Lokilia remains aware of the efforts of the others. "That's really clever Dev," she tells him when he arranges his distraction. "Smart idea," he tells Normont as he uses his caltrops at a choke point. For herself, she uses her knowledge of the forest and how to avoid being tracked to provide guidance to the party. As they go, she relies on Quinn's strength to help forge the path. "Thanks."
Through guile, skill and cunning the companions managed to leave their pursuer, whatever its nature-, far behind....though its screams still tore the air thrice more as they travelled....
Darkness was all around now but the moon and stars and a clear sky gave enough light to continue on, even as the cold descended into the river valley.....the companions moved on not wanting to waste the reprieve they had been given and after another six hours of hard travel with aching legs Amber reported the shapes of buildings on the opposite bank.
Looking ahead on this bank could be seen a stout square wooden shed attached to a short pier to which was lashed sturdy looking boat.....
Few insects or frogs called in the frosty night air but a small mottled owl sat on top of the shed regarding them with interest....
( Exceptional Successes on the First Stage makes the 2nd Stage unnecessary. Mooren lies on the opposite bank.)
Normont is breathing hard by the time Amber reports sight of buildings and then the shed with the pier comes into view.
"Absolutely. I have never been more happy to see a shed before", he says after Quinn's praise.
"Should we cross now, or rest up? Surely we are out of One-Eyes' territory", he asks, obviously absolutely shattered and only still upright because of the magic of his boots.
"A boat!," Dev pants, holding his side where a stitch feels so much like a lance has pierced him that he keeps instinctively checking his hand for blood whenever he removes it from the spot. "And cabins across the stream. We made it." He smiles gleefully, though breathlessly, at his companions. "We can sleep in a bed if we take just a few minutes to cross. Come on."
The teenager makes a bee-line for the shack to check out the boat. Though his surroundings lack color when he sees them after dark, his tiefling eyes allow him a clear view of his footing and his surroundings. "Hopefully there are no leaks in the boat. We can cross in it while holding a line if we want to be extra careful."
Normont is breathing hard by the time Amber reports sight of buildings and then the shed with the pier comes into view.
"Absolutely. I have never been more happy to see a shed before", he says after Quinn's praise.
"Should we cross now, or rest up? Surely we are out of One-Eyes' territory", he asks, obviously absolutely shattered and only still upright because of the magic of his boots.
"A boat!," Dev pants, holding his side where a stitch in his side feels so much like a lance has pierced him that he keeps instinctively checking his hand for blood whenever he removes it from the spot. "And cabins across the stream. We made it." He smiles gleefully, though breathlessly, at his companions. "We can sleep in a bed if we take just a few minutes to cross. Come on."
The teenager makes a bee-line for the shack to check out the boat. Though his surroundings lack color when he sees them after dark, his tiefling eyes allow him a clear view of his footing and his surroundings. "Hopefully there are no leaks in the boat. We can cross in it while holding a line if we want to be extra careful."
The boat is lashed to the dock with thick rope and the wood appears to be well oiled and very sturdy and covered in an oiled tarpaulin to keep snow from filling the boat during winter, coming closer the boat has a single mast that has a large eyelet at the top through it passes a thick rope that is lashed high up in a tree on this bank, the rope smells strongly of pine oil and heads out across the river where it is presumably lashed to a similar tree on the other side forming a basic sort of cable ferry.
"A boat," Lokilia says breathlessly as they finally come upon what seems to have been their goal. She's more than welcome to let Dev run ahead and check it out though. She slowly makes her ways towards the water. "What do you think, Dev? It does seem awful late to be attempting a river crossing." She pauses a moment. "Do we even need to cross to the other side?" She doesn't seem swayed by the thought of lodgings for the night.
Normont sends Amber across the river to double check whether the village is inhabited at all, even by a small contingent of villagers or caretakers.
He then goes to look in the shed to see if it is big enough and set up for people to sleep in with firewood. Just as another option in case they don't cross the river straight away.
"I would appreciate a roof over my head and walls, and a fire. My bones feel frozen", he says.
Normont sends Amber across the river to double check whether the village is inhabited at all, even by a small contingent of villagers or caretakers.
He then goes to look in the shed to see if it is big enough and set up for people to sleep in with firewood. Just as another option in case they don't cross the river straight away.
"I would appreciate a roof over my head and walls, and a fire. My bones feel frozen", he says.
Checking the shed the door seems to be locked though Normont can find no sign of a keyhole or latch.
Normont vaguely recalls that certain mages from Whitestone made the short trek to Mooren at the beginning and end of winter to cast and remove Arcane Locks to protect the fishermen's huts and boathouses from scavenging animals and looters while the village was abandoned.
"Nuts and bolts", Normont exclaims. "I remember now. The doors to all the buildings here will be magically locked".
"I am not sure we will be able to stay in comfort after all".
(OOC: Normally the arcane lock spell increases the DC to pick or break by 10, but you mentioned no latches or locks. Does that mean these can't even be attempted to be picked?)
( Picked or forced. It can likely be jemmied open with enough effort. It is likely the buildings on the other side have normal locks etc. This is just a storage shed so likely is normally just wedged closed.)
"A boat," Lokilia says breathlessly as they finally come upon what seems to have been their goal. She's more than welcome to let Dev run ahead and check it out though. She slowly makes her ways towards the water. "What do you think, Dev? It does seem awful late to be attempting a river crossing." She pauses a moment. "Do we even need to cross to the other side?" She doesn't seem swayed by the thought of lodgings for the night.
Dev is a bit puzzled by the boat at first. He was looking for oars, and the rope was not what he had in mind. But momentarily, he recovers. Not that he has a great deal of experience with boats, but he's heard many a lakeman's tale, and the teenager has never forgotten any story ever told to him. He once overheard a ferryman talking about just such a setup. One pulls against the rope while keeping a steady stance on the boat. Arm over arm, and you're across the stream in no time.
"I think... I think this will be easy...," he tells Lokilia. "Can you help me with this tarp?" First peering carefully at the river water to ensure there are no rocks just under the course of the rope, or other unexpected obstacles, and likewise checking first that no spiders or other unexpected squatters of the animal world are living on the tarp, Dev removes the covering. With help if anyone will help him.
(Could all four fit into the boat at once, IF we decide to cross?)
"Ok, so we are going right away. Good, good", Normont says as he comes to help get the boat float worthy.
"I might be able to get us into one of the houses. But I won't break in. Unless we leave everything as we found it, it is another night under the stars", he declares.
Normont will wait for them to pass through a choke point and quickly spread out the contents of the bag of caltrops that he brought with him.
Lokilia remains aware of the efforts of the others. "That's really clever Dev," she tells him when he arranges his distraction. "Smart idea," he tells Normont as he uses his caltrops at a choke point. For herself, she uses her knowledge of the forest and how to avoid being tracked to provide guidance to the party. As they go, she relies on Quinn's strength to help forge the path. "Thanks."
(OOC - Using Survival: 21)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Through guile, skill and cunning the companions managed to leave their pursuer, whatever its nature-, far behind....though its screams still tore the air thrice more as they travelled....
Darkness was all around now but the moon and stars and a clear sky gave enough light to continue on, even as the cold descended into the river valley.....the companions moved on not wanting to waste the reprieve they had been given and after another six hours of hard travel with aching legs Amber reported the shapes of buildings on the opposite bank.
Looking ahead on this bank could be seen a stout square wooden shed attached to a short pier to which was lashed sturdy looking boat.....
Few insects or frogs called in the frosty night air but a small mottled owl sat on top of the shed regarding them with interest....
( Exceptional Successes on the First Stage makes the 2nd Stage unnecessary. Mooren lies on the opposite bank.)
Quinn says through heavy breath, "Great work team!"
Normont is breathing hard by the time Amber reports sight of buildings and then the shed with the pier comes into view.
"Absolutely. I have never been more happy to see a shed before", he says after Quinn's praise.
"Should we cross now, or rest up? Surely we are out of One-Eyes' territory", he asks, obviously absolutely shattered and only still upright because of the magic of his boots.
"A boat!," Dev pants, holding his side where a stitch feels so much like a lance has pierced him that he keeps instinctively checking his hand for blood whenever he removes it from the spot. "And cabins across the stream. We made it." He smiles gleefully, though breathlessly, at his companions. "We can sleep in a bed if we take just a few minutes to cross. Come on."
The teenager makes a bee-line for the shack to check out the boat. Though his surroundings lack color when he sees them after dark, his tiefling eyes allow him a clear view of his footing and his surroundings. "Hopefully there are no leaks in the boat. We can cross in it while holding a line if we want to be extra careful."
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
The boat is lashed to the dock with thick rope and the wood appears to be well oiled and very sturdy and covered in an oiled tarpaulin to keep snow from filling the boat during winter, coming closer the boat has a single mast that has a large eyelet at the top through it passes a thick rope that is lashed high up in a tree on this bank, the rope smells strongly of pine oil and heads out across the river where it is presumably lashed to a similar tree on the other side forming a basic sort of cable ferry.
"A boat," Lokilia says breathlessly as they finally come upon what seems to have been their goal. She's more than welcome to let Dev run ahead and check it out though. She slowly makes her ways towards the water. "What do you think, Dev? It does seem awful late to be attempting a river crossing." She pauses a moment. "Do we even need to cross to the other side?" She doesn't seem swayed by the thought of lodgings for the night.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Normont sends Amber across the river to double check whether the village is inhabited at all, even by a small contingent of villagers or caretakers.
He then goes to look in the shed to see if it is big enough and set up for people to sleep in with firewood. Just as another option in case they don't cross the river straight away.
"I would appreciate a roof over my head and walls, and a fire. My bones feel frozen", he says.
Checking the shed the door seems to be locked though Normont can find no sign of a keyhole or latch.
( History Check- DC 12.)
Normont
History: 11+3=14 (If guidance allowed +3)
Normont vaguely recalls that certain mages from Whitestone made the short trek to Mooren at the beginning and end of winter to cast and remove Arcane Locks to protect the fishermen's huts and boathouses from scavenging animals and looters while the village was abandoned.
"Nuts and bolts", Normont exclaims. "I remember now. The doors to all the buildings here will be magically locked".
"I am not sure we will be able to stay in comfort after all".
(OOC: Normally the arcane lock spell increases the DC to pick or break by 10, but you mentioned no latches or locks. Does that mean these can't even be attempted to be picked?)
( Picked or forced. It can likely be jemmied open with enough effort. It is likely the buildings on the other side have normal locks etc. This is just a storage shed so likely is normally just wedged closed.)
Dev is a bit puzzled by the boat at first. He was looking for oars, and the rope was not what he had in mind. But momentarily, he recovers. Not that he has a great deal of experience with boats, but he's heard many a lakeman's tale, and the teenager has never forgotten any story ever told to him. He once overheard a ferryman talking about just such a setup. One pulls against the rope while keeping a steady stance on the boat. Arm over arm, and you're across the stream in no time.
"I think... I think this will be easy...," he tells Lokilia. "Can you help me with this tarp?" First peering carefully at the river water to ensure there are no rocks just under the course of the rope, or other unexpected obstacles, and likewise checking first that no spiders or other unexpected squatters of the animal world are living on the tarp, Dev removes the covering. With help if anyone will help him.
(Could all four fit into the boat at once, IF we decide to cross?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
( Yes. It could probably seat eight human sized folks with a ninth on the rope.)
Lokilia seems a little reluctant, but she steps forward to help Dev. "Alright. I suppose the other side of the river could be a better spot to camp."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Ok, so we are going right away. Good, good", Normont says as he comes to help get the boat float worthy.
"I might be able to get us into one of the houses. But I won't break in. Unless we leave everything as we found it, it is another night under the stars", he declares.
Quinn will nod but has no real opinion on the plans for bedding.
"A night under the stars sounds great!" Lokilia says in response to Normont's comment. "Let's get across the river."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer