Venja steps out on what appears to be a rough log floor but feels smooth and solid. She looks in both directions to see a seeming infinite passage both ways.
"Hmmm... this is odd... I wonder where these go? and are we supposed to take one of these directions or stay where we were? I assume the keys brought us here for a reason... But which way to go when both appear the same?"
Huh, well, lets take a listen, shall we? Maybe see if we can gind the scrying room too, eh?
Sheelah, stay at the entrance, then to the group, One or two of you with me, we'll go west? D'lara to watch for traps? Helgash or Greta in case we need some, you know? flexing.
Beck wants to walk west with Sheelah staying at the door. while he and his partners move along the cooridor. That way we can keep out vantage point as we move and stop before we loose sight of her.
Shrugging, "Seems as good an idea as any."
At what seems about 50 paces away (150feet) you come across a slight change in the structure of the wall to your right. The boards that make up the wall show a quite noticeable crack revealing what can only be called a door. A symbol carved upon the door resembles an inverted half- circle with a horizontal line across the top and several lines exiting the circle. A single extended arrow points downward in the center.
The carving is a symbol for twilight, in a style favored by Iobarian
witches.
There does not appear to be any traps along the hallway or upon the door.
"This is the symbol for twilight, used by Iobarian witches"
So we headen on through? Jetro has his bow ready.
"Yes, if it is not trapped magically or otherwise"
The hallways still looks like it continues on indefinitely in both directions straight as an arrow. You can still easily make out Sheelah lying in front of the doorway you exited from to get into the hall.
From the other direction you can just make out a large form in the distance. It looks to be at least 400 feet away from you and seems oddly familiar. At about that time you see it move slightly and realize that Sheelah moved as well back the other direction. Somehow you are seeing both sides of Sheelah from a long distance away even though you swear the hallway does not turn.
There are no traps on the door.
Jetro picks some jerky out of his teeth.
Not seeing anything out of the extraordinary, after all you are in an endless hallway, you open the door with the strange symbol of twilight upon it. A slight chill wafts through this room, carrying the stale scent of carrion and peat. Beyond, an impossible forest seems to have devoured the entire chamber. The walls are woven from tangled knots of black, leafless trees, and fine flakes of rusted iron cover the floor, softly crumbling to dust. A pale light emanates from a fist-sized orb that rests within a nest of black iron branches in the center of the room, turning all forms into ebon silhouettes. Suddenly a raven flies out from the darkness and settles on the glowing orb casting you all in its shadow.
You see the raven is wearing a necklace with a strange iron pendant upon it.
In addition to above you think you see a path winding through the trees farther on. It see,s to turn and head to the left.
"Greetings, master Raven... What news do you bear?"
She points out the path to the others while waiting for a response from the raven.
Jetro is still trying to get that bit of jerky.
Beck whistles for Sheelah to come, and seeing the raven, he chuckles Heh, raven and a bear... heh
The raven looks at you and caws wildly while jabbing its peak in your direction, Caw, caw! Who are you that trespass here? Us Raven's three, we know no fear. Seek you one who maybe lost? Find her but at what cost?
Although you know that ravens are intelligent, this raven is even smarter than normal. It seems to have been awakened. along with it being awakened it seems to have a natural distrust of others and the jabbing o the beaks indicates that it is unfriendly at the moment.
It was rumored that Baba Yaga had a trio of Ravens that accompanied her. Perhaps this is one of them. The fact that the Raven spoke of Raven's three would indicate such and if so this raven might know the next clue to finding Baba Yaga.
"We are seeking she who is lost... sent by her own warrior we are, tasked by his dying words to find her... "
She turns to the others and relays to them what she knows of this raven, hoping that someone like HElgash will take over the task of convincing the raven we are friends.
To Jetro, talking crows are small time considering what they have gone through.
Caw, caw.. Many are lost here...caw...many warriors lost by those who are lost here...dying words maybe fools words...caw
The raven is not going to give you anything more direct as to its initial response to you. You think is waiting for confirmation to its suspicions about why you are here.
Hmm.
"An oath was sworn to the warrior lost
to find the missing in a Land of Frost.
We fought a witch who escaped us but
we were able to rescue the Dancing Hut."
Speaking in rhyme makes my head hurt
The raven bobs his head in time with your rhyme but remains silent waiting for more to speak. Although it seems that it enjoyed your speech and any diplomacy checks will benefit from a +2 bonus in addition to an aid another that you might do.
"We bear you no ill will
Though much blood we had to spill,
Oh mighty bird of yore
Do assist us in our chore"
Uh..These Winter Witches
They be real b!%#+es
The leave the common folk in need of stitches
So please, we ask you to give a hoot
and give those bad witches the boot.
The raven looks at you curiously as ravens sometimes do before it caws out, Baba Yaga is not here, but you can find her never fear. First however you must persuade me you possess the strength necessary to bear my knowledge. My question is simple...
Born twins they live not,
yet they grow until death.
Their fates are of'n tied.
Ever-crescent, as the moon,
Symbols of the warriors pride.
The answer to the question lies inthe chamber beyond. Bring me the answer and I shall give you what you seek.
Following the path that some of you saw upon entering you get to another 'room'. The walls of this wide chamber are lined with grey lifeless trees and thorny tnagles of brush. In the center of the room stands a gnarled and leafless tree whose outstretched branches twist like cruel, beastly talons.
On the other side of the gnarled tree you see a large fiendish dire boar ready to charge at you.
Big boar behind the tree getting ready to charge!
Beck +1/2 level in cold
Helgash
Jetro
Duardlara
Venja
The giant boar gets the jump on you all even with Jetro's warning. Charging forward the giant boar gores Helgash with its twin tusks.
charge for
Jetro moves to get a shot and fires.
Jetro you arrow flies true to the mark and hits the fiendish fire boar but it seems that not all of the impact injured the boar. Some of the damage was resisted by its unnaturally tough skin.
"Tusks! The answer is his tusks!" Duardlara wants to move into the room and around the boar to flank with Helgash.
"I was thinking fangs at first... but yeah, tusks makes more sense, since it's a boar."
Helgash takes the full brunt of the boar's attack, blocking its path toward his companions. His body glows a soft golden hue, wounds well on the mend, as he swings the greatsword once, and again - "Avast!"
Greta steps forward next to Helgash, and also unleashes two attacks on the boar with her axe - "The tusks we shall have"
Helgash heals himself but not enough apparently as blood from the wounds coat his hands causing his greatsword to slip in his grip. Both mighty swings miss the great boar. Greta steps up to slice at the boar hoping to carve herself some pork for supper. Her first attack hits and the boar gives a squeal in pain. Yet the damage again was not completely dealt as the fiendish skin absorbs some of the blow.
Duardlara takes a long approach in order to flank the boar. Having to go around the tree to do so limits her but she will be able to step up and deliver her blows soon.
Venja casts a sends a ray of enfeeblement at the beast to try to impede its ability to do damage to her friends.
Beck Conjures a flaming sphere right under the Boar
SHeelah moves out of the hole, potentially provoking to get out from being squeezed and moves to flank
even with combat and cover Venja still sends a black ray forward to strike the boar.
fort save 4 str damage
Reduced from some of its strength the boar snarls and paws the ground wanting to dig its horns into Helgash again.
Beck joins in the fun as he sends a ball of fire to immolate the boar and roast the pork while it is still on the bone.
reflex save success
the boar moves out of the way of the fire but it is still there to threaten the creature.
Meanwhile Sheelah moves around to the far side of the tree with Duardlara ready to spring forward and attack if given the chance.
Aoo for
Sheelah pays for her movement as a large tusk rips into her underbelly drawing a gout of blood from her.
Boar's turn
The boar continues to try and shred Helgash apart with both tusks as it shakes its head to and fro.
gore attack for
The vicious boar takes Helgash and impales him on a tusks shaking the mighty warrior up and down as rain falls from the large gaping wound that used to be Helgash's abdomen.
Venja extends her hair and heals Helgash...
Jetro attempts a flurry of arrow shots at the nasty.
"Damned of creatures!" - Helgash growls with pain, immediately before the healing powers of his companion wash over him - "Thank you Venja" - he nods.
Steeling himself, he swings again and again at the devilish creature - "I will fight you back!"
Next to Helgash, Greta throws the paladin a sidelook glance as he takes a massive attack from the boar - reassured he is well, she presses on her assault - "Time to DIE!"
The elf steps into a flanking position with Helgash and stabs at the creature with the enchanted blade.
Beck moves up beside Helgash, next to the creature opening up a flank and swinging with his scimitar
for
Sheelah takes a 5' to flank the boar with Beck and bites down on the beast to maul it.
for
for
for
with
Helgash and Greta smile with grim determination to defeat this monstrous bore as they both carve great chucks out of the hide of the creature. Blood flows freely but the bore is tough and aged beyond measure. It takes their blows easily as it prepares for further goring.
Duardlara steps up to flank the creature with Helgash but the tough hide simply does not allow the slim blade to pierce it to get to the soft tissue underneath.
reflex save
aoo for
Beck moves up to provide a flank for Sheelah and manages to just slip around the mighty tusks not taking any damage. His ball fo fire is a mere nuisance to the boar as it is able to evade it once again. for his part though Beck is not able to damage the beast but Sheelah has better luck with her teeth. The teeth sink in causing blood to squirt from the fresh wounds. Sheelah latches on at the taste of blood and refuses to let go. (thanks to str loss it succeeded)
Boars turn
the boar, stuck on the jaws of Sheelah swivel his head to attack the thing that has a hold of him.
gore for
Sheelah has him around the neck though and the tusks are unable to turn far enough to reach her. As such all of its posturing and attempts are in vain as he maintains her hold and her health.
Venja sighs, wondering if anything else she can do will be effective...
She casts and sends a black ray at the boar.