TaranTheWanderer
Legend
Donnell withers slightly under the Colonel’s gaze. He stops talking.
“The North Tower”
“The North Tower”
AtG Howling Crag (5e PBP) IC
- Thread starter FitzTheRuke
- Start date
FitzTheRuke
Legend
At first, there was no hiding from the Roc-Rider. The group were forced to pretend to flee southward for over an hour, before they were able to lose her at the site of a small, long-ago avalanche. They used the rocks to hide from her, and then circled northward while she swooped back and forth behind them, searching the wrong area further south.
Three hours more, and they found themselves north of the Crag and hundreds of feet below it, in a part of the gorge that surrounded much of the three peaks. The winds howled overhead, blowing toward the north-east, cold and damp. It was only mid-afternoon, but the sky was darkened by clouds.
Three hours more, and they found themselves north of the Crag and hundreds of feet below it, in a part of the gorge that surrounded much of the three peaks. The winds howled overhead, blowing toward the north-east, cold and damp. It was only mid-afternoon, but the sky was darkened by clouds.
|
Tonguez
A suffusion of yellow
From his perch above the gorge Kahru watched and listened, shifting uneasily as this show of diplomacy continued below. He did not have the stomach for such duplicity, better the honesty of predator and prey than these honeyed words and double meanings! Still there was little he could do from here but trust in the Colonel and the young lordling, even whilst he scowled at talk of manipulating minds - even if it saved lives?
Kahru watched the giants of the Crag as they waited, armed and ready, only the hill giant sinking back against a wall, the reputation earned at Nosra's Steading had surely proceeded them and that might be of use. The Northerner could also see the way Utharn held himself as he engaged in the parlay - rigid at first, then shifting, doubt and hesitation melting into reluctant resolve as he escorted the delegation away from the gates and let his concerns be known.
Lord Thyffon has said that there was more to this Alliance of Giants than met the eye, outside interference, and it seemed the same duplicity and betrayal had infected the Howling Crag too; the thanes sister, Ogremochs priest, the Frost giant emissary and a group of smaller folk - dwarfs, humans and serpent-kind? Kahru had heard of them, but had not thought he would encounter one, he would need to be alert.
It was time to move, to take up arms against these troubles and his instinct had been to enter via the south tower and thus Vadasz had been sent to the Southwest opening to observe. But Utharn had said the south tower was the children's space, and even though they be 10 ft tall, the Barbarian Druid resolved to do them no harm.
Instead, he slipped back towards the gorge, making sure to watch the positions of the frost hawk as he moved. Vadasz gave a shrill cry into the wind when the Roc Rider swoop down on the delegation moving down the trail. Kahru darted out, using the distraction to manoeuvre himself across the cliffs taking time to rejoin the others amongst the rocks of the old avalanche. Then finding trails that the others could follow up towards the north tower. He did consider that taking the form of a giant eagle would allow him to carry another, but then he would also be a bigger target for the Roc, and he did not want to face the mighty bird if he could avoid it...
Kahru watched the giants of the Crag as they waited, armed and ready, only the hill giant sinking back against a wall, the reputation earned at Nosra's Steading had surely proceeded them and that might be of use. The Northerner could also see the way Utharn held himself as he engaged in the parlay - rigid at first, then shifting, doubt and hesitation melting into reluctant resolve as he escorted the delegation away from the gates and let his concerns be known.
Lord Thyffon has said that there was more to this Alliance of Giants than met the eye, outside interference, and it seemed the same duplicity and betrayal had infected the Howling Crag too; the thanes sister, Ogremochs priest, the Frost giant emissary and a group of smaller folk - dwarfs, humans and serpent-kind? Kahru had heard of them, but had not thought he would encounter one, he would need to be alert.
It was time to move, to take up arms against these troubles and his instinct had been to enter via the south tower and thus Vadasz had been sent to the Southwest opening to observe. But Utharn had said the south tower was the children's space, and even though they be 10 ft tall, the Barbarian Druid resolved to do them no harm.
Instead, he slipped back towards the gorge, making sure to watch the positions of the frost hawk as he moved. Vadasz gave a shrill cry into the wind when the Roc Rider swoop down on the delegation moving down the trail. Kahru darted out, using the distraction to manoeuvre himself across the cliffs taking time to rejoin the others amongst the rocks of the old avalanche. Then finding trails that the others could follow up towards the north tower. He did consider that taking the form of a giant eagle would allow him to carry another, but then he would also be a bigger target for the Roc, and he did not want to face the mighty bird if he could avoid it...
|
Last edited:
TaranTheWanderer
Legend
| Donnel Race: Human HP: 86/86 91/91 AC: 18/20(with shield) | Buffs: 15/15 Temp Hit Points +5HP (aid) 8/8hrs Soul's help 1/1 1d8 | Spell Save DC: 15/+7 Spell Slots: 1st[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 2nd [X] [] |
| Channel Divinity: 2/2 | Lay on Hands: 30/30 | Arnythyn: HP: 25/25 |
|
STR: 13+1(+4)
DEX: 16+3(+10) CON: 14+2(+5) INT: 10+0(+7) WIS: 12+1(+4) CHA:16 +3(+6) *saves include aura |
Athletics+5
History: 4 Insight: 5 Intimidate: 7 Investigate: 4 Perception: 5 Persuasion 11 Religion: 4 Stealth: 11 Survival: 5 |
Daily:
Divine Smite 1/1 Find Steed: 1/1 Memorized spells 1st : Shield of Faith*, Prot. frm Evil* Cure wounds, Bless, Divine Favor, Divine Smite Heroism 2nd: Aid*, Zone of Truth*, Protection from Poison, Shining Smite |
Everyone was back together, huddled from the cold and wind, eating a humble meal of iron rations.
Donnell had his hood up over his head and his gloves on as he peered up the gorge. He could climb it, he was confident in that. It was a long way but the type of rock was ideal for finding finding hand-holds and he was an experienced climber. But it would be long, tiring and cold. Dangerous. Especially if they got spotted by the Roc Rider halfway up the cliff....
He looked at the shadow of the gorge and where the sun was hiding behind the high peaks.
"We should go back."
He was going to word it as a question, "should we go back?" but he remembered the withering gaze the Colonel had given him earlier in the day. They wanted him to act like a leader.
"By the time we get to the upper section of the road, it will be dusk and dark enough to cover our approach. We can sneak towards the gate, then climb around the outside of the spire and go through the window. Use whatever magic we have to make it go smoother. It's a long walk back but, since we've ruled out the gorge entrance, it'll be easier than going straight up and will shorten our time on the cliff face"
Last edited:
Tonguez
A suffusion of yellow
"Four hours until sundown" Kahru spoke when he rejoined the others, looking up through the dim day as the sun moved down towards the western spire. "The gates will be under shadow and the wind should calm a while after, it will still be there, but will not be so strong.
We are still heading for the North spire?" he queried as the options were considered "my instinct is to fly in, but the Roc-Rider is still watching, a confrontation with the Roc will only expose us and bring disaster.
We can sneak around the cliffs and get closer, wait for sundown then go in under cover of darkness - or magic. I also have the Eagle-bone Whistle which will allow another to fly..."
We are still heading for the North spire?" he queried as the options were considered "my instinct is to fly in, but the Roc-Rider is still watching, a confrontation with the Roc will only expose us and bring disaster.
We can sneak around the cliffs and get closer, wait for sundown then go in under cover of darkness - or magic. I also have the Eagle-bone Whistle which will allow another to fly..."
TaranTheWanderer
Legend
"The Roc is the reason I want to approach the gate. It means the flyers only have to fly in the gorge, next to the road. It'll be a quick jaunt and limit how much time people are in the air."
The Colonel is pleased to see Donnell determine a plan, and he works to ensure that it all goes smoothly. The old man is comfortable in the mountain air, and sees no risk in the circumventing of the gate to the north tower.
Steve Gorak
Adventurer
Gimlak nods his agreement. He is ready.
TaranTheWanderer
Legend
| Donnel Race: Human HP: 86/86 91/91 AC: 18/20(with shield) | Buffs: 15/15 Temp Hit Points +5HP (aid) 8/8hrs Soul's help 1/1 1d8 | Spell Save DC: 15/+7 Spell Slots: 1st[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 2nd [X] [] |
| Channel Divinity: 2/2 | Lay on Hands: 30/30 | Arnythyn: HP: 25/25 |
|
STR: 13+1(+4)
DEX: 16+3(+10) CON: 14+2(+5) INT: 10+0(+7) WIS: 12+1(+4) CHA:16 +3(+6) *saves include aura |
Athletics+5
History: 4 Insight: 5 Intimidate: 7 Investigate: 4 Perception: 5 Persuasion 11 Religion: 4 Stealth: 11 Survival: 5 |
Daily:
Divine Smite 1/1 Find Steed: 1/1 Memorized spells 1st : Shield of Faith*, Prot. frm Evil* Cure wounds, Bless, Divine Favor, Divine Smite Heroism 2nd: Aid*, Zone of Truth*, Protection from Poison, Shining Smite |
As they made their way back up the road, careful to avoid detection from the Roc and its rider, they went over the plan,
"Just remember, when you fly into the gorge, make sure to fly in a way that avoids the torch light. You may have to backtrack slightly to enter the gorge where it's dark."
Once they arrived to the staging area, they began to get ready.
Once the Colonel casts levitate and he and Donnel are invisible and telepathically bonded and, with Kharu as tiny animal, they sneak towards the gate under the cover of the dimming light.
|
Last edited:
TaranTheWanderer
Legend
“Are you guys ready? Let’s do it!”
