Action Thread #5 - The Plains

[Sir Clarence]

"Of course. I can help", says Andrin. Seeing the nervousness of the elf, he kneels beside the wounded Oz and quickly withdraws the bolt from the wound. "There. Use your healing power now, Stonjuz."

[Vargr1105]

Day 3 - Afternoon - Grassy Plain/The Lake Fortress


Just before Ozborn got skewered, Ogirdor opened the old closet and noticed it contained several old light crossbows and dozens of quarrels, all thrown about and old in appearance.

Back at the top of the stairs the companions strive to provide first aid to an agonizing Ozborn, even if the thief managed to be mirthful about the whole situations. Andrin yanks the bolt out of the rogue, eliciting a muffled groan of pain, and Stonjuz calls again for the magical blessing of great Boccob to restore wounded flesh. In a matter of moments the wound closed, without even a scar to bear witness to the violence that Ozborn's body suffered and he feels much better if not altogether recovered.


Ozborn's HP updated. That was a close one, he was down to 2 HP.

[rfrahm87]

Ozborn looks at his shoulder and rubs it slowly for a moment before looking at Stonjuz. "That feels better, thank you!" Then he stands up and adjust his gear as he looks down the stairwell. "I'll go down first to have a look below. Someone watch my back in case I have to make a retreat."

Oz will carefully search the stairwell for more traps as he makes his way down. He will try to be quiet to avoid alerting anything of his presence.

[ragnboneshopper]

Thurinor shakes his head and smiles at Stonjuz and Andrin. "No keeping a good man and his dwarven healer down..." He steps further into the room after Ozborn and keeps an eye out for any strange appearances, his crossbow still at the ready. When Oz is sure the rest of the room looks clean, Thurinor will try looking out the arrow slits, hoping to catch a glimpse of the walker on the wall or at least to better orient himself to the surroundings.

[zebediah]

Just before Ozborn got skewered, Ogirdor opened the old closet and noticed it contained several old light crossbows and dozens of quarrels, all thrown about and old in appearance.

He searches through the quarrels to see if there is anything else in the middle of it, or if there are any quarrels that appear to be in better shape than the others. If anything catches his eye he will take it.

After that Ogirdor spreads his caltrops on the floor beneath the trapdoor and walks back to the corridor to rejoin the group.

[Sir Clarence]

Andrin follows Oz down the stairs.

OOC: Do we need to provide any light down there btw?

[Stonjuz]

"I can only heal once more this day. Boccob will be upset if'n I call upon him more than 3 times a day. And Ive already used it twice. Once on myself , at the lizardmen, and here now on Oz. I knew we should have rested outside first, so be careful." Stonjuz falls in order, proceeding with the main group, asper marching order.

[Vargr1105]

Day 3 - Afternoon - Grassy Plain/The Lake Fortress


On a cursive look at the insides of the closet Ogirdor determines that only one of the light crossbows is in working conditions. The strings of the others have long rotted away. There is perhaps upward of one hundred bolts scattered inside, maybe a few dozens are still usable but to determine the exact number would require some counting and time. Certainly more than a Turn's worth.

Thurinor investigates the arrow slits and can see they open to the lake on the South and West, to the North and the courtyard, and to East providing vision of the wooden bridge they used to access the keep. The watcher must be somewhere above their location.

While Ranger and Magician move to rejoin their comrades, Ozborn, followed by Andrin begin to descend the stairs carefully. Their eyes quickly adapt to the gloom (Andrin's faster than Ozborn's due to the elven legacy in his blood) and both are relieved there be no need of torch or lantern to make their way down. The stairway is not long and soon they are at the bottom and can see the source of the trap that wounded the thief but a few moments ago.





At the base of the steps, propped on a small, stout wood platform rests a crossbow pointing upwards at a degree of inclination that mimics that of the stair itself. To the right is a closed door.


PM Sent.

[Stonjuz]

"Well, so what if it isn't the most intricate of traps? It worked. And if'n it ain't broke....dont fix it, I always says."

[rfrahm87]

Ozborn will search the door and it's vicinity for traps and he will listen for noise beyond the door. If he doesn't hear anything he will check to see if it is locked. If it isn't locked he will wait for the rest of the group to assemble before slowly opening it to look inside.

[rfrahm87]

"Well, so what if it isn't the most intricate of traps? It worked. And if'n it ain't broke....dont fix it, I always says."

Well, this one's gonna need fixin' because Oz will disable the crossbow so the trap can't be reset(he will remove the bowstring or the crossbow itself if anyone wants it.).

[zebediah]

On a cursive look at the insides of the closet Ogirdor determines that only one of the light crossbows is in working conditions. The strings of the others have long rotted away. There is perhaps upward of one hundred bolts scattered inside, maybe a few dozens are still usable but to determine the exact number would require some counting and time. Certainly more than a Turn's worth.

Worried about leaving behind anything that might be used against the group Ogirdor takes the crossbow with him - but leaves the bolts as those can be checked later if there is enough time.

Before rejoining the team he spreads the caltrops on the floor as previously described.

[Vargr1105]

Day 3 - Afternoon - Grassy Plain/The Lake Fortress


While Ozborn renders the crossbow-trap inoperative, Ogirdor takes the sole functioning crossbow from the crossbow and set a caltrop-trap of his own. He and Thurinor then catch up with the rest of the party and follow where Thief and Druid went.


I assume the rest of the party descends the stairs. If this is not so let me now.


By the time of their arrival Ozborn has finished checking the door for traps (finding none) noises (hearing nothing) and state of closure (it is unlocked).

With the rest of the group assembled beside him he slowly opens the door. It swings inward and the party is met by the gaze of a horde of diminutive beasts, all poised to leap or strike!

Bracing themselves...the companion's surprise turns to relief when they realize those are lifeless, wooden statuettes of beasts and animals carefully arranged on the walls of this damp room.





On a table lies a half-completed wood carving, surrounded by shavings, but of its sculptor there is no sign to be seen. From outside the room, which seem to be windowless, the party can also see a chair lying near the table and what appears to be a jetty of some kind, complete with a small, moored boat. The afternoon light is streaming into the squarish room from the opening (outside their edge of vision) that supposedly will allow the boat to reach the lake.

[zebediah]

Ogirdor looks around for any sign of movement

"Aren't these sculptures similar to the one we found at the swamp?" he asks while scanning the room "I did not expect this to be the home of an artisan, let us hope the place can be a safe harbor."

[ragnboneshopper]

Thurinor wears a puzzled expression. "Well, knock knock, no one's home? Yet I wonder... Hanging his crossbow on his back, Thurinor unsheaths his sword and takes the time to concentrate on the magical auras of this room, especially of the carvings and tools and boat, and warily tests to see if the carvings will come to life. For good measure, he will poke several of them with the end of his sword as he passes by. That done, he will search for hidden doors and panels, not trusting to the apparent simplicity of the place.

[Sir Clarence]

Andrin is clearly fascinated by the wooden animal figurines, even going so far as to take one or two of them in his hands and marveling at their artistry.

"Someone who's capable of creating such wonderful pieces of art can't be of an evil nature. I suggest that we continue to search for the landlord of this place. Can it be the walking tadpole that the ducks mentioned? I somehow doubt so...."

[Vargr1105]

Day 3 - Afternoon - Grassy Plain/The Lake Fortress


The companions stream into the room and notice more details. To both Ogirdor and Andrin the wood statuettes do indeed seem to be of the exact cut and mold of the one they remember seeing leaning on the dead oak tree back at the swamp. There are about two dozen on the room not counting the unfinished one resting on teh table; all are around 2ft tall. The adventurers recognize a hawk, hobgoblins, snakes, crows, deer, a hedgehog, wild boars, a bat, dogs, bipedal lizards that resemble the things they fought at the swamp and two creatures they cannot identify, having never seen their likeness before.

On the table also lie a couple of craving tools. On a corner stand several blocks of unworked wood. There is also a locker by the north wall. The moored boat is clearly of the rowboat variety

Thurinor concentrates and begins casting his magician's gaze around, looking for auras of sorcery. He discerns none.


It will take several rounds for Thurinor to accomplish all the actions he wishes.


[1d100] = 9


PM Sent.

[Buzz]

"These carvings prove nothing of the makers character. I knew several soldiers of the most unsavory type, yet they were maasterful knitters when it came to socks." Malone will place a foot on one side of the boat, testing it.

[zebediah]

"My friends, please be ready but make no sudden moves..." says the ranger in a low tone as he nocks an arrow and turns to face the water, keeping the bow pointed down

"Please come out peacefully and I promise no harm will be done." Ogirdor says calmly looking at a point near the boat "We apologize for invading your home but we are lost in this valley and thus far all we encoutered has been hostile."

He keeps the arrow nocked and pointed down. If there is any agressive reaction he will shoot.

[ragnboneshopper]

Thurinor stops his incessant poking about and turns toward Ogirdor and the boat. " First the pit, now this. Some rangers have all the fun," he mutters, his sword held low so as to be unthreatening.