(5.24 PBP) Vault of the Dracolich (IC) Redux

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Merrick- Mini-sheet

Merrick Thorburn Race: Human	HP: 41/41 AC: 14/19(with shield)	Buffs:
Rage: 3/3	Inner Healing:4/4	HD: 3/3
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 16+3(+5) DEX: 13+1(+1) CON: 16+3(+5) INT: 8-1(+-1) WIS: 10+0(+0) CHA:11 +0(+0)	Spoiler: Skills Athletics+5 Intimidate: 2/5 Perception: 2/5 Performance 2 Stealth: 3/5 Survival: 2/5	Spoiler: Spells Daily: Alarm 1/1 At will Thaumaturgy Message

---

He walks towards Loklafd.

"I'll go with you guys unless one of the other groups desperately needs my assistance."

Merrick shakes everyone's hand.

"Try not to get too wet. We will see you in the middle."

He turns to the rest,

"I guess that means the rest of us are going to say Hi to Barnaby and his Beasts"

---

Spoiler: OOC

Team Lake (4):
Aywin of the Temple - Air Genasi Paladin (Steve Gorak)
Darius Braidon - Human Psion (Vlad)
Shade-9 - Warforged Gloomstalker (Tonguez)
Bjorn Ursal - Dwarf Moon Druid (Lidgar)

NPC: Loklafd

Team Ambush (7):
Urgan Magall, Orc Wizard (Kobold)
Shamal - Human Paladin (Snarf)
Copper - Goliath Thief (Leatherhead)
Merrick - Human Barbarian (Taran)
Torhak - Dwarf Gloomstalker
Lorent - Aasimar Celestial Warlock (Neurotic)
Terrin - Human Cleric (Hriston)

We may need to fill out Team Ambush with an NPC

 

[Steve Gorak]

Aywin faces the volunteers going to the lake. He nods satisfied. "A fine group we are! May the gods smile upon us and bring us good fortune!"

 

[Kobold Stew]

Urgan nods, and gets ready fro the ambush. He didn't like to say his anxieties about taking the boats out loud, but he obviously should have done. Boats capsize; they get attacked from below; they leak; and when they have issues, you're helpless -- everything is about the boat, not the external danger. These threats were real, and he knew them, admittedly only through books. Urgan had never been in a boat, but he had read a lot.

"Good fortune indeed," Urgan echoes Aywin's prayer, and he sighed a sigh of relief that his feet would stay on land. He was fine with an ambush -- his abilities affected the minds of others, and clouded their perceptions. In a boat there'd be nothing to see his craft. He was pleased with this outcome. "Now for the best place for an ambush...."

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

As the groups separate, Shamal faces those leaving with Loklafd and solemnly states, We will meet each other again in paradise, in either this land or the next, satisfied that we did all that we could. May Rabb al-Wahah grant you the monsoons that replenish, and not those that destroy.

Looking at the kayaks that Loklafd had unveiled, Shamal put his arm around the man and continued, eyes dancing. It is the words of fate that the only monsters you will encounter on your watery sojourn are the numerous bugs that infest these tiny boats.

Shamal danced away from Loklafd with that and back at the group of volunteers that had teleported in. Seven is a blessed number indeed!

OOC: It's ambush time! I'll provide some swords. @Kobold Stew - I think Urgan's illusions (as you note) will be REALLY helpful. Maybe something that would allow us to get the drop on them, and have Shamal, Merrick, Torhak and Hriston start with a melee round of combat while Urgan and Lorent stay at range (Copper can either range attack or melee sneak).

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Team Lake
@Steve Gorak Aywin, @Lidgar Bjorn, @VLAD the Destroyer Darius, @Tonguez Shade-9

Loklafd was very happy to have gathered four Adventurers for his boats. He hoisted a kayak and showed the others how to lift theirs, one on each end.

After Shamal finished his blessing and others gave their well-wishes, Imani made sure that one among the group had one of his Sendong-Stones and knew how to use it.

"Good luck.", the wizard added as they began to carry their boats westward down a narrow animal trail, "And thank you!"

The kayaks were surprisingly light and sturdy, and it was not too difficult (though occasionally awkward) to carry them down the trail, well out of sight of Blackpeak. They arrived at a small lake, filled by many streams off of Greenpeak. Loklafd helped them to stow their gear and weapons inside the boats where they would not fall out, and had each pair climb inside before he tied down a seal skin over their legs, and then pushed them out into the water.

Most had never seen a boat such as this, far or less piloted one. It lay very close to the water and tipped side-to-side with only the slightest movement. But the seal skin kept the water out, and it glided easily over the lake with simple strokes of the paddle.

"I did not plan to accompany you," Loklafd said, after paddling his own one-man version in circles around them, showing the proper technique, "You need only follow this creek northward, and you will meet the river. Cross it as quickly as possible, and then you will find a side stream leading to a cave. The water flows all the way to the underground lake, so you can stay in the kayak. But if you are not confident, I can show you the way. What say you: Do you want me to go with you?"

 

[Steve Gorak]

Aywin

"I did not plan to accompany you," Loklafd said, after paddling his own one-man version in circles around them, showing the proper technique, "You need only follow this creek northward, and you will meet the river. Cross it as quickly as possible, and then you will find a side stream leading to a cave. The water flows all the way to the underground lake, so you can stay in the kayak. But if you are not confident, I can show you the way. What say you: Do you want me to go with you?"

Aywin inspects Loklafd. He seemed in his elements, but his question likely meant he either didn't want to come, or perhaps he felt he would be a liability. In either case, it would be better for him to stay. "Thank you for your help Loklafd, it has been invaluable. Come if you feel we would need more of your help, but dangers await us. We are prepared, are you? Know that there is no dishonor in staying."

 

[Tonguez]

SHADE-9 | ACTIVE ROUTE SCANNING: Lake → River → Subterranean Stream → Underground
MISSION: Infiltrate Temple of Bhaal via aquatic route
STATUS: Kayak Launch | Kayak Stable | Personnel: Team Lake: Aywin, Shade-9, Bjorn, Darius

Shade-9 readying the kayak with Aywin nodded his agreement, Loklafd was certainly competent on the water, but there was no need for him to accompany their strike team, at least not beyond the river crossing. The warforged set himself the task of adjusting the kayak loads for efficient weight distribution then satisfied, scanned out over the water, noting the points of progress - creek to river, river to stream - each marked by hydrological changes in the currents that would impact manoeuvrability and concealment.

Looking back towards the gatehouse, he noted the foliage cover and scanned for any possible line of sight or surveillance by wandering patrols, or elevated or aerial observers. The river would also need to be monitored for submerged hazards.

"We can coordinate the crossing" Shade-9 shared his assessment without turning "I recommend minimal noise, communicate only as needed. Smooth paddle entry, vertical draw, limit paddle splash. Maintain tight visual line, no audible calls unless compromised."

He paused for a moment, gazing out towards the side stream that would lead to the cave entrance,

"Unknown telemetry beyond cave entrance" he explained then turned slightly to focus on the [Subject:Bjorn] "On arrival I recommend you implement transformation protocols to scout ahead into the cave and determine optimal route across the subterranean lake". without waiting for reply he turned to Darius and Aywin and asked "will you require a light source for subterranean navigation?"

OOC: I know Bjorn and I have darkvision, what about everyone else. Should we share out skills IC or just go in as is? (its not something Shade-9 would tend to do unless asked) and who got the Sending stones in the end? Anyone really keen to have it?

 

[Lidgar]

Lake Group - Bjorn (Moon Druid)

Bjorn looked at the boats with not a little distrust. "Prefer more natural means to getting over water myself, but I'll give it a try."

Once settled in, he gestured to Bill to take position starboard bow. "Not to worry my friend, I have a steady hand."

Hearing the construct - Shade-9, he reminded himself - speak, he raised an eyebrow. "If what you mean is for me to call upon the earth's many forms to take a look around, aye, I can do that. Bill can help there, too." With that, he settled back in and began his slow, but steady paddling.

 

[Neurotic]

Lorent is relieved he doesn't need to go into the lake nor the caves. And this ambush, he is not stealthy...luckily, there is nothing in his powers that requires too much vicinity.

 

[Hriston]

Terrin watches the departure of those headed for the lake and then retrieves a bundle from his pack. The iron rings whisper as he unfolds the bundle and dons his mail shirt. He then dons his helmet and shield and takes up his staff.

"Friends," he says, addressing the remaining members of the group, "I lack stealth, but I'm ready to join you in the ambush."

OOC: Terrin: AC15 HP:24/24 HD:3/3 PP13 SSdc13 4/4 2/2 CD:2/2 MI:1/1