Following up with the task at hand, I cast:
for an Earth Elemental
When the elemental appears on the ground I order it to fill the pit best it can and allow it to disappear when it is done.
In four rounds, the elemental finishes the task right before the end of the spell duration. It would take one heck of a tracking team to find evidence of this encounter without using magic.
Correct.
DATE: Oathday, 2nd day of Gozran, year 4714.
TIME: Evening hour of 4.
WIND: 2 knots West.
TEMP: 38-degrees.
WEATHER: calm but cloudy.
PRECIPITATION: None.
LOS: ground level is 200-250 feet.
Studying the conditions, I decide to inform our squad leader of the situation.
"Well, it's going to be dark soon. We could try and camp here, continue to observe the keep, or attempt a night assault with what little information about the place that we have," I lean over to the Grey Elf and smile. "At least we have one less opponent to deal with."
Listening to the Sylvan, I interject my opinions.
"The creatures inside the keep may come looking for their missing colleague, which may give us more intel and possibly another, BETTER, ambush," I offer as more points to consider. "But you did say that our current selection of spells really isn't fit for battle, more for exploration." With that, I leave the rest to our leader.
Having taken in all the annoying but useful chatter, my mind is made up. I take to the trees and join the rest of the group, not needing to check whether or not Claeledar and Amual followed me.
"Right, this is what we will do." I look into the eyes of each team member to ensure I have their full attention. "We will return to observe the keep throughout the night and into tomorrow, following our basic role as deep reconnaissance. We have time to do this, but let's try and finish it by tomorrow evening. This time, we shall approach from the northeast and return to our original positions. We really need to use our stealth more. We got lucky this time, but if what is inside turns out to be a challenge, luck may not be on our side. These are supernatural creatures we are dealing with, not a bunch of stupid humans. Stay sharp. Move out."
"Hmm, looks like the only easy day, was yesterday."
You traveled northwest, then cut back southwest to reach the northeast tower of the abandoned keep without any encounters. It's almost dark now, but the weather holds up as before. You see no lights in the keep, hear no sounds, or spot any movement.
We will split into 2-man teams, covering two hour shifts. But I will cover the first shift alone watching the keep and providing security. After that the shifts will be:
Fiavia and Kethelis
Amual and Claeledar
Daelynn and myself
Once we complete the 8-hours of rest, we will resume spell preparation in the morning. No fire, no sound. All communication will be through Message spell unless something happens. We should be fully camouflage and secured in the trees.
Fiavia will use her Arcane Bond ability to cast Alarm at the base of our camp on the ground. From there, we tend to our tasks.
Very well. The night went through without any changes in weather or activities in both the keep and other wandering creatures.
DATE: Fireday, 3rd day of Gozran, year 4714.
TIME: Morning hour of 6.
WIND: Moderate, 9 knots, from NNE.
TEMP: 18-degrees.
WEATHER: Calm, very cold. Cloudy.
PRECIPITATION: None.
LOS: 30-60 feet.
SUNLIGHT: None.
Once I wake the squad up, I have three post watch while the other three will resume spell preparations, eat food, prepare weapons and the like.
First up: Amual, Kethelis, Fiavia.
Next will be Adarion, Daelynn, and Claeledar.
I eat one Elven trail ration, then set to work on my spells today, anticipating combat.
0-level:
Detect Magic
Guidance
Mending
Stabilize
Mage Hand (W)
Message (W)
Open/Close (W)
1st-level:
Cure Light Wounds
Gravity Bow
True Strike
Vanish
Blend
Detect Snares and Pits
Entangle
Faerie Fire
Summon Nature's Ally I
Grease (W)
Shield (W)
Magic Stone
Glide
2nd-level:
Aggressive Thundercloud
Iron Skin
Scorching Ray (W)
Soften Earth and Stone
Tar Ball
"Now this might be an interesting day," I think to myself, wondering who might end up dying from some unknown creature that kicks our tails.
0-level:
Detect Magic
Detect Poison
Flare
Disrupt Undead
Message
Light
Mage Hand
Read Magic
1st-level:
Cure Light Wounds
Gravity Bow
True Strike
Vanish
Blend
Color Spray
Grease
Magic Missile
Ray of Enfeeblement
Summon Monster I
Shield *
2nd-level:
Defoliate
Flaming Sphere
Glitterdust
Web
"If we perform well, we just might have ourselves a place to stay out from the cold,"I think while eating one elven trail ration without a word, then prays to Ketephys for our protection and to defeat our foes.
0-level:
Guidance
Mending
Resistance
Stabilize
1st-level:
Cure Light Wounds
Gravity Bow
True Strike
Vanish
Bless
Diagnose Disease
Know the Enemy
Remove Fear
Remove Sickness
Protection from Evil (good)
2nd-level:
Delay Poison
Remove Paralysis
Align Weapon (good)
Once I confirm that the first group is finished, I follow up on my own tasks of eating and spell preparation.
0-level:
Acid Splash
Detect Magic
Flare
Message
Open/Close
Ray of Frost
Resistance
1st-level:
Cure Light Wounds
Endure Elements
Gravity Bow
True Strike
Blur
Expeditious Retreat
Flare Burst
Grease
Identify
Magic Missile
Protection from Evil
Shield * (Bonded spell)
2nd-level:
Cat's Grace * (Bonded spell)
Darkness
Flaming Sphere
Resist Energy
Summon Monster II
Ditto.
0-level:
Detect Magic
Detect Poison
Spark
Disrupt Undead
Message
Scrivener's Chant
1st-level:
Cure Light Wounds
Endure Elements
Gravity Bow
True Strike
Blurred Movement
Color Spray
Grease
Magic Missile
Protection from Evil
Shield
Shocking Grasp
2nd-level:
Bladed Dash
Defensive Shock
Web
Following up with the rest of the group, my mind is puzzled with the unknown that awaits us in the central tower.
0-level:
Create Water
Guidiance
Purify Food & Drink
Read Magic
Mage Hand (W)
Message (W)
Open/Close (W)
1st-level:
Cure Light Wounds
Gravity Bow
True Strike
Vanish
Charm Animal
Detect Chaos/Evil
Hide From Undead
Obscuring Mist
Protection from Evil
Magic Missile (W)
Shield (W)
Entangle (domain)
2nd-level:
Cure Moderate Wounds
Find traps
Cat's Grace (W)
Barksin (domain)
Now that everyone is ready, I begin to explain the plan to the squad.
"Here's the situation," I pause for a brief moment to ensure that I have everyone's attention; not that it's really necessary with such a well trained and disciplined unit. "We know that there is a fast-moving fey in the southeast tower, and the inhabitants avoid the main gate. There's also something inside the main tower, but we don't know what that may be. We are fairly certain that it's not an undead creature, or else the area would be far more corrupted," I nod my head in the direction of the keep. I protrude a rough sketch of the keep from what we have seen, with a circular drawing that shows the four towers and the main tower in the middle, with an opening to the east that displays the gate. "We will approach from the southeast, as stealthily as possible, and climb up the wall. Once we reach the top, we pause for a few moments to spot anything and get a good lay of the compound. I say we deal with the known threat first, the fey in the southeast tower, then go from there. Once we can assess the internal area, we set up for a fight. If that fey is inside the tower, we shall cover whatever entrance with webs and grease spells to trap it, entangle if possible, then kill it off with an ambush of arrows. Quick, quiet, and thorough." I place the map back into my scroll case and take my bow into my hands. Giving each person a nod of confirmation, I give the order. "Let's move."
We shall move up in a line formation at speed of 10-feet per round to maximize cover and concealment. We move southwest, using the southeast tower as our waypoint. From left to right:
Daelynn
Kethelis
Adarion
Claeledar
Amual
Fiavia
Once we reach the base of the tower, we will conduct a listening halt.
Ok. From your position, it takes you one hour to climb down and tippy-toe to the tower. After pausing for 10 minutes, you have seen or heard nothing. From the vegetation that has covered the walls, you should all be able to climb up with your climbing kids with no trouble. A roll is not needed, especially if you take your time.
Good. Now that I am confident that we are secure on the outside of the keep, I give a hand signal for us to climb up the wall on both sides of the tower in two teams. Daelynn, Kethelis, and myself on the west side but not onto the tower, just the wall, while the rest climb the right side but avoiding the gate. I also signal everyone to only peer above the wall but not to clamber over until things are safe.
Once each of you reach the top edge of the wall you find nothing that is patrolling along the barrier. A few minutes later, your squad is on top of the walls.
The undergrowth inside the courtyard makes for some difficult terrain, trees are all over the place except for what you can tell to be the main entrance out. The central tower seems to be the most complete structure of the entire outpost, everything is covered in moss and vines, which blends the tower perfectly into the natural surroundings as if it was planned to be that way. Your squad spots doorways facing into the compound from the southwest, northeast, and northwest towers. The central tower has an open entrance both north and south. A stairway is seen inside. The northwest tower looks in very good condition, the southwest tower's upper half has collapsed. None of you can see any doorway to the southeast tower from your positions. Nothing is on the ground.
"the summoned eagle said the bad fey is inside that tower. With all of the natural surroundings available, we can try and get it to come out and snare it as we planned."
"All right. Let's climb down to the ground and get ready. I want a grease spell cast right in front of the door. Get a web spell about where the bushes are just ten feet in front, and use an entangle spell off to the flanks. Once these are in place, I'll hit the door with a stone while the rest of you have bows ready. I want this thing killed instantly."
So, Claeledar casts Grease onto the base of the tower door that looks in far better condition that what the others look. Daelynn manages to cause all of the brush to look like a garbled mess in a 40-foot area. Finally, Fiavia's creates sticky strands just beyond the front of the door. I assumed that everyone is now ready.
Here it goes: I throw a rock at the door as hard as I could.
The rock pounds hard on the door (good throw). At first, nothing happens for about 15 seconds. Suddenly, the door bursts open quickly, and something small comes flying out. It happened so fast, even your keen elven eyes didn't quite catch the unknown object. Quick as it emerges from the tower, it runs right through the greased area, the entangled bushes and into the webs.
vs. the grease, DC 28.
vs. Entangle, DC 28.
vs. Webs, DC 28.
Having raced right through the slippery coating, the green fey skids right into the bushes and is ensnared before reaching the webs. What you see is a small, green skinned fey creature of about 3-feet-6 in height with antennas protruding from it's forehead. It wears green clothing, has clawed hands with what looks to be an oversized pin needle in one hand. Appears to be male, and very very surprised.
Knowing how dangerous a quickling is and how this particular fey can escape the ensnaring bushes in a matter of moments, I don't hesitate and shoot.
using fey bane arrow.
Solid hit by Daelynn.
I move into a close ranged position and let loose a fey arrow at it.
EPIC FAIL! Your arrow face plants into the dirt from the overgrowth of tangles vines and bushes. You feel shamed.
Next.
adding skirmish move, point blank shot, and fey bane arrow.
Good hit.
Seeing that approaching the fey by foot is not good due to the bush and other traps, I stick with using the bow. Same format: move and shoot, point blank, and fey bane.
CRITICAL HIT! Roll to confirm.
The extra +2 is the sharp ability on the arrows.
Confirmed! Now comes the fun part...
Three shots in less than two seconds. On the third shot, Claeledar's arrow went clean through the side of it's head and ceases to move. It never made any noise other than bursting out from the tower.
"hold fast and stay alert. We don't know what's in the central tower. Be ready for anything for next five minutes."
"If I recall, there was a swarm of something in the northeast tower that was spotted by our flying friend from yesterday. What shall we do with that?"
"Amual, Claeledar, and myself are closer to that tower. We can climb back up and peek down to see what exactly is in there."
I signal to those three to do just that, while the rest of us dispel the webs and grease to inspect the dead quickling and keep watch on the ground. I also signal everyone to watch out for traps.
Adarion:
Kethelis:
Daelynn:
Amual:
Claeledar:
Fiavia:
No traps have been found of any sort in the eastern half of the courtyard. You have detected nothing else inside the keep from where you have been so far.
@Amual, Claeledar, Fiavia:
Once you reached the top of the northeast tower and peered over the top down inside, you see a massive wave of rats at the bottom. The door looks usable. From what you can tell, this place is the 'cleaners' of the keep from seeing bones barely visible beneath the number of rats.
Rats: vs party stealth
The rats, which seems to be a few hundred, do not notice you.
I drop back behind the edge of the tower (assuming the rest does the same) and look at our squad leader.
"Rats. Lots and lots of them crammed into the base of the tower. If we open the door and go in, it's going to be messy. What shall we do?"
I signal the team on the wall to rejoin the ranks. Once they do so, I signal us to begin our infiltration to the northwest and southwest towers. I am certain nothing is in those two, but just in case. As we do that, I make sure at least two people (Amual and Daelynn) are constantly keeping eyes on the central tower. The rest of us will silently open the doors and move in the other towers in the west. Only this time, the breach group will have swords and spells ready. I anticipate close-quarters-combat to occur. Claeledar is our bladesinger, so he goes first, followed by myself, Fiavia, then Kethelis.
When you sneak into the southwest tower, the inside is full of debris and rubble from the top half that collapsed inside. Clearly the most damaged of all the structures inside the keep. The area is a circular 20-x-20 foot diameter. There is nothing alive inside this tower.
Now the NORTHWEST tower is a different matter. This one has the top five to ten feet on the outside hidden by overlapping tree branches. The exterior of the tower is littered in orderly rows of humanoid skulls that looks about several dozen in number, perhaps over one hundred if you took the time to count. This tower is far more overgrown with vines than the other three perimeter towers. You spot a closed door behind the wall of vines at ground level. Tracks from the grimstalker you killed yesterday can be seen here by identifying them from before. In the snow covered ground, they stand out.
Claeledar:
Adarion:
Fiavia:
Kethelis:
Just before you reach the door, all four of you notice something very unusual about the vines just above the doorway.
"Back away now!" I warn the team in a voice that was louder than a whisper.
Just as Adarion cries out his warning, something lashes out from the vines at Claeledar.
AC 16.
The attack misses the bladesinger, who jumps back from the wall. All four of you see a writhing mass of vines come alive and begin to slowly slither from the wall of about ten feet up and descends above the doorway.
Claeledar:
Adarion:
Fiavia:
Kethelis:
Those who made DC 20 recognizes the animated plant as an Assassin Vine. All of you are now 30 feet away from the natural abomination.
Amual and Daelynn, who sees the commotion, are both 70 feet away.