Moving forward towards the crossroads Eila surmised the steeper path is shorter but harder on the animals and the cart cannot pass. The wider path is longer but the animals will have am easier time and the cart will pass through.
"What do you think," Elliðaey asks Eila in the cart looking ahead. "The day is mostly gone. The higher we go the harder it'll be regardless if the path on us and the animals she offers her own observations. "You read the map, " she adds. "It's your call," she smiles.
Looking around the party Jade can back up the wide path versus the steep path ahead. It's a equal gamble of time versus safety. If the steep path is taken Eila and Jade are on foot. She also notices that oddly there's no sounds of nature around them. There is no bird song or visible creature apart from Elliðaey's raven who periodically scouts ahead but so far has reported nothing amiss. Jade finds this circumstance strange even if it's her first time in the Cloud Peaks. Where are all the wildlife?
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"This place gives me the creeps," Jade says aloud to no one in particular as she walks to the center of the crossroads.
Bowing her head, she closes her eyes and grips her holy symbol in prayer, "Ilmater, grant your humble servant but a fraction of your wisdom, so that I might discern that which is good and holy from those things that are tainted by evil. Allow me the strength to see the dangers ahead, that I might fulfil my oath to protect those in my charge. Grant me the courage to accept that my body may be broken and my life forfeit in this service. Help me to be ever humble in my sacrifices, as you are in yours, Amen"
(OOC: Jade is using her *Divine Sense* to detect the effects of a *Hallow* spell, celestials, fiends, or undead within 60' of her location)
She opens her eyes and scans the area around them, then continues another 30' along the more level path before the effect wears off.
Niska Grosvenor hums with faint celestial energy but the noxious smell of undead is coming from everywhere on the mountain! It lingers just at the edges of Jade's senses as if something has overtaken the mountain side.
"Katarina is unsure what Jade finds scary," Katarina says, as she remains blissfully unaware of whatever dangers lie ahead. "It seems quite peaceful out here right now..."
Still, Jade's uneasiness makes Katarina uneasy. She rests a paw on the hilt of her sword.
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"Pearl mentioned ghosts," Niska calls out. "Honestly I thought she was just trying to scare me away but now..." the ranger glances around unable to detect whatever Jade senses, "I'd say moving faster would be my vote too," she adds looking at Elliðaey and the party.
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Eila nods firmly at Jade, knowing well enough to trust her gift for sensing the undead. "It's likely both paths lead to Vermeillon; they would need the wider path for transporting trade goods, but the steeper path likely cuts through the mountainside more directly."
She takes hold of the hilt of her hammer and stands square at the front of the group, addressing them with a confidence she's not yet displayed, and the conviction fitting for a leader of her faith. "We will take the steeper path. We're in danger either way, and like Jade said, it's best to move quickly, especially with night approaching. I will take the lead."
"I should have thought to bring a pack saddle. Please, carry all that you can. I'd rather not chafe our poor friend here any more than is necessary."
Turning to Eila with a stiff formality, "Painbearer, you know that someone must guide the mule and only two of us are unhorsed. I would ask you to reconsider."
Eila comes over and starts filling her pack with the inventory they'd loaded into the cart, and straps her bedroll to the side. "Then I will lead the way with the mule so that she isn't left behind us where we can't keep an eye out for her. The middle of an open indefensible area like this isn't the place for debating this."
Millicent had had her head buried in a book most of the ride trusting Particible to find her way, as they came to a halt she slipped off the hinny and looked around nodding at Jades wariness, " If my readings were correct based on the local flora and elevation there should be an ample number of both songbirds and corvids on this mountainside....and we can hear no sign of either....I do not like it."
Once she had assisted with redistribution of their supplies she mounted Particible again and followed on...
Jade uses her own bedroll as a makeshift saddle blanket and ties whatever equipment can not be carried onto the mule with a whispered apology.
She looks up the narrow trail with the longing of a hungry urchin in a bakery, then leads the mule to the back of the group where it won't block the horsewomen from advancing should trouble arise.
"Ilmater, help me to put aside my selfish desires and accept that which is required of me."
Eila nods over at Millicent and Katarina as she hefts her rucksack onto her back and adjusts the weight to save her bad shoulder the strain. "Jade has sensed the presence of the undead. In my experience living things don't linger in the area where they are present. Please, keep your eyes and ears open, and call out the moment you see anything untoward."
She steps up to the front of the group, patting Elliðaey's horse on the neck as she looks up to the Half-Orc, "Allow me to take the lead ahead of the horses, I can see very far in the dark and find good footing for the animals on the steeper path."
"I'll follow," Niska calls out the half-elf moving quickly to join Eila at the front. "It's a hiking path really by the looks of it but I think the horses might just make it. I'd hate to try to build a camp here in the dark though," she looks around, and the ranger visibly shutters. "Jade's right though. I can't hear a thing! Not even the caw of a crow or anything," she adds as Elliðaey frowns.
"I'll send Nic out," Elliðaey calls nudging the large raven off her shoulder and the bird begrudgingly takes flight. "If someone wants to take my reigns I can look through Nicodemious' eyes," she says, looking to Millicent or Katarina with whom she's now at the mouth of the steeper path.
OOC Anyone would like to give Elliðaey aid she can roll with advantage with her familar's perception.
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Elliðaey using her familiar the monk scouts ahead. Perception 29
Nic sees nothing but a barrier landscape ahead. No signs of life continuing up the steeper path. There's some loose debris that will make it a challenge to travel but with some good riding skills, they can make it! About 60ft up there's a ledge with a small cavern that looks large enough to settle in for the night too with the horses as well! Elliðaey relays the findings to the party.
OOC I need everyone to make survival or animal handling checks!
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
As soon as she hears that undead are nearby, Katarina's fur slowly stands on end. Honestly, the sight of her is almost comical. But... the undead things scare her, a lot. She's had run-ins with zombies and skeletons a few times, and even though she would never admit it, she still sometimes sees those half-decayed faces in her nightmares.
"Um... does Jade know what kind of undead?" Katarina asks nervously.
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(Perception 13)
Moving forward towards the crossroads Eila surmised the steeper path is shorter but harder on the animals and the cart cannot pass. The wider path is longer but the animals will have am easier time and the cart will pass through.
"What do you think," Elliðaey asks Eila in the cart looking ahead. "The day is mostly gone. The higher we go the harder it'll be regardless if the path on us and the animals she offers her own observations. "You read the map, " she adds. "It's your call," she smiles.
Looking around the party Jade can back up the wide path versus the steep path ahead. It's a equal gamble of time versus safety. If the steep path is taken Eila and Jade are on foot. She also notices that oddly there's no sounds of nature around them. There is no bird song or visible creature apart from Elliðaey's raven who periodically scouts ahead but so far has reported nothing amiss. Jade finds this circumstance strange even if it's her first time in the Cloud Peaks. Where are all the wildlife?
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"This place gives me the creeps," Jade says aloud to no one in particular as she walks to the center of the crossroads.
Bowing her head, she closes her eyes and grips her holy symbol in prayer, "Ilmater, grant your humble servant but a fraction of your wisdom, so that I might discern that which is good and holy from those things that are tainted by evil. Allow me the strength to see the dangers ahead, that I might fulfil my oath to protect those in my charge. Grant me the courage to accept that my body may be broken and my life forfeit in this service. Help me to be ever humble in my sacrifices, as you are in yours, Amen"
(OOC: Jade is using her *Divine Sense* to detect the effects of a *Hallow* spell, celestials, fiends, or undead within 60' of her location)
She opens her eyes and scans the area around them, then continues another 30' along the more level path before the effect wears off.
Niska Grosvenor hums with faint celestial energy but the noxious smell of undead is coming from everywhere on the mountain! It lingers just at the edges of Jade's senses as if something has overtaken the mountain side.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Jade heads back to the Eila, "This placed is cursed with death. The faster we leave it the better, even if it means leaving the wagon behind."
Katarina glances at Jade.
"Katarina is unsure what Jade finds scary," Katarina says, as she remains blissfully unaware of whatever dangers lie ahead. "It seems quite peaceful out here right now..."
Still, Jade's uneasiness makes Katarina uneasy. She rests a paw on the hilt of her sword.
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"Pearl mentioned ghosts," Niska calls out. "Honestly I thought she was just trying to scare me away but now..." the ranger glances around unable to detect whatever Jade senses, "I'd say moving faster would be my vote too," she adds looking at Elliðaey and the party.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Jade turns to Katarina and considers her a moment before speaking.
"It's hard to explain but...listen...do you hear anything? It's unnatural, like life has abandoned the mountain itself."
Eila nods firmly at Jade, knowing well enough to trust her gift for sensing the undead. "It's likely both paths lead to Vermeillon; they would need the wider path for transporting trade goods, but the steeper path likely cuts through the mountainside more directly."
She takes hold of the hilt of her hammer and stands square at the front of the group, addressing them with a confidence she's not yet displayed, and the conviction fitting for a leader of her faith. "We will take the steeper path. We're in danger either way, and like Jade said, it's best to move quickly, especially with night approaching. I will take the lead."
Jade begins removing the mule's harness.
"I should have thought to bring a pack saddle. Please, carry all that you can. I'd rather not chafe our poor friend here any more than is necessary."
Turning to Eila with a stiff formality, "Painbearer, you know that someone must guide the mule and only two of us are unhorsed. I would ask you to reconsider."
Eila comes over and starts filling her pack with the inventory they'd loaded into the cart, and straps her bedroll to the side. "Then I will lead the way with the mule so that she isn't left behind us where we can't keep an eye out for her. The middle of an open indefensible area like this isn't the place for debating this."
Jade bows her head in submission, "If the Painbearer is determined to lead, then I will follow with the mule."
Millicent had had her head buried in a book most of the ride trusting Particible to find her way, as they came to a halt she slipped off the hinny and looked around nodding at Jades wariness, " If my readings were correct based on the local flora and elevation there should be an ample number of both songbirds and corvids on this mountainside....and we can hear no sign of either....I do not like it."
Once she had assisted with redistribution of their supplies she mounted Particible again and followed on...
Jade uses her own bedroll as a makeshift saddle blanket and ties whatever equipment can not be carried onto the mule with a whispered apology.
She looks up the narrow trail with the longing of a hungry urchin in a bakery, then leads the mule to the back of the group where it won't block the horsewomen from advancing should trouble arise.
"Ilmater, help me to put aside my selfish desires and accept that which is required of me."
Eila nods over at Millicent and Katarina as she hefts her rucksack onto her back and adjusts the weight to save her bad shoulder the strain. "Jade has sensed the presence of the undead. In my experience living things don't linger in the area where they are present. Please, keep your eyes and ears open, and call out the moment you see anything untoward."
She steps up to the front of the group, patting Elliðaey's horse on the neck as she looks up to the Half-Orc, "Allow me to take the lead ahead of the horses, I can see very far in the dark and find good footing for the animals on the steeper path."
"If you wish to," Elliðaey nods in reply.
"I'll follow," Niska calls out the half-elf moving quickly to join Eila at the front. "It's a hiking path really by the looks of it but I think the horses might just make it. I'd hate to try to build a camp here in the dark though," she looks around, and the ranger visibly shutters. "Jade's right though. I can't hear a thing! Not even the caw of a crow or anything," she adds as Elliðaey frowns.
"I'll send Nic out," Elliðaey calls nudging the large raven off her shoulder and the bird begrudgingly takes flight. "If someone wants to take my reigns I can look through Nicodemious' eyes," she says, looking to Millicent or Katarina with whom she's now at the mouth of the steeper path.
OOC Anyone would like to give Elliðaey aid she can roll with advantage with her familar's perception.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Millicent nods and with a hand on her tome she summons a nebulous airy force to guide her mentors reins.
( Invisible Servant)
Elliðaey using her familiar the monk scouts ahead. Perception 22
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Nic sees nothing but a barrier landscape ahead. No signs of life continuing up the steeper path. There's some loose debris that will make it a challenge to travel but with some good riding skills, they can make it! About 60ft up there's a ledge with a small cavern that looks large enough to settle in for the night too with the horses as well! Elliðaey relays the findings to the party.
OOC I need everyone to make survival or animal handling checks!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
As soon as she hears that undead are nearby, Katarina's fur slowly stands on end. Honestly, the sight of her is almost comical. But... the undead things scare her, a lot. She's had run-ins with zombies and skeletons a few times, and even though she would never admit it, she still sometimes sees those half-decayed faces in her nightmares.
"Um... does Jade know what kind of undead?" Katarina asks nervously.
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