Alesia Gravelstoke arrives in town, swapping her grey cloak for a disguise of a farmer, she arrives on a cart, and helps them unload it, just in case - she tells you later - there are spies in Albridge watching to see who arrives and departs.
She, Augustin, and Dar Gremath (and any other party members who want to participate) spend some time discussing options for infiltrating Harken Keep, including what help the Gravelstokes can supply. This will take a few days in the planning.
Grimbald pours over the plans, looking for any secret entrances that the Iron Circle may not have discovered. He knows enough from Dwarven defences that there are often posterns for escaping sieges or for messengers to come and go. He looks to to see how the Keep accesses water during sieges. Is there a well, or perhaps and underground passage for accessing water?
The owl familiar finds an entrance to its lair in the woods. A hole straight down, looks like it leads to a tunnel.
RL will send the owl down the hole to see how deep it is and to get an idea of what is inside if its further than 100ft it will observe and report back
RL will hide above ground so that if the insect comes out of the burrow he will be out of view.
The owl follows the tunnels, as far as it can. There are two tunnels that branch off but the owl chooses always to go left. The tunnel leads to an open area where the insect creature appears to be resting. It is like a giant insect, designed to hunt and capture prey.
There are other exits from this dirt cave too, so this lair seems to be extensive. This is at the 100 ft limit of the owl spirit familiar.
The owl familiar finds an entrance to its lair in the woods. A hole straight down, looks like it leads to a tunnel.
RL will send the owl down the hole to see how deep it is and to get an idea of what is inside if its further than 100ft it will observe and report back
RL will hide above ground so that if the insect comes out of the burrow he will be out of view.
The owl follows the tunnels, as far as it can. There are two tunnels that branch off but the owl chooses always to go left. The tunnel leads to an open area where the insect creature appears to be resting. It is like a giant insect, designed to hunt and capture prey.
There are other exits from this dirt cave too, so this lair seems to be extensive. This is at the 100 ft limit of the owl spirit familiar.
RL will send his familiar back to the original split and down the right hand fork please to get an idea of what is down that way please
Coming back the owl heads down the first tunnel that branches off. It leads to another split. Going left would take the owl out of range again, so it turns right. It ends up in another chamber where it seems there are giant insect skins on the floor - some kind of moulting chamber? The skins are crawling with mites eating the moulted skins. There is another exit from this chamber the owl takes, and finds itself in what can only be described as a garbage chamber - bones of various animals lie in a pile, along with what is likely to be faeces, mould and fungus grows on the pile and on the walls. Dog sized beetles with glands on their head that cast a reddish light are organising the pile, turning it over like one might turn over a compost heap. In the mix is a human skull which looks very old. The owl also spots the glint of metal in the pile before it is covered by the beetles industrious efforts.
The owl follows another exit, heading away from RL and ends up in a fungal garden - fungus of different shapes and sizes cover the room. There is a worn path in the middle. The owl sees a beetle bringing compost to dump at the base of some large, purple fungi. It lands on top of a skeleton in leather armour, still gripping a rusted shortsword.
Coming back the owl heads down the first tunnel that branches off. It leads to another split. Going left would take the owl out of range again, so it turns right. It ends up in another chamber where it seems there are giant insect skins on the floor - some kind of moulting chamber? The skins are crawling with mites eating the moulted skins. There is another exit from this chamber the owl takes, and finds itself in what can only be described as a garbage chamber - bones of various animals lie in a pile, along with what is likely to be faeces, mould and fungus grows on the pile and on the walls. Dog sized beetles with glands on their head that cast a reddish light are organising the pile, turning it over like one might turn over a compost heap. In the mix is a human skull which looks very old. The owl also spots the glint of metal in the pile before it is covered by the beetles industrious efforts.
The owl follows another exit, heading away from RL and ends up in a fungal garden - fungus of different shapes and sizes cover the room. There is a worn path in the middle. The owl sees a beetle bringing compost to dump at the base of some large, purple fungi. It lands on top of a skeleton in leather armour, still gripping a rusted shortsword.
This is at the owl's limit again.
The owl will last for 2 hours. Can it please explore as much of the tunnels as it can and follow each branch even if it leaves 100ft as long as it reports back after each tunnel.
The owl continues to explore, finding just one more chamber, one littered with eggs, some broken, and about a dozen large larva the size of cats, all feasting on the carcass of a cow.
The owl also finds more areas of fungus, some clustered around the tunnels and intersections, as well as two other exits out into other parts of the woods, one of them large and easier for non-climbers to enter and exit.
Grimbald pours over the plans, looking for any secret entrances that the Iron Circle may not have discovered. He knows enough from Dwarven defences that there are often posterns for escaping sieges or for messengers to come and go. He looks to to see how the Keep accesses water during sieges. Is there a well, or perhaps and underground passage for accessing water?
Grimbald finds something. It looks like there is a secret passage from the north tower to outside, but written in dwarvish in tiny script is a note explaining that it is always locked, no one can get in that way.
The owl continues to explore, finding just one more chamber, one littered with eggs, some broken, and about a dozen large larva the size of cats, all feasting on the carcass of a cow.
The owl also finds more areas of fungus, some clustered around the tunnels and intersections, as well as two other exits out into other parts of the woods, one of them large and easier for non-climbers to enter and exit.
RL will make his way around to the large easier entrance and hide near that while he has a discussion with Esa. He lets her know everything that his owl has seen. 'Are you keen to go in and take care of this ourselves? I can summon a beast to tank for us and we can blast this thing to dust? I am keen to see what the armour and glint of metal are. Who knows we might be able to get some thing made out of the hide of this thing.
The owl continues to explore, finding just one more chamber, one littered with eggs, some broken, and about a dozen large larva the size of cats, all feasting on the carcass of a cow.
The owl also finds more areas of fungus, some clustered around the tunnels and intersections, as well as two other exits out into other parts of the woods, one of them large and easier for non-climbers to enter and exit.
RL will make his way around to the large easier entrance and hide near that while he has a discussion with Esa. He lets her know everything that his owl has seen. 'Are you keen to go in and take care of this ourselves? I can summon a beast to tank for us and we can blast this thing to dust? I am keen to see what the armour and glint of metal are. Who knows we might be able to get some thing made out of the hide of this thing.
Esa hesitates. "The others have no idea where we are. Should we fall here or the tunnels collapse, we would be on our own to die. I think this does need to be dealt with, but let's come back tomorrow. If it's an insect, tipping oil down the tunnels and lighting it on fire might do away with them quickly. Or we could fill the tunnel entrance with kindling and set it on fire, fill their tunnels with smoke to suffocate them or at least thin their numbers. At the very least, let's let the others know where will be before we disappear into the abyss."
Sensing RL may feel disappointed, she adds, "As much as I believe we could do a good deal just the two of us, I can't scold Augustin for being reckless while doing the same thing."
The owl continues to explore, finding just one more chamber, one littered with eggs, some broken, and about a dozen large larva the size of cats, all feasting on the carcass of a cow.
The owl also finds more areas of fungus, some clustered around the tunnels and intersections, as well as two other exits out into other parts of the woods, one of them large and easier for non-climbers to enter and exit.
RL will make his way around to the large easier entrance and hide near that while he has a discussion with Esa. He lets her know everything that his owl has seen. 'Are you keen to go in and take care of this ourselves? I can summon a beast to tank for us and we can blast this thing to dust? I am keen to see what the armour and glint of metal are. Who knows we might be able to get some thing made out of the hide of this thing.
Esa hesitates. "The others have no idea where we are. Should we fall here or the tunnels collapse, we would be on our own to die. I think this does need to be dealt with, but let's come back tomorrow. If it's an insect, tipping oil down the tunnels and lighting it on fire might do away with them quickly. Or we could fill the tunnel entrance with kindling and set it on fire, fill their tunnels with smoke to suffocate them or at least thin their numbers. At the very least, let's let the others know where will be before we disappear into the abyss."
Sensing RL may feel disappointed, she adds, "As much as I believe we could do a good deal just the two of us, I can't scold Augustin for being reckless while doing the same thing."
That's fair, we have some acid vials and alchemist fire back in town as well.
RL will head back to town to let the rest of the party know what we found.
The owl continues to explore, finding just one more chamber, one littered with eggs, some broken, and about a dozen large larva the size of cats, all feasting on the carcass of a cow.
The owl also finds more areas of fungus, some clustered around the tunnels and intersections, as well as two other exits out into other parts of the woods, one of them large and easier for non-climbers to enter and exit.
RL will make his way around to the large easier entrance and hide near that while he has a discussion with Esa. He lets her know everything that his owl has seen. 'Are you keen to go in and take care of this ourselves? I can summon a beast to tank for us and we can blast this thing to dust? I am keen to see what the armour and glint of metal are. Who knows we might be able to get some thing made out of the hide of this thing.
Esa hesitates. "The others have no idea where we are. Should we fall here or the tunnels collapse, we would be on our own to die. I think this does need to be dealt with, but let's come back tomorrow. If it's an insect, tipping oil down the tunnels and lighting it on fire might do away with them quickly. Or we could fill the tunnel entrance with kindling and set it on fire, fill their tunnels with smoke to suffocate them or at least thin their numbers. At the very least, let's let the others know where will be before we disappear into the abyss."
Sensing RL may feel disappointed, she adds, "As much as I believe we could do a good deal just the two of us, I can't scold Augustin for being reckless while doing the same thing."
That's fair, we have some acid vials and alchemist fire back in town as well.
RL will head back to town to let the rest of the party know what we found.
As they travel back, Esa will fly high up in the sky, trying to map the area to give to the others when they return in the event they don't join them.
As they travel back, Esa will fly high up in the sky, trying to map the area to give to the others when they return in the event they don't join them.
RL would also like to let the farmer know what we found on the way back in case he has heard of them before. Would RL have known about what this insect is from his time in the forests?
As they travel back, Esa will fly high up in the sky, trying to map the area to give to the others when they return in the event they don't join them.
RL would also like to let the farmer know what we found on the way back in case he has heard of them before. Would RL have known about what this insect is from his time in the forests?
Jed hasn't heard of them before. He asks if you are going to take care of it. Doesn't want it coming to take more cows or people.
As they travel back, Esa will fly high up in the sky, trying to map the area to give to the others when they return in the event they don't join them.
RL would also like to let the farmer know what we found on the way back in case he has heard of them before. Would RL have known about what this insect is from his time in the forests?
Jed hasn't heard of them before. He asks if you are going to take care of it. Doesn't want it coming to take more cows or people.
You think the creature is an ankheg, they are carnivorous burrowers, usually make use of existing burrows made by other creatures but sometimes - especially if more than one cohabit - make their own burrows. They prefer to ambush out of their lair or from underground, but if that doesn't work due to lack of prey or the ground is too hard they will go hunt. You know when hurt they can spray acid.
Jed nods and seems satisfied. He's holding a pitchfork, chewing a wheat head, spitting out the seed shells, and tips his wide brimmed hat back, as if trying to represent the typical representation of farm life in one take.
Back in the village Fredrick is leaving under grey skies spitting small droplets of water, waving goodbye to all those who care to wave him off. He has a pack with his lute and a rapier by his side. His yellow jacket and white shirt and pants have been replaced by sensible travel wear, including an oilskin coat in case the rain gets heavier. Grimbald and RL think that it won't and that he'll likely make it to Easthill without getting a soaking. He is travelling with a farmer's cart part of the way for company and is talking animatedly with the farmer and a younger man as he leaves. 'Hopefully not mentioning anything about a haunted manor', thinks Augustin.
The plan for infiltrating the keep still needs to be finalised. Alesia Gravelstoke is here to offer any help on behalf of her family.
The party can take out the problematic ankheg, now, or wait until Augustin's abdominal wound is healed in 3 days.
They can investigate the haunted manor when Fredrick Quicksilver gets back, in about six days. Or just go without him, some investigation could provide the location no doubt. Although that might be morally questionable unless the party does in fact, put aside a share of any treasure for the bard.
Grimbald suggests the party waits until Augustin is fully healed before taking on the Ankheg. Then to try an infiltrate the keep, "Can we reach this secret door undercover, or is it out in the open. Anyone got any ideas about the locked entry? We can't just smash it down due to the noise. Maybe we have a 2nd plan in case we can't make it through the secret entrance."
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Grimbald pours over the plans, looking for any secret entrances that the Iron Circle may not have discovered. He knows enough from Dwarven defences that there are often posterns for escaping sieges or for messengers to come and go. He looks to to see how the Keep accesses water during sieges. Is there a well, or perhaps and underground passage for accessing water?
The owl follows the tunnels, as far as it can. There are two tunnels that branch off but the owl chooses always to go left. The tunnel leads to an open area where the insect creature appears to be resting. It is like a giant insect, designed to hunt and capture prey.
There are other exits from this dirt cave too, so this lair seems to be extensive. This is at the 100 ft limit of the owl spirit familiar.
RL will send his familiar back to the original split and down the right hand fork please to get an idea of what is down that way please
Coming back the owl heads down the first tunnel that branches off. It leads to another split. Going left would take the owl out of range again, so it turns right. It ends up in another chamber where it seems there are giant insect skins on the floor - some kind of moulting chamber? The skins are crawling with mites eating the moulted skins. There is another exit from this chamber the owl takes, and finds itself in what can only be described as a garbage chamber - bones of various animals lie in a pile, along with what is likely to be faeces, mould and fungus grows on the pile and on the walls. Dog sized beetles with glands on their head that cast a reddish light are organising the pile, turning it over like one might turn over a compost heap. In the mix is a human skull which looks very old. The owl also spots the glint of metal in the pile before it is covered by the beetles industrious efforts.
The owl follows another exit, heading away from RL and ends up in a fungal garden - fungus of different shapes and sizes cover the room. There is a worn path in the middle. The owl sees a beetle bringing compost to dump at the base of some large, purple fungi. It lands on top of a skeleton in leather armour, still gripping a rusted shortsword.
This is at the owl's limit again.
The owl will last for 2 hours. Can it please explore as much of the tunnels as it can and follow each branch even if it leaves 100ft as long as it reports back after each tunnel.
The owl continues to explore, finding just one more chamber, one littered with eggs, some broken, and about a dozen large larva the size of cats, all feasting on the carcass of a cow.
The owl also finds more areas of fungus, some clustered around the tunnels and intersections, as well as two other exits out into other parts of the woods, one of them large and easier for non-climbers to enter and exit.
Grimbald finds something. It looks like there is a secret passage from the north tower to outside, but written in dwarvish in tiny script is a note explaining that it is always locked, no one can get in that way.
RL will make his way around to the large easier entrance and hide near that while he has a discussion with Esa. He lets her know everything that his owl has seen. 'Are you keen to go in and take care of this ourselves? I can summon a beast to tank for us and we can blast this thing to dust? I am keen to see what the armour and glint of metal are. Who knows we might be able to get some thing made out of the hide of this thing.
Esa hesitates. "The others have no idea where we are. Should we fall here or the tunnels collapse, we would be on our own to die. I think this does need to be dealt with, but let's come back tomorrow. If it's an insect, tipping oil down the tunnels and lighting it on fire might do away with them quickly. Or we could fill the tunnel entrance with kindling and set it on fire, fill their tunnels with smoke to suffocate them or at least thin their numbers. At the very least, let's let the others know where will be before we disappear into the abyss."
Sensing RL may feel disappointed, she adds, "As much as I believe we could do a good deal just the two of us, I can't scold Augustin for being reckless while doing the same thing."
That's fair, we have some acid vials and alchemist fire back in town as well.
RL will head back to town to let the rest of the party know what we found.
As they travel back, Esa will fly high up in the sky, trying to map the area to give to the others when they return in the event they don't join them.
RL would also like to let the farmer know what we found on the way back in case he has heard of them before. Would RL have known about what this insect is from his time in the forests?
Jed hasn't heard of them before. He asks if you are going to take care of it. Doesn't want it coming to take more cows or people.
Roll a Nature or Survival check.
survival check with guidance 134
I think that should be 12
You think the creature is an ankheg, they are carnivorous burrowers, usually make use of existing burrows made by other creatures but sometimes - especially if more than one cohabit - make their own burrows. They prefer to ambush out of their lair or from underground, but if that doesn't work due to lack of prey or the ground is too hard they will go hunt. You know when hurt they can spray acid.
Esa will tell Jed they do intend to help with the problem, but need to inform their party and possibly grab some supplies
Jed nods and seems satisfied. He's holding a pitchfork, chewing a wheat head, spitting out the seed shells, and tips his wide brimmed hat back, as if trying to represent the typical representation of farm life in one take.
Back in the village Fredrick is leaving under grey skies spitting small droplets of water, waving goodbye to all those who care to wave him off. He has a pack with his lute and a rapier by his side. His yellow jacket and white shirt and pants have been replaced by sensible travel wear, including an oilskin coat in case the rain gets heavier. Grimbald and RL think that it won't and that he'll likely make it to Easthill without getting a soaking. He is travelling with a farmer's cart part of the way for company and is talking animatedly with the farmer and a younger man as he leaves. 'Hopefully not mentioning anything about a haunted manor', thinks Augustin.
The plan for infiltrating the keep still needs to be finalised. Alesia Gravelstoke is here to offer any help on behalf of her family.
The party can take out the problematic ankheg, now, or wait until Augustin's abdominal wound is healed in 3 days.
They can investigate the haunted manor when Fredrick Quicksilver gets back, in about six days. Or just go without him, some investigation could provide the location no doubt. Although that might be morally questionable unless the party does in fact, put aside a share of any treasure for the bard.
Grimbald suggests the party waits until Augustin is fully healed before taking on the Ankheg. Then to try an infiltrate the keep, "Can we reach this secret door undercover, or is it out in the open. Anyone got any ideas about the locked entry? We can't just smash it down due to the noise. Maybe we have a 2nd plan in case we can't make it through the secret entrance."