Expedition: Fingers/Treasure of Yoldessi Plains- 30 Aug 2021

[onlyme]

The map didn't make it in the quote, or at least didn't for me. But as I understand it, there were three towers with gargoyles roosting on them: the main tower, which we cleared first; the tower just cleared; and the wizard tower. We aren't clearing anything "again," we just haven't gotten to all the towers with gargoyles yet. The last one is the wizard tower, which no doubt has all kinds of nasty magic and traps and probably unpleasant monsters in it.

That mappost was from page 20 of 40 (assuming everyone has the same post/page setting.) From Nov 2018
I see 4 gargoyle roosts on the northern perimeter of the city.
On East, 2 on the northern two corners of the keep, and then on the west.

Also, does anyone know how to make a png continue on a new post?

[Zhym]

I don't see a way to include attachments in a quote. I think you have to save & reattach the attachment.

Here's a link to the post, and the map:

viewtopic.php?f=353&t=7668&start=380#p391336

GargoyleCity.png (171.43 KiB) Viewed 1619 times

I think the top of the keep is one tower for gargoyle-clearing purposes. We have one of the outer towers to clear yet..

[onlyme]

Ahhh... one thing I noticed is that North is left. that explains half my confusion...

[Marullus]

I think the top of the keep is one tower for gargoyle-clearing purposes. We have one of the outer towers to clear yet..

Yep, that's correct. It is technically two small turrets, but you cleared the gargoyles in one batch.

[Alethan]

Apologies for my absence, folks. Travel and busy work schedules have been keeping me busy. I don't know how much help Markd needs with hammering gargoyles

[Marullus]

Winnie replies perkily, In the morning, I can make some folks invisible... How many days do you want to wait for me to be totally prepared?

[onlyme]

I assume that is Finger's decision. Zhym?

[Zhym]

"I'm in no hurry," answers Fingers. "How long would it take to make everyone invisible and still have spells to use?"

Sorry, was traveling.

[Marullus]

"we can go on the third morning," she replies.

[Zhym]

"Fine with me, if everyone has enough food," says Fingers.

"And instead of sitting around for two days, maybe we should set up a schedule so that we can check for traps while getting invisible. Like, on the first day, Heingist, me, and Sprinkles get invisibled. Heingist and I go check the wall to the tower and the tower door, with Heingist magically trap-checking all the way. That way, Heingist can have other trap-finding spells when we actually go in."

"Or am I forgetting something stupid?"

[onlyme]

Markd agrees.

We are in the southeastern tower, correct? and are planning on going to the northeastern tower? I know we rummaged through the place. Was there anything we missed, ie doors or walls that look out of place that we could study for?

Also, Markd may be down to last food. I seem to recall not taking the majority of his off the horse when we separated.




(edit to clean up html code)

[DavetheLost]

I will pray for invocations of healing and can detect traps three times each day, with the favor of Baudh

[Marullus]

The party moves their valuables over to the main keep and down to the foyer where the spectral knights promise to keep watch over it until the party is ready to depart.

Three days pass as Winnie makes each party member invisible, then prepares herself with magical missiles to protect the party if they're attacked. "Its a strange morning," she giggles, "all of us here having breakfast and no one to be seen!"

Markd has taken extra care to thoroughly inspect the entire tower interior for any false panels, secret doors, or missed entrances. This barracks is as-expected - secure from any access from ground level below and without guile, providing a solid stair for the troops to get to the roof and defend from there.

Hengist prepares for both insight into traps and to heal the party should their tremendous luck not hold.

With all this done, the party moves, invisibly and giving each other wide berth to not get in each other's way, back across the wall's walkway in the morning light. You pass into and through the main keep, then out the other side onto the other wall. The "wizard's tower" stands at the other end, a half-dozen gargoyles again roosting on its parapets.

actions?

Date: 8:00am, 10 September 2021
Light: Winnie's continual light
Effects: None
Injuries: Hengist (minorly injured), Bandy (minorly injured)

[onlyme]

Markd used his last 3 on-hand rations... so, if any one has extras, he would need to borrow going forward.

I assume we just want to smash and grab, here? Markd go after the middle, while Fingers backstabs one on the end, and the rest go after the other corner pieces?

Also, did Bandy and Hengst get better healed during those off days?

[Marullus]

Good catch.

With two days of resting, Hengist's prayers invoke sufficient blessings to heal the party.

Sprinkles and Mrs. Dash also quickly discover the advantages of Invisibility. The party has to be much more wary about having food on plates and where the rations are stored...
(subtract an extra 2 rations. We will subtract from Winnie and say she is also depleted. PCs please account for her going forward.)

Date: 8:00am, 10 September 2021
Light: Winnie's continual light
Effects: Invisibility (All)
Injuries: None

[Marullus]

*bump*

[Zhym]

Sorry. Labor Day weekend. And I'm going to be busy for the next couple of days. But the general plan is to ask for a Find Traps spell and make our way carefully across the parapet to the door of the wizard tower, where Fingers will try to pick the (inevitable) lock.

[Marullus]

The group advanced very slowly, uncertain where each member before them is, specifically, taking the utmost care to ensure Hengist can check for traps along the wall's catwalk and upon reaching the tower door. You evade the notice of the gargoyles above thanks to your invisibility.

The stone around the door and on the walkway is scorched and burned by several intense fires. Hengist notes no traps at the door and Fingers inspects the lock, only to find no mechanism. Proficient at his trade, he knows enough about the spidery sigils to know the door is wizard locked by an enchantment and warded in some way.

Actions?

Date: 8:30am, 10 September 2021
Light: Winnie's continual light
Effects: Invisibility (All)
Injuries: None

[onlyme]

How far a climb would it be to get to the roof the old fashioned way?

[Marullus]

Pondering the height of the windowless tower, you estimate it is twice as high as the others, with six floors (including the door/level on front of you), seven or eight if you include the door at ground level inside the mostly collapsed Manor house's estate, over 20' below you. Such a climb would pose little risk to a skilled burglar like Fingers but would be a harrowing climb for others. Fingers can rig pitons and ropes along the way to reduce the risk, but unless the gargoyles are also deaf and dumb, they're reasonably likely to notice from their rooftop perches.