I'm not sure if Ayita can switch her readied action to perception, but if she can, she'll look for that bug and tell Ezrandir its location if possible.
[dice=Ayita looking for Bug with Ter]1d20+16+3+2
With Force Missile, Ezranadir has to see the target. If he rolled an attack (which he doesn't for Force Missile), he could shoot where you suggest and roll the miss chance.
Knowing that the creature does not have any ranged attacks and aware of how low on arrows he is, Nasir pulls and arrow and draws his bow to his cheek waiting for the perfect shot.
ROUND EIGHT
—------------------------------------------------
Ezranadir - readies halberd
Frantino - readies Force Missile
Nasir - readies bow
MOSQUITO - buzzes a bit
Roscoe -
Doc -
Ayita -
Yazhi -
may go!
STATUS
-----------------------
Ezranadir || -35+5+17-17+5+24-16+9-24+21+9 =-2hp Con loss=decreases max by 6hp
Ayita || -16+5+8-14+5+5=-7hp SLOWED & CURSED! -4 to everything but damage
Yazhi ||
Doc || -5-5+9-5-5-5-5+6+4+4+4=-3hp
Frantino ||
Roscoe || SLOWED
Nasir || -19+5+5+12 =FULLhp
With his crossbow not doing anything to the mosquito, Roscoe continues to hold his readied action in case the mosquito attacks him.
"Come--on!" he yells at it.
ROUND EIGHT
—------------------------------------------------
Ezranadir - readies halberd
Frantino - readies Force Missile
Nasir - readies bow
MOSQUITO - buzzes a bit
Roscoe - readies to attack
Doc - Readies to heal
Ayita - readies to command carpet
Yazhi - readies attack
STATUS
-----------------------
Ezranadir || -35+5+17-17+5+24-16+9-24+21+9 =-2hp Con loss=decreases max by 6hp
Ayita || -16+5+8-14+5+5=-7hp SLOWED & CURSED! -4 to everything but damage
Yazhi ||
Doc || -5-5+9-5-5-5-5+6+4+4+4=-3hp
Frantino ||
Roscoe || SLOWED
Nasir || -19+5+5+12 =FULLhp
ACTUALLY, let's jump start this game back into action. The blightspawn is injured and wary of the group. It will remain in the bushes, safe, for now.
**OUT OF COMBAT**
Moving on... what do you all decide to do? Push ahead?
With the mosquitos no longer attacking, Roscoe looks around at the others.
"Everyone okay?" he asks. "Let's hope there aren't many more of those--not fun to fight them with that slowing effect. But let's bandage up and move on."
Frantino waits until his arms shrink back to normal and he believes the mosquito will not attack.
"I'm good, but I'm concerned about Ezranadir and Ayita, they look like they've been affected by poison or something. Doc, can you help them?"
"We should move on past here as quickly as we can, before the bug decides its hunger is more important than its fear."
Is the log slippery enough to require an acrobatics check if moving half speed? If in doubt, Frantino will recommend that Ayita or another party member take one end of a rope and use the flying carpet to cross over and give everyone something to hold on to while crossing. The last person can tie the other end of the rope around their torso in case of a fall.
Frantino waits until his arms shrink back to normal and he believes the mosquito will not attack. [dice=Perception]1d20 + 15
"I'm good, but I'm concerned about Ezranadir and Ayita, they look like they've been affected by poison or something. Doc, can you help them?"
"We should move on past here as quickly as we can, before the bug decides its hunger is more important than its fear."
Is the log slippery enough to require an acrobatics check if moving half speed? If in doubt, Frantino will recommend that Ayita or another party member take one end of a rope and use the flying carpet to cross over and give everyone something to hold on to while crossing. The last person can tie the other end of the rope around their torso in case of a fall.
No acrobatics check half speed and the rope deployed by Ayita guarantees your safe arrival over the gorge and onto the other side.
Nasir stows his bow and moves across the log as quickly as he can safely and takes out his bow again to watch for danger.
"Let us move away from here quickly and find a safe place to heal. That creature is still out there, and we don't want to be set upon by it while we are tending our wounded."
The trail winds deeper into the woods for another half-mile before reach a t-junction going east and west. A trail marker, in the form of a set of stones forming an arrow on the path pointing east, suggests which way to go.
"Doc, can we check out Ayita and Ezranadir before we push on, now that we seem out of danger?"
Frantino will help if he can.
Trying to recognize Ayita is affected by a curse:
Analyzing Ezrandir's poison:
"Ayita, do you think these rocks could have been placed by our Pathfinder contact, if he saw our fire on the beach? Are they "today recent" or "in the last week recent"? I can't tell.
Nasir squats to examine the rocks.
"These rocks look like they were placed recently, Frantino Kaddren. It is possible that they were placed by our Pathfinder contact, but I am skeptical. We are in a relatively safe place right now, so let us allow Gregory C. Hatfield to minister to our wounded and then investigate further.
I will stand guard while Gregory C. Hatfield works."
Nasir readies his sword and shield nd continues to scan the area for danger.
"Doc, can we check out Ayita and Ezranadir before we push on, now that we seem out of danger?"
Frantino will help if he can.
Trying to recognize Ayita is affected by a curse: [dice=Knowledge arcana?]1d20 + 10 + 1d6
Analyzing Ezrandir's poison: [dice=Heal]1d20 + 5
"Ayita, do you think these rocks could have been placed by our Pathfinder contact, if he saw our fire on the beach? Are they "today recent" or "in the last week recent"? I can't tell.
[dice=Survival]1d20 + 1
Frantino is unable to suss out what is wrong with Ayita. Nor the poison that afflicts Ezranadir.
Following the path east, as the rock arrow points, you come to what appears to be a dead-end clearing.
Leaning against a tree trunk is a man. He's holding a drawn sword. He seems unhostile, but wary.
As you step into the clearing, the man warns you, “I have an arrow nocked and you are in my sights, friends. I ask that you not take one step closer or I’ll be forced to place my arrow dangerously close to your heart. What is it you wish from me?”
|
Upon entering the clearing,
Spotting the man with a sword, Ezranadir, obliviously waves away the danger of having an arrow pointed at the group, "Sorry but may we have a seat? After that encounter with those Blightspawn, I feel a bit drained and winded. We were sent here to talk with a Ranger located here by the name of Kelhuud. Might that be you?" Not going any closer, he sits down on a stone or log if available. If not, he sits bracing his back against the side of a tree.
Frantino nods toward the northeast section of the clearing. "That's a clever way of disguising a hiding spot, but your companion with a bow is actually hiding in that tree over there." Frantino is troubled by the thought that we were told Kelhuud is here alone, and yet here are two people. He doesn't sense the friendly vibes and is going to assume hostility from both armed men. "You clearly aren't Kelhuud since you aren't alone and don't have your Aspis badge out, so who are you? Or at least, who do you represent?"
Frantino nods toward the northeast section of the clearing. "That's a clever way of disguising a hiding spot, but your companion with a bow is actually hiding in that tree over there." Frantino is troubled by the thought that we were told Kelhuud is here alone, and yet here are two people. He doesn't sense the friendly vibes and is going to assume hostility from both armed men. "You clearly aren't Kelhuud since you aren't alone and don't have your Aspis badge out, so who are you? Or at least, who do you represent?"
"There is only me, Kelhuud, here. And I am no Consortium pig. <ptew!>" He smiles as he says this. "I'm a Pathfinder agent. Or was, anyway, until I decided to stay here."
The man with the bow, steps from the trees slightly, still holding an arrow on the string, although it is pointed casually at the dirt.
The man with the sword smiles. "Come then. You look tired, elf. My camp is just through the blind."
He moves the blind and reveals a small encampment with a tent and a small fire pit. He walks in, still talking.
"Yes, those two blightspawn are a... well, blight on the island. I'm an excellent shot, but they just fly away and regain their strength whenever I shoot them. I just rush over the log after dislodging them. Eventually, they give up."
He sheaths his blade while he walks and talks. The other man puts his arrow back in his quiver and frowns a bit.
Frantino is very confused right now. Is this some kind of magic effect?
Frantino will cast detect magic if he thinks it'll help, then warily follow one or preferably both Kelhuuds into his (their?) camp. "After you" to the one with the bow. Kelhuud keeps using only first person singular pronouns, not plural. Frantino might add in the weird split/opposite personality to his analysis, if he hadn't done so poorly while trying to sense motive.
"So, uh, care to explain why we're seeing double right now? We weren't told of any twin brother, which doesn't seem like an accurate explanation anyway..."
Frantino will cast detect magic if he thinks it'll help, then warily follow one or preferably both Kelhuuds into his (their?) camp. "After you" to the one with the bow. Kelhuud keeps using only first person singular pronouns, not plural. Frantino might add in the weird split/opposite personality to his analysis, if he hadn't done so poorly while trying to sense motive.
"So, uh, care to explain why we're seeing double right now? We weren't told of any twin brother, which doesn't seem like an accurate explanation anyway..."
Frantino's surreptitious casting of detect magic doesn't reveal anything other than Kelhuud's magic longsword.
"There is but one of me," says Kelhuud. The other Kelhuud grunts and grimaces. The first Kelhuud continues, "That you perceive two of me is none of my concern."
The other Kelhuud sits down and starts gnawing on a piece of jerky.
The first Kelhuud asks, "If you are done with irrelevant questions, tell me why you are here, adventurers. Yes, I can tell you're adventurers. You have the look."
Nasir is bewildered by this turn of events, but sort of snaps out of it when asked about why he is here.
"We were sent to find you as you have information about how to enter the Hollow Mountain. Koriah Azmeren said that you could help us. We have managed to kill one of the blightspawn, by the way. The other one hid and avoided us after that."
"And we were worried that something happened to you," Roscoe says. "There were bodies at the water's edge--and it seems like you've been here for a while."
|
|
Ezranadir does a double take when the bow wielding figure shows himself. He mumbles, "Must be wearier than I thought." He shakes his head and follows Kelhuud through the blind into the camp. He asks Kelhuud, "Whos's your companion?" He hitches his thumb toward the bow wielding man then takes a seat. He watches both men, "We were instructed that you were part of a Pathfinder expedition into Hollow Mountain. We wish to learn about the entrances and what lay beyond."
Ezranadir does a double take when the bow wielding figure shows himself. He mumbles, "Must be wearier than I thought." He shakes his head and follows Kelhuud through the blind into the camp. He asks Kelhuud, "Whos's your companion?" He hitches his thumb toward the bow wielding man then takes a seat. He watches both men, "We were instructed that you were part of a Pathfinder expedition into Hollow Mountain. We wish to learn about the entrances and what lay beyond."
"Companion? There is but one of me. That you perceive two of me is none of my concern."
"Yes, I was part of an expedition into Hollow Mountain years ago. After some encounters deep in the Mountain, I decided I did not want to return to civilization. So I decided to stay, too. My friends tried to change my mind, but... they didn't understand. I dwell here, in the forests of Rivenrake Island. I make occasional forays into the ruins on the Mountain's slopes or, sometimes, in the dungeons below. I've noted an increase in activity in the dungeons below, of late."
"There are a number of entrances into Hollow Mountain. What do you seek there?"
"And we were worried that something happened to you," Roscoe says. "There were bodies at the water's edge--and it seems like you've been here for a while."
Kelhuud (sword) stands up and takes a step back.
"Yes, Lady. I have been here for a while. It is surprising to see another like you, here."
Kelhuud (bow) doesn't move, but he grips his bow strongly. The man grunts and then grimaces as Roscoe. He tips his shoulder so his quiver, and its arrows, are within easy reach. Nasir notices this, having seen many a bowman-soldier in the armies of Qadira do the same thing when they become nervous.
The standing Kelhuud (sword) shakes his head like he's seeing double and looks at Roscoe through squinted eyes. As if not seeing something he thought he saw, he relaxes.
"Those bodies were no friends of mine. I saw their ship approach a week ago and I watched from a tall tree as they debarked over a half dozen men. Watched an argument unfold and then saw the half-dozen slaughter the two sailors. Just killed 'em and left 'em. Walked into the forest."
"Their leader was... just right for this place. A mutated monster with a tentacle on his back. He'll fit right in here."
Are there other mutated things around? Those mosquitoes were very unusual.
The bowman grunts. "Yup."
The swordsman, somewhat more effusive, says, "Aye. The Mountain... attracts? spawns? many aberrant things."
Frantino nods at Kelhuud, or at least the one with the sword. "Aberrations. That tracks with the sinspawn and fleshdregs we fought in the Underflume, this helps confirm that they really did originate in Hollow Mountain as Mozamer's notes hinted. Have you ever seen anything in the mountain on a wall that looks like a portal, even if it just looks like a painting or carving of one? We need to find it and shut it down before more aberrations go to Roderic's Cove and gods know where else in Varisia there are portals active that they can travel to."
"We also were sent here on the suspicion that another of the runelords has awakened. Hollow Mountain was associated with Alaznist, right? We're looking for more evidence to confirm this, and if so, where he might be and what he has planned. The Council in Magnimar, including Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch, wants the information so that they can thwart his plans before he has regained his full power. What areas in the mountain are that old? That's where we need to go."
|
|
Not sure what Kelhuud (Sword) is discussing about Roscoe, he answers his query about what they seek, "We seek the Forges of Wrath. Do you know where they are located, or can you escort us there? What else may we encounter there? If we may ask, what happened to you and your Pathfinder group down there? Did you encounter a Runewell?" He calmly waits for an answer.
In the meantime, he wanders close to the other Kelhuud (Bow), "How are you and what may we address you as? Do you have any information about Hollow Mountain?"
"We also were sent here on the suspicion that another of the runelords has awakened. Hollow Mountain was associated with Alaznist, right? We're looking for more evidence to confirm this, and if so, where he might be and what he has planned. The Council in Magnimar, including Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch, wants the information so that they can thwart his plans before he has regained his full power. What areas in the mountain are that old? That's where we need to go."
Kelhuud (bow) grunts, "That'd be bad."
The swordsman says, "Alaznist was a 'she'. And if she's awakened, like Karzoug did, mmm. That'd be bad. The entirety of Hollow Mountain is dedicated to Alaznist."
You recall, as you approached Rivenrake Island, the image of Runelord Alaznist’s face peering down imperiously from the mountain’s height, overshadowing the otherwise amazing spectacle of the northernmost reaches of the ancient bridge known as the Irespan where it extended from the mountain’s middle slope. The mountain’s lower slopes are dotted with woodlands and craggy hills, peppered here and there with ancient ruins of what was once Alaznist’s capital city, Xin-Bakrakhan.
"Whole thing's old," grunts the bowman.
Not sure what Kelhuud (Sword) is discussing about Roscoe, he answers his query about what they seek, "We seek the Forges of Wrath. Do you know where they are located, or can you escort us there? What else may we encounter there? If we may ask, what happened to you and your Pathfinder group down there? Did you encounter a Runewell?" He calmly waits for an answer.
Kelhuud thinks for a moment, "The Forges? I think those are a sub-level of a region in the Mountain known as the 'Baleful Repository.' Spooky name. But I think it was just a complex that Alaznist once used to store weapons and armor."
Kelhuud says that, while there are multiple entrances into the Baleful Repository from within the mountain itself, the most direct entrance would be from a long-abandoned armory known as the Bloodstone Bunker, located a 10-mile trek from the campsite, up the mountain’s northeastern slope.
In the meantime, he wanders close to the other Kelhuud (Bow), "How are you and what may we address you as? Do you have any information about Hollow Mountain?"
"Duh. I'm Kelhuud. Dunno 'bout no 'Runewell.' But the Mountain's got lotsa portals," says Kelhuud from behind a frown and gritted teeth.
"Ha. That I know," confirms Kelhuud, with a smile.
"From experience," grunts Kelhuud, dourly.
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He thinks, Hmm, they are not very forthcoming and has avoided answering many of our questions. "It may be a good idea to rest here and get as much information from Kelhuud as we can before going in tomorrow. I have completely exhausted my repertoire of spells and would not be very useful.
Kelhuud, can you draw a map of the way and what you may have encountered along the path through the armory you called the Bloodstone Bunker?"
Roscoe finds it curious that the two versions of Kelhuud do not perceive each other but that they seem to see different things and act slightly differently.
"Have there been any particular experiences you have had since you've had here that made you decide to stay?" he asks.
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Ayita gets out a small flask of blackberry brandy and places it near the Kelhuuds, taking a small swig to show it's ok and giving a bit to Ter too of course.
She trips on the way back to where she was crouching during the conversation. Sighing, she gets back up...
I'm not usually this klutzy... Not sure what happened back with those bugz, I feel pretty tired too. But you are welcome to some blackberry brandy - it's quite good.
Best stuff!! echoes Ter.
Sounds like you had an experience with a portal. What happened?
"Have there been any particular experiences you have had since you've had here that made you decide to stay?" he asks.
Kelhuud says, with a smile, "Well, that's a story, for sure. My fellow Pathfinders don't event know it." He looks at the other Kelhuud, raising his eyebrows in question.
The other Kelhuud grunts and shrugs his shoulders in assent.
"Well, I was lost in the Mountain. Can't remember where. I'd gotten separated from my team. I saw a portal, finally, and was desperate to try it as a way to get out. Walked through it and didn't go anywhere. Just came out the other side," he says with a laugh. "But I was also on the other side of it. I guess part of me was skeptical of walking through it. Walking back through it in reverse didn't make me whole. So..."
"I decided to leave," says Kelhuud, grumpily. He strokes his bow with an oiled rag while he talks, haltingly. "Both positive and negative walked out, eventually."
"I knew my Pathfinders wouldn't understand. So I hid in the trees and watched while I talked with them on the beach and told 'em I'd hang around here for a bit."
"<humph> They left. Eventually."
" Kelhuud, can you draw a map of the way and what you may have encountered along the path through the armory you called the Bloodstone Bunker?"
"Yeah. I can draw map to the Bloodstone Bunker." Over the course of the evening he does so.
Frantino reviews the completed map with Kelhuud and asks detailed questions to make sure we can find our way.
"We had heard that two different groups disembarked on the island over the last week or so. You watched one of them, the murderous thugs, did you see the other group? What can you tell us about them?"
"It appears to be a long trek up the side of a mountain which will take the better part of a day, can we stay here with you and start off in the morning? Also, Ayita and Ezranadir were affected by the giant mosquitos, is there anything you can do to help them? Do you know what the bugs did to them? Since you've fought and run past them before you must have figured a few things out."
Frantino reviews the completed map with Kelhuud and asks detailed questions to make sure we can find our way.
His directions are very clear and the rudimentary map is definitely sufficient. He adds a few waypoints and other details to make sure you can get there.
"It appears to be a long trek up the side of a mountain which will take the better part of a day, can we stay here with you and start off in the morning? Also, Ayita and Ezranadir were affected by the giant mosquitos, is there anything you can do to help them? Do you know what the bugs did to them? Since you've fought and run past them before you must have figured a few things out."
"Hmmph," grunts Kelhuud the Bowman, misanthropically.
"Of course you can share my encampment," says Kelhuud the Swordsman. "Not sure if there's anything I can do to help your friends. She's got something wrong with her I can't fix. As for your wizard, he just needs some rest. A single night's rest may not fix him completely, but eventually he'll be OK."
"We had heard that two different groups disembarked on the island over the last week or so. You watched one of them, the murderous thugs, did you see the other group? What can you tell us about them?"
"Yes. A trio of fancy folk arrived recently. Dunno how they got here. Didn't see a boat. Saw some smoke from their campfire while i was out hunting a few days ago. Three of 'em, camped not far to the west, out in front of an old shrine to some sorta fish-person monster."
"I figure they're just treasure-hunters. Island gets that sort, every now and then."
"One was a human man with a scimitar. Shiny, bright-blue breastplate. Second was a half-elf woman with a lucerne hammer. She was fancy. Wore a dress that looked like it was made of peacock feathers. The other was a woman, too. Human lady with red hair and a fancy leather outfit that looked like it was taken right out of some overwrought opera."