Gan-Re looks unhappy at the advice and says “I am no sea-Eagle, but I can swim if required. I would almost prefer to take my chances in the air, but I don’t want to bring trouble down on everyone. I still have my water skin and the magic berry, but it seems that hunting may have to wait. Shall we go after the Hag and be done with this foul place”

Quote from KudosWyvernspur >>

Gan-Re looks unhappy at the advice and says “I am no sea-Eagle, but I can swim if required. I would almost prefer to take my chances in the air, but I don’t want to bring trouble down on everyone. I still have my water skin and the magic berry, but it seems that hunting may have to wait. Shall we go after the Hag and be done with this foul place”

Valrieth seems a bit concerned about the swimming.  "I know how to swim, but I'm not a strong swimmer.  I'm not sure whether I could even stay afloat while wearing a robe, armor, and carrying all of this gear." She hitches up her backpack.  "I may be experienced enough now in the magic of forms and shapes to transform myself into an animal, but I don't think that I've studied frogs or fish enough, yet, to change into something that would be more at home in the water." 

"But I guess we don't have much choice: Gan-Re can't carry the whole party.  Even if we used the portable cave, it would run out of air quickly, so that only makes sense for a short flight like the descent from the causeway.  We'll just have to march through the swamp for now and be ready for a flood."

Gan-Re could probably fly as long as he stays low.  Valrieth proposes that Gan-Re eat the Goodberry now: "I think that you'll find it tasty and surprisingly filling, and that way, there's no chance that it gets stolen or that you lose it in a flood."

Val proposes that they head east, toward the leaning tower and where they saw the balloon crash.  They can use Hisa's and Gan-Re's survival proficiency to keep from getting lost in the swamp, and Gan-Re could always fly up above the mists from time to time to confirm that they're still headed in the right direction.

Yep Please Roll Survival check to see if you can make it to your destination without getting lost.

Gan-Re says “A good idea my friend”. Gan-Re eats the Goodberry and says “Surprisingly good my friend and I feel very full. An amazing magical fruit indeed. However I will want to hunt at some point.” 

Gan-Re remembers the map and his view of the swamp he saw from the air as he tries to guide the party towards the balloon crash.

Survival 19 (game-log)

With Gan-re guiding the party they make it to the Slanting Tower. A crumbling stone tower rises out of the swamp, leaning at such an angle that it threatens to keel over. Black brambles surround the base of the tower and cling to its lower half. Hanging from the crenellations on the lower side of the tower’s peak is a large woven basket at the end of a tangle of ropes and tattered fabric. The basket dangles thirty feet above the surface of the swamp.

The Slanting Tower is 50ft tall and 20ft in diameter

As the party approach the edge of the bramble patch, they hear a whispered voice say in Common, “Psst. You there, I need your help.” The whisper comes from the basket that dangles from the top of the tower.

From where the party is standing they cannot see the occupant of the basket.

"Wha? Who goes there and what do ye need?!" Finley is a bit surprised and stares at the basket.

After trudging through a swamp (for hours?), it's clear to Valrieth that Bavlorna Blightstraw's magic has corrupted the land.  That makes her every bit as upset as the kidnapped children.  She's suspicious of everything that they find in this swamp, and after the "robbery" by Jebbek, her guard is up.

Val whispers to the others in the party, trying not to be overhead by whomever is in the basket.  "It looks like the crashed balloon.  Or...could it be a trap?  Do you think that it's safe to have Gan-Re to fly over and check who is in the basket?  Or should we go up in the tower together to check?  Remember what Jebbek said: we're better protected if we stay together as a group."

it took 2 hours to get to the tower

In a loud whisper the voice says "Hush now. I’m in a bit of a bind. I, Sir Talavar, as one of the Summer Queen’s loyal servants, ask that you free me. You see, I was in the midst of a daring escape from the vile Bavlorna Blightstraw when our balloon was set upon by an ill wind and sent plummeting to its current unfortunate location. My pilot, the honorable Wigglewog, did not survive. I’ve been trapped up here for a while now. Help me. I must tell my queen of the fall of Prismeer!”

Gan-Re decides not to ignore a call for help; he flies up to the Basket, but keeps his eyes and ears open. He announces himself “Hello good Sir Talavar. I am Gan-Re, maybe I can help you down if you are willing to travel in our magic hole”

"No you have to..."  yells Sir Talaver. As Gan-re begins his flight 2 giant constrictor snakes rises out of the muck and brambles and a flying snake, but not the ones your seen or heard of as this one is much bigger.

The flying snake speed towards Gan-re while the giant constrictor snakes move to attack the party

Combat has started

Initiative Order

1. Gan-re
2. Giant snake A
3. Flying snake
4. Giant snake B
5. Hisashi
6. Valrieth
7. Finley

Post your actions when its your turn,

Gan-re your up first

Black brambles surround the base of the tower and cling to its lower half

As the party approach the edge of the bramble patch, they hear a whispered voice

As Gan-re begins his flight 2 giant constrictor snakes rises out of the muck and brambles and a flying snake

(OOC: The giant constrictor snakes are between the party and the tower?  How close is the party to the tower?  

As the party approached the tower, did we see any entrances to the tower, either a door at ground level or a window higher up?)

Yes you see a door choked by brambles and not so much a widow, but a hole in the tower wall higher up. Based on the picture the door and hole are on the right side. The Giant snakes stand between the party and tower.

The party is 10 ft from the tower.

Gan-Re goes into an immediate Rage at seeing the threat to his friends. He holds his shield high and moves to position himself between the party and the giant snakes. He takes his BattleAxe in one hand and makes a mighty swing at Giant Snake A

To Hit: 21 (Game log)

Damage: 12 = 10  (game log)  + 2 from rage

Giant Snake A lets out hiss as Gan-re attack hits then it retaliates with a fanged bite

Attack: 11 Damage: 12

That is a crit attack as the giant snake fangs bite deep into Gan-re

Flying Snake changes its course and flies towards Finley and attacks

Attack: 17 Damage: 13

Giant Snake B moves to attack Hisashi

Attack: 14 Damage: 7