That sounds reasonable to me Veilos.
Beilin will react to the disturbances in the night with more caution today. He will walk with arrow knocked alertly keeping an eye on the surroundings. Unfortunately he is not fit for such diligence over long periods of time and by the time he reaches the lake, the bow has been put away and he is walking with the quarterstaff and gently humming to himself.
Mandizu scouts ahead diligently with crossbow drawn on the way to the lake.
|
For all the misery of the cold sleet falling upon you and the muddy trail pulling at your feet, the walk to the lake passes uneventfully. The forest still has a silence to it, and with the steady rhythm of the water, it is almost peaceful.
After several hours of walking the trees begin to thin, revealing a field of short, green grass that leads to the shores of a wide, calm lake reflecting the overcast sky above. A dense fog hangs over the center of the lake even in the midst of the drizzle, obscuring the far side. Near the shore of the lake, a dark form lies still, next to the water.
From a distance it looks to be humanoid.
"What's that" Beilin says excitedly pointing in the direction of the humanoid form.
"Let's check it out.
Warily Manduzi edges closer to humanoid form with his rapier held back and a handkerchief in his off hand covering his mouth.
Velios approaches the figure with his guisarme ready in front of him.
Naria begins to follow as well
"Who goes there? Are you hurt?" Velios calls out to the figure.
|
|
Approaching the humanoid form reveals that it is just that, a male human, though honestly it is a bit hard to tell. The body is rather decayed and chunks of the flesh seem to have rotted away or bubbled up in welts and boils. The entire chest is covered with deep but narrow stab wounds as if he was on the receiving end of a frenzied assault from someone with a stilletto dagger.
Perception Check DC 10
Knowledge(Local) DC 10
Heal Check DC 15
Survival DC 12
Knowledge(Nature) DC 12 or Perception DC 17
Drosk bends down to examine the body.
Perception Check:
Heal Check:
Knowledge (local) Check:
Heal
Perception
Survival
"This man appears to have been dead for months," Drosk announces after his cursory examination. "See how the wounds on his chest line up in pairs? Almost as if he was stabbed twice at a time. It almost looks like the wounds were caused by a snake's fangs, but such a creature would have to have been enormous to leave bitemarks like this. It seems odd for an animal to attack and kill without eating the victim."
"Look here," the dwarf priest continues, "his gear is mostly rotted to worthlessness, but here's a masterwork short sword and a pouch with several gold coins . These coins can't be too old because they were minted in the capital city of Tamran and bear the likeness of Forest Marshal Gavirk; he's only been leading the nation about a year now."
"There are deep human footprints running along the lake towards the east that haven't been washed away yet."
With much disdain, Manduzi too examines the body with his handkerchief covering his mouth.
Perception
Knowledge-Local
"You took the words tright out of my mouth Drosk." He remarks as he takes note of the wounds in the chest. His eyebrow quivers as he glances over the man's attire. "I don't think he's from Kassen." He remarks as he stands up now taking one glance back at the body. " His clothes are quite decayed,but they are of the sort you would buy in a big city such as Lastwall or the like rather then the homespun stuff you townies are used to in Kassen." he says the last bit with a smile before stuffing the handkerchief back in his pocket." Drosk do be a dear while your down there and grab the coins and shortsword. We're adventurers now and i believe looting is our livelihood, am I right? Now lets follow these tracks." He says excitedly, his nervousness has given way to an almost school-boy-like glee.
"This man deserves to have his murderer brought to justice. I agree with Manduzi."
"As for the items, we need to divvy up the coin and figure out what to do with the shortsword. It is a well crafted piece of steel."
"You think we should leave the body right here? Maybe we should....I don't know bury it or something?"
"Beilin is right. He also deserves a proper burial. We will bury him if you can perform the rights Drosk." Velios starts scratching his head. "Does anyone have something to dig with?"
Perception check
"Not really." Naria looks over the body and the tracks "And if he has been dead for months as you say then whoever or whatever killed him is probably long gone."
"Maybe we could just kind of cover him with rocks, or something...I don't know...It's usually one of the elders that deals with something like this."
"I say we go with Beilin's idea then get back to the task were on"
"A cairn would take the least amount of time, then we can get back on the trail. The assailant is more than likely long gone, maybe we can investigate after we return to Kassen with the flame." At that Velios starts gathering rocks.
|
|
Bandar
Gathering smooth stones along the edge of the water and stacking them over the body takes about an hour but when you are done you have a working cairn and are ready to set off again.
The body was visable from the trail, so within a few moments you are on your way again, walking along the edge of the lake towards the crypt.
Velios
As the group moves farther away from the cairn, Velios stops dead in his tracks turning quickly back towards the site.
"I saw something coming out of the water by the cairn."
"It looked like a huge green and black patterned head on a long slender neck rising up from the water, its slender tongue flicking out above the stones of the cairn. It looked bigger than a man."
"A giant snake? or maybe a sea monster...er lake monster? This is turning into a grand adventure." Beilin stares back at the lake wistfully hoping for a glimpse of the beastie.
Manduzi turns and stares intently at the lake, as if daring the creature to resurface. " Drosk's suspicions were right! The matching wounds were caused by a giant snake!" He exclaims." Perhaps we should investigate. Such a beast so close to Kassen doesn't bold well for the town. Are we to allow this monster to kill another passer-by like this poor fallen man-seemingly for no other reason than sport? I dare say not!" He makes this speech with much bravado, his chest out further than his chin.
"Right now our duty is to retrieve the flame for the town," Drosk replies to Manduzi's speech. "Once we fulfill that obligation, then we can come back and deal with the creature in the lake, if necessary. The town has not been endangered by the creature yet, so I think we can let it wait for a few more days. Besides, the body back there has been there for months, and really, what's out this way except for the Crypt of the Everflame? There's really no reason for travelers to come out this way."
Drosk pauses as he considers that last statement he made. "Come to think of it, why would that man have been out here to begin with? He wasn't from Kassen..."
Manduzi's shoulders slump at the steadfast rejection of his speech by the dwarf. As Drosk continues his talk, Manduzi perks up at the dwarf's last point. "I suspect perhaps some level of treachery is afoot regarding this trail and the Crypt. Let us not forget the trees across the trail and the disappearing orcs." He turns to look forward at the trail ahead. " I suppose this tension will surmount at the end of the Trail. I'd rather not scout alone. Naria do you mind coming along?"
Perception rolls.
Stealth Rolls
"A traveller trying to take a short cut and got lost maybe?" Naria responds to Drosks question then hearing Manduzi asking for her help she replies with a "Sure thing" Before quickly following behind
Perception rolls
Stealth rolls
Beilin nods in agreement with the Dwarf and follows the group back to the trail.
|
|
Following the advice of the dwarf the group begins to advance further down the trail, leaving the lake behind without even a ripple marring its surface.
Advancing beyond the lake the forest thickens up greatly, the trees grow more old and gnarled as you continue on and thick vines covered with thorns sprout here and there winding along the branches.
The trail leads ever deeper into the Fangwood, through a twisting maze of trees and confusing ravines. As it tops a small rise, a broad valley spreads out before it, the opposite side of which looks like a writhing serpent. Yet between the two lies a steep hill sloping down into the valley. The cold rain continues to fall, making the ground slick and treacherous.
Its difficult to see from the top of the gorge, but you can just barely make out the outline of an arch set into the base of the hill across the gorge.
Navigating the slope is going to take at least a half-hour and will take a DC 10 Acrobatics check. If you are willing to spend a full hour going down the slope, then everyone can get a +2 on that check. You can tie off ropes for an additional +2 bonus on the way down, but it will require 100ft of rope and either someone will have to wait behind to untie it and then go down without the assistance, or you will be leaving the rope behind.
If you fail the DC 10 Acrobatics check, also make a reflex save.
Naria begins to fearlessly (or possibly rashely make her way down the hill)
Acrobatics checks
"Hurry up slowpokes." she shouts as she heads down.
Manduzi will wait at the crest of the hill for the rest of the group to catch up before heading down assuming we aren't going to use rope.
Acrobatics
Beilin will take 10 on the acrobatics check if that is possible. 10 + 6 = 16
Otherwise he will make the check the normal way.
Velios waits for everyone to descend, then moves down the slope.
Acrobatics
Acrobatics
Acrobatics
Acrobatics
Acrobatics
|
|
No sooner does the dwarf start down the hill then he hits a slippery rock and his feet go out from under him and he slides about 10 feet before colliding with the hollowed remains of a tree sticking out of the ground and takes some superficial damage(2 Non-lethal).
Muttering more, Drosk will get up and attempt to continue his descent.
This time he manages a much smoother trip, getting to the bottom and refitting his armor while rubbing some of the bruises.
”Watch where ya step” Bandar comments as he goes past Drosk, nearly tripping himself, trying to disguise his trip as a jump.
Acrobatics
|
|
Once at the bottom of the steep hill it is a short walk around a bend in the windy canyon to reach the archway you could see from the top. Even from a distance it is obvious that something there is very wrong.
The archway of stone is set into the side of a small hill at the bottom of the valley. Moss has overgrown many of the details, but one is still quite clear. The keystone of the arch is carved with a flame symbol with a stylized rune in the middle. Beyond the archway is a darkened tunnel that leads to a pair of massive wooden doors, one of which is slightly ajar.
A pair of horses and a trio of ponies lie slaughtered just inside the archway, each corpse still tied to a post set into the ground nearby. A swarm of flies hangs lazily in the air above them.
Velios moves slowly toward the corpses with his guisarme ready. He tries to tell how long they have been there. "All the dead things we are running into does not portent well."
Heal
Manduzi Moves behind Velios with his rapier drawn" You're Right Velios...Keep your eyes open."
Perception
"Now this is turning into a real adventure. Now who could these dead animals belong to?"
Beilin nocks an arrow and moves up to support Veilos and Manduzi, keeping a wary eye on the slightly ajar door.
Perception
"I think the more important question is who or what killed them" Naria offhand mentions whilst glancing around
Perception
"That is a good question Naria. Should we move inside?" Velios adds while keeping his eyes open for danger.
Perception