Stones of the Ancients

Game Master Seamus Greenbottle

"Could it be...?" Orren turns back to the group and whispers: "I can't be sure without seeing these masks, but I know cultists of the Living God Razmir are known to wear iron masks. They are fanatics based on the far side of Lake Encarthan. Though what they're doing this far from Razmiran I cannot say." A scowl sets on his face, for those that can see clearly enough. "They could be quite dangerous."

"Still, they must be after something important if they have come this far. I second Ms. Li's suggestion of tracking them come morning."

Dang, thought I had a spell for tracking but it's personal-only =p I'll prep a truthtelling spell JIC though.

Chance gives a nod and settles back down. "Just be sure that whoever is on watch gives a bit more...firm attention in their direction."

Navarro nods in agreement and goes back to his hammock.

Terwin nods and resumes his watch, wakinjg the next person when it is there turn. With no spells expended he does not need to spend time studying his spellbook and is thus ready to go bright and early.

After a while, the campfire in the distance dies out, and the voices disappear. The rest of the night passes uneventfully, and the sun rises the next morning amid scattered clouds in the sky. The noises of the swamp can be heard all around.

Terwin sends Wilberforce up to investigate the other camp as soon as he waken, "Now make sure you stay well above them hundreds of feet, and don't hover about, just fly around naturally try to establish which way they are going and then fly back by a round about route, alright?"

Wilberforce squawks disdainfully and takes to the air. Terwin waits for those who know what they are doing to begin tracking.

"Movin' along the trail, but they're already going!" Wilberforce says urgently, flapping his wings at anyone taking their time. Terwin begins hurrying down the trail, stops and waits for someone sturdier to take the lead.

Orren takes one of the watches past midnight, taking time to pray after waking the next watcher before retiring for the last few hours left to morning.

In the morning:
"Chance here seems to be our tracking expert. If either Jia or Navarro have the skill to aid him, they should take the front with him and the other guard our rear. If not, you both could watch our backs." He picks his staff up from a nearby tree. "Sad to say I'm not much use in direct conflict, and I suspect you'd prefer not to either, Terwin." He says with a kind smile.

"Most assuredly not," Terwin agrees.

Navarro nods. "Of course!" He joins Chance at the front.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Taking point, everyone now can see Chance in his element, at his best. He puts his eyes to quick use, hunting for a sign of those they are seeking.

Perception to find tracks/camp: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 I swear, I have the worst time with skills that I actually focus on...Murphy's Law, I suppose.

Jia Li will help look for tracks. Tracks?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Wouldn't it be survival? And don't forget you can take 10! Useful rule.

Actually since we know they are following the trail I recommend we don't use tracking as per the rules - which requires us to go at half speed, or up the DC substantially. We would be better off following the trail and ought to be entitled to a perception check if their tracks move off it, etc. Plus I'll have Wilberforce check periodically, then we can move full speed.

Are you hoping to gain on them, or not lose them? If you just don't want to lose them and see where they're going, then you can keep a safe distance, follow the trail, and Wilberforce can continue to check. If you want to gain, you'll have to figure out another plan.

Keep up but not catch, say a quarter of a mile behind or so? Sound okay guys?

Let's just be sure not to lose them

You travel for hours with Wilberforce periodically checking on your quarry. At one point, they seem to veer left off the trail, and when Wilberforce looks around, it is clear that they are veering away from a village that they trail leads right into.

The macaw tries to confirm it is the goblin village before returning.

"They're going around a village the trail leads to," Wilberforce relays, "must be the goblins."

"So maybe they are not dealing with the goblins?" Terwin muses, "I say we follow them, I don't think taking on an entire goblin village is wise."

"Yes, by all means follow these gentlemen. I am curious now what they're up to."

"If they are heading for goblins, we can follow. If they are with us, then we have more blades. If they are against them and us, then the two can soften one another up."

"The presence of these men causes me concern, I believe we should follow them. If they are who I think they are, no good can come of them, and they are unlikely to welcome the assistance of anyone, irrespective of the possibility of mutual goals."

"They seem to be interested in the goblins either way, so this shouldn't be much of a distraction, if that helps."

"We aren't being paid for iron mask men. If they have nothing to do with the goblins, we return to complete what we have started."

"Well I'm following them," Terwin says, "our employers real goal is to stop the goblins causing trouble and I feel following these masked types has a better chance of achieving that. If I am wrong the goblin village is not going anywhere."

"From my understanding, these men seem to think the goblins have acquired some sort of 'stone.' Whether it is actually of any consequence is debatable, but the goblins seem to believe it is so. This could be why they've grown so bold. Ending the goblin attacks outright would surely yield a greater reward."

"Have another vote for following them," Cyrus says, playing with a coin between his fingers. "Curiosity if nothing else."

Seems to be the majority, then.

You veer off the pathway, skirting around the goblin village. Strangely, you don't hear much, if anything, coming from the village as you pass.

Wilberforce lets you know that the group has returned to the trail, and seems to be headed for the base of a set of cliffs on the southern edge of the swamp. As you approach, a fifty-foot-high cliff rises along the marsh’s southern border, its face a thick tangle of jutting rocks and bright green vines and nettles. A curtain of these thick nettle vines partially conceals a cave opening at the base of the cliff.

Terwin eyes the cave entrance warily, "Well I suppose there is nothing to be done, but to head in there... Would someone more robust mind leading the way though?"

Just to reiterate, though I'm not calling it out Terwin is as always using his at will feather fall ability every round - its an immediate action so this includes in combat. This is important because he has a trait which means if he has a spell up he automatically stabilizes.

I think everybody said yes. Jia and Chance's objections were conditional.

Jia takes the lead and heads towards the cave.

The tracks lead into the cave I presume? Then let's go for it.

Orren allows the studier members to go in first, staying near Terwin.

Navarro tries to listen at the cave mouth before sneaking in.
Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

You shouldn't talk while your listening, maybe you'll roll better :P

Cyrus continues to stay near the back.

Onward, friends, into the breach.

Obviously, if I didn't hear anything, there is nothing to be heard;)
After listening at the cave mouth, Navarro signals 'All Clear' before entering.
What is the light level in there?

Right! If we need light, Orren can make it bright as day :)

Terwin casts a light spell on a pebble and throws it to Cyrus, "Its not much, but its better than a torch."

Taking point, with the little light that is provided, he should be good in this area, he knocks an arrow in his bow and prepares for the worst as he moves onward.

As Chance and Navarro lead the way through the vines, the feel the sting of the nettles on their skin. Chance is able to fight through the pain, but Navarro is not as lucky.

Navarro is sicked for 24 hours from the pain from the nettle vines. Others walking through must make a Fort save or find another way to deal with the vines.

fort save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Orren pulls in a breath over his teeth while passing the vines. "Nettles...hrmm." He seems slightly annoyed.

Or maybe more than slightly :P So our marching order is: Chance, Navarro, and Jia; us casters; and Cyrus at the back? How wide is the passage?

Jia pauses to wrap clothe around her exposed flesh.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"Aargh!" Navarro staggers as the pain hits on his exposed neck and face. He is grateful it didn't strike his eyes as well.

Do the nettles look like something a weapon could clear relatively safely?

Yes, it looks like with some work and being careful to avoid them, you could cut them down. Orren, you are also sickened.

Putting aside his bow, Chance pulls out his blade and begins to hack away at the nettles. "Careful..."

Cyrus keeps a lookout behind them as Chance clears the nettles.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

It seems we should have exhibited a bit more patience, Navarro.

After a few minutes, you're able to clear away most of the vines that hang down over the entrance.

Looking around now inside the cave, you can feel moisture dripping down from the ceiling, just over seven feet above you. The floor is slightly slippery, but not enough to inhibit movement. The lighting isn't perfect, the the sunlight from outside illuminates the area somewhat, and you can see that the main pathway of the cave leads off to the left, but a smaller tunnel leads right.