Shadowthorn's Princes of the Apocalypse

(Didn't we just do that?)

(We literally had a long discussion about this from end of October to November. I understand it was a while back so I linked to its conclusion in my last post. I would rather not rehash but....As someone who fights in the front I'd rather not see what they have deeper in this wind dungeon. Another dragon? Another invisible enemy? Or heck, an invisible dragon? If y'all have an appetite for danger I'd rather go back to Rivergard where we met Xanranzan anyways. The creatures there swim instead of fly, AND in that one we met the wereboar who killed Kethra's master, so Kethra's quest item is there.)

(Yes, please)

(The words got away with me, but figured I'd post the lengthy version of Xanranzan's level up during his watch for those interested/might wake up and want to react to it.)

 It is only towards the end of his watch that a sweaty Xanranzan finally remembers the whole business with the air dye. With a snap of his fingers and a bit of a chuckle, he whispers to himself, "Ah, I'm pretty sure they were just mess'n with me. Though, I aughta get some more. Fizwyn wasn't kidding. The stuff is multipurpose." And on that note, he switches with whoever's next on watch and rests for the rest of the evening.

The next... day, Xan rushes a bit through the usual gear maintenace in his excitement to be on the move. Which if the others look confused about, the earth genasi chuckled and say, "We're headed up top to kick those punks outta the tower now... right? Like, now that we know they ain't on the up 'n up 'n all that."

(If we circle the canyon before heading up to its surface, how wide is the canyon at its narrowest? Are there any giant vultures still around?)

"You know looking back....we totally could've roped the giant vulture that was here before to carry one of us past the tower drawbridge. Oh well, at least we got these!"

Kethra holds up 4 cultist uniforms: 1 wyvern-riding Skyweaver uniform, 1 normal Skyweaver uniform, 1 Hurricane uniform and 1 normal cultist robe. The Hurricane uniform probably needs a prestidigitation to clean up the blood from earlier.

"Well everyone, take your pick. This tower is probably like Rivergard and they are secretly on the cultists' side especially with those shallow graves we found being so nearby. We can leave the talking to Xanranzan, right? I can't really do anything from a distance...so Mr. Tyde and Rubin get ready to support him if things go wrong. We'll approach at night time so Rubin will be at his peak strength...and that the rats will be scavenging around for Allistair to pick out."

Lastly, Kethra tries to find a large animal (like a deer or something) and tries to use Speak with Animals to try and bribe them with some of the old bread the party obtained from Rivergard to accompany us (and give us some cover in case things go south).

"I mean, that other guy kinda said outright they're feathergale knights or whatever, and that they 'serve the howling hatred' in getting more, uhm.. well, sacrifices." Xanranzan reminded. "But, uh, either way, uhm... All that other stuff sounds good I guess. If its dark, they probably won't even notice I'm an earth genasi, so that can only work to our advantage, right? Kinda kick'n myself for not asking for any secret entryways into the tower, but that kinda got nipped in the bud a bit quick there didn't it." He smiles sheepishly.

"But first, we gotta make our way up to the surface at least to see the time. So, uh, let's hop to it. We can worry about disguising ourselves once we're a bit closer. 'cause I don't know about ya'll but I ain't exactly eager to be wear'n those for longer thatn we gotta."

You all manage to make your way to the surface without running into any major issues.  When you emerge it appears to be late at night, a quarter moon gleaming in the sky through a few sparse clouds.

"That so?" Xanranzan asked as he looked up along with Tyde. "Huh... Where I'm from, usually the only good omen is when Ma had one of her deals with an Efreeti actually go through without a hitch." He admits with a melancholy smile, then turned back to the others. "Right then. NOW we can get suited up. Meant to say this before, but I didn't wanna dirty them up too much on the trip up 'n all that." 

He then glances to the canyon wall. "Granted... that's probably gonna happen anyways. But..." He trailed off brief chuckle, then set about trying to put on the hurricane's outfit. Once everyone else had been suitably suited up, Xanranzan lights up a copper to better see the path they used, and lead the way if there are no objections. "So like, should I tell them there's been a problem, which is why we're visiting? Or like, something else?" He asks on the way up.

Rubin simply fades into the darkness ahead of the group, staying well out of the light from the coin.

(If we can climb back up the surface without any major issues, can we just climb back down and back up on the inner side of the ravine? If not, how wide is the chasm?)

(Update coming soon.)

There's no need to climb up the side of the ravine to get out, as the path you used before is still there and usable.  The chasm isn't terribly wide, maybe 15 feet.  Are you planning on checking out the Spire, returning to Red Larch, or checking out one of the other keeps?

Rubin is planning on checking out the spire.

Quote from LordShadowthorn >>

There's no need to climb up the side of the ravine to get out, as the path you used before is still there and usable.  The chasm isn't terribly wide, maybe 15 feet.  Are you planning on checking out the Spire, returning to Red Larch, or checking out one of the other keeps?

(Definitely staying here on the spire. How tall are the walls surrounding the spire?)

As the party lines up epicly to survey the obstacle in front of them, Kethra groggily joins the lineup, dressed like a little cultist, yawning and tired like someone who hasn't quite got all her hit dice back yet.

"I... Did you not--"Xanranzan started to say, but cut himself off mid-speech and gave a sly grin. "Ah, I get'cha now. This is one of'em matty jokes, yea?"  He chuckled a bit. "Aight, aight. I feel ya, man. I feel ya. Not sure if this is the right time for that sorta thing, but either way, the plan ain't really all that changed by much. Probably gonna wanna double time just in case we're closer to sun up then we think, so let's hop to it." Xan breaks off into a jog in his new disguise, far more eager than ever before in wanting to reach the tower and put an end to some trouble makers.

Alistair notices several windows he could use.  To be clear, the spire is a tower—not an object with walls around it.  He can see several figures moving around, all wearing the same design of armor and fitting the description of a Feathergale Knight.  He doesn't personally recognize anyone, however.

Rubin is out in the darkness, staying ahead of the group until they reach the spire itself, then he will fade off to one side, watching and waiting, ready to step in if things go badly. (What options does he have for options to get inside himself, if the others are allowed inside? I am guessing there will be torches around the gate, so that won't work for him.)

"I mean, well, I'd halfway hope they were after all that interrogating. Otherwise, I was gonna..." Xanranzan kept jogging up and eventually towards the spire but paused in speech there for a good minute or so. "Well, I dunno what I was gonna do! Otha then maybe question if my magic was actually working like it should'a before." He comments on with a bit of mirth to his voice.  "Remember we gotta play it cool when we're close enough. And, uh... maybe figure out a way to darken up things so that Rubin can slip in right behind us 'n all that."

"Great idea, you better get started!"

Kethra gives Xanranzan a little push, putting him up front.

"Tell 'em we just ran into some guard and have *urgent* business so tell them to put out the torches because we can't afford to be seen in uniform entering Feathergale Spire."

Working one of her javelins out with her blade, Kethra weakens it so that she could easily snap it in two with her bare hands, giving Xanranzan the help action on charisma checks on hurrying the guards along and skipping proper procedure.

As you approach the entrance of the tower, a voice hails you from inside.

"State your business!  Who's there?"