Quest #28 "Kegenstien's Expedition Over the River"

[Bluehorse]

Keg nods in agreement with Darklin. Let's do that. Up here we have the high ground and will get a good look at everything in all directions. I doubt there will be many looking up here, especially those Ogres. Let's head northward and see what else we can find out about this island and remember there is a tower over there. I think this is our best chance to get a real look around.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"Darklin, I'm in for that return trip" she says a true gleam in her eye at the mention of a fabulous library. "But, Elnaerel is right we came to find a town site. So we should really focus on being near the river as water will be a primary need for any town to grow and survive."

[OGRE MAGE]

The Black Cliffs
Moonday, 22nd of Goodmonth
Midday, Sunny, Hot, Humid, Buggy

From their vantage point at the top of the lower cliffs, the elves are sure they see the remains of what must have been a rather large black tower well off in the distance. Travel there from this point would prove difficult, and slow, but it definitely could be done. The tops of the cliffs along the shore are a good height from the sea, but they are also fairly flat and free of vegetation, for the most part. Keyon estimates that it would take a strong group almost a full day to reach the area from this point.

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The group decides to remember the position of the distant ruin so they can come back to investigate it at another time.

Looking to the north, they see that the line of black cliffs running inland quickly elevates higher and higher, almost like half of a mountain growing up from the jungle floor.

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They are able to follow it for a very short distance from their current position atop the cave entrance.....

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but soon realize that trying to access them will require far more climbing than walking. Getting themselves up this far was fairly easy, but climbing along the ever rising, 100 foot tall cliffs will require far more experience and gear than a couple lengths of rope.

They stop at a spot with a sheer vertical climb of over 50 feet, certain that going any further would be extremely hazordous to attempt, even for the best climbers in the group. And poor, weak Feanol would likely need to be carried the entire trip from this point on. Looking down from here, they see the edge of the jungle that grows right up to the base of the cliffs. They can also see portions of the river in a few spots, but there are no signs of the alleged yellow ogres anywhere to be seen.

Actions?

overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477
Keyon 6/6
Keg Woodwright 10/13
Elnaerel 10/10 2/3
The Knife* 5/5
Feanol 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Darklin Sylvanas 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Looks out in all directions. Well, sh*t.
I guess this is as far as we can get for now... but look at the view. Imagine a lookout point from right here. We could keep an eye on the entire town and sea from up here if the town were situated below.

[Paladin]

Keyon

Keyon makes a mental note regarding the location of the ruined tower and treks along with the others, shading his eyes from the sun and scanning the jungle canopy, then turning to look seaward.

"What a place," he says in a voice barely above a whisper. "Library or no, I'll be back." It feels almost like he's high in the rigging of a ship, buffeted by the sea wind and able to see for miles. Once he finds enough gold, the elf decides, climbing gear and time spent practicing sheer ascents are in his future.

Curiosity is eating him alive.

[Darklin2]

Darklin

He gazes out over the jungle looking for any types of structures, after reaching the shear cliffs with the group.

Well this looks like the end of the line. Maybe we are going to have to do some ground work. This would be a great place for a look out set up. Maybe we will have to clear trees to make our new town. We will need trees to build shacks and huts anyway. Would just have to check on the soil. Anyone think we could work our way around here from the trail?

[OGRE MAGE]

Updated map link added to my last post.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

The Knife looks up at the cliff in front of them. Then at the jungle at the base of the cliff below them. "We're going to need a lot more ropes and spikes I guess". He nods as Darklin makes his points about this place making a good location for a town and a look-out point.

"Yes, it seems like it would be a good place to move to. Unless the river is acting as some kind of barrier that's currently protecting the town. Perhaps there's a huge lizard or a giant ape down there. It can't swim so it can't go down and ravage Beachtown." The Knife stops to think for a moment. "Well, maybe not exactly that. The mouth of the river is shallow so a big monster could wade it. But maybe there's something that can't cross it."

He claps his hands. "Right then! Let's figure out where to go from here." Moving a little closer to the edge, The Knife peers down the cliff-face. He tries to gauge the difficulty of climbing down to the jungle from this point. "If we can't get down here, I suppose we'll have to go back to the cave and climb down there."

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"I was about to say the same as The Knife. Going back is our best option if we want to climb back down." She looks at the jungle.

"A lookout point seems like a good option, but it's hard to see everything with so many trees, and I'm not one willing to cut them down except for the new town as Darklin pointed out. By the way, Darklin, I'm also intrigued by this library of yours. I'd gladly join that expedition once we have this whole situation sorted out."

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Nods. Yes, we all seem to agree then.
Let's head back and climb down. Keep an eye peeled on those trees by the river. Maybe we will catch a hint of smoke and figure out where these ogres are.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"But it's better if we descend at the same spot we climbed up. We know what's there. I don't want to climb down the wall next to an ogre camp. Think about it. Ogres. They will beat us to a pulp. We have to tread carefully."

[OGRE MAGE]

The Black Cliffs
Moonday, 22nd of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Looking out over the jungle, Darklin can see the river that cuts through the green foliage and the small clearing of Beachtown well off in the distance. The only structures he makes out from up here are small wooden platforms in some of the larger trees that he spots through the thick canopy.

Deciding to take the necessary time to backtrack to the much lower cave wall near the beach before making their descent proves to be a wise choice, as the entire group eventually makes it back down from the cliffs unscathed. Though they could see slight wisps of smoke coming from an area against the cliff face, about two miles into the jungle, they weren’t able to see or hear what might have been causing it.

The idea of clearing this area between the cliff and the river and using the lumber to build a new town seems like a popular and attractive concept, but the area will certainly need to be investigated further before any decisions could be finalized.

Once safely on the soft sand where the cliffs overtake the beach, the group lines up and readies to head into the jungle, skirting along the edge of the foliage at the face of the soaring wall of black rock.

Actions?

overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477
Keyon 6/6
Keg Woodwright 10/13
Elnaerel 10/10 2/3
The Knife* 5/5
Feanol 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Darklin Sylvanas 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM

[Bluehorse]

are the platforms on this side of the river too?

[Jernau35]

The Knife

On their walk back towards the cave, The Knife nudges Keyon. "See?" He indicates Feanol and Darklin. "Wizards. Library. Spellbooks. What did I tell you?" The gnome winks.

Once the group is ready to head into the jungle, The Knife poses some questions. "Are we heading to where we saw that smoke? I'm assuming we are? If Gretchen was telling a portion of the truth, it's likely they're ogres, right?"

"Soooooo... what if things go bad? We can't fight a lot of ogres. So we run away. Is there any way we can stop them chasing us? Maybe we could rig some traps on our escape route before we get too close to them? Any ideas?"

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"I'd say we just see where they are so we can avoid them and then go around them." She shrugs and smiles to The Knife.

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Those are probably the Tree rats. They are intelligent creatures like flying squirrels. But they like to rob random people. We have had a run in with them once before. They like daggers and small weapons. Best to avoid them if possible.

Feanol i will fill you in on the library tonight when we have more time but is the reason I am here.

[Paladin]

Keyon

The whiff of the unknown is enough to sharpen Keyon's appetite for adventure, and he is largely oblivious to the conversation of his companions as he absorbs the natural beauty around them. The urge to explore burns hot within him, and the wayward rogue examines every inch of terrain as they progress.

"I'm pleased that the intellectuals among us have a goal," he remarks in a distracted fashion after tuning back into the conversation. "But--since the great power conferred by such deep learning requires equally great responsibility, I'll settle for finding gold and running through it in profligate fashion."

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

To Darklin "Thanks, I'm very interested."

Turning to Keyon "well I'm sure gold would be your first target, but if you can pry your mind away from it for a few moments was the river mouth or somewhere not too far up the river sufficient for a harbor? I know the ships have been coming to Beachtown, but did they not choose this more natural spot because it won't work, or was it just laziness?"

[Paladin]

Given his knowledge of sailing vessels and having grown up in a port city, would Keyon think this area has potential as a harbor?

[OGRE MAGE]

are the platforms on this side of the river too?

There are no platforms at all seen between the river and the black cliff walls. (Great question!)

Given his knowledge of sailing vessels and having grown up in a port city, would Keyon think this area has potential as a harbor?

Sure! He has no idea how deep the water is off shore yet, obviously. But there is definite potential here.