(IC) Quickleaf's Rime of the Frostmaiden

[domminniti]

These things are torturing a poor halfling! Yetis are viscous predators, not rational beings! Nature does not play by our rules, it's cold, calculating and deadly.

 

[happylace]

Zeth decides to lay out their options.

"If we leave the halfling there it's bad, we can't sneak the halfling out, and violence doesn't seem like it needs to be our first resort. Is there any way to enter in a way that won't immediately provoke an attack? Even if we just provide a distraction for an escape we'll have succeeded in our objective."

He turns to the other spellcasters in the party.

"I don't have any spells that would aid diplomacy, I don't suppose any of you know any?"

''Not against a creature like that. If it were humanoid yes, but,'' Alma shakes her head. ''Lumrolur is correct. We only know the location of one prisoner at the moment. If I can get closer, within 30 feet of the area or so, I could use a spell to sense the location of the others. Or I can push the limits of my magic to move the halfling or grant someone invisibility. It should be restated that regardless, I can't guarantee any of it won't have unintended consequences. That is what I can offer you.''

She pauses. Then adds, ''Actually, I could extend my telepathy to the halfling. I would lose contact with Lumrolur, but we could collaborate with her and perhaps get information on her companions. That I can do without issue.''

 

[Neurotic]

"Do that. I can show myself once she knows we're here. To her only. And we can find out where the other yeti is. Watch your back!"

 

[Aethmud]

Jack gives a broad, cheeky grin, with a twinkle in his eye as he whispers, "Ah well, you know, I have a couple of tricks up my sleeves. Could try to put the little tyke to sleep for a bit, give our halfling friend a chance to sneak away. Or light up mommy yeti with a bit of ye' olde fairy dust and make her more luminous than a moonbeam on fresh snow." The corner of Jack's mouth twists into a sly smirk, "And that could offer us a blizzard's edge in this chilly confrontation."

"Or, if we have the time..." Jack strokes his goatee and thinks a bit, "well, we would, wouldn't we, if it were naptime? I could try my hand at diplomacy, though I don't speak yeti, and that big one probably prefers skull-breakers over ice-breakers."

"Or I could summon a frost flower as a peace offering. It's said that yetis appreciate the rare beauty of such a flower, right? A sign of good faith and all that."

 

[Steve Gorak]

Aric nods earnestly at the suggestions that don't involve direct confrontation. Up till now, he sees the Yetis simply as creatures trying to survive this barren place.

"I can cast a spell that will make us all much more stealthier." He whispers to his companions

 

[Kobold Stew]

Corse nods to Alma. "If you can find the other captive, then please do so. And Aric -- if your spell can be cast quickly, I am sure that would help. We know we need to get closer."

Corse is impatient. She is always careful, but is cautious with this many moving deeper into the cave. She's used to being on her own, responsible for others, but not to them.

"Let's go." she whispers.

 

[Steve Gorak]

Aric nods and proceeds with the casting.

OOC: cast pass without trace. All allies within 30 ft are affected, and if the prisoner halfling is within 30ft, Aric will extend the effect to her. A veil of shadows and silence radiates from you, masking you and your companions from detection. For the duration, each creature you choose within 30 feet of you (including you) has a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and can’t be tracked except by magical means. A creature that receives this bonus leaves behind no tracks or other traces of its passage.

 

[happylace]

''In either case, to reach the halfling, I will need to be within thirty feet of her. I'll need to get closer than Lumrolur is.''

Alma pauses, watching as the shadowy magic floods the space around them. ''Oh, this will help. Should we move closer together as a group, then?''

 

[Necropolitan]

Zeth nods.

"Yes, enough talk. Let's move."

 

[Quickleaf]

GM POST

As the shadows creep close about you in the wake of Aric's spell, the lower room in the frozen cave takes on a deathly stillness. Even the clink of your crampons is barely a whisper.

Climbing the 10-foot ledge is easy enough. However, to remain hidden, you'll need to keep to the far left (west) of the upper room, where the huge pile of debris give you cover. Without that cover, you'd be so exposed that hiding is impossible.

Anyone doing so, will hear on the other side of the debris pile a deep husky breathing sound as the pair of horns just barely visible above it bob and move very slightly.