I knew I should have stayed on that ship...
You spend the rest of the morning to reach the border of Irrisen. You spend another week or so to reach the area north of Wyvernsting where you are able to locate a river that flows down from the mountains. You have seen several groups of orcs the last couple of days but have been able to spot them first and avoid them.
Good job getting us this far Garric. I'd probably just taken us in a series of circles. Let's follow this river up until we see a glacier and then maybe we'll get 'lucky' and find the dragon's demesne.
When we find the lair I'll memorize resist a number of resist energy spells to give us a better chance.
Thank you Dwol, lets take this Wrym down.
The party climbs upward into the mountains following the river for the rest of the day coming to a 100’ waterfall as the sun begins to set. Temperatures which were in the 60’s during the past several days drop as you climb, in the 40’s now. Garric figures you may find a glacier tomorrow or the next day at the latest, assuming you can find a path up to the top of the waterfall.
Let me know any special things you are doing from here on out:
How do you set up your camp for the night? By the river? On the trees? Somewhere else?
The next day are you trying to proceed stealthily or just trusting to luck?
Halafrin changed up his spell selection and will fly the party up to the top of the waterfall the next day in order of: Garric; Dwol; Chack.
If there are trees we will camp under their shelter as close to the cliff as possible.
We'll be skipping fires from here on out unless there's a fight; get used to eating cold meals.
No sense trying to sneak up on the big lizard. I'm about as stealthy as the sun.
Will be discreet as we climb and travel, not looking for trouble, but not taking the time to try and hide as we move. Chack should continue to carry the special wolf pelt.
Open to other ideas.
The night passes quietly.
Don’t think Hal is capable of flying the party to the top of the cascade.
The subject of a fly spell can charge but not run, and it cannot carry aloft more weight than its maximum load, plus any armor it wears.
Retcon: Halafrin casts fly on Dwol who flies up: Garric; Chack; Halafrin.
So tempting to attack Hal when he is waiting all alone at the bottom.
The group makes it to the top of the cascade without any incidents.
Near the falls is a large rock with runes on it:
So tempting to attack Hal when he is waiting all alone at the bottom.
The group makes it to the top of the cascade without any incidents.
Near the falls is a large rock with runes on it:
** spoiler omitted **
Halafrin points at the large rock-It says certain death from the ice breaker/destroyer. You sure you really need this armor Dwol? I think you look very kingly without it and you already have the axe and the headband.
Next you are probably going to have to find the boots, the belt, the cape, heck maybe even a doublet!
It's not too late to call it quits and try our luck somewhere else.
Dwol shakes his head and grins-I'm sorry Halafrin, but I feel as if the Lucky Drunk has set me on this course and I'll walk the steps until my legs fail me. For my faith, for my honor, for my people.
That doesn't mean that you have to follow me. You either, Garric and Chack. I've been blessed by your company but won't ask you to risk yourselves if you don't believe this is a fight we can win.
Halafrin smiles at Dwol's use of his full name and says sadly-No Dwol, my path lies with you for good or ill. My life never had much meaning until I fell in with all of you. If that means I end up in the belly of a dragon, well, I can think of worse ways to die. Not many, but at least a few.
Might as well get this over with. Maybe we'll get lucky and it will spot us and come down for a chat.
I'm not going anywhere Dwol. Not only are you, Halafrin and Garric my friends, I can't stand injustice. Let's take your weasel cousin down!
I am with you Dwol. Anytime we can put a reasonable leader in charge, it makes the world a better place for everyone.
From the top of the falls there is a narrow path that leads upward beside the river, it occasionally disappears as you climb over rock but then reappears. It could be a game trail but it seems a bit too used for that. A couple of hours into your ascent Hal spots a pit trap where the trail passes between a narrowing in the surrounding rock. You can go around with a little climbing, 10-15’.
I can climb about as well as I can swim; which is to say not well. Let's have Garric across first with some rope to tie off on himself and everyone else as they cross; then Chack and Hal; then the anchor.
Climb up and lower the end of a rope to help the party climb
Everyone scrambles up the short climb without problem except for Dwol who falls on his ass a couple times until Garric pretty much hauls him up.
The party is able to return to the path on the other side of the trap.
Perception and survival checks for continued travel.
Self awareness is a blessing and a curse sometimes.-Dwol chuckles, wiping ice and snow away from his pit experience.
You are a strong armed man Garric; must be all the bow string pulling.
Garric?
-hmmm, thought I did it.-
The group climbs higher up into the thin mountain air. After a couple hours the party takes a short break to catch your breath, Garric spots some tracks near the river that he identifies as some sort of large kobold tracks, he can make out at least 5 separate individuals.
Everyone make a DC16 fort save or become sickened.
-sickened-
whew, it's hard to catch my breath. I don't feel so good.
The air is thin indeed. Funny how it gets thin high but thick low. The air in the mines almost feels like you are underwater. Can't have a sick companion when we are facing certain death.
On Chalk
Commenting on the kobold tracks-Have to keep an eye out for little lizards as well apparently. Let's keep moving; standing about is sure to catch us a chill.
I don't think my toes will ever feel warm again...
Thanks Dwol, I feel much better.
Dwol And Hal both catch glimpses of large kobolds watching the party from higher up as the group continues to follow the river upwards until the sun sets.
Might have company tonight. Eyes open everyone.
-keep watch-
Kobolds aren't supposed to be that big...
-let's see if it let's me post from school-
-yay-
Apparently the kobolds have other plans as the night passes without any attack.
Guess your snoring scared them off Hal! I think I'm starting to get used to the cold; I can barely even feel it now. Either that or my body is about to blacken and fall apart from frostbite.
+3 from prior day acclamation
Halafrin grins at Dwol's jest-I can't take offense because my ears are frozen shut, but I'm pretty sure the legendary stench of the dwarves has been repelling most things that mean us harm. It's why I never bothered to learn Stinking Cloud.
+1 from prior day acclamation
Why are Hal and Dwol making fort saves?
Chack and Garric perception and survival if you would like to help out.
Why are Hal and Dwol making fort saves?
Chack and Garric perception and survival if you would like to help out.
~
The group climbs higher up into the thin mountain air.
Everyone make a DC16 fort save or become sickened.
~
-not sure why it's not letting me post from home-
-not sure why it's not letting me post from home-
[dice=perception]1d20 + 13
[dice=survival]1d20 + 1
Go to school! ;)
-well now it's causing me problems here...