Sephird sits quietly and double checks his gear before taking the advice of the guide and settles himself into a less uncomfortable position.
Pulling the brim of his hat low, he rests for the voyage.
At the sight of the boats, Galstok, looking doubtful, leans over to Tregar, "These things will get us there in one piece, right? I'm agreeing with the need for haste, but loosing half before the hunt can truly begin is a bad way to go about it."
"I hope we all are ready for we are walking into.""The Spirits willing this will be a successful hunt, but if they call me to them I will go."
As they head out, Galstok finds a place to settle down. "I suppose now is as gooda time as any to plan the next part."[b] Looking over at one of the fisherman, [b]"Where exactly are you dropping us off at?"
The fisherman glances over at you and smiles. "Well my large friend. I was hoping that you would be able to tell me. All the instructions I got from the Lady Mayor was to take you lot out to the Isle and drop you off."
"I would say land on the side opposite the bridge. That gives us the best chance of being undetected for as long as possible." Ensu offers.
Muffled from under his hat, Sephird comments, "Far side sounds good to me, if we can get there before light. Otherwise, along the shore and hoof it to the base would be better."
"Aye, and if out of site of the Isle if possible I think. I hope our prey does not yet know we are coming and that they continue to do so."
"I guess we will see what awaits us when we arrive. Expect the worst and hope for the best." Kavrik takes out his whetstone and begins sharpening his longsword.
"No, I'm not counting on it. I'm fully planning on fighting our way from landing to there, but we can hope can't we?" The last bit he said with a sardonic grin.
After what seems like hours on the cold dark water, you eventually spy your destination. A huge upthrust rough and craggy outcropping of rock looms ahead of you in the half-light, climbing over 80' above the waves. Sillhouetted against the moonlight you can vaguely make out the shape of a face, but with massive features, aged by centuries of wind and sea spray. The island is connected to the mainland by a swinging rope bridge that stretches over the 60' wide open gulf of water. Where it joins the mainland are situated two burning torches and these are mirrored on the island side as well. A vast hedge of thorns grows wild along the mainland side of the coast and the path away from the bridge seems to dissapear into this hedge. The rope bridge itself is made of hairy rope and thick wooden planks; the whole thing creaks and sways in the wind above the churning surf eighty feet below. The most impressive feature of the island is a wooden one-story stockade, built on its flat top. Two thirty-foot-tall watchtowers guard the stockade’s southern facade, facing the rope bridge. The towers have torches burning atop them which throw shadows at crazy angles as the flames gust in the wind.
The sailors pull back on the oars of the boats, awaiting your next move.
"Yeah, that bridge looks like a death trap, all right."
"Looks like they're all watching that way, too. All the better for anyone climbing the 'south face'."
"Can you put us right at the base of that rock? Is there any place to land?"
The oarsman grimaces at you. "I think so, but not for long and then we will have to back off. Cant wait around here, what with these currents and those cliffs. Once we drop you off, I think your on your own. No way we can pick you up from here."
"We all knew it might be one way. But is there any way up from that landing to the top?"Galstok looks back at their objective. "I think we might be needing that climbing gear."
She looks at both options available to them, then speaks, "Seems like both means of getting onto the island is going to have it's own challenges. I fine with either way we go."
Kavrik stands as the boat gets closer, then straps his shield to his back and grabs some of the rope. "Ready to go whenever you folks are. Anyone a decent free-climber to set the ropes?"
"I slept through that class... we will just have to go slow and be careful."
Tregar unwinds the grappling hook, and hands it to Galstok.
"How far do you think you can throw that?"
Taking the hook and rope, "Dunno, let's find out. Where should I throw to though? You see a good spot?"
Sephird turns a critical eye to the cliff, looking for the best place to climb up.
Ensu just stays out of the way, as he tends not be very well suited for this portion of adventures.
Still looking at the cliff-side to see if there is an easy way up.
From where the boats are swaying you can just spot, on the North face, what appears to be a natural cave opening. Vines and lichen surround the opening, which is around 30' above the water. A ledge above it hides it from view from above. Galstock spots this possible entrance and swirling the rope and hook above his head, throws. The grapple finds purchase within the hole.
Sephird checks his rapier and shortsword, and settles his pack at his feet along with his bow and quiver, reducing his weight.
"Give me some extra rope and I'll go up first." Sephird looks up, and as he gets ready to start climbing, "Tie my bag and gear to the second rope after I'm up and I'll pull it up, then everyone else's gear."
Sephird spits into his hands, and starts climbing up the rope, bracing against the cliff face as he goes.
He pokes his head over the top of the ledge, looks about, and if clear will stand up, and toss out the rope he brought up, securing it around a rock outcropping. He then checks the security of the grappling hook's hold.
Sticking his head out over the edge, he motions for the others.
Ensu takes a deep breath, hoping it doesn't end up being his last.
Galstok waits for the others to climb securing the base of the rope. After everyone else is up he sends up the gear on the second rope. Once those are secured he makes his way up the rope.
Once he gets to the top he takes a look around.
After trying twice, and getting just far enough to make the fall painful both times, Ensu just comments, "This does not appear to be working." as he uses a burst of positive energy to be heal himself.
Valoria sits patiently until the others are up with their gear before tying her backpack to the second rope. Once her gear is safely on top she speaks to herself, "This is so not being a lady. To be hanging on a rope on a wall. Oh well, here I go.", then grabs the first rope.
Else if not, then these rolls:
Valoria climb:
Valoria climb:
Valoria climb:
Valoria climb:
Valoria climb:
Valoria climb:
Once on top she gives a sigh and shakes her head, "I believe this is not the last of the climbing we will be doing.", then picks up her backpack onto her back.
Once everyone is up, Sephird takes a better look around, is this a cave or just an alcove/ledge? How far back can he see?
"Marco?"
Ensu eventually makes it up, but you can tell he is less than ecstatic about the whole thing.
Fine by me.
Good by me as well.
Ensu is still here, despite the bumps from climbing up the rope.
I would have hauled weapons and packs up after each person, wouldn't make sense otherwise.
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The whistling of the wind, and crashing of the surf below serves to cover some of the sound of your activity, though you realise the reverse holds true; you are acutely aware of how exposed you are, and how difficult it would be to hear a goblin approaching with a knife for your gut.
You haul up your pack from the boat, its swaying in the surf below you drawing your eye, enticing you to sway in the cave mouth to compensate, but you realise the trap and snap out of it, fixing your gaze on a static point of rock, with occasional glances behind you.
Your pack rolls into the cave entrance, and your trusty weapons provide a measure of confidence as they return to your grasp.
The others are making their way up the rope, as you turn to face the dark.
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I'm going to need an Initiative check from Sephird, no surprise involved.
Not so important for the rest of you, though you can roll in advance. As the rest of you are still climbing, you'll be coming up in the order already stated, over the coming rounds. Anyone relying on assists may find they are left to their own devices, whether that makes any difference or not.
"Aww, cobbler's curses!"
Round 1 Initiative 18, AC 17/14/13 HP 9/9
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +1
Sephird quietly alerts his companions "Ware! We have company."
Sephird takes a step back to the edge of the cave if need be), hoping he is out of range, and fires an arrow up at the creature.
