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Torod looks hopefully at Asta.
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As is often the case, Strawberry relaxes closer to Asta than to Torod. Asta just pets her more and Strawberry has a better chance to eat Croft.
"Hrm. Very well. But we need to alert Greenheart that we'll be out a while longer. Perhaps some raven mail? Croft could bring us a report on current affairs, too."
Seraph nods. "Agreed, it would be good to keep close tabs on home." The security of the kingdom was far more important then exploration. She frowned at the idea that soon they'd be hiring adventurers like themselves to do the exploring for them. She could only hope that the reserve forces would be enough to protect the kingdom in their absence along with Torods outsiders...
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Thomas agrees with the continued exploration, as it paints a clearer picture of their surroundings, and in turn fortifies their borders, not with sword and steel, but information.
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Melianse is suppressed by your quick return and having secured her replacement trees, ”Battled a Scythe tree, that is quite impressive! You have proven the value of your word and friendship to the light fey over and beyond what was asked. You have my thanks and friendship as well. I give you my word, that I will keep an eye out along the greenbelt’s rivers for any trouble or rumors of danger and pass them along to you as fey friends.”
Melianse directs the planting of the feather token trees to some obscure pattern that is most pleasing to her pond view. ”A little to the left, …. Your left my right… There perfect!”
Both Melianse’s and Tiressia groves are safe places to camp and rest.
Asta send a message to Greenheart via her familiar updating them on your progress. You get a reply within a day letting you know that the kingdom is doing well.
Perlavish also takes his leave, thinking to you ::Thank you for preventing unpleasant bloodshed, it would have caused wounds between the fey and your people that would have taken a long time to heal. I must be off! Good luck with your exploring!::
Seraph smiles at the news and at how the grove had turned out. She was glad that the light fey was on their side. What had happened with the Mites had been regrettable but this route she was sure wouldn't turn out the same.
"I'm glad to hear it!, Having safe havens among our allies is always a welcomed news to hear..." She is saddened by the sudden, but expected, leaving of Perlavish. She understood though why the flighty fey was leaving and nodded to him.
"Anytime my friend, these bigguns are always willing to help if we can and try to avoid dumb fights when we can. Take care and merry meet again!" She puts on her biggest smile, always amused and warmed by the fairy dragon's presence.
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Entering in to the area of the elvn ruins, the group searches the forest area and hidden in the dark woods you find a ruined, circular keep looms out of the forest, surrounded by towering, ancient trees draped with hanging moss. Four circular towers sprout from the cracked walls like the trunks of great trees, at least one crumbled into rubble. Twisting vines and thick moss cover the walls in a coat of verdant green, blending the ruins almost seamlessly into the surrounding woods. The overgrown remains of a path lead to an open, arched gateway gaping in the keep’s eastern wall, its doors long since rotted away.
The keep’s exterior walls and those of the flanking towers are built of 5-foot-thick stone and are 20 feet high.
The keep’s southern wall has been breached, creating a rubble-choked opening leading inside. The walls can be scaled with moderate Climb check.
Sunset hangs back a bit and covers folks with her small hand weapon. Watching for anything to come jumping out of the foliage or rubble.
Torod looks over the walls with a sense of reverence. He's lived his life among humans or on the outskirts of human civilization. This is his first time experiencing elven-ness in a very real way.
He takes time to take it all in. He kneels down and hugs Strawberry. A rare moment where he shows how much the great cat means to him. Then, they return to leading the group into the elven ruins.
Perception
Strawberry Perception
"Look here," Asta says, pointing out carvings on the walls. "It's Elven construction, alright. Old. Very old."
After dismounting Seraph takes up a defensive position near Asta, Thomas, and Sunset. If they spread out she holds near Asta with her large blade drawn out. Her abnormally muscular arms make it easy to swing the large blade. Her horns were slowly growing back now, small nubs pointing out from under her hair like she was some sort of beautiful demon feigning a disguise.
She nods at Asta's information, seeing the same with her own eyes and smiling at Torod's wonder-filled face.
"I foresee an outrider outpost within this place Milady. Torod's noble house and children will probably be raised here.?" She says it just loud enough for Torod to hear, smiling all the while.
She keeps a wary glance out and nods to Sunset in deep thanks for the cover she was providing them but she often waves the gunslinger to stay close and not fall behind. However, her amusement and attempt at multitasking only detract from her attempts at being vigilant...
Prior to entering the ruins, she casts a defensive spell, girding herself in her goddesses fair protection.
Thomas dismounts and ties off his horse, anticipating a ruin delve. He loosens his sword in its scabbard and turns to offer a hand to help Queen Asta down from her own mount.
”Should we consider applying enchantments to ourselves now in anticipation of trouble? It is rare to hear of uninhabited ruins in the wild.”
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Sunset holds back keeping alert for dangers.
Torod and Strawberry take the sight of the elven ruins in, before leading the group in.
Asta confirms that the tower is Elven construction, she can still detect faint auras of magic in the Elven stone.
Seraph dismounts and prepares to enter the ruins.
Thomas also dismounting helps Asta and asks if they should apply enchantments.
Approaching the arched gateway, Torod stops the group before entering seeing a trap is rigged that would cause the keep’s ancient portcullis to fall down on anyone passing through.
Seraph nods at Thomas's suggestion. "I was a bit hasty but once we are inside I suggest at least basic protection or increase to attack. Never know what we will find" She maintains her protective stance near Asta, hoping to shield her Witch Queen from attack if anything were to arise.
Is there a way to pass over the trap without setting it off? I'll direct the others to make sure we don't set it off.
Thomas prepares himself for battle once they bypass the trap. "I doubt a ruin would have managed to keep an active trap this long without help. I suspect something had claimed this as a residence..."
Sunset nods, "Aye... Somat smart... an' with thumbs t'boot..." She keeps looking for whater that something might be.
Torod nods in agreement with Thomas' assessment. He continues on into the ruin.
Asta casts a spell on herself - - and follows after the others.
"And yet, whatever lives here now lacks enough motivation to make some repairs to the buildings..."
"Or doesn't care. Possibly to lure passerby's..." Seraph remarks casually. The large blade at the ready as she strode in after the others. The crumbling ruin made her think of many who would delve into for treasures of a lost place in time. She kept close to Asta hoping to gaurd her against threats.
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Now safe Torod leads the others through the arched gateway into the courtyard. A graceful tower rises out of the keep’s central courtyard, now overgrown with bushes, undergrowth, and several sizable trees. Like the outer walls, the tower is draped with vines and creepers, and several small plants have taken up residence on ledges and in cracks along its sides.
Sunset hangs back and allows Torod's innate knowledge come to the fore.
Seraph is quiet, not liking the fact they had so many choices and thinking that aside from the central tower this was a great ambush site. She watched each of the nearest towers looking for anything obvious or open doors...
Asta remained her primary concern, unless ordered she stays close to her and ensure's her safety.
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The courtyard seems uninhabited, the thick underbrush makes the entire courtyard difficult terrain.
Asta sees a rat scampering into the Northeast Tower
Sunset hangs back.
Seraph watches the nearest towers
Northeast tower has no door or roof it looks like the interior levels have fallen away long ago.
The Southeast tower has a wooden door made from roughly-cut timber planks, obviously of newer construction than the rest of the keep, blocks the entrance to this tower.
The keep’s central tower is an elegant spire of ivory colored stone, draped with a riot of vines and other plants. The most complete structure in the entire fortress, its 5-foot-thick walls climb 70 feet to a multi-pointed stone roof.
Torod and Strawberry begin to circle the tower looking for a way in.
Perception
Strawberry Perception aid other
Asta utters a piercing whistle, aimed at the rat.
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Torod and Strawberry circle the main tower moving throught the overgrown brush without hinderance. They see an opening through the thick vines to the north and south of the ground floor.
Asta saw the rat scurry into the ruins of the northeast tower, it dosn’t come out, but you do here a muffled squeaky reply that you can’t make out.
"Hang on," Asta calls to the others. "I may have found us a local informant. Can we go over to the northeast tower for a bit?"
Sunset moves into the ruins, placeing herself along side Master Thomas with a freindly nod as she keeps an eye on both aproaches, hands haning loosly at her sides. One each of her weapons in each hand.
Torod and Strawberry wait.
"Need some honey?" Torod keeps a supply to add to his tea.
"It's a rat. A trail ration would work better."
Asta moves in on the ruined tower, whistling for her informant.
Thomas had been moving steadily towards the intact central spire when Asta calls out about the mouse. He looks to Torod, giving him a look that shows Thomas did not want to dally, but halts his advance as Asta pursued her “informant.”
"Here." Torod tosses some rations for Seraph to catch. He then turns to Strawberry and gives her a look of warning.
Strawberry rolls her eyes in an 'as if' motion. She then backs away a bit to give the mouse some room.
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Asta calls for the group to go to the northeast tower to chat with a rat.
Sunset moves into the ruins, hands on weapons.
Torod and Strawberry wait offering a bit of honey for the rat.
Asta prefers to offer it a trail ration, whsistling as she moves in on the ruined tower.
Thomas gives torod a look about the queen’s side trip after a rat.
Torod tosses some rations to Seraph for the rat, and gives a warning look to Strawberry not to eat the rat.
Seraph keeps next to Asta, catching the rations she drops a bit to entice the rat out.
Looking inside for the rat, Asta sees the northeast tower is open to the sky, its roof and interior levels having fallen away long ago. Among the bits of rubble and debris on the floor are newer well chewed bones. At the smell of food offered food hundreds of beady black eyes look out from every nook and cranny of the tower and its debre!
Two roiling masses of squirming, squeaking rats pour out of hiding in the tower, teeth flashing and claws scratching everything in its path!
Shortly after the rat’s boil out of the tower, you her a woman shriek in terror ”Ahhhaaa!!!!” near the southwest tower!
Rats red
Rats purple
???
Sunset:
Seraph: 6 damage
Thomas:
Asta: 2 damage
Torod:
Strawberry:
Sunset watches Lady Asta and Miss Seraph with a faintly bemused expression as the High lady seeks discourse with the local rodentia....
As events develop quickly into a roiling mass of fur Sunset's exrpession transforms even as she takes a step back in shock.
(O_o)
Hearing a scream from some where else within the ruins she looks between Seraph and Thomas and for suggestions,
"I gots me some fire.. But I dun't think burnin' tha' good Lady Asta be somat I want doin' right now." She looks to Torod as well.
Torod quickly casts Flaming Sphere in the space of the rats swarming Seraph.
Strawberry goes to find the source of the frightened scream.
Thomas looks to Torod, ”I have little to offer against a horde like that, but you seem to!”
He then turns to Sunset, ”Let’s go check on this scream!”
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Gagging at the rats, Asta staggers towards the rest of the party.
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Sunset steps back in shock and indecision, she looks to Torad
Torod creates a flaming Sphere in the mass of rats around Seraph and sends Strawberry to checkout the scream. Many rats burn unable to jump out of the way, but the rest continue to swam.
Strawberry moves through the thick brush to the Southwest tower. Through the empathic link Torod feels the cat’s can’t find what it was seeking.
Thomas tells Torod he has little to fight swarms with and head to the southwest tower calling for Sunset to follow.
Nauseated, Asta staggers out of the tower and swarm
Rats red: 13 damage.
Rats purple
???
Sunset:
Seraph: 6 damage
Thomas:
Asta: 2 damage
Torod:
Strawberry:
Gagging at the rats, Asta staggers towards the rest of the party.
(O_o) *Oh fek me. She'll be pukin' up spiders next!*
Thomas looks to Torod, ”I have little to offer against a horde like that, but you seem to!”
He then turns to Sunset, ”Let’s go check on this scream!”
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"Right-o!"
Seraph holds her ground the rats swarming her and the rolling ball of fire were painful but not enough to bring her down. Hopefully the fire and her presence would be enough to deter push the rats back into their hovel...
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Not wanting to see Asta puke spiders, Sunset follows Thomas to the south through the thick undergrowth.
Seraph manages to not become nauseated by the rats, she holds her ground.
Both rat swams cover Seraph with hundreds of rats crawling over and under her getting into places in her armor no rat should be.
Some Sort of small blurry shimmering humanoid with unnatural speed comes from the south strikes Thomas then rushes back into the cover of the underbrush to the south before Thomas can react. Luckily the creature missed.
to hit
plus 2 bleed plus poison Fortitude DC 14
Rats red: 13 damage.
Rats purple
Fast humanoid:
Sunset:
Seraph: 6+2+6=14 damage
Thomas:
Asta: 2 damage
Torod:
Strawberry:
Thomas, caught by a bit of surprise by the speed of the attack, calls down another blessing of Ragathiel. ”Get behind me, Sunset. There is an incredibly fast attacker here...”
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