It is, afterall, on the way to the Sherrif"s.[/b]
Once they reach the appointed area, Grimm dismounts and looks for sign.
Fair bit o the area has been disturbed by what looks like animal sign, but coulda been done deliberate ta throw off bein followed. Give me a minute to try and sort a trail. Nobody move.
It's been a couple days since the attack and the firm ground is thoroughly trampled. Grimm's sees to separate trails one heading to east and the other west of the coast road but there are no definitive tracks.
Malcolm takes out the map again.
To the Southwest is our destination, but to the east lies the backdoor into the dungeons through a Goblin steadfast. I say we follow the Western trail, and if it heads Southwest, all the better.
Vatilda - who is following while noting landmarks in her own ledger, looks to the area indicated by Malcolm... and nods.
"I can see no reason to disagree."
"Fine by me."
Taking the trail off to the west, it twists and turns, splitting at times into smaller game trails. Grimm's not sure if he has "the" trail of prints but he has found "a" trail that ends in a recent clearing. There are signs of a recent campfire, no more than a day old.
perception
Desmond and Kalim see a few unusual tracks leading away and into a small copse of trees that follow the river. After a few miles of trudging you come up on a 60 foot gorge that the river has carved out. The Water flows below, the gorge is narrow and the overhanging rock shield it from most views. There is narrow path leading down and appears to switch back.
Keep an eye out. Just cause we are trakin dont mean we can't be ambushed
"Aye, good advice, Grimm."
perception.
Karnog shakes out his warhammer and readies his shield.
Malcolm draws his Bastard Sword and follws the scouts ahead and into the breech.
The path is narrow, often less than 3 feet wide as it overhangs the river, but the group makes it's way down below to find a small rocky landing. Barely wide enough to hold the group comfortably. There is gouge in the rock where the river juts off, a narrow path follows the river into the cavern.
When you look overhead you can't not see where you started, and this area's angle is shielded from most the river traffic.
"Should we backtrack and leave a rope from above? Just in case we need to get out in a hurry?"
Grimm sniffs at the air.
Well it's a great spot to attack us. And like I said, can't be certain this is the trail of the bunch we lookin fer. I'm just here fer the pay and the fightin. I'd say we get along to this graveyard. Sure to be plenty o undead that need bashin
Well, we have come this far, let's nose around in the cavern a bit. Are you still on the trail, Grimm?
With the rocky soil there is no footprints to speak of.
Can't see prints over rocks, Shiny boots. We can cross an I can do a circle search an try an pick up some more...
After carefully hugging the cavern wall you manage to make your way into a small cave, where this is a single small river barge pulled on shore, the rope is frayed but tied to two iron pitons. Resting against the rocky wall are three barge poles. The water flows deeper through the cavern but the path ends at the barge.
Desmond looks at the barge with interest. "This outta be fun."
The is a bit of apprehension in the air amongst the travelers. You all start to recollect what you've heard about river and boat travel in the area:
A wise man uses the rivers to travel in this place. They are dangerous though. Many men who did not know the correct paths have drowned.
I put this quick map together to give you a frame of reference. The small boat is large enough to hold all of you but it would be tight. The obat itself looks in good shape - for what that is worth.
Desmond nimbly leaps on the edge of the boat, turning on one heel to the others. "C'mon, get your sea legs!"
Right!
Malcolm climbs into the boat.
Grimm:
Grimm you certain that no bugbear or goblin tracks are in this cavern. However, you do pick out some bones of a humanoid creature discarded in the water and between some rocks. Clearly a larger predator has been hear.
Before stepping into the boat, Vatilda chants and taps each of the members of the group.
"You will now be able to communicate with me in the heat of combat. I have granted you all the power to speak and understand Aklo and Celestial languages."
She then holds out her hand for Malcolm to steady her as she boards.
Never did like boats but since Shiny boots and me kin are all crazy enough to go over water in heavy armor, screw it.
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"I have a bad feeling about this. We need to watch each other closely, and react fast if one of us goes overboard."
Karnog clangs his fist on his full-plate's breastplate.
"I'm not exactly geared up for swimming, after all."
You all notice that the armor that malcolm not wears does not appear heavy at all, but finely wrought Elven Chainmail.
My newest armor, while it would weigh me down, is not nearly as cumbersome to swimming as my former protection.
The members push the boat off and squeeze in tight, two members need to pole/paddle the boat in this pitch black tunnel.
"I have a bad feeling about this. ..."
Malcolm activates his Cap of Light, sitting near the prow of the craft.
"I suppose I'll row. Hardly want to be sitting near the front or back of this boat, after all."
This resemble more of a flatbottom barge than boat, shallow draft and it can be move with pole or like a paddleboard, there are no benches to sit. You stand.
From dry land, Kalim says,"This is a terrible, awful idea. Supposedly this is deadly for those not in on the secrets. None of us are sailors, and many of you are covered with heavy weight."
"For once I find myself in agreement with Kalim. Perhaps tomorrow after I have prepared a spell which allows for breathing water would be a better time."
[B] "We know how to approach the temple in various ways ...this seems ...imprudent."
Desmond glances around, seeing the boat sink farther and farther down as all the metal weighs it down. "Perhaps you're right Kalim, I didn't give it much thought since I don't wear much metal. Perhaps another approach?"
Grimm stomps off the boat.
Well at least we got SOME sense, though certainly not from me. Let's get to the damn graveyard and start stabbing some dead things.
As the group is chatting everyone but Kalim hers ripples in the water.
Kalim, Grimm and Des are back on land the others are on the flats boat.
RA:
dice=water troll 1 ]1d20+2[/dice]
Initiative order:
Kalim
Desmond
Vatilda
Karnog
Malcolm
Grimm
Water Troll 1
All that pops up from the water is head and two beady eyes.
Vatilda peers at what she can see of the creature.
"Do you see what I see?"