. He may still be about."
Gogmurt is the goblin druid of this region and my brother. Well druid brother. He asked us to rid the goblin tribe he served as druid for from the poison at the top of it and we did.
He started crossing the bridge double and triple checking their work on the lines. He wanted no repeat of their earlier troubles. If and when he safely made it across he motioned across to the others to come across
...
"Well, if you can go across it, Corrin," said Crusk. He checks the bridge with his foot.
The bridge is a rope slung bridge, held up by 4 ropes,two supporting wood planks lashed to each spanner and each other. Three feet above the planks runn another set of spanners, lashed to the lower platform and suspended upon tall posts on the land side and the island side. The wood is equally warped and gaped as the fort, but, as those that have come before can attest to, is sturdy enough for people (and a horse!) To travel across.
Crusk walks slowly over the bridge, he seemed to be well balanced. But he walks with some confidence, but a little fear.
Once Corrin verifies the integrity of the bridge Yeda makes a point to be one of the first to cross it, drawing her blade once she reaches the other side.
Should we check out that boat or just get inside?
Sazzat simply quietly moved with the group but kept his eyes open for just about anything amiss. Goblins were found of traps, so spotting one before stepping into it was paramount on his list of things to do.
"I agree that checking the boat is the best course of current action." Zeldana said with a nod.
Loxley nodded to Crusk and gave a half- smile and chuckle.
“A bit of a cheerful tune might not go awry. Especially if it can lighten the gloom hanging over this place.”
When Corrin mentions the goblin druid she nods seriously.
“We parted on neutral terms, I think, I wouldn’t want to sway that balance right now.”
She adds after he explains to Gunnar.
”It’s hard to say. We were in a hurry and had a goal, so I’m sure we missed more than a few nooks and crannies. Probably a number of side doors and passageways we passed along the way.”
She said, answering his question.
Loxley approached the rope bridge with the others, watching Corrin as the elf checked it. When he stepped out onto it she holds her breath for a moment before exhaling when all seems well.
She waits her turn as they make their way across. Though it isn’t until she’s safely on the opposite side that she relaxes.
“It’s agreed then?”
She looks between Zel and Yeda, then to boys.
“We’ll check the perimeter for entrances we may have missed, and check the boat along the way. Then we’ll head inside.”
"Looks like you have inborn qualities to lead, Loxley," Crusk said. He smiled in that way thereafter. Although the bard was also a leader, Loxley was showing qualities that would make a leader. Perhaps it's because she was descended from true royalty, or that she had a talent she was just know developing.
Crusk wanted to find his father, and this group was the fastest way of finding him. But he was deferring to Loxley's decisions. After all, she was of royal blood. Although Crusk didn't work in the College of Heralds, he was certain that he wasn't of royal blood. Although his orc side was definitely not known, and his mother didn't want to talk about her genealogy. Crusk pulled out his lute, and started strumming a happy tune.
Crossing the bridge was easy. Very easy. The boards that could be broken, are broken, so avoiding them was easy. The trek across amounted to little more than walking across a swaying walk way that was suspended 80 feet above the churning ocean floor below.
To the left of the forts main door, a small patch of woods, mostly thick weeds, brambles, and short twisted trees grew upon the rocky island head. Corrin easily slips into the thick vegetation, providing a pathway through.
The crashing waves pound relentlessly at the cliff walls, battering and hammering, smashing and grinding. the endless battle of erosion played out, second by second, far below the rock you tread upon....
Finally, you step out, breaking through. A small opening in plants, bare rock providing no chance at flora to grow. no gap large enough for soil or sand to gather, to provide nourishment for such grown. The wind, out of the south, pushes and pulls at you gently, a tease upon the face, upon the body. A sirens call to the unaware....
You look down, and see that the fort, the wall, is built close to the cliff edge. a narrow track of land, no more than two feet, allows for someone to place a foot and an opportunity to get past the stout wooden pillar.
an opportunity to fall...
beyond this path, at the edge, it slopes down several feet until it drops off into open air.... to the churning waters below.
a hint of mist, of moisture, the salt spray from below wafts up, kissing your lips.
|
|
Gunnar looks anxiously to the others and says "You see, I'm not a great climber, but... Desna has taught me how to fly, or to make others fly. Maybe someone strong, say Yeda or Corrin could fly up there and tie this rope so we can pass safely, and if someone falls, they catch us?" He pulls out a rope from his backpack and presents it to the others with a wide smile.
Sazzat says, "It does not take one of great strencth to tie off a rope so if Gunnar you would like to apply that fly ability to me I can cross the the area and secure the rope."
Sazzat says, "It does not take one of great strength to tie off a rope so if Gunnar you would like to apply that fly ability to me I can cross the area and secure the rope."
"Are we going to rappel around that rope?" Crusk asked.
Yeda appears apprehensive for a moment, taking an involuntary step back from the edge.
I- well, you know she waves her hand at the expanse.
"Ive got practice flying at least... I'll do it.."
He offered waiting for the cleric to cast the spell... once it was in place her leaped into the air holding the rope willing hismelf to fly to the best looking spot to hammer a piton in with he rope.
He pointed back near the bridge
"Dewdrop buddy... guard that bridge will you?"
No sense in his best friend taking another tumble from this place
As her friends talked, Zeldana was eyeing the way before nodding to herself and saying, "I see the way" to them. "I can do it." She reassured them.