GM Euan's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

Val picks up a handful of coins and lets them slip through her fingers. ”Well, this is just excessive, is it not? All this just sitting around for a dragon to feel good about themself?” She lies down on the coins and makes a displeased frown. ”Not even comfortable!” She does keep lying there though

When Seamus gets back from his scouting, she waves at him. ”Personally, I think we start picking off some of the weak groups near the edges. Play with them a little. They might have orders on them or other trinkets that will help us isolate Mokkie. Going immediately for Mokkie sounds like a great way to have the entire army on us at once, and that does sound perhaps a bit out of our capabilities.”

"The contrary might also be true. The giant army seems to be outside of Mokmurian's fortress for some reason. A strange strategic decision. But something that plays to our favor if we decide to just teleport inside the walls" Izomandakus argues without desire to remove value on Valena's own observations "Even if they ring the bell, it will require some organization and decision to bring all those giants in. Which gives us invaluable time. We can defend ourselves better inside the fortress than fighting all of them outside and we are free to teleport back home if things get bad."

"But if we can infiltrate the camps, then, I think it might be worth to know what is baking" the boy soothes Pachemu's head with one hand and the bed of coins with the other "Go killing tribe after tribe sounds as more resource intensive and bloodthirsty, than just go and talk with Mokmurian and resolve this civilly. After all we have many rocks at the Old Light, we can just give him the one he wants if that prevents a war."

"We can. Isn't it?" the tone sounds hopeful but hesitant.

Sorry, was waiting to see if anyone took Rastaf's recommendation of making Seamus invisible or casting any other spells.

Chuckling at Val's antics on the 'coin bed' Seamus, realizing he could control the spell cast on him, reiterates, "I'll cloud walk down near the camp and sneak about a bit."

Having floated down the cliff walls, Seamus does a 'fly by' of the camp, Then nearing the camp on the ground, even in cloud shape he moves slow and keeps to the shadows. If he is able he moves inside the outer ring of ogre tents. Once inside the rings of tents he moves nearer the back of the larger tent, cutting a small hole in the tent so he can peer inside.

Hmm he doesn't speak the language, so I guess it's just what he sees. Can he take 10 (31) on stealth and 10 (36) on perception or must he roll? (if he must roll, go ahead and roll it, I trust you.) If he gets caught he's going strait up until he's no longer visible, then will fly to the cave

Kast seems invested in the scouting option to start, encouraging ‘Mus to go…and if he won’t cast will take the risk and hope the cloud’s cover will be good enough.

”I’ll see if I can track you…and if you get into trouble, I’ll be there, don’t you worry. I got your back.”

Kast isn’t quite on board with either the attack the camps side (Val) or the attack the castle side (Izo), and will wait to see what ‘Mus thinks when he returns. There is so much right now that even finding a starting spot seems daunting, but maybe with more information, he’ll find a way.

"Do not play the hero thing Seamus ok? If there is trouble, come back, we will face it together" Izomandakus blesses Seamus with heroism before he does his descent "Does not mean you are not a hero"

Seamus flies up, taking advantage of the evening dimness to move about as a cloud without detection - he hopes! Though hard to see, he stays to the shadows as much as he can. It’s difficult to avoid traffic though as there are so many giants and ogres milling about.

From what he can tell, they’ve been camped some time and have settled into their routines. There’s a watch, sure, but any serious attack is likely to come through the pass in the valley, and that is guarded by a tower. They should have plenty of notice before needing to react.

So they’re sloppy.

Seamus is able to find a seam in their rotation and slip into the inner courtyard of the camp. He’s uneasy, though he knows he can fly straight up if needs be, so he approaches the main large tent. As he does so, a pair of giants, chatting with each other amiably enough, walk right past his hiding place. Alas, though they were right on top of him, they weren’t paying close attention and missed him in the darkness.

He’s able to see within the tent through a narrow gap in the cloth which leads into a kitchen. Clearly the large tent is a meeting/eating hall of some kind, though he can’t see into it directly. Just supposition based on the kitchen, size, and frequent traffic.

The other, smaller, structure looks better maintained, and a pair of Kreeg Ogres at the only door. No one seems to be going in or out during his short sojourn in the camp. On the door, he sees the symbol of Barl Breakbones (first met). It’s crossed out and another symbol is next to it, similar in style but different. Could be a change in leadership?

Also, now that he's among them, he sees a lot of the Sihedron symbol. On armament, tattooed, emblazoned on armor, tents, everywhere. It's the one unifying symbol.

Thanking Izomandakus for the kind words and the spell, Seamus nodded to Kast, smiling, "If there's trouble I'm flying out of there, but I appreciate you having my back."

Satisfied that he had clouded about as much as was needed, Seamus cloud stepped back to the dragon cave and informed the others what he had seen.

Dropping his pack in the back of the cave, he asks, "I assume were setting up a watch, I'm happy to take the middle of the night." Then after eating a few raisins and some cheese from his pack, he rolled out his bedroll and laid down using the fancy new pack as a pillow.

When Seamus has informed us, Rastaf confers with the party.

Mokmurian is expecting the dragon to return any minute now, with a tale of easy victory and good intel. The longer he waits, the more he'll suspect things didn't go as planned.

We've got to identify him and take him out, along with his closest followers. I think we have a day, maybe two. If the dragon doesn't return as expected, he'll freeze.

He's not going to move a force this size without a solid plan. Maybe we could make him forget the dragon, and worry about things closer to home for awhile?

The half orc rests his considerable chin on a meaty palm, and looks at his allies, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Ideas?

Val has moved at this point to a more comfortable position using her pack as a pillow, holding the base of her neverspill goblet with both hands on her chest. ”I could do an illusion of some sort. I could certainly copy the dragon we fought well enough, especially from a distance. I could even do a couple of illusions, just not at the same time.”

Without getting up, she tilts the goblet back until she takes a drink—a feat impossible to do without spilling if it were not the goblet’s enchantment—then tilts it back to rest on her chest. ”But a good deception is not about mimicry—such talents are just tools—but about a story. Deceiving people is about getting them to believe a story, and if you choose the story well, they will do half the work for you. So, think of it this way: what is a story we could tell that be useful to us and that we are capable of producing in a convincing way?”

She tilts the goblet back-and-forth absent-mindedly. ”You boys have any ideas? Not my usual element here so I am still working it out myself.”

Kast takes his watch and ponders what he has learnt and what he has been told.

"Ideas?"

"I don't know. I honestly don't know. The...the histories I've read are usually more clear, but this is...this is unprecedented. I'm not sure how five heroes can take on an army of this size. I'm willing to try and die, but that isn't our main point...unless...unless..." Kast sighs, giving in to the obvious. "Yeah, we can't just drop the Stone on Mok and hope he goes away. That isn't the point. That isn't the signal. It's the Rune." Kast taps his forceful shield...the Sihedron shield. "It's this. This is the key. And this is why we can't let up right now. Not at all." Kast sighs as if his entire dreamt future had been crushed.

Kast shifts on his stunted leg.

"Sounds like we need to end this entire encampment, everything that has that Rune attached to it. We need to find a way. Find out why the Rune is so...prevalent."

"I like this story idea" Izomandakus pronounces observing absentmindedly Valena's goblet fly and after giving Kast some pause "We present ourselves as having seen there is nothing to do against the mighty Mokmurian and coming to him with the Rock he so much wishes to beg him for our lives. That way we get access to Mokmurian to confront him directly and force him to tell us what's about the Sihedron everywhere."

"We topple the King's head and the rest crumbles below him. The giants return to the same aimless wandering they have been doing for centuries in the Storval plateau" then with a fingers snap adds "If things go wrong we just teleport back to safety and act with whatever new information we have uncovered."

Sitting up on his bedroll, Seamus listened to the conversation. Rastaf's idea of dealing with Mokmurian quickly made sense to him. And he thought Val's idea to present an Illusionary dragon was smart as well. But he wasn't sure what kind of story she was talking about. When Kast said it sounded like they needed to end the entire encampment, it made Seamus squirm, it reminded of killing the goblins that were just trying to flee the battle. When Izomandakus expounded on the story idea, Seamus scratched his head. He liked the idea of taking out the King's head but wasn't sure any of them, other than Val, were good enough liars to pull it off,

"I'd rather we sneak in and do the deed, but If anyone could pull off such a con it would be Val. I don't like the idea of killing all the giants, I think if we 'cut off the head' I think they will go back to their villages." He looks to his friend. "But how do we know this Mokmurain is really in charge. We thought Barl Breakbones was as well, and look how that ended."

In case it helps, you suspect, from questioning the prior giant, that Mokmurian is inside the fortress somewhere. The army is not permitted in the fortress, for the most part. A strict prohibition, but you're not sure why.

You're also pretty sure that going up against the army will result in your deaths or quick flight. You did well against the raid on Sandpoint, but due to the giants disorganization, you only had to face two or three at a time. Here, even in the best scenarios, you'd be facing that many each, or too few to make a difference without a protracted hit-and-run plan.

As for killing everything with a Sihedron rune, well, if you do that, you'll need to go back and purge about 10-20% or so of the residents Turtleback Ferry too - those who have the Sihedron tattoo there. Maybe more.

Oh, and there was a question about caves behind the dragon's lair. You had some time, and I'm happy to assuming Seamus took 20 in a few spots to make sure there were no back-doors.

Rastaf is right. You expect the dragon, as fast as it was, is likely doing something like 20mph, or a third of what you were doing to get here. So if it was really hauling, it’d be back in two long days (tomorrow night). More likely it’d take three days and arrive by lunch the day after, more or less. A day past that and it’s late, but might have avoided a caravan, or more likely done a little hunting on a caravan, etc.

So yes, you feel you have some time before the locals get suspicious.

It is nigh on winter, so the night is cold, but uneventful as I mentioned before. It's early on Neth 30, Seamus having looked about a little the night before. What do you do in dawn’s early light?

Rastaf has a bit of an epiphany. He says something he's wanted to say, but hasn't, until now.

I'd like to speak with the other spellcasters, alone.

If they agree, and he can speak privately, he says,

Kast agrees to the kaster's summit, but he doesn't really consider himself a kaster, but as someone who's ideals towards perfection give him magic-like qualities. Some people might think he was thinking foolishly, but also Kast reserves the right to think what the thinks.

"Yeah, Rastaf, what's up?" Kast crosses his arms and waits to hear the pitch...and wonders if it's worth leaving 'Mus out of things.

Val dangles her goblet upside-down from the bottom, not spilling a drop. ”You realize that all of us save Seamus can use magic, right? I do not see the point of leaving him out of anything. Already told you some of my tricks anyways, so I will be sitting this one out, darling.” She flips her goblet up for a drink. She gives Seamus a wink that says “I got you, bud.”

Raising an eyebrow as Rastaf asks to speak to the 'spellcasters' alone, Seamus shifts his legs nervously. Of course, an educated theologian would be smart enough to realize who the important people were. Seamus knew the others were smarter than him. He knew he was just a street rat raised by an ex-prostitute and Sczarni. He knew the only thing that kept him from leading a life of crime was playing his lute and then running into these three.

Crossing his legs as Kast started to walk towards the priest, Seamus didn't blame him. He had known Kast almost his whole life, well at least since he was aloud to go to school. Kast wasn't from the docks like he was, Kast came from a well respected family and most adults pitied him because of his limp. Not that Kast would ever use that. In spite of it, Kast had proven he was a real hero and last wall would be proud to have him. Seamus understood why Rastaf would want to plan with Kast.

Seamus knew he should just be happy to get to tag along to help with a few locks or traps. Sitting cross-legged, he started fidgeting with his hands, knowing he couldn't play his lute. Looking from Izomandakus to Val, he realized she had refused the invitation. He appreciated the thought, but the boys would do better if they heard her opinion. Val had the rare talent of being able to 'think outside the box.' Looking up to his friend just as she winked. He gave a halfhearted smile and an even weaker shrug, mouthing 'thanks'.

Reaching towards his fancy new pack, he realized again he couldn't play his lute. He may not be smart enough to be part of the meeting, but he was smart enough to know that lute music, no matter how good, shouldn't be coming from an unoccupied dragon lair. Not knowing what else to do with his hands, he picked up a copper coin and winged it at Rastaf. Feeling better he picked up a second and tossed it as well, smiling then a third. If any of the fellows look his way he will give a smile and innocent shrug

So coins, improvised weapon? Non-lethal damage? So something like a - 8?
coin: 1d20 + 15 - 8 ⇒ (6) + 15 - 8 = 13
coin: 1d20 + 15 - 8 ⇒ (16) + 15 - 8 = 23
coin: 1d20 + 15 - 8 ⇒ (6) + 15 - 8 = 13

I have a variety of spells available. I just want to have a coordinated approach.

I have a variety of spells available. I just want to have a coordinated approach.

Kast waits for Rastaf to go on, and wonder why ‘Mus couldn’t hear this part.

It doesn't matter. I just think we could sort of decide what to do and execute a plan with the right spells.

Sorry, Seamus. There's no reason to exclude you. In fact, I think a little magic cast on you specifically will net us the intelligence we need. We can make you invisible, flying and well protected tomorrow. You'll really be able to scout out the scene for us. We might even be able to help you understand everything they all say, if you want.

Once Seamus successfully finds out who's who and what they're planning, we can do something fun. Maybe get them fighting each other, or just swoop in and take out the bosses, leaving them with no direction.

I can't make you undetectable, but I can imbue you with spell ability. I'm thinking Comprehend Languages, Shield of Faith and Undetectable Alignment would help you do the job,.. undetected!

Kast listens to Rastaf’s list.

”Oh, those are very nice…” …tricks? Where are the spells that cause volcanoes to erupt at our enemies feet? Or clouds to rain poison? I saw you bring a man back from the dead!

”I can do what you’ve seen me do. Nothing too exciting,” he says, trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice. ”But I bet Izo has some good ideas. He always does. I’ve seen them turn into….” Kast pause, wondering if he really wants to explain the naked lady tail monstrosity or not. ”…well, it doesn’t matter. A lot of interesting things. Maybe he can coordinate better.”

Izomandakus nods and joins. Pachemu oinks. And. Joins.

The boy produces two books full of scrawls "My spells expand nearly a couple hundreds of pages. This first one encompasses both our Goblin and Ghoul Period with mostly everything I mastered before our visit to Sanos Woods. This second one is still on the go, but has much more advanced stuff. I do write as I remember stuff. But it is going to take you a few hours to grasp on it, do you have magical reading experience? Kast is a good teacher at it." Izomandakus looks a bit confused at the meeting when he finds out this is not about sharing knowledge but about looking for obscure magical exploits.

"Oh, well, we usually just kick into the bad ones lair and improvise on the go forward. It has been fun so far." he smiles and shrugs trying to cheer up Rastaf with a shoulder tap "Why don't we just dimension door into the big black tower and work out from there on?"

That may work. Especially if we know what to expect before we jump in.

'So why the secret meeting if they're going to talk loud enough for me to hear?' After throwing the few coins, Seamus smiles and shrugs when Rastaf apologizes. "It's ok, Like Izomandakus said, we tend to improvise a lot."

Staying seated, Seamus rolled one of the copper coins across his knuckles as he listened to Rastaf, Kast, Izomandakus and Pachemu discuss plans. He pauses playing with the coin, lifting his hand. "Today was honestly the first time I've 'scouted' much. For what it's worth, I'd rather we all just 'cloud walk' or 'teleport' to the top of that tower and work our way down. Sort of like the Shadow Clock except the opposite."

sleight of hand: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28

We have at least a day. They still expect the dragon, but if Mok has good intel, he will soon know the dragon's dead, and he'll want to loot the lair. He'll wait a while, but he thinks there's treasure here. He won't leave without it.

He grins at Valena. The most they'll find is a bed of copper.

Rastaf then speaks to the rogue. I don't know if you've noticed, but you're an excellent scout. We can use magic to make you even better. They won't notice you, and you'll understand everything they say. We have time. You can spy. You can avoid them even if you are noticed, somehow. There are many ways to do it.

Smiling at the clerics compliment, Seamus gestures towards his friends. "I don't think it would work. I used to try and get them to let me check doors before they opened them, but they were always in a rush. I've kind of gotten used to it. I think we do better if we stay together and deal with things as the come." He looks to the others shrugging. "Just my two coppers."

"I just got an idea, I can make the wind whisper a message into one of the camps. We can play it as the spirits bringing some rumor to cause distress against the giants. Depending on what we tell, it might cause them to go one against another, or drop their morale, or cause disappointment and suspiciousness among their ranks. Did you find something we can use Seamus, like a name or something like Mokmurian has run away with all their money?" Izomandakus exposes "We can do that tonight, which might cause some distraction through the day. Then go for the Mock tomorrow morning"

"A Shadow Clock opposite run sounds fun" the boy smiles at this point.

Kast lets others sort out the battle plan as he doesn't have any great ideas. He will follow when others are set.

"You've been down there. We'll do what you think is best, 'Mus," Kast states.

The party continues to make plans to attack the 150’ black spire, or the 100’ black tower working from the top to the bottom and getting in magically. Some ideas of further scouting are floated, as well as illusion of the dragon returning, or perhaps another scheme to cause confusion in the ranks.

As the sun lazily rises over the valley, a roc, an enormous bird that can haul elephants away for its supper, flies out of the spire, from near the top of the 150’ spike. It lazily circles the encampment before flying south over the river, presumably to hunt. It doesn’t come anywhere near your cave.

"A roc...and we're in a hard place," Kast says, as he espies the encircling predator. "Well, we have to do something...and I'm okay waiting one more day to figure out where to strike first. There are no good, *perfect* options, but there are some that might be better than others." Kast looks around, both at the mounds of copper beds, but at the encampments, which are menacing.

"I'm just not sure yet where to go, where to strike first. But, again, it's hard to be perfect in these kinds of situations. Sometimes, being perfect is just doing what you can to the best of your ability. And maybe that means striking directly into the tower."

Kast does not consider it imperfection to have doubts or fears, but it would be imperfect to allow those doubts and fears to rule him, which he does not. He will make the best choice given the information given to him. And nothing suggests that Izo's plan would fail...only being unknown.

Val begins a stretching routine. ”Alrighty, if someone just needs to make a call, I will make it. We go for the 100 ft tower first. We clear that out discretely, and we can use that as a base of operations to take the 150 ft.”

Kast shrugs, agreeing with Val.

"Let's do it. Izo?"

"Are you staying back guarding the coins Pachemu? Or you want the stone?" Izomandakus asks looking down at the pig.

"Oink" she answers which is followed by Izomandakus saying a few magic words "I see" and the pig becomes a stony statuette the boy pigs up and places into his expensive pouch.

Izomandakus has prepared same spells as the day before and cast greater reversion, mage armor, greater magic weapon, heightened awareness and heroism.

"Come everybody nearby and join hands" he says coming out to the cave opening where he can see the tower. After doing some complex calculations and looking for windows, doors or other apertures indicative of hollow space behind, Izomandakus pronounces a single word of power and dimension doors the group into the tower indicating direction and precise distance "габаритная дверь"
K. engineering+HR+HA: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 28

With level 12 he can teleport now the 5 of us!

Waking near dawn, Seamus watches as the giant ugly bird flies away from the larger tower. Chuckling at Kast's comment, Seamus agrees as he packs up his gear. Commenting as much to himself as to the others. "Well, I think we've figured out what we'll find in the tallest tower."

Shouldering his pack, he nods in agreement with Val. Looking from Kast to Izomandakus asking "Would we take the rest of the castle before the large tower or after? Or should we wait to decide once we get in?"

Moving closer to Izomandakus he reaches out to take Val's hand, Then extending the other to the Cleric. "Come on Rastaf we're headed to the tower."

Kast joins hands after doing his usual magical preparations.

[spoiler=Kast's Pre Exploration Magics]Air Limp, Gr. Magic Weapon (+3) on the Iron Quill, extended Bull's Strength (will renew as needed), extended Shield of Faith (+4), Magic Circle Against Evil on himself and 'Mus.[ /spoiler]

From earlier fly-bys you know that this tower is not like the others that compose the fort. Its architectural style is far more intricate and ancient in appearance, bearing similarities to many of the other ancient monuments that dot the Varisian landscape. Thassilonian monuments.

Made of black stone and decorated with gargoyles, the tower’s walls are streaked with thick lichens and moss. It soars twice as high as the other towers, its facade effectively dominating the view.

Izomandakus eyes the tower, gauging location and distance - and he ‘doors you over!

You arrive, as desired I think, at the top interior of the tower. Unfortunately, the tower is hollow to the ground floor! You each, unless someone has a feather fall today, fall 90’ to the ground level. Except Kast.

Izomandakus: 9d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 5, 3, 2, 6, 5, 2) = 37
Kast: 0d6 ⇒ (-) = 0 (air limp)
Rastaf: 9d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 6, 2, 3, 1, 6, 6) = 31
Seamus: 9d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 2, 6, 1, 4, 6, 3) = 32
Valena: 9d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 5, 5, 1, 6, 5, 2) = 35

You land in various sprawled positions on the ground floor of the enormous tower, cursing the ancient Thassilonian architects. As you recover (or drift down as the case may be) you look around.

To the north are two large stone doors that lead out into the courtyard. In the middle of a raised platform in the center of the room Seamus points out a trap door which, upon further investigation, looks to open at the slightest touch and is not locked or trapped (I assume you have not opened it yet).

What immediately strikes you though is the cold. I mean sure, you’ve got your cold gear on because it’s nigh winter, and you’re up a fair bit in the mountains. But in here. It’s cold.

The floors are like ice, and just as slippery. Anyone walking on them must spend 2 squares of movement to enter each square as if covered by ice. The DC for Acrobatics checks increases by +5. The air is severely cold as well and the initial shock of it forces a Fort DC 15 or take d6 nonlethal and you’re considered fatigued, neither of which can be healed until you warm up. You know you’ll need to check once an hour thanks to your gear.

New map up!

Feeling chilly, Kast casts Endure Elements on himself...as he watches the party plummet/waft to the ground.

"Ah, surprise. Tricky," Kast says as he limps back and forth down 90' to where the party is. He will help hamberder those that need it, and notes that that was probably pretty silly and they are lucky to not be as dead as they were.

He will stand on guard while waits for people to recover their wits.

Val’s ring of feather falling activates and she slowly glides down. Checkec and the CL is 1 on the ring, so it only works on her :/

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

The cold does not seem to bother her much either.

”Well we cleared that one quickly! Good job everyone.”

A little late.

Prior to leaving, Rastaf casts Bless Weapon on Seamus's blade, and casts Bear's Endurance, Mass, on the whole party (+4 con for 12 min. You get 24 hp.).

After falling, he channels energy to heal the injured.

channel: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5, 3, 3, 2) = 20

fort: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Gripping his friends hand Seamus smiles as Kast and Rastaf cast a few spells. As Izomandakus starts to cast his spell, he turns to Val and winks. "Start at the top, work our way down. How tough can it be?" As they materialize in midair, the look Seamus gives Val is almost comical, if not a little sad. As he and Rastaf begin to drop, Val's fingers slide out of his hands. He releases Rastaf's hand and tries to grab Val's leg. Just barely wrapping both hands fingertips around her very practical but still attractive boots. As her toe dips and his hands slide off, he falls, looking up at his two levitating friends, "F**k this is going to hurt!"

Landing on the fancy new back pack, he rolls over and coughs as Rastaf channels energy. Getting up, he shakes his head, "Thanks Rastaf for the healing." Looking from the half Orc to Izomandakus. "That didn't go as planned." Rubbing his arms he asks, "Is anyone else a little cold?"

Shaking his head at Val's landing quip, he smiles "Thanks, Remind me to get one of those rings." Accepting Kast's ministrations with the wand, Seamus nod. "As good as new."

I assume the platform and trapdoor are in the tower we are in?
AFter inspecting the trapdoor on the raised platform, Seamus carefully checks the double doors that that should lead out into the courtyard. Gesturing towards both, "Which way, the trap door or the courtyard?"

Hamberder: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Hamberder: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Don't nobody forget your +4 Con. Rastaf cares about you!

Izomandakus plummets silently towards the floor, after all it cannot hurt more than an ogre-hook. Or it can. Stumped against the ancient cold ground his eyes spin for a good while. When Rastaf heals, the boy slowly start to recover and stands up taping his clothes to remove the dirt "Well, sorry for that. Never drive blind as they say. Who would tell Mokmurian would prefer the dungeon to the gorgeous sights of the top floor? Xanessa knew best"

Smiling at Valena's optimistic appreciation, Izomandakus points towards the trapdoor "There, I think, the giant said Mokmurian was delving at the bottom of Jorgenfist, so we want to go down Seamus. Can you check the trapdoor?"

"Cold?" the boy does not seem to notice, for Barl's boots of the winterlands seem very comfy in here "Hum. Does it mean Mokmurian is an Ice Giant?"

While Seamus looks for traps Izomandakus transforms his skin into clay and uses his extend rod again to cast shield.
He would have cast heroism before using the rod too

As the trapdoor seems clear, he opens it.

”Ice giant? Not sure they come in Ice flavor, but maybe frost? Hard to say, but I had been assuming another stone giant, like those outside,” Kast responds to Izo, and readies to move down.

You open the door easily to see a 50’ perfectly smooth shaft which opens up to a larger space with 20’ ceilings (so you’re 70’ from the floor). It’s dark down there, and bitterly cold.

”It’s dark and cold, perfect,” Kast says, looking down and casting a simple Light spell on the Iron Quill. ”This seems weird, but might as well take look.”

Kast will begin to head down once others have figured things out. He will keep guard as he moves.

Val finally does all of her spells. Freedom of movement in herself, mirror image, Tough Crowd on everyone, Apport Object on her scroll of BoL

Mirror Image: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Val tosses up some dancing lights as well. ”I have 50 feet of rope myself. Anyone want to share theirs? I can tie them together to lower down for us. As long as I can find some place to fix it to….”

Watching Kast slip through the hatch and begins to 'walk' his way down, Seamus watches as Val creates 'dancing lights.' Nodding as Val comments about her rope, He drops his fancy new pack off of his shoulder onto the platform and begins to rifle through it. Looking up from his pack he frowns, telling Val. "Um, I guess I got so caught up in buying camping gear, that I didn't purchase rope."

He looks towards Izomandakus and Rastaf to see if either of them have any rope or other solutions.

"Oh, Frost. Yeah, that is the technical word." Izomandakus nods always impressed on Kast's deep reading and memory contrary to the way ideas come chaotically into his own mind.

As the long jump is revealed the boy makes a gesture with the hand and his body starts to grow, powerful black wings appear on his back while his figure and face transform into a large sized winged apeman "Just grab there. Hu" his new deep voice booms in the hollow tower.

Once everybody who wants grabs, he jumps, falling down after Kast, piercing the darkness with his new ape-eyes and scenting the air for unnatural odors.
Fly+HR-MP2 (avoid falling damage) DC 10: 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 7 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 - 7 = 23

Great image!

Remembering how difficult it was to hang onto Val's boots, Seamus gets a really good grip on one of Izo-ape-dakus' wings and rides his friend down the tunnel.