Post
*here*
So much has changed, so suddenly. Here we are, out of Goodwin's realm for the first time since...since my days of greed and pride. Will I prove worthy of the Dawnflower's compassion? Or will I be too weak to stay on her path, out here?
Yvra dusts himself off, his metallic red-and-gold scales sparkle in the sunlight. He lifts his face toward the sun, grips his bow more firmly, shakes his head, and tells himself: Push those thoughts aside! Goodwin is missing and we must rescue him...if ten thousand years time is not too late.
"I wish Jovar had more information for us--this mountain temple could be five miles away or hundreds! Still, if he thinks this 'Kaoo Lor' may be there, and able to help Archmage Goodwin...well, we've got to give it a try, eh?
"In the meantime, I feel confident in my ability to find game of some sort for us to eat, unless this area is far more barren than it seems."
Greebins comes bolting through the undergrowth in pursuit of a small mammal. It dashes through the legs of a Wyvaran that happens to be standing there, and Greebins is forced to a distracted halt. Recognizing the creature as a fellow devotee of Sarenrae. He pauses for a second, removes some twigs from his fur, sand says, "You were supposed to shoot it."
Inspirational Photos of the area you are in:
Yvra chuckles a reptilian laugh and shakes his head. "Hungry already Greebins? I promise, once we start walking I'll shoot your a pheasant or two--and enough for you two, Nathan.
"Judging from these bushes"--he rubs the leaf of a nearby plant and sniffs it--"I suspect there'll be some mountain tubers and huckleberries to round out the meal."
Nathan gets whacked in the head again by a branch. "Ouch! This is getting tiresome! At least you smaller guys can walk under some of the branches. I keep getting whacked by them. Just look what it's doing to my clothes. I have to keep cleaning my clothes." Nathan says a few arcane words and his close clean up and after a few different words the tears mend.
Taking some of the food found gratefully Nathan remembers, "Eating these things reminds me of my time before Goodwin. Those were not good times."
"I'd have shot it for you Greebins, but I fear my arrows are as big as the target in this case." Nathan grins and you feel slightly uncomfortable seeing his huge shiny white teeth.
Nathan grins and you feel slightly uncomfortable seeing his huge shiny white teeth.
Looking at your avatar to the left, I can see why this might be somewhat creepy. ;)
At Nathan's complaint about navigating the branches, Yvra moves his long, serpentine neck in his version of a shrug. With a hint of a smile he says "I'd offer you a ride but I'm afraid I'd never get off the ground. That said"--his wings start to beat, stirring up the tall grasses around them--"Let me see what I can see."
The Wyvaran flies up above the trees and attempts to map out the best route forward.
Greebins sticks out his tongue, and in case his thoughts are unclear, adds, "Berries and tubers... yeachhh! I gave up eating live prey for Sarenrae, but I still prefer it be meat. And clothes, Nathan? Not when I don't have to. Interferes with my dancing." He does a twirl and bolts up a tree, climbs along a heavier branch and begins to scan the area for prey.
From the branch he purrs, "Honestly, I'm glad I ran into you two, I thought I would be stuck with those lunatics... When I ran if they were still discussing trying to learn basketweaving. Can't be two far from here. We should probably head a different direction in case the murder monkeys show up."
The trio continues their trek and the Wyvaran takes to the sky, providing aerial reconnaissance. As you move, Greebins hunts and gathers. He is able to provide food for the three of you, Nathan taking twice as much food, being large. The sky is clear and the wind strong, particularly in the skies. With the wyvarans bird's eye view you make your way. You dont at any point see a temple or any sort of structure or edifice of any kind. The mountain plateau is devoid of any signs of civilization. In many places it is hard to pierce the thick covering of evergreen forest and see what is on the ground. Yvra is able to see the lake in the distance, the small streams of snowmelt sparkling from the mountains that completely encircle the plateau, as they empy into the alpine lake. You see the only easy way from these mountains as the river that flows from the lake to the highlands and valleys below. Without taking that route, traversing over the mountains themselves will be near impossibly without appropriate gear.
The three of you make decent time, although hunting and moving through the trackless forest you cover only about 3/4 of a mile per hour. You are all essentially in your sleepwear, whatever that may be. Footwear is not much of an issue as you either have animal feet, or tough natural armor like skin, but the cold weather will be an issue once night hits.
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The air is cool in the forest as you are shaded from the sun, the wind is cut down, but you can imagine when night falls it will get very chilly. You suspect the temperature will drop to dangerous levels for the group. Greebins' fur will protect him, but the others will be subject to the cold.
An unprotected character in cold weather (below 40° F) must make a Fortitude save each hour (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. A character who has the Survival skill may receive a bonus on this saving throw and might be able to apply this bonus to other characters as well (see the skill description).
DC 15 : Gain a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saves against severe weather while moving up to half your overland speed, or gain a +4 bonus if you remain stationary. You may grant the same bonus to one other character for every 1 point by which your Survival check result exceeds 15.
Making the survival checks would indicate things like sheltering out of the wind, or nestling into a bed of pine needles or against another warm/fur body to help with the Fort saves. Nathan having large mass will get a bonus.
Clearly having a fire will be your best bet and eliminate the need for rolls. As worshippers of Sarenrae this shouldn't be an issue ;)
Again based on your current speed you should reach the lake before nightfall, but not much before the goes down. You may have an hour or so to make a camp, shelter and build a fire before the cold air sets in.
Nathan begins to grab logs as he travels. "We'll need these for fire wood and you never know, they make good weapons too, well at least for me." Nathan laughs as the one he hands Greebins, drops him to the ground. "I'll carry the fire wood. You keep and eye out for food. We can cook something on the fire tonight. MMMMMMMMMMMMM. A nice big bonfire. Nothing better than that."
Day 1, Time approximately 7:00 PM.
The three of you arrive at the lake, tired and exhausted, but you finally made it. The sun is setting quickly behind the mountains to the west, casting long shadows over the lake. It will get cold quickly.
As evening draws closer you see the birds start so nest up for the night but some early insects buzz around briefly. You wonder where they go when it gets so cold. The waves gently lapping against the shore brings a peace over you. While the lake itself is not very big, this is the lowest point of the plateau, the depression serving as the 'bowl' for the lake, all the snowmelt flowing in this direction. During the off season the lake levels may be lower, but now, it flows briskly. Waters from multiple streams flow in the north, east and west sides. The south end of the lake empties its contents into a river, its waters crashing down through a gap in the mountains. These rapids signal the path from the mountains for those who cannot fly or traverse the treacherous peaks.
The water is cold, very cold, but fresh. As with in the forest, wood here is plentiful and more available in smaller amounts. Driftwood and other pieces of wood has washed up and lie scattered about the shore, deposits from the fast flowing streams that made their way back to shore. The breeze here is still strong, and the cool wind picks up as the warmth of the sun disappears. In the dusk you occasionally you see or hear a fish jump into the air or surface to grab a meal from an insect that came too close to the water.
You take a moment and then need to decide to get on with your your next plan. You have about an hour before dark. There is also wood and stone aplenty here. Again as long as you have a fire you should be ok, and could do other tasks after dark (sleeping at some point), as long as you stay close to the fire and warm up occasionally. The stones are still somewhat warm from the sun of the day, but will cool off after dark. Nathan has already gathered a pile of firewood that will last the night. This gives you a leg up on trying to build a shelter if you want. In honor of Sarenrae you get a sizable bonfire going. As you work on your campsite you muse about your goddess. You are comforted that as you prayed for your spells this morning after arriving from the demi-plane, your faith was still answered, and the divine power still filled you. Somehow, even after ten thousand years have passed, your goddess still burns brightly. A sense of peace falls over you.
While you decide/work, have some more inspirational pictures:
Snowmelt streams
River
Lake
Lake Close
Lake Side
Lake Side
More Lake!
aerial view
While Nathan tends the fire, Yvra builds a shelter. He starts with its back up against a rock that will provide shelter from the wind--provide it doesn't change direction too much in the night. From there he builds up an insulating layer of leaves and moss, taking his time to get it right despite the ache in his muscles. Finally, he takes a mostly-charred log from the fire--still radiating heat from deep inside--and buries it in the soil at the foot of the lean-to.
When done, he smiles. "Greebins is right--it'll be biting cold tonight, but this should protect us from the worst of it. The heat of that charred log will radiate for much of the night. As long as we keep watch with one of us tending the fire itself, I think we'll be OK. That said, we sleep beside one another tonight. No sense in wasting what heat the Dawnflower has granted us."
Greebins resists the urge to pounce on the various insects drawn towards the fire, though he does occasionally swat frenetically at ones that pass to close to him.
"Brothers, it is good to know Sarenrae is with us here in this world. I feel her flame will light our way tomorrow. Nathan, you have the closest connection to the divine, perhaps you can read her will in the dawn light, tomorrow?"
When done, he smiles. "Greebins is right--it'll be biting cold tonight, but this should protect us from the worst of it. The heat of that charred log will radiate for much of the night. As long as we keep watch with one of us tending the fire itself, I think we'll be OK. That said, we sleep beside one another tonight. No sense in wasting what heat the Dawnflower has granted us."
"Yvra, of course I'm right. I'm a cat." He then drops into the peculiar feline resting position, with his legs pointed one way, spine twisted so his arms point the exact opposite, head at 90 degrees, and body spread out to maximize surface area exposed to warmth. Somehow he appears perfectly comfortable contorted like this.
Yvra's shelter seems to work quite well. It was constructed large enough to hold the big ogre Nathan. With the layer of moss, and pine needles and pine boughs, the shelter will keep the group safe. Fire blazing, you gather together and watch the stars appear in the sky. You hear one of the other groups singing and see their campfires dotting the west side of the lake as well. You suspect it is Tolheimia's group.
"I am honored to greet the dawn and our Lady, brothers. While she still shines brightly, I haven't heard any instructions from her. Hopefully I will as the sun rises." Nathan then settles in for the evening, waiting to be awakened at last watch.
In the morning, a little after the sky has begun to lighten, but before the sun has risen over the horizon, Nathan spots a large figure swimming through the lake at a great pace. The figure comes closer to the shore and eventually stands up, revealing itself to be a male minotaur with black fur. He strides up to the ashes of the campfire. "May I join you here, brother?"
"Lotham, brother. You are welcome here. Come and watch the sun rise and show the glory of the Dawnflower. Please show caution in the future though. You almost ended up with one of my arrows in you as I thought Sarenrae brought us steak for breakfast. Good thing I waited until I got a clear view of you before firing." Nathan grins at you and throws more wood on the fire.
"prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"
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"Perhaps Sarenrae would bring you breakfast. The Hunt is more the purview of Old Deadeye, brother." He pauses to murmur (albeit loudly, he is large and his voice is deep) "If he was old when I first knew him..."
He shivers momentarily in the breeze. "Yes, more fire. The water was even colder than I expected. The warmth is appreciated, brother."
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As the sun crests, you spy a lone figure approaching the camp. As he closes you recognize that it is Rechau, the Hobgoblin Aldori swordsman. He nods a greeting as he comes into the camp.
"Ah, a fire, apparently we came ill prepared for this weather."
He looks at the members of the group.
"I have decided to join with you. Though we all have benefited from Master Goodwin's tutelage, some of the others are a little too cavalier in their approach to "good". I know each you however to be honorable and true to your belief. It would be an honor to travel with you in our search."
He bows slightly to the group.
"Believe me, brother Rechau, I know your troubles."
"Welcome to the campfire brother." Lotham stares at the fire for a while, continuing to warm up.
"I felt like a creature with no purpose over there. If you will take me, I think I will also stay with the four of you."
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Day 1:
Time: After Dark. 9-10 PM ish.
The group settles in for the night. The large bonfire is crackling nicely with wood gathered. The five of you, loners, or outcasts from other groups have managed to find each other and find a kinship in purpose and resolve that seems almost fated. Gathered around the fire, talking into the night, over philosophy and the past, many of you of course knew each other then, and particularly the Sarenrae worshippers. You recall the large library of tomes and texts that Goodwin maintained. You remember looking through them and feeling drawn to your goddess. In time, Goodwin had a visiting priest from a temple of Sarenrae come to instruct you, and initiate you and others. So, began your journey. For the others, it may have not been so different. Goodwin often encouraged his students to study the divine, and made information on all the pantheons available. He would steer his flock away from the evil deities, explaining why he felt it was better to be good. Each in their own way took to a different calling. The diversity of faiths fostered quite a good deal of nightly discussion, and often heated debates, but everyone learned to appreciate the differences. At one point Grobly, from one of the other camps appears, bearing some venison, asking if the group is in need of food.
The group hears chatter, talk and singing from the other camps. Tolheimia's large group is the noisiest, and they have multiple fires. As the night wears on, the shoreline grows quieter. Those who have set watches, you can see their fires being maintained into the cold night as the temperature drops.
I am going to get things to the overnight stage, and prep for the next day of adventuring, as well as focus on character crunches.
"Thank you for the venison, Grobly. Your cooperative spirit is a wonder to behold."
"I will take one of the darker watches of the night. I cannot see very well in the dimmer light, but once the light is gone I can see as if it were daytime."
"I wonder what creatures lurk in these woods. Is it remarkable that we have not seen anything... unusual?"
"Yes, the world looks... different? It is hard to fathom that it has been millennia since we were taken. We should discuss our plans. We have no supplies. All I have is my sword, and while it shall stand us in good stead in a fight, it is practically useless for such mundane things as hunting, fishing, or general chores. What do you think is a good place to start?"
"Thank you for the venison, Grobly. Your cooperative spirit is a wonder to behold."
"I... I have no weapons. Although I hope to find some eventually. I'm afraid I am too loud and clumsy to sneak up on a deer, else I could wrestle it to death easily." He chuckles a little. "Yes, Old Deadeye, I give you reason to be embarrassed of me, heh."
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Grobly arrives at the camp well after sunset. It is easy t o spot him coming as the impromptu torch he is carrying swings back and forth and a wide arc. He other arm is dragging a freshly killed and butchered deer's leg. His eyes glow red in the dim light and the unnaturally large jaws reflect the torchlight from his teeth. "We bring gifts of food! So you don't have to hunt, we did!" Grobly conveniently leaves out the method in which the deer was caught. "This was easy! How was your travels?"
Rechau watched as Grobly came into the camp with a little apprehension. As well as he knows they are all students of Goodwin, the sight of a goblin with fire still made him nervous.
"From your description, Yvra, it sounds like the only way out of here is to follow the river out, unless you can fly. And I most certainly can't, unless we build a catapult that is."
Lotham hmmms to himself. "What if the temple is on *top* of the mountain somewhere?"
"I would not be opposed to heading up into the mountains, since it is likely most of the other groups would follow the river. If everyone goes the same way, then our searched would be redundant."
"A sensible assessment. I agree, let's try that course first and see how it develops."
As they discuss things Rechau carefully sharpens and oils his sword. A magnificent weapon, its polished blade giving off rainbow highlights as the light reflects from the wavy patterns of its steel. The thoroughness of his work revealing the depth of his commitment to this particular weapon.
"Hogekhec or Duuc-Alec, helaan or ghec tuuch, al'dan teelan duun." He whispers repeatedly as he cares for his weapon.
"If it's not on top of the mountain, perhaps climbing the peak will give us a good idea for the lay of the land."
"Brother Yvras, how high can you fly? Can you scout us a good trail up the mountainside? Climbing is no issue for me, but I'm unsure of our other companion's nimbleness..."