"The manor, I presume. It may not be a good idea to simply walk in the front - perhaps we should try and approach the rear, preferably unseen."[/ooc]
"Its now or never time. Do I use one of my minor spells to wake up the SOngbird here and see what he squeals about now or we find a reasonible safe spot for him and leave him. I got two hands and they are for my morning star and my shield."
Anarath looks sadly at the unconscious Segwin. “Based on yesterday’s – and last night’s – experiences, I doubt we will get much out of him. I think he’ll end up being a hindrance to us.” The wizard looks around. “Probably call down hordes of kobolds down on us, or wake up whatever’s been lurking in the Manor all these years. No, I think perhaps we should leave him out here…”
Looking up at the high walls surrounding the Manor, Anarath looks to see if there is an obvious gate, or any signs of danger between the group and the walls
“Dohrlok, you may be correct in saying that a rear approach would serve us better. Should we scout around, or perhaps I can send Midnight on a fly over, to see what he can see of the grounds and possible entry points?” The raven, sitting in it’s usual position on Anarath’s shoulder, gives out a loud squawk.
“By the way,” the wizard adds, looking thoughtful, “I don’t suppose any of you fellows are good at picking locks or dealing with traps?”
"Alas, no. I am quite good at hitting people, though."
“By the way,” the wizard adds, looking thoughtful, “I don’t suppose any of you fellows are good at picking locks or dealing with traps?”
"I got me lockpicks right here," says Corvin, holding up his armor-clad fists. "I don't even have to pick the lock. Jist hit the door."
Corvin then spits on the ground and makes a rather profane snuffling noise.
"This place f~%+ing smells."
Drops Segwin on the ground. "The gods look out for children and the crazed. May they watch over you too." Over hearing the discussion on trap finding he sighs. "Great we are going to go around like goblin trap detectors." Covers his ears and walks around stomping his foot as he walks. Chuckles to himself as he pictures goblins falling into pits with spikes. "All right if your bird is up to it by all means lets see if there is anyone home."
"Midnight, fly over the Manor house yonder, and come back and tell me what you see," Anarath says to his raven familiar, in Draconic. "In particular, pay attention to any ways through or over the wall - gates or ladders or such - and any creatures you may spot within the grounds."
The elf then realeses the raven into the air, where it takes to the wing and heads towards the Manor, flying about 100 feet above the ground.
For Anarath
Anarath suddenly reaches his hand to his head, and squints his eyes, as if in pain.
"Theres .... something ...." he mutters. His eyes widen.
Anarath suddenly reaches his hand to his head, and squints his eyes, as if in pain.
"Theres .... something ...." he mutters. His eyes widen.
"What's goin' on?" shouts Corvin, alarmed. "I ain't never seen you that scairt before."
Anarath turns to Corvin, his face paler than normal, making his eyes and lips look particularly dark.
"The Manor ... there's a tower ... something is in there. It .... touched my mind .... Something, I don't know, I've never encountered before. Something alien."
He pauses, and seems to gather himself.
"I've encountered many dark and disturbing things in my years," he says, and his companions are suddenly struck with a sense of how old the elf is. "But I have never encountered somehting like that."
He looks up, waiting anxiously for Midnight's return.
Corvin is noticeably disconcerted, and his eyes dart from side to side as he mulls over what Anarath has said.
"Strange," mutters Dohrlok. "This may be more than a simple extermination of kobold vermin. A mighty test indeed."
Anarath looks to where Gawlak has dumped Segwin.
"I am beginning to feel somewhat sorry for our mad architect," he says distractedly, drawing his hand over his face. "That thing ... I felt. Yes, I believe that it could destroy minds."
He looks again at the Manor. "Well then. We should be safe enough. Are we going to let spooky ranmblings from the creepy necromancer slow us down, or shall we proceed?"
It is about midday and the sky is finally clearing to reaveal weak sunlight. The manor is about a quarter of a mile away, about twenty minutes easy walk from you're present location. There are no dangers or obstructions visible on the wide plain until the foot of the massive range of mountains in the distance. Behind you the forest looms in a menacing fashion and a chilling wind begins to blow across
The closer you get to the Manor the swampier the bround becomes. Small gnats torment you for the entire walk, leaving you covered in many small, itching welts. Soon you come to within about a hundred feet of the ancient Manor. Up close you can see that time has taken its toll on the massive building. The walls are broken and cracked in many places and are covered in a dark green moss and strange creeping vines. The stone of the Manor seems worn and is covered in an oily sheen from the recent rain. The Manor itself shows hints of architectuarl genius, possessing graceful lines reminiscent of Elven buildings. The tower juts up from the opposite side of the Manor, marring what beuaty the Manor has left.
"I said it once, and I'll say it a hundred f$+&in' times: this place gives me the creeps," grumbles Corvin as he swats at the multitudinous gnats that swarm about him like a cloud of living smoke.
Along the western wall of the Manor there is what must have once been an impressive gateway but now lies in ruins. The archway is missing several large chunks wich lay scattered about the ground and two massive iron bound oaken doors are hanging off of their hinges. It also appears as though it would be very easy to climb the decayed walls.
Would entry be easy from a level above the ground if someone could climb to it, like a window or something?
Is there a wall around the Manor grounds, or is the wall we see before us actually the wall of the building?
Yes, coming in through an upper window may be a good idea - however, I think we only have the floor plan of the ground floor.
Sorry if my description was a little unclear. A large stone wall, about 15ft tall surrounds the Manor and it's grounds. It is cracked and covered in moss and in some places large holes can be found. The Manor is about 50ft inside the wall.
"We should probably avoid the obvious entrances and exits. I can climb over the wall and drop a rope so that other can get inside easily."
"We should probably avoid the obvious entrances and exits. I can climb over the wall and drop a rope so that other can get inside easily."
"I guess we'll do this the ol' fashioned way," says Corvin as he rubs his hands together and begins to scale the broken part of the wall, making a godawful metallic scraping as his scale mail grinds agins the stone.
Dohrlok sighs. The idea of climbing the wall was (a) a suggestion and (b) intended for a subtle approach. Corvin has impulsively crashed through both intentions.
Dohrlok sighs. The idea of climbing the wall was (a) a suggestion and (b) intended for a subtle approach. Corvin has impulsively crashed through both intentions.
"Climbing isn't my strong suite," comments Anarath, eyeing Corvin with a raised eyebrow and exasperated expression. "I'll wait till someone lowers a rope. I suppose he does have a rope?"
"Climbing isn't my strong suite," comments Anarath, eyeing Corvin with a raised eyebrow and exasperated expression. "I'll wait till someone lowers a rope. I suppose he does have a rope?"
Corvin, hearing this, yells back to Anarath.
"I got yer rope right here!"
Anarath is not entirely sure whether the human actually does have a rope, or whether he is making some rude comment, but he decides to hold his tongue until Corvin has made it to the top of the wall, not wishing to break the man's concentration whilst he is climbing.
Corvin manages to scale the wall with some difficulty and almost falls several times but makes it to the top of the wall. From the top you can see the Manor's grounds. They are overgrown, with strangely twisting weeds forming an oddly repulsing carpet of green tendrils. Bits of broken masonry and destroyed statues litter the remains of what was once a pleasant garden. A few scraggly trees grasp towards the sky with dark green branches that whisper in the cold breeze that blows through the courtyard.
Dohrlok attempts the climb too, hauling himself to the top of the wall. He peers into the horrid garden.
Dohlrok
Dohrlok murmurs a warning to Corvin. "There's something in the garden below us. Let's try and do this quietly this time in case he has friends." He draws a dagger in case he needs to throw it.
Looks up to the top of the wall "Usually when one looks up they are looking for guidance. I am looking for a friggin rope."
The creature below you seems to be unaware that you've spotted it and remains mostly hidden behind the head of a large statue that now lies face up in the dirt. The creature is about fifteen feet away from you, in a straight line towards the Manor.
Anarath looks to Gawlak. "You are an unusual priest, aren't you? I like it."
He then looks up expectantly at the pair atop the wall - they have clearly spotted something, but what it is Anarath cannot tell. Probably it isn't good.
The elf prepares himself for trouble.
Anarath is not entirely sure whether the human actually does have a rope, or whether he is making some rude comment, but he decides to hold his tongue until Corvin has made it to the top of the wall, not wishing to break the man's concentration whilst he is climbing.
Anarath's thoughts are interrupted as a coil of rope narrowly misses his head.
Corvin manages to scale the wall with some difficulty and almost falls several times but makes it to the top of the wall. From the top you can see the Manor's grounds. They are overgrown, with strangely twisting weeds forming an oddly repulsing carpet of green tendrils. Bits of broken masonry and destroyed statues litter the remains of what was once a pleasant garden. A few scraggly trees grasp towards the sky with dark green branches that whisper in the cold breeze that blows through the courtyard.
Corvin turns to Dohrlok.
"I don't see nuthin'. Ye're startin' to really freak me out, y'know."
Anarath's thoughts are interrupted as a coil of rope narrowly misses his head.
Anarath starts in surprise as a rope is dropped down from above, narrowly missing his head. He squints up at Corvin, pursing his lips, then watches to ensure that the warrior has the rope secured at the top.
Once this is done, he ensures his coat is tied closed and his hat secured, and then prepares to climb the rope.
Dohrlok waits, poised to throw, while Corvin drops the rope to the rest of the party. "Even if you can't see it, I can," he whispers to the fighter. "I don't think it has spotted us - get everyone else up here as quietly as you can, and maybe we can surprise it. If it lives here, I doubt it can be friendly."
"Even if you can't see it, I can," he whispers to the fighter. "I don't think it has spotted us - get everyone else up here as quietly as you can, and maybe we can surprise it. If it lives here, I doubt it can be friendly."
"Whatever you say, short man..."
The creature hiding behind the rock suddenly darts away with surprising speed towards the gate in the Manor's wall. It vanishes through the broken gate, going outside the Manor's walls.
Soon everyone has made it to the top of the wall with no more injuries than a few minor scrapes. As you watch the gate through which the creature exited 4 kobolds march in, prepared for battle. One is wearing a yellow robe and there is a large black amulet hanging from his neck and a mace in his hands. Another wears long black robes and carries a long staff. The other two are heavily armored and carry large weapons, one has a greatsword and the other has a longbow. chained to the cleric's belt is a shackled shildlike-figure. They caome towards you weapons ready and the longbow weilding creature crouches down behind a rock for cover and raises his bow.
"Unhand me you dogs! You ridiculous %@&*#^$!" (scuffling noises)
"Ah ha! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"