"So we're not demons or devils, right?" Reed says. "Demons want to kill devils and devils want to kill demons. We're just innocent bystanders. Maybe we can just slip through in the chaos."
Corlith has listened to the conversation whilst surveying the scene below, and finally decides to join the discussion.
"It seems to me the portal would be too random, as likely to send us far away from our goal as towards it. Is the location of Zariel important right now, Ironmaiden? Are you thinking of heading to her or keeping away? We just want the sword, right?".
"I wonder whether we can make use of the river? If we climb down together, perhaps tied together in case one of us falls, and when we get close we make use of Virro's spell to drop onto the bank of the river. Or into the river if it looks shallow enough".
As he suggests it, he takes a close look at the river and how close the fighting is to it.
"to keep away was my thinking, but also so we know where to go should we need to terminate her...
With the flows of lava meeting the river Styx, I can assume that the water will be terribly hot and likely not good for your flesh bodies...
The devil's we have faced already seemed to not care that we were not demons, attacking us regardless, i fear getting near them will only result in being attacked by both sides. I believe stealth is our best option. We should find a chain that descends as close to the fort as possible and pick a less occupied path, hopefully their fighting will distract them enough." They state not taking their eyes off the battlefield as is scanning for openings and processing the movements of the firing for predictive outcomes.
As they are standing and discussing, Virro continues to examine the chains and then looks up at Lulu, holding his hand to his head briefly and smiling. He turns to everyone and says “Lulu has an idea, it sounds like a good one. We can descend on a chain, and when we are getting close I can use my magic to cast feather fall, we can leap toward the ground holding onto each other, Lulu can push us away from danger to a less habited area so that we can land safely. What do you think?” Virro scans the faces of his companions for their opinion then continues looking over the side and down the chains for the most promising direction, where things might be thinning out and there are less devils and demons.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"this is certainly better than trying to stealth all of us at the same time. I accept." Ironmaiden concurs as their face unchanging metal plate betrays nothing for him to really insight.
"A sound plan, Virro. And Lulu of course. The best so far", Corlith agrees. "And from what I can see, there is no steam coming from the river, so I don't think it will be too hot if decide to land in the water".
He mulls it over another few moments, "How far down will it take us, Virro? The higher we are when we fall, the more distance Lulu will be able to drag us right? Do we need to climb down at all?".
Observing the massive chain links it seems, to the IronMaiden, that dropping from one rung to the next will likely be necessary. Before descending they take a crowbar from their pack and attempt to tie their 50ft rope to it. "It is no grappling hook but I think if we use it to steady ourselves it will make the descent more steady, I can reach up after each rung with a resonant frequency and shake it loose once more between each chain link" (mage hand)
With somewhat of a plan at hand, the group starts to get ready to descend. IronMaiden creates their makeshift grappling hook (Need sleight of hand check here) and Reed starts to head down ahead of the group along the chain that is closest to their destination.
(What speed are you all heading down these chains?)
Virro stows all weapons and tightens the shield on his left arm, keeping his right hand ready to cast feather fall when needed. “Let’s go down slowly. Lulu, when you feel that we are in the right spot for us to jump and have you push us, start circling around me. Does anyone have some rope handy? We should link ourselves and hold fast to it. Move slowly now, come, are you ready?” Virro starts to descend in this manner if agreeable to all..
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Corlith looks over the edge, starting to feel the weight of their course of action. To climb down is one thing, being that he is not the most physical of the group. But then simply jumping and putting his fate in another's hands is one hundred times less appealing. And yet he has no real choice.
Reed hops over the side and trots along under the chain and back on top of the chain circling it as he goes, making sure there aren't any weak links or traps along the way that could cause problems for the others.
With Virro, Corlith and IronMaiden tied together somewhat closely but enough slack to move from Corlith's rope.. Reed attached to a far end of it (if he wants to, I didn't gather either way), the group starts to descend with IM's makeshift grappling hook.
Reed easily transverses the chains, the barbs giving his feet perches that he can look around and see his surroundings easily. Avernus spreads out in all directions, the air heavy with sulfur and an almost desertlike quality. Remembering the map that Sylvira gave the group, he starts recognizing some of the areas. Luckily, it seems the Fort they are heading to is one of the closer points of interest and maybe they can avoid most of this...
For the rest of the group, the going isn't so easy. But they take their time and are quite careful as they head down the chain. Lulu flutters around near them, a couple of times a bit too close and it makes some of you waiver... but as you're all tied to one another, even as a foot slips here or there, you are claimed by your friends and find your footing again.
As the group gets about halfway down, you all decide to take a little breather and take a look at what's below you. Armored legions of devils encircle the enormous posts of infernal iron that anchor Elturel to the rocky ground. Squads of demons fighting ten deep in some places hurl themselves into the devils’ ranks. Most of those abyssal troops are lowly manes and dretches, who die quickly in vain attempts to drag down devils so that stronger demons behind them can strike killing blows. The stench from it all reaches you and fills your nostrils along with the air of Avernus, it's enough to make you gag.
A dark river cuts a path across the blasted landscape and flows directly beneath the city. Floating on the river are demonic barges being assailed by squadrons of winged devils under the command of a terrifying pit fiend wearing an eyeless helm and clutching a battle standard.
In his head, Virro hears Lulu tell him to jump and that she can take care of the rest. She starts circling around the whole group in quick succession, ready to get the group to at least a safer situation.
"Do you think they enjoy their work?" Reed asks, the surety of his footing allowing his mind to wander. "Are they inspired to do this or is this just what they are? You're a demon and I'm a devil so we fight. Seems like an unpleasant life. I think I'd leave and look for some other line of work."
Then he notes the group is getting ready to jump and so he joins them in making sure his gear is still all strapped down.
"This cloak has that sticky webbing too that I can trying shooting at any of the devil-demons that get too close to our landing spot."
Corlith frowns as the time has apparently come when they are to jump into the unknown.
"Ok, you are both sure about this?", he asks Virro and Lulu, looking for some reassurance. He is a bit out of breath having made his way so far down he chain, and being ever so careful.
When Reed starts asking about the devils and demons, and how much job satisfaction they get, he casts a glance at him. He is envious at how carefree the halfling is walking about so easily so high up.
"I will try and help clear our landing spot as well", he finally manages to say.
"I am heavy" IronMaiden states to no one in particular, as though the thought had never occured to them before. "Metal is heavy, and I am metal... This is precarious, I also have concerns with our gliding plan."
Virro nods in response to Lulu, he turns to IronMaiden and says “I am about to make you feather light! Now is the time, ready to go! Let’s stay together, hold on!” Virro casts feather fall on them and then says “Okay, let’s jump! We will fall at a slow pace and she will push us to safety!!” Virro holds tight to the rope, and … jumps!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Ironmaiden releases their crowbar rope contraption and holds on tight to the other rope connecting everyone together before toppling forward like a statue loose of its base.
Reed watches over the side for awhile.
"So we're not demons or devils, right?" Reed says. "Demons want to kill devils and devils want to kill demons. We're just innocent bystanders. Maybe we can just slip through in the chaos."
Corlith has listened to the conversation whilst surveying the scene below, and finally decides to join the discussion.
"It seems to me the portal would be too random, as likely to send us far away from our goal as towards it. Is the location of Zariel important right now, Ironmaiden? Are you thinking of heading to her or keeping away? We just want the sword, right?".
"I wonder whether we can make use of the river? If we climb down together, perhaps tied together in case one of us falls, and when we get close we make use of Virro's spell to drop onto the bank of the river. Or into the river if it looks shallow enough".
As he suggests it, he takes a close look at the river and how close the fighting is to it.
"to keep away was my thinking, but also so we know where to go should we need to terminate her...
With the flows of lava meeting the river Styx, I can assume that the water will be terribly hot and likely not good for your flesh bodies...
The devil's we have faced already seemed to not care that we were not demons, attacking us regardless, i fear getting near them will only result in being attacked by both sides. I believe stealth is our best option. We should find a chain that descends as close to the fort as possible and pick a less occupied path, hopefully their fighting will distract them enough." They state not taking their eyes off the battlefield as is scanning for openings and processing the movements of the firing for predictive outcomes.
Reed starts looking at the chains to see if he can find one that does bring them close to their destination. (Perception: 19+9 = 28)
Corlith looks down and focusses on the river and lava, trying to see if steam is rising from the water. If so, Ironmaiden made a very good point.
Perception (with guidance): 14+6+2=22
As they are standing and discussing, Virro continues to examine the chains and then looks up at Lulu, holding his hand to his head briefly and smiling. He turns to everyone and says “Lulu has an idea, it sounds like a good one. We can descend on a chain, and when we are getting close I can use my magic to cast feather fall, we can leap toward the ground holding onto each other, Lulu can push us away from danger to a less habited area so that we can land safely. What do you think?” Virro scans the faces of his companions for their opinion then continues looking over the side and down the chains for the most promising direction, where things might be thinning out and there are less devils and demons.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"this is certainly better than trying to stealth all of us at the same time. I accept." Ironmaiden concurs as their face unchanging metal plate betrays nothing for him to really insight.
"A sound plan, Virro. And Lulu of course. The best so far", Corlith agrees. "And from what I can see, there is no steam coming from the river, so I don't think it will be too hot if decide to land in the water".
He mulls it over another few moments, "How far down will it take us, Virro? The higher we are when we fall, the more distance Lulu will be able to drag us right? Do we need to climb down at all?".
Reed points to one of the chains.
"That one leads closest to the fort," Reed says. "Seems as good as any to start down."
He draws his cloak around him.
"With spidey-cloak here, I can run along ahead to make sure there are no barriers along the way."
Observing the massive chain links it seems, to the IronMaiden, that dropping from one rung to the next will likely be necessary. Before descending they take a crowbar from their pack and attempt to tie their 50ft rope to it. "It is no grappling hook but I think if we use it to steady ourselves it will make the descent more steady, I can reach up after each rung with a resonant frequency and shake it loose once more between each chain link" (mage hand)
With somewhat of a plan at hand, the group starts to get ready to descend. IronMaiden creates their makeshift grappling hook (Need sleight of hand check here) and Reed starts to head down ahead of the group along the chain that is closest to their destination.
(What speed are you all heading down these chains?)
Virro stows all weapons and tightens the shield on his left arm, keeping his right hand ready to cast feather fall when needed. “Let’s go down slowly. Lulu, when you feel that we are in the right spot for us to jump and have you push us, start circling around me. Does anyone have some rope handy? We should link ourselves and hold fast to it. Move slowly now, come, are you ready?” Virro starts to descend in this manner if agreeable to all..
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Corlith looks over the edge, starting to feel the weight of their course of action. To climb down is one thing, being that he is not the most physical of the group. But then simply jumping and putting his fate in another's hands is one hundred times less appealing. And yet he has no real choice.
He nods to Virro, and intends to follow his advice to go slowly, concentrating hard on his footing and hand holds as he goes.
When asked for rope, he produces a coil of the lighter silken rope.
Reed hops over the side and trots along under the chain and back on top of the chain circling it as he goes, making sure there aren't any weak links or traps along the way that could cause problems for the others.
With Virro, Corlith and IronMaiden tied together somewhat closely but enough slack to move from Corlith's rope.. Reed attached to a far end of it (if he wants to, I didn't gather either way), the group starts to descend with IM's makeshift grappling hook.
Reed easily transverses the chains, the barbs giving his feet perches that he can look around and see his surroundings easily. Avernus spreads out in all directions, the air heavy with sulfur and an almost desertlike quality. Remembering the map that Sylvira gave the group, he starts recognizing some of the areas. Luckily, it seems the Fort they are heading to is one of the closer points of interest and maybe they can avoid most of this...
For the rest of the group, the going isn't so easy. But they take their time and are quite careful as they head down the chain. Lulu flutters around near them, a couple of times a bit too close and it makes some of you waiver... but as you're all tied to one another, even as a foot slips here or there, you are claimed by your friends and find your footing again.
As the group gets about halfway down, you all decide to take a little breather and take a look at what's below you. Armored legions of devils encircle the enormous posts of infernal iron that anchor Elturel to the rocky ground. Squads of demons fighting ten deep in some places hurl themselves into the devils’ ranks. Most of those abyssal troops are lowly manes and dretches, who die quickly in vain attempts to drag down devils so that stronger demons behind them can strike killing blows. The stench from it all reaches you and fills your nostrils along with the air of Avernus, it's enough to make you gag.
A dark river cuts a path across the blasted landscape and flows directly beneath the city. Floating on the river are demonic barges being assailed by squadrons of winged devils under the command of a terrifying pit fiend wearing an eyeless helm and clutching a battle standard.
In his head, Virro hears Lulu tell him to jump and that she can take care of the rest. She starts circling around the whole group in quick succession, ready to get the group to at least a safer situation.
Reed watches the battle below with curiosity.
"Do you think they enjoy their work?" Reed asks, the surety of his footing allowing his mind to wander. "Are they inspired to do this or is this just what they are? You're a demon and I'm a devil so we fight. Seems like an unpleasant life. I think I'd leave and look for some other line of work."
Then he notes the group is getting ready to jump and so he joins them in making sure his gear is still all strapped down.
"This cloak has that sticky webbing too that I can trying shooting at any of the devil-demons that get too close to our landing spot."
Corlith frowns as the time has apparently come when they are to jump into the unknown.
"Ok, you are both sure about this?", he asks Virro and Lulu, looking for some reassurance. He is a bit out of breath having made his way so far down he chain, and being ever so careful.
When Reed starts asking about the devils and demons, and how much job satisfaction they get, he casts a glance at him. He is envious at how carefree the halfling is walking about so easily so high up.
"I will try and help clear our landing spot as well", he finally manages to say.
"I am heavy" IronMaiden states to no one in particular, as though the thought had never occured to them before. "Metal is heavy, and I am metal... This is precarious, I also have concerns with our gliding plan."
Virro nods in response to Lulu, he turns to IronMaiden and says “I am about to make you feather light! Now is the time, ready to go! Let’s stay together, hold on!” Virro casts feather fall on them and then says “Okay, let’s jump! We will fall at a slow pace and she will push us to safety!!” Virro holds tight to the rope, and … jumps!
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Ironmaiden releases their crowbar rope contraption and holds on tight to the other rope connecting everyone together before toppling forward like a statue loose of its base.