Mystery of the Keepers (Inactive)

Game Master DireMerc

"That would be fine with me... I have no objections to dealing with a secondary threat on our way to our primary goal."

"As there is also the path that will take us the way the stone men took. I am uncertain which is right at the moment. Personally, I'd prefer to go the way the stone masks did, hopefully to save the girl on the way. However, the loss of so many men would hurt the community as well. Devyhn, which would you prefer?"

Devyhn sighs, and shakes his head regretfully. "The presence of the undead knight has had a profound effect on my assessment of matters. A roaming pack of ghouls, or shuffling mindless zombies are dangerous, certainly, but they are a danger to which the people of this community have grown accustomed. We now have evidence that the knight is commanding them, and using them tactically. I do not think the people of this town are prepared for a marshalled assault from the undead. If nothing is done, they will all be slaughtered."

He looks to Ausk with regret in his eyes.

"I want to save the girl, Ausk. She does not deserve the terrible fate for which she is doubtlessly headed. But, if she is the sole survivor, and everyone else she knows is slain, will we have truly done this place justice?"

"I suspect our choice is of little importance. I have a feeling this undead army won't allow us to roam the forest freely..."

Erik shoots a sideways glance at Ausk and Achren.

"...and we're not all as light-footed at we could be."

"I think it best to deal with each threat," Lysander speaks up, stringing his bow. "Surely, we must find the girl. But defeating the undead abominations is also in order. If we were stronger in number, I'd suggest we split the group and meet at the vault we sought originally; as it is, I have half a mind to track the men and child while the rest of you deal with the undead, since I am skilled in forestry. But it may be more prudent to remain in one group."

Of course, it also depends on whether or not our fine GM is willing to have the party split, and whether or not you lot think I'm mad for suggesting it. But looking at the group, it seems that Ausk is the most adamant about getting the girl, and he and I could potentially track the masked men through the forest. Since we're archers, we have reasonable survivability, too. But splitting up may not be a good idea--this isn't Scooby-Doo, after all.

"I think splitting up would be unwise. We have greater strength together." Bleyz looks at Lysander pointedly, then continues. "I have a feeling that if we follow the undead, we may likely meet up with the masked men later at the vault anyway. But will we be in time to save the girl? We have no way of knowing they even have her, or what her condition might be now, so that is hard to say."

If you decided to split up I will go along with it. The choice of how to proceed is yours. I am thoroughly enjoying this and look forward to seeing how you fare :)

"If you wish to track the masked men separately, I cannot stop you. I can only forewarn you of the risk you are taking. We, as a whole, handled a small group of ghouls, and yet one of our number was still badly injured. How well would two have fared, or even three? How small can we afford to divide our force and still have hope of achieving any one of these objectives?"

He reaches into his pouch and withdraws the wand. Holding it up to make certain everyone sees it.

"This is our surgeon and our medicine. We have only one, and to my knowledge, only one person capable of using it. Whichever party is not with me and this wand is placing itself in extreme peril. Is it a rational choice to go separate ways, or an emotional one?"

"Are not both reasons valid ones? I'm not sure how Lysander was thinking of doing this, but I am sure that he had a plan in mind. I'll also caution you as to what our employer told us, we're not the only people after the item. Who's to say that the masked men are not our greatest threat at that? Obviously the undead wouldn't be interested in information, but wouldn't people?" Ausk answers quickly.

"We are wasting time." Erik says gruffly, leaning forward as he speaks.

"Let us head into the forest here and make straight for our original destination. If we come across this undead knight or these stone masked men we'll deal with them then. There's an evil power in this forest and something tells me it is tied up with what Sazed asked us to find. Our best hope is to get in fast before anyone knows we are coming and lays further traps for us."

Erik straightens to his full heigh and looks expectantly at the others.

"Who's with me?"

"Into the woods, then. Let's not waste the daylight arguing. If we come to a point out there where the paths of these three priorities cross, we can argue about which quarry to hunt then."

Achren looks up from the map,
"I will go with you, Erik," He says "For I am convinced that these stone-masked men are indeed those who seek the vault, amd I believe this way may hold the key to catching up with them sooner. They must be brought to account for their crimes." Achren looks at Ausk, "Ausk, I cannot command you to follow this path with us, but I truly believe it is the fastest way to deal with these stone-masks." To Lysander he says, "Lysander, Do you really believe it is in the best interests of the party to split up? Come with us."

Bleyz just sighs and sets out into the forest following the masked men, albeit he only takes a few steps, waiting for the others... "We are spending too much time overthinking this... let's go before their lead becomes even greater."

Alright so you enter the forest at it's northern point going to the area known as the cold marrow. The tracks left by the undead from the camp are not very hard to follow with the drag marks left by them bringing unconscious or wounded men with them.

You Travel for around four hours without encountering any sign of life. In fact the forest is unnaturally quiet. You arrive at a point near the river were the tracks split. One group took all the prisoners and went west towards the archives and another smaller group only 4 or 5 in number that went into a cave.

"Seems to me that we should not be leaving 4 or 5 to attack us in the rear. I vote we clear out the cave and then continue."

"This could be another ambush, as well. As soon as we enter the cave, another force could move to trap us inside. If we are to going to look inside the cave, we should probably check the nearby surroundings, first."

"Yet if speed is of the essence, spending additional time scouting may be unwise. Instead, I suggest that perhaps one or two of us remain outside, in easy distance to help, to cover the cave entrance. Higher ground or something to hide behind would be preferable."

Devyhn nods at Lysander's suggestion.

"Two archers could buy the rest the time needed to investigate. We need an alarm, something to alert of immediate danger. I have this," he says, reaching into his shirt and retrieving a small whistle. "It should be loud enough to be heard by all. Do you have anything similar?"

"I agree, Lysander and I should stay and cover as you rest go in. I may be able to hold my own in hand to hand, but I'm far better on the hunt. The whistle should be able to alert us well, just don't hesitate to sound it should you need us to help." Ausk says as he nods to the inquisitor's wisdom.

"A good plan". Erik agrees.

Erik takes the lead into the cave. He tries to move quietly, but catches a rock at the entrance and sends it clattering into the cave.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Bleyz winces as Erik makes a racket, and himself tries to remain silent, though not trying too hard since Erik already announced the arrival of the party, and looking ahead into the cave as he moves forward right behind Erik.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Assuming there is enough room for us to both fight freely. If not I will be behind Bleyz.

Achren moves up beside Bleyz and looks steadily into the gloom.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Devyhn retrieves his lantern from his pack, lights it with the flint and steel from his pouch, and follows the others into the cave.

"We aren't going to take them by surprise. We may as well have a clear view of what lies ahead."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

As you approach the cavern you spot to pillars with symbols on them, one on each side of the cavern and above the cavern you see a sign with letters written in a very old form of common. (Linguistics roll if anyone has ranks)

Beyond the cavern walls are made of stone blocks are not natural but rather constructed.

Holding the lantern in his right hand, Devyhn extends his left hand, palm out, and moves it in a slow sweep before the group.

"Pharasma, lend me you eyes, so I might see that which should not be."

(casts detect undead - 60' cone, 1 minute)

You do not detect any undead within your range.

"Erik, can you see which way the tracks go?"

Erik quickly stoops to check the floor of the cave.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

there is no doubt they went inside this complex.

Erik starts to slowly follow the tracks.

"The tracks go deeper within the complex."

Devyhn nods.

"Good. We have a clear trail, so let's not delay."

I see so nobody had ranks in linguistics. and nobody can make dc 25 untrained. Well this should be interesting.

As you enter past the pillars you feel a chill up your spine and have a sudden feeling of foreboding. Roll a will save.

Erik feels a sudden shiver, followed by a feeling of dread.

Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Erik feels the cold all the way to his bones and it remains but Devyhn and Bleyz shake it off with relative ease.

Erik pulls his cloak tight around his body, hugging his sides with his arms. His breathing becomes shallower.

"Where's that cold coming from?" he asks out loud, but to no-one in particular.

Feeling the unnatural cold slide off the mental armor of his faith, Devyhn tries to analyze the nature of it.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

You examine the runes of the pillars and you know them to be magical now. However this magic is very old and the best you can do is determine that this is a ward of some-kind to keep out the living.

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

[spoiler=Meanwhile, Outside...]
Lysander looks around for a good spot to take cover or gain higher ground as he waits with his bow strung and an arrow on the string. "Ausk, you seem a skilled woodsman and archer. Where did you learn the trade?" the half-elf asks. Though many do not care for my appearance, one of orc blood must feel the same ridicule quite often. And if he is also a ranger... perhaps I will find some kinship in this group.

For some reason I cannot send a pm to Achren? I will send you the details of the effects on your character when I can. For now.

Achren feels the cold very deeply. It's suddenly as if his chains were made of ice and the effect isn't going away.

Not cold enough to deal cold damage but pretty dam cold. Just think of it like being outside in winter with a wet t-shirt.

"The cold you feel is the result of necromantic magic released from the columns when we crossed the threshold. It has affected you somehow by tapping into the wellspring of Life energy within you. What will happen as a result, I cannot say."

"From travelling with my father. Many times during his digging around ruins, all I had to entertain myself with was the nightly meal. As such I started hunting as it was more interesting than gathering berries. In fact was during a hunt that I first felt Erastril. Yourself?" Ausk replies as he climbs a tree.

Lysander gives a small, wry grin. "Being as I am, I was never much liked or accepted in human communities, or really any of the civilized races' settlements. And even among the elves, I was an outcast, even more so than most half-breeds." He shrugs. "It didn't help that both of my parents were also of mixed blood. In any case, I ended up spending more and more time in the wilderness, where I simply learned how to survive. Archery I gained from the elves, as well as some faith for the Green. The rest I picked up on my own."

"Yes, there were those hired by my Dad that treated me odd for being what I am. Those didn't last long afterwards. If we survive this, perhaps I'll introduce you to my father, he's always looking for able bodies to help protect him on his trips," Ausk replies, "I wonder how the others are doing inside."

Devyhn looks at Achren and Erik, trying to appraise their conditions.

Untrained Heal check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Spell craft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"How are you feeling? Can you go on, or should we turn back?"

They seems a pile pale and are shivering a bit but otherwise seem in good health.

"Frozen, but I can still swing my sword." Erik replies to Devyhn.

[b]"If we're going to go on, we ought to get moving. Otherwise we can leave them to it and make for the archives."[b]

"I'm fine too," replies Achren. "Lets go on."