The Reclamation of Zahvroma (Inactive)

Game Master Signore di Fortuna

Not my forte: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Even less so: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

The manticores continue to sleep as you pass by their lair. Cyna finds some more tracks that continue on to the north. About twenty minutes later, you see a small ring of stones and crude wooden huts circling the stones.

Tesia looks up from her book to keep an eye on Mirrin.

I'm pausing from my reading to make sure Mirrin is safe.

Perception: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (6) + 30 = 36

"Do we rush in or do we try and find out what they up to?" Sienna asks. "I'm not entirely comfortable with their set up. Standing stones never bode well."

"Yeah, sort of a ritual vibe, maybe we should take a look at it from the air." the magus suggests.

"I suppose that leaves me standing back here," Magestreia says. "Unless you can't fly either, Celia."

It'd be kind of ironic if the former dragon was the only person who couldn't fly

"No, I'm not able to fly under my own power either." the healer replies. "Besides, it might be best for a few of us to remain on the ground, capable of a surprise attack or distraction if they're spotted in the air."

"Who should go?" Sienna asks.

"I've got it." Sādhanā replies. "I might be an easier target than some, but I can probably best take a hit if they spot me."

The magus quietly utters the command word to activate her boots, the wings at her ankles beginning to flap as she takes off, flying up to a height of about 120ft in the air before making a circuit around the ring of huts and standing stones.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Surge: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Sadhana doesn't see any signs of life around the huts or stones, save wisps of smoke coming from a fire pit. The standing stones catch the magus' attention. Sadhana notices some crystalline material embedded in each stone and it appears the placement is deliberate.

Knowledge Arcana (possible use of the Shard pieces): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25

Sadhana suspects that the Shard pieces could be used for a summoning ritual, but isn't sure how.

Flying back to where the others wait, the magus lands. "No signs of life other than a wisp of smoke from the firepit. Someone was here maybe a few hours ago, I'm not sure how long. The standing stones all have Shard fragments in them though, set up for some sort of ritual, I'm thinking it's likely summoning, but I can't tell more than that."

"How do we keep wandering into theses things?" Cyna asks rhetorically.

"What do we do about it then? Smashing these things usually leads to... unpleasantness."

"It's better than the alternative though, I can't imagine whatever they're summoning is something we want around." Sādhanā replies. "At this point I'm thinking destroying them might be the best option. Maybe if you're far enough back you won't have to deal with the visions."

Kn(Arcana): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

"They need something powerful to activate it," Sienna deduces. "That's why they've been trying to get at those ruins."

"So if it's destroyed, they'll stop attacking those people?"

"Nah, cultists are particularly stupid and stubborn," Sienna says. "They'll just keep trying until they get what they want."

You all hear the sound of voices in the distance as well as some intermittent roaring.

"Sounds like they might have come across the manticores. Or at least someone has. If destroying them won't stop them, then we do both, take them out and destroy the shards." Sādhanā says drawing Oblivion.

"So we can either engage now, or wait to see how whatever that is turns out."

Sienna looks toward where the voices are coming from.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Sienna can't make out details but sees a large group of humanoids carrying a large object.

"I see something...lots of people carrying something large, but I can't make it out."

Magestreia looks where Sienna is looking.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

"I can't make it out either."

"And you both have better vision than I do." Sadhana adds in frustration.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"Cutie? Celia?"

Celia stares forward at the disturbance.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Celia can make out about ten men in dark clothing carrying a large wooden cage. There appears to be something within it and whatever it may be is roaring. Eight other men walk alongside those carrying the cage, similarly dressed. By the light of the rising moon, the cleric can tell that the eight men have weapons at the ready.

Sounds like something involving a sacrifice. Kill them...kill them all, and destroy the stones. Whatever they're getting ready to summon, I'm sure we don't want here. Of course you don't have to take my word for it. I'm not there and I could be totally wrong.

Tesia takes a moment from her reading to look around once again for any signs of trouble.

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31

Back at the camp, it remains quiet.

Tesia sighs and goes back to reading her book. Hopefully, if she got a few hours of reading in, she wouldn't have to stay up all night reading. At least she only had to do this for a few more days, and not a few more weeks.

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38
Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27
+2 VS. Humans

"Time to work." Cyna whispers.

Cyna can make out that the occupant of the cage is a lamia, a creature with the torso of a humanoid woman and the lower body of a lion. Each of the humans bears a necklace with a pendant of a cyan eye.

Another human exits one of the huts and heads to meet with the approaching group, which is about fifty feet from the circle of stones now.

Map is updated.

That seems like a lot of possible bad guys for your group. Without knowing what they're planning though, it's hard to say if you have the time to gather reinforcements. Those that hesitate, are lost. I've been watching too much of that Series of Unfortunate events show on Netflix. Conspiracies everywhere.

"Eighteen men in all, eight with weapons at the ready, ten more carrying some large creature in a cage." Celia whispers drawing her sword.

"All clustered together like that, Sienna, can you exclude the cage if you were to start things off with a bang?" Sadhana asks the sorceress?

There's a 19th near the tents and possibly more inside.

I know what we would do if there were more of you, but without knowing their actual strength, you could be riding into a death trap. I'm not sdure if you should just start blowing stuff up, but this is a call you're going to have to make....possibly quickly considering your distance from them. Too bad the rogue stayed back at camp....not that you had any idea what you would run into.

Plus, if they just killed a group of Manticore to get to this spot, you probably shouldn't treat them lightly. They're probably stronger than they look. Remember your promise. Just sayin'.

Sienna shakes her head. "Nope, it's all or nothing. I have no finesse."

Then again, there is this that Ruedo told us about the cults: He pauses to collect his thoughts. "One cult, the Cult of the Pale Hand, is dedicated to assassination. They've come a few times trying to kill us, but they are few in number these days and Garf has been pretty handy in driving them off. The other cult, the Cult of the Dread Eye, is more interested in collecting whatever artifacts may be remaining here. They believe that with enough faith and magic, they can bring back the demigod."......Sooooo....they could be trying to summon a demi god? *shrugs* They sound like that eye cult....

"We'll I wouldn't say that. Anyway, we could always try asking nicely?" Cyna says.

"And if that goes poorly?"