Tests and Trials Game Thread

“Are you certain you wish to do this alone?”

"It need not be truly alone, but I can act at the fore, as the one they see.  The dead wouldn't need fires, so perhaps I can speak with our 'neighbours' and see a peaceful resolution."

“I will go with you if you wish.”   Jaq is not exactly certain what Ernos meant by his answer, if he wants company or not. 

"I suggest you keep distance and stay hidden.  Support if there's trouble would be a great help, but you need not face more danger than needed by making your presence known."

((Any other preparations before heading out? It will be about a day to the closest and then a bit less to get back.))

((Nothing I can think of))

Jaq will make sure he has as warm of clothes as possibly on.  And he will have three days rations along.  

((Is this the same day we started with Kroshav's truth circle, or you heading out on some other morning? He doesn't have a 2nd level slot to send you on your way with some aid, but could if it's later.))

((It's the next day after the truth circle, otherwise no time for book sorting etc.!))

((Is it just the two of you going, or we all heading out, and the rest of us stopping some distance out to let you scout in? Either way, Kroshav would cast aid on the others to boost their HP a bit before they are likely to end up doing something that might deplete it.))

((Ernos is fine with everyone coming, he's just wanting to be the one that's noticed so that he doesn't raise the guard of whoever he encounters too much))

Jaq would be more pleased if not breaking apart, but he won't say, 'we should all go'.  

He will, however, ask Kroshav, "Are you staying here to continue work on the burial crypt?"

He will assist, though, no matter how many of us go.

"I am waiting to start on that before we are sure Gethren isn't lurking about. I don't like the two of you going alone if he is, and I don't like leaving Joe and the Librarian alone here if he is either... but know we want to know who is out there.", the conflicted paladin says.

"I think I ought to go as far as you and Ernos want me to, if you get into trouble and need healing, I don't want to be too far away."

Ernos nods, then pauses for a moment.  "How well preserved is the body?  The undead is tracking your friend, yes?  If the body is preserved, I can store it within my ring.  The one seeking him would then come after us instead of this place."

"Within your ring?", Kroshav asks in confusion. "I've done what I can for him, he's under a spell that keeps him from rotting and makes it so he can't be raised as undead, but I have to freshen it up every week or so."

((Sorry, typed this out last night in the office, but didn't post it.))

"As part of my service to the efreeti, I bear with me a token of the genie.  It is possible to enter, and leave things within.  I could bring you in with me to cast your spell each week."

Kroshav looks a bit dubious. "I suppose that would work."

Cladmir has not said anything during the conversation but it is very obvious to anyone that wherever Kroshav is going Cladmir is following -- while never in the paladin's face or in his way, the old soldier is always somewhere nearby like a distant shadow.

Everyone quickly prepares to go and Ernos put's Lurn in to his ring.

((And Hound can describe what that looks like.))

The rest of the of party gather their things and head off. The Librarian, having listened in to your plans, doesn't have any questions but does wave a farewell from one of the golems guarding the entrance.

As expected the first mile getting out of the Cut is the hardest as the snow is the deepest and the ground beneath is simply polished ice. Eula leads the way, breaking the path for the rest of the group, but even she slips often.

A sweaty hour brings the group to the tree line, some slightly more bruised than when they started. Pushing though the last high drifts the party mark the nearest smoke trail in the distance (west side of the Cut), though it is a bit tricky to spot with the breeze and light snow fall, before heading into the easier going of the forest.

((@Hound, can I get an intelligence check please.

Also, can I get one survival check from whomever is leading the group, please.))

Removing his ring from the finger, Ernos hefts Lurn's body over his shoulders - buckling under the weight despite not even fully lifting it.  Pinching his ring between two fingers, the tiefling slides a nail into the seam around its face and flicks open a small compartment.  Wisps of smoke spread from the ring, engulfing Ernos and Lurn, before retracting into the ring, the two figures gone from where they had stood, and the ring dropping to the ground.

A few moments later, the ring shakes, and smoke again emits from the open space.  This time, once the smoke has receded, Ernos stands as he was again.  Stooping, he picks up the ring and slides it back onto his index finger.  "The body will remain safe in there.  None but I can access the contents of the ring, unless it is destroyed.  It is no long-term solution, being that I will need to bring it back out on occasion to ensure rot does not set in, and I can only access the ring once per day, but for now it will suit our needs."

Intelligence: 9

Ernos would gladly take the lead, unless someone else insists on it, consistently heating his boots via prestidigitation to make even the smallest extra mark on the icy footing, leaving those behind him with an easier - if essentially negligibly so - walk.
Survival: 8