Aldarian, torn between his quest for greater power and his desire to keep his hide safe, halfheartedly lifts his glass of wine and quietly murmurs, "To the caves...", thinking to himself I wonder if these folk will be so enthusiastic when we are sleeping on a stone floor with cave worms crawling all over us (he shudders mentally). By the blessed ones, what have we gotten ourselves into?
Realizing that tonight may be his last night to avail himself of a comfortable bed and a little privacy, Aldarian procures a private room for himself.
Mot Zon chooses a common room, and will purchase some supplies in the morning.
It is uneventful in the common room. Not even a heavy snorer. The group awakes and heads to the provisioner (Bldg 9 on map). After buying supplies they head out of the keep.
As the party departs the keep, a few men in blue livery manning the walls cheer as you leave. Shouts of "Ulek, Ulek, Ulek!" and "Crush evil!" and "'Ware the evil mage!" are heard.
As the portcullis is opened after the drawbridge is lowered, the sentry hands you two man-sized targets and asks you to place one fifty feet and the other two hundred feet from the keep. As you walk into the distance, the fire of what appears to be monstrous crossbows firing large spear sized projectiles rips into the dummies and tears them to shreds. Although the first shots are a little erratic, quickly the missileers find their mark.
It is wonderful day as you leave the Keep along the road on day five of the planting month at about 0900.
"A fine day for a stroll in the country, boys," Morgan says, with a crooked smile.
"Keep a sharp eye out, goblins may not like the daytime, but it doesn't mean they won't come out in it."
She scans the horizon, appearing to keep an eye out for trouble.
Elwitta will pick up a shield and five day rations before leaving.
To Morgan, "I want to visit the Caves of Chaos, the jewel of southeast Ulek. I want to meet interesting, stimulating humanoids of a rich, ancient culture ... and kill them. I want to be the first dwarf from my clan with a confirmed kill."
"Thats the spirit Elwitta!! Lets make sure we hit them so hard they never want to return to those foul tunnels!!
"I for one am looking forward to the take their stuff part of the equation," Rowan chimes in.
"By the way, did anyone else catch that 'ware the evil mage' bit the guards shouted down to us, I don't remember anyone in the keep talking about an evil mage."
Rowan falls in behind Morgan, keeping an eye on the ranger and trying to learn from her observations, this being his first foray into the 'wild'.
"The trouble with evil mages is that they tend to surround themselves with a number of very strong, very large bodyguards" Eldarian replies morosely.
Of course, the good news is that they tend to have a great deal of arcane lore and items in the vicinity as well he muses silently to himself with a small, hidden grin.
Rowan asks Morgan, "So which way are we headed, do you know any good spots in the wood where we can camp tonight?"
"It's not so much where to setup, as much as how," Morgan replies as she continues to walk.
"We won't have the luxury of a nice roaring fire, with meat roasting on a spit, in these lands. That is, not unless you want to announce our presence to every flesh-eater within ten miles."
She pauses to scan the horizon, then moves on.
"We're fortunate to have dwarves and an elf in our company. We will be able to set a night watch without having to light torches."
The march is somewhat uneventful. The weather holds and the group marches for more than eight hours with a short rest at midday. You find yourselves about half way along the road. Looking at you map you recognize you are at the point where the river and the forest are at their closest to the road.
Morgan notes that there is one hour of good light and the sun will begin to set.
The watch is uneventful and the party breaks camp in the morning after a warm, cloudless night. Getting an even earlier start you get close to where the Caves of Chaos are marked on the map. You figure it as about two more hours to get there.
Morgan leads you the final two hours to what appears to be a large ravine on the left. As you look into the woods, there are two sets of hills on either side. Given the topology, you are entering the open end of a horsehoe.
The forest you have been passing through has been
getting more dense, tangled, and gloomier than before.
The thick, twisted tree trunks, unnaturally misshapen limbs,
writhing roots, clutching and grasping thorns and briars all
seem to warn and ward you off, but you have forced and
hacked your way through regardless. Now the strange
growth has suddenly ended - you have stepped out of the
thicket into a ravine-like area. The walls rise rather steeply
to either side to a height of about 100’ or so - dark,
streaked rock mingled with earth. Clumps of trees grow
here and there, both on the floor of the ravine and up the
sloping walls of the canyon. The opening you stand in is
about 200’ wide. The ravine runs at least 400’ west (actually
440’) to where the western end rises in a steep slope. Here
and there, at varying heights on all sides of the ravine, you
can see the black mouths of cave-like openings in the rock
walls. The sunlight is dim, the air dank, there is an oppressive
feeling here - as if something evil is watching and
waiting to pounce upon you. There are bare, dead trees
here and there, and upon one a vulture perches and gazes
hungrily at you. A flock of ravens rise croaking from the
ground, the beat of their wings and their cries magnified by
the terrain to sound loud and horrible. Amongst the litter of
rubble, boulders, and dead wood scattered about on the
ravine floor, you can see bits of gleaming ivory and white -
closer inspection reveals that these are bones and skulls of
men, animals, and other things,. . .
You know that you have certainly discovered the Caves Of Chaos!!!!
You see a cave to the left and ground level and a cave to the right about 25' up the substantial hill which slopes to 125' from the ground level you entered on.
Elwitta spends a couple of minutes staring at each cave, looking for signs of life or danger.
Perception:
Perception:
"This place reeks of death. Morgan, do you know anything about the denizens of each cave? Does is matter if we pick the left or right cave?"
Eldarian's eyes widen at the sight of the massive canyon and the multitude of caves which undoubtedly host a collection of creatures that would freeze the marrow of most normal folk. Unfortunately for Eldarian, he is quite "normal" when it comes to the prospect of facing hordes of nightmarish critters. The sight of the bleached bones gleaming in the light only compounds his terror.
"By the blessed ones, we're not actually going to march boldly into certain death are we? What good is a reward if you aren't alive to spend it?" Eldarian squeaks out in a quivering voice.
"I told you I knew how to get to the Caves, but I've never actually ventured into them. Plenty of foul things make their way out of them to keep me busy."
She looks around at the cave openings, and takes a moment to formulate a hypothesis.
"I know for a fact that goblins, hobgoblins, and orcs have been seen in these parts. I would not doubt that a full tribe of each lives in the area. What else occupies the other caves, who knows? Things at least as evil and dangerous, I'd wager."
At the elf's sudden excalamation, she turns and gives him a preplexed look.
"What did you think we would be doing, magician? Reward doesn't come without risk. If you want fame, and treasure, and magical knick-knacks, you're going to have to go in with us and take them."
After a moment, her crooked smile returns.
"Besides, I know your kind live long lives, but do you really want to live forever?"
"Elwitta, what do you see? Maybe we should simply march up to one of these lower openings and take a peek. What do you think?"
Mot Zon leans against his spear taking this all in, eyes wide with amazement. A lifetime in the Bright Desert prepared him little for such a sight. Oh lord Vathris, is this lost cause worthy of you?", he thinks with a smirk.
"I agree we should try one of these lower entrances, closer to the entrance to the canyon, in case we need to make a 'strategic withdrawal'." Rowan digs out a torch, and draws his short sword, readying himself for delving into the unknown.
At any rate, we should find some cover. I feel exposed and like we are being watched out here."
"Starting at a cave near the canyon mouth is probably a smart decision. As for left or right, that's a matter of fate and fortune. Toss a coin. That will serve as well as anything."
She fishes a silver piece out of her pouch, and tosses it up, catches it, and slaps it on the back of her hand.
"Crown, we go right. Castle, we go left, agreed?"
"Crown, it is."
"I might not want to live forever, but I would like to see my 150th lifeday, thank you." He pauses and examines the determined faces of his new colleagues. Sighing deeply," Well, since everyone seems intent on continuing, best to move on and get it over with." Eldarian murmurs grimly.
The party approaches the caves with a good hour of daylight left. It seems an auspicious time to tackle the Caves of Chaos. After flipping a coin the group heads up the hill and enters the higher cave on the right. Carefully looking around, no activity is observed.
Morgan notices tracks similar to humans have frequented these caves.
The caves widen to the right, jog a little left and go straight, and a large room opens to the left.
"We need a light," Morgan whispers. "I have torches, but I can't hold one and use my bow at the same time."
"Thanks, friend," Morgan whispers as she pulls an arrow at nocks it on her bowstring. She looks around the cave for anything dangerous.
Elwitta readies his great axe as he brings up the rear.
Perception check:
"Ye might want to pass that thar torch to someone in the middle of our group so you can keep yer hands free."
"I can light one object as well ... like your bow, or hand, or piece of cloth that you could stuff in your pocket if we need to quickly hide ..."
Aye, that sounds like a good idea but I would still keep the light in the middle of us.."
"I also can provide light which does not burn and can be quickly hidden if need be. Perhaps I could cast such a spell on someone's helmet so that all of us can have our hands remain free. If we need to move in secret the light can be covered up readily enough."
Morgan rolls her eyes as the group begins to loudly debate the use and positioning of the light.
"Psst! The louder you are, the easier it is for something to sneak up on us and kill us!" she says in a low, sharp whisper.
"If there are orcs or goblins, I'd rather fight a few at a time, insted of the whole tribe."
"Bah, bring 'em and Vathris will have his day ... alright ... I'll stay quiet ..."
"Bah, orc or goblins....they are not dangerous. Am I right Elwitta?"
"If someone else has a light, I would like to put my torch away. I can perform much more effectively if I can move in the shadows rather than being a beacon." Rowan stows his torch.
With his short sword at the ready, Rowan trains his senses on the cavern ahead of them.
Grumbling about bossy human women and how the mage is always given torch-bearing duty, Eldarian removes a torch from his back pack and casts a Light cantrip on it.
He will now keep his dagger in hand rather than his bow as his default weapon.
"Well, there's your light. I can't use my bow any longer and I don't plan on running into a melee and getting within arms length of whatever lurks in these caves, I can tell you."
"Why don't you just light your bow to keep your hands free?", Mot Zon lights the tip of his spear.
"If it becomes necessary or desirable to extinguish the lights it will be a simple matter of sheathing my dagger. If I place it on my bow, that would create difficulties in hiding the light."
A group of primitive looking humanoids charge from the right passage and try to spear Morgan. One of them lands a nasty gouge.
This result reveals all humanoid traits.
The primitive, snarling creatures rush from the right passage springing an ambush. Given the tight confines, two stab and one land a vicious blow to Morgan.
The party is quick to react to the brutal onslaught. The tight tunnel is quickly filled with the screaming of the hideous creatures armed with crude but effective spears.
Round 1
Morgan 20
Grimm 20
Eldarian 19
Mot 17
Rowan 15
Elwita 13
Orcs 11
Morgan cries as the spear pierces her leather doublet.
Presented with few options, she draws her bow and shoots at the orc that just stabbed her.
"Eldarian, exchange places with me so that I may move up."
Elwitta moves to the second rank and prepares to step in for Morgan if necessary.
"Morgan, you can fall back anytime - I'll take your place."
Mot positions so he can hit with reach and AOO any creatures that pass through the front ranks. Currently he is holding his action.
Rowan slips along the wall to his left to a position one square north of Grimm, thrusting his shortsword at the orc. He tries to recall something bout this tribe from their appearance.
Round 1 Rowan
In hands=shortsword 10/10hp
Active effect = none
Move= move three squares north Std= atk on orc w/shortsword
Round 1 Initiative 19
In hands: dagger
Effects: none
Move: 10 feet to FB44
Standard: Use Telekinetic Fist (Ranged touch attack) on Orc in FC40
Eldarian steps back to get behind the more durable members and then unleashes a pulse of force that slams into one of the vile creatures.
AC: 15 FF: 12 Touch: 13
HP: 8/8
CMD: 14
F: +1 R: +3 W: +2
Telekinetic Fist uses remaining: 5/6
Morgan unleashes an arrow as the orcs close. It wounds one of the front ones.
A fist of force finishes him off delivered by the wizard. Rowan moves next to Grimm and swings his light sword.
Round 1: Initiative 20
In Hands: composite short bow
Actions: 5' step to FB 40, diagonally up to the left of current position, then Full Defense +4 AC.
Morgan jumps away from the oncoming orcs and sets herself on her toes, ready to dodge any more orcish spears.
The orcs in front are big and tough. It takes Rowan's slice to incapacitate him. With a force of will the lead orc clings to consciousness.
Round 1 Initiative 17
In hands: Spear 5/10 (that weapon hardness/hp's?)
Effects: none
Move: 5 foot step from FC42 to FB42 (Awaiting an AOO)
Standard: Hold action
Await AOO if any step forward.
Might pop a channel at the end of the round