Megan Robertson |
Onwards to C6, then, speaking of magic and spider-defeating tactics as you go...
You enter the fringes of the forest, the vegetation growing thicker by the moment. As you enter a clearing, a series of quick yipping barks can be heard, seeming to come from a pit in the middle of the clearing.
Rhasadilara Goldenbough |
Rhasadilara holds up a hand to stop the other riders, looking around and trying to identify what they might be approaching. If it's a den of young, she would prefer to avoid angering the mother..
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Survival: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Gorguk |
Gorguk continues to follow Rhasa lead and stops Durok abruptly. Maintaining a vigil Gorguk prepares for the onslaught by lowering his lance and strapping on his shield. He doesn't say anything to Rhasa but indicates that he is ready to meet the encounter head on if needs be.
Gorguk |
Gorguk listens and heeds Rhasa advice. Knowing that she has more experience in this area he maneuvers Durok to the left maintaining enough space if Durok needs to charge in to help Rhasa.
Kill, capture, or release? is all Gorguk asks as he moves out.
Calinder Surital |
As they were traveling and discussing Calinder's idea for defending against the spiders, Calinder responds, "No Rhasadilara, there is no reason that I know of that the spider's would not be affected by the power that I have in mind. It's just that it can be set to use any of the five forces of energy, so if the spiders were susceptible to a certain type of energy, then it would be beneficial to use that type of energy if it is triggered."
"Basically I can create a magical warding in a small area that if entered by a person or creature, such as spiders, that it is set to act against, then they would be attacked by the force selected when cast."
Calinder attempts to determine the hesitation in Rhasa's statement about herself. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15, but is unable to reason out a need to press her about it.
"I think I understand somewhat how you feel. I never knew my human father, and my mother died when I was young, my memory of her is faint. I was raised by the priests of Erastil and when old enough was inducted into their order and became a follower of Eratil. So, I too have been separated from my elven heritage as I know nothing about my mother's family, and the few elves that I have met, have had no answers for me and say they know nothing of my mother or her family."
When they reach the clearing in the woods, Calinder halts his horse when asked to by Rhasa and quietly waits for further instructions.
Calinder Surital |
"Not much really. When she was alive she never spoke much of her elven heritage or past. Other than that she had come to Rostland, met my father whom I never knew or met, I do not even know his name. I use my mother's family name of Surital, but know nothing of the Surital name."
"When she became ill we moved in with the clerics at the temple to Erastil, and then when she died the clerics took care of me, and then when I was old enough, I became an initiate of Erastil, and eventually a new cleric. I was chosen by the order to try become one of those who would attempt to settle this land due to my studies of history of religious orders that were in this area in the past."
"That is my history as I know it, but I would certainly be glad to learn more, but it seems that all whom I've had an opportunity to ask, either know nothing, or are unwilling to say anything."
Megan Robertson |
You all can see that the pit is about 10 feet square, and was originally concealed by branches. It's difficult to see just how deep it is, maybe 15-20 feet?
Barnabus goes over towards the pit and starts emitting a high-pitched yipping noise... but as he gets closer, the ground begins to crumble under his feet...
Please make a Reflex save, Barnabus!
Rhasadilara Goldenbough |
"That is my history as I know it, but I would certainly be glad to learn more, but it seems that all whom I've had an opportunity to ask, either know nothing, or are unwilling to say anything."
"Perhaps another elf can have more success. We will have to see about that someday."
Gorguk |
Gorguk moves as close as he can to the pit without falling in himself to see if Barnabus is safe and what the results are of the creature in the pit with him. If it looks like Barnabus is fairing poorly Gorguk will draw his sword and dive into the pit.
Megan Robertson |
That roll, Barnabus, enables you to leap back and retain your footing, even if you look a bit inelegant doing so!
Anyone else going within about 5 feet of the pit will also need to roll to avoid falling in, though.
You can make out that the pit is 20 feet deep, there is just the one thylacine down there, and it looks malnourished and quite frantic now it's heard someone moving in the clearing.
Barnabus |
"It seems tha creature wishes to be freed, though it also is likely hungry, an animals err not known fer loyalty while hungry."
@critter
"We will free you but it will take some time. Can we offer you food and water in the mean time?"
"I think feed and water it first an figure a way out later, likely a log will let it climb out."
Rhasadilara Goldenbough |
"Agreed, I was thinking much the same. I will seek out its path to freedom if you want to see if you can reassure it that its release is nigh."
Rhasa will search for some branches long enough to extend from the bottom of the hole - or the debris in the hole - up to the edge. Assuming she finds some, she will give the pit trap a wide berth as she pulls the makeshift bridge behind Sunset using a rope. Once the branches are where she wants them, she will ride Sunset around to the far side of the hole, paying out rope as she goes, and drag the branches across the hole so they fall in.
She explains the plan to Barnabus so that he may relay to the creature what it needs to know to avoid being hurt.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Megan Robertson |
More yipping from both Barnabus and thylacine ensues.
Rhasadilara, all the fallen wood is either too short, rotten or both and you are going to need to cut some wood to accomplish your plan. Fortunately one tree at the edge of the clearing has a suitable branch that should be long enough to help the thylacine escape.
Gorguk |
Seeing that the branches Rhasa grabbed are too short or brittle, Gorguk draws his sword and approaches a tree. A few minutes later Gorguk has Durok drag the entire tree over to the hole so the whole tree can be lowered to facilitate both Barnabus and the animal's release.
Gorguk |
Perhaps we alternate blows then. We use the axe for the hard chopping and the sword to clear the area of debris. That way it goes quicker and lessens the time that Barnabus is in the pit with a ravenous, snarling, animal.
By the way thanks for the reminder that Barnabus can float on the breeze. I forgot that but still wanted to hurry to see what the reaction of the animal was in case it attacked Barnabus.
Megan Robertson |
More yipping from both Barnabas and creature, then he starts chucking supplies into the pit.
In short order, the branch/ladder is in place and the thylacine scrambles out, jaws still working on the trail rations Barnabus gave it. It's in a bad way, emaciated and with its fur standing up in spikes. It looks round warily but does not seem inclined to attack anyone.
Rhasadilara Goldenbough |
"Whatever irresponsible idiot dug this trap is obviously not checking it for their catch. We should collapse it or fill it in, but unless one of you has magic to do it quickly, I think this is another task that will have to wait for another day. What say you?"
She gets back onto Sunset, obviously planning to leave the creature to its own devices now that it's free.
Barnabus |
"He seems reluctant friend Calindar, I shall see if he will come to me and provide mine own healin hex upon him."
Barnabus becomes non-threatening and holds out his hand low and palm up in front of the creature....
Readies the healing hex.
yipping
"touch my hand and be helped."
Healing hex
2d8 + 5 ⇒ (2, 6) + 5 = 13
Megan Robertson |
The thylacine sniffs Barnabus's hand cautiously and then licks it. The healing hex takes effect, startling the thylacine which starts backwards in surprise... then comes back and licks the hand again. It then turns and trots out of the clearing, heading north, looking far happier!
Gorguk |
Seeing the animal jump out of the pit Gorguk prepares to ride it down if it shows any indication of attacking the horses. Instead the thylacine runs off to the woods. God everything turned out ok Gorguk dismounts and helps Barnabus climb out of the pit. Once that is done, he will take five minutes to grab some small branches and drive them into the ground a few feet away from the pit in a rough circle. Hopefully people will see the branches and beware of something unusual. The branches are not hiding the pit at all but trying to accentuate it.
Once that is done he will mount up, nod to Rhasa, and prepare to continue with their exploration.