[LPF] About a Cow

[MerryMortician]

Aelspeth Noromiel, Emergent Conjurer

When the others creep toward the apparent lair without a word, Aelspeth accepts this as a response in its own right. She stows her rubber ball in a belt pouch and taps Darwin atop the head. At the wizard's touch, he retreats into the sash across her back. Aelspeth grasps her ponytail in two parts and pulls, cinching it tight to her scalp, then presses her spectacles up her nose with a fingertip. At last prepared, she advances.

The late morning sun is pleasant enough and it occurs to the elf woman that this meadow could be a wonderful retreat for a lovers' picnic. She glides across the lush grasses and inhales deeply. That breath is an immediate source of deep, gagging regret, as the combined odors of the rotting blood on the slope and the putrid kobold den itself fill her nostrils. Aelspeth manages to heave only once before suppressing the reaction without any sound. It is through watering eyes that she witnesses Arradon thrust a marker into the earth. The first of the traps. Keep your eyes peeled, Girl. This is neither the time nor the place for romantic daydreaming.

The reminder of impending danger leaves her unwilling to speak and break the silence. Then Autumn's boots hit the weird, dark-yet-sparkling mineral as if she were truly knocking on the door.

[sblock=Stealth 20]Stealthily approach kobold den: 1D20+3 = [17]+3 = 20[/sblock]

[sblock=OOC]I see no reason to halt altogether since things have slowed but should we plan not to advance much further until Rak'tan arrives? I'm confident the pace will liven up as we put the participation-weighted interrogation scene behind us. Thanks, FJ, for being patient.[/sblock]

[sblock=Aelspeth Mini Stats]Aelspeth
HP: 13/13
AC: 13 (17) FF: 10 (14) T: 13 (17 vs. incorporeal)
CMB: +0 CMD: 13
Fort: +2 Reflex: +4 Will: +4
Special: Immune to magical sleep, +2 on saving throws against Enchantment
Perception: +2 S. Motive: +0
Initiative: +3
Conditions in Effect: Mage armor (+4 AC)
Weapon in Hand: Longbow (19/20)
Shift: 5 ft, 7/7 remaining
0 Level: Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand
1st Level: Grease, Unseen Servant, Color Spray, Color Spray
Consumables: Wand of CLW -1, Wand of Mage Armor -1
[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

As Arradon, Autumn, and Aelspeth advance downslope to the entrance of the lair they realize they are one short. Barnibus, who took off on his own down the trail before the kobold interrogation was complete, has apparently taken a wrong trail and ended up who knows where. The question is: what now?

As these realizations cross their minds they are relieved to hear Barnibus coming up the slope behind them. Except when the figure steps to the top of the slope they see that it isn't Barnibus at all but another man, a tiefling.

---

Rak'tan follows the directions Ungalla gave him. There is only one problem: there is no keep, starry or otherwise. That is when he noticed the strangely elongated hill. It could be a keep but the description he was given said it was ruined not ruined and buried.

As he approaches the ground rises up slightly before the hill and then slopes down to the cavern. From his location he can see that the entrance is oddly regular and the surface neither like worked or rough stone. Instead the surfaces are dark and smooth and occaisionally catch light in the depths of the material in such a way as to appear to twinkle like starlight. This is the right place then.

At the top of the slope he disturbs a cloud of flies buzzing about a patch of grass that looks to be covered in dried blood. Down slope from that patch the grass is pressed flat as if something large were dragged down the slope. At the bottom, under the overhang, are large bones and a trio of people: two elves, one male and one a young female, and a human woman look up the slope at him as he approaches.

[sblock=OOC]Welcome Trogdor!

Rak'tan is upslope (to the right) looking down into area 1 where Arradon, Aelspeth, and Autumn are.

Most maps are shown in plan (top down view) but this is a side view. The short wall surrounding the staircase (which you haven't found yet) is 15 feet so each room is octagonal with a 45 ft diameter. You can walk on the angled portions of the floor but because of the smoothness of the material that coats the walls it is considered difficult terrain. The rope hangs from area 2, through the sideways door, down to the ground in area 1.

[/sblock]

 

[Trogdor1992]

Rak'tan will slowly make his way down the slope, being careful as he walks along the difficult terrain.

 

[MerryMortician]

[sblock=OOC]That was quicker than expected.

Trogdor, I don't remember whether I've said anything yet--welcome to LPF![/sblock]

 

[FrancisJohn]

[section]Autumn Foxfire - Natural Mystic

Hearing an unfamiliar set of footsteps, Autumn draws an arrow and spins around in one swift yet fluid and graceful motion. She stares at the tiefling, her eyes failing to break their gaze. She doesn't say anything verbally, but her stance speaks volumes. The archer's fingers remain taught on the drawn bowstring.

​

[/section]

[sblock=Mini-Stats]
Character Sheet

HP: 16/16
AC: 14 FF:12 T:12

Initiative: +4

CMB: 3 CMD: 15
Fort: +2 Reflex: +2 Will: +4

Perception: +9
Stealth: +3

Longsword: +4, 1d8+2, 19/x2, S
C. Longbow: +4, 1d8+2, 20/x3, P, 80 ft.
Dagger: +3, 1d4+2, 19/x2, P/S, 10 ft.
Fire Bolt: +3, 1d6+1, 20/x2, Touch 30 ft.

Firebolts Available: 7/7

Point-Blank Shot: +1/+1 attack/damage within 30 ft.

Spells Prepared:
Orisons: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
Level 1: Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Obscuring Mist
[/sblock]

 

[ealt]

Arradon Delgaran

[section]
Seeing a tall red figure crest the hill a single thought crosses Arradon's mind. Ambush. He drops into a dead sprint to intercept the new arrival before he can engage Aelspeth or Autumn. A dagger seems to materialize in his hand as he dashes up the slope. He positions himself between the tiefling and the others and takes a defensive stance.
[/section]

[sblock=Arradon Delgaran Mini-Stats]
Arradon Delgaran
AC: 15 (12 flat-footed, 13 touch)
HP: 18/18
CMB: +1 CMD: 14

Fort: +1
Reflex: +6
Will: +0

Bluff: +9
Diplomacy: +7
Disable Device: +10
Perception: +7
Sense Motive: +4
Sleight of Hand: +7
Stealth: +8

Initiative: +5

Sneak Attack: 1d8 (Dagger) 1d4 (Hand Crossbow)
Hidden Blade: +1

Feats: Blind-Fight

Current Weapon in Hand: Masterwork Dagger
Current Conditions in Effect: None
Temporary items in possession: None
Items not currently in possession: None
Items depleted: Crossbow Bolt (1), Wand of CLW (1 Charge)
[/sblock]

 

[MerryMortician]

Aelspeth Noromiel, Emergent Conjurer

Aelspeth watches her companions jump to full alert at the sight of a man emerging from the treeline. She sighs. So much for creeping into the lair. Who would be all the way out here alone? She begins to move back up the slope, very deliberately so as not to slip on the thick grass.

"Hail. What brings a lone man this far from civilization?" Her eyes are drawn to the sunlight glinting off the stranger's armor, then to the greatsword over his back. The tint of his skin seems less relevant at the moment. "You do not appear helpless, do you?" she adds, more statement than question and in a tone between caution and amusement. "Perhaps a defecting soldier from Venza?"

[sblock=Trogdor]Is there any ornamentation on Rak'tan's scale mail? Does he wear a cloak or tabard that characterizes him in some way?[/sblock]

[sblock=Aelspeth Mini Stats]Aelspeth
HP: 13/13
AC: 13 (17) FF: 10 (14) T: 13 (17 vs. incorporeal)
CMB: +0 CMD: 13
Fort: +2 Reflex: +4 Will: +4
Special: Immune to magical sleep, +2 on saving throws against Enchantment
Perception: +2 S. Motive: +0
Initiative: +3
Conditions in Effect: Mage armor (+4 AC)
Weapon in Hand: Longbow (19/20)
Shift: 5 ft, 7/7 remaining
0 Level: Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand
1st Level: Grease, Unseen Servant, Color Spray, Color Spray
Consumables: Wand of CLW -1, Wand of Mage Armor -1
[/sblock]

 

[Trogdor1992]

"I was sent by the old Halfling to search for his lost apprentice, he didn't mention sending any other adventurers. Why might you be here?"

[sblock=Merry] The only really unique thing on his person would be a small locket around his neck, of course you'll have to get to know him better to find out what is in that locket. [/sblock]

 

[MerryMortician]

Aelspeth comes to a stop just behind Arradon and clears her throat gently. She still doesn't know the other elf's story but some instinct tells her not to surprise him. She addresses the newcomer again.

"The cave there," she points, "is a known kobold den. Jezz, the man whose farm you passed, asked us to clear them out. He reports they have been a nuisance for a few years." As the young woman speaks, she gauges the horned man's reaction. "It seems possible kobolds could have taken the apprentice in desperation. Their tribe is in decline already."

Aelspeth takes a step forward to catch Arradon's eye, then looks back at Autumn. The druid shows none of her usual timidity. What makes her tick?

"What say you two? He has the look of a warrior about him and we still have a limited idea of what lies within."

[sblock=Aelspeth Mini Stats]Aelspeth
HP: 13/13
AC: 13 (17) FF: 10 (14) T: 13 (17 vs. incorporeal)
CMB: +0 CMD: 13
Fort: +2 Reflex: +4 Will: +4
Special: Immune to magical sleep, +2 on saving throws against Enchantment
Perception: +2 S. Motive: +0
Initiative: +3
Conditions in Effect: Mage armor (+4 AC)
Weapon in Hand: Longbow (19/20)
Shift: 5 ft, 7/7 remaining
0 Level: Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand
1st Level: Grease, Unseen Servant, Color Spray, Color Spray
Consumables: Wand of CLW -1, Wand of Mage Armor -1
[/sblock]

 

[Trogdor1992]

"I was told I would find him within this keep"