Confusion
Confusion
Confusion
Confusion
Kast spends the next few rounds barely processing Magga’s retreat, between anger at himself, at others, and more random self-accusations. Mostly, it’s not a good look for the Sihedron Soldier, but the party didn’t die from his misadventures in confusion.
And like almost every other chase Kast has been involved in, Kast chooses not to chase. He’s just not good at catching things, and he certainly wasn’t going after Black Magga, no matter how confused he was.
After recovering his wits, and still using his Air Limp Kast will limp around the area providing need to those who are water logged or water lost. He’s uncertain what people will need, but will focus on those stuck or in the water first, then see if anyone is buried under destruction next.
”C’mon Izo. We have people to save.”
Val re-implants her tricks on herself and Hasslo, just to be safe.
She cleanses her own wisdom damage, finishing off almost all of her spells.
Val prioritizes places high up or otherwise difficult to reach places that her acrobatic moves and good balance can get her to. She also offers healing from her wand to whoever needs them. She pushes herself to work as long and hard her body can handle, keeping herself going with invigorates if necessary. Perhaps out of guilt, perhaps out of a desire to undercut Kast pointing out she did not help out cleaning up the fort, perhaps both.
Izomandakus starts hitting himself with the head on the staff, trying to get some knowledge from the experience, only to suddenly turn to someone passing by and swinging his staff with ill intend.
Pachemu tries to bite someone nearby, but quickly recovers her wits, trying to stop Izomandakus without result.
The redhead looks embarrassed at Kast and Seamus as they address him "That was unfortunate" of course, he does not even think on cleaning the blood on his open head right now, because basically he has lost half his not so large wits already.
"Yum. Yes." the boy barely registers what is going on, and just follows one or another person that seem to know what needs to be done, repeating gestures afterwards.
Hasslo still has a single swing on the monster before it departs, but as I doubt he’ll kill it in one blow (c’mon x10 crit!), we’ll proceed. Hasslo, do take the swing though, I'm curious to see what happens.
In the morning you clamber down for breakfast, which is across the street if you recall. At least it’s not raining. However, the first of you to descend encounters Maelin Shreed calmly waiting for you in the cramped inn entry. It’s clear from his eyes he’s had a rough night, but he still spins off energy with his own strength and glow as he greets you.
”Good morning. I was wondering if you would consider a proposition. It’ll only take a minute and your breakfast will be free, though I doubt any in this town will take your money for some time.” He smiles, the thanks for your efforts clear in his countenance.
He waits patiently for everyone to come down before holding an impromptu meeting in the inn foyer standing around a small table.
”I hope you found Fort Rannick well, and I want to hear of it, but we have another matter to discuss also. There’s a dam upriver called the Skull’s Crossing. When the flood began, we initially thought it had burst from all the rain perhaps, but the flood was too low in the end, and too short.”
”But the water is high, and we fear the dam may be damaged.” He rubs his red eyes, ”The thing is, Skull’s Crossing has been the home of a tribe of trolls known as the Skulltakers. Nasty bunch.”
”I, or rather the entire town council, was wondering if you would investigate. While you’re here. Maybe the Black Arrow Rangers can help you? While you consider our plea for aid, please, tell me of the rangers. What did you find at the fort?”
He sets a large pouch of coins on the table as he listens to your tale of Fort Rannick.
Izomandakus is only mildly listening until the tingle of coins sounds within the pouch in the table "A dam called Skull’s Crossing? What kind of dam is that Maelin?"
The boy will go on extend to report the Father about the group dealings in Fort Rannick and how the Kreeg ogres had taken the fortress.
Opening the bag of coins, Izomandakus nods approvingly "I guess we can give a look. It would be a pity Turtleback Ferry disappears because a failing dam or some troll dealings"
Kast will let Izo explain the story, but he will add things that he feels are important. It's nice when good history is written, so that people know that there is good to overcome evil. Like he knows that Lastwall is where the most evil was.
Know (Geography) - Skull's Crossing/Dam
"What do you think Kast? Deal with the trolls troubling this town before we split up?"
Kast shrugs, taking the bag of coins and looking within. He had, after all, been paid by the Mayor to check things out here, and he had agreed to that.
"Yeah, I think so," Kast says, looking through the coins.
Hasslo swings once as the Black Magga escapes. "And stay back, you filthy creature! Don't you come back here ever again!"
-----
As Maelin Shreed comes up and greets them, Hasslo nods. "We were on another mission, it seems. Do you know of a 'Lamatar'? We believe he may be involved in something and we were trying to tie him down."
The dwarf furrows his brow. "But this dam. It seems like a bigger deal, a more imminent threat. Aye, we will go check it out. How far away is it? Can you tell us more about these Skulltakers? How many of them are there? Who is their leader?"
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Hasslo takes a mighty swing on the receding slitherer, but his axe can’t penetrate the mighty hide of the beast (miss).
Izomandakus is only mildly listening until the tingle of coins sounds within the pouch in the table "A dam called Skull’s Crossing? What kind of dam is that Maelin?”
”It’s a large stone edifice from ancient days. No one really knows how it works or how old it is. It’s just always been there regulating the river channel and creating, in part, the Storval Deep."
Izomandakus knows, and Kast and Pachemu can confirm, that the dam is at the headwaters of the Skull River, just a half day or so further than the Fort. I’ve added it to the current map.
The boy will go on extend to report the Father about the group dealings in Fort Rannick and how the Kreeg ogres had taken the fortress.
The poor man must stabilize himself on the table, ”The rangers have been wiped out? All but three?! By the forests of Erastil!” It takes a while for him to come to grips with this new development, and he asks a few questions, though he seems more in a fog than he was.
Opening the bag of coins, Izomandakus nods approvingly "I guess we can give a look. It would be a pity Turtleback Ferry disappears because a failing dam or some troll dealings”
When Izomandakus claims the bag, the man snaps back to the present crisis. ”Yes, that’s for you if you’ll undertake this mission. I wish it were more, but it’s all we could collect on such short notice. When you return, we’ll add a like amount. I promise.” Izomandakus and Kast are impressed by the bags heft at first, but on glancing inward it’s mostly silver… You estimate the bag holds about 1,000gp. So 2,000gp to do the job - investigate the dam and root out the trolls.
Izomandakus knows that trolls are CE Large humanoid (giant). Pachemu reminds him, and he presumably shares, that trolls have regeneration 5 (acid or fire). That means they don’t regenerate, and can die, on any round that they take acid or fire damage. Pachemu further knows that trolls are generally easy to hit as a result of their regeneration. They don’t feel pain the way we do, and injuries heal so quickly they usually don’t bother with things like armor.
Listening carefully as Izomandakus explains in detail about the situation at the fort, Seamus interjects. "Izomandakus has the right of it. We also ran into a family called the Grauls, that's where we found the only three remaining rangers. The Grauls seemed to be some kind of relatives of Ogres. We killed them and freed the rangers. But there's not enough of them left to help. As a matter of fact we were going to ask if you could send some folks to help them rebuild." Seamus looks down, "But it seems the 'Ferry' has enough problems of its own rebuilding here."
”I won’t say it hasn’t been a tough year. First the Paradise going down with all hands, this flood, and now the Black Arrows decimated. More than decimated! There’s not a lot of damage in the town, though our carpenter is still checking a few buildings on the north side that caught the brunt of it. We’ll certainly help the Black Arrows in whatever way we can.” Presumably you now give him the lest of immediate needs.
As Maelin Shreed comes up and greets them, Hasslo nods. "We were on another mission, it seems. Do you know of a 'Lamatar'? We believe he may be involved in something and we were trying to tie him down."
”Sure, the leader of the Black Arrows, Lamatar Bayden. Surely you don’t think he is involved in all this?” Maelin seems incredulous.
The dwarf furrows his brow. "But this dam. It seems like a bigger deal, a more imminent threat. Aye, we will go check it out. How far away is it? Can you tell us more about these Skulltakers? How many of them are there? Who is their leader?"
”It’s just over a day due to the rough terrain, up the Skull River, named after the dam. They’re trolls, so we don’t get close enough for a headcount or a tea with their leadership. That said, the rangers might know more as they’re less than a half day away from the structure.”
Let me know if you have any further questions. If not, the man takes his leave of you and walks south, back toward the church - the heart of this community no doubt.
So what's your plan? You can spend the morning here, and still make it to the fort by nightfall. Then head out tomorrow for the dam, arriving around midday. You could even guard a wagon carrying some of the more critical supplies with you on your way back to the fort.
Izomandakus considers about updating Maelin about the true reasons of the Paradise sinking in the lake, but decides it is better for them to live in ignorance, the lamia sister is dead after all...
Pachemu explains, and the readhead translates for everyone, about the trolls and their weaknesses "We should get some fire or acid before paying them a visit at the head of the river" he pads his belt and the wands of scorching ray and acid arrow on it, and smiles feeling well prepared.
"Thanks Maelin, I think that is all from my side. I guess we can make a stop at the Fort, bring them whatever supplies you can spare, and get more information about the trolls" Izomandakus turns then to the party and specifically to Seamus "Do you want to do this Whitewillow stuff before heading back to the mountains?"
Kast will relate what he knows of the dam, surprised it has much importance at all. But I guess it does prevent this town from being flooded.
"Do we know for sure there are trolls there? We'll need to prepare for them, if so," Kast asks Maelin to confirm.
Kast leans back in his chair.
"And what is the time frame for checking out the dam? We had planned to go to the Shimmerglens first, a quick trip," he follows up before agreeing to anything.
"Do you three have enough fire magic..."
Kast shakes his head, having exactly zero fire magics to offer. "I think we can probably source some fire flasks, or acid flasks, or both from a local alchemist. Probably."
Val listens, an amused expression on her face. Figures that yet another crisis follows the last. But that is what she is here for. "I am happy to do whatever I can."
Knowing barely anything about trolls, she defers to the expertise of the intellectuals. "Fire, you say?"
She holds up her rapier, the blade bursting into flame. "I can do fire. Ice and electricity, too. I am afraid no acid though, darlings."
Izomandakus smiles seeing Valena's rapier bursting in flames "It seems we are well stocked. If you wish a bit more, I can craft an acid flask in a day"
"Good, we are headed to the fort. We can rest there tonight and go to the dam tomorrow" and turning to Maelin "How bulky are the supplies we need to bring to the rangers?"
'We had planned to go to Shimmerglens?'
”We need open shops, Izo. I’m glad that you want to pour over your cauldron, but it’s probably best not to wait days for a few flasks when we could just buy them before we leave,” Kast offers, thinking to leave in the morning tomorrow, rather than the same day as they arrived.
"Do we know for sure there are trolls there? We'll need to prepare for them, if so," Kast asks Maelin to confirm.
”As I said, it’s the home to a family of trolls. So yeah, there are always trolls there as far as I know. They’re trolls - we don’t go up there.”
"And what is the time frame for checking out the dam? We had planned to go to the Shimmerglens first, a quick trip," he follows up before agreeing to anything.
He looks concerned, ”I’m sure you want to look for the chief ranger, but if the dam bursts, we’re all through here. I need to know if that’s a possibility, so I can evacuate the town if it is. Surely the lives of the whole town are worth more than one missing man?” He hopes that you'll look at the at least leaking dam before a search through fey infested forests.
"Good, we are headed to the fort. We can rest there tonight and go to the dam tomorrow" and turning to Maelin "How bulky are the supplies we need to bring to the rangers?"
Maelin looks at the list, ”Well, they need some stock animals, and food, and a wagon. So it’s all pretty bulky. I’ve a thought to send some folk to help them as well. Just a friend and his nephew.”
Responding to Izomandakus' question about supplies, Seamus furrowed his brow. "The father said we could use a wagon, do we want to get supplies tonight and leave at first light? Or should we make a list and just get everything in the morning?" He looked towards the window, "Are shops even open at this hour?"
”I should be able to get near everything on this list in a couple hours with a bit of luck. So you could make the fort tonight if you wished, though it’d be late when you arrive I should think.”
Izomandakus nods "Good. How long does it take to pay a visit to the Shimmerglens?" the boy asks thoughtful while looking at the different maps of the region the group has gathered "If it is less than two hours, we might wish to check there while the wagon and supplies are readied"
"Thank you Maelin for all you've done. We'll get to the bottom of this.". The dwarf smiles. "Those trolls will no longer be a threat after we're done with them!" He winks at Maelin.
"Do you need help gathering supplies?"
Izomandakus nods "Good. How long does it take to pay a visit to the Shimmerglens?" the boy asks thoughtful while looking at the different maps of the region the group has gathered "If it is less than two hours, we might wish to check there while the wagon and supplies are readied"
The Shimerglens are half a day or more away (depending how you go), in the opposite direction. Also, you don’t know exactly where the man is, you just have an inkling. You could be searching the forest for days to find him.
"Thank you Maelin for all you've done. We'll get to the bottom of this.". The dwarf smiles. "Those trolls will no longer be a threat after we're done with them!" He winks at Maelin.
"Do you need help gathering supplies?"
”No, no, thank you for your generosity. Get a good hot breakfast, for I know how cold meals in the forest can be."
'Part of my brain must still be on 'the Kitten's' time.' Realizing he had accidently switched his nights and his days again, Seamus blushes, hoping none of his friends caught the mental error. Considering Izomandakus' question, Seamus recommends. "If we've got two hours let's eat a good breakfast and maybe find a shop that sells alchemical fire or acid." He looks from Izomandakus to Val. "Just in case Val can't teach me to catch my long knives on fire."
”There’s just the one general store, but I bet Wenda has what you need. The town will cover the supplies.” he offers as a sweetener.
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"The town will cover the supplies"
The sweet words is all Izomandakus needs to get himself moving "Good, I can always handle more alchemicals" in good mood, he orders a large dish of mashed eggs and potatoes, but will settle for whatever fish-crap the villagers have to offer.
Pachemu is a bit more selective and will reject eating more fish.
After breakfast, he will visit the store and put his hands at least on an acid flask and an alchemist fire one.
Then, the pig and the redhead will be ready to push wagons up through the mud and to the Fort and beyond.
Val has her usual kykeon for breakfast. Another day of fighting and killing ahead. For the time being, she focuses on her immediate task: apologizing.
She waits for a moment to grab Kast and pull him aside. ”Hey, Kast. I wanted to apologize. I drank too much and was harsher than I had a right to be. You may have noticed by now that I am not particularly good at dealing with life. Or death for that matter.” She brushes her hair back out of her face. ”Oh and I did not realize people gave you such a hard time about the leg. Bad sport in my opinion. Should only give people a verbal lashing over things they do intentionally. That is my policy, anyways.” Realizing she is getting off-track, she snaps her fingers as a cue to get herself back on-topic. ”Anyways, that was very insensitive of me. And I am sorry.”
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Kast nods at the nice offer for some supplies to help with the trip and trollls.
* * *
”Hey, Kast. I wanted to apologize.”
Kast looks surprised, and tries to immediately comfort Valena, as if he was the person who was wrong. He settles back, and tries not to interrupt and let her speak.
”Oh and I did not realize people gave you such a hard time about the leg. Bad sport in my opinion. And I am sorry.”
Kast waits and listens as she speaks. He sighs deeply when she actually says ‘I’m sorry’. He smiles, a small bit of boyish charm.
”Oh, no worries. I know. We’ve been….uh…it was a long day….and uhm…uh…I’ve already forgotten it,” Kast says, appreciating the gesture, but not having the best words to accept it well. He wasn’t used to, nor had enough practice enough to be perfect at accepting apologies. It just so rarely happened.
”Thank you, Val. I needed to hear that. Thank you.” Kast does not cry. Much. At the gesture. No.
"Yeah, we are going to fire them from that dam. The complains are piling after their job with the flood and the Black Magga" Izomandakus follows up on Seamus' explanations and also takes some trail food copying Kast.
Afterwards, he goes to visit the teacher and the children and makes sure they are ok, letting them play with Pachemu while alleviating the woman's shock talking about how teaching in a small town is going for her and whether if some of her pupils has any magical talent.
You finish your conversation with Maelin Shreed, and head outside and across the street to breakfast. It’s a funny thing, the rains were so heavy and so insistent for so long people had been complaining, and loudly. Now however, the town is covered in a layer of mud. It’s everywhere. Some mud-puddles are knee deep from the damaging flood.
So now folks are hoping the rain picks up again to help them wash it all away.
But you head into the Bottom’s Up tavern, to be greeted by cheers, and the finest table! Your meals are on the house, and tasty (eggs and potatoes are no problem!), but hard to eat with everyone coming up to congratulate you and thank you for beating back the Black Magga…
But you tear yourselves away from breakfast eventually, and head to the town’s only store to pick up some supplies. Wenda Leenee is there, and helps you select the finest in troll-killing accoutrements. She has a surprisingly large collection of vials of acid and alchemist’s fire, but she’s depleted for the time being after your ‘purchases’.
After that you have a little time, not much, but Izomandakus uses it to visit the school teacher. She looks at him rather blankly when he asks about magic, ”Out here? No. Magical talent comes to city folk.” She’s not rude, but she is adamant in her views. So if a local child does have any talent, they’re likely hiding it!
Then you’ll meet with little Trevor and his uncle Brast. Brast isn’t much of a talker, but Trevor, all of 16, prattles on nearly endlessly. They have assembled the things on the Black Arrow list and loaded it, plus some other supplies they think they might need, on a wagon. One of the things they need is tack animals for hauling and helping with other heavy work, so there are two strong mules pulling the small wagon instead of the normal one.
Gathering your things together, you head back north, into the wilds! It’s a cold, crisp day, but your cold weather gear is sufficient to ward off the effects and at least it’s not raining! You ride back to the fort, crossing the Skull River at the usual point, high above the raging waters below.
By dusk, you see the fort, a few lights twinkling here and there. By supper you’re all crowded around the communal tables in the main fort, chatting back and forth about what you’ve learned and what’s happened over the last couple days.
At the fort, it’s been a slow process of carrying bodies and body parts up to the ridge for burial. They’ll not use Brast or Trevor for that particular gruesome task, but there’s plenty to do, like repairing the secondary gates - a high priority to ensure the security of the fort.
You spend the night in relative comfort (lots of available beds…) and rise to a rousing breakfast with plenty of hot coffee - thanks in part to the supplies you hauled up. It’s Neth 16, a Moonday. Feel free to chat with the Black Arrows, and make whatever plans you wish prior to arriving at the Skull’s Crossing. The Crossing is about a half a day away, so if you left soon, you’d be there by lunch.
Kast is strangely elated to return to the fort, and after such a short departure. But, this was a pretty big event in Kast's life, and so returning to the site of some pretty fierce battling (and victory) fills him with some pride.
He will again help carry bodies and prepare them for proper burial, after helping unload the supplies. He notes that his new belt helps a bit with his efforts. Even with the belt, he's not as strong as Izo, but who could be? The woman was crazy strong and clearly had perfected a workout technique that Kast had yet to master, even with magics.
In the morning, Kast makes a few patrols of the Fort perimeter before breakfast to get a feel for the place again, and will be ready to leave soon after cramming his mouth full of bacon.
Izomandakus does not fully trust the teacher but he knows when it is better just let things slip away, he nods politely and just looks as the kids play with the pig.
Short after their arrival to the fort, he uses a whispering wind spell to carry a message to Bottom’s Up tavern: "The Black Magga Heroes reached Fort safely with all supplies. Trevor and Brast happy. Thanks for your efforts. Keep working. More supplies needed soon. Thanks"
During the supper he mostly talks with Vale "How is it going? Is cleaning the dirt any better than fighting ogres? You fought bravely in that corridor, I still remember" he will also explain about the dam and makes some guesses about how it might work such a device, leaving the tale of the Black Magga to Seamus, Val and Kast as they are much better story tellers.
After supper, he will excuse himself from helping on the cleaning "There is many for me to study" and close himself in the library to keep studying the Graul's mama book.
The next day the redhead makes some small modifications to his spells prepared, before he is ready for departure.
Cantrips (4/day)
acid splash
detect magic
ghost sound (Will 13)
open/close
Level 1 (6/day)
heightened awareness^
enlarge person^
grease (Ref 14)
*mage armor
2x shield
Level 2 (6/day)
whispering wind^
glitterdust (Will 15)
invisibility
scorching ray~
mirror image | suppress charms and compulsions
Level 3 (5/day)
*greater magic weapon^ (+2)
clay skin
fly^ | blink^
haste^
heroism
Level 4 (3/day)
monstrous physique II^
greater invisibility
wave form^ (Ref 18) | obsidian flow^ (Ref 18)
Level 5 (2/day)
telekinesis^
teleport
Noticing he has more time through the day for preparation and study, Izomandakus takes ink and parchment and carefully draws the lines of a pil-pil spell, crafting a glitterdust scroll finishing with some glitter powder over it "This should do in case of emergency Pachemu. Would you like to try yourself?"
The pig looks with interest at the crafting process, and later, when the redhead continues studying the Graul's book, she also reads along with him, sit over the table.
---
"Oh, yes, we are ready" Izomandakus smiles at Seamus answering after breakfast while Pachemu joyfully oinks.
"So are we ready to go troll hunting?"
Kast shoves another handful of bacon into his mouth and shrugs. "Yeah, let's go. These trolls aren't going to kill themselves. It will be good to get some practice with them before I head to the 'Wall. All this is good training."
[i]If I'm going to be a hero, I've got to be perfect.[/ooc]
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As you’re not there until late, and are planning to leave early, you’ll have to put off assisting the rangers for now with anything more than washing a few dishes. Still, you’re quite welcome to what they have while you’re here, and there’s plenty of camaraderie.
That morning Izomandakus sends a message back to Turtleback Ferry. They’re accustomed to all manner of creatures delivering messages, but the wind itself? That causes a bit of a stir and serves to lengthen the stories told about the party. Vale chats amiably with young Izomandakus.
When Seamus asks about trolls, Jakardros shrugs. ”We made a pact with those trolls many years ago - when I was just joining up. We didn’t have the numbers to route them out properly and they tired of us trying. So they agreed to stay at the dam or east through the Wyvern Mountains.”
”So for the last ten years or so we’ve just concentrated on the ogres and occasional giant. And the lesser beasts of course - orcs and goblins occasionally rise up here, though it’s rare these days. We had enough in the fort to take the dam back I suppose, but the trolls had kept their bargain for so long, we just let it be.”
Vale nods, ”Yeah, by the time I joined, no one even told me there were trolls up here. The pact worked so well no one talked about it anymore.”
As you prepare to leave, it begins to snow. It’s still light and fluffy, and it’s melting as soon as it hits the ground. You gather your furs about you and head out - to Skull’s Crossing and the trolls.
Shalelu and the other rangers waive goodbye as you head out the under-repair eastern gate.
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Val is glad that Kast accepted her apology. It would not be the first or the last time she apologizes for something she did after drinking too much.
Val folds her arms behind her head as she walks. ”I wonder who or what could be getting the trolls worked-up then? If they have been fine all this time. We handled the two lamia sisters. Who else is left to be pulling the strings?”
Hasslo feels relieved to be back at the fort. It's a home away from home. Perhaps one day it will be his true home. But for now, it's just home for the night.
Talking with the Black Arrows, Hasslo does ask a question. "Any word on Lamatar Bayden? Has he come back or have you found out where he went?"
As Val asks that question, Hasslo believes it's Lamatar. "Who else could it be? I'm sure Lamatar is trying to get revenge for something. We'll get to the bottom of this, I'm sure!".
With the snow, Hasslo smiles. "What a day, what a day.". He's truly happy, at least for the moment.
Izomandakus listens with interest what the Black Arrows have to explain about the trolls, and nods agreeing with Valena "Indeed, it is weird there is trouble just now, after so much time. Perhaps the source of the problems for the dam has a different root after all."
"I am still puzzled on how Lucrecia managed to convince the Kreegs for the assault and what was her ultimate plan" after the conversation, the boy readies himself for the departure.
Pachemu leads the way towards the dam, one would think the pig would enjoy the mud bath, but she seems to avoid getting to dirty walking over it with style despite the continuous rain.
"Maybe the Trolls at Last Wall would do the same and make some sort of treaty. You could at last offer the idea when you get there."
Kast shrugs, finding it very unlikely that the defenders of Lastwall would ever send him out negotiate, let alone listen to a rookie like himself, but maybe? Who knows?
Kast marches with the Iron Quill at the ready, the Sihedron Shield activated, and his mind ready for trouble. He's put a few of each flask in his pouch for easy retrieval, and hopes he doesn't need to use them.
”I wonder who or what could be getting the trolls worked-up then? If they have been fine all this time. We handled the two lamia sisters. Who else is left to be pulling the strings?”
"Might be that the trolls heard the Fort was taken, and thus felt there was no more deal. That could be it," Kast offers.
Hasslo feels relieved to be back at the fort. It's a home away from home. Perhaps one day it will be his true home. But for now, it's just home for the night.
Talking with the Black Arrows, Hasslo does ask a question. "Any word on Lamatar Bayden? Has he come back or have you found out where he went?"
Vale laughs, ”We were hoping you were to discover that for us!” he grows a bit more serious, ”but of course the dam must come first. It’s an enormous beast - a lot of water behind it. It would ruin the expanding civilization of a dozen towns and villages below it.”
”Our missing leader can wait until your return from the dam.” he waives as you depart.
- - -
It’s a tough unrelenting uphill struggle. There is something of a track along the Skull River which you’ve been following, but it’s still a tough route. The other side of the river looks worse though, so you struggle on. It’s not many miles, but it feels like all day when you come around a corner and can finally see the dam ahead. Spanning the great breadth of an enormous gorge is Skull’s Crossing. The massive wall of stone holds back the waters of the Storval Deep - but only just.
Thousands of skulls have been carved into the dam’s face, with five larger ones decorating the middle length. The easternmost of these immense skulls is all but hidden by a steady flow of cascading water pouring through what appears to be a recent break in the dam. For now, the ancient dam seems to be holding its own against the ‘Deep, but unless something is done, the recent flood looks to be but a minor precursor to a fantastic disaster.
The eastern slopes of the gorge are sheer and slick with spray, but to the west, a narrow stone stairway, it’s edge decorated with hundreds of poles bearing the skulls of as many different creatures, winds up to a cave mouth near the western rim of the dam itself. Or you can fly/teleport/airwalk to the top of the dam.
- - -
Izomandakus observes reverently the magnificent structure in the distance "Impressive. I saw a drawing once, but it did not convey the absolute dimension of the structure. The well studied and executed design. The creepiness of its art."
Izomandakus had cast mage armor and greater magic weapon at some point during their journey. Now, he casts heightened awareness, clay skin and an extended heroism using his rod before going up the narrow stairs "Let's be careful, these could be slippery"
+2 from circle vs evil
+1 from circle vs evil
"Didn't someone say this dam is ancient? Perhaps it's been 'ere for thousands of years. Did those 'Thassilonians' build this thing? Maybe they built the skulls."
As they approach and slow down, Hasslo points out a few lumbering shapes. "There! Trolls. On the dam's western upper reach.". He starts counting them. "One... two... three..."
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"Trolls?" Kast looks to where Hasslo point, squinting his eyes but probably misses seeing them. "Well, at least we're in the right place. Let's do this."
Kast isn't looking forward to the long march up to the dam proper, but only one way to get there and that's one step at a time.
Hard to tell from here whether the skulls are a recent addition, but they look as ancient as the walls - at least the big ones.
The forms at the wall could be trolls, but it's hard to say from here with the angle of the dam. Whoever it is, they seem to be doing their damndest to damage the dam! Just over the rush of the water, Seamus and Hasslo hear the sounds of metal on stone. There could be as many as a half dozen, but it's hard to tell. Likely less.
Let me know if that changes your plans. I'll prepare a walk up the trail, past the hundred skulls in the meantime...
Izomandakus adjusts his eyes, but he can only barely notice something after he is pointed out by the half-elf and the dwarf "Wow, human eyes are so limited... whomever it is, we do not want for the dam to be destroyed. I suggest we press to get upstairs as fast as possible."
The boy does not wait much, he starts to quickly climb up the giant stairs throwing the pig upwards, then jumping to grab the edge to finally propel himself up. Pachemu of course protests on the treatment "Would you prefer to be left behind? I thought you said you wanted adventuring"
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Val sighs as she sees the enormity of their target. She takes the others at their word on the trolls pa-troll-ing, unable to see any herself.
”A shame I cannot just make us all invisible as a group. Would make this much easier. I will have to work on that one.” She nods towards the trail. ”Keep it simple I say.”
A seven-foot-wide winding stairway of stone climbs the cliff face here, reaching a height of nearly two hundred feet before ending at a cave mouth above. Hundreds of stakes line the edges of the stairway, many of them decorated with skulls - some animal, some humanoid, all marked with a strange skull-shaped rune on the brow.
- - -
The steps are sized for large creatures, so the rest of you are making DC 7 climb checks (or doing something magical). A fall results in a plummet of 1d10x10 feet if you fail a DC 12 Reflex to grab onto something.
Presuming you manage to get past that hurdle, you’ll reach a small alcove. To the west, a fifteen foot high ledge provides access to a larger cave beyond. In that cave, you can hear two creatures arguing over whether they should have let those ogres through. It is not an argument for the ages however. ”Paid good money!” one shouted brutally in an enormously deep voice. The other replies, with a nasally voice, ”So do the Skulltakers!” ”Paid more!” ”You can’t add, how would you know?!” ”Heavy pouch.” ”Yeah, but is’t all silver stupid!” ”I’m not stupid, you’re stupid.”
And so on.
It’s a DC 15 to climb this bit, but worse, since the stone is crumbly here, it’ll fall and clatter resulting in a -4 stealth to whomever tries to climb it and surprise the two dimwits.
Kast stares at the skulls and runes and shakes his head.
"Given time I might be able to translate that, but I'm mostly better at remembering things I've read than doing my own research, you know? And I don't speak giant," Kast looks over at Izo, hoping the strong armed battler knows things.
Kast will begin to Air Limp if he feels like the climbing becomes to difficult or risky. He's not a great climber, but is strong enough to overcome most of deficiencies.
He will move to the higher air (5' up) when they get closer, waiting to see if he should take the lead.
"Warnings, Kast" states Izomandakus while looking up at the skull signs "We are entering the Skulltaker trolls' territory, this is what they mean"
With his heroic climbing, the redhead has not much trouble passing the first hurdle, other than helping Pachemu up on each of the steps.
As the group reaches the caves Izomandakus listens attentively to the conversation "Seems these are paid by the Skulltakers but someone made some other offer... in silvers?" the boy smiles while casting shield before engaging the higher ledge climb "Which means they have treasure..."
Izomandakus will wait in case someone wants to try something special, otherwise he will climb as the group moves forward.
"Wait here until someone can climb you up" the boy will save his staff in the back while he engages the wall, Pachemu remaining in the bottom resigned.