Vanys isn't particularly interested in helping the horses out of any goodwill of his own, but Mia and the others seemed adamant in saving the horses so the half-elf started making his way down the walls of the crevasse to get to the horses and start pushing the wagon off of them. "I definitely can't do this by myself, but I'll help as much as I can," Vanys calls up to the others.
(OOC: Vanys is helping Mihris push instead of using his abhorrent strength modifier)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Red hops down to help as well. Taking a vial out and tossing it behind them. Creating a Bonfire behind them to help combat the cold. "Fact is, there could be folks inside. Folks who might've seen or even talked to who were after. Plus. This is a pretty grim way to die."
[ooc] You can't double help that I know of. So instead when they try pushing stuff and wreckage. Red will concentrate on trying to find any bodies. [/ooc]
Mia speaks rapidly about the horses and their masters as they climb down into the creek. "…Counting on you Red! There are so many questions! If I have enough time, I can ask Mela what happened!" The little elf bite her lips. The ritual magic that druids use to communicate with animals takes at least 10 minutes. Usually it wouldn't be much of a problem, but now time is their most precious resources.
As soon as she reaches the bottom, Mia uses all strength that her little figure can produce to free the poor animal.
With some effort, the trio pushes against the bulky and awkwardly leaning wagon as the freezing water of the creek bites at their ankles and sweeps into their shoes. The flailing desperate horse makes the whole bulk of the wagon wobble as it is pushed, but the combined effort eventually triumphs and the broken wagon falls to the side, freeing the horses. The neighing one struggles a bit but manages to get up on their hooves, except one it keeps one of the legs from touching the ground, seemingly avoiding so because of the pain, and the beast shakes its thick neck and mane in relief while unquietly moving about to shake it off, only a bit more calm than before. The second horse still lies unconscious, the river carrying a thin trail of blood from his mouth.
As the broken structure of Gerard and Ionna's wagon tumbles over in the river, Red takes a measure of the situation and looks inside, and among various contents and travelling gear thrown over each other stop moving, he catches sight of two silvery sparkling metal objects contrasting over the others, looking like a pair of identical round medallions with some symbols on them. Now that you are down in the creek and able to take a moment to analyze your surroundings, you see that what you had thought when looking from up above were snow-covered boulders are actually several humanoid frozen bodies dotting the river, all of them with curious cavities on their chests
((Red, make me an Intelligence (History) check. Anyone who is nearby may join in.))
Blinking several times and taking a brief moment to focus on the objects he saw inside Gerard and Ionna's wagon, the image snaps into his mind. Having traveled the Sword Coast for at least a while, Red has at least heard of the Harpers, a secretive faction of spies and spellcasters loosely acting as freedom fighters against political or villainous oppressors of the common people. The medals in there are clearly the ones seldom displayed out in the open, symbol of this faction.
Taking a pause and uttering a single word. "Harper. Is it real? Guys, if this isn't a fake-I wouldn't know how to tell but I doubt there are many fakers who hide it. These corpses, might've been Harpers, or fought some.. Do you see Gerard or Ionna here? Since they left these behind I'm guessing Harpers lost." showing the Harper pins, and pocketing them thereafter to try and return or bury if they identify who owned them.
(OOC; Did we search the wrecked for bodies? or is it just the bodies frozen around, with caved in chests? Are they covered in snow frozen-or like freshly dead looking?
(If this counted investigated the wreckened and we found now bodies.) Red then moves to search the corpses and see if he can identify who they were, if they're the ones who were shunted from the caravan-or at least what they died from.
There are no corpses inside Gerard and Ionna's wagon, which seems to have fallen down into the creek within the last hour by the small amount of snow over it. The bodies in the creek are thoroughly frozen and covered in much snow, enough for some of them not to be readily identifiable for what they are from a distance, so they've certainly been here a while, most of them for a tenday or more.
Moving closer to check on the bodies, you see no one you ever knew, bodies of what seem like unremarkable local folk by their features (Dalesmen, Reghedjic, Illuskan, and other common ethnicities of the northern Sword Coast), with little gear and all with signs of having been exposed to the cold and frostbite, their awkward positions also suggested they have been carelessly thrown from the ground up above. All of their chests seem to have been torn open, either before or after they died, and all of their hearts are missing.
"So... This is a common ambush and dumping ground.. Thats not great.... Old corpses.. so was this dumped, lost, find more tracks. If those horses are well enough we can catch up" Red suggests.
Red is a bit of a loss of what this whole affair means, but its clear that the ones they ran into either came from Gerand and Ionna's wagon group-or attacked them on the way out. Either way, folks are problematic.
"Removed hearts - an obviously ritualistic thing. Someone collected hearts as an offering. But why wild animals did not eat the rest of the corpse? Mia can explain, probably, but it does not seem normal to me." Mihris looked at her friend. "Do you know what would prevent wild life to claim the dead body?" Mihris could figure out the happenings no more than Red, but one thing was clear. "It was not only an ambush but the chase. And whatever was chasing the wagons was so terrifying Harpers left behind precious symbols. Unless it was not an accident and they left them on purpose, so those who come later would know what happen?"
Mihris shook her head. "I don't know know, it is too complicated. But looks like whatever is the answer it is on the other side of the bridge."
"Likely a fight, one to save or one to avenge. Or at least to stay alive at this point. Don't trust anyone we run into until we know whose who. Would be easy to claim to be a Harper or unrelated." Red agrees with Mihris' assessment that we can't figure out much here, but continuing on will have answers.
"Removed hearts - an obviously ritualistic thing. Someone collected hearts as an offering. But why wild animals did not eat the rest of the corpse?"
As someone trained in Religious knowledge, you suspect the following: You are in the domain (and some say the very presence) of the Frostmaiden, and being left to die of exposure is her preferred method of sacrifice. You gather most, if not all, corpses around here were offerings to Auril, though them lacking hearts is something you've not heard of. The goddess is known to have sway over some beasts of frozen lands (namely wolves and crag cats), and maybe forces them to defy their instincts and stay away from offerings that are hers and look for other prey. Another characteristic of the winter deity is her desire to preserve (in her own way) the beauty of living things by freezing them.
On the way to the cave Mihris shared her knowledge about practices of Auril worshipers. "This is ... very disturbing. Such dark and twisted way of thinking! Destroying the life to preserve it. Like ensuring the peace by killing all the people so no one can behave aggressively. I am afraid we are about to meet people whose mind is gone by now, and reasoning would not be possible." She was not going to turn around but prepared to the worst.
Vanys nods, his expertise is in neither of the fields being discussed and he just listens as the others talk. However, based on the brutality of the kills, he imagines that whoever was responsible should be dealt with in an equally purposeful manner. "Then we continue? Unless Mia can do anything for this poor creature." He gestures to the last unconscious horse with an open hand.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mia leads the mare they saved from under the wagon to the shore. She hugs the horse's neck and gently whispers to it.
"Mela, good girl! It will be fine! It will be okay! I'll heal you once I …" A big splash of water washes what the adventurers thought as boulders and reveals the frozen faces under the thick snow. A gulp, a scream, and chattering of teeth which is caused not only by the chillness of the icy river.
>>Mihris
"…I see,Miri. A fox wouldn't steal a bear's prey if it can sniff out the big beast's nearby. These people were offering for evil deity and animals are far more sensitive than humans." Mia returns to the river. She draws her scimitar and crunches down beside the dying horse. "…Sweetnut. I will not let the Winter Witch take you. You belong to the Great Circle and you will return there." Prays in druidic and holds her breath, the little elf finishes the poor horse's suffering.
>>Red
"Harpers…Harpers! I remember! That's the organization, auntie Tithalia was working at!" Mia leaves the cold water. "I have an auntie who switched sides from The Emerald Enclave to Harpers! Elders were extremely pissed and dad cut her tie with our family. But I know Tithlia! She isn't someone who works with bad guys! If Gerard and Ionna are Harpers, why didn't they tell us! It will save us a lot of …Ughhh!! " Little elf jumps stamps, walks around the bonfire like a frustrated small bear. She dries her clothes, warms her body then takes out a chunk of ration from her bag. Mia takes a big bite, shares some with the injured horse and eats the rest. "I'll track them down! And when I find the couple, I'll make them explain everything next time for sure!!"After finishing the last bite, Mia stands up. The druid starts to search the track on the snowfield again.
Survival:18
(Mia uses food and warmth of fire to momentary neutralize the her disadvantage)
She draws her scimitar and crunches down beside the dying horse. "…Sweetnut. I will not let the Winter Witch take you. You belong to the Great Circle and you will return there." Prays in druidic and holds her breath, the little elf finishes the poor horse's suffering.
((Fill that Inspiration back up.))
The creek darkens in the beast blood as you are all able to hear what almost sounds like a sigh of relief coming from its last weakened breath. With some assistance from his humanoid saviors, the second startled-but-alive horse is helped up the cliff after you are able to find a suitable path for the beast up the rocks, and now up on flat terrain it trots around more easily and relieved, though still limping on one of its legs, which might be partially fractured, sprained, or just bruised.
Somewhat shaken at the brutality of their surroundings, the group stops at the scene where the chase ended once again. Mialee lowers down to further scrutinize the many tracks and her sharp eyes do pick up on more, she starts to piece together possible order of events in the area. She sees the grooves caused by the wagon wheels, leading one wagon (Redd and Gaoch's) to a snow bank that was probably used as an improvised brake, while the other (Gerard and Ionna's) had no such luxury and plummeted down the creek. However, a pair of humanoid footprints seem to have jumped off the wagon before it fell, tumbled due to the speed, then stood up and headed towards the bridge, similar to what seems to be the case with the wagon up at your level, from which another pair walk off following them. The extra set of horseshoe tracks goes all the way towards the bridge over the cliff, and one set of humanoid boots seem to hastily dismount from it and rush towards the hill cave, accompanied by the two sets you've been following before since back at the avalanche.
Red's continued investigation tries to make sense and spot more clues among the leftovers. Catching sight of the few arrows spread around once again, their positions suggest that they were being shot from one wagon at the other and vice-versa, sings of a fight between them. And as you lean close to analyze, one additional detail is found, small vestiges of some strange herbs and powders are scattered around the area, having probably fallen carelessly instead of being deliberately spread.
All footprints eventually lead towards the bridge, which seems natural and made out of stone covered with thick layers of snow. Across it is a hill and a cave entrance right in front of it, with the stone right above it bearing scratch marks loosely in the shape of an owl head. The small area right in front of the cave has many sliding and confusing footprints over the snow, suggesting the footwork of a struggle or armed fight, some dark blood puddles and sprays further attesting to that. All of the footprints eventually head into the cave.
Scene Summary: - Wagon 1 (Redd and Gaoch's, identified through Mialee's recognition of the horses) wheel grooves go towards the snow bank used as a break, then a pair of humanoid footprints come out of it towards the bridge. - Wagon 2 (Gerard and Ionna's, idientified similarly) wheel grooves go all the way to the crevasse's edge, and a pair of humanoid footprints seems to have jumped and tumbled at its side, eventually getting up to their feet and rushing towards the bridge. - Horseshoes rush all the way to the bridge, where the mount is abandoned and a single set of humanoid footprints makes it across while the horse wanders off. - The pair of humanoid footprints you've been following since the avalanche hill confusedly interact with the chase and rush their way towards the bridge and across it. - Arrows scattered around suggest a combat between the two wagons. - Small amounts of herbs and powders scattered around. - In front of the cave entrance, some or all of the footprints seem to be involved in a combat, all of them heading inside afterwards. Blood drops further attesting to the combat and also left in their wake.
Red lays it out as he see's it for the others. " Correct me if I'm wrong.. but this is my conclusion;
Redd and Gaoch were being chased by Gerard and Ionna. Whom, if we assume the pins were left unintentionally-are most likely Harpers. This assumes that Redd and Goach's caravan wasn't taken by someone else.
The single horse ...honestly I think its Edgar; the one we helped? He likely doesn't want to be left alone or is trying to make sense of it.
The Herbs and powders suggest magic; perhaps the druid couple we were after?
So the questions I deem of value are two fold. One: Why were the caravans fighting. Two: Did those we were chasing back up one of the caravans or fight them both?
For now; We need to go in but we don't know who to trust other than ourselves. If we have to chose rapidly; I say we trust these pins (Ionna and Gerard) and then Edgar. I don't know Redd nor Gaoch but they're currently the most apt to be suspect...Suppose the Warduke accused them to as a pretense to make himself look stronger-and to allow his allies to quickly get ahead of the caravan and prepare for the avalance we triggered early? That would explain the chases. If Redd and Gaoch were intended to pick up the two we were chasing..."
(Feel free to correct me in the OOC if I misunderstood a detail somewhere.
Vanys nods at Red's assessment. He hasn't been able to gather much from the clues himself, but from what the others are describing, Red's description seems the most accurate. Regardless, there were still questions that needed answering, and this entire situation reeked of potential danger to the caravan. "I suggest we move on across the bridge. I agree that if we need to choose quickly, Ionna and Gerard seem to be the ones that we should trust, but even then, I think there are some questions that the couple needs to answer as well."
(OOC: I think your assessment is about what I gathered as well. I think another question that needs to be posed, is 'How did the combat resolve itself? Was one group taken hostage? Were they killed? If so, where are the bodies?' That being said... Vanys probably wouldn't piece all of that together as he is not a stellar detective, but I figured I should mention it OOC.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
You make it across the bridge with extra careful steps that make you wish you came slightly more prepared and with crampons under your boots, the cold dark stone of the bridge under the thick snow glimmers under the waning—and now almost gone—sunlight indicating a thin sheet of slippery ice. Taking their time, the group eventually reaches the other side, just a wide ledge out of the hill bearing the cave entrance. The snow shows frozen blood splatters and was disturbed in frantic footwork, the signs of combat you spotted from afar, also dotted by the bits of powder and herbs previously found, all the drops also head inside the darkness of the cave, with the scratch marks in the form of an owl's head almost seeming to eerily watch you atop the entrance.
The cave's tunnel seems to have been dug up years ago, and it stretches all the way beyond the darkness at the edge of Mialee and Mihris' darkvision reach. There's one smaller tunnel entrance about 25 ft. into the cave on the right side.
Vanys isn't particularly interested in helping the horses out of any goodwill of his own, but Mia and the others seemed adamant in saving the horses so the half-elf started making his way down the walls of the crevasse to get to the horses and start pushing the wagon off of them. "I definitely can't do this by myself, but I'll help as much as I can," Vanys calls up to the others.
(OOC: Vanys is helping Mihris push instead of using his abhorrent strength modifier)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Red hops down to help as well. Taking a vial out and tossing it behind them. Creating a Bonfire behind them to help combat the cold. "Fact is, there could be folks inside. Folks who might've seen or even talked to who were after. Plus. This is a pretty grim way to die."
[ooc] You can't double help that I know of. So instead when they try pushing stuff and wreckage. Red will concentrate on trying to find any bodies. [/ooc]
18 Investigation I'd assume
Mia speaks rapidly about the horses and their masters as they climb down into the creek. "…Counting on you Red! There are so many questions! If I have enough time, I can ask Mela what happened!" The little elf bite her lips. The ritual magic that druids use to communicate with animals takes at least 10 minutes. Usually it wouldn't be much of a problem, but now time is their most precious resources.
As soon as she reaches the bottom, Mia uses all strength that her little figure can produce to free the poor animal.
Athletic:12
(Advantage from Red's Bonfire)
With some effort, the trio pushes against the bulky and awkwardly leaning wagon as the freezing water of the creek bites at their ankles and sweeps into their shoes. The flailing desperate horse makes the whole bulk of the wagon wobble as it is pushed, but the combined effort eventually triumphs and the broken wagon falls to the side, freeing the horses. The neighing one struggles a bit but manages to get up on their hooves, except one it keeps one of the legs from touching the ground, seemingly avoiding so because of the pain, and the beast shakes its thick neck and mane in relief while unquietly moving about to shake it off, only a bit more calm than before. The second horse still lies unconscious, the river carrying a thin trail of blood from his mouth.
As the broken structure of Gerard and Ionna's wagon tumbles over in the river, Red takes a measure of the situation and looks inside, and among various contents and travelling gear thrown over each other stop moving, he catches sight of two silvery sparkling metal objects contrasting over the others, looking like a pair of identical round medallions with some symbols on them. Now that you are down in the creek and able to take a moment to analyze your surroundings, you see that what you had thought when looking from up above were snow-covered boulders are actually several humanoid frozen bodies dotting the river, all of them with curious cavities on their chests
((Red, make me an Intelligence (History) check. Anyone who is nearby may join in.))
Art Portfolio
history 11
Blinking several times and taking a brief moment to focus on the objects he saw inside Gerard and Ionna's wagon, the image snaps into his mind. Having traveled the Sword Coast for at least a while, Red has at least heard of the Harpers, a secretive faction of spies and spellcasters loosely acting as freedom fighters against political or villainous oppressors of the common people. The medals in there are clearly the ones seldom displayed out in the open, symbol of this faction.
Art Portfolio
History: 3
Taking a pause and uttering a single word. "Harper. Is it real? Guys, if this isn't a fake-I wouldn't know how to tell but I doubt there are many fakers who hide it. These corpses, might've been Harpers, or fought some.. Do you see Gerard or Ionna here? Since they left these behind I'm guessing Harpers lost." showing the Harper pins, and pocketing them thereafter to try and return or bury if they identify who owned them.
(OOC; Did we search the wrecked for bodies? or is it just the bodies frozen around, with caved in chests? Are they covered in snow frozen-or like freshly dead looking?
(If this counted investigated the wreckened and we found now bodies.)
Red then moves to search the corpses and see if he can identify who they were, if they're the ones who were shunted from the caravan-or at least what they died from.
There are no corpses inside Gerard and Ionna's wagon, which seems to have fallen down into the creek within the last hour by the small amount of snow over it. The bodies in the creek are thoroughly frozen and covered in much snow, enough for some of them not to be readily identifiable for what they are from a distance, so they've certainly been here a while, most of them for a tenday or more.
Moving closer to check on the bodies, you see no one you ever knew, bodies of what seem like unremarkable local folk by their features (Dalesmen, Reghedjic, Illuskan, and other common ethnicities of the northern Sword Coast), with little gear and all with signs of having been exposed to the cold and frostbite, their awkward positions also suggested they have been carelessly thrown from the ground up above. All of their chests seem to have been torn open, either before or after they died, and all of their hearts are missing.
Art Portfolio
"So... This is a common ambush and dumping ground.. Thats not great.... Old corpses.. so was this dumped, lost, find more tracks. If those horses are well enough we can catch up" Red suggests.
Red is a bit of a loss of what this whole affair means, but its clear that the ones they ran into either came from Gerand and Ionna's wagon group-or attacked them on the way out. Either way, folks are problematic.
"Removed hearts - an obviously ritualistic thing. Someone collected hearts as an offering. But why wild animals did not eat the rest of the corpse? Mia can explain, probably, but it does not seem normal to me." Mihris looked at her friend. "Do you know what would prevent wild life to claim the dead body?" Mihris could figure out the happenings no more than Red, but one thing was clear. "It was not only an ambush but the chase. And whatever was chasing the wagons was so terrifying Harpers left behind precious symbols. Unless it was not an accident and they left them on purpose, so those who come later would know what happen?"
Mihris shook her head. "I don't know know, it is too complicated. But looks like whatever is the answer it is on the other side of the bridge."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Likely a fight, one to save or one to avenge. Or at least to stay alive at this point. Don't trust anyone we run into until we know whose who. Would be easy to claim to be a Harper or unrelated." Red agrees with Mihris' assessment that we can't figure out much here, but continuing on will have answers.
As someone trained in Religious knowledge, you suspect the following: You are in the domain (and some say the very presence) of the Frostmaiden, and being left to die of exposure is her preferred method of sacrifice. You gather most, if not all, corpses around here were offerings to Auril, though them lacking hearts is something you've not heard of. The goddess is known to have sway over some beasts of frozen lands (namely wolves and crag cats), and maybe forces them to defy their instincts and stay away from offerings that are hers and look for other prey. Another characteristic of the winter deity is her desire to preserve (in her own way) the beauty of living things by freezing them.
Art Portfolio
On the way to the cave Mihris shared her knowledge about practices of Auril worshipers. "This is ... very disturbing. Such dark and twisted way of thinking! Destroying the life to preserve it. Like ensuring the peace by killing all the people so no one can behave aggressively. I am afraid we are about to meet people whose mind is gone by now, and reasoning would not be possible." She was not going to turn around but prepared to the worst.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Vanys nods, his expertise is in neither of the fields being discussed and he just listens as the others talk. However, based on the brutality of the kills, he imagines that whoever was responsible should be dealt with in an equally purposeful manner. "Then we continue? Unless Mia can do anything for this poor creature." He gestures to the last unconscious horse with an open hand.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mia leads the mare they saved from under the wagon to the shore. She hugs the horse's neck and gently whispers to it.
"Mela, good girl! It will be fine! It will be okay! I'll heal you once I …" A big splash of water washes what the adventurers thought as boulders and reveals the frozen faces under the thick snow. A gulp, a scream, and chattering of teeth which is caused not only by the chillness of the icy river.
>>Mihris
"…I see,Miri. A fox wouldn't steal a bear's prey if it can sniff out the big beast's nearby. These people were offering for evil deity and animals are far more sensitive than humans." Mia returns to the river. She draws her scimitar and crunches down beside the dying horse. "…Sweetnut. I will not let the Winter Witch take you. You belong to the Great Circle and you will return there." Prays in druidic and holds her breath, the little elf finishes the poor horse's suffering.
>>Red
"Harpers…Harpers! I remember! That's the organization, auntie Tithalia was working at!" Mia leaves the cold water. "I have an auntie who switched sides from The Emerald Enclave to Harpers! Elders were extremely pissed and dad cut her tie with our family. But I know Tithlia! She isn't someone who works with bad guys! If Gerard and Ionna are Harpers, why didn't they tell us! It will save us a lot of …Ughhh!! " Little elf jumps stamps, walks around the bonfire like a frustrated small bear. She dries her clothes, warms her body then takes out a chunk of ration from her bag. Mia takes a big bite, shares some with the injured horse and eats the rest. "I'll track them down! And when I find the couple, I'll make them explain everything next time for sure!!" After finishing the last bite, Mia stands up. The druid starts to search the track on the snowfield again.
Survival:18
(Mia uses food and warmth of fire to momentary neutralize the her disadvantage)
((Fill that Inspiration back up.))
The creek darkens in the beast blood as you are all able to hear what almost sounds like a sigh of relief coming from its last weakened breath. With some assistance from his humanoid saviors, the second startled-but-alive horse is helped up the cliff after you are able to find a suitable path for the beast up the rocks, and now up on flat terrain it trots around more easily and relieved, though still limping on one of its legs, which might be partially fractured, sprained, or just bruised.
Somewhat shaken at the brutality of their surroundings, the group stops at the scene where the chase ended once again. Mialee lowers down to further scrutinize the many tracks and her sharp eyes do pick up on more, she starts to piece together possible order of events in the area. She sees the grooves caused by the wagon wheels, leading one wagon (Redd and Gaoch's) to a snow bank that was probably used as an improvised brake, while the other (Gerard and Ionna's) had no such luxury and plummeted down the creek. However, a pair of humanoid footprints seem to have jumped off the wagon before it fell, tumbled due to the speed, then stood up and headed towards the bridge, similar to what seems to be the case with the wagon up at your level, from which another pair walk off following them. The extra set of horseshoe tracks goes all the way towards the bridge over the cliff, and one set of humanoid boots seem to hastily dismount from it and rush towards the hill cave, accompanied by the two sets you've been following before since back at the avalanche.
Red's continued investigation tries to make sense and spot more clues among the leftovers. Catching sight of the few arrows spread around once again, their positions suggest that they were being shot from one wagon at the other and vice-versa, sings of a fight between them. And as you lean close to analyze, one additional detail is found, small vestiges of some strange herbs and powders are scattered around the area, having probably fallen carelessly instead of being deliberately spread.
All footprints eventually lead towards the bridge, which seems natural and made out of stone covered with thick layers of snow. Across it is a hill and a cave entrance right in front of it, with the stone right above it bearing scratch marks loosely in the shape of an owl head. The small area right in front of the cave has many sliding and confusing footprints over the snow, suggesting the footwork of a struggle or armed fight, some dark blood puddles and sprays further attesting to that. All of the footprints eventually head into the cave.
Scene Summary:
- Wagon 1 (Redd and Gaoch's, identified through Mialee's recognition of the horses) wheel grooves go towards the snow bank used as a break, then a pair of humanoid footprints come out of it towards the bridge.
- Wagon 2 (Gerard and Ionna's, idientified similarly) wheel grooves go all the way to the crevasse's edge, and a pair of humanoid footprints seems to have jumped and tumbled at its side, eventually getting up to their feet and rushing towards the bridge.
- Horseshoes rush all the way to the bridge, where the mount is abandoned and a single set of humanoid footprints makes it across while the horse wanders off.
- The pair of humanoid footprints you've been following since the avalanche hill confusedly interact with the chase and rush their way towards the bridge and across it.
- Arrows scattered around suggest a combat between the two wagons.
- Small amounts of herbs and powders scattered around.
- In front of the cave entrance, some or all of the footprints seem to be involved in a combat, all of them heading inside afterwards. Blood drops further attesting to the combat and also left in their wake.
Art Portfolio
Red lays it out as he see's it for the others. " Correct me if I'm wrong.. but this is my conclusion;
So the questions I deem of value are two fold. One: Why were the caravans fighting. Two: Did those we were chasing back up one of the caravans or fight them both?
For now; We need to go in but we don't know who to trust other than ourselves. If we have to chose rapidly; I say we trust these pins (Ionna and Gerard) and then Edgar. I don't know Redd nor Gaoch but they're currently the most apt to be suspect...Suppose the Warduke accused them to as a pretense to make himself look stronger-and to allow his allies to quickly get ahead of the caravan and prepare for the avalance we triggered early? That would explain the chases. If Redd and Gaoch were intended to pick up the two we were chasing..."
(Feel free to correct me in the OOC if I misunderstood a detail somewhere.
Vanys nods at Red's assessment. He hasn't been able to gather much from the clues himself, but from what the others are describing, Red's description seems the most accurate. Regardless, there were still questions that needed answering, and this entire situation reeked of potential danger to the caravan. "I suggest we move on across the bridge. I agree that if we need to choose quickly, Ionna and Gerard seem to be the ones that we should trust, but even then, I think there are some questions that the couple needs to answer as well."
(OOC: I think your assessment is about what I gathered as well. I think another question that needs to be posed, is 'How did the combat resolve itself? Was one group taken hostage? Were they killed? If so, where are the bodies?' That being said... Vanys probably wouldn't piece all of that together as he is not a stellar detective, but I figured I should mention it OOC.)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
You make it across the bridge with extra careful steps that make you wish you came slightly more prepared and with crampons under your boots, the cold dark stone of the bridge under the thick snow glimmers under the waning—and now almost gone—sunlight indicating a thin sheet of slippery ice. Taking their time, the group eventually reaches the other side, just a wide ledge out of the hill bearing the cave entrance. The snow shows frozen blood splatters and was disturbed in frantic footwork, the signs of combat you spotted from afar, also dotted by the bits of powder and herbs previously found, all the drops also head inside the darkness of the cave, with the scratch marks in the form of an owl's head almost seeming to eerily watch you atop the entrance.
The cave's tunnel seems to have been dug up years ago, and it stretches all the way beyond the darkness at the edge of Mialee and Mihris' darkvision reach. There's one smaller tunnel entrance about 25 ft. into the cave on the right side.
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