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As a reminder, April 20th through the 27th is a non-posting week from me.
She found my concern for the player's general well-being, but she found nothing in game. Any special preperations before entering the north door? Who's taking the lead?
And reunited you are soon enough. All 5 of you now stand atop the massive structure, ankle deep at least in water. What do you do?
So it sounds like Ceven will take some E and then fly away. I mean, take the E's and fly away. Tarphrex and Sherman will wait, leaving the two primary spellcasters without any sort of meat shield. Exactly what I wanted..... @Sherman: The walk up the cliff trail would take longer as it is narrow and steep. And would also likely be tiring for those old joints of yours. Updated map on page 3 of the maps link. After being put down on the top of the damn, you notice that the stonework is actually carved with a repeating pattern of skulls. Each skull roughly the size of a human fist, every inch of stone you can see is so engraved. The absurd scale of such an endeavor occurs to you slowly...
With armor and adventuring gear, I'm going to say close enough to 800 lbs as to make no never mind. Regardless of weight though, carrrying 4 people would not be something I deem feasible without some sort of harness or platform. The Basic Telekinesis talent says a "container.... piles of small objects", and I'm willing to allow that to be big enough for two people.
None of this is currently impactful, but I want to set a precendent for future cases. That said, which pair do you take first?
Not hearing any objections, what order would Ceven start to take people?
So what's the play? Stay out here, camp, and try to approach the dam in the morning? Or head in before dark? Once you're inside, time of day wono't matter regardless.
Just trying to poke fun at English, not at your english.
@Tarphrex: I can't think of a single reason why someone wouldn't allow this. You begin the trip north along the river, the path slowly making its way closer to the banks of the water as you near the end of the valley. By midafternoon there is almost nowhere to walk except the path, and by evening you come to see your destination. Skull's Crossing is a massive piece of architecture, seemingly made of a single carved piece of stone....
I've always wanted to do a bus tour. The local MTD uses mostly New Flyer's Xcelsior models out of Canada. And those aren't very interesting. Did you see any Mercedes-Benz Citaro or a Volvo B12BLE?
@Sherman: Have fun on the slopes. I look forward to seeing you on the Olympic podium. It's a gold medal or your out of the game.
After a day or so of travel, you come to the point where the road splits west towards Fort Rennick. Another trail heads north and a little east, following the river. Little more than a game trail, it never-the-less marks your way forward. It'll be half a day of hinking, at least, before you reach your destination. Maybe more as some of you are beginning to wear out. The hike north from Manginmar, fighting the ogre-kin in the farm house, more hiking, retaiking the fort, two days of travel through pouring rain, camping in the cold and wet, and more hiking. Some of you are city folk, unused to this much walking and not having a bed at the end of the night. Some of you are older. Some of you are small and have to take two steps to their companions every one. Some of you are fine but can see how worn out the others are.
The elder looks side eyed at the explanation, but keeps your info to herself. The locals have been through enough and don't need any more bad news. It takes you the remainder of the daylight to get everyone across the river. They move in bursts, in turns eager to be off and reluctant to leave what remains of their homes. It is a long walk to Fort Rennick, and many are eager to get there so they can establish themselves and be able to return and start rebuilding. But they also can't seem to stop digging through the foundations to salvage what they can. It makes for a frustrating time. The hostess from the common house is one who sits quietly, wide eyed and not speaking, to stunned to really process what has happened. Camping that night is awkward. The ground is still wet, as is the wood. The villagers are miserable, cold, and trying hard to keep their spirits up. Especially around the children. You are informed that the dam, Skull's Crossing, is actually further north than Fort Rennick. You likely missed the other path in the rain when you walked it the first time. You and the viallagers will all be traveling on the same road, back the way you came.
@Ceven: Between the townsfolk and what they carried/can salvage from the ruins of the town, a few thousand pounds. It'll take several trips just for the akwardness of carrying it (think 2E bulk if that helps), but they're not exactly flush with alternative options.
@Sherman: The village elder points towards the rapidly decreasing river. "Just follow that up river. Though you'll want to be on the other side when you get there. We'll need to check if the ferry stayed tied up or got swept away." The townsfolk will also nned to cross the river to get to the fort.
When Estella mentions checking the dam, an older woman canes her way over to you. "Adventurers, huh? Well, we'd be grateful if you'd go check on things. Certain sure that none of us ever thought the damn dam would ever fail. And now we've lost the village. Probably head up to Fort Rennick for shelter while we figure out what to do." The people around you look stunned. Almost two solid days of driving rain and now the sun shines on the valley (though not for much longer as it is only a few hours from setting). Their homes wiped out. Whatever that thing was in the water that half of them aren't sure they believe the other half saw. But those close enough nod along with the words of the old woman, taking up the idea of heading to Fort Rennick for safety. Give themselves a place to be while they work on rebuilding.
The combination of when you were warned and the magics employed grants you all the chance to get clear of the rising waters. The dash through the storm is cold, wet, and blinding. The water level rises quickly, from a few inches to a few feet. Adreniline pumps through you as you go, mixed with relief as you begin to climb out of the water. Some of you stop to haul struggling locals alongside you, the last few stragglers reaching out eager hands for assistance. From the relative safety of the valley slopes, you strain to see the town as the villagers huddle around you. The ones you helped up the muddy slope thanking you for your aide. Soaked through, cold, forlorn, the sound of rushing water meeting wood crashes through the darkness. Though you cannot see it, you can picture in your minds the buildings below being torn off their foundations, pushed further downstream. What you don't have to imagine is a massive blacks shape, more than 4 times the size of the ogres you recently fought, with writhing black tentacles. It guides itself along the current, taking no notice of you or the locals nearby. It fades into the distance with the flood. Shorlty after that, the rain finally begins to lessen. Within minutes, the clouds part and the sun shines down. You are finally able to see the valley below. Stone foundations scoured of their walls can just be seen over the retreating water. Murmurs of "what happened?", "did the dam fail?", and "what do we do now?" repeat from the mouths of the residents of Turtleback Ferry. Questions of "what was the thing?" are ignored as a problem for not right now. Headcounts are counted, supplies are accounted for. Everyone seems stunned.
@Sherman & Ceven: The locals are headed east, up the valley slopes. The water is flowing south. To your west is the river itself, currently overflowing its banks. East is the mountains, high ground. South is more valley. North is more valley and eventually the dam. Most of the party is headed east, so are the vague shadows of the townsfolk. @Ceven: The woman is panicked. She points to the east, teeth chattering.
Estella dashes into the rain, the drops seeping into clothes that hadn't had time to dry yet. The sheets of water make seeing difficult, and she zips past shadows of townspeople making for high ground. Ceven graps the hostess, taking her to a rooftop to try and survey their surroundings. Unable to see more than shapes beyond 10 feet, a new strategy will be in order. Tarphrex and Elisani head into the streets after Estella. Elisani is practically dragging the kobold along behind her, his enchanced speed sapped by the water reaching his knees. Still, they progress faster than the townsfolk, closing on their head start.
Appreciate the well wishes everyone. @Estella: Probably the cold and the amount of time I had to spend out in shoveling snow. I feel guilty even posting anything about it, especially since some of us have much more serious medical issues that we should all be supportive of. But I'm back and posting. Still need about half the team to post their actions.
Sorry folks, taken ill. I'll post when I'm feeling better.
Don't know about where you all live, but it is cold AF here. The snow was enough that I got called into work for emergency snow removal, and bad enough that I told them I wasn't coming. Did have to shovel a lot today, though. My back is going to be sore tomorrow. Also as a side note, I'm taking my oldest to a convention this weekend, so I won't be posting on Friday.
The hostess begins to lead Tarphrex to the back, but at Sherman's shout, she turns, a stunned expression on her face. "Oh, I dinnae think it were that urgent. But iffin you think it is." She moves over to stand next to Sherman, ready to follow. I need to know how people are going to be getting to safety. Obviously, Ceven can fly, and could likely carry one or two of you.
There isn't anything I can do to help, but I'll be here whenever you get back.
@Estella: "Oh my. I suppose ya may be right. I'll just grab a few things. Don't go yet, I'll just need a snap." She moves to head towards the back of the building. Estella: The roar is getting louder, closer.
@Estella: Opening the door drowns out any response you might have gotten from the hostess as the pouring rain assaults your senses. The previously dulled thudding of innumberable rain drops is all you can hear, the biting cold water finding every crack in your clothing is all you can feel, and the dull grey light is all you can see. You adjust to it all as you close the door, enough to make out some of your surroundings. Water laps at the bottom of your boots as it flows down slope toward the river. This must be a common occurance during heavy rain, you realize that is likely why the building you just left has a stone foundation but wooden walls. Looking around...
Then, with another crack of thunder, you hear a rending sound like the gods themselves groaning with anguish. The people in the streets pause, looking north. You cannot see their faces...
@Estella: You hear it now, a great roar. You've heard the surf in Magnimar, waves breaking against the shore. This reminds you of that, but it continues on, unbroken, in one continous sound.
The woman looks out the window, "Oh, none of ya have ever lived in a valley, have ya? The water always flows towards the river." You're not sure if she's being obstinate or is generally unconcerned.
@Tarphrex: You do see water in the streets. It's flowing in a thin sheet towards the river. You also cannot see more than two feet or so past the window. @Sherman: She seems dismissive of the even the thought that the damn could break. "Break? The damn's older than everyone one of us combined. Go on and don't worry your mind 'bout it." She pauses, then thinks better of it. "But I suppose iffin it'll put your mind at ease, you'd want to head for the valley slopes. Get to high ground." @Ceven: She laughs (good naturedly) at your request, talking to Sherman (as the visible oldest) first. "Youngins now adays, never listenin to what's said." She then looks to Ceven to explain again. "No rooms here, young man. Copper piece and you can rent a space by the fire. Iffin you're tired, you'll 'ave to convince your friends to keep it down."
I know it's not what you asked for, but I do have the full gallery of the PFS pre-gens. Level 4 is the closest (again, I know it's not what you asked for), but it would save you a bunch of work and ALL classes are included. Otherwise, if you still need some in like March, I can help out.
Coming week I'm gonna get back on the GM seat, running an online Quest for the Frozen Flame campaign. It's been years since I last GMd, wish me luck! Good luck, great fortune, and break a leg.
A few hours later, another loud crash of thunder shakes the boards of the building. Less surprised by it now, your hostess barely pauses before she continues her small talk. You learn that she married a local and they opened this place, that he died some years back (natural causes), and the new riverboat gambling den has taken a fair amount of their business lately. Typical small town concerns. A third wall shaking peel of thunder assaults your ears. Even less concerned now, the woman, who still hasn't said her name, prattles on uninterrupted. The roar that builds on the edge of your hearing, however, distracts you. You're not even sure you hear it at first, but it continues to grow louder and louder until all of you are convinced you hear it. Elisani: As the only one in the entire party with any training in K(Nature), you are the only one to recognize the sound of rushing water. What must be thousands of gallons of it.
@Tarphrex: The woman maskes her shock at the thunderous noise and waves away your concern. "Oh, dinnae even worry yer head 'bout thaat. There's a damn upriver thaat'll protect the town." @Sherman: Washed away in a heartbeat. The foundation of the building is stone, and likely would withstand the fury of the storm. But the building itself, well-built as it is, would not. Powerful as the storm is, it still has a while before "storm of the century" levels, though. @Estella: "Oh, aye. I was jus tellin your wee friend 'bout it. Skull's Crossing, we call it. Upriver some ways. Ya probably passed it on the way down, though ya likely missed it in the storm." She continues to busy herself. "Not much here less you like fish. We did have a river boat, for the gamblin types. Don't know how they much in the way of coin round these parts, but they weighed anchor a few days back. No one really knows why they left in such a hurry." She stops to consider the rain. "Though likely good for them that they did. What with the storm and all." @Estella 2: "Storms, ya mean? Likely as common here as anywhere else, I suppose. Though this one is as bad as ever I've seen."
Whether you answer her questions or not, the woman continues to pepper you with them. She seems glad to have someone new to talk to more than actual prying. A few times throughout the evening, you hear thunder rumble in the distance as the rain continues to pour. Normally, a place like this would see townsfolk coming in to share some company, but no one wants to brave the elements today. As you begin to consider setting up bedrolls for the night, you hear it. The loudest peel of thunder that you've ever heard. Not just the loudest tonight, but the loudest ever. It rumbles down the valley, shaking the boards of the building, dust falls from the stone fireplace as the ground beneath you shakes slightly. The proprietor stops her prattling and looks towards the door, worried. What do you do now?
@Tarphex: Ah yes, teleport. You could have teleported, or dimension doored, across. You'd think I'd be better about not assuming things after so many years, but apparently another reminder was needed. __________________ The woman blinks, then bustles into motion, chatting away all the while. She brings over racks upon which to hang cloaks, adds a bit more wood to the fire, brings over benches, etc. "Aye, a proper good afternoon to ya'!" Her accent is quick and not local. Maybe Kellid? "Pardon my shock, but we dinnae often see visitors out this way, specially not in weather the likes of this. I'll be puttin on some stew for ya right soon. Warm ya up good and proper it will. As far as beds go, we dinnae have any. But for a copper each, you can get a space there by the fire to warm your bones." She talks so much that you're able to speak without worrying about her overhearing. If you want to get her attention, you need to speak over her. She disappears into a back room, and returns about 10 minutes later lugging a large soup kettle which she puts over the fire. Then gone again, returning with bowls, bread, and spoons that she piles on a nearby table. "Now, what brings ya adventurers out to the back end of nothin'?"
@Tarphrex: The river is wide enough that it would be a difficult swim for the untrained on a normal day. Glutted with rain water, it would be dangerous to all but the best swimmers. ______________ Ceven takes to the air to carry you across. Even taking multiple trips, it will still be quicker than waiting on the barge ferry to cross and recross carrying you.
The ferry-man, a man you could only describe as a bumpkin, watches in silent amazement from the doorway to his shack as Ceven carries you over one or two at a time, depositing you in the muck before returning with the next. As Ceven arrives with the last of the group, Estella askes as sweetly as she can, being so grumpy about the weather, for a place to stay. He silently points towards the largest shadow looming nearby, and you set out towards it. The shadow soon coalesces into a wooden building set on a stone foundation, to large for a house, to small for an inn.
Entering in, you find a large room with a wooden floor. A few scattered tables with benches and a small bar are the only furnishings. A warm fire and a surprised woman are on opposite ends of the room, the woman sitting idly behind the bar with an embrodery hoop in her hands. She is older, dark hair turning to grey and held back by a kerchief, with simple blouse and skirt, an apron hanging on a hook nearby.
By morning, the storm has arrived. It started with a drizzle, the drops pinking off the armor of whoever was on watch. By sunrise, it is a deluge. The sort of rain that would have had you reconsider leaving Fort Rennick to begin with. But now, most off the way there, you continue on towards Turtleback Ferry, eager to get indoors. You set out quickly, knowing any sort of fire to cook breakfast would be a wasted effort. Eating while you walk, your boots churn the dirt path to mud. By noon, the mud sucks at your boots with every step. The hike becomes an exhausting parody of such, a slog as the rain continues to pour unrelentingly down upon you. A few hours later, spattered and fatigued (not mechanically), you reach the ferry from which your destination takes its name. Or so you presume. You arrive on the western bank of the river, the town sits upon the east.
Indistinct shadows lumped beyond the lantern indicate the buildings of the town. There should be some sort of common house or inn in which to get dry, once you can cross the river.
Leaving the fort is a strange affair. You stay a night, resting in lieu of the hard fought victory. The Black Arrows avoid you, leaving each to their own business. The morning dawns sunlit and cheery, birds singing. The mood in the fort is somber and grim. You know where you need to go next, and how to get their. Travel east to the river, then follow it south to Turtleback Ferry. Simple.
When you enter the space, Vale turns to leave, heading out the doors of the fort ahead of you. Shalelu only nods to you before turning her gaze back to Kaven.
Resolving your issues with him, you continue.
You spend a day traveling. The river provides fresh water, and the air cools. By evening, clouds have rolled in, covering the sky from horizon to horizon. The tempurature drops, rain is coming. Even the city folk can feel the pressure change in the air.
@Sherman: Yes. Feel free to read all spoilers for loot and keep/disperse what you'd like. @All: Turtleback Ferry is to small to buy or sell magical loot. They would have basic adventuring gear available, things that could also be used in everyday life (rope for example, a dagger but not a sword). Also, yes to everything being looted.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break. This is a friendly reminder to finish leveling up and tell me anything you wanted to do before setting out to Turtle Back Ferry.
@Sherman: For humans, the alternate favored class bonus for Oracles is +1 spell known. It does need to be of one level below the highest available spell you can casat, but it really pads out the spell list.
Telekinetic Charge is a personal favorite.
@Tarphrex: Shalelu shrugs at the question of books. @Sherman (et all): You don't detect any magic. What you do find, left right out in the open, is a scroll tube labeled for delivery. The name of the recipent is Mokmurian. Unrolling the scroll, you can easily read the contents. The header says "Those who have agreed to grant their greed to the master's need". Following this a list of names. At the bottom, "Favorite customers of Paradise, Turtleback Ferry". Knowledge (Local) DC 15 on Turtleback Ferry:
A quiet frontier hamlet located on the banks of the Skull River. The town is famous for the Thassilonian dam nearby, known as Skull's Crossing. _______________ You have your next lead. A name and a town. And I think it is time for a level up. I'll be checking in over the holidays, and I hope you all have a great end of year. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and bless you all.
@Tarphrex: Prestidigitation does clean the mess, but it would be a time consuming process to do it all. And some of the books have also had their pages torn out. You'd need to clean them, then sit down and sort them out before repairing them, even with a mending spell.
@Tarphrex 2: There is a similarity between the opulence here and what you saw atop the clock tower. @Estella: Shalelu nods to your statement, then turns to leave. Clearly, you're being given as much time as you need on this one.
Almost done with cookies! I have one more variety to bake tomorrow, then I just have to pack them up and mail them. Thankfully my sister and brother-in-law came over tonight to help decorate sugar cookies, otherwise Mom and I would have been doing that all evening. It's a lot of work, but it's delicious work. And it brings back good memories of my grandma. Christmas cookies were always her thing. When I was a kid, my family would listen to this album every year. Now, I put it on when we decorate for Christmas. Your story is exactly what they're talking about.
When Shalelu finds you, she gestures for you to follow her. She leads you down, into a lower level that you've not started searching yet. The hall has barred cells lining the length and the near end has a single, reinforced wooden door. Leading you to the door, she explains succinctly.
Tell us, how does your company feel about costumes? You can layer a lot of clothes under a costume. Seasonal costume also show you as being in the spirit of things. And if they question it to much, you can bring up the story about JRR Tolkien and C.S. Lewis going to a party in matching polar bear costumes. It isn't related, but it is funny.
I hope you all had a great weekend. My youngest daughter convinced me to take her out sledding yesterday. And it was COLD. Even bundled as we were, we lasted last than an hour.
Looking into B29, the "Chapel"...
Knowledge (Religion) DC 15:
The three-eyed jackal is the symbol of Lamashtu, Mother of Monsters. Searching the highest tower (B35), you find a badly mangled bell. It looks like someone (or multiple someones) beat on it with a hammer continuously. ____________ Searchng the first floor....
A library with empty shelves smells horrible. A corner of the room shows the fate of the books; a brown smeared pile that assaults your noses, similiar to the map room upstairs. All in all, the fort has been wrecked. Almost no furniture remains unbroken, no wall hangins still hang, and no one was left alive. Even some of the ogres were killed by their own, a few over-sized corpses left to rot in whatever room they were tossed into. It takes you almost two hours to seach the fort, and you gather to share your lack of findings when Shalelu approaches you.
So, next Friday (the 19th) I go on Christmas break. My posting tends to get sparse when I'm not working, so just a heads up for everyone that it is that time of year again. Also, I got a PS5 as a birthday/Christmas gift and am eager to get into/through Final Fantasy XVI, Oblivion Remastered, and Expedition 33. I'm going to try and find a good place for the game to pause for a couple of weeks by the 19th and may push things a bit (one way or another) to pause there. Hope you all have a wonderful end of year.
This room seems pretty tapped out for clues. What next? Search the rest of the fort?
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