Tests and Trials Game Thread

(( The old Cladmir would have questioned the wisdom of pushing on in the dark, especially after the weird encounter in the forrest.  But given his new found faith in Kroshav he would back the paladin up 100%. ))

"It can't be that much further, and I for one like a hot meal and a warm dry bed. Or at least a luke warm magic meal... I think she's getting better though? Either that or..." , the big paladin shudders "...I'm getting used to it."

"I can still see quite well.  I can at least warn you if you're about to walk into something."

((Okay, @Spider, a survival with disadvantage please))

17

Jaq is trying to feel they are going in the right direction, but doubts they are fully on the right path.  He is also worried about being trailed by a dragon minion.  

"I think it might be better to not head into the library at dark, at least not yet.  Until we are certain we aren't being watched.   If we get a bit closer, camp, and then tomorrow I can fly up and try to see if anything is around before we go directly to the entrance."

Can Ernos help Kroshav using his darkvision?

"The moment you take to the air, you will be very visible.  A beacon for our position.  The dark is likely our best cover.  I see farther than most, so if any were in view of us I would see them too.  If you are concerned, perhaps we cover our tracks as we move?"

"Yeah, I think it would be a very bad idea for that dragon to know where the...where our camp is."

((@Hound, the issue is less that it is dark and more that it is dark and snowing heavily. Ernos could give his own flat survival as well if he would like.

The snow is falling heavily enough that tracks aren't likely stick around more than a few hours. Another issue is that the Archives are in the middle of a large washout, anyone/anything watching that area from the tree lines, or above in the air, will see more or less where you are going - something that would be prevented by the heavy snow.

The snow also is going to negate any benefit from Jaq's flying up.

So, to avoid detection, getting to the Archives in the snow storm is best but getting there in a snow storm is also tougher.))

(Ahhh.. If visibility will make tracking hard now, Jaq votes to push on and hope.)

(( Cladmir is not quite sure what is going on as he never directly involved in any intrigues before, but with Kroshav making decisions surely nothing could go wrong! ))

((Kroshav would've crushed it if not for that pesky disadvantage!))

((I don't think Ernos is going to try to take the lead after how poorly it went on the way to the forest))

Kroshav, confident from his earlier pathfinding pushes on. The ground gradually becomes more uneven and the incline increases, all okayish signs, until Kroshav and rest find themselves at what is unmistakably a cliff face. It doesn't look unclimbable (for those without hooves) but it is an unmistakable indication that they have gone too far to the north and not far enough to the east.

It is good and proper dark now, but Kroshav knows if he turns right and follows the cliff and whatever else comes after the cliff it will eventually disappear, along with all the trees and other stuff to the south of them. When that happens, they'll have reached the washout that is the beginnings of the Cut and not be too far from the Archives. Following this plan Kroshav leads the group to the right and after another hour everyone notices the rough, steep terrain to the north rather abruptly disappear as do all the trees and bolders to the south.

From this point everyone in the group has a fair sense of where the Archives should be as they press through the first deep drifts into the more manageable knee depth loose powder. A few slips show the icy stone remains polished smooth from the last storm but the new layer of fresh snow keeps anyone from bruising more than their pride.

((Everyone roll me a perception check at disadvantage please))

Kroshav Perception: 17

Perception: 7

Perception: 9

(( WHOHA!  Cladmir has just expended all his luck for the year! ))

Through the falling snow and in the darkness Cladmir more senses than sees a bit of darkness on the ground that is deeper than the rest. Pausing to squint at it he sees snow fall on it and disappear. Stepping closer he makes out that it is a pool of water, oddly not frozen. Taking another step he recognizes the pool as not being a pool, but being the hole Kroshav cut into some lost place or other.

Looking into rippling water he also gets a sensation of warmth reach up to brush him. Which doesn't make sense because Jaq said it was freezing?

Turning in the direction the rest of party trudged slowly past no more than minute before he hears soft footfalls from the other direction. A couple seconds later a pair of bugbears slip into view, carefully trying to walk in the party's tracks.

They notice Cladmir a tick after he notices them, eyes widening.

Seeing the bugbears first gave Cladmir the momentary advantage to draw his weapon and yell out a warning to the rest of the group.

"We have company!"