Cormyr - The Tearing of the Wave

[Jeraoa]

Rayen watches the lizard threatening Quill die and breaths a sigh. She turns back toward where the cleric and other are fighting. She takes note of only one lizard left but holds her ground, unsure if she should shoot her breath weapon at it with so many friendlies near by. Would suck to hit one of them.

Spoiler

Show

HP: 29/41
AC: 18

[razorback]

Seeing the last of the lizardmen flanked by his group, Savin rushes forward and tries to end this fight.

Spoiler

Show

Savin
AC ~16; Current ~ 14
HP ~ 46; Current ~33

Free action

Move action
Charge to L-10 (I think) and attack S2.

Standard action
Attack S2
(1d20+12)[2](14)


Crit conf
(1d20+12)[6](18)


Damage
(2d4+7)[3][3](13)





Effects~
Charging - +2 to hit & -2 to AC
Draconic aura: +1 damage roll
Bard song: +1 to attack +1 Damages +1 save vs. charm and fear

[LtPowers]

AC: 16
HP: 21/21
Spells: bard: 0 3/3, 1 4/4, 2 2/2; sorc: 0 3/3

Maesyn finally stops singing his song, while he moves toward Savin who is preparing to charge. He lays a hand on the warrior's shoulder and heals his wounds.

Spoiler

Show

Move action: Move 5 squares to Q10.

Standard action: cure light wounds on Savin: (1d8+5)[9]

Maesyn Silverhair

[achinca]

Initiative: Axara, Savin, Ryxikor, Enemies, Rayen, Kessessek (stopped here) Maesyn, Quill

Maesyn, stops his beautiful melody and goes next to Savin and paretially heals the warrior.

Spoiler

Show

Savin: +9HP – Currently at 42/46

Quill uses his wand and energy dart burn the undead.

Axara hit the shadow slain lizardfolk but barely scratch the skin.

Savin charges the shawdow slain lizard folk but his spike chain flies high above the monster’s head.

Ryxikor attacks with his two weapons and each pierce the undead hide, ending its miserable undead life.

Kessessek howls in pleasure and says in draconic that he later translate in human “Essylliss be praised for sending you our way. You are the answers to my prayers. You are not afraid of the shadowslain and the monsters that come with them.”

Little by little, the other lizardfolks come back and Kessessek chastises them for running away.

Axara approaches Quill “Quilmeister, what have you learned or know from these undead? They are quite different than the ones I am used to. And these are not living people who went through the failed shadow gate.

As Rayen comes closer, she smiles at the woman “Nice trick with the acid breath. What else do you have up your sleeves? ”

Kessessek looks at the group “So will you help us? You have the strength and the courage to face what is in the last refuge. We can get you there safely and I am sure you can find a way in and find out what in going within theses walls.”

[Ouroborosi]

Quill looks a bit disappointed when the Mystrian walks toward him without healing his lethal wound.. Maybe they aren't that lethal to begin with confused look he looks axara into the eyes and shakes his head.
"Well i am no specialist but these undead where healing there wounds every time one got near me... And leeching a spell from my memory. Shar has prepared her defence against magic well, i hate to say it but i am impressed somewhat. Stealing spells and turn it into health the few of there prisoners that regain there baring won't stand much change in fighting them of."

[puffmagicdragon]

Ryx listens to the gnome, wondering what it is exactly they are gonna be fighting towards the end of this mission. The elf thinks back to the captain of the pirate ship they rescued from the rafter, "Hmm, that reminds me of what Veera said, the buccaneer from the Wicked Maiden. She said something about the abductors seperating the spellcasters away from the nonspellcasters." He looks around the group, "This is odd, why the spellcasters? Then they're able to use the spellcasting abilities against you." He says finally locking eyes with Quill.

[Jeraoa]

Rayen winks at the cleric when asked what else she can do. "You will just have to wait and see." She listens to the men talk about the lizards and spellcasters. When Kessessek asks if they will help she nods her head grimly. "I can not speak for them, but I am in. I am curious about this business with the dragon lady."

[Ouroborosi]

Quill blinks in amazement in response to Silks question "I was sure pairs had you already briefed about the situation? Shar in all pardon the phrase honestly is only interested in tearing the fabrics of the vial with is used by everyone that knows a little bit of magic. People like Axara, Maesyn, Kessessek and myself have a positive relation with the with the magical body of the goddess of magic.... Mystra"

"My theory is that Shars followers try to tap into the veil using the captured spellcasters as a medium." "Like using a wizard like a minature version of the vail itself" "To aid Shars in her conquest to take over the veil itself...
As for the none spell casters? You have seen the many bones near the Shadow gate, yes? Maybe the survivors where the many shar guards you killed in the temple in Wheelon? Maybe they where fed to the aberration below it? Or maybe they are turned into creatures like them?" the gnome points to one of the Shadowslain"

"Now excuse me. I need to remove a Javelin from my body" the illusionist only wishes he face looked more stoic when he said that.

[razorback]

Savin walks over and inspects some of the fallen creatures as he retrieves his javelin along with any others he can salvage from the Shadowslain.

"The land itself groans under the assault of these creatures. You can count on my help against them in this." he says with a nod to Rayen.

Looking at the gnome he says "Fear not, master wizard. It is just a scratch and should leave a nice scar for your gnome women to admire" with a grin.

[achinca]

Axara nods at Kessessek “I am in Priest. Something funny is happening with magic here as Quillmeister indicated and given the use of undead, I doubt it is done for the good of the realms.

As Ryxikor brings in the comments he remembered from Veera, Axara eyes open real big. “You are so right , Elf. We know Shar is under this and we know her obsession with The Lady of Mysteries and to undo her work, the Weave. I am not sure why they want the spell casters but I am sure it is not for a good cause. ”

Axara winks at Rayen. “I cannot wait to see what else you have your bag of tricks. ”

Axara shakes her head when Quill lecture Ryxikor “Quillmeister, I think you are jumping to a lot of conclusion. Why were you affected but not me or Kessessek or even Maesyn? We all know that Shar hates Mystra and would love to take down the Weave but we do not know what kind of tools she is giving her followers. All I know is that if we start losing spells and the energy heal our enemies, we need to be quite careful on how we approach them.”

Savin retrieves his javelin as well as 10 mores from the slain undead. There are no other possession on the pile of dust left but the now dead shadow slain lizard folks. Axara smiles at Quill. “I Quillmeister, listen to the hero warrior and stop being such a big baby. I will heal you. ” She pulls out a wand and activates it. She pulls out the javelin as the gnome recovers all his health.

[spoiler]Quill: +8HP – currently at

Axara winks at Savin. “I am not so sure women gnome are interesting Quillmeister, especially when he can get lost in his books ….. ”

Kessessek looks at the group “I think we should leave immediately for the lost refuge. We can get you there in 2 or 3 hours. I am concerned that if we stay where we are, more shadow slain and monsters will attack us. Let’s go”

Axara nods and gets ready to follow that lizardfolks.

[puffmagicdragon]

Lastly, Ryxikor moves to the flying beaked creature, having never seen one of these the elf inspects it and memorizing it's flying capabilities and attacks, then taking organripper he cuts the creature open and it's stomach to see if the creature could have eaten anything of value. Afterwards, he cleans off his blade and hands, as he moves to the rest of the group, readying to trek further into the swamp.

As they group follows Kessessek, Ryx remains last, watching the groups back carefully.

[LtPowers]

Why were you affected but not me or Kessessek or even Maesyn?

"I was never attacked by the creatures," Maesyn points out. "Perhaps they had to contact an arcane spellcaster to drain a spell?"

"I agree this is urgent," he comments in regards to heading out, "but it will be dark soon. The humans will have trouble seeing."


Maesyn Silverhair

[puffmagicdragon]

"We have torches." Ryx says looking at Maesyn, "I'd rather head out now and take our chances on the move, rather than being attacked while we sleep, when they have a chance to organize a better attack."

[Ouroborosi]

Quills smiles at priestess as he thanks her for healing him.



"I have a suggestion. What if i make a illusion of the Grell over there" he points toward the brain mashed parrot "If we have no other option to take the last refuge head on. Us pretending to be shadowslain could hopefully prevents some arrows to be trained on us when we arrive?"

"Speaking of the last refuge can anyone of your folks descripe how it looks and how it is stationed?"

He then tries to reason with Kessessek about some details the lizard-man would properly find unnecessary Knowledge (Architecture) (1d20+8)[25]

[Jeraoa]

Rayen looks around at the huts. "Will your village be protected while we are gone? Is there somewhere safe the ones not going with us can go until we return?"

She watches the other check the bodies for anything they can use but does not find herself tempted to follow their example.

[razorback]

After checking the rest of the javelins to make sure they are serviceable he turns back to the others.

"I'd prefer not to travel by night, especially since torches would give away our position long before we got there. Also, some of us do not see as well in the dark, which means we don't fight so well in the dark..." he trails off, running his hands over the few days of dark, scruffy hair that is turning into the beginnings of a beard. The others can tell he is weighing something in his mind but before anyone can say anything, he continues with "... but, I think we should strike out as quickly as possible. Whoever sent this raiding party will expect them back sooner than later. The longer we delay the more apprehensive they will become."
Looking at Kessessek, he says "Miss Rayen is correct, do you're people have somewhere they can go to until this is dealt with, somewhere safe? Perhaps another tribe yours shares friendship with? Also, before we strike out, do you have supplies we can procure?"

[achinca]

Ryxikor inspects the dead grell and find that it is a flying brain with ten tentacles that can paralyze their victims. Quill is ready to lecture him on the subject if needed. The elf guts the creature big find nothing o value in the stomach.

Maesyn identifies the fact that may be the reason he did not lose any spell is because he did not get attacked by the undead. Axara nods “That is plausible explaining. And I think that divine and arcane magic react differently to these monsters as neither Kessessek nor I lost a spell and we both got attacked and engaged these creatures in a melee fight.

The issue of accessing the Lost Refuge at night and the necessitry to have torches for the humans is discussed. Kessessek chides in. “[color=red]Lost refuge has light. We will guide you there. We will be slow. Just follow us using the moonlight. ”

Rayen wonders about the huts. Kessessek shakes his head “This is a temporary settlement. We can build other hut quite fast. We have to be moving to avoid the shadow slain raids. Do not worry about these few huts. These “warriors” are with me to try to stop the dream walkers from joining the Lost refuge. We will be moving on our way after we bring you. We are too afraid of getting in and becoming shadow slain.”

Savin asks Kessessek about supplies. “We have food we can give you, all delicacies from the swamp. Just tell us if you rather have crocodile or snake. We use to have wild boar but hunting them has become too dangerous. ”

The group departs the camp and follows the leads of the lizard folks. The trail to the lost refuge is tricky but the lizard folk seem to know it perfectly. They seem really aware of the environment and at time slow down or speed to avoid an unseen danger.

Quill, always in the mood to learn more asks Kessessek about the lost refuge. The lizard folk cleric is unsure how to answer the question “It is big stone building made by the hairy folk a long time ago, when the swamp was very small. Elder lizardfolks said it was abandoned for a very long time until the recent events and the shadow slain.

With more precise question, Quill find out that it is an old keep and that is about it. Kessessek has never been inside.

After two and half hours walk in the darkness of the vast swamp but with the expect guidance of the lizardfolks, the group of heroes reaches the Lost Refuge.

Overgrown and run down, a small keep rises before the group. A pond of dark water hugs the end of the keep the group face and another pond laps against the far northeastern corner. The structure is a long enclosure formed by crumbling, 15-foot walls covered with creeping vines. This enclosure surrounds a windowless tower that rises to twice the height of the wall at the northern end. A portcullis blocks a passageway leading through the wall in the south east corner which the group faces. Flickering frelight escapes out of arrow slits in the wall near the portcullis, and what looks like a torch burns in front of the keep as well. A thin line of smoke rises into the air near the gate.

Kessessek waves goodbye at the group “This is how close as we will get. We are too afraid of becoming shadow slain. We will continue to try to stop the dream walkers.

[Ouroborosi]

Quill makes execrated arm movements when he waves the lizard out like a small child would do that.

He silently hums and corrects his glasses
"So, do we storm the gate? climb the creeping vines or do we bluff our way inside? Most of my hostile spells are spent but i have a few illusion spell left if anyone has a idea?"

[puffmagicdragon]

The elf, standing as nothing but a black silhouette in the moonlight, doesn't say a word as he watches the lizard chieftain leave. The elven mercenary then turns his attention to the wall looming before them. After a few moments of thought, Ryx turns to the others whispering, "Well, it's obvious they have guards," he says as he points out the taletell signs of a campfire, then continues, "maybe we could find another point of entry. There looks to be a few spots where the wall is crumbling, maybe we could find easy access by climbing over a low wall."

Waiting a few moments to guarge his companions reactions, Ryx turns to the wall, trying to see if any sounds can carry over the distance to his ears.

"What if myself and Savin," he says, thinking of how the powerful warrior has proven himself over and over, "sneak up there first, secure the area, then we can signal the rest of you to climb the wall.". The elf then stands quietly, waiting for some kind of reply from the rest of this group of vigilantes

Spoiler

Show

listen: (1d20+3)[22]

[Jeraoa]

Rayen takes some crocodile when offered food. It is something that she had tasted before and wouldn't mind again.

When they reach the keep, Rayen sweeps her eyes along the wall. She switches her Aura to sharping everyone's eyes and ears.

"Would not be a good idea to storm the gate and announce our presence so quickly." She looks back to the vines and studies them a moment. "Maybe climb inside near one of the dark areas? Those of us that can see better in low light can guide the others."

Spoiler

Show

Spot: (1d20+3)[6]
Search: (1d20+3)[15]

Aura changed to Senses: +1 to listen, spot, and init

[razorback]

"Always so anxious to be in the heat of things?" he says to the nearly invisible elf as he nods and grins his acceptance.
"You are more cunning in the ways of stealth... What do you think is the beat approach?"

[LtPowers]

Kessessek waves goodbye at the group “This is how close as we will get. We are too afraid of becoming shadow slain. We will continue to try to stop the dream walkers.

"You should have seen the last of the dream walkers. Is there a way we can contact you later -- to inform you of the outcome, whether we are successful or not?"


At the keep:

Maesyn reminds the group that he can cast feather fall if needed, and he can also gain the ability to fly if he casts alter self. Summon monster II might also be useful if they need a scout, though it may be a waste.


Maesyn Silverhair

[achinca]

Quill waves the lizard in an obnoxious way but the insult is lost on Kessessek. Her is not sure how to approach the keep but offer his magic.

Ryxikor proposes to look for another entry point than the portcullis which he believes is probably guarded. He proposes that him and Savin approach the wall and secure an entrance.

Rayen agrees with Ryxikor that a front gate assault is probably not the right approach. She proposes trying to climb the vines.

Savin appreciates the rogue desire for action and defers his opinion to Ryxikor expertise.
As Maesyn’s question, Kessessek replies “ Good to see that the dream walkers will be no more. We will moving around and keeping an eye on the lost refuge and try to take down any reinforcement as long as I can keep using your victory on the shadow slain as a motivator. Seeing you stand to them has shamed them and I hope to convince them to be a little more adventurous. ”

Maesyn offers a protective spell similar to Savin’s ring to fly or summon a flying creature.

Using the envelope of darkness the rogue decides to do some reconnaissance. He walks the entire outside perimeter, having to avoid area where the swamp has taken over. He comes back and has identified 5 vines strong enough to be able to carry the weight of the heroes. Ryxikor also feels that something is strange about the “torch” burning in front of the portcullis.

He also saw what look like arrow slits near the portcullis.

Spoiler

Show

Will post a map to give the group a sense of the size of the keep as well as the 3 climbing options in addition to the portcullis.
If you decide to climb, I will need silent move in addition to climb. Feet are 15 feet high.
Let me know if you want to use other tactics such as the one offered by Maesyn

[puffmagicdragon]

His more sinister smile plays across his angular elven features, mostly hidden by the darkness of night accompanied by the shadow cast off by his black wide brimmed hat, as he turns to Savin, not lost on the elf that they've only known of each other for less than a week, "Well, yes Savin, 'in the heat of things' is where things are more interesting and exciting." hesitating only briefly, Ryx continues, "Isn't that right ladies?" he says a bit louder, but not so loud as to be cought, wondering just how promiscuous a priestess and the raven haired girl actually are.

Visibily shaking his head, trying to get the thought of his two shapely companions of his mind, the rogue turns back to the crumbling wall, "We have two options, the front gate, or try and climb the wall and surprise them. There is really only one option for climbing the wall, as two of the places where the vines are strongest are protected by the swamp. So as to not hamper our diminutive friend here, I suggest we take this route, to this side," he says as he points to the right, "there is a spot to climb."

The elven mercenary hunkers down behind the protection of some large overgrown tree roots and turns back to his comrades, "I am more comfortable with those who can move quietly, moving up ahead first to scout, then those with loud armor, come up after. That way if we're heard, the scouts can come back to help with adversaries if it comes to that."

Ryxikor, sits quietly listening to what the others say about the plan, then when all are ready, the thief pulls out a medium-sized piece of black cloth, quickly and meticulously folding it over and wrapping it around his face, he ties it behind his head, covering everything underneath his almond-shaped grey eyes. The elven shaped shadow, then moves out as quietly as possible, towards the first strong vine he spotted.

Spoiler

Show

hide: (1d20+10)[16]
move silent: (1d20+10)[24]
These include the bonus from Rayen

[razorback]

Savin watches as the elf covers his face with the black cloth. "None for me?" he says with a smile.
Keeping has backpack and loading everything in, including his chain, he keeps his dagger handy knowing that is in case of emergency and that they are just here to gather some information on the keep.

Spoiler

Show

Rolls include bonus from Rayen
Climb
(1d20+4)[11](15)

Hide
(1d20+10)[20](30)

Move Silently
(1d20+8)[4](12)

[achinca]

Ryxikor recapitulate to the group what he found about the Lost Refuge. He makes an allusion at extra curriculum activities to Axara and Rayen. The cleric looks at him and say in a mysterious tone “ If you only knew, Girly Man, if you have any real idea of what can happen in the heat of things …” She shakes her head and moves a step away.

Savin likes Ryxikor plan and the two of them decide to see if they can climb the vines and stay silent enough. They do their best to be silent but somehow, they have to sacrifice their ability to hide.

At they get closer to their climbing point, the “torch” moves next to the arrow slits, make some noise and then disappear. A rough female voice says “Who goes there?. The sound comes from the arrow slits on the outer wall near the gate.

[Ouroborosi]

Quill leans toward "Charms" the bard
"Not good, can we still pretend being under influence of the Starry Gnosis? You, me, Mus-savin. The ladies remain here Pair--a Mystra priestress?
I can send my assistant to silks to keep us pasted about his where about?"

[LtPowers]

"I don't know," replies the Bard. "How good are you at acting? It's not my specialty."


Maesyn Silverhair

[Ouroborosi]

"I was hoping you would do the talking, even there victims follow the map yes? So they are in as much in the dark as us."

"We are just brainwashed in believing what we do is the right thing to do how hard can that be?" ooc:o dear movie fail line

[Jeraoa]

Rayen raises her eyebrow at Axara's comment and a slight smile appears on her lips.

When the voice calls out near the gate, she grits her teeth. "A little less talking might be good about now, unless everyone is ready to make a move. We might have company soon."