You drink and talk late into the night. Eventually you all retire to your rooms in the inn, preparing yourselves for a journey ahead.
The next morning you all wake up early. Meeting up down in the tavern, you prepare to head out for the day. You begin to head down the Old Road towards where the Citadel once had been. At the road’s closest approach to the cleft, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most lean atop sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the dark depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine. The ravine runs for several miles in either direction, with an average depth and width of 30 feet. At the point where it most closely intersects the Old Road, it widens to 40 feet. The pillars are worn and broken, and graffiti in the Dwarvish alphabet covers most of them.
A sturdy, knotted rope is tied to one of the leaning pillars on this side of the ravine.
Kiori walks to the pillars, trying to figure out what's written on them, the giant language uses dwarven runes after all.
"I have not heard about a giant tree" the goliath replies while focusing on the runes "I came here looking to find a name for myself. The dragon cult is the best lead I have so far."
Seeing the others struggling with the runes, Raadox reaches into his satchel and takes out an old, battered book. Thumbing carefully through ancient, weathered parchment pages he mutters to himself, "Absorb... Charm... Comprehend... Yes, here we are!" With his eyes focused entirely on the book, he begins to read the words scribbled in an almost illegible hand across the pages. Ten long minutes pass as he mutters strange words and occasionally makes unusual gestures in the air. Half-way through he reaches into a small pouch and pulls out a pinch of soot and a pinch of salt which he sprinkles in the air to let fall. A smile crosses his face when his Comprehend Languages ritual is complete.
"Now then, now then. Let's have a look." He moves up to the runes and running his fingers lovingly across the traced runes he reads them.
That spell complete he then pulls a strip of what looks like cured leather from his pouch and rubs it across himself whilst dancing what almost looks like a very brief jig as he casts Mage Armor. A shimmering barrier of force in the shape of plate armour appears to surround him for a moment and then is gone.
Selene carefully moves closer to the ledge looking down with some high anxiety upon the climbing forest gnome.
"Oh, and Daerryl, I didn´t have the chance to tell you, I must say I am impressed with your recruits. Kiori and Raadox together with yourself will surely be enough protection during my mission to the ruins"
"How long is it down, would you say? I have not had much practice with climbing in the courts of Silevrymoon I must admit"
“I’m sure they found me as much as I found them, your ladyship. But I’m sure you can see, these two are no average lumberjacks. These are men of experience!”
Daerryl huffs along at each breath as he climbs down the rope.
Kioiri - you look around but are unable to read the runes. They are not in a language you know although you recognize the runes.
Selene - There are many dragon cults that have existed through the years. The biggest one you can remember and the oldest being the Cult of the Dragon. An organization that venerates evil dragons and especially evil dead dragons and dracoliches. In the past they have been known to try and summon Tiamat into the world.
Raadox - After you cast the spell you realize that the runes are dwarven but the language is goblin. The messages are all warnings and threats against trespassers.
Daerrly is easily able to climb down about 50 feet of the rope, using the old and weathered handholds and footholds that are in the side of the ravine. As you climb, you realize that the rope is in pretty good condition. It probably has only been hanging there for a week or two. Upon reaching the bottom you are greeted by a sandy ledge overlooking a subterranean gulf of darkness to the west. The ledge is wide but rough. Sand, rocky debris, and the bones of small animals cover it. A rough-hewn stairwell zigs and zags down the side of the ledge, descending into darkness.
"Selene," Raadox says to the fair lady. "Would you like a hand climbing down? I'm no acrobat, but if I drop down first and spot you I can hopefully help your descent. What do you think?" Raadox smiles his most dashing smile. Hmm, she's cute. This might be a fun side trek after all.
"Okay, let's do this." Raadox will grab the rope and agilely abseil down to join Daerryl. Assuming he gets safely to the bottom he will call back up to Selene and try and talk her down the rope, pointing out footholds as she descends.
Kiori steps away from the pillars and responds to Selene "I can't make sense out of this, my lady. I recognize every rune by itself, but the order seems random to me."
He waits for Selene and Raadox to climb down and then takes the rope to descend himself. Once he is down in the ravine, he will concentrate on his surroundings, trying to notice if evil has infected this place.
OOC: using the paladin ability Divine Sense As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover.
Raadox will wait at the bottom of the rope for Selene and gallantly help her the last few handholds down. "All safe and sound, milady, see? Nothing to fear when I'm around," he smiles.
"Oh yes, sorry," chimes in Raadox when they have all made it to the bottom of the rope. "I meant to say. Those runes. Just the usual goblin tripe warning about trespassing and how they'll sacrifice us to their crazy gods and the like. Curious that the runes appear dwarven though," he shrugs.
"Where to next then? Daerryl? Any obvious routes onwards? The staircase I assume?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As you all land and look around, the noise that Daerryl heard become visible, three giant rats leap our towards you. Kiori, you sense nothing as they rush out.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Raadox draws a shortsword and dagger and steps in front of Selene as the rats rush in. Time to make an impression on this group. The damsel, especially.
You drink and talk late into the night. Eventually you all retire to your rooms in the inn, preparing yourselves for a journey ahead.
The next morning you all wake up early. Meeting up down in the tavern, you prepare to head out for the day. You begin to head down the Old Road towards where the Citadel once had been. At the road’s closest approach to the cleft, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most lean atop sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the dark depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine. The ravine runs for several miles in either direction, with an average depth and width of 30 feet. At the point where it most closely intersects the Old Road, it widens to 40 feet. The pillars are worn and broken, and graffiti in the Dwarvish alphabet covers most of them.
A sturdy, knotted rope is tied to one of the leaning pillars on this side of the ravine.
"I sincerely hope I won´t have to climb that rope" Selene looks at her escorts for guidance.
"Oh, and I believe I forgot to ask you at breakfast, do you know anything about this mysterious tree by the ruins?
Kiori walks to the pillars, trying to figure out what's written on them, the giant language uses dwarven runes after all.
"I have not heard about a giant tree" the goliath replies while focusing on the runes "I came here looking to find a name for myself. The dragon cult is the best lead I have so far."
Investigation: 6
Perception: 10
"A dragon cult you say" History:15 regarding the cult of the dragon
"So, mighty Kiori, what does these symbols tell you"
Daerryl gets right to work scouting ahead, climbing down the rope.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Seeing the others struggling with the runes, Raadox reaches into his satchel and takes out an old, battered book. Thumbing carefully through ancient, weathered parchment pages he mutters to himself, "Absorb... Charm... Comprehend... Yes, here we are!" With his eyes focused entirely on the book, he begins to read the words scribbled in an almost illegible hand across the pages. Ten long minutes pass as he mutters strange words and occasionally makes unusual gestures in the air. Half-way through he reaches into a small pouch and pulls out a pinch of soot and a pinch of salt which he sprinkles in the air to let fall. A smile crosses his face when his Comprehend Languages ritual is complete.
"Now then, now then. Let's have a look." He moves up to the runes and running his fingers lovingly across the traced runes he reads them.
That spell complete he then pulls a strip of what looks like cured leather from his pouch and rubs it across himself whilst dancing what almost looks like a very brief jig as he casts Mage Armor. A shimmering barrier of force in the shape of plate armour appears to surround him for a moment and then is gone.
My Homebrew World: The World of Rodinia
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour and Callindrill
Selene carefully moves closer to the ledge looking down with some high anxiety upon the climbing forest gnome.
"Oh, and Daerryl, I didn´t have the chance to tell you, I must say I am impressed with your recruits. Kiori and Raadox together with yourself will surely be enough protection during my mission to the ruins"
"How long is it down, would you say? I have not had much practice with climbing in the courts of Silevrymoon I must admit"
“I’m sure they found me as much as I found them, your ladyship. But I’m sure you can see, these two are no average lumberjacks. These are men of experience!”
Daerryl huffs along at each breath as he climbs down the rope.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Kioiri - you look around but are unable to read the runes. They are not in a language you know although you recognize the runes.
Selene - There are many dragon cults that have existed through the years. The biggest one you can remember and the oldest being the Cult of the Dragon. An organization that venerates evil dragons and especially evil dead dragons and dracoliches. In the past they have been known to try and summon Tiamat into the world.
Raadox - After you cast the spell you realize that the runes are dwarven but the language is goblin. The messages are all warnings and threats against trespassers.
Daerrly is easily able to climb down about 50 feet of the rope, using the old and weathered handholds and footholds that are in the side of the ravine. As you climb, you realize that the rope is in pretty good condition. It probably has only been hanging there for a week or two. Upon reaching the bottom you are greeted by a sandy ledge overlooking a subterranean gulf of darkness to the west. The ledge is wide but rough. Sand, rocky debris, and the bones of small animals cover it. A rough-hewn stairwell zigs and zags down the side of the ledge, descending into darkness.
"Selene," Raadox says to the fair lady. "Would you like a hand climbing down? I'm no acrobat, but if I drop down first and spot you I can hopefully help your descent. What do you think?" Raadox smiles his most dashing smile. Hmm, she's cute. This might be a fun side trek after all.
My Homebrew World: The World of Rodinia
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour and Callindrill
"Oh, Raadox, you are a true gentleman, but are you strong enough to catch me should I fall?" Sending the elegant elf a tricksy smile.
"After you then" She says to the elf, preparing herself mentally for the athletic challenge.
"Okay, let's do this." Raadox will grab the rope and agilely abseil down to join Daerryl. Assuming he gets safely to the bottom he will call back up to Selene and try and talk her down the rope, pointing out footholds as she descends.
OOC: do we need to make any skill checks?
My Homebrew World: The World of Rodinia
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour and Callindrill
(Nope climbing the rope is pretty easy.)
Kiori steps away from the pillars and responds to Selene "I can't make sense out of this, my lady. I recognize every rune by itself, but the order seems random to me."
He waits for Selene and Raadox to climb down and then takes the rope to descend himself. Once he is down in the ravine, he will concentrate on his surroundings, trying to notice if evil has infected this place.
OOC: using the paladin ability Divine Sense
As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover.
Raadox will wait at the bottom of the rope for Selene and gallantly help her the last few handholds down. "All safe and sound, milady, see? Nothing to fear when I'm around," he smiles.
"Oh yes, sorry," chimes in Raadox when they have all made it to the bottom of the rope. "I meant to say. Those runes. Just the usual goblin tripe warning about trespassing and how they'll sacrifice us to their crazy gods and the like. Curious that the runes appear dwarven though," he shrugs.
"Where to next then? Daerryl? Any obvious routes onwards? The staircase I assume?"
My Homebrew World: The World of Rodinia
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour and Callindrill
As you all land and look around, the noise that Daerryl heard become visible, three giant rats leap our towards you. Kiori, you sense nothing as they rush out.
Rat init 4
"Time to defend ourselves!" the goliath says while taking the shield out of his back and grabbing his flail
Kiori initiative: 7
"IIIIH, RATS" Selene, not used to losing her composure, facing rats being a rare exception, retreats toward the knotted rope.
Selene initiative: 13
“Oh, well that’s because goblins use Dwarvish runes for their- ah!” Daerryl draws his shortbow to fire
initiative 14
Paladin - warforged - orange
Raadox draws a shortsword and dagger and steps in front of Selene as the rats rush in. Time to make an impression on this group. The damsel, especially.
Initiative: 14
My Homebrew World: The World of Rodinia
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour and Callindrill