Expedition: Baxtaw - Seeking Scatha's Lair - 23 July 2021

[Jernau35]

Piers also keeps an eye open for other threats. After the wolves have been dealt with and order restored, he'll be happy to cure the wounds of any who request it.

Once the group is back in marching order and heading onwards, he'll take the opportunity to look for any sling-stone sized rocks laying around, and pocket one to replace the one he fired at...near...in the approximate direction of, the wolves.

[Marullus]

Lug backs off, reticent to slay the last brave wolf and speaking of his lessons learned from a friend named Xavro. As he hesitates, however, Bremen and Stantz try to viciously stomp the canine to death with their horses, then Stantz brings in the killing blow, cleanly beheading the animal with his curved scimitar.

The "wolf den" is actually the propped-open door and top-chamber of the rear stairwell. It is a humble 10 by 10 stone alcove inside of the secret door with an open stone stairwell spiraling downward into the dark mountain interior. There are some chewed bones and torn remnants of goblin-made gear scattered about, apparently what the wolves have been most recently munching on.

Clauson and Stantz dismount and prepare to take their travelling packs. The old cleric having a final ceremony with the surcoated half-dozen knights, who stay behind to guard the door and watch over the eight horses and Norp the mule. Crowgar sees to Norp and nods simply to Piers to indicate when he's ready to move on.

Date: 6:15pm, 25 July 2021
Light: Sunlight
Effects: None
Injuries: Clouson (minor wound), Bremen (minor wound), Lug (superficial wound)

[Rusty Tincanne]

Out of duty and a sense of leadership, Bremen joins in the prayer. He would rather press onward. Before departing, he offers last minute instructions to those staying behind, asking they skin the wolves and warg (which might be used to decorate the White Tower) and to prepare the door so it can be closed if they are attacked from the outside (bringing a few of the horses in with them, at least). May Baudh look upon you and judge you strong and righteous. I hope this is uneventful for you. He shakes each of their hands.

[Marullus]

*bump*
Preparations to enter?
Marching order (two-abreast)?
Plan?

[Zhym]

Lug gives Bremen and Stanz a sullen look. "Didn't hafta kill it," he says. He's starting to think maybe his new friends aren't nice people.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Bremen looks from Lug to the wolf and back. Best to keep the giant man on his good side, he thinks. Errr. The heat of battle took me in. He offers the giant man one of the pelts, then suggests there might be wolf pups in the entrance. You could take it with you and train it.

Again, Lord Commander Bremen looks to the elf for input. Baxtaw, you've been here before. Any ideas as we go in?

It's easy to have Bremen push the group forward here, but I keep hoping other players will take the stage. Anyone? If not, let's have the dwarfs go in first. They have infravision and it'll be their home. Bremen could go in first to look for traps as we descend, if that is preferable.

[Marullus]

That's Dwarf, singular.

[Jernau35]

Piers considers his lack of infravision and his crappy armor and selflessly raises no objection if anybody else wants to go at the front...

[Zhym]

"Hey, a pet wolf would be cool!" says Lug, brightening. "Lug, the Wolf Man! I like that!"

[Marullus]

Lug excitedly checks the small room for puppies. It is late July and this den wasn't here when the party last passed (as the secret door was closed and hidden on the mountainside); there are no pups here from the spring whelping.

Date: 6:20pm, 25 July 2021
Light: Sunlight
Effects: None
Injuries: Clouson (minor wound), Bremen (minor wound), Lug (superficial wound)

[Zhym]

"Darn," says Lug, pouting.

[Mister-Kent]

"Before we proceed, let me assure you my visions are at your disposal," Osuna says, pulling up a hand mirror on a long chain.

We can save her Augury ritual for a later decision point. Also she should probably stay towards the middle of the group.

[Jernau35]

"And I can cast a spell that will allow me to identify any traps that lie before us, though only for a short time." says Piers.

[Marullus]

*bump*
Baxtaw? Who's leading?
Marching order (two-abreast)?
Plan?

[Dram]

Baxtaw- Will take the lead.Anyone good at traps needs to be out front with me.

Plan- 2 abreast move slowly checking for traps. If there are dead goblins in the den. It is probable that the goblins have traps all over the place. We need to look for the largest chamber. Dorbeck should know where this is.



OCC-Has Baxtaw been thru here before?

[Marullus]

You are in a spare 20x20 chamber carved into the mountainside. Crumbly dirt covers the floor topped with dried out blown-in leaves, the place not having been swept for many years and now most recently used as a den for the gathered wolves. A stone floor hatch lies open on the rear side of the room, carved stone steps leading downward into the mountain's interior. She also noted that there are plentiful slits in the mountain stone on the walls to either side of the door - not visible from the outside, they allow air and setting sunlight to speckle the room and enough space that archers could shoot out if they were here.

Dorbeck identifies the 'sun fields' as was seen last time as well - rectangular indentations in the mountain grass which indicate they were once excavated to allow sun-growing crops tended from below and safer from predation. You expected to find the armor and weapons left by the slain skeletons you faced before, but they are now gone.


Yes - this is the door you entered through last time: viewtopic.php?f=355&t=6123&start=320#p299654. You led the group back here successfully to enter on the familiar path. This is what you remember being immediately ahead: viewtopic.php?f=355&t=6123&start=360#p300851

[Rusty Tincanne]

Lord Commander Bremen joins Baxtaw at the head of the line. I've got a good eye for when things're out of place. I'll check for traps as we go if you'll hold the torch. He uses his compass as they delve, hoping to keep track of the way out.

1 torch deducted.

[Zhym]

"And I'll Reason with things!" volunteers Lug, hefting his sword cheerily.

[Dram]

Baxtaw heads towards the goblins kings chambers first. There were many goblins last we were here.
The Dragon may have pushed deeper into the depths of the mountain step lively. Let us first look into the goblins kings chambers.
The dragon only appeared after the king was dead. There may something there that may help us.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Gold would help us, offers Bremen.