Dot
Oink.
Gronk? Sounds like an old 2000 AD comic. Next thing I know, I'll be hearing snorkle!
So, for the away team, what are the immediate plans, and what are you bringing with you? Let's start with that.
NP
The morning is cold, but clear. The winds are light as you begin to set off.
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Immeditely after leaving camp, taking advantage of the supposedly increased safety of the first miles of travel, the ranger addresses a few points with the group:
"Ok boys and girl, I have pondered this trip back and forth, and to keep things straightforward and clean, and due to the fact that the bonestorm all but erased any traceable signs of previous passage on this path, I think our best option is actually to follow the caravan's route - If I recollect correctly..." - he pulls his scraps of mapping from one of his pouches - "They followed slowly along the Crossroads path, during about a day; They pulled off a mile off track to camp and had an easy night"
"You guys recollect anything additional about the Ghost Caravan?" - the half-orc questions the group.
"So anyways, on the next day they started heading towards the canyons, looking for some sort of shortcut, I am guessing for about 2 more days, and by the end of that second one they were attacked"
Putting his stuff away, he adds - "Now, I know some things about wilderness travel, so regardless of the difference in speed of our travel, and the cravan speed, I will try to have us passing all the travel points where we know the caravan was - their first campsite, and from there, in about a straight line towards where they were attacked - If that is ok with y'all, lets get this MOVING!"
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Still addressing the group, Calendir continues - "Lavinia, Azaraunt and Numair, I have upfront knowledge of creatures such as undead, demons, and many others I have encountered during my travels... But I am nothing compared to the absolute well of knowledge you guys possess - we all need to be on our toes constantly out here - whenever we're in a fight, as I am sure it will happen, we need to react fast, and communicate to each other whatever we know about our opponents - weak spots, vulnerabilities, strengths, etc. - as fast as possible, so we can use the best possible strategy against them"
"Take this initial travelling time to recollect whatever you may know about what we may face in the immediate future - out of the top of my head, I would throw out there ghosts and the like, gargoyles and those other gargoyle types we faced before as their leaders, but one thing that worries me is what Gurg said about some sort of Wraiths coming out from the ground... Now, he said that maybe they hit some spot where their manifestation was stronger? I would like to know what could cause that, and if we can simply diminish it or totally nulify it - you guys need to help me with this, since I have no idea. And by the way, how do you fight a wraith? Tell me how to prioritize my arrows" - the hlf orc smiles.
"Azaraunt, we can count on Imbukar telepathy to keep us on constant contact? How is he at taking watches at night, does he sleep or somehow rest?"
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Whenever not on watch, or circling the perimeter, or gathering supplies, or preparing the camp, or something of the sort, the half-orc takes the time to sit with his companions to learn - "You see... I have met my share of crappy critters out there, wanting to do stuff as uncanny as feast on mine or Lagash's soul here" - he pats the feline gently - "Or whatever undead and demons want when they stalk the spark of the living... I have picked up tidbits here and there, I know where to hit them the best, how to take them down as quickly as possible, and usually where to place my arrows to hurt them the most, so to speak..."
Grabbing bite to eat from the salted meat he adds - "But my formal... Or scholar knowledge - whatever you want to call it - about these is short - I have read here and there about the creatures I have hunted for some time now, but I feel I'm still missing the big picture here, and I was expecting you would allow me to pick your brains every once in a while on this, so to speak" - he finishes with a fanged grin.
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"Ok boys and girl, I have pondered this trip back and forth, and to keep things straightforward and clean, and due to the fact that the bonestorm all but erased any traceable signs of previous passage on this path, I think our best option is actually to follow the caravan's route - If I recollect correctly..." - he pulls his scraps of mapping from one of his pouches - "They followed slowly along the Crossroads path, during about a day; They pulled off a mile off track to camp and had an easy night""You guys recollect anything additional about the Ghost Caravan?" - the half-orc questions the group.
"So anyways, on the next day they started heading towards the canyons, looking for some sort of shortcut, I am guessing for about 2 more days, and by the end of that second one they were attacked"
Putting his stuff away, he adds - "Now, I know some things about wilderness travel, so regardless of the difference in speed of our travel, and the cravan speed, I will try to have us passing all the travel points where we know the caravan was - their first campsite, and from there, in about a straight line towards where they were attacked - If that is ok with y'all, lets get this MOVING!"
Survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
My thoughts as well Calendir. In fact I am not sure what do do after we track down this caravan. I do not expect survivors, but we must go and see for ourselves. After that, I am not sure what our next mission will be, other than to, hopefully avoid the ghost caravan.
My telepathy is available as always, but my constant vigilance is not. I require sleep just like the rest of you, but will take my assigned watch and will do so with lawful dedication to duty.
I would have to retcon you, practically back to the venture-captain for that. The only person you have met so far in the Camp that could do that would be the Usurer, and I am not sure that you want to go there yet. It might be possible that someone could lend you theirs...it wouldn't work for the first day, but you'd be okay after that.
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Azaraunt discusses strategy. I know you would prefer to scout ahead of us Calendir, but I recommend we stay close out here and use Imbukar's flying to provide some altitude to keep us aware of threats. I do not like the threat of those bone dust storms and think the best course of action is to simply maintain the Enforced Environment all the time. I will use one of my mid level spell slots, my pearl of power of that level, and one of three charge of my Lesser Rod of Extend every day, but then we will be warded. Is there any down side to that? And if we know we will meet up with specters I will cast Mage Armor on everyone as only very special magically enhanced armor offers any protection from their touch.
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Let us move along the caravan's route at the best speed we can manage. While it would be nice to have Cal scout ahead, this is a treacherous land and he could easily be lost to some calamity with us oblivious to his demise. We should stick together.
I have never studied demons or devils. I do know a modest amount of lore about the undead, but it pales in comparison to what our scholars know. I never could carry encyclopedias around in my head like Azaraunt or Lavinia do. When the time comes to fight such creatures, I use the Lens and let Sarenrae guide my arm.
Are you going to wear the ring you found when we were trying to track the giant, Cal? Because if you're not, I surely will!
You ride out about an hour after the sunrise, onto a cold plateau of grey sand and ash. The tundra feels cold, even for those who have cast endure elements or similar spells, you feel the cold right down to your bones. After about an hour of travel, you come upon a shimmering image, perhaps 150 feet off the road. Taking a closer look, you see that it is a pair of ghouls. For whatever reason, they have not yet noticed you.
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Shadowy Haven
School transmutation; Level sorcerer/wizard 4
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a small black silk bag)
EFFECT
Range touch
Target one 5-foot square of floor touched
Duration 2 hours/level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
DESCRIPTION
This spell functions like rope trick, except the point of entry is through a 5-foot-square instead of a rope. The space holds as many as 10 creatures of any size.
When this spell is cast upon a 5-foot-square part of a wall, it creates an extradimensional space adjacent to the Plane of Shadow. Creatures in the extradimensional space are hidden beyond the reach of spells (including divinations) unless those spells work across planes. The space holds as many as 10 creatures (of any size). The entrance to the extradimensional space remains visible as an area that is darker than the ambient illumination.
Spells cannot be cast across the extradimensional interface, nor can area effects cross it. Those in the extradimensional space can see out of it as if a 5-foot-by-5-foot door or window were centered on the affected surface. The window is invisible (though it is within the shadowed entrance to the spell, which is visible), and even creatures that can see the window from the outside can't see through it. Anything inside the extradimensional space is ejected when the spell ends. Only one creature may enter or exit the extradimensional space at a time.
The entrance is only open when the area around it is in dim light. Any other level of light (brighter or darker) closes the entrance, trapping creatures inside the extradimensional space. If the entrance is closed when the spell expires, there is a 50% chance that creatures in it are ejected into the Shadow Plane instead of the location of the entrance. If this occurs, the creatures appear on the Shadow Plane 1d10 miles in a random direction from their corresponding location on the Material Plane. The spell has no effect if cast on a plane that is not adjacent to the Shadow Plane.
Because the extradimensional space is adjacent to the Shadow Plane, any shadow walk spell or similar effect that allows travel to the Shadow Plane is more accurate, reducing the distance creatures arrive off-target by half.
Noticing how cold it is Azaraunt will cast an extended Enforced Environment on himself (16 hours) shortly after they leave camp. This should help with the cold, and now we are prepared against any any sudden storms.
Assuming that Imbukar, Perception +11, flying invisibly above and slightly ahead of the group might see this first, he communicates his sighting to the group.
Shimmering image off the road to the right. 2 ghouls - It seems they have not seen us yet.
My master wishes to remind you that ghouls are often intelligent and these might have knowledge of the area.
** spoiler omitted **...
** spoiler omitted **
The ghouls are shifting along the land, seemingly no real purpose in mind. One of the ghouls notices your party and motions to the other. Both are suddenly quite wary of your approach, but they do not flee.