"Ah, sorry, Miss Primrose," Zorkamius apologizes. "I can help with camouflage but not invisibility." He thanks you for the Underdark map. "This will come in quite handy. Although it seems to be lacking in some details, it is a good generalization of the territories of the denizens of the Underdark beneath Frelia."
"Yes," Kren replies, "hippogriffs do eat meat, mostly only small rodents, though. Any tack and harnesses you may need should be in the saddlebags of each hippogriff, including the special bit and bridle used with these creatures. You would steer them left and right with the reins. Up and down are determined on how you sit. Lean forward for "down" or "land" and lean back for "up". That's basically it," Kren shrugs.
"The horses are still in the cave where you left them," Kren informs you, "but I can have the FDF get and return them to Daruinjak for you, if you like. The wolf Thor might be a problem, though. It seems the gnome keeping it has grown rather fond of the animal and insists that no one but the Badger, Mister Taxidea Taxus, can take it from him."
(To Zorkamius:) "Camoflauge beats nothing if you could teach us, please & thank you."
(To Kren:) "Thank you Kren. Yes, it would make it much easier if the FDF could return them to Daruinjak, rather than us trying to return with horses & 'Griffs.
If it's not too much to ask, the remains of our Bugbear allies are with the Nibleni. Their behavior and support were greater than I ever expected of bugbears and I'd recommend hailing them as heros. Not that I'm certain they wouldn't have betrayed us, but playing up their heroism could be a propaganda goldmine to continue our bugbear alliance.
BADGER! Looks like we'll have to visit Svelta to retrieve Thor."
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Kren takes the time to help with putting bits, bridles, reins, and saddles on the hippogriffs, adjusting things as needed to suit each rider and their mount. He even puts a special saddle designed for smaller riders on one of the creatures that has a type of leather ladder to help someone climb up onto their mount. "This one is for you, Mister Taxidea," he says, giving the hippogriff a pat. "She is probably the gentlest one of the herd, and this saddle was made especially for halflings."
While Orion is meditating, Zorkamius bids you all farewell, mounts his winged horse, and flies away.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
After several hours flying, you come across another valley deep in the mountains. On one of the mountains is what appears to be turrets and a wall built as if coming out and part of the hillside. Kren takes you up higher as you get closer to Fort Kill. As you look below, you see the wall surrounds a large courtyard in which several goblins appear to be tending to some large wolf-like creatures. Kren circles around then flies a little way further down the valley where a large clearing reveals a small, rocky beach on the shore of a small body of water.
While circling over the fort, Prim estimates distances. How many thousand feet across is the fort? Or is it less than 1000 ft diameter? Any breaks visible in the wall?
"I have a "locate object" spell that can detect the orbs within 1000 feet. I have my Hob mask, that could be worn by the most convincing "hobgoblin" (air quotes) among us. And I know some consider this distasteful or worse, but I could animate a dead hob as cannon fodder & disguise. A "Sleep" spell could let use garrote a couple of scouts for clothes & corpses. And I hate this idea even more, but are there sewers that would let us sneak in?"
(Prim casts "Mage Armor" before they leave the clearing.)
What you can see of the fort is less than 1000 ft in diameter. The turrets seemed to almost come out of the mountain itself, while the courtyard seemed to have two parts to it: a round section about 40' in diameter around a well connected to a triangular section about 50' long connected by a 30' passageway. The triangle section is where you saw the wolf-like creatures. The western side of the courtyard looks charred and ruined, but otherwise the wall looks intact. A path comes up from the south to an entry gate in the circular area.
"Ah, sorry, Miss Primrose," Zorkamius apologizes. "I can help with camouflage but not invisibility." He thanks you for the Underdark map. "This will come in quite handy. Although it seems to be lacking in some details, it is a good generalization of the territories of the denizens of the Underdark beneath Frelia."
"Yes," Kren replies, "hippogriffs do eat meat, mostly only small rodents, though. Any tack and harnesses you may need should be in the saddlebags of each hippogriff, including the special bit and bridle used with these creatures. You would steer them left and right with the reins. Up and down are determined on how you sit. Lean forward for "down" or "land" and lean back for "up". That's basically it," Kren shrugs.
"The horses are still in the cave where you left them," Kren informs you, "but I can have the FDF get and return them to Daruinjak for you, if you like. The wolf Thor might be a problem, though. It seems the gnome keeping it has grown rather fond of the animal and insists that no one but the Badger, Mister Taxidea Taxus, can take it from him."
(To Zorkamius:) "Camoflauge beats nothing if you could teach us, please & thank you."
(To Kren:) "Thank you Kren. Yes, it would make it much easier if the FDF could return them to Daruinjak, rather than us trying to return with horses & 'Griffs.
If it's not too much to ask, the remains of our Bugbear allies are with the Nibleni. Their behavior and support were greater than I ever expected of bugbears and I'd recommend hailing them as heros. Not that I'm certain they wouldn't have betrayed us, but playing up their heroism could be a propaganda goldmine to continue our bugbear alliance.
BADGER! Looks like we'll have to visit Svelta to retrieve Thor."
“Uh…OK…I thought that was the plan anyways.”
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Orion heads over to the oak grove, and sits quietly meditating.
How long do you plan to meditate, Orion?
One hour.
"Ok gang, how about we put put tack & harness on the 'Griffs. Including Orion's, while he meditates".
Prim gets the gear out of the saddlebags and starts gearing up her mount. She double checks the straps to make sure they won't come lose.
(If Kren is sill here, she'll ask for help "Please & thank you".
Orion, finished with his meditation, approaches the mounts. "I'm ready to go when you are."
Kren takes the time to help with putting bits, bridles, reins, and saddles on the hippogriffs, adjusting things as needed to suit each rider and their mount. He even puts a special saddle designed for smaller riders on one of the creatures that has a type of leather ladder to help someone climb up onto their mount. "This one is for you, Mister Taxidea," he says, giving the hippogriff a pat. "She is probably the gentlest one of the herd, and this saddle was made especially for halflings."
While Orion is meditating, Zorkamius bids you all farewell, mounts his winged horse, and flies away.
Before mounting the Hippogriff Taxidea goes over to Rocky. “Take it easy Stone-man.” He says and gives him another thumbs up.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Rocky smiles back at you.
"So, are you guys ready for Fort Kill?" Kren asks.
Orion nods, and looks expectantly at the others.
"Let's go, then," Kren says. Once everyone is mounted, Kren leaps into the air and begins flying off in a westerly direction.
Orion continualy scans the skies and the ground below for anything out of the ordinary.
After several hours flying, you come across another valley deep in the mountains. On one of the mountains is what appears to be turrets and a wall built as if coming out and part of the hillside. Kren takes you up higher as you get closer to Fort Kill. As you look below, you see the wall surrounds a large courtyard in which several goblins appear to be tending to some large wolf-like creatures. Kren circles around then flies a little way further down the valley where a large clearing reveals a small, rocky beach on the shore of a small body of water.
Is the area in the valley between the lake and Fort Kill forested? Orion would like to travel in the forested area if possible.
Yes, the area between the fort and the lake/pond is forested.
"Well, this is it then," Kren says. "I suggest we set up camp here. I will take care of the hippogriffs while you decide what you want to do next."
Orion scouts the area, looking for any sign of recent habitation or travel by goblinoids.
While circling over the fort, Prim estimates distances. How many thousand feet across is the fort? Or is it less than 1000 ft diameter? Any breaks visible in the wall?
"I have a "locate object" spell that can detect the orbs within 1000 feet. I have my Hob mask, that could be worn by the most convincing "hobgoblin" (air quotes) among us. And I know some consider this distasteful or worse, but I could animate a dead hob as cannon fodder & disguise. A "Sleep" spell could let use garrote a couple of scouts for clothes & corpses. And I hate this idea even more, but are there sewers that would let us sneak in?"
(Prim casts "Mage Armor" before they leave the clearing.)
What you can see of the fort is less than 1000 ft in diameter. The turrets seemed to almost come out of the mountain itself, while the courtyard seemed to have two parts to it: a round section about 40' in diameter around a well connected to a triangular section about 50' long connected by a 30' passageway. The triangle section is where you saw the wolf-like creatures. The western side of the courtyard looks charred and ruined, but otherwise the wall looks intact. A path comes up from the south to an entry gate in the circular area.
Here is a basic sketch of the courtyard area: https://inkarnate.com/m/7GGnXb-fort-kill-courtyard/.
"I think we may have blown up the sewers," Deragor says, scratching his head. "You know, when those bugbears died."