(4) The Ritual Isle

[Rex]

Zosime

Zosime will look for a stick to try and dig with.

[silifi]

Early Afternoon, Unknown Day and Year

While Grom and Zosime dig around in the dirt with stray sticks, hoping to find something, Cían explains to the group that clearing areas around stones is relatively common to prevent weeds from growing around them, and he has seen similar types of dirt used to do this.

The dig, regrettably, turns up nothing, causing Caradoc to lament their lack of solid leads on just what to do next.

Akrisios, Grae, and Kordrak look on at the clouds in the distance, and then around the immediate area for potential shelters. The woods might provide some protection, but they have not seen any caves or easily accessible outcroppings. The sturdiest option they can think of is the dormitory on the other island, which they may just barely be able to make it back to before the storm hits, if they leave now.

Actions?

Caradoc Lvl4 Bard - 19/19 FA 3 AC 5
Akrisios Lvl4 Mountebank - 13/18 FA 3 AC 4
Zosime Lvl4 Cleric - 15/24 FA 3 AC 4
Grae Lvl4 Death Solider - 7/27 FA 4 AC 6
Grom Lvl4 Magician - 11/14 FA 1 AC 9
Kordrak Lvl4 Huntsman - 26/33 FA 4 AC 3
Cían Lvl4 Druid - 22/23 FA 3 AC 4

[Rex]

Zosime

"If we get caught on that bridge by the storm it will be very bad. Probably better to just ride the storm out nearby."

[Edeldhur]

Kordrak

"You are probably right" - Kordrak pointed out, his mind racing back through the areas they visited after crossing the bridge - "The way I see it we either go back to the purple thing and try to activate it, or we just huddle against the palisade and wait it out" - he starts moving toward the palisade regardless.

@silifi: Are those thunder clouds?

[OGRE MAGE]

Grom will agree with the professional suggestions of the others, not wishing to attempt the bridge crossing again so soon.

"Perhaps we have enough time to set up a temporary shelter here in these trees somewhere?"

[Darithe]

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Grae

She watches the storm trying to gauge its intensity. "Likely we won't make it back to shelter so probably the forest is best. The canopy might provide some covering though I'm disinclined to go there if lightning is frequent. But unfortunately, I think we have little choice in the matter," she says, pulling up the hood of her cloak.

[silifi]

Early Afternoon, Unknown Day and Year

Seeing the storm approaching, the group decides that it will be better to shelter nearby than to risk the bridge, although it does still look like the storm may be an hour off. Grae and Kordrak discern that it will bring some thunder and lightning,

Kordrak suggests waiting against the edge of the palisade, while Grom suggests the possibility of constructing a makeshift shelter in the woods. But no decision seems to have stuck just yet.

To clarify, you guys are currently in the open. The palisade is about a 10 minute walk, or faster if running. Even closer is a patch of shrubland to the direct northeast, which is only about 2 minutes. Further back is the forest from which you encountered the Alitae - that's about a 20 minute walk.

Just need to make a decision.

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Caradoc Lvl4 Bard - 19/19 FA 3 AC 5
Akrisios Lvl4 Mountebank - 13/18 FA 3 AC 4
Zosime Lvl4 Cleric - 15/24 FA 3 AC 4
Grae Lvl4 Death Solider - 7/27 FA 4 AC 6
Grom Lvl4 Magician - 11/14 FA 1 AC 9
Kordrak Lvl4 Huntsman - 26/33 FA 4 AC 3
Cían Lvl4 Druid - 22/23 FA 3 AC 4

[Edeldhur]

Kordrak

Guys, my common sense knowledge tells me we should not be taking shelter in any wooded area during a thunderstorm
The palisade will offer little to no shelter, but it might be something.
I am not sure how shrubbery can protect us from a storm.
@OGRE MAGE: Can you offer a few more details on what kind of shelter you would like to set up?

[Rex]

Kordrak

Guys, my common sense knowledge tells me we should not be taking shelter in any wooded area during a thunderstorm
The palisade will offer little to no shelter, but it might be something.
I am not sure how shrubbery can protect us from a storm.
@OGRE MAGE: Can you offer a few more details on what kind of shelter you would like to set up?

I spend a sizable amount of time outside and under the cover of trees is safer in a lightning storm then the open. Lightning tends to strike the tallest thing around and in the open that is you. Just need to make sure there are no dead branches (widow makers) in the trees above you. They are much more dangerous then lightning, the wind knocks them down on you. I have sat out many a thunder storm under a small tarp with never an issue. Right before and right after are great times to be in the woods, particularly hunting.

Zosime

"Lets head for just inside the forest. We will need to make sure there is no dead trees above us and be extra alert for those creatures coming back but it will be the safest place."

Being a cleric of the Goddess of the hunt I will assume she knows how to shelter from a storm.

[Edeldhur]

Kordrak

I have always heard that is exactly why lightning hits the trees - because they are the highest 'conductivity' points around, so that is why you should avoid them in a lightning storm But I will defer to your knowledge.

Zosime

"Lets head for just inside the forest. We will need to make sure there is no dead trees above us and be extra alert for those creatures coming back but it will be the safest place."

"Won't those things come out to ambush us again, even more so under the cover of the dark clouds?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Grom defers to the others opinions, having little experience in such matters himself.

"I sense that our time here is being squandered on such trivial means, but I also don't want to be blown off this island into the sea either. Hopefully we will have better weather to see our mission through soon."

[Karaunios]

Caradoc

"Yes. We risk being attacked by the alitae while we're in the forest. But it's our best option. Probably storms here are as surreal as other things we've seen so far."

[shaidar]

Cian

"It is likely they will find us wherever we are after dark. In the forest I can also look for fallen wood to match the stones."

[Edeldhur]

Kordrak

"Fair enough" - Kordrak nodded, pragmatic as usual - "Let's get moving then"

[silifi]

So my understanding re: lightning safety is that *lone* or very sparse trees are indeed dangerous,
but a thick forest is better because your chances of being under the tree that gets struck are relatively low. Although you wouldn't want to be right next to a large tree either. If a low-lying area can be found, that is also ideal, as is keeping your body low to the ground. Kordrak the character, of course, knows all of this. As do Zosime and Cían as fellow nature lovers.

[Rex]

So my understanding re: lightning safety is that *lone* or very sparse trees are indeed dangerous,
but a thick forest is better because your chances of being under the tree that gets struck are relatively low. Although you wouldn't want to be right next to a large tree either. If a low-lying area can be found, that is also ideal, as is keeping your body low to the ground. Kordrak the character, of course, knows all of this. As do Zosime and Cían as fellow nature lovers.

A better explanation then mine. Thanks silifi

[OGRE MAGE]

Grom will have Dreary do another fly around above the trees in case the raven can see things from the air that they cannot see on the ground.

"Perhaps there is another possibility for shelter out there somewhere nearby."

[Darithe]

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Grae hopes Dreary can find something better but for now the trees seem the only relatively safe option, alitae or no. She will keep her weapon ready as they make their way under the canopy.

[silifi]

Early Afternoon, Unknown Day and Year

As the storm continues to approach slowly, the party advances towards the Alitae woods, though they stop just short of the trees, hesitant to go further. Grom sends Dreary up to scout for a better potential shelter.

He can find nothing but more forest, but there is a larger forest unconnected to that in which they found the Alitae, about another mile north, past the cobblestone pathway. The trees there seem taller and the forest more dense, which may provide better cover.

Caradoc Lvl4 Bard - 19/19 FA 3 AC 5
Akrisios Lvl4 Mountebank - 13/18 FA 3 AC 4
Zosime Lvl4 Cleric - 15/24 FA 3 AC 4
Grae Lvl4 Death Solider - 7/27 FA 4 AC 6
Grom Lvl4 Magician - 11/14 FA 1 AC 9
Kordrak Lvl4 Huntsman - 26/33 FA 4 AC 3
Cían Lvl4 Druid - 22/23 FA 3 AC 4

[Rex]

Zosime

Assuming Grom mentions the other forest.

"We should try for the other forest and hurry along."