Chilling Adventures in the North

"That's right," Shad says, "we will need the dogs and the sled. Back to the town for us." He watches Artus and looks for the ice bear that he made the night before. "Will you stay here, Artus? What are your plans?"

 Muharg reaches out with divine sense to try to determine the presence of a celestial, fiend or undead creature. However, he fails to sense any such creature.

"Oh, no plans really," Artus replies to Shad

Qinfaren turns and gathers his gear together but as he packs up he looks occasionally over at Artus, still not sure what might have happened in the night.

"Might as well get going while we have the light," Qinfaren says. "I can anchor some rope and help everyone down and then climb down last."

He looks at the others.

"Bjorn, you know these mountains as well as anyone. Why don't you and Muharg be the first two down. Then Artus, and Shad. Then Arogna and me at the end."

He wants to make sure Artus is out-numbered regardless of whether he's at the bottom or the top of the climb.

Bjorn pauses for a moment as if to say something but then catches Qunfaren's meaning and nods his head instead, "I'm ok with that. Muharg and I will forge ahead first. Hopefully our descent will be less eventfull compared to our ascent."

"Good plan," Arogna nods. "Only one at a time on the rope, mind." The thought of dropping Cimber into the snow does cross her mind.

Muharg slyly shakes his head at Arogna, letting her know there’s nothing he can sense.

He then nods at Qinfarne’s suggestion. “Sure, let’s get done with this damn hole once and for all.” He says as he starts descending the rope.

Athletics (if needed) 60; 16 actually

(OOC: dafuq! typed * instead of +)

Muharg begins to descend the rope and safely reaches the bottom without issue as everyone else looks on.

(A dice roll of 60 XD)

Shad thinks the ice bear summoned by Artus (and/or the ring) has dissipated in the night. He continues to watch Artus thoughtfully, trying to gain insight into his intentions: 24

He waits his turn to go down in to the ravine. He'll also look down into it more closely. Could he climb down this side?

As a Tabaxi, he has a climb speed of 20 ft.

Shad takes a moment longer and notices that Artus seems very off. He movements seem a little jerky, as if he wasn't doing the movements himself. His voice seems a little different as if his words are not his own. Then Shad sees that Artus' eyes seem a slightly different colour than from the night before. Looking closer, Shad realises that that is because Artus' pupils are dilated. Something is clearly very wrong with Artus, and evidence suggests that the ring has taken over.

If so, then it must be, like Artus said, that ring is looking to cause harm. The only question is when would the ring strike?

Shad will convey his insight into Artus's behavior to the others. He will try to do so without Artus noticing, perhaps by touching on his own hand the same finger Artus wears the ring on and then touching his own head.

"I do miss the dogs," he says, "but towns can be such busy, crowded places. You know, the mobs," he'll laugh. "I'd almost rather continue to enjoy the open air. I've been to lots of towns but never a glacier." He'll pause, as if he is thinking. "What do we think? The isolated glacier, first? Artus, you could join us there. Lacking plans the way you do."

Seeing Shad's signals to his ring finger and then his head and then looking back at Artus, Qinfaren sighs. This wasn't going to be good.

"Shad, can you help me make sure this fire is out before we leave?" Qinfaren says, gesturing Shad to come closer and out of earshot of Artus.

If Shad comes over, Qinfaren lowers his voice to a whisper. "If I act clumsily and bump into and distract, Artus, do you think you could get that ring off his finger? Or is that just too dangerous?"

Looking up, Qinfaren says in a louder voice, "you're right, the fire is out already."

"Would you be able to do that? We may end up having to fight the man," Bjorn whispers as they discuss the plan while keeping an eye on Artus, "If need be I can try to hold him down."

“Bjorn! Are you all right? I think it’s your turn now!” Calls Muharg from down the ravine.

He then takes a look around, seeing the marks his body left the night before, and shakes his head. “What’s wrong with this place? Seems I’m doomed to end up down here alone over and over again” He mutters to himself.

”BJORN! …Lads, is everything fine up there?”

"So, you're going next right?" Artus shouts over to Bjorn. "If not I can go next."

Artus then moves over to the rope, taking hold of it.

"If Bjorn ain't goin', I will," Arogna interjects, walking over to Artus and standing quite close to him. "Give it here." She holds out her hands for the rope. If Artus doesn't pass it to her, she will put her hands on the rope and insist. "I said, give it here."

Intimidation 15

Artus stares into Arogna's eyes for a moment, still holding the rope. Then after the moment has passed he drops the rope and steps away giving Arogna room.

"Thanks, Mr. Cimber," Arogna says, and she begins to climb down towards Muharg.

Athletics 17

"I can try to get the ring off his finger," Shad says to Qinfaren, "if you bump into him. Let's wait just until Arogna and Muharg are at the bottom of the ravine. If I can't get the ring off, Bjorn and you can shove him down the cliff." He looks concerned. "We will have to trust Arogna and Muharg to understand the danger as we try to safety follow Artus down." Shad pulls his coats tight. "If he becomes unconscious, this will all be easier."

If Qinfaren bumps Artus, Slight of Hand to remove the ring: 19

Slight of Hand with advantage if Qinfaren's stumble is distracting: 20

(Ugh. I'll be traveling today and am not sure how often I can post.)

Qinfaren nods at Shad and touches his shoulder (casting Guidance to provide an extra d4 on the Slight of Hand check) then turns towards Artus. As he hoists his pack onto his shoulder he stumbles and bumps into Artus to Help Shad with his attempt.

"Sorry about that," Qinfaren says. "Sometimes my big feet get caught up on things."

(OOC - In case Squaretoes can't post again soon, I can roll the d4 for the Guidance to add on - 2 )

"Sorry about that!" Bjorn calls down to Muharg and Arogna sheepishly hopefully adding to the distraction, "Sort of got lost in thought."

At the same time he gets ready to play his part in restraining Artus if he needs to.

Athletics: 10