Aude dash towards Gashelle and cast a serious cure wounds on her
Layjiani places an arrow into the ettins face it paws at it and roars then charges Holgur it's clumsy blow missing him..in return he closes slashing into the beast as Eltariels fiery ray bathes its other head..Avinar meanwhile engages the ogre causing grievous wounds to it whilst easily dodging its return attack
Gashelle nods to aude..evades the clutching plants and wades into the rear of the ettin hamstringing it and laying it low..the beast dies.
The fight ends as Avinar dispatches the remaining ogre
"We were fortunate, these monsters were foolish and played to our strengths. Had they stayed at a distance we may have been hard-put to match them."
"Indeed. I think it is likely that these storms have pushed many dangerous beasts out of the homes and onto the road."
Gashelle gathers her mount before joining the conversation. She was about to make a joke to Holgur about the ettin confusing him for a bug, when she realizes the serious tone of the conversation.
"Etariel, I don't think the brutes would have been any more effective at a distance than you and Layjani have been. But I concur; Holgur and I might think about broadening our tactical repertoire.
"Shall we check to see where they'd come from?"
"Indeed. I have no desire to be trailed by more of them who may prove wiser."
Aude use her channel energy on Gasheel and on Layjiani's horse
After which she cast a cure moderate wounds on Gashelle
Strange , the troll yesterday was also two headed.
Layjiani smiles with deep gratitude at Aude for the healing on her mount, having timed the removal of the spear with Aude's channeling.
She then spends several minutes whispering quietly in Shaft's ear, gently stroking and calming the already excitable animal.
Handle Animal:
(taking as much time as necessary, trying again if she needs to)
Once Shaft is calmed, Layjiani approaches the monsters, first carefully searching them, and then tracking them to see where they came from.
Search:(takes a 10, +10 mod)
Track:
Layjiani doesnt take long to find the Ettins camp..the creatures appear to have been camped almost where she first encountered them.
Two ogre sized bags and a giant bag disgorge the following
From ogre bag 1
A pink and white ornamental water jug [5 gp],taller than a man’s knee, is filled to the brim with tiny ceramic treasures. You discover a flock
of orange and yellow clay birds the size of walnuts[92 birds, 2 cp each], several pairs of clay or bone dice [5 pairs clay dice, 2 cp each; 8 pairs bone dice, 6 cp each], some small terracotta wolves and bears dyed blue or orange [15 bears, 18 cp each; 12 wolves, 11 cp each], and an exquisite statue of a long graceful female, hands on her hips, nearly nude save for painted golden arm bands and a complicated array of molded neck and hip chains [47 gp]. Below these are a palm-sized sphinx of gold and amber clay [14 sp], several terracotta models of one- and two-story homes with painted-on windows [15 buildings, 2 sp each], a granite mortar and pestle [4 gp], and a variety of foreign coins [8 gp, 67 sp, 46 cp] and a single small orange-red stone[carnelian, 20 gp].
From ogre bag 2
a fine suit of courtier’s finery [31 gp]. The heavy overcoat is an almost-black red satin trimmed with violet piping, and cut in a military style. Row upon row of medals and ribbons [5 gp total] fill both breasts, and gold rank insignia [5 gp] adorns the high collar. A pair of dark wool trousers and a well-made white shirt completes the uniform. Under the neatly folded clothing, you find a small silver locket hung from a red silk cord. It is shaped like an hourglass with excellent [if tiny] charcoal sketches of a handsome couple inside [20 gp]. A light mace with a gleaming steel head shaped like a cut diamond[6 gp] lies at the bottom of the bag. Beside the mace are two bundles of tightly wrapped cloth [1 sp each], one holding a ration of salt [1 pound, 5 gp], the other containing a sample of verdant green cannabis[2/3 pound, 10 gp] and a few coins[14 gp,18 sp].
From the Ettins bag
You find an unbelievable amount of jewelry. There are at least a hundred pieces of mixed trinkets, including necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. Taking the time to sort through the bag you discover most of its contents are simple costume jewelry [105 assorted pieces of cheap jewelry, 35 gp]. However, several pieces catch your eye. You find a simple thin gold necklace that looks authentic [32 gp], an old worn silvery coin [1 pp], and a silver ring set with small green stone tourmalines [24 gp].
There is also a fine mahogany box about the size of a large pot with silver fastenings [30 gp]. Inside, a silver chain and circlet lie on a bed of gold and platinum coins. The circlet is decorated with gold wire intertwined in a flowing pattern and emphasizing the four blue and three lavender stones decorating it [blue quartz and amethyst; circlet, 475 gp]. The silver chain supports a dangling centerpiece of seven silver circles of various sizes. The two smallest circles attach to the chain, and are set at either end of a row of slightly larger silver circles, each with a stone in the center — one black, one blue and one purple. Below those are two larger silver circles, one holding a nearly flat piece of green stone, the other a dark grey oval stone [onyx, blue quartz, amethyst, green turquoise and hematite; necklace, 350 gp]. You also see a pouch, which proves to contain more than a dozen beautiful stones. There is one deep purple stone [alexandrite, 480 gp], a very fine sparkling blue gem [sapphire, 1,200 gp], five pieces of clear, pale green [chrysoberyl, 120 gp each], and six pieces of gleaming black [onyx; 70 gp each]. In the bottom are coins [60 pp, 145 gp].
Gathering this up and stowing it on the pack horse you move on leaving the woods behind and beginning to climb up into the hills.One you begin climbing the weather worsens..and you are forced to slow down due to driving rain and blustery winds...Eventually you arrive at an area close to your goal which, the Rangers have told you, should provide you with a cave for shelter, however the delays imposed by the weather mean that the light is now fading fast.
Layjiani finds an unoccupied dry cave with little difficulty..though there are signs that it was the lair of a large ursinoid creature it does not look to have been occupied for weeks.
"This would seem to be an excelent place to stable our steeds while we investigate ahead on foot," Eltariel declares approvingly.
"Let us get plenty of rest tonight, and embark on our investigation in the morning."
Same watch schedule?
Works for me.
From ogre bag 1
...a variety of foreign coins [8 gp, 67 sp, 46 cp]...
Do any of us recognize the kingdom of origin?
From ogre bag 2
a fine suit of courtier’s finery [31 gp]. The heavy overcoat is an almost-black red satin trimmed with violet piping, and cut in a military style. Row upon row of medals and ribbons [5 gp total] fill both breasts, and gold rank insignia [5 gp] adorns the high collar. ....
Do any of us recognize the uniform, the medals, or the insignia?
From the Ettins bag
... You also see a pouch, which proves to contain more than a dozen beautiful stones. There is one deep purple stone [alexandrite, 480 gp], a very fine sparkling blue gem [sapphire, 1,200 gp], five pieces of clear, pale green [chrysoberyl, 120 gp each], and six pieces of gleaming black [onyx; 70 gp each]. In the bottom are coins [60 pp, 145 gp].
My heavens, but someone loves his pretties! Gashelle will most likely spend her down time the next few days sketching out appropriate gold or silver settings for these gems.
Do you want me to ask the ettin where his spoils of war came from even if I doubt he will even know or remember ?
Couldn't hurt.
I can ask about 4 items , which ones do you want ?
Feel free to use your judgement, Aude, but I would go for the distinctive pieces of jewelry or the uniform.
Avinar smiles and asks Aude, "Which head you gonna ask?"
Laughingly, Holgur adds "And what if the heads contradict eachother?"
The courtiers dress is according to Eltariels best guess a dress uniform from the Army of the City State of the Invincible Overlord. The coins are the usual mix of Tarantian, Valonian and a scattering of coins from further afield...what you would expect to find in pretty much any treasure hoard in these parts.
You may still attempt to question the Ettin..does Aude speak Orcish or Giant?
Absently Aude replies "oh no , I'm asking questions to the vorpse not the heads " She then cast a speak with dead towards the ettin .
She'll ask about the exquisite statue of a long graceful female and about the circlet in common.
The corpse gives no answer...Aude is unable to make the spirit return to the corpse
"Not overly informative," Eltariel sighs. "We can investigate the origin of some of these when we return to the city ... this statue might be of Amazon design for example."
"Thank you for trying, Aude."
Does anything happen in the night?
"And I thought an Ettin could not get any more stupid..."
"And I thought an Ettin could not get any more stupid..."
"Keep in mind that most dullards have but one head with which to accomplish stupidity. An ettin has two heads that can act in concert for the same purpose. It's all a matter of resources."
"And I thought an Ettin could not get any more stupid...""Keep in mind that most dullards have but one head with which to accomplish stupidity. An ettin has two heads that can act in concert for the same purpose. It's all a matter of resources."
You spend an uneventful night in the cave and in the bleak light of a new morning push up into the hills on foot. The hills are strangely empty of life and the rain falls in a steady drizzle that is more then annoying....about two hours into the journey you crest a ridge line to see [url=http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n296/wellard_2006/wilderlands/palaceA.jpg] this[url]
The building is about 400 feet long and 300 feet from front to back
The building is about 400 feet long and 300 feet from front to back.
.
Time to stow the mounts. Are we prepared to go exploring, or would our spell casters prefer to wait another day and prepare different spells?
"I'm ready as I will ever be," Eltariel asserts. "Especially as we have no idea who or what is in that building, or even if they have anything to do with this foul weather."
"I suggest we circle the building before using the front entrance. There might be other ways in that are less well-guarded."
Aude seems a liitle discontent when the Ettin does not reply but he is nonetheless entitled to a full burial ceremony
In the morning , when Holgur ash whether we are ready, Aude replies
'As Eltariel stated , the spells I have are for a generic situation but I won't be able to better choose before we discover anything more. I would just ask any of you to remember that this weather, while being anormal, might be a reaction to something else rather than being an ill-wished action ."
"I suggest we circle the building before using the front entrance. There might be other ways in that are less well-guarded."
"Hang on. See that crevasse, running right under the place? It looks like we'll need some way to safely get around to the back.
"Hmmm. But slipping down into the gap and looking for a way in underground might be rewarding."
"I prepared a spell of levitation in case of such a possibility," Eltariel agrees. "Let's explore the surroundings as much as we may."
Layjiani grins as she sees the ancient looking building, for exploring these sorts of potentially dangerous and treasure laden ruins is exactly the kind of thing she lives for.
Wanting to have a chance to first scout out the area without drawing the attention of whatever else may be within, she asks the party to hang back (although she does glance to Avinar, as if to inquire if the swashbuckling elf thinks he can keep up with her quietly enough). Moving with stealth to approach hopefully unknown to any inside, Layjiani carefully looks around for anything interesting or dangerous and makes sure to keep the party in sight. If she finds anything of import she´ll come back and report, if not, she'll wave the party onward while she scouts further ahead until they circumnavigate the building (if possible)
"Before you go," Eltariel murmurs and casts mage armour on Avinar again ().
Layjiani and Avinar move forward to investigate the front entrance as it makes sense to find out if any enemies could appear from behind you whilst you were checking the sides of the building
Layjiani and Avinar
You are sheltered for the moment by a portico that leads into the building. The massive, intricately carved pillars that support the roof are pitted from years of exposure to the elements
The great doors to the building hang open. No sound or light issues from inside. The pillars are carved with the designs of several animals and creatures. At the bottom, you see depictions of massive beasts: rocs chasing after krakens chasing after great worms. Above these mythical creatures, sphinxes strut around the pillar. Further up, the damage does little to mar the leering faces of sinuous naga. Above them frolic all manner of natural animals, birds, and fish. Lording over these creatures are manshapes, great in stature, and higher still the scaled forms of dragons sneer at the lesser beings. The capital of each of the two pillars is shaped like a tortoise shell.
The walls and floor of this great entryway are made up of one-foot square stone blocks. The ceiling features an impressive dome some fifty feet overhead. The far wall is made of three immense alcoves, each one home to a great mural that is hard to make out from this distance, although they seem to portray humanoid forms.
Deterring your entry into the Palace, however, is evidence of several long-triggered traps. In one section of the floor to the right, rusted spikes thrust upward from hidden mounts. A scythe blade has broken off the spring-released handle that juts out of the wall to your left.
Directly in front of you, tiny black darts are still embedded in the stone floor, and to either side, nozzles protrude from the doorjamb, having long ago dispensed whatever death they held. Scraps of cloth and bone, some melted, some scorched, all of them broken and gnawed, are scattered in every direction. A section of the west wall has been slid to one side, revealing a door that has been left open.
It begins to rain once more..a hard, heavy rain that pours in torrents from the leaden sky above.Within seconds all the cloaks and non water resistant clothing of those in the open are soaked
Aude runs for the portico...her preistess' robes are soaked through
Gashelle looks with fascination as Aude runs to shelter in the most dangerous area in sight. "Maybe they don't have rain where she's from."
With that, Gashelle moves off to follow the cleric, at a walking tempo, so that Aude won't be alone when our scouts move off to reconnoiter the rest of the building.
Holgur rushes to keep pace with Aude so that she will not be undefended if attacked.
What is she thinking? he wonders.
Waving to the others that this area is, for now at least, safe, Layjiani makes sure that none of the traps, or any other still hidden ones, pose any threat before moving stealthily forward with Avinar deeper into the building.
She thinks to caution the others to silence, but then demurs, realizing that surely they must realize themselves the importance of not revealing themselves unless necessary.
"By the look of things we are using the front door then," Eltariel sighs, and runs to catch up with the rest. "At least it promises to be dry."
Why is Layjiani going inside? Gashelle wonders as Holgur and Etariel race past her. Is there something in there that changes the plan? Maybe someone living there invited her in?
The rest of you can now read the previous spoiler
Layjiani..and anyone else actually entering the building
you can tell that the traps are all sprung..the remains of the poor unfortunates who triggered them still lie around the doors.
Investigating further you find an old cracked pouch...its contents are as shown here
The three murals are impressive works of art not only in scale but also in detail. Each is about forty feet tall and thirty feet wide, completely filling its alcove.
The one on the left shows a powerfully built, contemplative manlike figure seemingly made of stone. This brooding creature seems lost in thought, gazing into a gold ring on his left hand.
The figure on the right is of a vaguely female figure with the green, fibrous flesh of a plant and a gentle doe’s head. Large parallel insect wings,such as those of a dragonfly, spread in glittering hues from her back. A pale green ribbon twines up her right arm, which is upraised. She looks poised to leap into flight right off the mural.
The middle piece is a depiction of a studious manlike form. He wears a light blue robe that is open, revealing a torso made of stars. One hand is outstretched, as if in warning, and the other holds aloft a plain steel rod. Bushy brows shadow his eyes, but you are still left with the feeling that his gaze rests squarely upon you.
Despite their quality, the murals are marked by age and wear. In several sections, the paint has flaked off, exposing the bare stone behind it.
Eltariel peers in from the portico, but waits for Layjiani to declare that the coast is clear before entering. She peers at the murals, trying to understand what they may represent ().
"Fascinating ... it looks deserted and uninhabited from here. Possibly, though, some errant explorer has entered and tampered with something they shouldn't ... or maybe that's us!" she grins at her comrades.
Layjiani joins the others on the portico and declares the room to be safe. She hands Eltariel an old pouch saying "This one did find this inside."
She then continues "If you do wish to remain here, this one and Avinar shall finish the scouting of the outside of the building."
Then, unless anyone has reason to stop her, she and Avinar (if he's coming) do as she'd said.