All right: Yalka, you make it to the farmstead, and drop off the lad (and perhaps a dormant PC or two) and mount up with the spears, heading west. Shortly past the wights' cave, the terrain gets rougher. More broken rock, less grasses. It also gets higher, and a ridge forms to your right, dropping down farther each mile until you're riding 120 feet away from a precipice, at the bottom of which you see a gentle valley and a small river or stream.
You continue farther and arrive at a small clump of trees. Just 200 feet beyond them is an old windmill, patiently turning in the breeze.
Everybody who's hiding behind the clump of trees, sound off.
[ooc]Martaug and wolf./ooc]
Martaug, you arrived about ten minutes ago. You haven't seen anyone around, but the windmill did stop once, for a minute or two, and then start up again.
Grumblenaught, if you're here, this is the same windmill you looked over months ago, but it was clearly inoperable back then. Someone has gone to considerable trouble in the last several months to get this thing up and operational.
Valdisara, you detect vague traces of evil in the direction of the mill, but the sense is fleeting, and you can't pin down much more than that.
Yalka, now that you've found the group, do you want to mess with the spears?
Grumblenaught, if you're here, this is the same windmill you looked over months ago, but it was clearly inoperable back then. Someone has gone to considerable trouble in the last several months to get this thing up and operational.
The dwarf purses his lips, squinting beneath a shading hand at the structure ahead. "Mighty bit o' work they's done here, fer certain," he murmurs to Martaug. "Weren't like this til recent, an' I am not likin' that thought - it were a better fit fer the land as it was."
As Yalka canters up, Grumblenaught nods in greeting, then brusquely declines if offered one of the rune-crusted spears. "Ain't much fer gettin' personal with a sticker I ain't comfortable with, leastways one with Magicks all tangled onnit."
He shakes his head at the tall tribeswoman. "I'd rather see it broke an' trust t'me own piece," he says quietly, patting his archaic crossbow with something approaching love.
"One thing I do ask," he says slowly, clearly troubled. "If it comes ta a fight with Cale... take him alive, if it be possible." His heavy brows knot determinedly. "He's been me friend fer some years now, an' I'd be amiss if'n I din't do me best ta make sure all sides o' his story is heard afore justice is meted."
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
|
Martaug, the spears have runes running in a row down the shaft: one has 75 runes, the other has 36, stopping halfway down from the point. It's plausible that these weapons have some sort of charges on them, like a staff or a wand, and the runes mark the charges.
Despite the difference in the lengths of the rune-chain, the spears have the same rune inscribed at the beginning, and the same rune inscribed at the end.
Upon closer examination, there are only three runes, which we'll call aleph, vet, and gimel. They are not all scribed in the same orientation, so that's not an obvious fact. They run down the length of the spear in order: A, B, C, A, B, C, A, B, C, A, ... B, C.
I nod solemnly at Grumble's words,
cognizant of the fact that he may well be asking to kill Cale himself if it comes to that.
Dismounted to greet my companions and look over the mill, I examine the spears more closely.
I'll give it a go by pressing each of the glyphs with intention, in order, and then in different orders (ABC,BAC,BCA,etc) to see if anything happens. Although I don't have Read Magic or UMD/Arcana, I *CAN* speak Draconic, and if that helps, I could try to intone their names...(or get an idea of their meaning?)
When you touch ABC, as a set, and recite their names "aleph-vet-gimel", the air fills with shadow, and the three glyphs you touch vanish from the spear.
Trying anything else, as well?
"Uhh... What happen now?" I mumble, glancing hesitantly at Martaug & the others (?)
Not hearing an immediate explanation, I feel reassured I'm not especially unlearned about this,
and try again:
"Gimel-Vet-Aleph" I say forcefully, glancing back at the others as if I know what I'm doing.
When you touch ABC, as a set, and recite their names "aleph-vet-gimel", the air fills with shadow, and the three glyphs you touch vanish from the spear.
Trying anything else, as well?
Grumblenaught will take a short step backwards out of the cloud of shadow, glaring mild annoyance at Yalka and muttering under his breath.
Whilst Martaug and Yalka putter with the spears, Grumble will find himself a good (well-hidden) vantage point fairly close by and keep a sharp eye on the windmill and surrounds.
"Uhh... What happen now?" I mumble, glancing hesitantly at Martaug & the others (?)
Not hearing an immediate explanation, I feel reassured I'm not especially unlearned about this,
and try again: I'm basically trying all the combinations involving all 3 glyphs.
When you try BCA, the shadows immediately dissipate, and the spear points of its own volition at Valdisara, specifically at what might be weak spots in her armor. It almost feels like the pull or gravity. You turn it away from her, and it moves to pointing at Martaug, specifically at his left thigh, where his armor strap has come loose.
After a few seconds, the effect passes.
Examining the spear, the "B, C, A" closest to the end has vanished, leaving a "B, C" orphaned.
(So the end of the spear's glyphs reads "A, B, C, A, B, C, A, B, C, A (space) (space) (space), B, C"
Trying anything else?
Grumblenaught, you can see just fine with darkvision in this area. After several minutes, you hear a "snap" come from the direction of the windmill, and a figure, perhaps a watchman, appears at one of the higher windows.
When he sees the results that Yalta is garnering with the letter sets, he nods in some comprehension. He wiil try using them as individual letter units... Holding the spear in front of him, he says "Vet."
"Vet."
No response.
"Gimel-Aleph-Vet"
"Gimel-Aleph-Vet" (CBA)
Which is it?
Grumble saw something... Did all of us?
You wrote 'after several minutes', so would we have finished our spear testing,
and maybe done something else by the time this 'guard' appears?
Grumblenaught was watching something else while you were experimenting with the spears. He had a bonus to his Spot and Listen rolls.
But I would hope he'd say something...
Which is it?
Valdisara, you detect vague traces of evil in the direction of the mill, but the sense is fleeting, and you can't pin down much more than that.
Having no interest in the spears, the paladin keeps her eyes trained on the mill, looking for signs of those inside. "There is evil here, I sense it. Have any of you been inside the mill before, and know the layout?"
I was trying the CAB combo with that one (words were correct, not letters).
And with that, the spear-point shimmers.
The end-most "C, A, B" sigils fade, leaving you with a staff whose glyphs end "... A, B, C, A, B, (space), (space), (space), C, A, (space), (space), (space), B, C". (By the way, are you checking ith the staf that originally had all 75 glyphs, or the one that was already half used-up?)
Valdisara, your Detect Evil has a reliable range of 60', and the windmill is 200' away. If the undead Blackspeares have made repeated visits through here, for evil purposes, the residuals of those trips might be what you're sensing.
"Valdisara, magic spear maybe kill Shadow Creature that we not touch before?" I say hesitantly,
leaning on what I presume is her greater knowledge of Undead, or greater REAL knowledge and not just fairy tales.
After several minutes, you hear a "snap" come from the direction of the windmill, and a figure, perhaps a watchman, appears at one of the higher windows.
Grumblenaught will whistle softly to alert the otherwise-occupied companions, then motion carefully to indicate the new arrival on the scene.
That accomplished, he will begin to scan the area for signs of Cale and the children, or of a recent bloody confrontation.
At Grumble's whistle, Martaug looks to the dwarf and follows his directions.
Can I tell anything else about the figure in the window, perhaps race, or if it is armed?
Not at this distance, through a small window into an unlit building. Nobody else in the party can discern the figure at all.
Can I tell anything else about the figure in the window, perhaps race, or if it is armed?Not at this distance, through a small window into an unlit building. Nobody else in the party can discern the figure at all.
You're on the east side of the windmill, because you wanted Yalka to see you when she rode up.
The windmill stands near a precipice to the north. It would be a challenge to climb a few dozen feet down the mountainside, move to the right, and then climb up again, but you'd be sure to approach by surprise!
If you approach the mill from the west, you can use trees and tall brush for cover up to 50 feet away, after which you'd need to depend on tall grasses and scrub.
Midafternoon. For the first time in a week, there are clouds in the sky. It's possible that tonight will be overcast.
Still fidgeting with the Black Spear (?), I whisper:
"What think do? Hide & watch, or attack now? ...Climb secret by cliff maybe take surprise?"
Martaug shrugs "If ya think ya can climb 'round dere be my guest. I sure wouldn't wanna try it. Whadda ya think? We should give 'im da chance ta explain whut he's doin' here. But we can wait until Yalka is in position ta start."
Martaug shrugs "If ya think ya can climb 'round dere be my guest. I sure wouldn't wanna try it. Whadda ya think? We should give 'im da chance ta explain whut he's doin' here. But we can wait until Yalka is in position ta start."
The paladin nods in agreement. "I too have no skill in climbing, and would prefer not to attempt something foolish. However, I am not certain it would be a good idea to split up, unless we had a definite plan where it would give us an advantage. Perhaps if Grumble and Yalka approach by climbing, and you and I go through the brush? Would there be an advantage to splitting our attacks??"
Signs of a scuffle? There might be, if you get up closer. Again, you're 200 feet away here. But no, there's no pre-teen corpse lying on the ground.
I shrug, "Yalka ready anything. If Grumble want climb, can tie together Yalka & help climb both us.
Or ready run fast & straight, or climb hills UP & sneak other side that way."
I shrug, "Yalka ready anything. If Grumble want climb, can tie together Yalka & help climb both us.
Or ready run fast & straight, or climb hills UP & sneak other side that way."
At full run, Grumblenaught could cover the 200 feet to the windmill in 3 rounds.
The easiest way to get around to the west of the mill would be to walk south, west, and then back north.
If you want to run around to the west side of the mill, I'll need a Stealth roll. If you want to approach by the cliffside, I'll need three Climb rolls.
Valdisara
The paladin narrows her eyes at the figure in the window. "I am not sure we need to worry about that one." She nods, indicating the "guard" there. "To me it looks like he has already gone to his god, via the end of a noose."
She continues to whisper, "Dallying here doesn't get anything accomplished. Let's decide now - stay together or split into two bands? The cliffs look dangerous to me, so my preference is to stick together and approach on more solid ground through the brush."
At Valdisara's announcement, the Dwarf narrows his eyes briefly then nods his shaggy head. "Makes sense, lass. Cale realized what he done, an' did somethin' even more foolish ta try an' escape th' guilt he was feelin'."
Gathering up his kit, Grumblenaught beckons to the others, a compact bundle of barely-contained anxiety. "Let's be off, an' quick! Might be we can still save him!"
The dwarf readies several bolts for easy access, and ratchets a raven-feathered quarrel into firing position, as he does so meeting each of his companions eyes in turn. "No point in sneakin' it now - I am headin' fer th' door, t' try an' save me daft friend whether ye be with me or no." His mind made up, Grumblenaught squares his shoulders with determination and turns to leave.
Martaug looks to Val when Grumble starts to move. "I still like da idear a' aproachin' 'cross a broader front. Da wolf an' I can arc 'round from da left, jus' so we's not clumped up together." Martaug and the wolf will move out to, but angle away from the vector Grumble is moving in on.
Excellent.
Valdisara, you don't know if there's a door on the backside or not. Your guess is probably not.
So Grumblenaught is heading straight for the door. Martaug and his wolf move faster, and are taking a gentle arc to the left and then back to the mill door.
Grumblenaught, you reach the door first and peer in. The place is cleaner than you remember it, and the mechanisms are in working order. There are caltrops scattered all about, along the floor and also embedded in the walls. Five feet above your head and to the left is Stooch, the leader of the boys who clustered around Cale. He's hanging by his neck from a wire noose tied to a pivot beam which passes back above and behind some of the mill mechanisms. He's in the middle of an open space: there's nothing obvious for him to have stood on, and nothing within reach for him to grab. He doesn't appear to be conscious, but his body is still twitching.
There are damp footprints, leading to the other side of the machinery.
I'll be following right behind Grumblenaught.
"No Sazdo..." I curse (in Kellid), shocked to see the boy like this, and immediately try to cut him down and see if I can revive him: Heal Check: 11 "Mar-Tog, can help boy?"
I'm not being COMPLETELY silent, though I'm not yelling out either
(that was more of a muttered curse).
...Is that his FEET are two feet above my head?
I would try and support the boy's body to take the weight off. If my spear can cut him down, that would make the height not a problem. Otherwise, I would want to work with someone else to support his body while the other climbs up and along the beam to cut him down that way.
Being one of the taller members of the group, Martaug will help get the boy down as soon as he gets in the door. Once the boy is cut down, he will cast Cure Light Wounds on him.
Yalka pushes on the lad's feet to take the weight off his neck. Martaug uses a spear to cut the wire supporting him, and he falls down limply.
One cure light wounds later, it's clear that his neck is not snapped --which would have been the fate of any full-sized adult-- and he's stable. But he's unconscious, and he certainly won't be talking for a while with those lacerations around his throat. Even fully healed, he'll most likely speak in a hoarse rasp for the rest of his life.
Grumblenaught, you catch something out of the corner of your eye, amidst the turning of the machinery. Your first impression was someone in a panic, ducking to pick something up.
Grumblenaught, you catch something out of the corner of your eye, amidst the turning of the machinery. Your first impression was someone in a panic, ducking to pick something up.
The enormity of his misjudgement seems to catch Grumblenaught like a sledge to the midsection. He cannot stifle a sound that is half growl and half sob, and his eyes glisten briefly and brightly with liquid before hardening into flint.
He is already moving when he speaks, his voice cold and hollow, his crossbow moving to track the sudden movement seemingly of its own accord.
"Cale." The words are short, clipped, and devoid of emotion. "Step out now, and I'll see ye get back t' the deputy unharmed t' confess what ye done an' t' make proper amends fer it."
The Paladin's cool gaze takes in the scene, and her eyes open wide in silent startlement. "Who could do this to an innocent," she whispers, drawing her blade with a brief litany commending the youngster's recovery to stern Iomedae in her wisdom.
Her eyes move from the rescue efforts to the weapon-brandishing dwarf, and follow the line of his hard stare.
She moves to her right, trying to gain an advantageous position should the dwarf's target attempt to flee.
|
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
|
Do the wet footprints lead to where the movement came from, Chris?
More or less.
"Cale." The words are short, clipped, and devoid of emotion. "Step out now, and I'll see ye get back t' the deputy unharmed t' confess what ye done an' t' make proper amends fer it."
Cale's voice echoes across the stone walls. "You'd best be careful, Grumblenaught, or find yourself a bloody spot. Traps are placed and armed and set, as Stooch there found to his regret."
And no, you've never known Cale to speak in rhymes before.
"'Amends', you say? The Blackspeares' lair is hidden here and you would share their treasures with that motley lot, and leave Old Cale without a jot! Well, we shall see who takes their purse when I buy freedom from my curse!"
The Paladin moves to her right, trying to gain an advantageous position should the dwarf's target attempt to flee.
Valdisara, you brush against some cobwebs which, to your surprise, hide a tripwire, about elbow-high. Please make a Reflex saving throw.
Martaug, that manner of rhyme is a mark of power among some elemental natives.
If I can catch Grumble's eye, I nod towards the door,
indicating it might be good to talk Cale into going outside, away from any traps.