even at this distance you can see that the damage to the formerly inmpenertrable tower is vast, it almost appears as if you could enter on multiple levels. While most of you are peering at the tower Violant notices movement in the distance.
Violant points at the area in question. Uh, guys, is that a gigantic unnatural centipede from Hell over that way?
Quinn will look where Violant points. Perception
Bofgar slips his mighty axe from his back and peers around, "A bug?"
Krom reaches over his shoulder and pulls his shield over, strapping it to his arm. reaching down, he loosens his morningstar in the strap at his waist and settles the massive, spiked weapon into his meaty fist.
"I don't see it, but your eyes are better than mine. Best we stay on our toes, methinks."
From the rubble of a long forgotten tower a giant centipede runs out you its size making the common bug look alien and wicked, its shiny carapace looking like well polished armor, but by far the most terrible aspect of the thing running toward you is the Large mouth, its pincers clicking at you hungrily.
Quinn studies the Gigantic bug. Oh my that is enormous. A Giant Whiptail Centipede if I am not mistaken. That behemoth is a juvenile if you can believe it. The earthquake must of knocked him to the surface. They aren't usually fond of the weather this time of year. Be careful folks they are poisonous from what i have heard.
Violant calls upon Calistria for guidance and bestows it upon Taecuss, while drawing her dagger. I don't like the sound of that poison, be careful, everyone!
"We'll get this out of the way quickly and be back to our ruins! HHEEAAARRGGGGHHHHHH!" Bofgar flies into a foaming battle rage charging straight at the creature. Mid charge he begins to swing Gimthick letting the momentum of the weapon carry him straight at it's shiny carapace.
Krom'gosh raises his shield defensively, advancing and holding the Breaker of Servitude in a high, ready position, prepared to swing down and bite into insectoid flesh.
The dwarf’s massive axe strikes true, and a cross bow bolt pierces the centipede’s side shortly after compliments of Quin. Violant stands back and bestows guidance on Taecuss. Tae and Krom move forward in unison preparing to take on the Centipede as well.
The centipede attempts to bite the wicked dwarf that has left a massive gash in its shell.
The centipede gets its mouth around Bofgar and starts to squeeze but doesn't seem to like the way Bofgar fits in his pincers, backing his head up with alien thoughts of trying again.
Violant steps forward to Krom'gosh and bestows Calistria's favor upon him as well.
"HahaHAHA, too tough to crush, eh?!" the mad dwarf roars back at the centipede taking another mighty swing.
Krom takes two swift steps towards the creature and sweeps his mace forward in wide, downward arc towards its carapace.
Taking a step back, he feels Violant's spell of guidance fill his body. Without looking away from his target, he nods. "Many thanks, lass!"
rolling for Quinn.
Another crushing blow by Bofgar signals the end of the centipede, a second bolt smacks against its carapace but ricochets off of the beast. Taecuss slips in a bit of the greenish blood that sprayed out of the bugs left eye. His bland lands but ineffectively. Krom silences the centipedes death wail with a heavy handed smash. Violant's prayers for guidance were obviously answered by the failed monstrous bug.
Pepper sees the big thing fall and as Quinn seems to relax the dog instinctively moves to its side.
As you survey the map from Ilishna and compare it to the point you are a, it is obvious that the tower you are looking for is ahead, but with some distance between you yet. upon close inspection you can tell that the damage done to this previously impenetrable tower is vast for something that was once rumored to be so sturdy. nearly a whole quarter of the round tower's wall is missing.
The moon shines off of the odd stone used to build for it almost beckoning you to your destiny.
Bofgar jerks his blade free of the centipede. "A decent warm-up for the night. Looks like we're hoofing it for now."
As he walks he cleans the ax with a rag from his pack.
Violant mutters a prayer to Calistria, and one of her scarves, tied around her wrist, begins to glow with torch-intensity light.
Was anyone poisoned by the brute? she asks, checking Bofgar worriedly, in case she might need to attempt to treat a venomed wound.
"Nay lass, me armor turned it's fangs. Like the elf said, barely got a scratch. Just a little...ooof...out of breath," he says as the adrenaline from the battlerage fades from his system. The dwarf has begun to lean heavily on Gimthic. "I'll be fine with a bit o' breather."
The terrain looks fairly barren from between you and the tower with little to no movement. The centipede has set a certain mood about the area that makes you want to keep your hands not too far away from your weapons. A chill breeze seems to flow from behind you. The ocean's salty bite easily marked to those of you from the area.
Pepper seems a bit more excited as he sniffs the ground near by the centipede tracking circles curiously.
Violant walks over to where the dog is behaving oddly, wondering if it smells something, shifting rubble and rocks with her feet, near where it is sniffing.
She seems distracted by the odor coming off of the dead insect, and wrinkles her nose. How can you smell anything other than bug guts, little dog?
Pepper nudges Violant slightly wagging his whole back end and continues his work another moment or two pass of the dogs nose to the ground and starts looking around as if there is something about.
Still breathing Bofgar joins the strange cleric and dog, "Find somethin'?"
"Not sure how you humans can find anything with your weak eyes."
"Huh, got some dogs a little bit away. Probably just a pack of ferals." Bofgar comments, holding a hand out protectively to keep the others from advancing. "Shoo! Git on outa here!"
Bofgar does a scary jitterbug trying to make his armor clamor about loudly to frighten the dogs away.
Violant's forte has never been scaring people away, so much as attracting them, but she gives it her best shot, casting light on a rock and chucking it at the dogs while shouting Go away! Bad dog!
The dogs do not appear particularly intimidated...
Krom'gosh laughs softly at the dogs, then takes in a deep, slow breath, puts on his best 'angry orc face', and bellows a ferocious battle howl from the bottom of his massive chest, howling with terrible, raging fervor at the dogs with enough shaking, horrible monstrosity to make the strongest of men crumble.
"RRRRAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHH!"
QUinn and Taecuss throw in their lot with the others spooking the dogs.
Quinn
Taecuss
Quinn leans to the ground and makes an odd low growl just as krom makes his howl. Taecuss shines his blade reflecting the moon light into the dogs eyes as Bofgar and Violant holler at the dogs, as the group makes the effort the dogs bolt away and don't look like they intend on returning anytime soon.
The path before you seems wide open and free of trouble.
Violant flinches away from Krom's exuberant display of intimidation, before regaining her composure and re-lighting her scarf, causing the distant stone to lose it's glow.
"Nicely done, Krom'gosh! We best be movin' now." Bofgar slaps the half-orc on the side and starts walking towards the broken tower. Looking for anywhere in particular to enter.
Whether it was because of the ferocious display you all displayed or a simple lac of other creatures due to the dogs or the centipede, you don't know, however you are certain of one thing, there is nothing left in your path. As you approach the ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or
windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatre foil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.
Krom rather calmly wipes a bit of spittle from his chin and smooths his hair back. "I dislike doing things that way; so uncivilized. But with beasts, you often have little recourse--and it's best to avoid bloodshed, even against creatures of lesser intellect. They knew no better."
Nodding to Violant he smiles. "A good idea. Allow me to follow suit."
Lifting his morningstar, Krom'gosh casts Light on the head, turning into an impromptu torch.
"Now that we're lit up like dandys, let's go," he grumbles having regained his breath. Bofgar starts walking through the rubble trying to get a look inside the tower. If it looks clear he continues farther in.
Quinn looks studiously around at the path to the entrance. I'll keep an eye out for traps. Bofgar that was an awesome display of battle prowess back there by the way. Quinn adds
The area appears to be fairly devoid of life and traps.Entering from the eastern wall it is almost immediately apparent that the south wing of the tower took the majority of the debris from the collapse but the eastern wing is littered with chunks of stone as well. The Northern wing seems to have the least amount of damage. Thick Gossamer webs hang from the ceiling like tapestries.