L1: Strange Doings (Erekose13 Judging)

[corcio]

"well i already mentioned this to garrit. but i think we should go investigate this cave nearby. seems if some foul evil creature is dwelling anywhere near here then that seems like a likely place now doesnt it?" manon asks as much as he states the remark and points off into the forest with his dagger

 

[Ximix]

. . . The night passes quietly and everyone wakes up late because they were all out really late at night.

OOC: Ximix, as an Elf, does not require rest in the same way as the lesser races. He will arise with the first blush of dawn and prepare his prayers and supplications before the presence of The Arcane, just as he always does.

[sblock=Ximix's Spells]Looking back over the previous days' experiences, I think a change is in order.
Orisons: 3

Guidance
Light
Read Magic


First Tier: 1+1 (+1 Domain )

Bless
Hide from Undead
Knowledge Domain: Detect Secret Doors
[/sblock]

While the others take breakfast, Ximix will address the group.
"I have prepared a spell that should hide one person from Undead, Completely, so long as they do not attack. It should last approximately 10 minutes. I will cast it upon the scout when they reach the cave, giving the group the opportunity to scout out the enemy unseen and form a plan. We should get started soon. Also, can any of you help fashion a branch into a club for Manon? That knife is of no value against those with no flesh or blood."

 

[corcio]

blushing slightly at the mention of his seemingly useless daggers. manon sighs and tucks his dagger into his belt. wishing he had known more about the undead.

looking around hopefully manon looks to see if he can perhaps find a club of somesort
perhaps a large tree

ooc- ill take 10 on my search or spot check to find a nice big stick

 

[Amaury]

Jallembo freshens up in the morning and you notice that he's shared some of his smoked meat with a cat that seems happy to hang around. Jallembo strokes him often around the ears and talks to him quite a lot, calling him 'Mr. Cat' as if the cat was understanding...

Once the breakfast is over Jallembo proposes: "Right, shall we go to that cave then?.. Ximix, I am happy to act as a scout should we need to.. Your magic would be most useful since like Manon, I tend to prefer lighter weaponry.."

As all get ready, Jallembo gathers his belongings and starts heading towards the cave...

 

[Erekose13]

Rich Gorth and his wife happily provide breakfast for the adventurers and can provide directions to the cave as well. They describe a canyon that forms at the edge of the forest where it meets a few hills on the other side, about a couple of miles beyond the edge of the forest. The canyon walls rise a good twenty or thirty feet above the forest floor. At the back of the canyon is a small cave. Rich’s wife, Lora, dismisses the idea that skeletons would be in there, “Just a bunch of harmless spiders really.” She says. She offers to pack the group a few biscuits to take with them on their way out and Rich will provide the group with any torches (and clubs) they need.

 

[Amaury]

Jallembo is surprised by the sudden generosity of the Tays.. they really want us out of here! he thinks. He gladly picks two torches and a club, salutes the Tay before departing to the canyon.

A few meters away from the others, Jallembo tells the cat: "Mr Cat, I'm going with my friends to visit a cave in the canyon.. that may be risky... i don't what dangers we may face.. do you still want to accompany me?"

Jallembo will proceed cautiously, looking at the crest of the canyon from time to time.

 

[Erekose13]

(ooc: Its the Gorths, the ones who are putting you up in their barn who are generous. The Tays are definitely still offputting.)

In his head, Jallembo hears, Yes I will come with you, I'll stick close.

 

[corcio]

Absently chomping on his meal manon thanks the tays for their food. eyeing the clubs wearily and thinking of the possible usefiulness of such a brutish weapon in civilized combat
he takes it and attaches it to his pack.

eyeing the cat that jallembo seems so fond of he kneels down and gives it a quick scrath behind the ears and then continues on with his meal and packs a few biscuits in his supplies.

"well then guess well be off soon" he mumbles to himself as he chews.


stretching out vigorously manon steps outside and enjoys the fresh air and waits eagerly to be off the farm. he also wonders when a good bottle of wine might come by his lips again. along with the lips of some fair maiden he could sweep off her feet.

 

[Ximix]

Ximix will be glad to get out into the trees and daylight, out from the confines of the musty barn. Singing lightly under his breath, he seems to be looking all about him, enjoying the beauty of nature. The priest will stay in the center of the group, opening his senses to the natural world around him and letting the others lead the way.

[sblock=DM]Ximix will continue to be vigilant, while appearing relaxed he is mulling over the details of this strange adventure. He wants to pay attention to the noises of the wood - listening for changes that may indicate disturbances, aside from the group. He also wants to look for any likely ambush points. His training is as a Cleric, yet his Wisdom and his background in a war-torn land mean anyone who wants to survive is a bit paranoid when not safely in their homes :}
Listen and spot rolls:
24,18
7,20
12,7
Apparently Ximix is becoming a bit lax as the trail wears on . . . the opposite of what I would hope for! *sigh* [/sblock]

As the walls of the canyon start to narrow, Ximix will turn all business, drawing and stringing his bow, arrow nocked, but string relaxed.
"Let us begin looking for tracks in earnest, I do not want to be ambushed and . . . something does not feel right about this whole . . . place."

 

[Erekose13]

Manon scratches the cat behind the ears and feels the cat purr, though for some reason he thinks he could even hear the cat's purr within his head.

With everyone tense at the unknown you are all on edge as you travel into the woods. Little disturbs your passage though through the otherwise idyllic setting. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping. No animals are obvious, but then you are not taking care to hide your approach either. It doesn't take too long to cover the couple of miles between the edge of the farms and the place where Mr. Gorth described the canyon.

Indeed as the trees clear a little you can see that the land rises to the north forming a bluff atop which the forest continues. It doesn't take too much effort to find the canyon in the wall of the bluff. At the base of the bluff, the canyon is a good 50 or 60 feet across though it narrows as it rounds a corner up ahead.

Checking the area outside the canyon Ximix is able to spot a couple of tracks that have been made somewhat recently (without track it'll be impossible to tell how old the tracks really are or in what direction they were travelling).