"It isn't so much a matter of what they can tell us about the city- after all, the giants aren't there. It was more to see if we might be able to speak with somebody local, to see if we can see if there are any juicy rumors floating around. I mean, if a couple of big expeditions got chewed up, somebody ought to be talking about it- and they might tell us some things our official sponsors might, well, forget to mention. So maybe Sanne can talk to some of the folks she knows- or if anyone else has a gift for rumor-gathering... I'd rather know as much as we can about what is out in that jungle." Ipshivi's voice was quiet, measured, and calm- but there was an edge to it- she was starting to get excited, now that the dangerous part of the trip was about to get underway.
"In my experience sailors in taverns love to tell their tales. Bards as well. Barkeeps and innkeepers are frequently willing to pass on current news to travelers and listen to rumors of doings abroad as well. Stormreach does not have a closed in or distrustful reputation, I expect we can hear common rumors fairly easily with a quick shoreleave stop, though there is often sifting that must be done for useful kernels among the fanciful tales people tell."
"I'll see what I can do." Sanne said. "Most of my contacts -- and House Lyrandar's -- here concern what might be offered for trade. But it's not uncommon for a Windwright Captain to chase into the interior on a rumor of a rich ruin to find. Besides, for some reason I've found men in ports like talking to me." She smiled at that.
OOC: And, well, Sanne's the only one in the group who's invested a lot in social skills (well, bluff, diplomacy, and sense motive, anyway; she'd have gather info, too, but I ran out of skill points) and has the highest charisma score...
This is your first thought as Stormreach comes into view: The city has been destroyed by some terrible disaster. You see crumbling walls and squat, shattered towers. then a moment later, you realize how far you still are from the city, and you notice the smaller structures clustered around those broken foundations. These ruins must be the work of the giants, buildings that fell long before humans came to this land.
It might not be a ruin, but Stormreach is a ramshackle city. As you draw closer, you see that the buildings are an astonishing assortment of architectural styles and materials. Some of the inhabitants have constructed their homes using stone quarried from the ruins themselves; others are partially built from driftwood or the hulls of broken ships. The Flamic architecture of Thrane stands next to a thatched hut that would seem more at home in the Shadow Marches. The city is a tapestry, hinting at the diverse range of people that have settled here.
From what you can see, Stormreach is spread over a wide area, flowing down along a river valley. Barges and passenger skiffs drift between the harbor and the depths of the city. Vegetation-covered cliffs surround the valley with a curtain of lush green.
As a boomtown devoted to extracting Xen'drik's riches, Stormreach will never be mistaken for a capital city or a paragon of architectural splendor. The climate seems agreeable, though, and the place holds an air of ancient mystery. You can see why so many choose to stay in Stormreach long after their expeditions have staggered out of Xen'drik's interior and returned to civilization.
"Aye lads, circle the town once, to give our passengers a good look at the only civilized town on Xen'drik."
The ship veers slightly to the west, while shedding some altitude and speed. You fly over the city, drinking in the sights. Several open markets, bazaars, and compounds are seen. Continuing past the heart of the city,
With Dalwir looking on, the helmsman slowly circles the landing pad once before setting the ship down upon solid ground once more.
"I cannot thank you enough," Dalwir says,"I don't know how we would have survived those elementals without you."
He nods to each one of you.
"Good luck -- and stay safe, I've heard all sorts of horrible stories of what goes on in the jungles..."
The landing pad area is nothing more than a clearing on the outskirts of town, with giant-sized cobblestones appearing here and there, with grass growing up between them. From your view on the way in, the center of town can't be more than a 15 minute walk.
You all collect your gear from below, and disembark from the ship. A half-orc is resting against a large stone block, along with two humans, about 10 yards from the ship, looking over the group as you make your way down the gangway. They are all clad in maroon cloaks over studded leather, with the crest of Tharashk prominently etched and colored on the chest.
The half-orc approaches your group,"Welcome, I am Barrak, I was dispatched to find you and return you to our enclave. Come."
With that he turns and signals to the two humans, who quickly fall in step.
Ipshivi
You see a human face peering at you from behind one of the giant stone blocks that litter the landing site. Your eldritch sight determines that the individual is invisible to those without the gift.
Morika only grins slightly, with baring of teeth. "I can get words out of people for ya, but I doubt they'd be in much condition to talk after. Maybe I'll go talk someone more on my own level," she says with an odd hyena-like snicker. "Like the snakes or something. You talk to your fancy people, I'll go chat up the beasts."
Ipshivi's voice was little more than a whisper- directly mostly at Sanne, who seemed as close to a "leader" as the group had developed, but audible to any others close by. "I don't suppose the invisible guy over behind those rocks is part of the welcoming committee. Yes, just off to the (left) there, behind the large boulder with the flowering vines..." With her mischief initiated, Ipshivi started moving in the direction she had mentioned.
OOC: One move action worth of talking, one worth of moving.
OOC: Ipshivi is invisible now- in fact, she pretty much stays invisible unless she has done something which would make her visible, like attacking (and even then, she will generally try to fade from sight as soon as she can re-invoke Walk Unseen).
Aeranduil's keen elven ears picked up Ipshivi's voice as she mentions the invisible man, but the well disciplined archer doesn't even cast a glance in that direction. He moves to follow after this "Barrak" fellow, but he remains ready to spring into action should his companion indicate that there is any danger.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
As soon as she saw the green of the man's cloak, Ipshivi realized who he probably was- hadn't their employers mentioned that the Emerald Claw was involved, after all. And his focus made his intent plain- he was trying to get an idea of who was involved here, and what the new arrivals might mean. That was no good, no good at all- they didn't want him to get back to his masters with any useful information.
Before her companions could get too far out of sight, Ipshivi decided to act. She invoked the power of her arcane arts, channeled through her bracers- and as soon as she flickered into view, she was pointing and describing his location as exactly as she could.
OOC: Move to within 30 feet; invoke an eldritch blast, using Bracers of the Entangling Blast to hopefully snare the man long enough for someone to immobilize him further. Attack roll is +12 ranged touch (+13 inside 30 feet), damage base 3d6, +1d6 potential sneak attack, +1 inside 30 feet; Bracers effect means half normal damage, but any target damaged is entangled for 1d3 rounds. Next round- describe location, re-invoke Walk Unseen
Before her companions could get too far out of sight, Ipshivi decided to act. She invoked the power of her arcane arts, channeled through her bracers- and as soon as she flickered into view, she was pointing and describing his location as exactly as she could. (Touch attack hit, 6 damage, target is entangled)
Ipshivi materializes 50' behind the group and unleashes a torrent of eldritch energy, colored with flecks of green and brown, towards one of the large stone blocks. A muffled exclamation of obscenities is heard from that general direction. "Over there! There is an invisible man over there by the stone block with the flowering vine!"
Round 1:
Calling upon her powers once again, Ipshivi fades from view. Moments later, a large roiling cloud of mist appears near the stone block (40' diameter hemisphere) .
Ipshivi
As you get closer to the man (20' move -- now 10' ft away from him), you notice that his movements appear to be shrouded in shadow.
The man struggles against the magic that binds him, closes his eyes and murmurs a few words. (Concentration Check Successful) Instantly a roiling cloud of sickly lookly mist billows forth from him, which quickly envelopes the invisible halfling. The vapors make you want to wretch and you feel sapped of strength. (Fort save failed, you are fatigued)
The man then turns and begins to fly in the opposite direction from you, appearing to be born aloft by shadow itself. (5ft rise off the ground, turn 90 degrees and move 5' away from you)
You guess that he is about 70 feet from an outcropping of trees on the far side of the landing area.
Voadam draws a dark ash wand from his sash and spins, his eye picking out a second anchor point from the stone quickly. He raises the wand and calls forth a command word "Arachne." as he channels the wand's magic.
A great web stretches from the stone area to engulf any hidden personage therein.
Sanne runs in the direction that Ipshivi indicated, but lacking any ability to move faster than her legs can carry her short of piloting an airship, and being something of melee specialist in a fight, she has little confidence she'll be able to do much in this fight. A fact she has no intention of letting on.
"We need this person alive, if possible." Sanne says.
"What, fun's getting started already? Let me see what I can find to add to the pot," Morika says with a snarling grin. Throwing her arms wide, the wind itself shifts into insubstantial feathery wings, which quickly bear her aloft. Howling a battlecry, she flies towards beclouded area, calling up her wild instincts to let her see anything hidden.
OOC: Morika casts master air as a standard action, flies towards the cloud 30 ft. as a move, and casts wild instincts as a swift action, bringing her Spot and Listen bonuses up to +23.
As the commotion breaks out, Aeranduil swiftly draws and knocks arrow, searching for a target.
Assuming the target becomes visible, Aeranduil will try to put an arrow through his leg or such. I know called shots aren't normally allowed, but it seems like a reasonable thing to try.
Initiative +6, Attack +16 (1d8+6+1d8)
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Yoggrith had been following behind Barrak at the same steady pace the Tharashk mercenary was... his eyes scouting out past the halfork and two humans to everything further in front.
When the halfling pops into view and all hell breaks loose, the Favored of the Shadow stops walking, and says gently to the three men in front of him "Please wait a moment. We seem to have stopped."
He then stands rock still and listens as the sounds of battle break out behind him.
OOC: Ready action to move to anyone in the party who sounds as though they've been injured, then cast appropriate healing.
24 Morika Cast Master of Air, Wild Instincts, Move to H7
16 Voadam Cast Web, centered on F18
12 Ipshivi Fatigued/Invisible, move to C19, Eldritch Blast on Invisible Man hit for 13 damage
11 Jaxel Double move to K9
11 Yoggrith - Ready action (move to anyone injured)
7 Aeranduil Ready action (attack visible opponent)
7 Sanne Run to L15
"What, fun's getting started already? Let me see what I can find to add to the pot," Morika says with a snarling grin. Throwing her arms wide, the wind itself shifts into insubstantial feathery wings, which quickly bear her aloft. Howling a battlecry, she flies towards beclouded area, calling up her wild instincts to let her see anything hidden.
Voadam draws a dark ash wand from his sash and spins, his eye picking out a second anchor point from the stone quickly. He raises the wand and calls forth a command word "Arachne." as he channels the wand's magic. Sticky, gray webs materialize out of thin air, anchored between two large pieces of ancient stone. (Ipshivi reflex save success entangled)
Ipshivi drew a deep whistling breath- she felt as if she had been running for miles. She scampered quickly out of the fog and the webs, the silvery threads seeming to have no more hold on her than the mist did. "What, no one else can see the invisible? He is right there, floating away in the air just where the webs end!" Between her fatigue and the unaccustomed shouting, her voice was as shrill and brittle as a bird's- and she punctuated it with another blast of arcane force.
Ipshivi
Movement from F16 to C21 is > 20' move. C19 is a 20' move and gets you out of the cloud.
Jaxel lets out a loud snort,Aye, we be playin a game o hide and seek, I guess. The small gnome then hurries as fast as his short legs can carry him towards the web.
Yoggrith had been following behind Barrak at the same steady pace the Tharashk mercenary was... his eyes scouting out past the halfork and two humans to everything further in front.
When the halfling pops into view and all hell breaks loose, the Favored of the Shadow stops walking, and says gently to the three men in front of him "Please wait a moment. We seem to have stopped."
He then stands rock still and listens as the sounds of battle break out behind him.
Sanne runs in the direction that Ipshivi indicated, but lacking any ability to move faster than her legs can carry her short of piloting an airship, and being something of melee specialist in a fight, she has little confidence she'll be able to do much in this fight. A fact she has no intention of letting on.
"We need this person alive, if possible." Sanne says.
Map Key:
Black Border/Gray Fill: Roiling Gray Cloud
Blue Border/Blue Fill: Web
Condition Summary:
Ipshivi: Fatigued (-2 to dex/str, cannot run), Invisible.
Ipshivi
You last saw the man heading from square G20 to G21, appearing to be gaining a small amount of altitude, before the webs obscured your vision of him. He still appeared to be invisible to your senses.
Ipshivi drew a deep whistling breath- she felt as if she had been running for miles. She scampered quickly out of the fog and the webs, the silvery threads seeming to have no more hold on her than the mist did. "What, no one else can see the invisible? He is right there, floating away in the air just where the webs end!" Between her fatigue and the unaccustomed shouting, her voice was as shrill and brittle as a bird's- and she punctuated it with another blast of arcane force.
OOC: Move diagonally to C 19 (with Spiderwalk, the webs won't slow her from her normal 20 foot move). If she can still see her target, fire another eldritch blast (3d6 damage, +12 ranged touch; both +1 inside 30 feet). She hates being visible, but if she is the only one who can see him, she attack as best she can.
Linear Mode
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