(5) Beyond the Wall

[silifi]

Dawn, Unknown Day and Year - likely Winter

As they walk betwixt the forests, the sky begins to change yet again, the aurorae fading and the stars returning to their normal state. After about an hour walking, Zosime notices a very faint light on the eastern horizon - it seems daylight may be coming after all, though it remains quite cold.

Then, up ahead, Kordrak spots a looming shadow, at first hidden by the trees until they turned a corner. It is a massive black rectangle, although in the darkness it is difficult to make out what it is from their current distance, about a quarter mile up.

Kordrak stops the group to observe for a moment, judging the object to be about 35 feet tall. After a moment he observes movement around the base of the black object, seemingly from multiple somethings, though he can't make out just what they are in the darkness.

Though Grae has her light turned away, they may still be visible in the open to whatever this is.

Actions?


Kordrak Lvl4 Huntsman - 33/33 FA 4 AC 5
Akrisios Lvl4 Mountebank - 18/18 FA 3 AC 4
Grae Lvl4 Death Solider - 27/27 FA 4 AC 6 Bullseye Lantern: 220/360
Cían Lvl4 Druid - 23/23 FA 3 AC 4
Grom Lvl4 Magician - 13/14 FA 1 AC 9
Caradoc Lvl4 Bard - 19/19 FA 3 AC 5
Zosime Lvl4 Cleric - 22/24 FA 3 AC 4

[Karaunios]

Caradoc freezes on the spot and squints, trying to discern what's there.
"Another weird thing? This place is full of surprises... Grae, can you uncover the lantern? Maybe we can see it... or... them?"

[Darithe]

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Grae

"Of course," Grae replies to Caradoc as she fully opens her lantern shining it in the area indicated.

[Rex]

Zosime

Zosime will move away from the light source to see if it helps improve her night vision. Then she will try to study the object and area around it.

[silifi]

You guys are still about a quarter mile away from the object, and Grae's lantern will only illuminate to 60 feet. You can get closer, of course, but the lantern is likely to get the attention of whatever it is that is moving around there.

[Rex]

Zosime

"I suggest we cover all our light sources and try sneaking closer."

[Karaunios]

Caradoc

"Alright. But I don't like this..."
The bard remembers the amorphous blend of amazons they encountered right after arriving on the island.

[OGRE MAGE]

Grom stares off into the distance.

“Perhaps it’s a portal of some kind?”

He will move closer with the others, at their discretion.

[shaidar]

Cian

"All the options have some risk. But we need to work out what is happening. I agree we need to douse our lights. Those of us less good at sneaking could hang back a bit."

[Rex]

Zosime

"I am not much good at sneaking and am willing to hang back some if others are willing to go ahead."

[OGRE MAGE]

Grom squints into the distance before walking closer to the oddity.

“We will learn nothing from standing around here.”

[Darithe]

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Grae

Grae nods at the others suggestion and covers the lantern, "Best to keep it ready should we need it on the spur of the moment," she states. Then she attaches it to her belt, letting it hang beside her mourningstar.

[kalstone]

Akrisios

Akrisios will try to stealthily move closer.

[silifi]

Dawn, Unknown Day and Year - likely Winter

The party moves closer as the twilight increases, allowing them to see further as the minutes pass. They cautiously approach, using brush to conceal themselves and Grae covers her lantern.

Now about 90 feet from the massive object, they can make it out more clearly as a huge black stone that has erupted from the ground as if vomited from the earth itself. The earth surrounding it looks freshly disturbed.

The great umbral stone stands 34 feet high, 8 feet wide, and 3 feet thick. Strange, curvilinear characters and geometric symbols appear sharp and freshly carved about its surface. And lurking around its base are three familiar creatures - the night gaunts, fully grown this time, like those they encountered on the voyage here.

The black mote which encircles Akrisios head begins to wobble in its orbit, apparently affected by either the stone or the creatures. And as he approaches the stone, the night gaunts react, turning their heads this way and that, clearly disturbed, though they do not yet show signs that they have spotted the party's location.

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Actions?


Kordrak Lvl4 Huntsman - 33/33 FA 4 AC 5
Akrisios Lvl4 Mountebank - 18/18 FA 3 AC 4
Grae Lvl4 Death Solider - 27/27 FA 4 AC 6 Bullseye Lantern: 230/360
Cían Lvl4 Druid - 23/23 FA 3 AC 4
Grom Lvl4 Magician - 13/14 FA 1 AC 9
Caradoc Lvl4 Bard - 19/19 FA 3 AC 5
Zosime Lvl4 Cleric - 22/24 FA 3 AC 4

[Rex]

Zosime

Zosime will continue to sneak closer until she is within 50 feet of the creatures. Bow at the ready.

[Karaunios]

Caradoc\

"Those demons. Again... I wonder why they're attracted to — or protecting — that thing."


Caradoc carries a small shield. Is it possible to fire arrows with the shield braced on his left arm, or must he hang it on his backpack or something?

[Edeldhur]

Kordrak

Waited in place, turning to the others with a whisper - "What is the plan? Do we want to try and communicate?"

[shaidar]

Cian

The druid whispers "You know these creatures? They are dangerous?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Grom shakes his head at their latest find.

"Those are the same monsters who attacked us at sea, except they look larger, and are likely even more dangerous."

If he can see them from such a long distance, he attempts to translate the writings on the stone.

"It will take everything we have and more to best all 3 of these otherworldly beings. Perhaps this area is best left alone until we understand things better?"

[shaidar]

Cian

Cian whispers "Since I have not fought such creatures before, I accept your wisdom on this. But what next, the other path?"