"Now we know why we were looked at like we were ill by the staff in the guild," Tahata says. "There is something unpleasant going on beyond the guild's normal business, and it sounds like we can find out what that is at Ravenscraeg."
"Do we go in the daylight, or at night?" Loren asks.
Fynn reaponds to Ayame “The guild is very old, I would not call it a front so much as something that is currently being used as cover. The membership is much larger then you see and I am sure they know nothing. Lawrence has been with them a long time and is very sharp. Usually he has caught good was to make some money, this time it seems something else. “
Fynn tells what he can of Ravenscraeg, the former holding of Snorri Stone-eye. Ravenscraeg was the hall of the Mad Reaver Snorri Stone-Eye. It is called Ravenscraeg because it lies high among the rocky crags south of Kalsgard, accessible only to the eponymous ravens that roost atop its ridgepole, save for a perilous stair that climbs the cliff face to the hall above. Nobody in his right mind went to Ravenscraeg while the Mad Reaver inhabited it, but according to rumor, it has been purchased by a mysterious new owner.
Ravenscraeg lies 2 days’ walk south of Kalsgard in the craggy hills near the Grungir Forest. Once its location is known, the journey to Ravenscraeg can be made in 1 day on horseback or 2 days on foot.
Let's get moving then! sounds like trying these long stairs is our only option, though, so let's be ready for some trouble. because of the tricky climb I would vote for a daytime assent so we don't risk falling in the dark.
"I agree. It sounds like a dangerous approach as it is, I wouldn't want to attempt it at night, in the dark and the cold," Tahata says. "We should obtain some rope and other climbing equipment before we set out, as I suspect we are not all skilled climbers."
"I agree with the daytime idea." Ayame said as she raised her hand. "I have some stuff life that back at the inn, though we do need things like grappling hooks for the rope and what not." She pointed out. "I'm sure we can get it at the market."
"We should be able to, I'm sure I saw one or two sellers of expedition equipment for those going north," Tahata says with confidence.
"Oh! I have an idea!" Ayame said with a smile. "I'll be right back, I need to go gather some things. No one go anywhere yet!" She stated as the swiftly left the group.
Ayame made her way to where the caravan had set up. Quickly she found Sandru. "Sandru-senpai! I need to borrow a horse." She told him. "I can leave coin with you to get another one if you need to move while we're gone, but I need a horse to carry everything. I would just buy my own, but when we leave I don't know if I'll be able to look after another horse with the ones we have. So I thought it best to just borrow one of yours to be replaced if something happened... hint the leaving of coin." Ayame explained.
Sandru nods at Ayame's excellent idea.
"Well, we are not going anywhere until you guys settle things so there is no harm in you taking one of the horses. I assume you will want bags and what not to go with him. The chestnut mare overthere should be good. Name is Whisper, she is a steady calm animal."
Kitted out as best they can figure the part stets out for Ravenscraeg. The first day passes without incident and the party has time to decide what time of day they will be approaching.
Ayame beamed happily at Sandru. "Thank you Sandru-senpai! You're wonderful as always!" She said before she gathered the horse and went shopping.
The market place was something Ayame knew well. If there was anything she learned from her father it was how to manage money and need. With Whisper at her side, Ayame made her way through the market. She picked up two lamp, three pound of bread, three pounds of cheese, three pounds of meat, half a pound of tea, a campsite kit, a medium size tent, a large size tent, bedroll for herself, climber's kit, cooking kit, teapot, and three mess kits. Ayame knew she had enough to cover everything but it did deplete a fair amount of her coin but she believed it worth it!
When Ayame returned to the group she was smiling like a fool. "I got everything!" She told them. "Or at least I think I did... I borrowed Whisper here from Sandru though, so we need to make sure she gets back unharmed! Anyone want to look everything over?" She asked.
"Looks like you've picked up nearly everything we might need," Tahata says, looking over the piles of equipment that Ayame has bought from the market. "I would like to repay you for some of the items," he offers, pulling his money pouch from his pack and offering Ayame some gold.
"It would be more dangerous to attempt the climb in the dark, but we should anticipate that they will see us coming."
"Oh, I didn't really think about it honestly." Ayame said with a small nervous chuckle. "How about next time we need something you can get it, small things. Like this stuff. Or you can just buy my next meal, I'll accept that too." She told him, a kind smile on her face.
"That seems reasonable," Tahata replies, putting his money away with a kind smile.
Getting underway you follow the directions and an easy to find trail. The trail passes through boggy terrain south of Kalsgard dotted with small copses and shale hillocks. The gray line of craggy hills is visible to the south and beyond them the green forest.
After a day of travel you find a convient, fairly dry, spotin the boggy terrain with a fresh water pond beside the trail. You can make out that this area has been used as a camp within the fairly recent path, within a year not years ago.
Durian's keen eyes also spot what looks like the top of a skull and spinal cord near the edge of this pool. He also notices and manages to warn the party of the danger.. A yellow-orange amoeboid creature slithers across the ground, pseudopods grasping ahead of its slow approach.
This is an Ochre Jelly, an ooze that secretes a digestive avid that dissolves flesh. Immune to electric damage. ROLL HIGH AND I WILL TELL MORE. :)
Bold may act
[u] Round 1 [/u]
Tahata, Durian, Loren, Ayame, Kagyu
OOze
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: None |Ayame HP: 31/31 - AC: 20/14/17 Status:
Kagyu HP: 20/33 - AC: 21/10/21 Status:
Durian HP: 28/43 - AC: 21 (+4 vs Giants)/14/19 Status:
Tahata HP: 20/35 - AC: 20/11/18 Status:
Loren HP: 28/28 - AC: 16/11/16 Status:
Onas HP: 30/30 - AC: 16/12/14__________________________________________
OOZE HP: XX/XX - AC: 4/4/4 so dont fumble.
___________________________________________
Story Reminders:
* Looking for a guide over the crown of the world - Ulf and Uksahkka
* No one has seen the guide you have a lead on.
* Fynn turned out on to Asvig Longthews whom he belived stole the sword and killed is people.
* The Frozen Shadows are being guided by an Oni that is part of the Five Storms.
* Rimerunners Guild might be a place to check.
"What's that yellow thing? It doesn't look friendly?"
"Stand aside and I'll try to freeze it."
He releases an avalanche of frozen balls of ice.
(Reflex DC for half)
"I have no idea! But I am not touching it!" Ayame declared as she stepped back. "You guys got this right? Oh yeah I know you all got this!" Ayame said motivating them.
Spurred on by Ayame's encouragement, and with no idea what the oozing creature slithering towards him is, Tahata raises his spear and rushes forwards, calling "Maitoh, cinah!" as he goes. The wolf springs through the long grass towards the ooze, his teeth bared as he attacks.
Durian spots the ooze and calls out a warning to the group
Watch out, jelly incoming! it'll try to eat you without even putting you in its mouth! it's immune to electricity. is that important? probably not. how do I know that? I'm really not sure...
Durian remembers this time to wait for Ayame's aid before charging in. when she starts singing he charges, trying to punch the ooze since he didn't have his spear handy while setting up camp.
Ayame does her best to motivate her team while Loren launches a ball of snow and ice at the creature. The creatures actually seems to lean into the snowball when it tries to move away. Durian lands a punch doing damage and hurting his hand in the process.
Tahata steps up with his spear and stabs at the ooze. The spear does NO damage but something odd does happen. At the point of contact the ooze splits into two identical, smaller, oozes.
Bold may act
[u] Round 1 [/u]
Tahata, Durian, Loren, Ayame, Kagyu
OOze
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: None |Ayame HP: 31/31 - AC: 20/14/17 Status:
Kagyu HP: 33/33 - AC: 21/10/21 Status:
Durian HP: 42/43 - AC: 21 (+4 vs Giants)/14/19 Status:
Tahata HP: 35/35 - AC: 20/11/18 Status:
Loren HP: 28/28 - AC: 16/11/16 Status:
Onas HP: 30/30 - AC: 16/12/14__________________________________________
OOZE HP: 13/63 - AC: 4/4/4 so dont fumble.
OOZE HP: 13/63 - AC: 4/4/4 so dont fumble.___________________________________________
Story Reminders:
* Looking for a guide over the crown of the world - Ulf and Uksahkka
* No one has seen the guide you have a lead on.
* Fynn turned out on to Asvig Longthews whom he belived stole the sword and killed is people.
* The Frozen Shadows are being guided by an Oni that is part of the Five Storms.
* Rimerunners Guild might be a place to check.
Kagyu moves forwards, towards the ooze.
Fail
The ooze's, because now there are two smaller ones, attack. Tahata is not hit but Durian is smacked with the attack and the creatures acid secretions.
Bold may act
[u] Round 2 [/u]
Tahata, Durian, Loren, Ayame, Kagyu
OOze
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: None |Ayame HP: 31/31 - AC: 20/14/17 Status:
Kagyu HP: 33/33 - AC: 21/10/21 Status:
Durian HP: 33/43 - AC: 21 (+4 vs Giants)/14/19 Status:
Tahata HP: 35/35 - AC: 20/11/18 Status:
Loren HP: 28/28 - AC: 16/11/16 Status:
Onas HP: 30/30 - AC: 16/12/14__________________________________________
OOZE HP: 13/63 - AC: 4/4/4 so dont fumble.
OOZE HP: 13/63 - AC: 4/4/4 so dont fumble.___________________________________________
Story Reminders:
* Looking for a guide over the crown of the world - Ulf and Uksahkka
* No one has seen the guide you have a lead on.
* Fynn turned out on to Asvig Longthews whom he belived stole the sword and killed is people.
* The Frozen Shadows are being guided by an Oni that is part of the Five Storms.
* Rimerunners Guild might be a place to check.
Loren conserves magic and just throws a minor Ray of Frost cantrip onto the one on the left.
(touch attack, in combat)
Ayame, still singing, ran up with her blade drawn stepping to the side of Tahata.
Tahata is aghast as his spear cleaves the ooze in two but he sees Maitoh continue to rip the creature apart, acidic jelly spattering the ground. With his spear having had little effect he drops it to the ground, pulls out his Shoanti war club, and slams the hardened wood into the jelly.
if either ooze is still alive after tahata is done, Durian will either stand still to reach the close one or 5' step to the far one and punch twice.
As the party attacks another smaller ooze bursts off but the rest of the assult is too much and it is rendered to a gooey pulp.
[u] Combat Over [/u]
Breathing hard the part looks about to see that someplace during the fight Kagyu seems to have gone missing. He did not leave the party completely helpless as you see a wand of CLW, fully charged, sitting where you thought he would stand.
A quick look around also finds a human skuull with a barely attached spinal cord sitting in the mud. Pulling it free you discover a neckless, silver with black pearls, caught on one of the vertebrates. Looking more you find two potions of lesser restoration, somehow you know these are also tied to the clerics disappearance and will have no resale value.
Beyond whatever else you do you can rest the night without incident and reach Raenscraeg by late morning. As you go to sleep you also feel that in the morning your recent trials will have given you greater powers and abilities.
[u] Welcome to Level 5 [/u]
The hills rise sharply ahead into a steep and craggy shale escarpment hundreds of feet high. Tucked into a narrow defile between two of these crags is a stone-and-timber longhall and tower, weathered and gray. The hall stands nearly one hundred feet above the base of the cliff, with only a single wooden stair climbing in a series of switchbacks up the cliff face to its front gate. All is silent save for the raucous caws of the ravens that congregate atop the hall’s tower and ridgepole high above.
Tahata flicks acidic slime off his club before it eats away at the wood, then goes to check on Maitoh. The skin around his mouth is raw, but the sturdy wolf seems unfazed and he's rewarded with a head rub for his good work. "Seems like a reasonable place to camp for the night," Tahata suggests. "Shall we set up the tents?"
_______________
The morning sun provides little warmth this far north and Tahata braces himself against the cold as he starts to break camp. A quick breakfast and the group is off again, and a few hours later the high cliffs of Ravenscraeg loom before them. The wooden stair leading to the longhall is steep and treacherous. "That won't be an easy climb," he remarks. "I think it's worth a closer look before we set up our climbing gear."
"Strange that Kagyu disappeared during the battle."
"Perhaps the ninjas are to blame. One more reason to take our vengeance upon them."
Durian is disturbed by the vanishing cleric, but for now knows there is nothing to do about it. He understands that the terrors of facing an unknown shadowy organization full of ninjas and undead could easily make someone want to slip away quietly. He doesn't hold it against Kagyu, but his own determination to follow through in their task is reinforced.
He wakes up in the morning feeling stronger than ever and ready to face whatever this fortress may hold.
Ayame looked around, a sad expression upon her face, as she realized that Kagyu was gone. Picking up the wand Ayame gave a sigh of defeat and went to Tahata and Maitoh's side. "Lets make sure that heals properly." Ayame said to the fearless wolf as she gently tapped the wand against Maitoh' raw mouth
"That's better isn't it." Ayame said as she made herself smile before she looked to Tahata. "Yes this is likely as good as place as any yes, the tents are on Whisper. I'll help you Tahata." The young bard agreed as they moved to set up camp. Ayame even brought out the other things she had bought and served dinner to the group. While eating she looked at the blackpearl necklace and asked "Do you think Maitoh could wear this like a collar?"
----------------------
The next morning Ayame helped break camp, served breakfast which was very similar to dinner last night, and when they reached the cliff Ayame looked up with a bit of awe. "Is now a bad time to mention I've never climbed a single thing in my life?"
Tahata thanks Ayame for her help with Maitoh and the wolf allows her to rub his head.
"He might," Tahata replies as Ayame presents the necklace, "though you must remember that he is not a pet. He's a hunter, a predator - he may not like the idea of a collar," he warns, "but you are welcome to approach him and try. He won't hurt you while I'm here."
_________________
"There's a first time for everything," Tahata says as Ayame looks up at the cliff. "I'll wager there are others here who are not strong climbers. We must all help each other."
A rickety wooden stair climbs the cliff face in a series of switchbacks to a fortified hall ninety feet above. The stairs and rails are built of timber planks, silver with age, and climb haphazardly through a series of railed landings on their winding ascent. In some places the stairs and landings are secured directly to the rock face, and in others they hang free upon wooden supports and buttresses driven into the rock. Lichens and moss cover the stairs and rocks, with pale vines, roots, and blooms of nightshade, willowherb, and bog tea sprouting from occasional crevices in the stone.
Tahata examines the stairs but does not see anyplace that looks more dangerous then another. They are old but look as though they will not be falling down any time soon. That said the do groan and sway alarmingly when the party begins their assent. Landings are placed at odd intervals so there is no uniformity in the sets of stairs.
When the party reaches the second landing Tahata notics something unusual on two landings ahead. A short flight of stairs rises to a landing abutting the cliff face. A small hollow in the rock is plastered over with what looks like a huge wasp nest.
Tahata leads the group up, Maitoh by his side, and makes sure to point out any treacherous areas to those less confident with the climb. He stops part way up when he spots a strange looking area of rock face, which on further inspection seems to be a wasp nest.
"Does anyone know what that is?" he asks, pointing the area out to the others.
"Never seen anything like it."
Tahata is able to work out nothing more about the hug wasp nest thing.
That doesn't look good. probably some big ol' wasps in there huh? what are the odds we can just pass by quietly and not get attacked? or should we just shoot the thing and draw them out?
"Oh yeah I guess..." Ayame muttered as she looked at the pearls. "Does anyone else wish to wear these?" She asked
-----------------------------------
"Do you think they will bother us as we take the stairs?" Ayame asked the group.
Well unless someone has fire to force them out at a distance, we should just make our way past as carefully as possible. maybe they won't bother us if we dont' touch their nest...
Unless someone has a better option, Durian will advance slowly, holding his shield at the ready between him and the nest. he will pass as far from the nest as the path allows, and rely on his team covering him from behind if something pops out at him.
Tahata watches as Durian cautiously tries to creep past the nest. He readies his magic, hovering on the edge of a spell, to try and support his friend if something emerges.
Loren waits for whatever built the nest to appear.
As the dwarf moves slowly up and towards the nest there is no movement at first and you slip past. When you are about 5 feet past the nest there is a rusteling as a strange beast climbs form the nest hissing at you.
The creature resembles a wasp the size of a horse, but with the head of a spider and two long appendages ending in pincers. The creature is roughly fourteen feet long and stands six feet high.
An amalgam of dangerous creatures, this predator, as its name suggests, prefers to hunt and feed upon spiders. Their greatest boon to spider hunting, aside from their stinger, ability to fly, and strong pincers, is their ability to slip through the stickiest of webs in order to get to their prey. Unfortunately for other creatures, when a spider eater is denied its preferred prey, it seeks out any living creature it can find to serve as a host for its ravenous young.
When hunting, a spider eater drops from the air onto its victim, stinging the prey with its barbed tail. The creature then returns to the air and hovers, waiting for its venom to take hold. Once the opponent succumbs to paralysis, the spider eater lands again, either to feed or implant its egg.
Although more intelligent than the typical beast, to the point where it can understand a language (usually Aklo), the spider eater is relatively slow-witted. Nevertheless, it is intelligent enough that it resists training—those who seek to ally with spider eaters must befriend them via diplomacy and gifts of spiders to feed upon or implant eggs into, or via intimidation and coercion.
A spider eater measures roughly 14 feet long and stands 6 feet tall. The creature has a wingspan just over 20 feet and weighs almost 2,000 pounds.
POISONESS
The party is roughly fifteen feet behind the creatuer and Durian is in front. It is blocking the witdh of the stairs but the lower group is on a landing so can move about a bit to get past each other.
All is difficult terrain. No map. Only one can get into melee behind the creature w/o a reach weapon.
Bold may act
[u] Round 1 [/u]
Tahata, Durian
Crearture
Loren, Ayame
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: None |Ayame HP: 31/31 - AC: 20/14/17 Status:
Durian HP: 45/50 - AC: 21 (+4 vs Giants)/14/19 Status:
Tahata HP: 44/44 - AC: 17/12/15 Status:
Loren HP: 28/28 - AC: 16/11/16 Status:
Onas HP: 30/30 - AC: 16/12/14__________________________________________
Creature: HP: 52/52 AC: 18/12/15
___________________________________________
Story Reminders:
* Looking for a guide over the crown of the world - Ulf and Uksahkka
* No one has seen the guide you have a lead on.
* The Frozen Shadows are being guided by an Oni that is part of the Five Storms.
"It's a beast called a 'spider-eater'!"
"Can anyone speak aklo? It's smart enough to understand some and we might be able to buy it off instead of having to fight it."
"That stinger is full of dangerous venom. Watch for it to strike and then withdraw to wait for it to paralyze you."
Durian cautiously moves past the nest and is about to give the all-clear when this horrible wasp-horse-spider thing pops out.
Durian barely hears Loren call it a spider-eater What kind of spiders does this thing EAT? it looks like it could eat a small dragon!
Durian, as per usual, is not going to just wait for someone to try to talk to the thing. he takes an aggressive stance (those watching may notice it is different from how he normally stands while fighting) and smashes his hand into the creature twice, putting every ounce of strength into the blow
As the so-called spider emerges Tahata briefly wonders what other horrors might be hidden up here, before calling on his connection with the spirits of his people, bolstering himself and Maitoh with the strength and resilience of the wolf. He grips his spear tightly and prepares to move in
The creature emerges only to be caught upside the head by several well places strikes shattering its carapace. As he stands, barely out of breath, the creature falls off the edge and tumbles to the ground below the stairs.
Tahata only has time to look before the creature tumbles out of site.
Looking up you see a wide porch a few flights up. This wide porch surmounts the rickety conglomeration of stairs and landings below, providing a panoramic view of the boggy plains that extend to the hazy horizon. The looming gray stone hall of the fortress blocks further progress. Inset arrow slits with heavy wooden shutters flank a bronze-banded portal that leads within. Above, three more arrow slits look out over the precipice.
By the time you reach the porch you will be about ninety feet off the ground.
Tahata you make you what might, just might, be a bit of movement of black fabric on the stairs.
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: None |Ayame HP: 31/31 - AC: 20/14/17 Status:
Durian HP: 45/50 - AC: 21 (+4 vs Giants)/14/19 Status:
Tahata HP: 44/44 - AC: 17/12/15 Status:
Loren HP: 28/28 - AC: 16/11/16 Status:
Onas HP: 30/30 - AC: 16/12/14__________________________________________
Creature: HP: 05/52 AC: 18/12/15
___________________________________________
Story Reminders:
* Looking for a guide over the crown of the world - Ulf and Uksahkka
* No one has seen the guide you have a lead on.
* The Frozen Shadows are being guided by an Oni that is part of the Five Storms.