"Slow down, Bors. You are still beat up pretty badly. Let me try a bit more healing for you, before you start running around again."
Heal
Augusto pats Bors on the head, and whispers"Boo"
Chuckling to himself atfer Bors reaction, Augusto Speaks
"This spell should last a few more minutes, I'll go scout a bit, O and Bors? gald to have you back!"
Both Bwana and Augusto recon the area for as long as their spells last, but thankfully, they spot no other guardians. The staircase path continues through the mountains for as far as they can see.
When Bors is finally feeling well, the party continues its trek. The path takes a circuitous route, winding back and forth over a length of 8 miles through the tors. After the walk, you hear rushing water up ahead and the path ends on the bank of a river to the following scene:
To the north, a jagged limestone cliff hems in the scene; a mighty waterfall rushes over the edge into a wide pool of black, frothing water. In the center of the black pool stands a massive, hundred-foot-tall limestone pillar of weathered stone—the last, lonely sentinel marking where the cliff’s edge once stood in an age long past. At various points on the island’s top, plumes of black smoke waft up into the sky.
Motokono attacks wildly with both fists.
plus
plus
Then Bwana shoots at the great cyclops.
Motokono attacks wildly with both fists. Then Bwana shoots at the great cyclops.
The cyclops' corpse does not resist.
The cyclops' corpse does not resist. Bwana, Hrafen blew the giant's head off. LOL..
Augusto watches with a Puzzled look as Bwana and Motokono continue to attack the twice dead Cyclops, Grinning, he makes a joke..
"I've heard of not wanting to beat a dead horse before, but never a Dead cyclops? HA ha ha, Bwana, you are a strange man... I kinda like it"
Bwana shrugs and says 'One must be sure with the undead, no-one can play dead like them.'
Motokono simply looks confused then decides to give Bwana the stink eye.
Hrafen looks in satisfaction at the unmoving corpse of the Cyclops, before giving Bors a mirthless smile.
"It will be my pleasure to unleash destruction on them."
To the north, a jagged limestone cliff hems in the scene; a mighty waterfall rushes over the edge into a wide pool of black, frothing water. In the center of the black pool stands a massive, hundred-foot-tall limestone pillar of weathered stone—the last, lonely sentinel marking where the cliff’s edge once stood in an age long past. At various points on the island’s top, plumes of black smoke waft up into the sky.
Map of Island and surroundings
Behind the island on the north side of the river, limestone bluffs, also 100' tall, overlook the waterfall and the pool. Their surface is striated and pocked by years of weathering; it appears to be crumbling in places and is overcome with weeds and vines. Hundreds of bird nests exist in the tiny seams and nooks that dot the cliff face.
Hrafen regards the scene thoughtfully.
"Perhaps we should descend down to the water-line, and then Bors can scout around the base of that pillar to see if there are any points of ingress...?
If you find anything, we could probably then be shuttled across thanks to that ring of yours."
A thought occurs to him, and he turns to Augusto...
"Alternately, if you happen to have any more Invisibility spells left, if you could cast it on my familiar, Chulyen," Hrafen indicates the Currawong sitting on his shoulder, "he could do a quick fly around in a fraction of the time Bors would take..."
Bwana steps forth and casts invisibility on the Currowang.
He then announces 'I can only give the gift of flight once more this day.'
"I agree, Hrafen. Let's move down, then send out your friend to do some scouting. I'm sure something bad is over there, and would like to have a basic idea of what that is before we head over there."
I say, bird scouting only, we need not enter the lair quite so soon. Let young Chulyen flies round tha tower and cliffs ta spot what mae be seen, whilst we checks round 'ere. If'n we kin find a bolt 'n bed spot nearby, we should rest up an' form some strategy aferrin' we hit 'em in force. Ye mayhaps think it my ne'r death what posses caution, but one wrong step, then Skerrin an' the Varnholders'll hae us as boon companions in tha 'ereafter. Undead cyclops, soul eaters, an ancient force tha Nomen still fear, an' that's only what we know bouts. We be taken on alot, an we need ta do it smart. Justice comes with Truth and the Light. We 'ave neither wit'out a little knowin' first. But it be up ta ye lairds an lady, I just be 'ere ta do the killin' an in the end a little die'n.
The invisible raven flies up and scouts the island and the pillar for the party, circling the island a few times. He returns to its master and tells him that the area looks safe and that he saw a door at the base of the pillar on the SW side. He also tells Hrafen that the bluffs look clear, but that he did not want to get close to the other wrens/starlings' nests. Finally, he tells the party that he did not see any huge shapes lurking below the surface of the water.
Hrafen, wha' kinda range does ye wand o' dimension door hae? Could we use it ta' "step", as it were, from cover along tha shore ta tha doorway, if'n we kin see it from there?
" Aye, I'm liking Bor's Plan, We could use the wand to Step right up and knock on the door"
" Aye, I'm liking Bor's Plan, We could use the wand to Step right up and knock on the door"
Once a secluded camp is chosen, Bors stealthily clambors down the path to the river's edge, staying to cover as much as possible. Setting up an observation post, he looks for any tracks in the area, and also keeps an eye out for animal sign. If a bird, river snake, or small mammal can be spotted close by, Bors will use his Speak With Animals to gain any additional info on the island. Otherwise, he studies the island, the cliffs, and the plumes of smoke rising from the island. He will attempt to gain any additional insight on the place he can garner.
Cap'n, I'm 'ere, now what? Not exactly tha kinda' place I wanna give up the course, but the Lady does not often give ye a chance ta choose yer final rest, lest not tha likes o' us.
By your grace Iomedae, grant me the chance to fulfil my vow to the Nomen, and bring honor to your faith in my service. Let me bring the filly home.
Once a secluded camp is chosen, Bors stealthily clambors down the path to the river's edge, staying to cover as much as possible. Setting up an observation post, he looks for any tracks in the area, and also keeps an eye out for animal sign. If a bird, river snake, or small mammal can be spotted close by, Bors will use his Speak With Animals to gain any additional info on the island. Otherwise, he studies the island, the cliffs, and the plumes of smoke rising from the island. He will attempt to gain any additional insight on the place he can garner.
The party finds a secluded spot to camp to the south, out of line of sight of the pillar, possibly back on the staircase that led them through the mountains. After a couple of hours of resting and catching up on lunch, Bors decides to do his recon run.
Iomedae, guide me to view that which we need to know such that we can bring justice for the Varnhold, and for the Nomen. Shine your divine Light upon our humble tableu and illuminate this wicked malefaction.
Realizing the group planned on delaying before heading to the island, Elisen offered what divine support she had to Bors to aid him in any scouting he wished to perform.
I thank ye fer the offer mi'lady, but I think it best if we preserve our energies for the morrow. I shan't be but a few hours watchin' the island, an I doubt I should hae much need o' magic. Still, sayin' a prayer to yer mistress mae suffice it fer the moment. A'fer all, wit a bit o' luck an divine grace, we'll be findin' yer mut'er somewhere's beyond that stony facade. With tha fate o some many 'angin on what we do, we can use all those blessin's tha gods o' good care ta offer. Back soon, I 'ope.
Bors heads off for his recon mission keeping to the tree line as cover, while the rest of the party remains in camp.
Bugger me all Cap'n, kinnae nae catch a break.
Holding his longsword in hand, point down non-threatening, Bors shouts out in draconic to the creature. His off-hand rests on the hilt of his second blade, ready to draw if necessary.
Truly tha manky cat was jealous o' ye, o' mighty example of draco supremacy. 'is words be hollow and ash now that I look upon yer magnificence. I, Bors Omanera, bow in respect to ye, o' great and grand cobalt wyrms.
Bors makes a fair bow, eyes wide and teeth hidden, making sure to never turn his gaze away from the beast and sky above, returning promptly upright. He holds demeanor as much as possible, attempting to show no fear.
O' grand and opulant one, ye misjudge me and me intentions. Tis not ye nor yer territory but a cyclopean menace I come fer this day. Tha beast seeks ta take the lands here 'bouts, yer's included I fear. Kin we not parley one ta another, an reach a fair accord? Tribute offered fer safe passage as it were.
As a move action, Bors draws his own +1 longsword, in it's scabbard, from his handy haversack. Then, as a standard action, he tosses it before the wyvern, roughly 10' from Bors current position.
The creature clumsily hops on its 2 legs and charges at Bors. His sharp teeth bite into the ranger's skin and attempt to lock on him, but the wily human twists out of the way, ripping pieces of his shirt and armor in the process and pulling his arm out of the creature's mouth.
While resting at camp (eating, playing cards, looking out for Bors, etc.), Augusto and Bwana suddenly see a 16' reptilian dragon-like creature fly up from over a ridge and heading towards the party! The creature is about 50' away and 20' up.
Bwana casts invisibility on himself. Staring wildly at the large scaly beast.
I be knowin' yer nae a true dragon, but I was offerin' ye a chance ta prove yerself smarter than most o' yer LESSER kind. Silly me, guess I was wrong, ye dull blue worm.
Two handed Adamantine Longsword Swing
Damage
Bors takes a swing at the beast, standard action, then a move action to back away from the beast, 40' drawing the defender blade as doing so.
"Damnit! Always at night! Can we ever get some decent sleep around here!?"
Augusto Says a SMall Prayer, casting Expeditious Retreat on himself
The winged beast swoops down toward the party and tries to impale Augusto with its stinger, but it bounces off the warrior's armor.
test bump
I be knowin' yer nae a true dragon, but I was offerin' ye a chance ta prove yerself smarter than most o' yer LESSER kind. Silly me, guess I was wrong, ye dull blue worm.
** spoiler omitted **
Why only 20' of movement?