"Damn them."
"Agreed, as long as you are damning them for what they do, instead of something stupid like being a drow. One can't choose the parent he or she gets, or what fate awaits them. Trust me, I know that a bit too well."
"Despair not, for I feel familiar with the enemy now. Tonight I shall attempt to scry the one who laid this vicious trap."
Onyx:
"I suspect that the drow will expect us to settle here for the night as it has been cleared of traps then attack us while we rested."
Finrod appears and speaks to the company.
"There is a defensible cave a mile down the road. We should leave now to get there before dark. This way." He starts leading the way.
Moving up next to Kara Finrod rasps out, "Kara, you see those vultures?" He points them out circling far overhead.
"Do you know any reason they would not be attacking the bodies? This seems unnatural."
Kara:
"The circle's magic should be gone by first light tommorrow."
Moving up next to Kara Finrod rasps out, "Kara, you see those vultures?" He points them out circling far overhead.
"Do you know any reason they would not be attacking the bodies? This seems unnatural."
Kara glances up at the circling birds, doing her best to remember if there is anything, magical or natural, that would keep the scanvengers away from carrion...
"Magic of the circle you say? I recall the 'circle' playing an important part of eastern magical theory. The Thayans, for instance."
Corvax comes over to look at Onyx and Huergar's injuries.
"You two going to be alright until we get to this cave or d'you want me to fix you up before we set off?"
"I'd be most grateful if you healed me of a few sprains. I'm not the young dwarf I used to be."
Corvax hooks the small steel shield hanging on a chain around his neck and grasps it firmly in one gauntleted hand. A wave of glowing positive energy flows out from his clenched fist, engulfing Huergar and Onyx and soothing the wounds caused by the cave in.
"That should see you both right for the time being. Don't want anyone already hurt with these vicious drow buggers around."
"Well, that's settled. Where is this cave? It'll be dark soon, and we don't want to get into any trouble while we're out in the open."
Finrod gathers the party and hustles them down the road to the defensible campsite at a small cave.
Though unwonded Basil fels invigorated after the wave of positive energy flows around him. He follows Finrod to the nights camp site.
"How do we arrange the watches..I need but 4 hours sleep..who else is in a similar situation..the spell casters should rest longest naturally"
"I would like to sleep first and be the first to wake in the morning. I'll be quite tired after my spell of scrying, you see."
I believe we have enough to have 2 of us per watch. I will volunteer for first watch.
"I will as well."
I will stand third watch.
I will also gather hollow nuts, cones, dry leaves and twigs, anything that will make noise when stepped on, and scatter them naturally outside our cave enterance. Just in case we have unfriendly visitors.
Later that night after their evening meal, Onyx begins work on his spell of scrying. From his pack he produces a hand-sized package, which he unwraps revealing a silvered mirror. This he sets carefully on the cave floor. He then pours water into a shallow depression in the rock and beside the resulting small pool he chants incantations for what seems to be an endless span of time.
The evening goes quietly. Really quietly. Over time, and some discussion, Sunaj and Lyra are able to determine that the magic circle's very evil, the blasphemy that it is on the land, is causing the wildlife in the area to not want to be near. Your evening, and watches, are all quiet. There is no sound, not even a footfall outside of your cave.
The next days' journey, Day three, Eleasis 19, 1371 DR, is a little more like what you'd expect travel to be like going through the pass. The high ridges along your sides are silent, the only rocks that fall are from small gusts of wind. The caves each of you check out do not harbor any hidden drow, even to the detections of both evil and magic. Eventually, after a long day, you get to the footfalls of the Shadow Gap, and find an empty cabin.
This cabin, very small and bearing the symbol of Shaundakul, is one of many like this. It is a simple waystop, with corded wood outside, a latrine next to the wood, connected to the northwest corner of the building (but not into the building), a small table within, and bunks for six individuals. Thankfully, the builders saw to it that larger companies could bed down here as well, as there are hooks on the wall for hammocks between the beds, and a post hold in the floor with posts to hang them from, bringing the bed-down total to 10. The L-shaped building's door is facing south, into a small fenced area, enough for a horse or two, and that opens onto the main road. A small ridge is south of the cabin, and there are a few trees in the area. Everyone is inside, and a fire has been started by Kane in the hearth. The sun is setting, and the evening has started to cool nicely.
Later that night after their evening meal, Onyx begins work on his spell of scrying. From his pack he produces a hand-sized package, which he unwraps revealing a silvered mirror. This he sets carefully on the cave floor. He then pours water into a shallow depression in the rock and beside the resulting small pool he chants incantations for what seems to be an endless span of time.
Onyx
DM
Perception:
Perception ..deaf to the world
Onyx:
Looking outside, you see a large, hulking form, shuffling slowly down the road. A moment later, a second one appears, and you are certain that you hear a third or fourth along the way. There also is the sound of jingling armor coming from the east of the cabin. The area's known for some giant activity, but not having had any so far, this seems quite odd.
Onyx, Davin, Kara
Sunaj, Finrod, Huergar, Corvax
Onyx speaks to his familiar, a dignified owl with silvery colored feathers. Perched on a mantle, it patiently listens to Onyx hoot and chirp.
"Lord Moonsong," says Onyx, "could you fly up and see how many of these brutes threaten us? Do be careful, for there may be others in lying in wait, armed with bow or spear. And if you don't mind, I will cast a spell on you to allow you to see magic emanations."
Finrod strings his bow and moves stealthily outside (not allowing firelight to signal his presence), using a tree for cover (and avoiding his own noisemakers). He then scans the area for threats.
Stealth:
Perception:
"They look like they are dead." She whispers.
"I might be able to lure them away with a spell."
Dead huh? I would bet undead. We most definitely have the resources to handle such creatures. Do we have a strategy?
Davin pulls his greatsword and waits.
Green drew his swords and slipped into the nearest area of concealment.
Stealth:
Basil's head jerks up.."What's that?...Undead?...Beware my friends, given the facts we know about this place. I would not expect them to be alone..no doubt whichever foul necromamcer that holds their spirits in thrall is lurking nearby"
"Let those of us who serve the gods stand forth against these abominations..the rest of you keep a weather eye out for drow"
So saying Basil draws his sword...its a plain looking blade, functional as befits his image, the blade does not shine like steel yet it looks razor sharp
As Finrod steps out into the shadows, he realizes that there is little to do to conceal his actions, although noone has seemed to see him at this point. As he hugs the fence for what little concealment he can, he peeks around the corner to see a large, hulking drow-like form. It looks as if a drow has gone feral, and has four arms! To his east, he can see some drow wielding two-handed swords snaking their way across the yard, and the large creatures to the southeast. He thinks there is someone on the ridge, but is not sure whether it's a trick of the light or not.
Onyx's owl produces the same image, although there is a drow likely sneaking around the cabin, and the owl confirms that there is someone on the ridge.
As everyone stands at the ready from inside the cabin, there is a tense moment, as you all realize this is likely what one of the ambushes the caravans went through.
Picture of the combat is located HERE
On the dirt floor Onyx quickly sketches out what his owl observed.
"It is far too perilous for me to send Lord Moonsong outside again. But we shall need to keep an eye on the assassin lurking behind our cabin. A spell of remote sensing will achieve that."
The dwarven wizard moves to the back of the cabin, faces the wall (north), then goes through a rapid series of gestures and incantations.
On the dirt floor Onyx quickly sketches out what his owl observed.
"It is far too perilous for me to send Lord Moonsong outside again. But we shall need to keep an eye on the assassin lurking behind our cabin. A spell of remote sensing will achieve that."
The dwarven wizard moves to the back of the cabin, faces the wall (north), then goes through a rapid series of gestures and incantations.
Onyx:
OOC