Chapter 8 - Orc Recon

[Marullus]

Hellebore rises and meditates during the last watch, bundled in wolf furs against the night's chill air. A cast-iron cookpot has emerged from her pack and simmers over the fire, a legacy of her sister. As Arnulf laments over his morning hardtack, she ladles a wooden bowl of its contents and pads down the narrow dim hallway to offer it to him. "No bacon, no. But savory oatmeal, with onion, garlic, thyme, and a bit of dried mushrooms. Hearty way to begin. No good comes of skipping breakfast." She dispenses oatmeal to any who desire it, its pungent aroma and sticky consistency evident in each bowl, then feeds herself and the wolf and redistributes food as needed. The raven quorks and preens its wing, sitting atop her pack on the ground as Hellebore takes up her spear and shield to address the group.

"I am prepared today for errant poisons, and suggest we ascend to confirm what lies within our tower before we worry what is beyond. The archway is secure with a snare to apprehend the first who approaches, which provides some security while we see to this task. I ask you not try to pass out of the arch without letting me know to remove the ensorcelment. If we ascend the stair, we can divide into two groups to go left and right at the top level. Chet will go with one group and Tempus the other to negotiate should an adult spider be encountered. All stirges should be dealt with severely, and their nests destroyed. We clear the top floor, then work away down. It should be quick work, then we can look outward. Agreed?"

[Zhym]

Angus rubs sleepy eyes with a grimy hand. He digs into his pack and pulls out some dried meat, the provenance of which he doesn't discuss with the others, who too often confuse wolves with dogs. Times like these, a man can't be picky. But when Hellebore offers her meal of oats, he gratefully accepts.

"Works for me," he says of the druid's plan.

[Zorroroaster]

Arnulf gratefully accepts both the provisions and the plan of action.

[Inferno]

Khahl-Ehl, elf:

The discussion rouses Khahl-Ehl from his thoughts.
"After we clear this tower of its infestations, we will then leave it to hunt orcs?" he asks gently and with deference.

[enn.in.me]

"Hellebore if you believe removing these stirges is worth risking our lives, of course I will help. I do not see what trouble there is in leaving them, however."

[AleBelly]

It is possible for the groups to diverge. I'll post an update tomorrow assuming the entire group is exploring the tower together unless I get a strong indication otherwise.

[Zorroroaster]

Arnulf snorts a little too forcefully and quickly wipes a sleeve across his upper lip.

"If we are considering using the tower as even a temporary base, there's no sense in having "Death from Above!" greeting us each time we enter or leave."

[Storm11]

Tempus eats heartily and gratefully and agrees to the plan

[onlyme]

Dandelion nods at the idea of removing those flying batsquitos.
Those things can ruin a glam outfit in the worst way. We should rid ourselves of that risk.

[AleBelly]

"...The archway is secure with a snare to apprehend the first who approaches, which provides some security while we see to this task. I ask you not try to pass out of the arch without letting me know to remove the ensorcelment.

Just noticed this. The snare stays in place until triggered - Hellebore can only end the spell with a dispel magic spell, but does not have control over it at this point.

[Marullus]

oh.

Previous ruling was that she could end an enchantment by investing the same casting time she used to create it. (That was your ruling for Entangle.). That's no longer true?

[CAI4]

"I am prepared today for errant poisons, and suggest we ascend to confirm what lies within our tower before we worry what is beyond. The archway is secure with a snare to apprehend the first who approaches, which provides some security while we see to this task. I ask you not try to pass out of the arch without letting me know to remove the ensorcelment. If we ascend the stair, we can divide into two groups to go left and right at the top level. Chet will go with one group and Tempus the other to negotiate should an adult spider be encountered. All stirges should be dealt with severely, and their nests destroyed. We clear the top floor, then work away down. It should be quick work, then we can look outward. Agreed?"

Upon hearing Hellebore's suggestion, Chet's chest puffs with pride. But worry clouds his face. "I'll go second. I take chances. And I'm stupid. I wish Eduard was here to lead. But I shouldn't do it."

He gathers his possessions to enter the tower.

[Nuke66]

Galan finally comments. "I am thinking we should clear this place out and use it as a secure position. Worth the trouble I reckon"

[AleBelly]

With bellies full of oatmeal, the party sets off for the top floor of the tower. The narrow passageways (5' wide) are claustrophobic, but they do offer comfort in that there is little place for enemies to hide...except perhaps the small alcove in the middle of each passageway.

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After reaching the spiral stone stairs at the south corner of the tower, they slowly climb. They pass the second floor. The hallways heading northeast and northwest are choked with spider webs. But for 20' in one direction the strands hang listlessly from the ceiling and floor - the result of Tempus' hacking yesterday evening. The dim light is reflected off the moisture of the web, providing a faint but enchanting light show.

They climb to the third floor, stop briefly. Nothing is seen or heard down either corridor.

Finally, they reach the top floor - the fourth of this tower. The floor plan looks similar to the others - plenty of windows facing outwards at 5' intervals, except at the corners and just in the middle of each outer wall (see map below). The walls seem more decrepit here - they are streaked with a greenish mold. Dried white mounds, an inch or two tall, dot the floor. Nothing is seen or heard. The wind is stronger up here, whistling through the windows. It would likely mask any moderate noise.

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Actions? The party is at the poorly drawn spiral staircase on the map.

Date: 18 Hewing, Year 42
Time: 07:15
Conditions: 33F, damp and grey, west wind at 20 mph, 6 inches of snow on the ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Light in from windows
Injury Status: None

[Marullus]

Hellebore points out the mounds on the floor, poking one apart with the butt of her spear. "Waste. Hanging like the bats they mimic.". She points to the alcoves and their windows to the tower interior. "Be mindful there. Meet back at the far side. Collect up anything found that might be useful... They sometimes hoard shiny gems and coins."

She splits the line in the middle, pointing the first group clockwise and the going with the second one widdershins.
Hyde, Angus, Dandelion, Chet, Tempus, Fluffy
Hellebore, Redfang, Arnulf, Yenny, Galan, Lorilee, Khahl-Ehl

[onlyme]

Dandelion looks with disgust at the hallway.

Careful not to touch anything here but their blood with your weapons. This is certainly not decorated for a ball.

She follows in line, bow out and arrow ready to fly at a moment's notice.

[media_junkie]

In the enclosed confines of the tower Lorilee decides her sword would be of better use than her bow. She quietly pulls it from her scabbard and nods to the others that she is ready.

[Zhym]

"Y'all be careful around that mold," cautions Angus as he readies his war hammer. "That stuff'll leave ya wheezing and coughing, ya ain't careful."

[Storm11]

Tempus will draw his scimitar carefully and follow as directed, calming fluffy as he goes.

[enn.in.me]

Yenny ponders her battle training as she readies her flail, "'Mace to the face, drub with a club, nail with a flail.' I'm ready--let's do this!"