The Summit Road Campaign Thread

Riikana turns an even look on Taran. "I swear by the Path and by the light that I will no harm nobody so long as they do not harm me," she says softly.

Accepting her vow, Taran efficiently unloads his crossbow and slings it back against his back. He takes a deep breath, as though he was settling into something. Then he walked over to the fire, where the dinner pot was sitting. 

"Th-the others w-will likely come b-back soon. I'll m-make you a b-bowl while w-we wait." That said, he pulls out a spare bowl and scrapes out some of the remaining soup to offer her. 

Caelius smiles softly, nods, and gestures to a spot near the fire before signing swiftly,

River slowly, warily makes her way back to the camp from her tree, still buried beneath the mountain of clothes, armour, and scarves.

"*crr* Life is not so black or white. *crr-kk* What matters *coo* How we choose to colour it."

She stands nearby, keeping an eye on the group.

"How are those soldiers *crr* healing? I hope my *coo* magic was enough..."

Riikana sits down quietly, still looking not particularly at ease. At River's question, she glances at the small bird. "Yes...they're healing well, the Healing Hand had them almost fully recovered by the time I...left. I wondered why you left them alive."

A few minutes later, the group who escorted Arthem comes back, spreading back out around the camp. Ryder sits on the opposite side of the camp from Riikana, neither looking at the other, while Likashtai positions herself where she can keep an eye on the now ex-water soldier.

Once everyone comes back, Taran takes the empty pot and begins scrubbing it. After that he begins setting an alarm line around the camp, keeping an eye on Riikana the entire time. He would take the last watch as normal, but he doubted he would sleep well, keeping an ear out for any trouble.

As the team gathers around Riikana and settles to eat Taran's stew, Druhdaar lets out a long sigh and stretches as he slowly gets up.

" I'll have a look around. Be back soon. " he grunts, giving Riikana one last, steady look and an imperceptible nod before trudging away from their fire.

** Druhd will turn into a shaggy, dark-brown Dire Wolf as soon as he's out of sight of the others and spend the remainder of his time in Wild Shape patrolling the area around the camp (let's say about a few mile radius or so if that's realistic...), before walking back to camp and either getting some rest or go on watch, as appropriate. **

"They didn't *crr* deserve to die. *coo* They fight for what they believe *crr* Are we no different?"

Riikana meets Druhdaar's eyes calmly, inclining her head ever so slightly.

Upon hearing River's words, she is quiet and thoughtful, looking a little discomfited by River's point.

The trip back is relatively easy. Tense, with two ex-Riedran soldiers in the group actively avoiding each other and you being in enemy territory, but free of conflict. Druhdaar spots a few signs of Riedran patrols on his checks, but together he and Taran are able to steer the group safely away from danger.

By the morning of the second day, you've crossed the border into Adar again. Although it's safe here, it's also a relief that you don't have to worry about dealing with the Riedrans having their first night ever of free dreams on your own, as the Keep is a mere half-day away. As the sun begins to dip below the peaks of the mountains, you catch your first glimpse of Kasshta Keep.

Set against the mountainside, this fortress-monastery appears to merely be a few towers with arcs of electricity dancing between them, although even that is more than some of the border monasteries show above ground. However, you know that below the towers, the Keep spreads throughout the entire mountain, a warren of high-roofed tunnels and massive rooms that pokes out all over the mountainside on cleverly disguised ledges and cave mouths. Between you and the Keep is a massive chasm, the Kasshta River roaring at the bottom. You know that the River actually provides trade to the Keep, but the port itself is in the Keep thousands of feet above. Magical winches lift and lower the boats that approach the Keep.

Crossing the River is a single stone bridge, stunningly shaped to be both beautiful and functional. The bridge is a dozen feet wide, with magical barriers along the sides that can be dropped in sections at will, allowing a large number of defensive forces to be arrayed on it while forcing any large invading force to risk slipping off. The bridge also makes it much easier for the smaller force of the Keep to meet any large Riedran force that might seek to attack. Beyond the bridge is a footpath that seems to peter out after climbing a few hundred feet, although it actually vanishes into a tunnel that leads up to the Keep's interior.

Standing on the bridge are five Adaran warriors. A kalashtar man wearing cloth wraps on his hand and feet. A human woman in the simple robes that denote a mage. A kalashtar woman in studded leather wielding a long curved sword. A human man in leather armor with several sheathed daggers visible on his person, and likely several more that are not visible. And another human woman, this one with a quarterstaff in her hands. As you approach, the man in leather armor holds his hand up for you to halt, and the kalashtar man and the woman with the quarterstaff approach, posture cautious and eyes mostly on Ryder and Riikana. "You come with not one, but two soldiers who bear Riedra's crest, both armed. And one has the bearing and markings of an officer. Explain yourselves, guides."

“These were individuals who were pivotal in our mission being successful. They have seen the horrors that can take place within their own country. They are on the path of understanding that things aren’t always what they seem. And that “paradise” has a steep cost. We bring them here for sanctuary and for the elders to look at and judge.” Vishal explains to those standing guard. 

The guards exchange looks, and the kalashtar man nods and turns, taking off across the bridge at an impressive speed. "You will both lay down your weapons," the woman with the quarterstaff says to Ryder and Riikana. "And remain here until one who can at least superficially attest that you mean us no harm has arrived."

Silently, Riikana draws her sword and lays it on the stone, followed by her dagger. Although he looks uneasy, Ryder's sword soon joins Riikana's weapons. The remaining four guards relax infinitesimally. The man in leather armor looks at the rest of you. "Are any of you injured or otherwise in need of medical attention?"

"N-N-Nothing i-i-immediate, S-Sir," Taran answers, "th-though sh-she," indicating Liira, "Was gr-gravely injured s-some days ago, with an infection, and th-they" indicating LLakashtai and Roiin "Were t-t-tortured f-f-for an un-unknown number of d-days. I-I've d-done wh-what I c-c-can to tr-treat them, b-but a-a-a pr-proper d-d-doctor sh-should s-see th-them and c-c-confirm I-I-I d-d-didn't m-miss anything. Ar-Arthem sh-should p-probably g-g-get a ch-check up as w-well, j-just to b-be safe." Taran finishes looking at the young boy.

Likashtai gives the man a weary smile. "Roiin and I will merely be needing psychic treatment, which can wait until we are inside and cleared."

Arthem peeks out from where he's hiding, wide-eyed, behind Caelius and watches the Adarans with nervousness and a hint of suspicion.

Caelius pats Arthem's hand, and signs,

Taran leans down and translates, "H-He's saying it w-w-will be o-okay, n-no o-one here w-w-will hurt you."

Druhdaar stays a little behind the group and stares at the skies and high mountains above with an inscrutable expression. After he mumbles almost to himself:

" Fine spot to defend. Unless they come with wings. "

Shaking his braids and scratching his shaven head to dispell the noise of his own thoughts, he focuses back on the scene unfolding in front of him. As he comes level with Riikana, the big man stands a little ways to her left and sobberly says, without looking at her:

" Listen, sport: if you're still feeling raw about the whole thing and need to vent with stick or fists when you're done with these folks - if they ever let your stubborn self out, that is - come find me in the monk's training quarters. Be glad to help knock some sense into ye. "

 The small smile under his beard and the glint in his eyes belie the apparently abrasive words. He gives her another nod and grunts awkwardly:

" One more thing... your dreams will be your own tonight. It's weird at first. Just sayin. "

The burly druid finally turns his back on the Riedran officer, nods his goodbyes to Ryder and makes his way towards the others.

Riikana gives Druhdaar a long look, not moving as she's being closely watched by two heavily armed and suspicious Adarans, but gives him a slight nod. Ryder looks a bit more nervous as Druhdaar's revelation regarding dreams, but as he's also being watched by Adarans, he keeps quiet.

A few minutes later, the kalashtar returns. Running alongside him is a middle-aged woman with loose brown hair and tanned skin. A strange mark on her forehead glows blue, and across her back is a long staff with a strange hooked blade along the top. Despite the fact that she must be nearly fifty, she keeps up easily with the younger kalashtar, coming to a neat stop. The kalashtar gestures at each of you, stopping on Ryder and Riikana. "These guides have returned, but they also have two Riedrans with them, both soldiers. One of them is an officer, as you can see. Before letting them into the Keep, we wanted them to at least pass a brief inspection, although you should be able to vouch more confidently."

The woman's eyes go calmly to the weapons on the ground, provoking a slight nod from her. Her eyes pass over each of you, ending on Ryder and finally Riikana.

OOC: Everyone give me a DC 17 Wis ST. Please note your characters do not know they are making this save. On a fail, please state (in a spoiler) your attitude and intentions towards the Keep. It can be as simple as "nervous I'm here, planning to explore". I don't expect it to be an issue.

Likashtai: 15
Roiin: 16
Liira: 18
Tiem: 8

Ryder: 12
Riikana: 18

 OOC:...Perfect. Results will occur once everyone's given me their save

Druhdaar looks at the brown-haired woman, his eyes steady, yet clouded by a number of conflicting thoughts.