"I agree with water. Either we hire a boat or we buy one of our own and sail or row over to Thistletop around the coast," says Isabella.
"Alright," Shalelu says, "I'll speak with the sheriff and see if we can get some climbing gear to help us up that cliff. I'll ask about a boat to run us up the coast as well. I'll meet everyone at the docks in an hour or so."
The group goes about town to gather equipment for the trip. They are just exiting the Rusty Dragon after grabbing items they left behind when a bedraggled looking group of dwarves rolls in over the Market Street Bridge. There are three of them who are walking wounded leading a horse and by the groans there is a fourth in the bed of the wagon.
Though Isabella's been busy with the shopping, she ruses to the aid of the dwarves as soon as she hears the groan.
"What happened?" she says as she approaches the wagon at a jog. "I am a healer - please, let me help."
Runt tags along with the shoppers and purchases a better suit of armor and a magical healing wand. The infernal healing kind. She doesn't know that some have a thing against infernal healing, but, if so, then more for her.
She practically gasps when she hears the price and does some mental calculations with her newfound knowledge of currency, but with the way everyone is getting knocked around and not really being familiar with other forms of healing, she buys it anyway. Hoping she can activate the thing, which happens to have the activation word of the demon who 'donated' blood to the cause.
Runt holds back self-consciously as Isabella approaches the dwarves.
Heads towards the docks, he pauses at the commotion caused by the bedraggled dwarves, and the woman rushing to help.
Camil's eyes a drawn by the unusual sight of dwarves looking quite so run-down and assaulted. I'm betting this has something to do with the goblins, eh Lavanor?
He will stand close enough to listen to what Isabella hears from the dwarves, but not close enough to get in her way. She's just the one to handle this for sure.
"Alright," Shalelu says, "I'll speak with the sheriff and see if we can get some climbing gear to help us up that cliff. I'll ask about a boat to run us up the coast as well. I'll meet everyone at the docks in an hour or so."
Lavanor looks with concern at the dwarves. "Most likely," he says nodding to Camil. "Perhaps they can provide us with some additional information about them," he adds as he listens to what they have to say while Isabella tends to their injuries.
"Belvin's in the back my lady." one of the dwarves says. "We were assaulted by goblins to the south as we were approaching the town. They had setup a blockade, I think they are trying to cut the town off." The dwarf says in follow on response to Isabella's question.
Lavanor frowns at the news of the goblin blockade. "How many goblins would you say were there and how far down the road was the blockade?" he asks the dwarf.
"It seems the goblins are farther along in their plans to attack than we thought. Should we adjust our plans and take out the small groups at the blockades first before heading to Thistletop? The sheriff and Shalelu need to be informed of this new problem." he turns to ask the group.
"Small groups sounds nice to me. They are particularly nasty in large numbers."
Isabella asks, "Do you mind if I take a look at your friend... Belvin, you said?" She goes around to the back of the wagon to check on the wounded dwarf. Glancing at her companions she adds, "Obviously we can't let this stand. We'll have to do something about this blockade. Just give me a moment to check on this poor fellow's condition."
Isabella manages to help out Belvin and the dwarves head off to the Rusty Dragon to grab some rooms. The team heads out to the docks intent on telling Shalelu about the dwarves and to see about intercepting the goblins to the south. When they arrive, Sheriff Hemlock is present as well.
"Ahh, they are here, right on time." the sheriff says in greeting.
After the dwarf encounter is explained the sheriff says, "It would appear your mission is even more important. If they are attempting to cut us off then it is likely their attack is soon. I will lead some men south to scout this thing out but I think you all need to depart as soon as possible."
Shalelu has commandeered a small fishing boat for your use. The Mayor has provided the equivalent of a climbing kit for everyone and a dozen sunrods. Herman, a local fisherman, has offered to take you out on his ship, the Pequod.
Walks over to the sheriff and introduces himself. "I was sent by Mr Faust.. to track down someone suspected of murder." He pauses and looks about, "I think they may be connected."
Isabella, meanwhile, applies a cure light wounds spell to poor Belvin, and if he's able to walk after that, helps him in to the Rusty Dragon to his friends.
Runt heads over to the boat and puts a tentative foot into the bottom, then quickly withdraws it when it bobs and slips to the side.
Turning to the others she gives them a dubious look.
"It doesn't seem safe. Isn't there a nice sturdy raft we could use?"
The dwarves all waited for Isabella to heal their friend and then departed together the Rusty Dragon. This way she is present at the dock when everyone else arrives.
The Sheriff looks to Zherxikas and says, "I knew he had sent you, just didn't know what for. Thanks for telling me. If I can help let me know."
"She's a fine boat missy, just you trust her," Herman says after taking his pipe in hand.
Zandril shakes his head at the idea of the goblins cutting off supply to Sandpoint, "That seems too organized for goblins. Something big's coming. We'd better hurry and cut the head off this monster."
Seeing the Pequod Zandril smiles and greets Herman, "That's a nice sturdy boat, captain. Thank you for the use of your vessel." Zandril jumps on board, "It'll be nice to be out on the water again, even if it is a short trip."
Runt still looks dubious and waits for a few of the others to get in and see what happens.
Isabella gingerly steps onto the boat, holding out her hand for a little help with the balance. She wavers slightly but manages to keep on her feet without pitching over - for now.
Camil studies Zandril's reactions to the boat, and hops on when he pronounces it a good ship to be sailing on. I trust Zandril on this one, he's spent more than enough time aboard far less seaworthy vessels. This could be pleasant for an hour or so!
Seeing the newcomer at the dock speaking to the sheriff, Camil introduces himself, Greetings, I'm Camil D'este, you here to help the sheriff? the young varisian extends a hand, his sleeves climbing to reveal traditional tattoos climbing his arms. A heavy scarf is draped around the young man's neck and a floppy hat perches precariously atop his dark hair.
There has been a lot happening in town lately, and I'm sure if the sheriff thinks we could use the help, we can use the help... Camil finishes.
Runt is far less accepting or trusting of the newbie, and keeps one eye on the fellow, but does eventually dare the rocking boat.
Everyone boards the boat, the original saviors of Sandpoint, the newcomer, and Shalelu. It's early evening having patrolled through the morning and then spent the afternoon with Shalelu and the Sheriff. It should be perfect with a two hour trip getting you to the Thistletop island just after sunset.
An hour in you get a mad wind blowing southwest forcing Herman to tack often in order to stay on track. He seems concerned about the wind but says little other than it will add about an hour to the trip. You see the clouds about a half hour later. In another hour it is upon you, but Herman says you are nearly there. The sea begins to get rough and Herman begins to give commands.
Runt stands there with a death grip on some rope. She barely understands most of the commands given, but through observation and natural shrewdness she is able to figure out what is being asked by watching the sailors. She notices one sailor battling the helm, trying to maintain a certain heading, and figuring she can help with that while also maintaining a death grip on something well anchored
Taking a deep breath she rushes over there and pitches in, hanging on the low part of the wheel while the sailor wrestles with the upper end, keeping the ship headed in the right direction. Eventually the sailor rushes off to do something else leaving the momentarily terrified Runt to hold the course. And hold, she does.
Azura rushes to secure rigging as directed, staying hunched low as she moves so that she keeps her balance.
Forgetting his place, instead of listening to the captain Zandril takes it upon himself to to do try and help . . .
Lavanor is a little surprised that the sheriff doesn't want them to handle the blockade but accepts the decision. Not having spent a lot of time on a boat, he also waits for someone else to state that the vessel is safe. Once Zandril does, he climbs on board.
When the wind picks up, he becomes nervous but does his best to help.
Camil looks lost, and seeing Zandril doing whatever it is he's doing doesn't help the young Varisian figure out what to do with himself on the boat. He tries to follow the captain's commands to the best of his ability.
Grabbing the mainsail and righting the yardarm seems to work for the young landlubber, as he has no idea what a mizzenmast or foresail happen to be, but follows the captain's orders to a "T".
The group works well under Herman's directions and keeps the boat moving toward her destination without losing anyone or crashing into the rocks. The Thistletop island fort comes into view. When the sky is lit by lightning the fort that sit atop the stone can be seen. Even more eerie is the stone itself. The sudden flashes of light give the features of the stone the look of a skull sticking up from the watery depths. As you are beginning to close in on your target the line holding the yardarm snaps from the strain and it careens across the boat to the other side. Herman is already yelling out for it someone to secure it but too late for Shalelu as it takes her across the back of the head. She crumples to the deck unmoving yet the vessel closes in on the dark face of the rock.
"What are ya doin now? I gotta get the boat out of this storm before it gets torn apart. I can get you to the rock but then I need to find a natural quay somewhere and tie off."
Isabella kneels down and expertly applies her healing magic to Shalelu's wound.
"Unless someone has some powerful magic, we can't repair the yardarm. We need to get closer to shore and see if you can find a landing spot."
Runt has never been crazy enough to swim in weather like this and near rocks like that. "Well, I for one am getting off this thing as soon as possible. This is nuts. Just get me to that rock without crashing the thing... Please."
The word please rolls stiffly off her tongue as if it were a dusty and unused word for her, which it is.
Ohhh that's the YARDARM...Camil says, trying to break the tension. Looking to the others for a moment, he turns to Herman, Put us in, and get her and you to safety. We'll have to figure it out from here.
Seeing Isabella tend to Shalelu, Is she going to be okay?
"Don't know yet. Her brains aren't all over the deck, which is a good sign. But any blow to the head that's strong enough to knock you unconscious is risky."
"We need to get this boat grounded so that she can be stabilized. Now it's just a matter of time, waiting to see if she wakes up."
The yard arm is not broken, just loose. Camil and Zandril manage to get it under control and secured. As for Shalelu, although the cut on her skull has closed, she remains unconscious but breathes peacefully. Herman yells, "You want me to put you ashore or get you next to that rock for the climb!?"
"THE ROCK. IT'S CLOSER"
Runt is shouting over the storm and there is a note of desperation in her voice.
Lavanor eyes the rock, trying to gauge the difficulty of the climb in this weather.
DC 15 (use of climbing gear assumed) per full round climb, four rounds to get up. If a lead climber gets to the top and anchors a rope the others can scale the rock at DC 10.
Now that Runt has a better look at the rock, she is a bit less enthusiastic.
"No way we can climb that thing in this rain and wind. We'd be doing as much falling as climbing! I changed my mind - to the beach."
Zandril looks at the rock and sighs. Looking over at Camil as he gets his climber's gear on, "Hopefully I'll see you at the top before I see you back down here."
Zandril will grab a bundle of rope and starts climbing.
Getting to the top, Zandril secures the rope and lowers it for the others to climb.
Isabella watches with some nervousness as Zandril ascends, but his climbing is incredibly successful and she lets out an exhalation of relief once he reaches the top and sends a rope down.
Runt gapes in appreciation as Zandril turn into a monkey and climbs the rock like it is no big deal.
"On second thought, that looks a lot easier than I thought."
Isabella takes a long time to climb the cliffside. About half way up she loses her grip, but manages to catch the rope again at the last second after falling several feet. She haltingly continues the climb, and after stalling out a bit near the top, finally makes it over the edge.
"I guess it is my turn. They say the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Good news for me, right?"
Runt pretty much repeats Isabella's performance, though with a lot faster progress, looking a lot like a carapaced bug (albeit large) scurrying up the cliff side.
Camil will tie his rope to the bottom of the existing rope line, then will approach the ropeline and begin climbing.
After a long struggle to the top Camil sits on the edge of the cliff, waiting for the others to reach the top. Once that happens, he begins hauling up the now two ropes to the top, finally untying his rope from the other and setting a second place to descend from the cliff should they need to escape.
Lavanor seems impressed by how easily Zandril makes it to the top. His optimism quickly fades as he watches Isabella, Runt, and Camil almost fall. He looks to the newest member of the group, "After you," he says, motioning to the rope.
Once the Tiefling is up, Lavanor takes his turn climbing.
With the rope being in the rain for as long as it has been, it is slippery, and after getting a good start up, the ranger slides back down to the bottom. He does his best to dry off his hands, and tries again.
Finally pulling himself up to the top, he shakes his head. "I hadn't thought about it, but this is the first time I've tried climbing in my new armor. Guess I should have practiced," he says with a chuckle.
Looks up and down, "Er, yes, some assistance... I have yet to learn how to levitate, though I assure you its on my list to learn"