Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

(Just waiting till we can get more information on layouts and potential attach points. Need the others back for intel.)

(Sorry, I clearly forgot to get some updates here for a couple days!!)

You all find things to occupy your day.

Acorn and Sozi are thrilled to have someone spend time with them, and Rahkeshi joins in for much of the time.

Presxina is very glad to show Aurelius around outside and talk about the local plants. She laughs a bit at the suggestion of aphrodisiacs, "I'm not sure we have many of those!" There are a fair number that can be used for healing in various ways - many of them not particularly potent but will alleviate itches or headaches or work as an antiseptic for cuts.  She does find one leafy plant with bright blue flowers. "Now this one can be made into quite a healing potion. Though it takes a lot of preparation as well."  After quite a walk, she suddenly points out another drooping plant with red and pink flowers. "Hmm, you know, I do think that one is rumored to have aphrodisiac traits. I have never really tried anything like that before."  She looks at Aurelius with a smile, "I can't imagine you have much need of such things either." 

Returning to the tree hideout, Yoë is more than happy to work on collaborating on a song to commemorate defeating Leilatha. She quickly devolves into make some rather wild rhymes and soon loses interest. "I'll make some lunch!" she declares, starting to rummage through the kitchen area and prepares a light soup for anyone who would like some. 

Flynt hangs out around the hideout, getting some well-deserved rest after all the recent activity. (Or something else if there is something he wants to do!) 

You all have been up for over 12 hours when finally Elyria sees Aelric returning.  The owl is carrying a rolled-up parchment, which Elyria is able to retrieve: 

Elyria spends the day with Rahkeshi and their blink dogs, being in a cheerful mood it seems, helping Yoë out with lunch, then eating with the others before returning to frolicking with Acorn and Sozi.

As Aelric arrives the blonde elf gets excited and gathers the others inside to read Sabynn's letter aloud for them all. "Perhaps we should try to find our own way inside the fortress to avoid putting Sabynn in more danger now. Any thoughts on which way we should enter the fortress and where we would likely find Lady Sylmare in there. It sounds to me like she is preparing for some kind of ritual and doesn't want to be disturbed." Elyria says in a serious and determined tone as she finishes reading the letter, looking around at the others.

"Any ritual that hag would perform can only be evil, and if she puts up the wards again, it will be that much more difficult to enter.  I say we go now, tonight, while Sylmare is distracted."

Elyria nods at Aurelius decisiveness. "I agree, question is, how do we get inside and where inside should we look for Lady Sylmare?" She says looking around at the team.

Aurelius looks to Rahkeshi and Yoë.  "Any thoughts on the least-guarded point of access?  And where in the fortress she would perform such a ritual?  We must be on guard, if those ogres are anything like the Betrayer we encountered before, they can both fly and turn invisible, so we must prepare for that.  Also, they can sometimes charm the simple-minded," he says, a small smile on his lips, without looking at the half-orc.

"I don't think that they are Aurelius. I believe they are the same dim-witted ogres that we saw in her throne room if you remember. They might still be formidable opponents in close combat though." Elyria says to the half-elven paladin.

Flynt nods in agreement as the group converses. "I would be willing to bet that Sylmar will place herself anywhere Leilatha had a meaningful presence. Her personal chambers for example. We should probably look for a ritual room or wherever Leilatha did her magic as well. Somewhere she used to retreat to that was off limits. That would be the place to set the ambush. Sylmar would feel safe to be there alone and we could go undetected until the moment we strike. Although I have a feeling everything will eventually lead us back to the fortress we were unable to get to. In my mind that's where the head of the snake resides. "

Rahkeshi says, "Lady Leilatha had satyrs mostly guarding the entrances. Both at the front and the tunnel - the way you came in.  With the magical wards there was little reason to guard anywhere else.  And even then, the wards still protected from most unwanted intruders.  I still think the gardens might be out best bet. I can easily climb that and help others." Yoë seems to agree. "The garden sounds like it might work. Although..." she glances at Rahkeshi, "... I'm not sure how you're going to just climb up? It's really high and steep!" The half-orc laughs, "You saw me climb the waterfall, right?" 

Presxina nods at Rahkeshi's last statement. "I saw that too."  She then looks at Aurelius, "Do you mean the fortress in the mountains? Amidst all the snow?" 

Yoë then continues, "As for where Lady Sylmare would be at. I would guess the throne room, to the east side of the fortress. That's kind of opposite the end where we came in and found Rahkeshi.  Also upstairs were Lady Leilatha's chambers. I'd start there. But I'd bet if she's warding the place she could be anywhere!" 

"We should go in through the garden then. I can summon my Air Elemental to carry us up there." Elyria says with a firm nod, looking around at the others. "Would you prefer to come along or wait here to take care of the wounded as we get back?" The blonde elf turns to Yoë and Presxina and asks with a warm smile.

"The garden it is. Between Elyrias boots and my armor we might be able to save the elemental and just lower ropes. I should be able to hoist Arelious up as well anyone else that needs it. Though the elemental would probably be the fastest route for the rest. I don't know what the limits are for the elemental and we'll definitely want it in the fight. Speaking of the satyrs it might behoove us to see what assets may lie among them. Though the removal of their mistress could be problematic. Perhaps Yoë could be more help in that area than in the infiltration." Flynts casts an uncharacteristic warm look at the satyr. "Besides it would keep her safer though I know her courage will tell us it's unnecessary. Perhaps Presxina might do the same among the Harengon, or at least make them aware of what is transpiring. A distraction to draw away guards and attention could ease our way. Maybe They could provide that. We should discuss all this as we travel." suggests Flynt as the finer details of their plan begin to work themselves out.

"The elemental will be in my servitude for long enough I daresay. I'm not sure we will run into either satyrs or harengon in the fortress though. The satyrs would likely have fled or would be in the dungeons by now, and those guarding the fortress now would probably be Lady Sylmare's eladrin and pet ogres." Elyria comments.

Aurelius answers the harengon, "The fortress of snow and ice is where the mother bade me come, yes."

"I wasn't speaking about any inside the fortress." Clarifies Flynt as the group heads off.

Yoë says something to Presxina, then the two look at you all. "We can walk with you for a ways," Presxina says. "Then I'll take the harengon here to one of the satyr villages. It would be good to see how things are going there. When should we meet up with you guys again?"

Rahkeshi says, "I can walk up the cliff myself. I think if you can preserve the magic for later, that would be best Elyria."

(OOC-What time would it be right now?)

(It is nearing the time you slept the previous day.)

(So, when would that be? In the middle of the night? If that is the case, is it reasonable for us to start out now or must we rest again first? How long would it take to get to the fortress?)

The Fey world has only twilight - neither day nor night. It's been that way since you got here. It would feel like evening to you. (8-9pm equivalent)

You've all been up, though not doing anything really. I would say you could certainly go another 4-8 hours before sleep is required.

(Okay, heh, forgot, thanks :-)

"We should meet back here to rest." Elyria answers Yoë, then turning to Rahkeshi. "Fine, I will wait with calling upon the Air Elemental then." She says with a nod, quickly getting her gear to head out towards the fortress, letting Aelric scout ahead.

Perception: 22 Aelric perception: 22