The elf will cast detect magic
Thoroughly searching the room the group discovers a hidden latch in the kitchen area under the stairs that leads down underground.
"Hmmm. Seems that the Battle Father favors us. Let's gather the items that we can use and haul them back to Thrand. We can inform him of our discovery and have him travel with us. If we intend to enter the lordling's citadel we can use his blade. I doubt we will be finding many allies inside the citadel."
Agreed. These items may help to turn the tide of battle. Aren will help gather the items from around the house and moves to head back to the Inn.
After searching the manor (everyone minus Thrand) and improving some of the defenses (Thrand) it is mid day and after the long night of battle members are beginning to tire. The group meets again at the Inn to update each other and discuss.
The group shows Thrand the items found at the manor and the secret passage which leads down. Thrand shows off the current defensive improvements. Looking over the weapons and gear found in the manor the group determines:
Bow= MW darkwood composite (+2 str) longbow
Stag Sword= +1 Magical Longsword
Shield= +1 Medium Steel Shield
Antler Wand= Wand of Magic Missiles (21 charges)
Leaf Wafers= 12 Elven Moon Biscuits
After the defenders meeting Aren begins to head to the inn, but before he does asks "When do we try the passage? I require a few hours of rest. Night is when the orcs are likely to attack. Do we risk the passage tonight and leave the wall defended by the town or do we try it tomorrow?
"I'd say it's best that we go just before the crack of dawn IF the orcs don't attack at night. If an attack happens we'll need go sometime after midday. The longer we delay the more danger we put the men of this village in danger."
Thrand says, I am loathe to leave the militia to man the wall without our assistance. I, too, need sleep, and we must stand with the militia all night long, so exploring the passage must wait until morning. I can use this longsword that you found. If no one objects, I will claim it for myself.
"I am in the minority, but I think getting inside the warded area is a higher priority than leaving our lives to be overwhelmed by the massive number of orcs out there. If you need more reason think of using the warded safe area to shelter the children, elderly, and the sick. Though I am not in charge of this missive, and will default to Sir Thrand Prymlea and his final decision."
Aren reaches down and picks up the bow admiring the fine craftsmanship and design. "I will take the bow. We are all tired. Perhaps after some rest we can explore the passage quickly during the early evening hours."
"A few hours rest and then trying to find a way into the citadel sounds acceptable to me, though in truth, I'd rather go sooner than later if we could. I'm concerned about another night skirmish at the walls."
"I'll be ready when you all are. Wake me when ready.
Ollok finds a cozy quiet spot and closes his eyes with axes close by and armor still on.
The grey elf agrees with the cleric. Holding out I all that we might be able to do with the legion of orcs that surrounds us. At least in the keep we are better able to defend and perhaps the magical barrier will be able to aid us in the defense of land and people.
"I am fairly certain that our strength and courage combined with Berwyn's excellent walls will be enough to defeat the orcs and save the town, but on the off chance that I am mistaken, I am willing to explore the tunnel immediately rather than wait until morning. Shortnose, I leave you in command. Keep the peace and alert us to orcs at the gates. Have my horse ready for combat at nightfall."
Aren sighs barely audible to everyone. "I'll get Ollok." The ranger walks off to where Ollok had sat down to rest.
Aren makes no attempt to be quiet walking into the room Ollok took to rest. "We are going to check out the tunnel now."
As the two return to the others Aren proclaims "You have my bow." As he says it he looks down at Ollok almost expectantly. The elf seems to be expecting Ollok to say something.
Thrand draws the stag sword and prepares to follow the leader down the tunnel.
The group walks back over to the manor and enters. They walk past the two dead bodies and make there way to the kitchen. The secret passage is opened and Ollok clibs down first.
Ollok descends down the ladder and notices it is a crude tunnel, clearly not made by dwarves, and is roughly 5 ft wide. He sees a shimmering light source up ahead and when he gets to it he sees the same energy shiled from up top that prevented their entrance down here, but not as strong. It seems to be flickering as if something is keeping it from staying at full force. On the other side of this energy barrie Ollok sees a ladder going up.
"Hmmm... how are we going to go on if the force shield is down here as well? Thought perhaps with it flickering like that we might be able to pass when it does that."
Perhaps physical force could penetrate the wall here as well. Maybe it's weakened here. I am no expert in arcane matters so it's just a guess. If we go that route however perhaps Thrand should try with his new sword. It's magic may help to counter the wall's magic.
Still grumpy from his lack of sleep or maybe just because of the company he has found himself with he looks at the Arendyl "Good idea I could try the shield as well to bash against the field as well" he taps his handaxe against the new shield and nods towards Thrand but pauses. "But first maybe I can figure out if there is a way around this."
Ollok skillfully determines there is no way he can shut this barrier down with his skills.
As the group ponders the riddle of the field a large tremor is felt through the ground and shakes the tunnel and from the cries outside, is felt up top by the townsfolk.
The group can hear one of Darvis's sons yell into the manor for Thrand to come out and see what is going on outside...
The knight says, "Excuse me. Pardon me. Please step aside... EVERYBODY MOVE!" He rushes past any of his companions who aren't heading back out of the tunnel with him to check out the commotion.
Hearing the call from behind and seeing we aren't making progress forward Aren turns and heads toward the manor house secret entrance staying ahead of Thrand. "What now? It's still early afternoon. I can't imagine they would attack this early. "
There is something to be gained by watching nature and animals. Walls mean nothing to voles or badgers. Though small and often considered pests, they are able to go where they want because they go under it. she says.
"Or through it." Anchard says stepping to the side to let Thrand and Arendyl back down the tunnel. "Though it is because they are born with the tools they need. Where we must create our own." Anchard tests the barrier's strength with a few good taps from his quarterstaff and especially tries to bypass the barrier when it gives to flicker.
You step out of the manor and see the townsfolk all looking up at the darkening sky above....swirls of dark clouds begin to appear over the citadel as the hair on your arms stands rigid in an uncomfortable manner. A small storm seems to be brewing centered over the Citadel as well, with lightning strikes coming down from the clouds and going up from the Citadel tower. Some townsfolk drop to their knees and begin to pray for salvation. Loud booms can be heard from within the Citadel as the earth shakes again
The ground seems to vibrate slightly as you see the arcane energy forcefield suddenly flickers even more as if power is drained. As it flickers you notice symbols of Heironious above the tunnel along the ceiling originally placed there as decoration, but now seems to be the source of the energy disruption, as if the energy is evil in nature and the holy symbols of the paladin god disrupt the flow. You sense that if lucky enough you can pass by through the flickering energy if you are quick.
Ollok knowing this might be their only chance takes his opportunity and tries to jump past the barrier before it goes back up.
Passing through the barrier he only turns to look back after he comes to a stop 10 feet away from barrier. In that moment he wonders if anyone else followed him.
Aren looks to Thrand after watching the storm for a moment. "Well that was not what I expected. The others have not come up. Perhaps they are having some luck below?" Pausing for a moment in thought. "Do you think the barrier surrounding the whole citadel may be failing due to the storm? We just happened to be there when it began?"
Reflex
Thrand says, "This is not quite what I expected either. There is nothing I can do against a storm, unless it is something that a priest or a wizard summoned, in which case I can give him a good thwacking. Do you see anyone waving their arms and flapping their gums inside the citadel? If not, then we should go to the ramparts and look for a spellcaster among the orcish horde."
"I cannot guess what causes the magical barrier to wax or to wane. Magic is not my forte."
Thrand asks a responsible looking passerby to deliver a message for him. "Tell Darvis to keep calm and carry on! The storm is coming from somewhere inside the citadel. I will try to get inside and stop it if I can."
"Arendyl, there is nothing more we can do here. Let's return to the tunnel and see if the others have made any headway."
Thrand and Arendyl return to the tunnel and see that Tanariel and ollok are on the other side fo the flickering field with the others looking as if they are trying to time their leaps across...
Thrand waves at Ollok and Tanariel and asks Anchard and Tzardüsk what they are doing and how the other two made it across. He tells them about the storm and waits his turn at the back of the queue.
(Whichever is better or worse? Acrobatics would be four less than this.)
Tzardusk, not as nimble or acrobatic as the others, still tries to get through without taking damage... diving through between pulses.
... and he surprisingly makes it.
The elf raises a questioning eyebrow.
When all of the others are through Aren attempts to slide through the failing barrier.
Anchard waits to see what happens to those trying to infiltrate the barrier to see what happens to them before he tries to slip through.
Regardless of the others successes and failures Anchard channels his first orison learned from his fiery raging goddess to grant himself the ability to see magic so as to study the effects of the symbol of Heironeous and to hopefully find a way to duplicate the effect to further reduce the barriers persistence.
Members of the group manage to time their leap perfectly save for the elf archer who messes up his timed jump and gets caught in the flickering energy field that damages his body... as he falls under the force and the others help him up on the other side. Anchard does point out to the others that the holy symbols placed in the tunnel adjacent to each other probably caused the disturbance in the flow as well as whatever storm is brewing outside; that may have sapped some strength from the energy field.
Up ahead is a ladder going up that leads to a closed floor trap door for whatever room is on the other side. Listening before opening it reveals only sounds of wind, possibly from the storm mentione earlier.