Quote from Weathervision >>

To reach the stairs to L8 from L6 the party needs to find a way over the large branch blocking their path. It is 8ft tall and 10 ft wide. 

(OOC: Hm.  OK.  That doesn't really sound easier than going through the indoor route.)

Aoife sizes up the branch. If she thinks she has a chance of moving it, she'll have a go at lifting it out of the way. (athletics dirty 20)

Quote from valeskah>>

Aoife sizes up the branch. If she thinks she has a chance of moving it, she'll have a go at lifting it out of the way. (athletics dirty 20)

(OOC: If Aoife cannot move the branch, I guess she could at least climb it with that roll and get a look at the rest of the yard.)

Aoife tries but the large branch barely moves though she is able to climb on top of the branch. 

L5

Aoife sees the stairs that lead to L8 and nearby is a pumpkin patch with large pumpkins with leafy vines. In the pumpkin patch there are 5 scarecrows in line.

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

Valrieth....steps just outside the door with Aoife but does not approach the box or rocking horse yet.  She looks back into the room and asks, "Children, have any of you seen this rocking horse before?"  She points toward the rocking horse and holds the flame up above her head so that it casts light on the little yard in front of them.  "Or do you know what this box with the crank does?"

@Weathervision - did Yevelda, Callybon, or Pogo respond to Val's questions?

The children says that the rocking horse is used by Granny Nightshade to fly, and they are not sure what the large box does as they stayed clear of it. 

Valrieth says, "Wise children!", giving the box a wide berth as she moves toward the rocking horse. "It seems that Granny Nightshade's toys are rarely fun."

While Aoife climbs the big branch, she says to Finley and Ilifir, "If we can figure out how to use the rocking horse, maybe we could use it to fly up to the other tower." 

"im more worried about what's in the box than the box itself, but if someone wants to investigate the rocking horse i can break most minor curses, so we have that if its needed" he flies up to see over the branch more easily

Quote from willow_ivyleaf >>

"im more worried about what's in the box than the box itself, but if someone wants to investigate the rocking horse i can break most minor curses, so we have that if its needed" he flies up to see over the branch more easily

"Yes," Valrieth agrees. "Nobody touch that crank."

Val approaches the rocking horse, her flame still held high.  If nothing happens when she approaches within 20 ft of the rocking horse, Val will walk up to it to see whether there's any indication of how it works, such a wind-up key like Skabatha had extending from her back. Investigation 11, or 14 if it counts as Arcana.  She got used to being able to fly past obstacles with the help of Gan-Re, their former Aarakocra companion.  She imagine flying over Granny Nightshade's tin men guards and throwing fire down on them from above. 

If it's unclear how the rocking horse works, Val asks Finley, "You still have those spell scrolls, right?  If we're going to use this rocking horse right away, you may need to use one of them to identify how it works and what the command word is."

Ilifir sees the same thing as Aoife. The curving stairs to L8 and the pumpkin patch with 5 scarecrows 

"Aye, we ken try one o' those ta see what it does. Could be more helpful than harmful," Finley starts digging through his pack. "ah think it's th' last one though." He casts Identify on the rocking horse.

Val investigation reveals a circular depression on the rocking horse's forehead as if something fits into it. At 20ft nothing happens though when Val is within 5 ft the Rocking Horse animates with a terrible creaking sound. The rocking horse hangs its head in sadness and does not attack but acts more like a wounded animal recoiling away from Val. 

It bumps into the crank, causing it to turn. A familiar music begins to play. 

Quote from Snievan >>

"Aye, we ken try one o' those ta see what it does. Could be more helpful than harmful," Finley starts digging through his pack. "ah think it's th' last one though." He casts Identify on the rocking horse.

(OOC: We found 3 scrolls, and while we've talked about using them in the past, I don't think that Finley has actually cast that spell yet.  Searching the game thread for Identify didn't show any actual use of the scrolls.)

Quote from Weathervision>>

Val investigation reveals a circular depression on the rocking horse's forehead as if something fits into it.

"Oh!", Valrieth exclaims, "It looks like it's not a rocking horse, but a rocking unicorn that has lost its horn."  She wonders about the alicorn in her backpack, but she thought that they were supposed to use that unicorn horn to free Zybilna.  Maybe there's a wooden unicorn horn for the wooden horse? 

(OOC: Good on Val.  The player totally missed that depression in the rocking horse's head the first time you posted the image.)

At 20ft nothing happens though when Val is within 5 ft the Rocking Horse animates with a terrible creaking sound. The rocking horse hangs its head in sadness and does not attack but acts more like a wounded animal recoiling away from Val.

Initially, Val looks a little anxious at the creaking sound, worrying that it'll attract attention from Skabatha's other minions.  She feels heartbroken at the reaction of the "horse" and says, "Wait a moment, Finley," waving her hand at him vaguely.  "We might not need the spell scroll." 

Based on the rocking horse's behavior, a thought occurs to Val.  She asks Finley, "I wonder...do you think that this is a cleverly animated toy horse?  Or a real creature who has been cursed to be a rocking horse?"

It bumps into the crank, causing it to turn. A familiar music begins to play. 

When the music starts, Val's stomach seems to do a somersault.  She winces and makes a hissing sound as she suddenly sucks in a breath through her clenched teeth.  "Quick! Stop it form turning!"  Val hops forward and tries to grab the crank and stop it from turning, hoping that if they can stop the crank, it'll both stop the music and whatever "jack" is in this box.  She isn't sure what's in the box, but whatever it is, she's fairly sure that she does not want to find out!

Val recalls the conversation she had with Tsu Harabax the Innkeeper with the walking Inn. She said the Alicorn is rare type of unicorn. 

Aoife jumps down from the branch and steps towards the rocking horse. "I can cast Speak with Animals if you like and see if it wants to talk to us? You're right that it looks more like a transformed animal than a toy."

Val jumps onto the crank stopping it. For brief moment you can hear the sound of metallic claws scraping against the inside of the box. 

Quote from Weathervision >>

Val jumps onto the crank stopping it. For brief moment you can hear the sound of metallic claws scraping against the inside of the box. 

Valrieth's ears quiver stiffly above her head.  She tries to whisper, but of course, she cannot.  So, in her regular speaking volume, she says anxiously, "I heard something scraping to get out of the box."  w3She looks at Finley and Aoife and says,  "If that box opens, be ready to attack anything that pops out!"

Quote from valeskah >>

Aoife jumps down from the branch and steps towards the rocking horse. "I can cast Speak with Animals if you like and see if it wants to talk to us? You're right that it looks more like a transformed animal than a toy."

Val looks at Aoife with her large eyes.  As she thinks, she's completely still, staring unblinkingly and a bit blankly.  Then she blinks and says, "Thank you, Aoife, but you should probably save any spells you know for rescuing the children.  I mean, it's pretty clear that this rocking horse is not a threat, and maybe we can even help undo more of Granny Nightshade's evils here.  Maybe you could just make sure that the crank doesn't turn for a moment?"

Val ensures that her Moonlight Monocle is in place over her eye before she dismisses her flame.  She lets go of the crank and sets down her backpack so that she can rummage through it for the alicron horn.  She continues, "I mean, it can't coincidence, right?  The Stars must have led us here, to this rocking horse, now that Granny Nightshade is dead, with the horn in our possession.  It seems clear what we need to do." 

Val looks up at the rocking horse and says, "Skabath is dead, and we are here to help."  She wants to see whether it understands her and whether its demeanor changes. Insight 20

Val glances are her companions before she actually reveals the alicorn horn in case anyone thinks its a bad idea to try touching it to the depression on the rocking horse's head.  She thinks that Finley, at least, will understand what she's planning.

The rocking horse does understand and seems elated though frustrated as it has limited movement as a construct. It sees the horn and lowers its head as if ready to except the horn. 

Not hearing any objections, Valrieth withdraws the alicorn horn from her backpack.  She puts her backpack on again, lifts her shield, and approaches the rocking horse.  She takes a deep breath, reaches up with the alicorn horn in her right hand, and touches the base of the horn to the depression on the rocking horse's head.