"Suppose if I can keep my gear and my hands aren't bound... but ya best not be up to somethin' unfriendly, mister. I don't take well to gettin' tricked." Terflynn says, though with a hint of a friendly tone.
Thak hoists himself up into the carriage and then turns to Terflynn. "Come, sir. Trust your god." Beckoning, he disappears inside.
Once inside the Hedgehog, the interior is lavishly furnished. It is very spacious with velvet cushioning lining the entire walls and roof of the carriage. On the far side of the carriage cabin lies a mechanical device.
Terflynn will ride outside, staying with his trusted horse Hood.
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Thank you my friends May you live through the night..and probably if you are wondering what it means, it is how we at the Nightfall Scion sends our best regards to each other due to our......convictions. So once more, may you live through the night my friends.
Alfred smiles while closing the carriage steel door.
Oh and if you want to talk to me just shout out The Hedgehog has been constructed to deliver and receive sounds from the outside.
Alferd's echoish voice filtered into the cabin through 2 funnel shaped pipes installed at the 2 front corners of the ceiling.
With that you felt the carriage started moving forward at a decent pace.
Jade examines the strange machine at in the cabin. After a moment, she turns to her companions, I've met most of you, she points to each in turn, Grim, Dignus, Thak, Grollus and I'm Jade. But you I haven't met yet. Jade turns questioningly to the half-orc.
Further investigation you will notice the ballista has a spring mechanism that allows the mounting stand to spring up unto the top of the carriage. A hidden manhole can be seen with a foldable platform that can be assembled for a medium height person to comfortably stand on it to fire the ballista at the top of the carriage.
The device differed from an ordinary ballista in that it had a wooden magazine over the mensa (the cradle that holds the bolt prior to firing) capable of holding several dozen bolts. The mechanism is unique in that it is driven by a flat-link chainconnected to a windlass
When loading a new bolt, the windlass is rotated counter-clockwise with the trigger claw raised; this drives the mensa forward towards the bow string, where a metal lug pushes the trigger under the trigger claw, which is closed over the string.Once the string is locked into the trigger mechanism, the windlass is then rotated clockwise, drawing the mensa back, drawing the bow string with it.A round wooden pole in the bottom of the magazine is rotated down toward the mensa as it is drawn to the back of the polybolos, dropping a single bolt into the tray, ready to be fired
** spoiler omitted **
Embrianna breaks off her examination of the carriage's interior as Jade addresses her and offer her hand as she introduces herself. "My name is Embrianna. My apologies for not introducing myself properly earlier, but clandestine meetings on moonlit cliffs tend to put me a little bit on edge."
What does this do, I wonder?
Diggy takes great interest in the unusual carriage, and focuses on the device.
"Well met, friends. As I was saying before we were attacked, my name is Grollus Ardensmith. It seems we have quite a collection of warriors here; to what purpose do you suppose we were summoned?"
Grollus studies the interior of the carriage thoroughly, especially the strange device, looking for some sign of the purpose of their transport.
"Well met, friends. As I was saying before we were attacked, my name is Grollus Ardensmith. It seems we have quite a collection of warriors here; to what purpose do you suppose we were summoned?"
Grollus studies the interior of the carriage thoroughly, especially the strange device, looking for some sign of the purpose of their transport.
Curious as he is, he fights the urge to open compartments he knows nothing about, having learned such lessons as a guest of strangers in the past.
No one's said anything about the spell he cast, and neither will he.
I hope it's warmer where we're going. For those who I haven't addressed, due to the rude interruption, I'm Dignis Burrows, gnome at large. You can call me "Diggy," if you prefer.
As for the purpose of our meeting here, I'm as clueless as Master Grollus.
Following the source of the sound, Terflynn managed to manuver Hood over to a funnel shaped pipe at the side of the carriage.
"Did I hear that Master Grollus is clueless?" Terflynn calls to the muffled and tinny source of the sound.
You can heard the 2 guards travelling infront of the carriage whispering to each other. You think they will attack tonight?.....Damn i hope not...you heard what happened to Lervin the last time they were...ssshhhhh
Thak gives a low whistle as he hears the description of the ballista. "My goddess... a beautiful machine. I wonder if I could make one to carry..."
Turning to face the slit, he calls out "'Crystal Ball'? 'Wondrous Armory'? Odd accoutrements for a carriage though I'll admit the latter sounds intriguing... Mind if we examine these?"
Now that they have their host's permission to fiddle with his things, Angrim will get up and pull the lever that says "Wonderous Armory".
Angrim pulls the white lever. For a moment there was no reaction, before a distinct click was heard as the left side panel wall slides upwards revealing a hidden space behind it.
An array of magical iems are placed in a glass cabinet with labels detailing the identity of these items. A folding boat hand at the bottom. It read Rope of climbing, Hat of disguise, Goggles of night, Helm of telepathy, Ring Gate and an Orb of Storms.
Thak blinks slightly as he runs his gaze over the collection. Goddess.. I begin to understand why you sent me here. "You know, sir, ale would have probably served fine as a refreshment; that said, a small mountain of gold's worth of magical paraphernalia is not unwelcome."
Still somewhat in awe of the selection- "Is that a helm of TELEPATHY?"- Thak reaches out and pulls the 'Crystal Ball' lever.
In the middle of the carriage floor, a trapdoor slide open as a podium rose from the ground. It is shaped to resemble a eagle's talon clutching unto a Crystal ball.
* The viewer is able to send and receive silent mental messages with the person appearing in the crystal ball. Once per day, the character may attempt to implant a suggestion (as the spell, Will DC14 negates) as well.
This is one well-equipped carriage... Diggy stares in wonder at the crystal ball.
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Having fun I trust?? The crystal ball is very unique I must say...
Alfred stops in his speech as he looked around. He has a worried expression. He nods to the guard driving the hedgehog and you can feel the carriage accelerating in speed.
Ahhh where was I...yes it is very special as you can be anywhere in the world but with that you can always keep in contact. I cannot imagine the numerous times it has saved us.
"Hmm..."
Removing the Goggles of Night from their case, Thak puts them on and peers out the tiny window into the darkness.
[spoiler=Thak] You cannot see much as the speed of the carriage caused the environment to be in a blur. However you thought you saw running forms however you are unsure if it is just a trick of your eyes.[/b]
Removing the goggles, the dwarf leans back and replaces them in the cabinet. "Nothing; except... I saw somethings running. I may be mistaken, though..."[/b]
Jade takes Embrianna's hand, but is interrupted by the discovery of the secret panel. Jade's eyes widen, and she goggles. She immediately begins to search for more secret compartments.
Hearing Alfred's voice become worried, Jade looks at Thak, trying to see outside. Do you see anything?
Can any of you see in the dark? I can light up the night, but only up to 40 feet. I think we might have to give this scorpion balista a try in a little bit. She pats the mechanism sitting in the carriage with them.
I can cast a mobile light spell. It's a gnome thing called dancing lights. Quite useful for illuminating enemies. Goes pretty far, too.
"What's this talk?" Jim speaks towards the carriage. "Someone need some light?"
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I am afraid that will be unnecessary...I already know the nature of those who pursue us.
Alferd licked his lips before resuming.
This region villages has been cursed with Lycanthropy. However their numbers have grew tremendously this few decades...most of the nights we do not fear but as they are nothing more than thugs and ruffians in their human form. However, on such a night as this they draw powers from the grey lady and transformed into half man half wolf.
Alferd points at the full moon.
However not to worry as they cannot outrun the Hedgehog. When transformed, these beast are nothing more than savages. Giving in to their instincts rather than their brain. We should not fear.
"On what do you intend to try out the ballista? With only a few exceptions, the wildlife here has done us no harm."
"I'd be happy to operate the ballista should things get rough, can't be too much different from my crossbow. Unless someone else is more experienced in such matters?" Angrim asks the others.
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Yes Master Angrim it is not too different from the crossbow, and for Mr Grolleus there will be a lot of wildlife for you to target if things get ugly.
Alferd chuckled.
Halt!!
One of the front guards shouted. As the driver rears the horses abruptly throwing everyone off their seats as the Hedgehog comes to a stop. The front guard turned around on his mount and gallops towards Alferd whispering the situation.
Alferd with a worried look on his face nods and turned to the group.
My friends, i am sorry for this do not make any sense..apparently some of the boulders from the side of the hill has rolled down and blocked our path.
This ridge is also know as the Devil's Pass for there is no way around this hill except through here. I refuse to believe that the Lycans are that organized to have set up this trap unless....
Alferd ponders.
Looks like the someone is very determined for you guys to not reach the Dusk Valley...I may know who is it....I will tell you guys more if we make it to The Dusk Valley.
We have to decide now what is our next course of action. We cannot turn back and can only go forward. Unless we clear the boulders, we cannot proceed..I fear the worst..
The Guards stats are as follows:
AC 19, touch 11
Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +1; +1 vs. fear
Defensive Abilities bravery +1
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
Melee lance +5 (1d8+3/x3)
Ranged heavy crossbow +3 (1d10/19–20)
STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
Base Atk +2; CMB +5; CMD 16
Quickly assessing the situation, Angrim makes a suggestion. "Let the guards move the boulders while we fan out into a semi circle and protect them. Something like this..." He says, scraping some mud from his boot and drawing a crude diagram on the floor.
Terflynn pulls off his blindfold.
"What's all this boulder nonsense?" he asks, flustered.
Looking around, "Well, isn't this a fine mess, mister Manningford. You'll be getting no tip from me this trip."
"Is it a long road past this point, Manningford?" Terflynn inquires, assessing the situation.
Thak steps out of the cart and scans the surroundings. "Angrim, your plan sounds workable. We should get light spells on the Hedgehog so we can see any attackers. That armoury may come in useful... give those goggles of night-seeing to someone, and..."
Thak reaches out and removes the Helm of Telepathy. Stepping out of the cart, he holds his bow in his other hand. "I may be wrong, but this little trinket will allow me to talk to them before they get too close; and if I can talk to them, maybe we can negotiate. Or maybe I'll just tell them to flee from us before we blast them to pieces."
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No Mr Terflynn, if we can get pass this Devil's pass we will be in familiar territory.
Alferd replies.
That's an excellent suggestion Mr Angrim, however I am afraid the roads is not the only path these Lycans can reach us...they also have displayed amazing prowess in climbing and leaping off those mountains
A long howl followed by many other long howls building into a crescendo of wolf howls as if mocking the group can be heard.
“No sense in wasting time then." he says as he reaches out to place a hand on the carriage. With a quick muttered prayer, the surrounding area springs into light, as though the sun had risen.
"What can you tell us of these foes, sir? Have they any magic or invisiblity?" he says as he rides Hood into a defensive position behind the carriage.