It tears at Vorsyin's heart but he doesn't think that the party can see to any of the other prisoners at this time. He drinks the healing potion and grabs the Keeper's bag and axe before saying to Kjelti Lets go, stay close and we will use the flames to clear our path.
Once the healing potion does its job he will move with the circle of flames clearing their path until they arrive a the stairs.
Pulling at the Root of Evil
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Computer +1
- Ranger Lord
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Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Gaerys will keep an eye on the top of the stairs and remind everyone to stay out of the path of Vorsyin's wall of fire.
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Seeing that the wounded mage is finally making his way to the stairs, Ethan will run up them, to avoid being caught behind the fire
GM: Dwimmermount (ACKS)
Zim: 7/7 | Torgyr: 14/14 | U Tar: 3/3 | Nazares: 6/6| Emm: 9/9 |Quinn: 13/13
Ranulf: 10/10 | Solaine: 12/12 | Liam: 4/4 | X | Randolpho: 10/10 | Audi: 8/8
Zim: 7/7 | Torgyr: 14/14 | U Tar: 3/3 | Nazares: 6/6| Emm: 9/9 |Quinn: 13/13
Ranulf: 10/10 | Solaine: 12/12 | Liam: 4/4 | X | Randolpho: 10/10 | Audi: 8/8
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Antheris and Blue
Antheris steps back to a post just inside the bottom stair and yells, "UP THE STAIRS, NOW!!!
"BLUE FOLLOW!"
Antheris will head up the stairs once he sees his companions are in the stairwell and heading out.
Blue will lurk in the mist until the druid heads up the stairs and then follow him up.
Antheris steps back to a post just inside the bottom stair and yells, "UP THE STAIRS, NOW!!!
"BLUE FOLLOW!"
Antheris will head up the stairs once he sees his companions are in the stairwell and heading out.
Blue will lurk in the mist until the druid heads up the stairs and then follow him up.
Sebastian, A Candle in the Darkness
Ulrich, Tales of The Troll Company
Alex Fiord, The Rescuers
Hakon Geirmundarson, Pawns of the North Wind
Jameson Rowan, Silverband
Disston Symonds, Sigma Chronos
Ulrich, Tales of The Troll Company
Alex Fiord, The Rescuers
Hakon Geirmundarson, Pawns of the North Wind
Jameson Rowan, Silverband
Disston Symonds, Sigma Chronos
-
Eulalios
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Kjelti (25/56)
Isolated by the cycle of flame, the Valkyrie glances around and notes the axe that froze her wound. If possible, she will juggle shield and claymore in order to also scoop up that axe on the way to the stairs.
Isolated by the cycle of flame, the Valkyrie glances around and notes the axe that froze her wound. If possible, she will juggle shield and claymore in order to also scoop up that axe on the way to the stairs.
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Date: Autumn, 432 ca., Campaign Day 4
Time: 08:56
Weather: 45 degrees; drizzling
Location: Steading; Upper Level
********************************************
The party executes their strategic retreat from THE DUNGEON LEVEL. As they stepped virtual mountains of corpses, it seemed that they had struck a heavy blow to the giants and their allies entrenched within....at least they had hoped. Their retreat was not without regret, however, as a group of prisoners remained in the prison room and they recovered essentially no treasure from the giants. Perhaps more importantly, they had learned very little else about the source and cause of the frequent giant raids. In seeing the fire giants and manticores, their knowledge that something truly evil lay beneath the giant raids grew ever stronger.
On the way out, Kjelti scoops up the axe of the keeper - it served as a hand axe for the fearsome giant, but would serve as a great axe for a human. The experienced warrior cannot help but note the fine workmanship and unusual metal of the intimidating weapon.
The HF leader, with the "freezing" axe, had fled.
Just as the Valkyrie stoops down, Vorsyin downs a healing potion. He then leads the way across the room encircled in flame. He then dismisses his spell, so as not to incinerate his companions as he climbs up the stairs. Blue brings up the rear.
V recovers 15 HP
The withdrawal goes smoothly. The only sign of the foes that remained was the burning body of the last of the hornfeet and the clank of metal on stone coming from the direction of the fire giants behind the thick blanket of fog.
The party emerges from the stairs and makes a 90 degree right turn into a windowless room that is about 40' x 30 in size, with a single door on the eastern side of the northern wall. There are numerous sacks, boxes, and barrels, which the party can see contain provisions such as flour, dried meat, dried fruit, honey, etc. (Hill giants are not sanitary grocery packers.) Various cheeses, smoked meats, and sausages hang from the rafters. There are several casks and tuns of ale, beer, mead, and wine.
The freed prisoners, the thin man and the fat man, had scurried up the stairs as well. They both struggle to catch their breath, placing their hands on their knees as they pant from exhaustion and fear. The thin man begins to look up at Gaerys in response to his question regarding the remaining prisoners.
Looking up, a burned, partially collapsed roof gives way to a cold gray sky. A soft drizzle makes its way down to the party, moistening skin, fur, armor, and clothing. The crisp brace of fresh air is most welcome.
The party seemed to have at least a minute or three to collect themselves and plan their next move. The fire giants coming up the stairs would certainly not catch the party unawares...that is not to say that covering their retreat would be an unnecessary step.
Antheris - 32/41
Ethan - 21/71
Kjelti - 25/56
Vorsyin - 19/48
Gaerys - 24/56
Hollis - 14/50
Blue - 27/48
Time: 08:56
Weather: 45 degrees; drizzling
Location: Steading; Upper Level
********************************************
The party executes their strategic retreat from THE DUNGEON LEVEL. As they stepped virtual mountains of corpses, it seemed that they had struck a heavy blow to the giants and their allies entrenched within....at least they had hoped. Their retreat was not without regret, however, as a group of prisoners remained in the prison room and they recovered essentially no treasure from the giants. Perhaps more importantly, they had learned very little else about the source and cause of the frequent giant raids. In seeing the fire giants and manticores, their knowledge that something truly evil lay beneath the giant raids grew ever stronger.
On the way out, Kjelti scoops up the axe of the keeper - it served as a hand axe for the fearsome giant, but would serve as a great axe for a human. The experienced warrior cannot help but note the fine workmanship and unusual metal of the intimidating weapon.
The HF leader, with the "freezing" axe, had fled.
Just as the Valkyrie stoops down, Vorsyin downs a healing potion. He then leads the way across the room encircled in flame. He then dismisses his spell, so as not to incinerate his companions as he climbs up the stairs. Blue brings up the rear.
V recovers 15 HP
The withdrawal goes smoothly. The only sign of the foes that remained was the burning body of the last of the hornfeet and the clank of metal on stone coming from the direction of the fire giants behind the thick blanket of fog.
The party emerges from the stairs and makes a 90 degree right turn into a windowless room that is about 40' x 30 in size, with a single door on the eastern side of the northern wall. There are numerous sacks, boxes, and barrels, which the party can see contain provisions such as flour, dried meat, dried fruit, honey, etc. (Hill giants are not sanitary grocery packers.) Various cheeses, smoked meats, and sausages hang from the rafters. There are several casks and tuns of ale, beer, mead, and wine.
The freed prisoners, the thin man and the fat man, had scurried up the stairs as well. They both struggle to catch their breath, placing their hands on their knees as they pant from exhaustion and fear. The thin man begins to look up at Gaerys in response to his question regarding the remaining prisoners.
Looking up, a burned, partially collapsed roof gives way to a cold gray sky. A soft drizzle makes its way down to the party, moistening skin, fur, armor, and clothing. The crisp brace of fresh air is most welcome.
The party seemed to have at least a minute or three to collect themselves and plan their next move. The fire giants coming up the stairs would certainly not catch the party unawares...that is not to say that covering their retreat would be an unnecessary step.
Antheris - 32/41
Ethan - 21/71
Kjelti - 25/56
Vorsyin - 19/48
Gaerys - 24/56
Hollis - 14/50
Blue - 27/48
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Antheris and Blue
Antheris takes a quick head count of his companions and the two freed prisoners and scans the room they've emerged in.
"What say we move them barrels to the top of the stairs, might slow em down a bit if we can push them on top of em, giants though they be."
Reaching into his handy haversack he pulls out a woolen blanket and waterskin that he hands to the prisoners along with his spear and club.
"Take these, but get the club back to me. And don't mind the bear, he's with us," he adds with a bit of a smile.
"Excuse me a moment while I see about getting us some wolves to help us," and he walks to a far corner of the room where he again takes out some of his precious mistletoe and begins the incantation for Animal Summoning I (ooc: seeking wolves since there seemed to be plenty in the area and woods from before)
Antheris takes a quick head count of his companions and the two freed prisoners and scans the room they've emerged in.
"What say we move them barrels to the top of the stairs, might slow em down a bit if we can push them on top of em, giants though they be."
Reaching into his handy haversack he pulls out a woolen blanket and waterskin that he hands to the prisoners along with his spear and club.
"Take these, but get the club back to me. And don't mind the bear, he's with us," he adds with a bit of a smile.
"Excuse me a moment while I see about getting us some wolves to help us," and he walks to a far corner of the room where he again takes out some of his precious mistletoe and begins the incantation for Animal Summoning I (ooc: seeking wolves since there seemed to be plenty in the area and woods from before)
Sebastian, A Candle in the Darkness
Ulrich, Tales of The Troll Company
Alex Fiord, The Rescuers
Hakon Geirmundarson, Pawns of the North Wind
Jameson Rowan, Silverband
Disston Symonds, Sigma Chronos
Ulrich, Tales of The Troll Company
Alex Fiord, The Rescuers
Hakon Geirmundarson, Pawns of the North Wind
Jameson Rowan, Silverband
Disston Symonds, Sigma Chronos
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Computer +1
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 2833
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:12 pm
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Vorsyin feels the healing magic flow through his body and lessen the worst of his injuries.
Once upstairs in relative safety he takes stock of the group. Can we reengage the two giants and free the other prisoners? He looks at the two rescued already, How many more were with you? how many more cells?
He is frustrated that anyone was left behind but he knows how fortunate they were.
If we cannot press forward then we should think about a withdraw.
Once upstairs in relative safety he takes stock of the group. Can we reengage the two giants and free the other prisoners? He looks at the two rescued already, How many more were with you? how many more cells?
He is frustrated that anyone was left behind but he knows how fortunate they were.
If we cannot press forward then we should think about a withdraw.
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
As the party plans its next move, Gaerys, seeing no immediate pursuit, turns to the freed prisoners. One of them claimed to be from the Watch. Does he recognize either of them?
Gaerys had been hoping for more than a look in response to his query. He asks it again. If he recognizes either man as a member of the Watch, he barks at him, "Speak, man! Lives are at stake. What do you know of the prison and its occupants?" If he does not recognize either man as a member of the Watch, he will try to ask as gently as his charisma can manage—and make a mental note that perhaps someone is not to be trusted.
Either way, he will look for a stick and some ash (the latter of which should be plentiful in this place) so that the prisoners could draw a diagram of the prison area.
All this assumes, of course, that the party is not quickly set upon by the giants.
Gaerys had been hoping for more than a look in response to his query. He asks it again. If he recognizes either man as a member of the Watch, he barks at him, "Speak, man! Lives are at stake. What do you know of the prison and its occupants?" If he does not recognize either man as a member of the Watch, he will try to ask as gently as his charisma can manage—and make a mental note that perhaps someone is not to be trusted.
Either way, he will look for a stick and some ash (the latter of which should be plentiful in this place) so that the prisoners could draw a diagram of the prison area.
All this assumes, of course, that the party is not quickly set upon by the giants.
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Eulalios
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Kjelti (25/56) takes stock of the room and the tactical situation. She realizes the Keeper's axe is more a burden than an asset. Going to the store-room door she listens for anything beyond; if nothing is heard, she props the axe against the wall and swiftly opens the door to see what is beyond. Either way: "The Forest Child heard our pledge to rescue the captives" she says. "Shall we meet it?"
Last edited by Eulalios on Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Computer +1
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 2833
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:12 pm
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
I wrote earlier that Vorsyin took the Keeper's bag. Magnus you saw that right?
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Yes. Forgot to mention it.Computer +1 wrote:I wrote earlier that Vorsyin took the Keeper's bag. Magnus you saw that right?
Did you open it yet?
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
The party plots their next move, but in the mean time tends to and questions the now-freed prisoners.
Gaerys recognizes the thin man as Tanner Snow, a young man who had joined the Watch as an orphan boy, showed an aptitude for mechanics, and had quickly risen up the ranks of the Builders. Gaerys knew that Tanner would have little to offer the party in combat. But that was perhaps much less important than finding what seemed to be a trusted face with a cool head within the Steading. Gaerys, as a renown ranger, was of course very recognizable to Tanner. The familiar presence more than made up for any lack of charm on the ranger's part, as did Vorsyin's still new black garb.
Builder is essentially an engineer assigned to fortify the Wall and Watch castles for non-GoT nerds.
Tanner accepts the spear, places the blanket around his portly companion, and hands the club back to Antheris. He pats his friend, who Gaerys does not recognize, on the back kindly. He then takes a deep breath, sighs again with exhaustion, and smirks with grim relief as he responds to the party's questions:
Gaerys Wolfbreath...I never thought I'd be happy to see your charming face.
I was taken by the giants while doing a fortification inspection with an company of rangers over on Westwatch-by-the-Bridge. A score o' hornfeet and hill giants fell on us as the sun set. Most o' the rangers were killed in the fight. But myself and a few others were taken back to this hellhole. The giants' chief - that horrible bastard - questioned us for hours. Kept me alive when they knew I was a builder. Needed me to help with their dig out of this place...they've found some pretty weird stuff down there. Some of the tunnels are natural caves, but when you dig those out..even older stone work shows up. I had to help. Saved my life. Rest of the men were roasted right in front of me.
This here is Denys Milady. He's a merchant. Caught him as part of a caravan trading with the Thenn. No way he can be on their side given what they've done to him.
Who else is down there? There are about six cells. Couple of em are empty. There's a Valerian in one cell. Quiet, but I think he knows some things. We were in a cell each before I busted him out. A bunch of wildlings...not bad ones...crammed in another. Not sure they are worth going back down there. The dungeon down there is crawling with wildlings..giants pick them out of the woods like we'd a pick apples from trees. There are dozens down here. There are more cells in other parts of the the dungeon. Not sure if the giants even have them all under control.
Tanners hands stop shaking, and he takes the burnt stick and starts sketching.
Kjelti does not hear anything on the other side of the door. She abandons the finely crafted, fearsome weapon against the door.
Hollis gently lays his hands on Ethan's shoulders and a gentle wave of healing takes effect. Another manticore spike falls to the floor.
Ethan heals 6 hp.
Antheris completes his incantation and casts mistletoe into the air. Within moments, the howl of wolves can be heard in the air!
Gaerys recognizes the thin man as Tanner Snow, a young man who had joined the Watch as an orphan boy, showed an aptitude for mechanics, and had quickly risen up the ranks of the Builders. Gaerys knew that Tanner would have little to offer the party in combat. But that was perhaps much less important than finding what seemed to be a trusted face with a cool head within the Steading. Gaerys, as a renown ranger, was of course very recognizable to Tanner. The familiar presence more than made up for any lack of charm on the ranger's part, as did Vorsyin's still new black garb.
Builder is essentially an engineer assigned to fortify the Wall and Watch castles for non-GoT nerds.
Tanner accepts the spear, places the blanket around his portly companion, and hands the club back to Antheris. He pats his friend, who Gaerys does not recognize, on the back kindly. He then takes a deep breath, sighs again with exhaustion, and smirks with grim relief as he responds to the party's questions:
Gaerys Wolfbreath...I never thought I'd be happy to see your charming face.
I was taken by the giants while doing a fortification inspection with an company of rangers over on Westwatch-by-the-Bridge. A score o' hornfeet and hill giants fell on us as the sun set. Most o' the rangers were killed in the fight. But myself and a few others were taken back to this hellhole. The giants' chief - that horrible bastard - questioned us for hours. Kept me alive when they knew I was a builder. Needed me to help with their dig out of this place...they've found some pretty weird stuff down there. Some of the tunnels are natural caves, but when you dig those out..even older stone work shows up. I had to help. Saved my life. Rest of the men were roasted right in front of me.
This here is Denys Milady. He's a merchant. Caught him as part of a caravan trading with the Thenn. No way he can be on their side given what they've done to him.
Who else is down there? There are about six cells. Couple of em are empty. There's a Valerian in one cell. Quiet, but I think he knows some things. We were in a cell each before I busted him out. A bunch of wildlings...not bad ones...crammed in another. Not sure they are worth going back down there. The dungeon down there is crawling with wildlings..giants pick them out of the woods like we'd a pick apples from trees. There are dozens down here. There are more cells in other parts of the the dungeon. Not sure if the giants even have them all under control.
Tanners hands stop shaking, and he takes the burnt stick and starts sketching.
Kjelti does not hear anything on the other side of the door. She abandons the finely crafted, fearsome weapon against the door.
Hollis gently lays his hands on Ethan's shoulders and a gentle wave of healing takes effect. Another manticore spike falls to the floor.
Ethan heals 6 hp.
Antheris completes his incantation and casts mistletoe into the air. Within moments, the howl of wolves can be heard in the air!
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Gaerys chuckles despite Tanner's grim tale. Anyone who was just rescued from life as the giants' slave and can still make a joke about Gaerys's lack of charm and call him "Wolfbreath" to his face will recover from his traumas just fine.
"How are the cell doors constructed, brother? Do they bear locks, or are they merely barred from outside? How were you able to escape your cells?"
The ranger digs for more information. "This 'weird stuff' you mention. What do you know about it? When you're done sketching the prison area, please sketch as much of the rest of the dungeon as you can. Do you know anything about what lurks there? And what are fire giants doing among hill giants?"
He turns to the merchant Denys and asks, ever so tactfully, "What skill do you have that saved your life?"
"How are the cell doors constructed, brother? Do they bear locks, or are they merely barred from outside? How were you able to escape your cells?"
The ranger digs for more information. "This 'weird stuff' you mention. What do you know about it? When you're done sketching the prison area, please sketch as much of the rest of the dungeon as you can. Do you know anything about what lurks there? And what are fire giants doing among hill giants?"
He turns to the merchant Denys and asks, ever so tactfully, "What skill do you have that saved your life?"
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Computer +1
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 2833
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:12 pm
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Vorsyin's heart aches at the idea of a countryman still locked below. As he listens to the freed men he opens the Keeper's bag and carefully checks its contents.
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Eulalios
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Kjelti, having opened the door to let in the wolves, starts looking for string to strap the Keeper's axe across her back.
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Antheris, druid
Antheris fetches a length of silk rope out of his haversack and offers it to Kjelti, "Take a length off of that to fashion a strap."
"Let's decide on our course of action, I could shapechange to reconnoiter, but I've no magic that would loose the prisoners and breaking the locks, if possible, would be an awful racket. And of course, I'll lend out my cloak if that is how we wish to proceed. I'm going to speak with our new wolf friends and see what they saw on their way here and how they would be willing to help us."
Antheris then casts Speak with Animals (ooc: 16 round duration), and when the wolves arrive, introduces himself, thanks them for responding to his call, and asks them if they saw any other two-legs or animals on their way to Antheris.
Antheris fetches a length of silk rope out of his haversack and offers it to Kjelti, "Take a length off of that to fashion a strap."
"Let's decide on our course of action, I could shapechange to reconnoiter, but I've no magic that would loose the prisoners and breaking the locks, if possible, would be an awful racket. And of course, I'll lend out my cloak if that is how we wish to proceed. I'm going to speak with our new wolf friends and see what they saw on their way here and how they would be willing to help us."
Antheris then casts Speak with Animals (ooc: 16 round duration), and when the wolves arrive, introduces himself, thanks them for responding to his call, and asks them if they saw any other two-legs or animals on their way to Antheris.
Sebastian, A Candle in the Darkness
Ulrich, Tales of The Troll Company
Alex Fiord, The Rescuers
Hakon Geirmundarson, Pawns of the North Wind
Jameson Rowan, Silverband
Disston Symonds, Sigma Chronos
Ulrich, Tales of The Troll Company
Alex Fiord, The Rescuers
Hakon Geirmundarson, Pawns of the North Wind
Jameson Rowan, Silverband
Disston Symonds, Sigma Chronos
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
"About that racket—" Gaerys replies to Antheris, "I think Hollis may have a spell that could help us with that. If he were to cast a silence spell on a pebble or coin, I could carry it with me or you could carry it in your mouth while in mouse form. When we reached the prison, any noise from bashing down the prison doors would be silenced—as should any prisoners who might alert the giants by screaming at us for their release."
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Computer +1
- Ranger Lord
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- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:12 pm
Re: Pulling at the Root of Evil
Vorsyin thinks about the proposed ideas. Silence on a coin is a good idea but if anyone were to use the cloak it should be me. I can open any lock with magic, the problem is that I am limited to just the one lock. Also, the cloak will help hide its wearer but it is not foolproof. Two alerted giants in a well lit area may be beyond its capabilities. He thinks it over for a moment, For that matter would you not yourself be suspicious of a rat now appearing down the stairs after our departure, especially when our whole group has successfully entered their lair undetected twice? The giants are not all as dumb as we think.