The group make camp and set watches after having eaten and perused their new gifts.
Throughout the night those on watch occasionally get a vague unsettling feeling of being watched and occasional noises of tumbling stone from the direction of the ruins but nothing untoward happens before morning.
Normont examines all the items with the exception of the amulet Lokilia is holding, and feeds back to the group what each does. He can't help but eye the boots that will help him carry all his things and keep up with the others.
"Is...um...anyone else interested in these boots?"
A sudden high pitched whistling scream echoed over the ruins and down to the group.....a chill breeze sprang up through the foliage, real and illusory.
In the morning, after he has adjusted his tools, Normont has a quite literal spring in his step. He marvels at how fast he can move, even with all his equipment.
When he hears the high pitched scream and feels the breeze, he shudders and stops jumping around.
"That sounded ominous", he says to the others. "I would certainly hate to get caught in those ruins after dark. We should probably get a move on".
(OOC: @DM - did Amber spot anything when she did her scouting the evening before in post #1500? @All - I hope no-one minds me moving forward with Normont having attuned to the boots he wanted, we seem to be paralysed a little with these magic items and it seems the DM is eager to move us on. It didn't seem like anyone else was after them, but can always retcon or pass them over later)
After a night of troubling dreams in which one by one his companions had transformed into many-legged creatures like the Gray Hunter, Dev is awakened by the startling sound. His eyes flash open to see the others quickly rising.
Dev had gotten cold overnight and had curled himself tightly in his hooded half-cloak, both against the temperature and his nightmares. The silver-threaded Elvenkind cloak had at first remained folded neatly beside him, for its perfect stitching, graceful lines, and mild scent of forest moss and sage — an item of priceless beauty — seemed out of place on a forlorn teenager such as himself, and he had planned in the morning to give it back to be claimed by one of the older party members who he imagined would feel more comfortable with it.
But he awoke completely wrapped in its folds. He must have donned it during the night when his mind was a numb jumble.
So, when the teen tiefling’s eyes blink open and he freezes in fright from the all-too-near screeching, the others may not see him at all, at least at first. But he soon appears if he had been hidden, rises, fumbles for his pan pipes and other gear, and, rubbing his eyes and trying to clear the souring taste of last night’s dinner from his mouth, whispers “What was that??”
(Also pushing onward as the hic et nunc owner of the cloak.)
Lokilia had awoken early, getting up to stretch her legs a bit, though staying close to the campsite. The previous night she had attuned to the new necklace, hoping that it would serve her well and help her to honor the memory of Twyll. Hearing the whistling scream, she freezes in place a moment. She suspects it might not have been natural, but she takes a moment to see if she might match the sound to something she knows about. (Nature: 5)
Hearing Normont's comment, she steps over towards him. "I suppose the ruins we are looking for are further on. But shouldn't we at least take a look at these?" She takes a glance towards the direction of the ruins as she says this. "I do agree we should get moving though."
Normont looks over to Dev, "I am not sure. Let's stick close together as we travel today. I will send Amber up again to give us eyes on the path ahead. Ugart warned of beasts, but also dangers from snow and stone. I wonder what he meant by that"
As Lokilia mentions exploring the ruins he nods quite eagerly, "Oh yes, I would like to take a look. Just not be there after dark".
He takes a look at the path and their eventual destination, taking out the orb of direction and cross checking their direction of travel.
"I wonder if we have to go through anyway", he muses.
In the morning, after he has adjusted his tools, Normont has a quite literal spring in his step. He marvels at how fast he can move, even with all his equipment.
When he hears the high pitched scream and feels the breeze, he shudders and stops jumping around.
"That sounded ominous", he says to the others. "I would certainly hate to get caught in those ruins after dark. We should probably get a move on".
(OOC: @DM - did Amber spot anything when she did her scouting the evening before in post #1500? @All - I hope no-one minds me moving forward with Normont having attuned to the boots he wanted, we seem to be paralysed a little with these magic items and it seems the DM is eager to move us on. It didn't seem like anyone else was after them, but can always retcon or pass them over later)
( Amber spotted nothing but crumbled buildings and snow drifts).
After a night of troubling dreams in which one by one his companions had transformed into many-legged creatures like the Gray Hunter, Dev is awakened by the startling sound. His eyes flash open to see the others quickly rising.
Dev had gotten cold overnight and had curled himself tightly in his hooded half-cloak, both against the temperature and his nightmares. The silver-threaded Elvenkind cloak had at first remained folded neatly beside him, for its perfect stitching, graceful lines, and mild scent of forest moss and sage — an item of priceless beauty — seemed out of place on a forlorn teenager such as himself, and he had planned in the morning to give it back to be claimed by one of the older party members who he imagined would feel more comfortable with it.
But he awoke completely wrapped in its folds. He must have donned it during the night when his mind was a numb jumble.
So, when the teen tiefling’s eyes blink open and he freezes in fright from the all-too-near screeching, the others may not see him at all, at least at first. But he soon appears if he had been hidden, rises, fumbles for his pan pipes and other gear, and, rubbing his eyes and trying to clear the souring taste of last night’s dinner from his mouth, whispers “What was that??”
(Also pushing onward as the hic et nunc owner of the cloak.)
Lokilia had awoken early, getting up to stretch her legs a bit, though staying close to the campsite. The previous night she had attuned to the new necklace, hoping that it would serve her well and help her to honor the memory of Twyll. Hearing the whistling scream, she freezes in place a moment. She suspects it might not have been natural, but she takes a moment to see if she might match the sound to something she knows about. (Nature: 5)
Hearing Normont's comment, she steps over towards him. "I suppose the ruins we are looking for are further on. But shouldn't we at least take a look at these?" She takes a glance towards the direction of the ruins as she says this. "I do agree we should get moving though."
Lokilia has never heard the sounds like before....
Normont looks over to Dev, "I am not sure. Let's stick close together as we travel today. I will send Amber up again to give us eyes on the path ahead. Ugart warned of beasts, but also dangers from snow and stone. I wonder what he meant by that"
As Lokilia mentions exploring the ruins he nods quite eagerly, "Oh yes, I would like to take a look. Just not be there after dark".
He takes a look at the path and their eventual destination, taking out the orb of direction and cross checking their direction of travel.
"I wonder if we have to go through anyway", he muses.
The orb indicated their direction of travel lay directly through the ruins and with a steep slope on the upslope side and precipitous drop on the other the way through the ruins seemed the safest route at first glance.
Amber flew high over the ruins but did not indicate that she had seen anything of concern as the companions began to head through...
As they entered the village each was gripped by a sudden terrifying feeling of dread which disappeared almost immediately but as they moved through an unseen presence seemed to haunt their steps. As the sun rose higher a bank of mist began to rise from the snow flurries and cloak the ruins in a chill shroud.
Lokilia and Dev-
You hear rocks toppling in distant structures, and then the sound of far-off footsteps running through the empty village.
Normont and Magnus-
As you move you spy silhouettes in empty windows but there is nothing there a moment later, across the town moving at the edges of your vision deep in the mist are shadowy figures which dissipate even as you spot them....
Quinn and Dev-
You hear your name called and whispered from nearby doorways, but the ruins stand empty when checked.
Lokilia and Normont-
Once when approaching the desolate town square you turn to regard your companions and see Quinn with his hands around Devs throat squeezing the life from him....then the vision vanishes and the two are walking as normal...
Quinn and Magnus-
You are being hunted....something moves through the mists unseen...it is implacable and unavoidable....there is a certainty to your feeling of doom....but it fades again..****y to return minutes later.
The companions reach the central square of the ruined town cloaked in freezing fog, but the orb continues to show the way ahead....you only need keep moving....
Normont moves warily through the eerie ruins, becoming more and more agitated as time goes by. More than once he can be seen swiftly turning to try and spot something, or doing a double take.
Normont suddenly finds himself alone as the other four lose their nerve and run off into the fog in different directions....
Quinn-
Breathing heavily you come back to your senses, you are standing in an alleyway between two half collapsed houses, you can't see either end of the alleyway because of the frigid mist, small pieces of stone fall from above....
Lokalia-
You run...a feeling of imminent dread clawing at your soul....when you get a hold of yourself you are standing inside a dark structure filled with mist....a keening wail on the edge of hearing comes from somewhere outside...
Magnus-
Running blindly through the mist as something....terrible....threatens to steal the very air from your lungs you suddenly collide with a pillar and fall back onto your butt heavily. Shaking your head and checking for damage you are within some sort of complex filled with doors, partions and pillars...the mist is everywhere...everything is cold and dark...
Dev-
You find yourself running headlong through the dark trying to escape the terror that has latched onto your soul, when you recover yourself you find that you have run into a large darkened courtyard filled with cold, sharp mist. Looking about you see the shadows of leafless trees and broken statues....you are utterly alone....
...no....no, you are not...
A sibilant whisper crawls through the mist to your ears, ' Poor...lost...boy....always lost, always hated...always last....give up...sit down...quiet...quiet..."
" I will keep you safe..."
Dev glanced up and saw a shadow light upon the top of the courtyard wall, a dark flickering impression of almost feline grace and icy despair...
She looks around, realizing her fear got the better of her and has probably led her into even worse trouble. The former unreasonable dread is now replaced by a bit more reasoned fear, that she's lost from the others, and something might be out there after them or her. She takes a moment to look around, trying to see if she can discern any sign of a way out of this place. (Perception: 25)
She walks - either towards the perceived exit or else slowly in the direction she thought she heard the wailing. "Hello," she calls out softly. And if no response, a bit more loudly. "I'm over here everyone! Where are you?"
She looks around, realizing her fear got the better of her and has probably led her into even worse trouble. The former unreasonable dread is now replaced by a bit more reasoned fear, that she's lost from the others, and something might be out there after them or her. She takes a moment to look around, trying to see if she can discern any sign of a way out of this place. (Perception: 25)
She walks - either towards the perceived exit or else slowly in the direction she thought she heard the wailing. "Hello," she calls out softly. And if no response, a bit more loudly. "I'm over here everyone! Where are you?"
Lokilia can hear Normont shouting and deterimes the direction he is in fairly easily...
Normont, for his part, is flummoxed and can see and hear very little..Lokilias voice not penetrating the mist as well...
Lokilia, feeling a bit better about her situation once she hears Normont's voice, makes her way in that direction as best she can. She moves slowly, a bit wary of stumbling amidst all the mist. "I hear you Normont!" she calls back. "I'm trying to come to you!"
The group make camp and set watches after having eaten and perused their new gifts.
Throughout the night those on watch occasionally get a vague unsettling feeling of being watched and occasional noises of tumbling stone from the direction of the ruins but nothing untoward happens before morning.
Items:-
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4587-boots-of-elvenkind
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4606-cloak-of-elvenkind
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4628-efficient-quiver
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4590-boots-of-striding-and-springing
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4591-boots-of-the-winterlands
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4568-amulet-of-health
Normont examines all the items with the exception of the amulet Lokilia is holding, and feeds back to the group what each does. He can't help but eye the boots that will help him carry all his things and keep up with the others.
"Is...um...anyone else interested in these boots?"
Lokilia explains the function of her necklace after investigating it. She doesn't say anything, though her eyes drift to Quinn.
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
A sudden high pitched whistling scream echoed over the ruins and down to the group.....a chill breeze sprang up through the foliage, real and illusory.
In the morning, after he has adjusted his tools, Normont has a quite literal spring in his step. He marvels at how fast he can move, even with all his equipment.
When he hears the high pitched scream and feels the breeze, he shudders and stops jumping around.
"That sounded ominous", he says to the others. "I would certainly hate to get caught in those ruins after dark. We should probably get a move on".
(OOC: @DM - did Amber spot anything when she did her scouting the evening before in post #1500?
@All - I hope no-one minds me moving forward with Normont having attuned to the boots he wanted, we seem to be paralysed a little with these magic items and it seems the DM is eager to move us on. It didn't seem like anyone else was after them, but can always retcon or pass them over later)
After a night of troubling dreams in which one by one his companions had transformed into many-legged creatures like the Gray Hunter, Dev is awakened by the startling sound. His eyes flash open to see the others quickly rising.
Dev had gotten cold overnight and had curled himself tightly in his hooded half-cloak, both against the temperature and his nightmares. The silver-threaded Elvenkind cloak had at first remained folded neatly beside him, for its perfect stitching, graceful lines, and mild scent of forest moss and sage — an item of priceless beauty — seemed out of place on a forlorn teenager such as himself, and he had planned in the morning to give it back to be claimed by one of the older party members who he imagined would feel more comfortable with it.
But he awoke completely wrapped in its folds. He must have donned it during the night when his mind was a numb jumble.
So, when the teen tiefling’s eyes blink open and he freezes in fright from the all-too-near screeching, the others may not see him at all, at least at first. But he soon appears if he had been hidden, rises, fumbles for his pan pipes and other gear, and, rubbing his eyes and trying to clear the souring taste of last night’s dinner from his mouth, whispers “What was that??”
(Also pushing onward as the hic et nunc owner of the cloak.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Lokilia had awoken early, getting up to stretch her legs a bit, though staying close to the campsite. The previous night she had attuned to the new necklace, hoping that it would serve her well and help her to honor the memory of Twyll. Hearing the whistling scream, she freezes in place a moment. She suspects it might not have been natural, but she takes a moment to see if she might match the sound to something she knows about. (Nature: 5)
Hearing Normont's comment, she steps over towards him. "I suppose the ruins we are looking for are further on. But shouldn't we at least take a look at these?" She takes a glance towards the direction of the ruins as she says this. "I do agree we should get moving though."
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 looks over to Dev, "I am not sure. Let's stick close together as we travel today. I will send Amber up again to give us eyes on the path ahead. Ugart warned of beasts, but also dangers from snow and stone. I wonder what he meant by that"
As Lokilia mentions exploring the ruins he nods quite eagerly, "Oh yes, I would like to take a look. Just not be there after dark".
He takes a look at the path and their eventual destination, taking out the orb of direction and cross checking their direction of travel.
"I wonder if we have to go through anyway", he muses.
( Amber spotted nothing but crumbled buildings and snow drifts).
Lokilia has never heard the sounds like before....
The orb indicated their direction of travel lay directly through the ruins and with a steep slope on the upslope side and precipitous drop on the other the way through the ruins seemed the safest route at first glance.
Amber flew high over the ruins but did not indicate that she had seen anything of concern as the companions began to head through...
As they entered the village each was gripped by a sudden terrifying feeling of dread which disappeared almost immediately but as they moved through an unseen presence seemed to haunt their steps. As the sun rose higher a bank of mist began to rise from the snow flurries and cloak the ruins in a chill shroud.
Lokilia and Dev-
You hear rocks toppling in distant structures, and then the sound of far-off footsteps running through the empty village.
Normont and Magnus-
As you move you spy silhouettes in empty windows but there is nothing there a moment later, across the town moving at the edges of your vision deep in the mist are shadowy figures which dissipate even as you spot them....
Quinn and Dev-
You hear your name called and whispered from nearby doorways, but the ruins stand empty when checked.
Lokilia and Normont-
Once when approaching the desolate town square you turn to regard your companions and see Quinn with his hands around Devs throat squeezing the life from him....then the vision vanishes and the two are walking as normal...
Quinn and Magnus-
You are being hunted....something moves through the mists unseen...it is implacable and unavoidable....there is a certainty to your feeling of doom....but it fades again..****y to return minutes later.
The companions reach the central square of the ruined town cloaked in freezing fog, but the orb continues to show the way ahead....you only need keep moving....
(Wisdom Save DC 14)
Normont moves warily through the eerie ruins, becoming more and more agitated as time goes by. More than once he can be seen swiftly turning to try and spot something, or doing a double take.
Wisdom Save: 19+2=21
Quinn begins to shiver and dust shakes off of him.
Wisdom: 14
(Wisdom Save: 6)
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
(Dev: WIS save 5+1=6)
Walking through the ruins is giving Dev the jitters and his heart starts to pound with nameless anxiety.
”Cccccan we get out of hhhhhere??,” he hisses to Quinn, shivering in the cold dampness.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
( Magnus Wisdom Save- 8 )
Normont suddenly finds himself alone as the other four lose their nerve and run off into the fog in different directions....
Quinn-
Breathing heavily you come back to your senses, you are standing in an alleyway between two half collapsed houses, you can't see either end of the alleyway because of the frigid mist, small pieces of stone fall from above....
Lokalia-
You run...a feeling of imminent dread clawing at your soul....when you get a hold of yourself you are standing inside a dark structure filled with mist....a keening wail on the edge of hearing comes from somewhere outside...
Magnus-
Running blindly through the mist as something....terrible....threatens to steal the very air from your lungs you suddenly collide with a pillar and fall back onto your butt heavily. Shaking your head and checking for damage you are within some sort of complex filled with doors, partions and pillars...the mist is everywhere...everything is cold and dark...
Dev-
You find yourself running headlong through the dark trying to escape the terror that has latched onto your soul, when you recover yourself you find that you have run into a large darkened courtyard filled with cold, sharp mist. Looking about you see the shadows of leafless trees and broken statues....you are utterly alone....
...no....no, you are not...
A sibilant whisper crawls through the mist to your ears, ' Poor...lost...boy....always lost, always hated...always last....give up...sit down...quiet...quiet..."
" I will keep you safe..."
Dev glanced up and saw a shadow light upon the top of the courtyard wall, a dark flickering impression of almost feline grace and icy despair...
" There you are...."
"Hey! Where are you all going?", Normont shouts after the others. "We said we would stick together!".
He pulls out his pistol, and looks about to see if he can see anyone or anything.
Perception: 3+4=7 (Passive: 14)
Lokilia -
She looks around, realizing her fear got the better of her and has probably led her into even worse trouble. The former unreasonable dread is now replaced by a bit more reasoned fear, that she's lost from the others, and something might be out there after them or her. She takes a moment to look around, trying to see if she can discern any sign of a way out of this place. (Perception: 25)
She walks - either towards the perceived exit or else slowly in the direction she thought she heard the wailing. "Hello," she calls out softly. And if no response, a bit more loudly. "I'm over here everyone! Where are you?"
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
Lokilia can hear Normont shouting and deterimes the direction he is in fairly easily...
Normont, for his part, is flummoxed and can see and hear very little..Lokilias voice not penetrating the mist as well...
Quinn will say, "Where are you all," and then he will look up to the falling rubble.
Lokilia, feeling a bit better about her situation once she hears Normont's voice, makes her way in that direction as best she can. She moves slowly, a bit wary of stumbling amidst all the mist. "I hear you Normont!" she calls back. "I'm trying to come to you!"
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