After the quick singing of steel and the crackle of eldritch energy the wood grows eerily quiet once more, the wind carrying nearly imperceptible whispers as if you where just out of earshot of a secret conversation.
N'Ruel keeps a watchful eye but does not see anything else that would be a threat. Darastrag studies a handful of dry splinters and twigs that only moments ago had clawed and spilled his reptilian blood. The lizardman nor the cleric have ever seen or heard of any vile creature such as this. The blackish ichor is already coagulated and has a slight metallic scent but to Tovar this appears to be stale old blood, not the fresh viscous blood you would expect to find from a creature who has just been slain. Esvele recollects how Elderman Raster described the small apple tree saplings before the mysteriously disappear from the village. These twiggy creatures do appear to be of around the same height but their wooden bodies are dry and dead compared to green and vibrant as one would imagine a living plant. Odd coincidence or maybe there is something more to these monsters?
Collecting yourselves after the brief skirmish you all continue following the path pointed out by Marigold. More hours toll by as you arduously trudge through the snow and the sun reaches the pinnacle in the winter sky. The close knit trees begin to thin out and suddenly the gaping maw of the ravine lies before you. Several broken pillars jut up from the earth and snow where the ravine widens. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most lean atop sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the dark depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine. A weathered and worn rope it knotted and tied to one of the leaning pillars on this side of the ravine.
Darastrag walks over and tugs the rope to test its integrity.
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Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
N'ruel steps to the edge between the askew pillars. "That looks a little worn," he says indicating the rope as Darastrag examines it. Unable to see to the bottom of the ravine, he reaches into a pouch, grabbing a small amount of a red, powdery substance. He mutters a few words in elvish and casts dancing lights. He sends the orb of light down in the the darkened ravine to try to discern the depth.
Esvele sits on the ground as Gwaihir flies into and around the ravine. Her eyes become a solid forest green color...
//. Esvele is using her action to look through Gwaihir's eyes. Looking for entrances below, differences between the pillars, signs of life... Gwaihir perception check 20 //
// FYI - omw to an event, so won't be responding often if at all. Esvele will try to be as helpful as possible (granting advantage) //
Finding little revealed to her sight, Aerin waits patiently while her companions finish scouting. The worn state of the rope is concerning but equally so whether it went all the way down. Aerin just hopes they can make it all the way down without incident. She did not have the kind of magics that would ease their descent.
"What does your hawk see, friend Esvele?" Darastrag hisses from his spot, kneeling by the rope and peering down into the abyss...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
The lizardman tugs on the frozen rope causing it to creak with distress, some noticeable fraying can be seen where the rope is knotted and tied around the stone pillar. Judging by the poor condition of the rope it seems to have been tied off here for a considerable amount of time.
A glowing orb materializes in the palm of the drow and quickly floats away over the edge and down into the darkness of the ravine. The rope hangs down to a depth of 50 feet before coming to an abrupt end, looking like the remainder of the rope has rotted away. At about 10 feet below the ending of the rope the dancing light illuminates a ledge protruding out from the cliff face where a switchback stair continues to descended further into darkness.
Gwaihir takes flight diving down after the orb of glowing light relaying all she sees to the seemingly entranced cleric. After a minute or so passes the bird flies back up landing on Esvele's shoulder as her eyes transform from a solid green back to her normal hazel color. The cleric of Tymestyl shares what she has seen through the eyes of her feathered friend. Carved into the wall of the ravine are old weathered hand and footholds leading all the way down to the ledge, the bottom of the subterranean vault lies another 120 feet down the stairs which empties into a crumbling courtyard.
The below map is of the protruding ledge at the top which is 60 feet below where you all are now and the switchback stair which goes down an additional 120 feet.
Shaking her head at what was revealed of the ravine, Aerin takes out the rope from her pack. Knotting it at intervals, she then replaces the disturbingly worn rope at the edge. It was a pity she didn't have mage hand but she'd try to remember to retrieve it when they returned. Hopefully they wouldn't need more before then.
"Perhaps we should descend in our marching order? Or should one of our more stealthy members scout ahead? If we are to descend I would appreciate a little help." Aerin asks and then frowns. "It is good we can see a platform below but they look like the perfect grounds for an ambush."
Aerin will do her best to keep her senses honed and check for traps.
Darastrag murmurs, "Wait. I know a trick. Take several lengths of rope and tie them in a loop around a strong post. Lightest person goes down first, then someone strong. Use strength to control the descent, then untie the loop once all get to bottom and collect all the rope."
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
"Our fine scaled friend makes an excellent point, but the nearest reliable holds for the rope seem to be these ancient pillars. While by strength one night control your descent, it all comes to naught if a half - ton rock follows you down the ravine. But I do still like your plan. Esvele made mention of good handholds along the side of cliff? Perhaps I am misunderstanding, but what would you say to leaving you here at the top of the ravine to ensure secure ropes around these pillars while we slowly descend, attached to rope, using handholds in wall? Once we are down you could follow us, loosely tied to ropes as well. I am merely for to be thinking that your ability in climbing rock might be better than the rest of ours. What do you think?"
Tovar says as he rests his pack on a rock well back from the edge, rooting through his bag for a snack.
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
N'ruel sits at the edge studying the side wall of the ravine as the rest of the party discusses the descent. Getting to his feet he walks over the lizardman. "I can climb down last if you prefer. Otherwise, I will go first."
"Go first - your vision will be most valuable below." Darastrag claps the monk on the shoulder. "Be wary - see you in a few moments."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
N'ruel nods to Darastrag and pulls off his bundle of rope from his pack and begins to knot it together with Aerin's. "This will be a little short - over ten feet."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Aerin kneels at the edge of the ravine, keeping an eye out for any potential ambushers within her range as N'ruel descends. The pulse of eldritch energy feels reassuring in her hands as she readies a bolt.
As Aerin and N'Ruel tie together their two ropes so it will reach down the full 60 foot drop to the ledge below the warlock notices that the pillars are covered with graffiti in Dethek, a runic script most common in the dwarven language but is also used in giant, orc, and goblin languages. The inscriptions have been hastily scratched into the stone by an unsteady hand.
The warlock also notices that the area around the stone pillars has hosted many small campfires, some as recent as a few months ago. Someone went to some effort to hide the evidence of the camps from casual scrutiny.
The party careful make the descent down the knotted rope using the wall to brace yourselves on the way down. Touching your boots down on solid earth again you find yourselves on the sandy ledge overlooking a subterranean gulf of darkness to the west. The ledge is wide but rough. Sand, rocky debris, and the bones of small animals cover it. A rough-hewn stairwell zigs and zags down the side of the ledge descending into darkness.
If anyone speaks goblin they can translate the Dethek graffiti.
If you haven't done so already give me an Athletics or Acrobatics check (whichever is higher for you) DC 10 to successful climb down the rope. Also if you would have tried to have been stealthy while climbing make a Stealth check as well.
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After the quick singing of steel and the crackle of eldritch energy the wood grows eerily quiet once more, the wind carrying nearly imperceptible whispers as if you where just out of earshot of a secret conversation.
N'Ruel keeps a watchful eye but does not see anything else that would be a threat. Darastrag studies a handful of dry splinters and twigs that only moments ago had clawed and spilled his reptilian blood. The lizardman nor the cleric have ever seen or heard of any vile creature such as this. The blackish ichor is already coagulated and has a slight metallic scent but to Tovar this appears to be stale old blood, not the fresh viscous blood you would expect to find from a creature who has just been slain. Esvele recollects how Elderman Raster described the small apple tree saplings before the mysteriously disappear from the village. These twiggy creatures do appear to be of around the same height but their wooden bodies are dry and dead compared to green and vibrant as one would imagine a living plant. Odd coincidence or maybe there is something more to these monsters?
Collecting yourselves after the brief skirmish you all continue following the path pointed out by Marigold. More hours toll by as you arduously trudge through the snow and the sun reaches the pinnacle in the winter sky. The close knit trees begin to thin out and suddenly the gaping maw of the ravine lies before you. Several broken pillars jut up from the earth and snow where the ravine widens. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most lean atop sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the dark depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine. A weathered and worn rope it knotted and tied to one of the leaning pillars on this side of the ravine.
OOC: How far across and to the bottom of the ravine? And the entrance is at the bottom of the ravine correct?
Darastrag walks over and tugs the rope to test its integrity.
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
N'ruel steps to the edge between the askew pillars. "That looks a little worn," he says indicating the rope as Darastrag examines it. Unable to see to the bottom of the ravine, he reaches into a pouch, grabbing a small amount of a red, powdery substance. He mutters a few words in elvish and casts dancing lights. He sends the orb of light down in the the darkened ravine to try to discern the depth.
- Esvele -
Esvele sits on the ground as Gwaihir flies into and around the ravine. Her eyes become a solid forest green color...
//. Esvele is using her action to look through Gwaihir's eyes. Looking for entrances below, differences between the pillars, signs of life... Gwaihir perception check 20 //
// FYI - omw to an event, so won't be responding often if at all. Esvele will try to be as helpful as possible (granting advantage) //
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Finding little revealed to her sight, Aerin waits patiently while her companions finish scouting. The worn state of the rope is concerning but equally so whether it went all the way down. Aerin just hopes they can make it all the way down without incident. She did not have the kind of magics that would ease their descent.
"I have extra rope if needed," Aerin offers.
"What does your hawk see, friend Esvele?" Darastrag hisses from his spot, kneeling by the rope and peering down into the abyss...
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
The lizardman tugs on the frozen rope causing it to creak with distress, some noticeable fraying can be seen where the rope is knotted and tied around the stone pillar. Judging by the poor condition of the rope it seems to have been tied off here for a considerable amount of time.
A glowing orb materializes in the palm of the drow and quickly floats away over the edge and down into the darkness of the ravine. The rope hangs down to a depth of 50 feet before coming to an abrupt end, looking like the remainder of the rope has rotted away. At about 10 feet below the ending of the rope the dancing light illuminates a ledge protruding out from the cliff face where a switchback stair continues to descended further into darkness.
Gwaihir takes flight diving down after the orb of glowing light relaying all she sees to the seemingly entranced cleric. After a minute or so passes the bird flies back up landing on Esvele's shoulder as her eyes transform from a solid green back to her normal hazel color. The cleric of Tymestyl shares what she has seen through the eyes of her feathered friend. Carved into the wall of the ravine are old weathered hand and footholds leading all the way down to the ledge, the bottom of the subterranean vault lies another 120 feet down the stairs which empties into a crumbling courtyard.
The below map is of the protruding ledge at the top which is 60 feet below where you all are now and the switchback stair which goes down an additional 120 feet.
Shaking her head at what was revealed of the ravine, Aerin takes out the rope from her pack. Knotting it at intervals, she then replaces the disturbingly worn rope at the edge. It was a pity she didn't have mage hand but she'd try to remember to retrieve it when they returned. Hopefully they wouldn't need more before then.
"Perhaps we should descend in our marching order? Or should one of our more stealthy members scout ahead? If we are to descend I would appreciate a little help." Aerin asks and then frowns. "It is good we can see a platform below but they look like the perfect grounds for an ambush."
Aerin will do her best to keep her senses honed and check for traps.
Perception 10
Investigation 13
If/when she descends, she'll take Esvele's offer of help.
Acrobatics 19
Darastrag murmurs, "Wait. I know a trick. Take several lengths of rope and tie them in a loop around a strong post. Lightest person goes down first, then someone strong. Use strength to control the descent, then untie the loop once all get to bottom and collect all the rope."
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
- Esvele -
"Thank you, Gwaihir - now, go patrol and warn us of danger as we descend."
Turning to the others, she says, "Well, looks like we're climbing down."
Esvele will wait her turn before heading down the rope with the others.
// Esvele Athletics Check 17 and Gwaihir Perception Check 20 //
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
"Our fine scaled friend makes an excellent point, but the nearest reliable holds for the rope seem to be these ancient pillars. While by strength one night control your descent, it all comes to naught if a half - ton rock follows you down the ravine. But I do still like your plan. Esvele made mention of good handholds along the side of cliff? Perhaps I am misunderstanding, but what would you say to leaving you here at the top of the ravine to ensure secure ropes around these pillars while we slowly descend, attached to rope, using handholds in wall? Once we are down you could follow us, loosely tied to ropes as well. I am merely for to be thinking that your ability in climbing rock might be better than the rest of ours. What do you think?"
Tovar says as he rests his pack on a rock well back from the edge, rooting through his bag for a snack.
"I will do this, friend Tovar."
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
"It sounds like a good plan. I'm ready when you are," Aerin agrees.
N'ruel sits at the edge studying the side wall of the ravine as the rest of the party discusses the descent. Getting to his feet he walks over the lizardman. "I can climb down last if you prefer. Otherwise, I will go first."
"Go first - your vision will be most valuable below." Darastrag claps the monk on the shoulder. "Be wary - see you in a few moments."
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
N'ruel nods to Darastrag and pulls off his bundle of rope from his pack and begins to knot it together with Aerin's. "This will be a little short - over ten feet."
Aerin kneels at the edge of the ravine, keeping an eye out for any potential ambushers within her range as N'ruel descends. The pulse of eldritch energy feels reassuring in her hands as she readies a bolt.
Perception 12
On mobile so I can't get square brackets.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
As Aerin and N'Ruel tie together their two ropes so it will reach down the full 60 foot drop to the ledge below the warlock notices that the pillars are covered with graffiti in Dethek, a runic script most common in the dwarven language but is also used in giant, orc, and goblin languages. The inscriptions have been hastily scratched into the stone by an unsteady hand.
The warlock also notices that the area around the stone pillars has hosted many small campfires, some as recent as a few months ago. Someone went to some effort to hide the evidence of the camps from casual scrutiny.
The party careful make the descent down the knotted rope using the wall to brace yourselves on the way down. Touching your boots down on solid earth again you find yourselves on the sandy ledge overlooking a subterranean gulf of darkness to the west. The ledge is wide but rough. Sand, rocky debris, and the bones of small animals cover it. A rough-hewn stairwell zigs and zags down the side of the ledge descending into darkness.
If anyone speaks goblin they can translate the Dethek graffiti.
If you haven't done so already give me an Athletics or Acrobatics check (whichever is higher for you) DC 10 to successful climb down the rope. Also if you would have tried to have been stealthy while climbing make a Stealth check as well.