Before camp broke...

"I joined to seek knowledge of Ellyria... it shares many similarities with a place near my home village. I fear this sort of darkness could be taking root in Ygdridan as well. I can't help but imagine those I called friend at home being consumed by those creatures of shadow, turned against life."

Erika pauses. "I hope this trip is worth the cost in blood, in the end."

At the bridge...

Erika nods at Ragnar's plan. "Better to not fall to an untimely death. Ted might be light on his feat, but Ragnar or myself or the horses... well... not so much."

OOC: Skill challenge time!! Every PC with offer a different skill to advance the party across the bring. Success will be advance, failure will result in a consequence. Success isn't solely weight with rolls FYI. RP! RP! RP! You'll indicate what skill you will use and how it will advance the party. Who's first? 

Ragnar pulls the rope out of his pack and looks around for a suitable boulder or crystal next to the ravine and the bridge to anchor it to.

While he finds the best spot, his hands begin working automatically, twisting and turning the rope, searching for the right knot to use. All the while he half sings, half hums, half chants and old poem that was often told in the winter when they were working on the boats.  

"Hot art thou, fire!too fierce by far; Get ye now gone, ye flames! The mantle is burnt, though I bear it aloft, And the fire scorches the fur."

Survival: 16   for tying the knot secure.

Once the rope is anchored, Ragnar hands the free end to Ted.

"I can tie this to you as well, or you can just hold on."

He then reaches out and touches Ted on the shoulder and says quietly "Vägledning."

Casts Guidance on Ted.

Moving to Ted, Erika places her hand on his shoulder, and another on her heart. In a low, singsong voice, she recites "May the Stormfather grant us his favor! The crash of thunder, its strength, and the flash of lightning its quickness! With his blessings, we shall not waver!" With the completion of her recitation, a flash of energy goes between the two. Ted feels his muscles tense a moment, and feels lighter on his feet, while Erika takes a more sturdy stance. "This will help you keep extra balance."

Cast: Enhance Ability (Level 3: Cat's Grace (Ted), Bull's Strength (Erika))

Erika takes up a midpoint of the rope, holding it in her hands. "I can help feed the rope as you go, so that it feels light as a feather and help to pull you up, should the worse happen."

Athletics (adv): 13 11 

Wild Magic: Low 28

Ted grabs the end of the rope, winking at Ragnar as he feels Erika’s magic flowing through him. “Here goes nothing then....”

Gingerly testing every step he takes, Ted makes his way across the chasm. He is used to walking as if the ground might fall from under him, he imagines it every time he has to deaden his footsteps. The thought always exhilarated him, but now he felt his heart in his mouth for entirely different reasons. With each step gliding along the stone, he shifts his weight carefully as he grips the rope with all his might.”C’mon Ted, don’t freak out in front of them. And if you feel it about to give, just make sure you get out a cool final word....”

Stealth (Adv) - 22 25

OOC: Areon and Erika attempts are failures. Ragnar and Ted ate successes.

Areon re-roll Vanya us helping you guide the animals. (Leading ALL the animals man there's 7) is a high DC FYI.

Erika re-roll Zira is helping you hold the rope.

Ted walks over the crystalline bridge. It's about 12ft wide and nearly 50ft across. He steps slowly and carefully ahead reaches the other side without issue his nerves like steel as he steps off the bridge onto the other side.

Athletics: 13

OOC: Thank god she was just helping guide the rope and there to help if Ted did fail... damage should be minimal from these CURSED DICE.

”I did it!” Ted cheers to himself as he reaches the other side.

He tries to find a nice sturdy crystal to tie the rope to on the other end. “Gee, How did Ragnar do this again?” He thinks to himself. 

After staring at the rope, dumbfounded, for quite some time, he turns to Echo. “Hey, go check out that rope, so I can see how he did it. If they ask why you’re there tell them..... tell them you’re looking after them.”

Sending the bird over, Ted looks through his eyes, trying to emulate the knot he sees. Sleight of hand?(Adv) 19 9

From the others’ perspective, a parakeet would be flying over to them, looking at he knot and squawking incoherently.

OOC: Erika fails again. Areon succeeds.

Ted secures the knot. It's pretty much the same as Ragnar's and seems to hold on a half crystalline and half stone structure of yet another petrified tree.

Ragnar crosses without issue.

Vanya does as instructed by Areon getting the animals across with the ranger. The two make it across behind Ragnar with Zira insisting Gen-ga and Erika proceed ahead of her while she takes up the rear.

Using the rope as a guide Erika crosses but slips slightly on loose crystal sending her sliding to the right. Just at the critical moment however Gen-ga extends a hand and catches Erika's wrist! The bard manages to right herself but not before (item of your choice) slips from her pack and plummets over the side falling then disappearing from view.

Gen-ga and Erika reach the safety of the other side while Zira crosses quickly behind everyone.

"Can you all feel that," Zira asks rubbing her arms as Gen-ga shudders.

"It's as if magic is in the air...alive," Gen-ga says next looking around.

OOC: I need everyone to make a wisdom saving throw! Ragnar has divine granted advantage.

As Gen-ga's hand catches Erika's, a heavy sack secured to her bag swings wide and snaps loose! With it goes some of Erika's camping supplies, tumbling into the chasm below.

Hunting Trap, Mess Kit, Rations all gone.

Wisdom Save 16

Wis save - 5

Ted bows to each and every person as they make it across, “You’re welcome, you’re welcome, nerves of steel and steps of a shadow, that’s me.” He grins.

Shivering slightly he feels the hair on the back of his neck stand up. “Is that..... the weave? Ooh, it feels funny....”

Ragnar watches Erika's gear tumble down into the chasm, counting silently to himself as it falls. He then looks up and at Erika and smiles.

"Always better to travel light," Ragnar's voice booms with a hint of laughter. "Big heavy packs get in the way when you have to swing your weapon."

He then feels the energy of this place raising the hairs on his arms. It feels like heavy, thick, sea air but moving and almost like it's prying at his mind.

Wisdom Save: 24  w/adv  28  

Erika nods. "Yes. Precisely what I intended..." and gives Ragnar a wane smile before feeling the magical effect descend upon the group, gritting her teeth. (save above) 

It's as if the magic you wield is begining the to flow over the surface of you skin. It's coming from the very fabric of your being! Gen-ga and Ragnar steel against it. The tethers to their God and Goddess being plucked like strings on a violin. The Weave attempting to work on them but it's waning power no match for their faith!

Erika, please choose a stat mod to get a +1 for 24 "in-game" hours.

Ted and Areon, please choose a stat mod and take -1 away.

"You're welcome," Vanya murmurs shivering slightly as she takes up the reigns of her horse and mounts.

The scene before the party is another vast series of crystalline structures and a barren landscape. The crystals are a kaleidoscope of purples glowing from within making a distinct humming sound as you pass.

"It's another hour from the bridge," Zira saying moving forward. "The site is marked," she adds.

OOC: I'll assume it's the same set up moving forward towards the ruins for marching order. I need a travel roll.

As the magic wave passes by, Erika speaks up. "That was strange. Invigorating, but strange. I wonder if it interacted with my spell's magic? I already felt more sturdy... but now, I feel even stronger than before."

Str +1 (and Enhance Ability probably has 45 min left at the start of the next leg?).

The tall redhead shoulders her axe and holds tight to her shield. "These crystals, there is such an otherworldly beauty to them, but a darkness that lurks within. I cannot tell if they would be better fit in the white tulips surrounding the Stormfather's hall in Valhalla... or scattered around Hel's throne in the underworld." Erika climbs up on Viggo as they continue the journey. 

Ragnar gives Ted a hearty pat on the back.

"Well done, Tedbane," Ragnar says. "And that is a good knot. You have been around sails."

Ragnar climbs up on to his horse and joins the others, watching the crystals as they pass through them. 

"Not so loudly, Erika," Ragnar says when he hears her mention Hel. "Don't give her any ideas. Let's keep the underworld where it belongs. Under."

While the crystals and their surroundings are unsettling, Ragnar does his best to keep an eye out for movement. He still hasn't shaken the thought that ambush could come at any time.

Perception: 13