Axis looks to Falko As none of us is evil, we needn't fear whatever holy magics their celestial heritage bestows upon them, and surely they'll search for wickedness in our auras before engaging us in enemity. He takes his bedroll out of his magical backpack Otherwise I agree with you, Falko, although I don't think it will be quite so easy.
"Well I guess I'm here for some reason". "I'm in". "I'm usually pretty good at finding things".Winnjet says going through a series of stretches.
Knowledge (history):
Knowledge (religion):
Kestrel nodded sagely at the description of the coat at arms, not quite fully understanding any meaning behind it, but committing it to memory.
"Half-celestial... Ok, I can see that."
He turns to the others with a big fanged grin: "They're just gonna love us!"
He makes himself comfortable, bringing his tired feet nearer the fire. "So, tomorrow we head north, cross the Desolation to Tsar, find the shining warriors?"
Brother Silias coughs nervously: "Well, that's a short summary. The Desolation is too big to be crossed in a day. I am aware none of you know the surroundings, so I brought the most reliable map I could."
He unrolls the second scroll he carries and draws you attention to the bottom of the map. "About a day north of here, you'll find a small village, called the camp. it sits at the southern edge of the desolation and is basically a base camp for people wanting to explore the desolation. From what could find, it is the haven of recluse, criminals and outcast. I would still suggest you to stop there and try to gather information before jumping in."
Balasiel nods as he listens to Brother Silias speak.
The conversation slowly dies around the fire and you share the provisions Brother Silias has brought with him, thinking about the informations you were just given.
Drawing up guard duties, you settle for the night.
The night is calm and event-less and you all wake up rested as you realize that for the first time in months, you have not dreamt about the dark city.
As you make ready, Brother Silias bless you an take his leave back to Bard's Gate. "I'm afraid I will not be very useful going into the Desolation with you, but if you have questions about documents or items you may discover, do not hesitate to send for me or contact me at the church of Muir via magical means. I'll do all I can to help you."
Cernan wakes Axis up when morning arrives. The azata needs no rest, so he has stood watch over the mage during the night.
At Falko's complain about his breakfast he uses prestidigitation to change it's taste Better?
I could conjure a mount, but only for myself. So it seems that we are walking.
Balasiel looks to his steed, than to Falko as he speaks of walking he shrugs and puts what extra gear he has on Justice before putting his weapon in his baldric and waits for the others, so they may all start out.
Grim shadow, lighted by approaching dawn, Damian puts his armor on and draws his black blade for the moment, as if to inspect it before putting it back into scabbard and facing the sun.
In the morning, Kestrel wakes and spends some time in prayer, holding his sunstaff before him as he silently mouths the words to rituals long forgotten. "In all my dreams, I have chased the falcon on foot. I have never seen myself riding." He says this matter-of-factly, in the same sort of voice that one would use to say that the sky was blue.
Winnjet also spends the night relaxing, and dozing slightly. She really doesn't need the sleep, just might as well, because who knows when she might have the opportunity again. And while sleeping was a luxury for her it was one she enjoyed.
Not really feeling as comfortable in the wild as she does in the city, Win was non-the-less happy to be following the source of her dreams.
"Well". "Let's do this thing".
As the sun rises into the sky, you make your way due north, on the packed earth road that should lead you to the Camp. You first pass between hills like the one close to your camp last night, but they quickly turn into rocky ones devoid of any vegetation.
By late afternoon, you start to wonder whether this Camp is real or not as you may well be into the Desolation proper. But as you skirt one last hill, you all spot humans habitations less than half a mile away.
Before you sprawls a pathetic collection of hovels that appear to be composed of whatever materials happened to be lying around. Here, a building that had an impressive beginning as a stone structure peters out a few feet above the ground where its walls become mud-daubed sticks with bunches of straw stuffed into the chinks. There, wooden poles support walls of woven thatch and roof that is little more than an old hay tarp patched in places with tar. Beyond you can make out a ramshackle wooden structure, obviously the scavenged remains of several merchant wagons as evidenced by the axles and wheels still mounted at places on the outer walls and the hitching tongue protruding above the lintel and supporting a tattered awning.
The trail you are on proceeds straight through the center of this collection of dwellings and travels on into the dusty wasteland beyond, disappearing into the shrouding haze of windblown debris. In the center of the settlement stands an old gallows hanging far askew. A dark form turns slowly in the breeze, suspended from this leafless tree. Few people seem to be out on the hard-packed streets of this village, though you can see some activity to one side at an area of pole-supported awnings that appear to comprise some sort of shaded market.
Before you a scraggly buzzard perches atop an old plank sign. Crudely painted upon this placard is simply “The Camp”.
The still afternoon is shattered by a great bellowing cry of rage. From the north road charges a massive figure. Those few people on the street quickly scatter at its approach. It is a hill giant covered in dust and blood. A great spiked club swings in its hand. Its face is a mass of recent wounds and horrible burns, perhaps caused by acid. One thing is evident, though; the look in its eyes as they focus on you is one of pure insanity. At his side, two huge Ogres, even more wounded, echo his bellow and follow in his wake.
Initiative:
Kestrel will be in M33.
1d20+4
Half maddened by anger and wounds and spurred by their leader, both Ogres move forwards towards the group to EF16-17 and HI14-15, greatclubs high over their head.
Winnjet takes careful aim at one of the charging Ogres. "Doesn't look like they're in the mood for negotiation does it".
Light Crossbow (Ogre 2)
Damage
Winnjet takes careful aim at one of the charging Ogres. "Doesn't look like they're in the mood for negotiation does it".
1d20+10 Light Crossbow (Ogre 2)
1d8+1 Damage
The bolt seems to disappear into the heavy hide armor of the Ogre but you hear the grunt of the beast indicating it has found his mark.
Falko is surprised by such a "welcoming committee": "My kind of town..."
he draws his sword and bolsters his allies: "Aww! Come! On! They are NOT THAT BIG!!!"
Too far away, Kestrel thought as he saw the giants rushing towards the group. Get closer, attack obliquely.
Double move towards E32.
Axis observes that the giant is sufficiently away to concentrate on the ogres for now. He takes a pinch of ground mica from his spell component pouch as he starts chanting. He moves his nimble fingers in the accurate gestures of the spell. When he finishes, he blows the mica towards the ogres and a cloud of swirling gold motes explodes around them, covering them in sparkling dust.
As the sparkling dust explodes around the ogres, the first one covers his eyes right in time and glares bakc at you, unharmed while the second starts groping around, visibly blinded.
Following his minions, the maddened giand roars and moves towards the group faster than you thought it would.
Seeing the giant move closer Balasiel, moves forward to meet it while drawing his blade.
Holding his blade at the ready, Damian moves to stand with Balasiel.
The first ogre, bolstered by his leader, charges towards the characters, his greatclub high above his head and brings it down on Balasiel. But the club bounces harmlessly on the knight armor.
The second one, enraged by his blindness moves forwards as well, swisheng his club in front of him to try to locate ennemies.
"That's true", replies the Giant, "I've found you and you will pay."
Concentrating on taking Ogre 1 out of the battle, Winnjet loads and fires again.
CB Attack
CB Damage
"Eat this",Win mutters under her breath.
Concentrating on taking Ogre 1 out of the battle, Winnjet loads and fires again.
1d20+12 CB Attack
1d8+3 CB Damage"Eat this",Win mutters under her breath.
Once again Winnjet finds her mark and the Ogre roars as the bolt pierce his skin.
Kestrel raises his staff high, and it glows with a bright light. It flares, then a lance of light hurtles towards the nearest ogre.
Cast Spear of Purity, targeting Ogre 1. Will DC 16 to resist. If they are not evil, they take half damage, and can save for half again.
Ranged Touch:
Damage:
Forgot to add in the +2 inspire courage, so that's actually a touch AC 10.
Kestrel raises his staff high, and it glows with a bright light. It flares, then a lance of light hurtles towards the nearest ogre.
** spoiler omitted **
The spear of light catches the Ogre full in the chest and the Ogre falls to the ground, clutching at his burnt chest.
Axis moves around the rubble until he has a clear shot to the giant, takes from his component pouch and starts casting. He points to the giant and two rays of fire shoot from his fingers. Just as the spell strkes the giant, the mage vanishes and reappears fifteen feet away.
1st ray
damage
2nd ray
damage
Axis moves around the rubble until he has a clear shot to the giant, takes from his component pouch and starts casting. He points to the giant and two rays of fire shoot from his fingers. Just as the spell strkes the giant, the mage vanishes and reappears fifteen feet away.
1st ray 1d20+5
damage 4d6
2nd ray 1d20+5
damage 4d6
Both rays easily find their target and scorch marks join the acid mones on the giant face and arms.
But that does not stop him and steppping forwards, he brings his spiked club down on Balasiel than Damian, denting their plate armor with the power of his blows.
Balasiel grunts after being hit by the giant before stepping forward to attack him. Swinging his sword swiftly Balasiel unleashes two swings at the giant.