Kahru nodded his agreement with the plan, even as he looked back up the road towards the gate with a scowl. They had come this far, only to head back and infiltrate the gate under the cover of magic. The druid inhaled deeply of the mountain air, letting its coolness calm his mind and spirit as he focussed on the tiny form of a tiny creature, a mouse had been suggested to easily tuck in Donnels pocket, but Kahru thought a spider would be better, and more dignified. At least then he could deliver a venomous bite should an enemy get too near and he would have the ability to climb for himself should the need arise.
Vadasz huddle up on a high cliff watching and Kahru secured Waythe across his back as he readied himself to go ...
The plan seemed to go well, with Doc and Gimlak diving off of the cliff and flying low, concealed by the cliffs from the eyes of the stone giants atop the gatehouse. The many torches flickered in the wind, still quite strong, even if it was the most calm it had been since their arrival. As night fell, they'd made their way out of the northern gorge and back up onto the road. By then, the roc-rider had gone to roost somewhere high in one of the three spires.
In the shadows under the cliffs, it was sometimes difficult to spot where a rock would jut out in front of them, and yet, they could not fly too far away from the cliff wall, lest they be seen by the sentries. Doc and Gimlak had twice come close to smashing into one or another, or diving accidently into a fold between two parts of cliffside.
Donnell, the Colonel, and Kahru had travelled up the road invisibly, and were attempting to catch up, going around the north spire from closer to the gates.
Eventually, they made their way to the north spire's "window", an opening high in the wall (relative to the interior) that allowed light and air into the cavern within. Doc was first to land on its ledge. A few oversized torches were placed into holes bored into the caverns walls, and they lit the place with a dim light and the smell of burning grease. The Frost Giant had turned in, but had not gone to sleep. Doc could see him sitting on a pile of furs on a ledge that was built onto a corner where the cave twisted eastward.
Looking southward from above, Doc could see the frosthawk, a great bird that stood only a little shorter than a man. It was hopping about above and beside a pile of rocks, sized perfectly to be thrown by a giant. It seemed that a rat was hiding in the pile, and the hawk knocked a few rocks aside before catching the rat and swallowing it whole. But its instincts were sharp and it immediately turned around and looked straight up at Doc, crouched down above it.
It spread its wings and shrieked a high-pitched cry while hopping forward.
OOC:
I won't immediately throw down a combat roller, in case you guys have any clever ideas on how to avoid it, but if you don't... this might be Round 1. Let me know OOC.
The Colonel continues around the outside, approaching the opening window, where he hopes they will get the drop on the Frost giants.
OOC:
Regardless of whether combat formally starts, the Colonel is too far from the action.
If he moves his regular distance (movement halved while climbing?), he can be at BD9 by the end of round 1; if he can Dash at normal speed, he gets to AX8.
The Colonel continues around the outside, approaching the opening window, where he hopes they will get the drop on the Frost giants.
OOC:
Regardless of whether combat formally starts, the Colonel is too far from the action.
If he moves his regular distance (movement halved while climbing?), he can be at BD9 by the end of round 1; if he can Dash at normal speed, he gets to AX8.
Doc landed on the ledge and his fiery eyes focused quickly on the noisome fowl that done noticed 'em.
This ain't the reception we wuz prospectin' for. Plans and parlay work fine when yer dreamin' 'em up, but reality has a habit of punchin' ya in the nose to wake ya up.
Doc wasn't keen on hurtin' no animals that was smart 'nuff to mind to themselves, but the Sheriff did't tolerate much that got in the way of his will. He didn't cotton much to wakin' up no sleeping ugly, but Doc needed to end that infernal squawkin' now- with extreme prejudice.
The Peacemaker found itself in Doc's hand and he quickly fired a bullet, concentratin' the full wrath of the Sheriff's new powers on the unfortunate bird in his view, before tapping the trigger again and sendin' another bullet screamin' right on after the first.
OOC:
@FitzTheRuke (and everyone else)- not getting clarity on what revisions might occur, or what non-lethal plan might emerge, so I am going to advance this with Doc's version of "Yes, and ..."
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
Donnell, with The Colonel in tow, had just snuck past the gates invisibly and were on the cliffside.
"Ideally, everyone will be asleep," someone had said telepathically in his mind.
Donnel responded, "Yes, and then it's 'all clear' for everyone!"
A third telepathic voice, "All clear? Sounds good!"
And just like that, he was visible. Gimlack had cast fly which had negated their invisibility.
"Wait. What?"
But it was too late, the others were on the way, flying through the treacherous gorge and Donnell was unwilling to make them wait or have them turn back lest they get seen by the sentries. To the Colonel he said,
"Hang on tight, we're picking up the pace"
With the Colonel piggy-backing, Donnel started scrambling quicker along the cold rock face. The problem was it was cold and dark. His fingers were getting numb, making it difficult to feel the holds and he couldn't see footholds very well. As he made a long reach for an outcropping, his foot slipped and he began to slide but the Colonel, levitating, grabbed Donnel's backpack and arrested his fall but the sudden jostling knocked the large, hairy spider from Donnell's shoulder and sent Kharu flying. Donnell's free hand flicked out and caught the huge hairy thing before it tumbled down into the dark abyss. All three breathed a sigh of relief when, suddenly, they heard the cry of a falcon and the familiar - but eerie - sound of Doc's otherworldly firearm.
There was no time to catch their breath, Donnell redoubled his efforts, scrambling more recklessly than before trusting, in Kharu's spell to muffle his movements as he lunged from one huge hand-hold to the next. Seeing a dim light trickle from some crack ahead, Donnell leapt sideways, and upwards, grabbing the bottom lip of the window. He let the sideways momentum of his jump carry his legs effortlessly up over the lip. Standing inside, he ran past Doc, carrying his two passengers with him.
He drew out his whip, ready to react.
***
Just made up a reason for why the plan didn't go...as planned. And made Donnell's traverse a bit more harrowing than it actually is.
Actions: Double move brings Donnell right to the lip of the entrance.
Bonus Action: Move 30 feet forward
pulling his eight hairy legs in close to his body Kahru the spider tucked himself into a cozy fold on Donnells shoulder and enjoyed the ride as the young lordling climbed, his eight dark eyes gleaming as he scanned the cliff, the sky, and the Colonel floating above. He had already asked the spirits to help them to pass without trace, though he did think that it would have been easier to fly.
"All clear? Sounds good!" he responded to the telepathic thoughts from Donnell, having become increasingly use to having other voices in his head, be it Waythe urging more decisive action, or these eager souls linked by Gimlaks spell.
and then Donnell slipped!
The Colonel grabbed him,
and Kahru was knocked from his perch,
legs splayed in surprise as he was indeed flying through the air, but this time without his needed wings!
He tried to right himself - then felt the firm pad of being caught in an outstretched hand, he was safe
he tucked in his legs, let air run over his trachea
and crawled up Donnells arm to find a safe spot to cling to
as the young scout scrambled across the cliff and made the last few leaps to reach the window.
Then there was action!
The spider peeked out of its corner as Donnell drew his whip and moved forward. Kahru the spider braced as he saw that damned Icehawk, his eyes gleaming as the druid realised that in the darkness, he had a greater connection to the spirits than he had possessed before - the moon itself was an ally, and he willed its light to pour in upon the icehawk -
OOC:
Cast L3 Moonbeam: 3d10 Cone 5-foot-radius, 40-foot-high
Still getting my head around my new 2024 powers - like being able to cast Moonbeam while wildshaped
Gimlak struggled to fly. Even though he always enjoyed flight, the winds made it treacherous, and there was now that damn bird. A dwarf's place was on solid ground, and better still if it was solid rock.
He flies to the opening and fires a fire mote at the frost hawk before finally getting shelter from the elements.
OOC:
I'm still a bit unclear where the Colonel is. If he was dragged by either Doc or Gimlak, then my spell use below is ok. If not, Gimlak will have needed to use a 3rd level sot for invisibility (2 targets), which is less optimal, but I'll go along if that's what better for the story line.
