Delve #1 - The Adventure Begins

[BaltoBruiser]

The original player wanted him to have an illusionist "bent" Arcane spell casters can use spells from either the Magic User or Illusionist spell lists in the OSE rule books as well as research and develop new spells at any time per house rules.

[Rex]

Athena

Athena takes her spot in the marching order and heads for the stairs.

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphon

Javess packs his pack and Niphon's, then helps Niphon shoulder his pack. Niphon asks Direct to the bridge and hopefully across before anyone discovers our friends back at camp?

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

"I feel they might have already been discovered" - he replied - "Not much we can do about it now"

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphon

I hope not. People tend to depart in the morning, not arrive. I suspect we won't have a full day, but we may have a little more time.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

@Baltobruiser: In case it was unclear, we are heading for the stairs

[BaltoBruiser]

Demmesday the 7th of Molivios 2993 AEP 8:00AM

Still need to know what spell Gelli memorized for the day.

The party packs up their camp, memorizes their spells, sharpens their weapons, and prepares for the day. Slowly, they move through the bare deciduous forest toward the bridge crossing the Swift River. Approaching the bridge, the party does not see any sign of the caravan nor sentries on the bridge itself. They cross the bridge to eastern banks of the river connecting with the ancient Imperial Road which parallels the river north to the Colossi of Arden and Vul, the haunted tower, and the Long Stairs. Using the brush along the road as an attempt to cover their movements from any eyes on the western bank of the river, the party makes it to the base of the Long Stair around 9am.

As observed yesterday, the Long Stair is really an ancient flagstone ramp in disrepair which climbs the 1,500’ cliff face in a series of switchbacks between the carvings of Arden and Vul. The mist created by the cascading waterfall has covered the portion of the “Stair” and the party can see that the mist has iced over the flagstones due to the freezing temperatures over the last few days in Burdock Valley. The party believes that at least one careless and hasty adventurer has fallen from the ramp to their death. How does the party ascend the "Stair"?

[Rex]

Athena

"I think the best mountaineer should creep forward and drive a spike into the ice and run a rope back to us. As long as we have for ropes. Then we repeat all the way up. Will be tedious and slow but it is the safest way."

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphon

I am skilled with rope and we can tether together for safety. I agree with Athena that someone surefooted should lead. I think it best that we try the ascent in one day if possible. I don't think sheltering on the stairs is advisable.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

How do we 'ascertain' who is the best mountaineer in OSE? Thieves are the best climbers, so I guess that is it?

"Better to be slow, but sure" - Thargus nodded in agreement.

[Rex]

How do we 'ascertain' who is the best mountaineer in OSE? Thieves are the best climbers, so I guess that is it?

I think so, unless someone has a secondary skill or history that implies otherwise.

[Doctor Crunch]

Would dwarven skills help with mountaineering?

[BaltoBruiser]

DEX and STR are going to come into play. DEX to determine if the character can negotiate the path and STR to help anchor if someone does slip. Taking precautions like spikes/pitons in the cliff wall to anchor ropes, belaying or roping up will all be bonuses.

The party can see that there does appear to be potential spots to rest/camp on the path up the cliff face I have included this image for reference

Cliff Face Lucas.jpg (395.15 KiB) Viewed 1837 times

[Rex]

Athena

"We best get started. This isn't going to be something I am great at so I shouldn't be first or last, otherwise I don't care."

[Doctor Crunch]

Mudlark in front followed by Thargus, casters in the middle Jintu in the rear with Gundren just ahead? That would give us a nimble thief leading in either direction with a strong person next in the chain to catch them if they fall. Niphon has the roper secondary and can tie everyone together.
Edited to clarify that Jintu would be last with Gudren just ahead of them.

[Edeldhur]

Sounds good to me - let's do this!

[ravenn4544]

Octavios is happy to be in the middle so someone can catch him when he falls.....

[Rex]

Athena

Good plan!

[gurusql]

Gelli

Gelli will be following along and memorizing the same spell.

Sorry, I was ill for a few days.

[BaltoBruiser]

Ok so is the order of ascent as follows:
Mudlark
Thargus
Fez
Athena
Alishar
Octavios
Gelli
Niphon
Gurden
Jarviss
Jintu

I need a 3d6 roll from each of the characters. You want to roll high.