Iólinder and Vydar are able to deduce that the rat-ogres were formed from dark magic. It was a combination of the bones of three creatures. That they sprang from the ground is very concerning, and leads to the thought that the caster was being aided by demonic influences, likely Myurr. The caster was concentrating on commanding the creatures.
In searching the dark caster, he has a black staff that he was using to shoot necrotic bolts at Vydar, and a rolled up piece of parchment.
Any who failed their save has been infected with a disease: Until the disease is cured, the target can’t regain hit points except by magical means, and the target’s hit point maximum decreases by 3 (1d6) every 24 hours. If the target’s hit point maximum drops to 0 as a result of this disease, the target dies.
Baatar suggests the group heads back to the main camp and get cured by Aisulu, let her and Inauniq know what occurred here. He and his group will continue to protect the groove. Amdaeng finds out from Baatar who the open grave is for. Nimka, the woman you met initially on your way up the mountain, Baatar's spouse, was fatally wounded in the battle with the goblins earlier in the morning. He describes the wound, eating away at her skin, rotting it, and then traveling to her heart. (necrotic damage). She died before getting back to camp. He is heartbroken.
As you head back to the main camp, you encounter a scout named Za'chak who had taken the other group up the mountain.
"I am here to retrieve you. Your friends need you at the top of the mountain. Heal if you must, get some supplies, we must arrive there before sunrise."
(Zarbyn, Lev and Lira can describe how you would like to rig the avalanche. You have a series of poles in the ground, ropes, spikes, etc). (4 hours until sunrise.)
Lira carefully assesses the terrain, considering how to maximize the impact of the avalanche. She looks for cracks, overhangs, or loose boulders that could be leveraged to create a larger collapse.
Lira is able to see several weak spots in the snow. She hears a "whumpf" noise as she walks around. A clear sign of cracking and shifting snow. Just to the right of their location, a smaller avalanche began but was stopped by the ledge. Lira notes that she is quite comfortable in the cold of the night on this ridge, wearing only minimal exterior garments.That area and the snow just north of it should be quite loose this time of year. In addition, Lira sees a series of stars bunched in a pattern that for some reason she recognizes.
Zarbyn is able to see areas that show unstable snowpack and layering in the snow that seems weak.
Zarbyn:
Zarbyn considers that if time allows, some of the worgs body parts, such as claws, teeth, ears, and even a pelt, could be sold to traders in these areas. He recalls his employment with Big Jim near the town of Silverton and the strange encounter he had with the dying fur trapper who had been attacked by the vicious Yeti. He recalls the man talking about crystal caves and that he had found the entrance to the snow witches' domain. He sees Natalie Storms Map in his mind, and recalls that after getting to Cache 5, Silverton is not far away. It would not be smart to bring Shareella the artifacts they have collected. His eyes drift back into focus as he studies the snow and considers the best way to cause the most damage with the others.
Lev looks over Tserens supplies. He has ropes, additional poles, a hammer and spikes. The poles have a large open ring attached on the end, that could easily be used to string them together with the ropes. In addition, Lev's eyes note Tseren's bow. It is a custom beautiful long bow with hand carving around the exterior. It is large and might be somewhat difficult to wield. There is also a quiver of well-made arrows.
Zarbyn points out the areas of unstable snowpack and layering to Lira and Lev.
"Those areas there and over there look like good places to start an avalanche."
Thinking it's a long time until morning and there's a chance more enemies might show up Zarbyn offers a hasty back-up plan.
"What if more enemies are sent to finish what the last group failed at, or just find out what happened to them? They may try to stop us from causing an avalanche altogether. We might not be able to wait until morning if it comes down to it. We need to be ready no matter what."
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
Lira nods in agreement with Zarbyn, glancing back at the valley below where the enemy forces rest, oblivious to the trap being set above them. "You're right. If they send scouts or another force ahead of schedule, we might not get the chance to trigger the avalanche at the perfect moment. We need to be prepared to set it off at a moment’s notice."
She gestures toward the weak spots in the snow, noting where she heard the telltale whumpf sound and where a small slide had already begun. "That area there, and just north of it, are primed to go. We can set up small triggers now—loose rocks, packed snow, anything that will let us act fast if we have to."
Pausing, she tilts her head upward, glancing at the night sky. "Also... there's something else. Those stars—" she points to a tight cluster shimmering above them, "—they feel... familiar, somehow. I can't place why, but I recognize that pattern. Could be nothing, but..." Her voice trails off as she considers the strange feeling it gives her.
You gaze up at the stars again. Then you look back at your surroundings. You find yourself standing on the mountain top looking at the clear night sky. Two walls of ice lead back into your domain, a huge cavern of ice and crystal. Looking down, your skin is as white as snow. You brush your long pure white hair back with long slender fingers, sharp claw-like nails at each tip. The icy crown, heavy upon your head. You note your decorative embroidered sleeves. The heavy black cloak dropped around your shoulders. The warmth of the amulet around your neck. A peaceful purpose, love, strength, sisterhood. At the same time as you gaze, you realize someone is seeing through your eyes. Then the vision is gone. Your companions studying the snow around you, and again, you look at the familiar stars that you and another see at the same time.
Morric contemplating his near death dream, brings out some cookies from his pack and will offer some to the group as we head towards the main camp. “ Best darn cookies on the continent..”
Lira's breath catches as the vision fades, her heart racing. She staggers slightly, gripping the amulet tightly as a cold chill sweeps over her. The icy crown, the long white hair, the cavern of ice and crystal—it had all felt so real, like she had truly been standing there. Shaking off the lingering sensation, she turns to the others, her voice unsteady. “I…I think I just saw through Shareella’s eyes,”she says. “It was like I was her—standing in a frozen domain, feeling the weight of the crown, the warmth of the amulet. And the stars…I saw them there too, just like here.”
The group heads to the main camp and enters the tent. Assembled inside is the high priestess, Aisulu and the strong warrior, Sukhbaatar. In the back of the room behind a flap of fabric hanging from the roof, you see the unmistakable body of someone lying on a table, covered in a shroud.
"Ah, welcome Sh'torem! What news of our holy glade?"
Iólinder picked up both the staff and the piece of parchment. As he did so, he suddenly started to cough in a short but violent burst. He figured that the goblin's clothes must have been so filthy, something on them was wrecking havoc on his lungs. He wiped away the spittle from his mouth and turned back to catch up with the others and return to camp.
'Lead on.' Iólinder said. He looked at the others to see what state they were in. 'I am running low on magical reserve but I could patch up whoever needs it the most.'
Is there time to inspect the black staff and/or the parchment?
As Aisulu looks the lot over, she notes some scratches and bites. "Hum, I believe those wounds could get infected. What happened at the glade?"
She pulls out of a bag with some balm. Put this on the wounds three times daily and it may stave off the infection, but I believe you may need to go to a healer in Silverton to cure the disease. She is my friend, her name is Meknola, a gnome of some reputation for her healing magics.
(Acquired: Balm that will keep the nasty disease from getting worse (4 day supply)
As Aisulu looks the lot over, she notes some scratches and bites. "Hum, I believe those wounds could get infected. What happened at the glade?"
She pulls out of a bag with some balm. Put this on the wounds three times daily and it may stave off the infection, but I believe you may need to go to a healer in Silverton to cure the disease. She is my friend, her name is Meknola, a gnome of some reputation for her healing magics.
(Acquired: Balm that will keep the nasty disease from getting worse (4 day supply)
" Ok, well.....we can worry about that after we finish this."
" The glade is.....safe....for the moment.......there were a lot of rats.....and rat monsters......but the goblins are sorted for now."
Aisulu nods her head. "I do not know much about the Snake Demon Myurr but it does sound like the cultists are mixing the parts of different creatures to create abominations. Dark magic indeed, and I fear aided by demonic influences." She considers for a moment, "Go to the top of the mountain and trigger that avalanche to cause the most damage. Our people will be fine. Then, you must continue the journey that Na'ah'tali Sh'torem began amidst the chaos and destruction. The delay here has been very beneficial from the Coven. You must also find time to rest and heal."
Iólinder gave thanks for the balm. He did not quite catch the gist of it but it seemed that the rat based creatures carried a disease with them and he got infected when the ogrish brute raked his skin. He made a note of the healer's name but more urgent matters took precedence.
'I have this staff.' Iólinder held out the goblin's staff. It now felt cold to the touch. 'Perhaps it can give us a clue when we have a moment of quiet.'
He looked at the top of the mountain. 'What is the fastest way up?'
(Both are fine, with advantage for help from Vydar)
(We’re Vydar or Iolinder wounded by the rat thing?)
Arcana: 21
If you mean the rat/goblin/ogre thing: yes.
CON save: 8
FFS...
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Iólinder and Vydar are able to deduce that the rat-ogres were formed from dark magic. It was a combination of the bones of three creatures. That they sprang from the ground is very concerning, and leads to the thought that the caster was being aided by demonic influences, likely Myurr. The caster was concentrating on commanding the creatures.
In searching the dark caster, he has a black staff that he was using to shoot necrotic bolts at Vydar, and a rolled up piece of parchment.
Any who failed their save has been infected with a disease: Until the disease is cured, the target can’t regain hit points except by magical means, and the target’s hit point maximum decreases by 3 (1d6) every 24 hours. If the target’s hit point maximum drops to 0 as a result of this disease, the target dies.
Baatar suggests the group heads back to the main camp and get cured by Aisulu, let her and Inauniq know what occurred here. He and his group will continue to protect the groove. Amdaeng finds out from Baatar who the open grave is for. Nimka, the woman you met initially on your way up the mountain, Baatar's spouse, was fatally wounded in the battle with the goblins earlier in the morning. He describes the wound, eating away at her skin, rotting it, and then traveling to her heart. (necrotic damage). She died before getting back to camp. He is heartbroken.
As you head back to the main camp, you encounter a scout named Za'chak who had taken the other group up the mountain.
"I am here to retrieve you. Your friends need you at the top of the mountain. Heal if you must, get some supplies, we must arrive there before sunrise."
(Zarbyn, Lev and Lira can describe how you would like to rig the avalanche. You have a series of poles in the ground, ropes, spikes, etc).
(4 hours until sunrise.)
Lira carefully assesses the terrain, considering how to maximize the impact of the avalanche. She looks for cracks, overhangs, or loose boulders that could be leveraged to create a larger collapse.
Survival: 14
Lira is able to see several weak spots in the snow. She hears a "whumpf" noise as she walks around. A clear sign of cracking and shifting snow. Just to the right of their location, a smaller avalanche began but was stopped by the ledge. Lira notes that she is quite comfortable in the cold of the night on this ridge, wearing only minimal exterior garments.That area and the snow just north of it should be quite loose this time of year. In addition, Lira sees a series of stars bunched in a pattern that for some reason she recognizes.
Zarbyn is able to see areas that show unstable snowpack and layering in the snow that seems weak.
Zarbyn:
Zarbyn considers that if time allows, some of the worgs body parts, such as claws, teeth, ears, and even a pelt, could be sold to traders in these areas. He recalls his employment with Big Jim near the town of Silverton and the strange encounter he had with the dying fur trapper who had been attacked by the vicious Yeti. He recalls the man talking about crystal caves and that he had found the entrance to the snow witches' domain. He sees Natalie Storms Map in his mind, and recalls that after getting to Cache 5, Silverton is not far away. It would not be smart to bring Shareella the artifacts they have collected. His eyes drift back into focus as he studies the snow and considers the best way to cause the most damage with the others.
Lev looks over Tserens supplies. He has ropes, additional poles, a hammer and spikes. The poles have a large open ring attached on the end, that could easily be used to string them together with the ropes. In addition, Lev's eyes note Tseren's bow. It is a custom beautiful long bow with hand carving around the exterior. It is large and might be somewhat difficult to wield. There is also a quiver of well-made arrows.
Zarbyn points out the areas of unstable snowpack and layering to Lira and Lev.
"Those areas there and over there look like good places to start an avalanche."
Thinking it's a long time until morning and there's a chance more enemies might show up Zarbyn offers a hasty back-up plan.
"What if more enemies are sent to finish what the last group failed at, or just find out what happened to them? They may try to stop us from causing an avalanche altogether. We might not be able to wait until morning if it comes down to it. We need to be ready no matter what."
Lira nods in agreement with Zarbyn, glancing back at the valley below where the enemy forces rest, oblivious to the trap being set above them. "You're right. If they send scouts or another force ahead of schedule, we might not get the chance to trigger the avalanche at the perfect moment. We need to be prepared to set it off at a moment’s notice."
She gestures toward the weak spots in the snow, noting where she heard the telltale whumpf sound and where a small slide had already begun. "That area there, and just north of it, are primed to go. We can set up small triggers now—loose rocks, packed snow, anything that will let us act fast if we have to."
Pausing, she tilts her head upward, glancing at the night sky. "Also... there's something else. Those stars—" she points to a tight cluster shimmering above them, "—they feel... familiar, somehow. I can't place why, but I recognize that pattern. Could be nothing, but..." Her voice trails off as she considers the strange feeling it gives her.
Lira
You gaze up at the stars again. Then you look back at your surroundings. You find yourself standing on the mountain top looking at the clear night sky. Two walls of ice lead back into your domain, a huge cavern of ice and crystal. Looking down, your skin is as white as snow. You brush your long pure white hair back with long slender fingers, sharp claw-like nails at each tip. The icy crown, heavy upon your head. You note your decorative embroidered sleeves. The heavy black cloak dropped around your shoulders. The warmth of the amulet around your neck. A peaceful purpose, love, strength, sisterhood.
At the same time as you gaze, you realize someone is seeing through your eyes. Then the vision is gone. Your companions studying the snow around you, and again, you look at the familiar stars that you and another see at the same time.
Morric contemplating his near death dream, brings out some cookies from his pack and will offer some to the group as we head towards the main camp. “ Best darn cookies on the continent..”
Amdaeng accepted her oncoming death with a shrug and a sigh.......she patted Baatar on the back and followed.
Lira's breath catches as the vision fades, her heart racing. She staggers slightly, gripping the amulet tightly as a cold chill sweeps over her. The icy crown, the long white hair, the cavern of ice and crystal—it had all felt so real, like she had truly been standing there. Shaking off the lingering sensation, she turns to the others, her voice unsteady. “I…I think I just saw through Shareella’s eyes,” she says. “It was like I was her—standing in a frozen domain, feeling the weight of the crown, the warmth of the amulet. And the stars…I saw them there too, just like here.”
The group heads to the main camp and enters the tent. Assembled inside is the high priestess, Aisulu and the strong warrior, Sukhbaatar. In the back of the room behind a flap of fabric hanging from the roof, you see the unmistakable body of someone lying on a table, covered in a shroud.
"Ah, welcome Sh'torem! What news of our holy glade?"
Iólinder picked up both the staff and the piece of parchment. As he did so, he suddenly started to cough in a short but violent burst. He figured that the goblin's clothes must have been so filthy, something on them was wrecking havoc on his lungs. He wiped away the spittle from his mouth and turned back to catch up with the others and return to camp.
'Lead on.' Iólinder said. He looked at the others to see what state they were in. 'I am running low on magical reserve but I could patch up whoever needs it the most.'
Is there time to inspect the black staff and/or the parchment?
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
As Aisulu looks the lot over, she notes some scratches and bites. "Hum, I believe those wounds could get infected. What happened at the glade?"
She pulls out of a bag with some balm. Put this on the wounds three times daily and it may stave off the infection, but I believe you may need to go to a healer in Silverton to cure the disease. She is my friend, her name is Meknola, a gnome of some reputation for her healing magics.
(Acquired: Balm that will keep the nasty disease from getting worse (4 day supply)
Aisulu is able to discern the properties of the staff. She looks on it with some distaste.
"This is a necromancers hex staff"
If someone wants it such as Iolinder, they can add it as a magic item to character sheet (its a home-brew).
The staff casts a cantrip taught to initiates of Myurr and other death oriented dieties: Bone chill.
Bone Chill is a cantrip (Necromancy). It deals
Necrotic damage and prevents the target from regaining Hit Points.
Description
Prevent the target from healing until your next turn. An undead target receives Disadvantage on Attack rolls.
Properties
At higher levels
" Ok, well.....we can worry about that after we finish this."
" The glade is.....safe....for the moment.......there were a lot of rats.....and rat monsters......but the goblins are sorted for now."
Aisulu nods her head. "I do not know much about the Snake Demon Myurr but it does sound like the cultists are mixing the parts of different creatures to create abominations. Dark magic indeed, and I fear aided by demonic influences." She considers for a moment, "Go to the top of the mountain and trigger that avalanche to cause the most damage. Our people will be fine. Then, you must continue the journey that Na'ah'tali Sh'torem began amidst the chaos and destruction. The delay here has been very beneficial from the Coven. You must also find time to rest and heal."
Iólinder gave thanks for the balm. He did not quite catch the gist of it but it seemed that the rat based creatures carried a disease with them and he got infected when the ogrish brute raked his skin. He made a note of the healer's name but more urgent matters took precedence.
'I have this staff.' Iólinder held out the goblin's staff. It now felt cold to the touch. 'Perhaps it can give us a clue when we have a moment of quiet.'
He looked at the top of the mountain. 'What is the fastest way up?'
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus