That poor horse needs to be fed, to be cared for, and a few days rest to go back to health.
Vivian looks around if she can give some hay and water to the animal
Sabola took a deep breath, his gaze drifting from the dilapidated carriage house to the weary, starving mare. His face softened for a brief moment, the typical smirk replaced by something more akin to sympathy.
"I hear you, Vivian," he said, his voice low and thoughtful as he examined the animal’s condition. "This poor creature doesn’t deserve to suffer like this. I’ll see what I can do."
He took a few steps away from the group, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of feed or water—anything to help the mare. He knew the basics of caring for an animal, learned during his time in the wilds, and though it wasn’t his usual line of work, the mare deserved better than to wither away in a forgotten stable.
"Give me a moment," Sabola called back, already moving to rummage through the storage and nearby areas for something the horse could eat or drink. "We’ll get her some food and water. She won’t be much use to us starved and half-dead, and the poor thing could use a bit of kindness for a change."
As he moved toward the supplies, Sabola gave a quick glance back at the group, still maintaining his usual dry wit. "If anyone’s got better ideas on how to handle a starving beast, now’s the time to speak up. Otherwise, I’ll take care of this while you all figure out how to deal with the cultists and marsh giants." His tone was practical, but there was an underlying sense of resolve to it—he’d seen enough creatures suffer over the years, and he wasn’t about to let this one go without help.
Sonny shrugs and says "Well, setting her free to roam and eat and drink would help. If you want to keep her then we'll need to find food and give her water. Find me a trough or a bucket or something and I can create water for her." If something suitable is found he will cast create water for the horse.
Seeing that the others have the horse well in hand, Pontia checks the saddle and tack for anything of interest.
You all can scrounge up enough food and water to feed the horse until you an get back to town a properly care for it.
There is nothing else of note here.
Selene keeps watch as the others tend to the horse, looking worriedly at the mansion, but glancing back at the group's efforts from time to time.
Kind souls, it seems. Guess I was lucky to run into them. I must do what I can to keep them safe.
When they're ready to move on, Selene will look to Sabola and Vivian, to see if they want to try and approach the mansion quietly. If so, she'll hang back, ready to charge in at the first sign of trouble. If not, she'll lead the group inside herself.
A vast chamber occupies the space below the mansion’s cracked dome. Sweeping stone stairways, their wooden railings long since rotted away, climb to a balcony overlooking the room below. From the center of the floor rises a rough, flat stone with scorch marks on its center, large enough to be a table. More surprising are the columns that support the dome high above. Rather than the finished pillars one would expect in such a stately chamber, seven massive stones stand along the walls instead, crudely chiseled and set on end in a rough circle. It appears that the lords of Undiomede did not just place their seat at an age-old sacred site, but built their house upon the ancient stone menhirs of the druid ring itself
The dome rises 30 feet to its apex below the house’s cupola, but the balcony is only 10 feet above the ground floor.
In the center of the room there is a “brineborn” marsh giant named Yib
Thoolp.
The giantess does not seem to notice Sabola or Vivian....
With that roll, Sabola will creep up and take a sneak attack on the giant, or even a full round flank attack with Vivian, if that is an option.
Sabola will flank with Vivian and sneak attack the unsuspecting giantess...
Vivian strikes a little too late, and blushes instantly
How did I miss so big a target?
Sabola hits the giantess, but Vivian misses completely!
Flanking with Vivian, Sabola takes a full round of attacks on the giantess (who should still be flatfooted, not that giants usually have a ton of DEX and Dodge)...
Hearing the sounds of combat after her companions disappear inside the house, Selene readies herself for battle, imbuing her scimitar with holy power as she rushes inside the house.
Sabola takes a huge chunk out of her but the giant still stands!
Selene steps into the room.
Figures...it's still up. Pontia invokes her conjurer's art and sends a splash of acid at the giant.
Vivian slashes with her sword, but she's unsure the blade will do enough damage, if any.
Selene steps into the room.
The giantess screams as the acid dart burns her! Unfortunately, Vivian's blade misses Yib! Selene waits just outside the giant's reach.
Yib will swing her greatclub at Sabola!
Sonny steps behind Selene and says a quick prayer to Sarenrae to guide Selene's hand.
I think they have this in hand. Pontia delays, waiting to see if her mystical abilities will be needed to put the creature down.
Sabola continues his flank attacks...
Sabola and Vivian finish off the giantess with savage blows!
Sabola, after cleaning off his knife, will point out that there are a number of weathered symbols carved in the rock of the standing stones along the walls.
Sonny shrugs looking at the runes. Sonny then asks the group "Who needs healing. I can channel or use one of my wands. I have both cure light and cause light wands."
Pontia looks up at the symbols, muttering to herself. "...interesting, I swear I've seen something like that bef--oh. She blanches. "These look like symbols of one of the Outer Gods. I won't say the name because it's said that some of Them can hear when their names are spoken aloud."
I believe you, Pontia.Better be cautious with certain things.
Sabola finished wiping his dagger clean, his muscles still buzzing from the fight with the giantess. He felt the sting of several wounds, but the adrenaline was starting to fade, and with it, the pain began to creep in.
"Healing, huh?" he muttered, looking over at the others. "I don’t know the difference between all those spells you folks use, but if there’s one that makes me less injured, that’s the one I’m interested in. Don’t need to keep the blood flowing if I can help it." He gave a half-smile, though there was a faint wince as he adjusted his posture.
As he spoke, his sharp eyes caught the weathered symbols carved into the rock of the standing stones along the walls. His brow furrowed slightly as he took in the markings, then turned to point them out to the others.
"Look at these," he said, nodding toward the stones. "A lot of old, weathered symbols here. Probably nothing good, but I’m no expert on these things. Anyone recognize 'em?"
He folded his arms, a thoughtful look on his face as he let the others take a closer look, giving a small nod of approval when Pontia spoke up.
"Yeah, better not say too much about it," he added with a slight grimace. "I don’t fancy tempting the wrong kind of attention. Anyway, let’s get the healing sorted so we can get moving. We’ve got a lot more to deal with."
Sonny says to the group "Make sure you aren't too far away and I'll send out a healing wave." He then raises his holy symbol and a wave of positive energy comes forth.
Sabola gathers close.
The wizard gives Sabola a quick smile. "I know little of the healing arts, but I do know that too much blood on the wrong side of your skin is a bad thing."
"If everyone is healed, shall we move on? I don't fancy going upstairs or downstairs until we've checked the main floor, hm?"
You're right, Pontia, we should be sure that floor is clear before going up or down. I suggest this door, then that one.
Vivian takes care of Sabola's wounds before they go, tracing a spiral on the maimed flesh, with a gentle smile and a wink
You look quite handy with your knives. Have you ever thought of a career in the kitchen? There are a few vegetables that should be very afraid now...
"Thank you!"
The broken remains of a wooden outbuilding with a stone chimney and hearth stands here, its roof sagging almost to the ground, next to an old stone-lipped well.
This chamber holds only old crates and sacks of food stores, largely disintegrated over the years.
"Hm. That looks like an abandoned saddlebag...not terribly surprising in a stable, but perhaps unusual in a room devoted to food storage." Pontia tugs it out with her staff.
people fought here, but I can't say how many for sure...or who won
Vivian checks, if possible, if the traces on the floor are humanoid or not.
Vivian looks into the saddlebags, and finds a piece of parchment. Picking it out, she reads the words out oud
"Ask Lucas about Raven's Head". Does the name of Lucas or Raven's head ring some bells for someone? What is Raven's Head? A place? An event?
Pontia leans past Vivian and examines the small crate. "You saw the Effigy in Lepidstadt, didn't you? Would it have fit in that impression in the straw?"
That's.. brilliant, Pontia! I think you are right. Isn't it a spell to find lost objects?