Ayita - First to Dance |
"Well if we are done resting, my suggestion is to continue to the right and make our way towards the closest tower. The goblin spoke of more of its kind nearby."
Assuming I didn't see anything in the courtyard while looking out.
Magnus Ravenson |
"Aye," Magnus says, sheathing his sword and checking the rest of his gear. "There are surely more villains we can send to the Crow God before we lay our heads down for the night. Expanding our territory to the east seems a wise choice."
Perivius "Perry" Lalomaundriale |
"Magnus, let's try to keep perspective here: our goal is to make this place safe. 'Sending villains to the Crow God' is one possible means to that end, not an end in itself, alright?"
Victor von Gladden |
Victor turns to Perry, "Do we send half ahead and keep half back for reserve or do we all move in to investigate?"
Perivius "Perry" Lalomaundriale |
Oh wow, totally missed that last post asking me a direct question. Here I thought we were waiting on someone else! My bad.
Perry fidgets a bit, looking uncomfortable. Then he closes his eyes a moment and takes a deep breath.
"Okay," he thinks to himself, "This won't be like last time. I won't LET this be like last time. Time to step up."
Perry's eyes snap open with a steely resoluteness, and he scans the group. "There are only three of us capable of magically healing wounds," he begins, with an authority to his voice that he hasn't used since he first came of age as a nobleman, "If we were to split up, there would have to be at least one group with no more than one such person. Should that group get into trouble and that person be incapacitated, the odds of someone dying increases dramatically. We stick together, even if it means leaving some of our gear unattended for a little while. Lives are more important than things. If there's anything you're not willing to leave alone, carry it, or have an ally carry it."
Perry pauses a moment, then points. "We go clockwise around the perimeter, clearing rooms systematically. As soon as we think we couldn't handle something going wrong, we fall back. Any questions?"
Ayita - First to Dance |
"Well said, Perry. You have my sword. I have a question. Clockwise would be moving away from the goblins and towards the left gate tower...I think. I'm okay with that, I just want to make sure that's where you meant to head. Either way, it's getting too cramped in here for my taste."
Ayita heads to the door to the courtyard.
Perivius "Perry" Lalomaundriale |
"Yes, Ayita," Perry answers. "We start by securing the other gate tower."
Didn't Habit mention his group getting attacked at the other gate tower, so wouldn't this actually mean potentially encountering that group? I may have misunderstood, but in any case, "clockwise" will be the easiest for all us actual players to remember. ;)
Magnus Ravenson |
Magnus looks thoughtful as Perry outlines the plan to assault the other gate tower.
"Aye, better to take the opponent's position of strength than to leave it at your back while seeking weaker prey," he says, brows lowering as he recalls dark memories. "I served under men in Baravkovia who learned that lesson too late ... the water at Sergan's Crossing ran as red and thick as wine due to their foolishness, though Harrispania won out in the end. The Crow God likely thanked them for sending his flock such a ripe feast."
Terquem |
Day 1, Wednesday approximate time of day, 3:00 pm (turn 91). Location: Caldwell Castle, Harrispania. The party has entered the East Gatehouse tower, the lighting is Dim Light, Perry has cast a Light Spell on a rock (duration 6 turns, turn 84).
There is a moment of awkward silence after Magnus references the recent war between Alodoa and Baravkovia, fought in the northwestern valley of Harrispania, at Sergan’s Crossing, at the Yasphorus River.
Slowly, purposefully, the group breaks away from the little camp they’ve made, and begins removing the barricade against the door in the northeast corner of the room.
Stepping out into the bright sunshine f the afternoon, the group gets a good look at the courtyard for the first time.
The castle walls are crowded with small buildings. Most of the buildings are made of wood, or have only one or two stone walls while the other walls are made of wood, in the traditional wattle and daub style. The plaster is peeling in places, and the roofs, thatched and at times shingled are in disrepair.
There is an eerie calm over the courtyard.
In the center of the courtyard are three stone structures. The center appears to be a fountain, with a peculiar arrangement of four statues in the center that, from this distance, look like four maidens standing back to back facing the four cardinal coordinates. To the west and east of this fountain are two small stone shrines, but it is difficult to see if there is anything inside of the alcoves of the shrines.
Staying close to the wall of the ruined barracks, the party makes their way to the west Gate Tower. There is a door at the base of the tower, similar to the one Magnus kicked down on the east gate Tower.
Perivius "Perry" Lalomaundriale |
"Here," Perry says as he imbues Magnus' holy symbol with magical light, "Now try that foot-door thing that worked so well before." Perry pauses a moment, then adds, "And don't be too eager to meet your god. If what's behind the door tries to kill you, feel free to step back and draw them out here where we can all help."
Turning to address the rest of the group, Perry says, "Alright, everyone be ready, just in case this one's not empty either. Ayita, Klodd, keep an eye out for outside threats as well, at least until we're all inside."
Abandoning my earlier pebble-light and casting light on Magnus' holy symbol.
Niall Amakir |
Niall hobbles his donkey and gives her a grain bag and gets ready to move on.
He chuckles a little as Magnus jokes about negotiating with the door.
Standing somewhere at the back of the group...
Ayita - First to Dance |
"I saw nothing when I spied on the west tower from the east one but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be careful. I got your back."
Ayita holds her shortbow at the ready and watches over the courtyard.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Lijan van Histoff |
There is no glory in war, Magnus, people that you know die in war...in both sides.
Histoff says.
going to the door and starting unlocking it with his theives tools
Histoff says
Being stealthy in combat and knowledgebe in tactics can save your life and the lives of your friends.
thieves tool: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Terquem |
Lijan approaches the door carefully, wary of the fact that to him, this door looks newer than the previous doors he has seen. It doesn’t appear to be locked, at first look, but an eye placed near the crack between the door and the frame reveals a bolt is place across the door, holding it shut, on the other side. He takes out a small set of tools and produces a long, slim, but strong steel bar. He slides it in the crack, and then pauses for a moment
Lijan van Histoff |
i wish to proceed without trying to break the bar at thr price of making a slight noise
Can I ask for help from Magnus he is very close maybe he can help me tinker with the door
Victor von Gladden |
Victor scans the Courtyard his Longbow in hand with an arrow nocked as the others begin fiddling with the door.
Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Terquem |
You can, Lijan, always tell the other characters what you discover and what your concerns are. You see, not everyone gets into the role play aspect of these games the same way. Some people don't like to start conversations in character, while others enjoy it. You have a concern about opening the door, you can keep it to yourself, or tell the others about it, it is your choice
Victor doesn't see anything out of the ordinary in the courtyard, though his eye keeps coming back to the fountain in the center.
Lijan van Histoff |
histoff looks back at Magnus and says
If I crack this door there might be a chance that the enemy will hear us
Histoff thinks about explaining what is going to happen but quickly rejects the idea out of time constraints and says to Magnus
Pray Magnus, pray....and if you can just hold this
Histoff points with his right hand to the bar that might fall
or whatever part of the door Magnus can help Histoff with
It would help me a lot
Histoff resumes breaking/unlocking the door after saying with a smirk
it's either life or death Magnus
Terquem |
Lijan indicates a wooden bar, visible through the small crack between the door and the door frame, on the other side of the door. Magnus' sword just might fit through the crack, a little way at least, and prevent the bar from fall as Lijan tries to raises it up to unlock the door. If Magnus wants to help, he can roll a Dexterity Ability Check, and try to beat a DC of 10
Ayita - First to Dance |
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Ayita's attention is drawn towards the strange fountain in the center of the courtyard but her concentration is broken by the sound of Magnus jamming his sword in the door. She jumps and swings around wide-eyed.
She whispers in case the element of surprise isn't yet ruined, "Be careful."
Terquem |
When Magnus forces his sword into the space between the old door and the door frame, Lijan is startled. His hand flinches, lifting the bar locking the door on the other side, but in a quick move, the young man pushes the door open, freeing Magnus’ sword, and with his free hand Lijan catches the bar before it can hit the ground. He turns and smiles at the big man, even though things didn’t go exactly as he had planned.
The light of day pours in through the door to reveal a very different arrangement of walls than what was found on the east tower. The entire area appears to have at one time been a large dining hall.
There is a wooden stair against the south wall, in the east corner of the room that has no railing, and leads to a landing ten feet above the floor, where there is a door, which obviously is the way into the round portion of the tower.
At the far west end of the room, the center of the wall is taken up with an enormous fire place.
The remains of a long wooden table are scattered across the floor, along with several broken chairs, but at the west end of the room, a large, heavy looking wooden throne like chair still stands in place, as if it were still at the head of the table. The throne is made with thick wooden beams, and is solid below the seat all the way to the floor. The throne like chair is stained a dark red color, and has the pattern of a star carved into the back
There appear to be no monsters in this dining hall, but a sharp eye may spot something interesting
Ayita - First to Dance |
Ayita swiftly glides into the room and looks around.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
"Something it stuck under that large throne there. It might be worth checking out."
She points to the piece of leather she sees.
Ayita then moves over to the stairs and tests their sturdiness, remembering how fragile the stairs in the other tower were. She puts one foot on the first step and applies pressure to see if it holds up.
"Let's be careful around these stairs until we can confirm they can support us. I'd rather not have any unnecessary accidents."
Niall Amakir |
Perception : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
" Hmm, curious... " Niall cautiously enters the room and moves over to the throne crouching down to take a look at the piece of leather.
Is there an explosive runes spell in 5e? Lol
Lijan van Histoff |
Histoff makes short sound of relief as nothing jumped from the other side of the door.
Histoff quickly says
Thanks for the help Magnus
He looks around trying to imagine how this dining hall would have looked like a long long time ago.
He looks at the throne....
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Histoff barely sees what Ayita sees.
He says/asks rather loudly
Anyone sees this strange piece of leather under that throne ?
and points to the throne
Klodd Rockhopper |
Klodd is the last to enter the room, keeping an eye out behind them to make sure nothing sneaks up on them.
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 perception
Victor von Gladden |
Victor keeps his back to the wall and his eyes lingering in the courtyard as he enters the room along with Klodd.
Ayita - First to Dance |
"The leather itself may not be important, but perhaps its an indication of a secret trap door."
Or perhaps the throne is just wobbly and someone shoved the leather under it for stability. It wouldn't do for the lord to have a wobbly throne.
Assuming the first step doesn't collapse under her weight, Ayita tests step number two.
Terquem |
As one and then another of the team approach the throne, examining the scrap of leather, it becomes obvious that this is the end of a heavy, leather sack, the kind of which is more commonly seen used by merchants transporting large sums of money. The sack has a folded and stitched top, with holes fashioned into it so that a lockable chain can be secured to keep the sack shut. The top of this sack is sticking out from under the heavy throne, but there is no sign of any chain nearby.
Meanwhile, Ayita, placing one foot carefully at a time and testing her weight on the stairs, manages to ascend without trouble. The sounds of an occasional creek and a slight “pop” of the wood give her a good feeling that the wood is secure, and mostly undamaged
The ceiling here is intact, no rain has fallen into the room to add moisture and rot to the stairs)
At the top of the stairs, on the small stone landing, Ayita finds a single simple w0oden door, with a rusty iron ring set with nails on one side of the door, no lock, and no sign of traps can be seen.
Perivius "Perry" Lalomaundriale |
"I wonder if that's connected to the robbery victims we met on the way here," Perry says. "If so, then I'd say it's likely that the goods—and the bandits—are nearby. Stay sharp, everyone. Let's see if there's any traces of people living here before moving on."
Investigation: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Basically what I'm thinking here is that it's possible that the bandits were holed up here, heard us fighting the goblins, and hid somewhere. I'd like to look for evidence (possibly concealed evidence) of someone residing here, to see if we can rule out that theory or not.
Victor von Gladden |
Victor still faces the courtyard wary of signs of movement hovering near the door.
"I have yet to see anything move out there in the courtyard. The fountain keeps catching my attention perhaps because it is the only thing out there. If this place is empty and secure shall we move on?"
Niall Amakir |
" Don't you think it's strange that this leather sack is stuck under this heavy throne? Why would someone do that? " Niall runs a hand near where the throne sits on the floor trying to feel for air movement or something. " Maybe the throne hides a hatch or something? "
Investigation? : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Ayita - First to Dance |
Not sensing any danger at the top of the stairs, Ayita quietly inches the door open a crack and peeks inside.
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Terquem |
Day 1, Wednesday approximate time of day, 3:00 pm (turn 91). Location: Caldwell Castle, Harrispania. The party has entered the East Gatehouse tower, the lighting is Dim Light, Perry has cast a Light Spell on a rock (duration 6 turns, turn 84).
Perry, Niall and Lijan gather around the throne, examining it in detail. The scrap of the leather sack jutting out from under the bottom appears old. The Throne is not so heavy that two strong men could not get it to move off the floor high enough to retrieve the sack.
Two Characters working together can get one side of the throne off the ground, while a third, making a Dexterity Ability Check, DC 10, can try to pull the sack out
Meanwhile, on the landing to the east of them…
Ayita moves slowly and quietly toward the gap between the door and the door frame, and peers through to investigate what is beyond. She can she the light of day coming in through arrow loops on the front tower wall, fifteen feet away from the door, but what strikes her first is a foul, pungent odor like molding bread and rotten eggs.
Ayita - First to Dance |
Ayita quickly covers her mouth and nose to keep herself from vomiting and quietly backs down there stairs.
In a hushed tone, "Friends, something really foul stinks up there. From the stench of it, my guess would be something dead...or undead. Oh I hope it's not a dead merchant who sought shelter here. Or a dead wolf. Oh I really hope it's not a dead wolf. Or kobolds. Do kobolds smell? It definitely smells worse than the goblins did..."
Ayita's mind wanders at various possibilities and continues mumbling to herself. After a brief moment, she snaps back to reality.
"How's it going with that throne? Did you get the sack out yet? Are you strong men able to handle it or do you need a woman's touch?" Ayita teases flexing her muscles.
Victor von Gladden |
Victor heads to the throne, "Perhaps I can assist in moving it?"
When Ayita makes her announcement his nose crinkles in disgust. "Did you hear anything moving up there?"
Magnus Ravenson |
"Come Victor, let's lift this stone seat so the trap-springer can send his fingers into battle," Magnus says, moving to the throne and tipping it on one side. When that is done he shifts his attention to the stench upstairs, readying his weapon and preparing to lead the way up if no one else volunteers.
Victor von Gladden |
Victor puts his back into lifting the chair with the assistance of Magnus.