Z'dim moves in, keeping near the ceiling and keeping an eye out for threats.
You quickly check the path to the right it goes along for a while and then you see the passage is blocked by a wooden palisade. Atop the wall you spot what looks like goblins standing guard.
She blends into the shadows and silently moves up the larger tunnel to see what is ahead.
@ shimmer 2000 feet give or take bit.
Ahmose studies the disposition of the goblins; their numbers, and their armament, before returning to the group.
A dozen goblins armed with spears.
At the group:
There is a wooden palisade guarded by a dozen spear-wielding goblins. It's just over 300 yards from here.
The huge 1/2 orc shrugs his shoulders.
Probably not a rare thing down here.
Good to know they are there. As long as they stay there I will not have to burn them. I rather like them as a cork in that passage. Illithial indicates that the group should proceed down the wider path.
"Agreed, there's no need to disturb them." He will then go down the main tunnel after the riders.
The 1/2 orc nods in agreement. He returns to his usual lead in the second group.
Zoren can feel the desire of the blade to spill blood, any blood, even goblin blood would do. He grits his teeth resisting the call of the blade to action and follows along with the group but closer to the back of the second group.
The other path travel about the same distance forward and leads to a large cavern with an immense lake in the middle The lake is around 200 feet across.
Yes you can travel around it on either side.
The horses went right.
I see no reason not to follow the horse tracks. Ilithial states as he glides 5' above the ground. If they encountered any enemy then that conflict should leave ample sign and if they are the enemy then they should likewise be easy enough to spot.
"Unless they know something we do not and take the path of least resistance by going right.
Ultimately both ways will lead to the other side so I car not which way we go to get around this obstacle. Perhaps even over it may make more sense".
Ahmose peers out over the still waters. The huge 1/2 orc steps toward the right of the lake.
I believe following the tracks makes sense. Beware any creatures from its frigid depths.
Ahmose skirts the waters by 20'.
You follow the tracks a ways and see a fire up ahead as well as a small camp.
At the camp you see several horses and a group of men in armour (4 men).
A woman has been tied up to a stone pillar.
As you get closer you see the Symbol of the knights of Ozem on their armour and horses.
Z'dim will report this back to the group through the message spell. He's not particularly diplomatic and some people judge him by his skin first. He's not the best to make first contact.
Fairly common knowledge.Knight of ozem
They regularly patrol the edges of The wasteland.
The camp you left before coming here is their base of operations in the area.
Name: Shady
She remains hidden in the shadows observing the four men.
"Let's bypass them. An encounter will lead to a waste of resources and if they accompany us we will lose any chance we have of stealth... Granted they may know something of these byways but their knowledge of us may also become a liability if it falls into the hands of the enemy".
I'd like to know if they are who they seem. I think we should have known about them if they came from our camp the day we left, should we not? If they are who they seem to be then they are allies and might need our help or have intel we need. If they are enemy then I'd prefer to deal with them now over later. And what of their prisoner? If they are enemy then their prisoner may need our help. I propose to send in Shimmer under the guise of invisibility and perhaps other buffs from the group. She has a way of picking up evil and could even ease drop on them for a few moments. If things check out then she communicates with their leader, never revealing our number, location or mission. But if the riders are evil and the prisoner is not, well, then we take them down.
Ahmose looks at the wizard. The huge 1/2 orc nods in agreement.
Yes, send your little friend. She does seem to be good at scouting.
Looking to the others he explains I will have to get close enough so that the invisibility spell will have time to do its work. I can extend it so that it lasts 18 minutes and she is a fast flyer, so not that close.
If we allow 6 minutes to fly out, 6 to observe, and 6 to get back then that gives 60 rounds of 80' foot flying speed. So 60 rounds of 160' per round movement, or about .6 miles. That is a long way in the dark. Nothing has darkvision in that range that I know of. Her stealth while invisible is +38.
And likely she does not need to be invisible the entire time back so much of that is contingency and she could choose to stay a few minutes longer if she is getting good intel.
Zoren shrugs, "As you wish".
"That sounds good. I can fly in, staying above and invisible to watch over her. I suspect that should things get violent, I can keep their attention for long enough for her to get away." he says. Lightning tends to draw people's attention." He turns to the little celestial, "I believe you have some protection from lightning?"
That is correct. the small woman agrees with a wry smile. You cannot hurt me with all the electricity you might bring to bear. So you shall be my knight in shining armor and shall come to my aid should evil assail me. How valiant of you.
Shimmer goes around and spies about the camp. The man are discussing what they should do with the woman either take her back to camp or kill her with two of them arguing for each side. From their talk you come to understand she is possessed by an evil spirit and they have no way of getting it out and bringing it into the camp would be very dangerous.
The knights do not radiate evil but the woman does.
Shimmer feels it necessary to report back to the group with her findings.
Well my new friends. Do we help these nights and perhaps the girl as well. It might be possible to solve their problem with a simple spell like Protection from Evil or Dispel Magic. Any ideas?
Ahmose shrugs his broad shoulders.
It is beyond my meager skills, but if she is evil, we should at least inform the Knights.
"If they have her tied up, then I assume that they know she is evil." he says. "We should come forth and introduce ourselves. It doesn't appear that they will be opposed to our mission."
Name: Shady
She decides to remain hidden out of sight even if others decide to talk to the group of men. Looking out for any trouble from lake and further along the shoreline.
Zoren sheathes her blade and draws a hood up and over his head. "Proceed and I shall join you".
Zoren approaches the group of Knights last in the order.
Shimmer flies to within earshot of the camp as the group makes their way forward.
Hello in the camp. She calls. We are friends from the same camp you departed from. We are on our own mission and would speak with you to trade intelligence and offer assistance if you need it.
The wizard does not seem to know how to address these knights and is not helpful.
Ahmose flanks the group nearest the knights gathered.
He watches the area, as the others introduce them.
Z'dim will walk up visibly with the others. He will greet them, but nothing more.
They rise drawing swords and positioning themselves between you and the woman.
"An unlikely tale. An orc, a hobgoblin, a man and a fey. Your clearly not knights or crusaders. More likely the gypsies sent you. Like I said to their leader we cannot allow this woman to go free while the evil resides within her. If possible we would remove it without harming her but we have not the means at our disposal. We will try to seek assistance from our base camp which is nearby to deal with the matter return in a few days." says one of them.
He sighs, having dealt with this before. He holds out his holy symbol and speaks honestly and plainly, "Pharasma incarnated me into this life with the power to kill undead spirits. We simply seek to pass in order to fight the same mission as you - returning the dead to their graves. Show us the honor of judging us by our acts, not our skin."
Shimmer's face turns red and she stammers in a small furry Fey! Fey? I'll have you know I am an Azata of the higher plains and a handmaiden to Densa herself. I have attached myself to this human to better bring goodness into this world that is sorely in need of it. Now will you reject the help you need simply because you do not know us or will you thank the gods that we are here like you should and invite us into your camp like civilized men to see if we can help?
These men are afraid Shimmer. They let their fear guide them and prevent them from accepting our aid, even though they know it might save an innocent's life. We have no proof to offer other than that we came from their camp and we had to have been there at the same time as them. If they do not wish our help we have our own mission to accomplish.
Ahmose crosses his arms over his broad chest. The 1/2 orc looks at the knights with pity in his blue eyes.
We are here to end the threat that has endangered this region. We are here to help.
Name: Shady
She remains silent in the shadows observing all around her with her fingers tapping the hilts of her daggers.