[Compled] Expedition - Bromric/Demon - 30 April, 1 VC
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"I agree, Seadu, time is of the essance." adds Martin. "The sooner we can get in and complete this the better."
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
Melvin, Constance, Seadu, and Martin have all voiced (though hesitantly) their acquiescence to the current "quickest and safest" route past the lava and into the door 60 feet up the ledge. If anyone wants to take a firm stance about finding the other entrance and putting the animals inside, they should do so. Otherwise, it seems that we're tying the animals up here at the mountain's foot and going in without them.Keehnelf wrote:Ridiculous end of the week and jury duty call in the morning. I'm hoping to post some updates tonight in between getting lots of last-minute work tasks done, but I'm a little bit unsure if the Lug and Bromric groups are ready to move forward to logical next steps or not. i.e., are they letting Numen go outside to get ambushed? And are they agreed on going up the dangerous near approach of the smoking mountain, or going around?
Bromric's body dismounts from his pony, finding a sheltered spot in the lee of some large fallen boulders for a stable. He hobbles the pony there and puts down several days of feed in a bucket for a trough. He looks expectantly at Seadu and the mule, impatient to climb and enter.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"So the plan is really to leave our mounts and the gear they carry behind, unguarded, near trees that may be firewood by the time we get back, then go up the dangerous route next to fiery lava? Let's work out a detail in advance: who is carrying my unconscious carcass the rest of the way into the Finger, and who is reviving me afterward?"
If Keehnelf had had a chance to send out the character sheets, you'd see why Melvin isn't making it into the Finger on the direct route.
If Keehnelf had had a chance to send out the character sheets, you'd see why Melvin isn't making it into the Finger on the direct route.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
It seems that Melvin volunteering to remain behind and guard the mounts might make everyone happier... 
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
Capilla the shaggy mule stands next to Melvin and haws indignantly at the others, who would see her fried. She nips Seadu when he attempts to reign her in. He spends the rest of the discussion sullenly pretending to ignore her.
'Well… I still don't like it. But there's no guarantee that the other entrances are any safer at this point. The whole mountain could be circled in fire by now, for all we know. I suppose we should at least get anything we absolutely couldn't do without, in case… well, in case something happens,' he ignores Capilla's rude remark here, 'and head on up.'
Seadu unloads Capilla, but he doesn't have the heart to tie her down, in case she gets caught in a fire. He places the saddlebags on the ground next to her, mentally going through their contents as he does so to make sure he has all his vitals in his own rucksack.
I'm suddenly getting an itch to watch When Time Ran Out. Have we had any TPKs yet?
'Well… I still don't like it. But there's no guarantee that the other entrances are any safer at this point. The whole mountain could be circled in fire by now, for all we know. I suppose we should at least get anything we absolutely couldn't do without, in case… well, in case something happens,' he ignores Capilla's rude remark here, 'and head on up.'
Seadu unloads Capilla, but he doesn't have the heart to tie her down, in case she gets caught in a fire. He places the saddlebags on the ground next to her, mentally going through their contents as he does so to make sure he has all his vitals in his own rucksack.
I'm guessing Seadu's statistics are on par with Melvin's, and knowing his luck, he won't survive the first save vs. lava!Zhym wrote:If Keehnelf had had a chance to send out the character sheets, you'd see why Melvin isn't making it into the Finger on the direct route.
I'm suddenly getting an itch to watch When Time Ran Out. Have we had any TPKs yet?
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
Yeah, sorry about PC sheets. I got caught by surprise this last week or so with the sudden arrival of our beginning of year leadership retreats (three days; this week; I organize them), insane house stuff the wife decided needed to be done ASAP, and jury duty (currently in the fifth hour of juror selection on a murder trial that would eat up my next two weeks.
That said, since I'll be in the office tonight to catch up, I'll have time and space to get the sheets sent out.
That said, since I'll be in the office tonight to catch up, I'll have time and space to get the sheets sent out.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"No," answers Melvin, "but what is pretty much guaranteed is that if we go straight up, at least one of us doesn't make it into the Finger upright. It seems silly to avoid a path that's probably safer because it might not be."
Let's at least wait until the character sheets are out before we decide which way to go.
Let's at least wait until the character sheets are out before we decide which way to go.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"But a similar argument could be used against searching for a second entrance that may no longer exist simply on the unfounded supposition that it might be safer and might provide a place to tie up the animals. At least with this route we know the dangers involved," replies Martin. "Whether we go with this entrance or seach for another makes no difference to me...as long as we do something."
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"I'll take the possibility that we might at least enter the Finger unscathed over the near certainty that one or more of us will pass out just trying to get in."
Seadu can actually handle much more damage than Melvin can take. Let's put it this way: Constance can take twice as much damage as Melvin can. Most of you should still have her sheet from the last expedition.
Seadu can actually handle much more damage than Melvin can take. Let's put it this way: Constance can take twice as much damage as Melvin can. Most of you should still have her sheet from the last expedition.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
Yowza, that's bad.
Assuming Keehnelf uses the climbing rules on p. 46, and judges this 'climbing in a difficult or tense situation', we'd all be taking DEX ability checks. Chances are Seadu will fail that. We could try having one of the more nimble among us tossing a rope and hook up there, and see if that will help better guarantee safe passage for the rest of us, but it doesn't account for heat damage for getting too close to the lava.
I'm willing to let Seadu scout out the causeway and see how far he can go before it gets too hot, but before we ultimately decide to head up this way I think we should wait for the rough map Keehnelf said he'd provide, or at least get direct confirmation on what our character's can easily assume they'd be up against (e.g., is the climbing path directly above the laval pool, so that anyone who falls is going straight into the soup, or will they simply fall back onto the rock?)
Seadu removes his scale armour quickly and drops it next to his pack. 'There's no real sense in having everyone go up at once. I will quickly test this causeway and see if it is safe to walk on. Feel free to continue debating.' He proceeds to remove the rest of his gear, keeping only a flask of water, his healing brew, two small sacks, a length of rope, and his staff.
'If a dwarf among us is willing to lend his expert eye on stone structures, I would appreciate it,' he adds as he leaves toward the causeway, looking pointedly at the Visitor-in-Bromric.
As he makes his way to the causeway, Seadu wraps the small sacks around his hands to grip the staff, in case it gets too hot. He slowly steps onto the rock, careful to use the staff to prod sharply a pace ahead of him, to test for loose or wobbly rock. If he gets to where the causeway becomes too narrow or fragile for him to balance easily, or if he feels as though the heat will become painful if he goes any further, he will slowly head back, making a note of how far he could get. If the Visitor comes with him, he'll pretty much do the same thing, but rely on his expertise in terms of how sturdy the causeway is.
Assuming Keehnelf uses the climbing rules on p. 46, and judges this 'climbing in a difficult or tense situation', we'd all be taking DEX ability checks. Chances are Seadu will fail that. We could try having one of the more nimble among us tossing a rope and hook up there, and see if that will help better guarantee safe passage for the rest of us, but it doesn't account for heat damage for getting too close to the lava.
I'm willing to let Seadu scout out the causeway and see how far he can go before it gets too hot, but before we ultimately decide to head up this way I think we should wait for the rough map Keehnelf said he'd provide, or at least get direct confirmation on what our character's can easily assume they'd be up against (e.g., is the climbing path directly above the laval pool, so that anyone who falls is going straight into the soup, or will they simply fall back onto the rock?)
Seadu removes his scale armour quickly and drops it next to his pack. 'There's no real sense in having everyone go up at once. I will quickly test this causeway and see if it is safe to walk on. Feel free to continue debating.' He proceeds to remove the rest of his gear, keeping only a flask of water, his healing brew, two small sacks, a length of rope, and his staff.
'If a dwarf among us is willing to lend his expert eye on stone structures, I would appreciate it,' he adds as he leaves toward the causeway, looking pointedly at the Visitor-in-Bromric.
As he makes his way to the causeway, Seadu wraps the small sacks around his hands to grip the staff, in case it gets too hot. He slowly steps onto the rock, careful to use the staff to prod sharply a pace ahead of him, to test for loose or wobbly rock. If he gets to where the causeway becomes too narrow or fragile for him to balance easily, or if he feels as though the heat will become painful if he goes any further, he will slowly head back, making a note of how far he could get. If the Visitor comes with him, he'll pretty much do the same thing, but rely on his expertise in terms of how sturdy the causeway is.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
Yeah, Melvin's a fragile dude. I can't remember if it was here on in a private forum, but Keehnelf said that walking next to the lava pit would probably inflict 1 point of damage. Not that much a of a problem for most characters...
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
I don't see any reason the Visitor/Bromric would not aid Seadu as requested. Waiting for Keehnelf's adjudication of the action.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
May 3, 1 VC - 4:50pm
Seadu and Bromric make their way toward the causeway across the scree-field left behind by the explosion of the upper part of the mountain. The open lava-pool on the west side of the mountain is generating a significant amount of the steam and smoke that continue to billow about the mountain itself. Seadu sees that there are several points near the base of the mountain where similar substances pour forth in periodic bursts.
Crossing the debris field is slower going than either of them anticipate, after a handful of nearly tragic slips of loose rock that tumbled underfoot and caused minor twists of ankles and panic as small cascades of rock began to slide back toward the party assembled near the treeline.
Finally, they begin their approach to the lava pool and causeway. On the west side, toward the forest, the pool stretches perhaps three hundred feet in diameter and is roughly oblong along a north-south axis. Several active streams of molten rock pour forth on the west side of the pool, running down among the broken rocks and generating gouts of noxious black smoke as they wind their way down toward the trees. Running north-south on the east side of the pool is a raised ridge of stone that rises as much as fifteen feet above the level of the pool's surface. It is humped in the middle, somewhat closer to the north end than the south, making the descent on the far end a bit more precipitous than the initial climb, though still apparently manageable. Beyond the ridge to the east is a vaporous pit that collapsed on excavated chambers below. Eddies of pearly gray mist swirl in an area perhaps fifty feet square, a dim reddish glow emanating from within along the west side, perhaps marking a spot where the lava of the pool has begun to melt its way through under the ridge of stone. It's unclear how far down the pit might go.
The only path between them is the ridge of stone that vaults up above the pool, though the path forward opens up earlier on the east side than the west. The party would need to traverse perhaps a twenty-five foot length of the ridge in order to make it safely across. Beyond, a small clearing of more broken stone, though in this case much larger pieces of broken masonry, provides a bit of a camping point at the base of the previously mentioned cliff. From the near end of the stone ridge, Seadu and Bromric can see how evenly terraced the cliff is as a result of the underlying stonework. Every fifteen feet or so, the face recedes slightly, leaving a ledge of four feet or more. While some debris can be seen littering the lowest of these ledges, it still seems rather easily navigable.
Seadu and Bromric turn their attention to the bridge of stone itself. It seems stable enough, just one large hump of rock jutting up above the level of the pool, with a roughly level surface on the top slightly canted toward the pit on the east side, between five and eight feet wide at most points. Occasional gusts of wind blow noxious vapors from the pool across the bridge, and the entire area has the feeling of an oven, but the dangers seem obvious enough.
Seadu finds himself unable to progress more than five feet on to the bridge before the effect is enough that he feels like his skin will begin to develop blisters from the heat. If the party moves quickly across, the effect of the heat should not be fatal, though it will likely be quite painful.
Having determined these things, the pair moves carefully back down the debris field to the waiting party.
Seadu and Bromric make their way toward the causeway across the scree-field left behind by the explosion of the upper part of the mountain. The open lava-pool on the west side of the mountain is generating a significant amount of the steam and smoke that continue to billow about the mountain itself. Seadu sees that there are several points near the base of the mountain where similar substances pour forth in periodic bursts.
Crossing the debris field is slower going than either of them anticipate, after a handful of nearly tragic slips of loose rock that tumbled underfoot and caused minor twists of ankles and panic as small cascades of rock began to slide back toward the party assembled near the treeline.
Finally, they begin their approach to the lava pool and causeway. On the west side, toward the forest, the pool stretches perhaps three hundred feet in diameter and is roughly oblong along a north-south axis. Several active streams of molten rock pour forth on the west side of the pool, running down among the broken rocks and generating gouts of noxious black smoke as they wind their way down toward the trees. Running north-south on the east side of the pool is a raised ridge of stone that rises as much as fifteen feet above the level of the pool's surface. It is humped in the middle, somewhat closer to the north end than the south, making the descent on the far end a bit more precipitous than the initial climb, though still apparently manageable. Beyond the ridge to the east is a vaporous pit that collapsed on excavated chambers below. Eddies of pearly gray mist swirl in an area perhaps fifty feet square, a dim reddish glow emanating from within along the west side, perhaps marking a spot where the lava of the pool has begun to melt its way through under the ridge of stone. It's unclear how far down the pit might go.
The only path between them is the ridge of stone that vaults up above the pool, though the path forward opens up earlier on the east side than the west. The party would need to traverse perhaps a twenty-five foot length of the ridge in order to make it safely across. Beyond, a small clearing of more broken stone, though in this case much larger pieces of broken masonry, provides a bit of a camping point at the base of the previously mentioned cliff. From the near end of the stone ridge, Seadu and Bromric can see how evenly terraced the cliff is as a result of the underlying stonework. Every fifteen feet or so, the face recedes slightly, leaving a ledge of four feet or more. While some debris can be seen littering the lowest of these ledges, it still seems rather easily navigable.
Seadu and Bromric turn their attention to the bridge of stone itself. It seems stable enough, just one large hump of rock jutting up above the level of the pool, with a roughly level surface on the top slightly canted toward the pit on the east side, between five and eight feet wide at most points. Occasional gusts of wind blow noxious vapors from the pool across the bridge, and the entire area has the feeling of an oven, but the dangers seem obvious enough.
Seadu finds himself unable to progress more than five feet on to the bridge before the effect is enough that he feels like his skin will begin to develop blisters from the heat. If the party moves quickly across, the effect of the heat should not be fatal, though it will likely be quite painful.
Having determined these things, the pair moves carefully back down the debris field to the waiting party.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
Seadu wipes some sweat off his brow and makes his report on the lava pools, the bridge and the cliff face beyond.
'I believe we could make it across without much lasting injury if we move across quickly, but there are portions where a slip of footing could spell disaster. The path seems fairly level, so if someone crossed first with this rope and tied it off on the other side, the others could balance themselves with it, minimizing any danger by making the best of balance and speed. I can't think of any other way to make this particular passage safer than that. Shall we take a vote?'
If my interpretation of the bridge description is wrong, so that spanning it with a rope is unfeasible, forget that part.
'I believe we could make it across without much lasting injury if we move across quickly, but there are portions where a slip of footing could spell disaster. The path seems fairly level, so if someone crossed first with this rope and tied it off on the other side, the others could balance themselves with it, minimizing any danger by making the best of balance and speed. I can't think of any other way to make this particular passage safer than that. Shall we take a vote?'
If my interpretation of the bridge description is wrong, so that spanning it with a rope is unfeasible, forget that part.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"This is insane," says Melvin. "There has to be a better way into that mountain. I'm not risking my life just to avoid taking a little more time to reach our destination. Let's at least try the other entrance before we start pretending to be heat-resistant acrobats."
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Mister-Kent
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Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"Fair enough--it's worth a look," Constance says. The old woman clutches her 10-foot-pole tightly. "Lead the way..."
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"Fine, we'll take a look at another entrance,"agrees Martin. "Not-Bromric, where is the next cloesst entrance that might still be open?"
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
*bump*
Looks like we seek the other entrance.
Looks like we seek the other entrance.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
May 5, 1 VC - 8:00am
The party decides to head for another slower, but safer, entrance to the mountain, following the direction of the Visitor. He strikes off east along the edge of the scree-field surrounding the mountain, responding to queries about their destination by simply noting that a major entrance lies on the east side of the mountain and that it is surely too large to be blocked.
Making little progress before nightfall, the party camps in the shadow of the peak on the southern side, watching nervously as the glow to the south strengthens and black clouds belch and billow, pushing their camp out on to the scree field itself so that it does not becomes engulfed overnight. By mid-day the following day, the entire forest to the south of the group is an inferno, more black than red, and the towering plumes of smoke blot out the sky so that the party half-considers lighting torches to guarantee their footing on the uneven rubble across which they're traveling.
The next night they camp on the rubble as well, with no need for a campfire--everyone can feel the skin on their hands and faces hardening from exposure to the distant but intense heat--and early in the morning they begin circling to the north around the eastern face of the mountain.
As promised, a raised earthen causeway leads out from the eastern face of the mountain off into a series of broken foothills that are dimly visible through the gloom. A massive carved entrance swallows the causeway as it leads into the mountain, with no gate or other closure. The approach appears to be unguarded.
Please deduct two days' rations apiece.
The party decides to head for another slower, but safer, entrance to the mountain, following the direction of the Visitor. He strikes off east along the edge of the scree-field surrounding the mountain, responding to queries about their destination by simply noting that a major entrance lies on the east side of the mountain and that it is surely too large to be blocked.
Making little progress before nightfall, the party camps in the shadow of the peak on the southern side, watching nervously as the glow to the south strengthens and black clouds belch and billow, pushing their camp out on to the scree field itself so that it does not becomes engulfed overnight. By mid-day the following day, the entire forest to the south of the group is an inferno, more black than red, and the towering plumes of smoke blot out the sky so that the party half-considers lighting torches to guarantee their footing on the uneven rubble across which they're traveling.
The next night they camp on the rubble as well, with no need for a campfire--everyone can feel the skin on their hands and faces hardening from exposure to the distant but intense heat--and early in the morning they begin circling to the north around the eastern face of the mountain.
As promised, a raised earthen causeway leads out from the eastern face of the mountain off into a series of broken foothills that are dimly visible through the gloom. A massive carved entrance swallows the causeway as it leads into the mountain, with no gate or other closure. The approach appears to be unguarded.
Please deduct two days' rations apiece.
Re: Expedition - Unpronouncable/Release a Demon - 30 April,
"It certainly looks safer," observes Melvin.
Two days rations deducted.
Two days rations deducted.