>>75553
The shaman hops on Rutger again. "Our position, that we have Mr. Gallard's skull, and that we've picked up Mr. Ramuh?"

Myn's sharp half-elven unperceptive ears manage to pick up a strange hooting from the direction of the mountains. His keen average eyesight next detects a mass fur and feathers that bounds across the rampart until sliding to a stop at his feet. The young owlbear sniffs around for a moment before attempting to snap at the book imp, while Myn observes passively.

The imp is a bit too quick for the owlbear. Sid and Elayne seems somewhat befuddled by the owlbear's sudden appearance, and Elayne hastily begins to reply to the Sending, saying, "We are on the northern edge of the ramparts. Joined by a revenant ally. Have Gallard's spirit trapped in skull. Come stealthily pickup if possible."

>>75556

oh right I should roll http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4594435/

Last edited at 14/08/03(Sun)22:59:25

Just as the ranger attempts to take a peek to his spyglass, a huge owl-thing appears next to the group, completely distracting Sureiya.
Perception (16) http://orokos.com/roll/211926

A wind begins to howl over the ramparts as the party stands, regarding the owlbear.

>>75558
Bernkastel: (Owlbear Lore) This is very clearly a tame owlbear, and as such the creature's usual fierce temperament and voracious appetite are not as much of a concern. Its smaller size suggests that it is a young owlbear, and its appearance makes it as native to the Feywild. They are often trained by goblins in the Feywild to serve as battle companions. Sometimes they are rescued by beings of other races and become companions to them as well.

>>75559
Sureiya: (Perception) Sureiya can see that the humanoids gathered below appear to be primarily shadar-kai, with a few dark-skinned orcs holding staffs mixed in. The humanoids appear to be gathered around cooking fires and tents, and racks of weapons stand nearby each small gathering. They look like they are waiting for something.

>>75560
The shaman steps off Rutger to observe the owlbear, and her spirit companion appears next to it, too. "Is this yours?" the shaman asks Myn.

>>75561

"I would be loathe to consider any creature the property of another, Miss Bernkastel."

Myn speaks monotonously as he continues to dangle the imp above the animal.

"However, I did encounter this one when I entered the Feywild briefly in the past. It is strange to see it here."

>>75562
"I see. The Feywild?" The shaman uses her magic gloves to make the beast not smell.

>>75563

"Another plane such as this. My visit was short; I believe our new companion would be better suited to describe it than me."

Myn gestures towards Ramuh with the imp in his hand, the movement redoubling the creature's efforts to reach it.

"Then it's a friend of yours" the ranger concludes. "Well, I didn't expect to find any friend here."

>>75564
"Well, that's okay, since I get the idea. Can you tell us more about the owlbear, instead?" The shaman carefully tries petting it.

>>75565

"Indeed."

>>75566

"From what I remember, it had a habit of dragging trees into caves. It should be reasonably useful in battle."

The owlbear accepts the contact and groots softly, but keeps the imp in its sight.

>>75567
"How about a name?" the shaman asks, pulling out some jerky from her trail rations to feed it.

Last edited at 14/08/04(Mon)00:50:59

>>75568

The creature's attention is finally caught, and it ravenously devours the offering. It seems likely that food had previously been scarce.

"I didn't previously bother with one, but I suppose convenience demands it. We can call it Apsaumbas."

>>75569
Surprised, the shaman takes out more for the owlbear.

"Any particular meaning to it?"

>>75570

"I believe it's something similar to 'one who protects' in an old dialect. 'Apsa' is sufficient for short."

The owlbear scarcely avoids eating the shaman's hand in its enthusiasm.

Ramuh regards the proceeds with further disinterest.

"Will they be retrieving us then?" he instead asks Elayne.

Elayne pauses for a long moment, not looking Ramuh directly in the eye, then says, "Retrieving me, at least. I'm in no condition to fight; my implements and magic items have been taken. However, a silver dragon flying here to the ramparts is hardly subtle, and we shouldn't try for the multiple attempts it would take to ferry us all to the back lines."

Turning to face the group, Elayne says, "Halvangh is not large enough or strong enough to carry us all, and the forces arrayed there don't have other large fliers available to shuttle us. And when the silver dragon arrives, it's going to attract a lot of attention. Halvangh has told me also that he's no warrior."

"I see," Sid says, stroking his chin. "If some of us are going to be left behind anyway, we're better off with a larger group... that way we can accomplish something."

The eladrin female nods, "When Halvangh flies away, it will hopefully provide sufficient distraction for those here to infiltrate the Fell Keep. Once the battle begins in earnest, which I will push for when I return, I believe their attention will be focused outward rather than inward."

Sid looks a bit nervous as he says, "It sounds risky..."

"It is," Elayne confirms. "And if anyone has any alternate suggestions, now's a good time. It is a weighty task to ask of you all, I know."

Ramuh has his doubts.

"My task hardly involved braving the depths of the Shadowfell..." the old man begins. "I was to seek an entry into the Shadowfell, a task which I have accomplished. These adventurers saved me when I was assailed, and I would gladly repay the favour by assisting them in this task, yet..."

He pauses for a moment, then continues, "I had caught wind that the adventurers worried for you and were intent on rescuing you. 'Elayne', yes? Have you shown gratitude to them yet for this act?"

Ramuh refrains from mentioning how outrageous it is to request such a mission from the group that just finished up saving Elayne and sealing the leyline. Not that any introductions had been in order, but the revenant is fairly sure this here be Elayne.

The eladrin seems taken aback, then replies, "W-well, of course! I am grateful! I do apologize... it was my own foolishness that led to this turn of events, and you have all risked much for my sake, even you, whom I barely know."

She seems pretty insistent on this matter, and seems to be addressing the group as a whole rather than Ramuh with the following, "I do apologize for not saying so earlier! My mind has been elsewhere since, and focused on the task at hand--but that is no excuse. You've all already faced much danger on the behalf of Baldur's Gate, Luruar, and the Arcanimus, and I'm proposing a plan that would put you in even more... and you have my thanks for that, for whatever it is worth now!"

"I will not stand by idly either, I can feed you intelligence from the back-lines via Sending magic. It was planned for me to handle similar matters originally anyway, once the attack was underway, and I'll see that you and yours receive every amount of support we can offer!" Elayne adds.

>>75574
>>75575
The shaman looks up from the owlbear. "Right now, the Fell King's existence overshadows other concerns like gratitude, and they have little choice but to give us the task." Since they're incompetent. At least this time, they're upfront about the danger.

Oh, right. "Does anyone know what happened to Ms. Thelkra?"

Last edited at 14/08/04(Mon)11:59:19

"...I don't know," Elayne admits. "But as soon as I get back, I'll try to find out."

Since beating Gallard, Sureiya has been rather quiet. Having the Fell King's warden to join our ranks was kind of awkward for him, but something different has been on his mind this whole time. Showtime is very soon now.

"Ramuh is free to go if he wants to" Sureiya says. "However, like the shaman says this is something more important than just another task or mission. As adventurers, we've confronted danger many times already, but waiting for us we had just some gold.
But this time, glory awaits us so long we return victorious!" the ranger exclaims, looking back at the cavalier.

Diplomacy aid another to Torinn (15) http://orokos.com/roll/212098

Ramuh scoffs. "Sureiya, I should hope that the next time you willingly plunge yourself into the arms of danger, you will have a more worthwhile motive than 'glory'."

>>75579
"It's also for the sake of peace, and also gold."

Torinn speaks in a faraway voice."We've survived the hottest of fires," he says while looking at the most familiar members of the group "We've survived the coldest depths. We've survived the screeching winds. And we've survived the crushing earth. What, then, can the darkness hope to accomplish that the elements could not?"

With all that said, he gives a sobering warning : "If we succeed, none will remember. But if we fail, none will forget."

diplomacy : http://orokos.com/roll/212105 (27)

>>75581
The shaman paints the paladin's armor black to match his outlook. Prestidigitation.

"I think he's right, though. We'll be fine."

Last edited at 14/08/04(Mon)15:20:00

Ramuh's eyes twinkle with amusement.

"I see. One clamours for promises of glory, another aims for peace and gold in equal measure, and the silent Paladin sees only despair." He eyes Myn and Sid. "The gnome's voice quivers with fear, and the warlock is as carefree as a newborn babe in the forest. These, then, the heroes that hope to bring peace to the realm by striking out against a powerful foe?"

The revenant laughs softly. "Child, are you not three-hundred years early to make auguries of obscurity? I cannot imagine bards passing up the opportunity to sing songs of a group so at odds with itself."

"W-well... great googly-moogly, I'm not gonna be caught piddling around in the backlines while all this is going on!" Sid exclaims suddenly, clenching a fist and taking a step forward. He elaborates enthusiastically, "I'm not the strongest fighter or most powerful mage, but I'm in! You'll have my support all the way!"

Elayne merely watches the drama unfold and places one hand idly on her face, saying, "Well, well. Perhaps... perhaps once Halvangh has carried me back, I can equip myself to better aid you. I'll do what I can to see that you receive some support, and I'll urge the armies to push their attack as soon as possible. The impression I got from Halvangh was that it was nearly time."

Briefly, Sureiya and Bernkastel hear a heavy beating of wings in the distance, piercing through the sounds of the howling wind. This is followed by the entire party hearing a commotion from below, and the humanoids gathered there being to swarm like so many irritated insects--grabbing weapons, shouting, and pointing. Turning your gaze to the east, you see a silver glint in the sky growing steadily larger.

"For an old man you sure are fast to judge, Ramuh. Glory is just another motivation to fight this battle! I thought the most important reason was clear enough already." the ranger explains.

"Anyway, let's sneak in while we can. Elayne, please keep the contact with us."

>>75583

"Do not mistake carefree and confident, Mister Ramuh. The trifling foes we've faced so far hardly inspire tension."

Myn pointedly avoids looking at the lich skull. The owlbear, however, licks at it as if searching for scraps of meat.

>>75586
"Mr. N, can Apsa stay quiet for the mission, or should we leave it with Ms. Elayne?"

Last edited at 14/08/04(Mon)22:19:35

>>75587

"No need to worry. It should follow my instructions well enough for that."

>>75588
Tired of calling the owlbear an it, the shaman checks, finds Apsa is a she, and informs Myn.

>>75589

Myn nods as the information immediately slips his mind.

"Back, you beast, there is no meat left on this skull!" says Gallard in protest.

Eventually, the form streaking towards you becomes that of a silver dragon--the form of which several of you have seen before: Havlangh, the Finder. He lands heavily on the ramparts directly in front of the ground, and his serpentine head regards you with a bit of fear, and he says, "Good to see you're all well! But I can't stay long, my landing here will no doubt soon draw attention to all of us!"

"Ah, Halvangh..." the skull says, in a tone suggesting nostalgia. "You never were the brave one. Yet it is pleasant to see you once again."

The silver dragon looks startled, and fixes his gaze on the talking skull. "G-Gallard? Is that you? What in the world happened?"

"We'll have time to discuss it later," Elayne says, even as she climbs up onto the dragon's back. Once there, she regards the skull herself, saying, "...he's changed a lot since we last knew him."

"...I suppose so," Halvangh replies, turning to face the group once more. "I must depart swiftly. Was there anything else?"

"I-I'm staying with them!" Sid announces.

>>75591
"Hello, Mr. Halvangh. Any news from Ms. Thelkra?"

"Thelkra? Well, she's on a mission to infiltrate the keep," the dragon replies. "We're not trying to contact her, however, lest we distract her."

"We should go as well then, can't let her have all of the fun" the ranger says, wishing a safe return to the Silver Dragon.

Halvangh gives the party a nod, and a "Good luck!" Elayne waves as the two of them lift off, just in time, as you see some gargoyle-ish figures lifting off from the top spires of the distant keep. Before leaving the area, the silver dragon drifts slightly towards the keep and rears back, blasting one of the towers with a massive ball of ice from its maw. A good portion of the top part of the tower freezes over completely, and the gargoyle-figures quickly swoop towards the dragon as it races off in the direction of the sun.

It would appear the diversion is well under way.

"Follow me!" the ranger exclaims, seeing no one else is as excited about the mission as him.
Stealth and Perception (19 and 24) http://orokos.com/roll/212414

The shaman re-mounts Rutger. "Let's go, then."

As Sureiya stalks forward, he notices the humanoids gathered below are starting to organize and shift away from the walls themselves. There's a few more shapes in the distance that seem to be lifting off of the keep and flying into the distance, but it's quite difficult to see due to the darkness and mist that fills the skies. Once you get closer, you might get a clearer picture.

"If we make haste, we might reach the insides of the keep while they're still confused with this mess!"
Stealth for group check (23) http://orokos.com/roll/212486

Torinn tries to sneak around, but is extremely bad at it.
put away shield
Stealth roll : http://orokos.com/roll/212487 (6)

Ramuh strides after Sureiya, not quite so much concerned with being stealthily. Thankfully the sorcerer's regular movements are already quiet...

Stealth check, nat 4 lol.
http://orokos.com/roll/212488

Myn actually gets louder.

Stealth check: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4597261/

Stealth (18) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4597267/

Sid remains quite stealthy, being rather small. Though the group isn't the quietest group around, there is the rather large distraction involving a huge silver dragon flying around, freezing things with its icy breath. If you've been spotted, there's no indication of it. As you cross about three hundred feet you come to the section where the ramparts divide in two, and you realize that the ramparts are not actually connected to the keep itself.

Instead, there is a drop of about 100 feet to a ground level below, wherein lie a pair of buildings formed from the same marble-like black stone as the rest of the fortress. The gap between the outer walls and the keep walls appears to be about 60 feet. To either side of you, about 50 feet in either direction, are the two watch towers, and you can see that there are heavy, reinforced wooden doors set into the sides that would lead into the watch towers. To your left is the watch tower that was blasted by Halvangh, and to the right is an undisturbed watch tower. Below you, set into the rightmost walls is a gatehouse, and you can see another far in the distance in the opposite corner. Otherwise, what surrounds the keep at ground level appears to be an open courtyard that is only broken occasionally by lower walls that are only about four feet high, and appear more ornamental than anything, though being tipped with jagged spikes makes them appear dangerous. There is no sign of habitation, the air here is still and silent, and you spot no movement in the keep, or in the towers. There appear to be arrow slits that line the towers at regular intervals all the way up to the towers, and about 80 feet up are windows set into the towers just below the jagged roofs, set with black-tinted glass that appears impenetrable from the outside. Most of the windows on the left tower are completely covered in ice.

Myn gestures meaningfully to the imp before pitching it at a tower.

Imp invisibly scout both towers to extent of range.

The imp catches itself in mid-air, turns invisible and flutters over to one of the arrow slits in the left tower. It can't seem to fit inside but does do its best to look around, then it flies over to the right tower and repeats the process. Flying back to Myn, it turns visible again and reports, "Sounds like there's quite a commotion in the blasted tower, boss. The one that isn't blasted is all quiet like a tomb."

>>75607

"The warmer tower appears to be the safer one."

Myn whispers as loudly as possible, as his stealth technique requires.

>>75608
"I wonder how much safer, but I'm for using the tower," the shaman whispers her vote.

Actually, wait. "Mr. Gallard, do you know anything about the towers?"

Last edited at 14/08/07(Thu)02:43:43

"I'm afraid not... I did not make regular visits to the Fell Keep. Marquis Batym was in charge of the keep's security..." Gallard replies in his haunting, gravelly voice. "While they may lure many of the Fell King's minions to the field, Batym and his elite guard would, under no circumstances, abandon the keep..."

"Well, and how about climbing down there? It seems desolated as well."

>>75611
The shaman definitely looks reluctant. "Any reliable ideas?

Last edited at 14/08/08(Fri)12:04:27

Myn is puzzled by the deliberation.

"The tower is quiet and has stairs, and we'd be an easy target if attacked while climbing. The choice should be clear."

"...well I guess we should just speed up then" Sureiya says, admitting his defeat.

Ramuh shakes his head.

"I would counsel climbing. It may be more arduous, but I am not apt to assume a watch tower would be abandoned so easily."

"Maybe a coin toss?" suggests the shaman, unable to disagree with Ramuh and seeing Sid isn't participating.

Someone call it and roll if they agree, ok.

Last edited at 14/08/09(Sat)02:33:41

"Why would one use a coin toss to pick the best route?" Ramuh is utterly puzzled. "This is not some walk through the park, or a leisurely outing. There is danger, and deciding on the least dangerous path is best done with reasoning, not with chance games. If we scale the cliffs and go on down, there is the opportunity to maintain our cover and stealth. If we enter the watch tower, there is a strong possibility that the guardians still exist. Do we gamble that they do not, and even if they do, that they cannot sound the alarm? Or do we attempt to bypass it completely? Such a choice must needs be made by people, not coins."

>>75617

"Should the tower be occupied, my familiar will ensure we not walk into danger unaware. In the event that a large force is stationed, we need only retrace our steps and descend the wall. Even if a small guard is present, the mode of descent will be safer, and greater speed will lower the chance of a roaming sentry discovering our group."

Myn is the puzzledest.

>>75617
"If said people are divided on valid merits and a decision needs to be made, there's little alternative other than to have an external factor choose for us."

Last edited at 14/08/09(Sat)12:42:13

Sid stays out of the debate, and nervously looks over the edge of the wall, looking none too eager to climb down on a rope.

Torinn makes the decision for the group by leading Rutger, carrying the shaman, down the ravine. Perhaps he noticed what happened to his armor. Either way, he makes damn sure they don't fall.

climb down : http://orokos.com/roll/213383 (24)

Though the tiger seems a bit uncertain on the marble-like rock--whose texture is quite smooth--the wall itself has a rough pattern to it, and it's not difficult to climb down. It is, however, one hundred feet to the bottom, and the going is fairly slow. The others will need two ropes tied together to catch up.

>>75623
The shaman does her best not to scream and/or die during the slow kidnapping. By some miracle, she manages, even without fainting.

Saved against screaming. (20) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4602186/

"...I will need a second rope, please."
Once a nice soul offers the ranger another rope, Sureiya will tie them together and place set it firm on the ground, for everyone's else to climb down.

Sid offers the half-orc a 50-foot rope, still looking nervous about the idea of climbing 100 feet down.

Myn immediately regrets his decision to climb, but perseveres.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4602707/

nvm take 10

Last edited at 14/08/10(Sun)18:29:09

Sureiya readies the rope and says "You go first, I'll make sure the rope doesn't falter."

Ramuh decides to descend as well, a bit surprised by the turn of events: the Warlock had been rather reasonable, and Ramuh had felt inclined to follow. Well, this works as well.

take 10 etc

Pausing on the rope for a moment, Myn waves for his owlbear to follow.

Take 10 owlbear climb.

It takes a good long while for all of the adventurers to reach the bottom, but they remain undisturbed throughout the process. Which is rather strange, since you'd think that whatever was making noise in the tower when it was blasted would come out of the tower and notice you, but apparently not.

You're now in what appears to be a courtyard in the baileys of the keep. The fortress itself is directly in front of you, and its towering walls extend will into the misty sky overhead. To your right is one of the squat, windowless buildings. It appears to be a mere fifteen feet tall and about forty feet wide, and perhaps thirty feet deep. There is a metal door blocking entry into it, and there appears to be no other way inside. To the left, there is a maze-like path that remains easy to navigate, because the "maze" is comprised only of the four-foot high spiked walls that are set about eight feet apart, which appears to lead to the front of the keep as well as the western tower. The eastern tower appears to merge with the squat building, so it's possible the two are connected on the inside.

>>75631
The shaman eventually recovers her strength. Fuming, she begins whacking the paladin's head with her short spear.

>>75632
The paladin is hilariously impassive about being beaten with a spear.

>>75633
The shaman begins dual-wielding.

>>75634
Torinn turns to face Bernkastel, flipping up the mask. His expression is tired. "Keep it up, I don't think they heard us sneaking around," he snarks.

>>75635
Using the opportunity, the shaman jabs Torinn in the face with the butt of her javelin.

>>75636
Torinn is hit in the nose and scowls at the shaman, then flips the mask back down.

Ramuh decides this is the time to intervene.

"Quite enough of that. Leave your games for after we return."

>>75638
The shaman also scowls, but stops hitting Torinn, instead casually turning his armor hot pink. Prestidigitation.

Myn exercises his arm.

Imp invisibly scout to range limit.

The ranger is too busy mentally laughing to pat attention to his surroundings.
"Those two have some kind of hate-love relationship, incidentally some more of the first than of the latter."
Perception (19) The ranger is too busy mentally laughing to pat attention to his surroundings.

>>75641
The shaman pauses to glare at Sureiya, but wipes away her remaining tears with Mage Hand and begins adding flower patterns to Torinn's armor. Mage Hand, Prestidigitation.

Last edited at 14/08/12(Tue)15:11:07

Torinn takes a deep breath, and then says in a calm, even voice, "We should keep going."

Ramuh's respect for the group's sanity has plummeted.

"Y-you know, we're about to..." Sid stammers, watching the shaman be completely spiteful. "We need to work together here if we're going to overcome what lies ahead! Th-this isn't going to be a stroll through the park, you know! There's six of us, going into a castle ruled by a megalomaniac with command over hundreds of violent sentient beings! We should be trying to work together!"

After a few moments, Myn's invisible imp returns and delivers its report, "If ya cut through the walls ahead, the front gate to the keep is right there around the keep's corner to the left. Maybe a hundred-fifty or so feet down the wall. Big place. In front is a large courtyard with a path leading to the gate that's lined with standin' torches. Overlookin' the gate, which looks to be made of heavy, reinforced wood, is a large balcony, some sixty feet up. Oh, and there's a rune on the gate. Think it needs a command word to open."

Sureiya's cursory examination of the area reveals largely what you see before, and an eerie silence. There are no sounds except those of the group talking to each other, and the wind.

Disregarding the quarrel, Myn relays the imp's message, halting his abuse for a moment. The owlbear paws at Sid's leg, as if to question its exclusion from the group number.

"Perhaps we can try climbing again."

"Is he really a megalomaniac?"
The ranger returns to his serious expression and talks to the shaman.
"Now, now. Your eyes are keener than mine, would you try to give a look around?" says while handling her the Douglass.
Take ten aid.another perception

>>75645
>>75647
"It was all I could do not to scream. Does that sound like working together?" replies the shaman.

Still, reminded of more relevant matters, the shaman conjures her spirit companion and turns their attention to the surroundings.

Take 10 Perception, aided by Sureiya; having the spirit companion look with its senses around corners, especially for other entrances. (25+2+3=30)

>>75646
Also, "No."

Last edited at 14/08/13(Wed)01:09:45

The shaman sees no other entrances. High up on the keep walls (roughly 80-100 feet) there are narrow indentations that may be windows, though reaching them would be quite the challenge. It's difficult to tell exactly what they are from this distance.

>>75649
"... If there's a secret door out here, it's too hard to find," the shaman concludes upon the spirit's return. "We may have to take our chances with the big door with the rune, though there exists the possibility of an underground entrance in one of the buildings. Still, climbing down that wall is not what the Fell King would have expected us to do when there are towers available." Short glare at Torinn here. "We may as well try the big door."

Last edited at 14/08/13(Wed)01:32:24

"Let's give it a closer look" ,the ranger agrees, moving forward.

Last edited at 14/08/13(Wed)01:38:08

>>75651
The shaman jabs at Torinn to follow.

Myn follows, once again twirling the imp around. He can't afford to be outdone in abuse.

"It's certainly not making things better, your reactions..." Sid mumbles as he follows the group to the front of the castle. The imp complains rather loudly about the twirling, and the group makes quite a bit of racket as a result as it enters the front. Moving through the maze of low, spiked walls isn't too difficult, though it does take quite a bit of time.


You do finally approach the front of the keep about five minutes later, however, and find a path leading towards the door leading into the keep. Opposite the door about sixty feet are the outer walls of the keep, and a closed, enormous metal gate that leads out. The keep door is a tough-looking heavy wood reinforced with black iron, rounded at the top and nearly twenty feet high and fifteen feet wide. In the center is a large arcane sigil of sorts. The keep walls above the door slope backwards, and there is a balcony that leads to darkness about sixty feet above the door. The keep walls are accented by spikes that point upwards, jutting out from the sloped wall at irregular intervals. The path between the gate and the door is lined by torches that burn with a strange black fire, standing about eight feet tall. They appear to be made of a bronze-like metal and of a square design. The towers are now some two hundred feet away, and you can barely see where you came from because of the fog that has seemed to have grown ever-thicker as you approached the door, despite the presence of the burning torches.

>>75654
"They're expecting us, anyway. We can look forward to a trap, but at this point, stealth shouldn't be the primary concern," the shaman tells Sid, though not too loudly.

"I don't suppose you can help open this, Mr. Gallard?"