Mordae's New Keep on the Borderlands 3.5 (IC)

[TheTick]

Renard leads against a tree, mopping sweat from his brow. Marching in chain, even of elven make, is not easy work. He's about to voice his displeasure when he looks up and really sees the waterfall for the firs time. It's truly breathtaking, and it serves as a reminder of why priests of Fharlanghn travel the lands. Out loud he only says "What a lovely place. Which way from here, you figure, lads?"

Spoiler

Seriously, I'm looking for the map as I don't remember where we were going from here. Heh.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Stenly spots and examines the scene with a scowl, his fists on his hips.

He agrees with Renard. "Yes, I can see this gods-awful place for the foul, corrupt and blighted land it is. Obviously no place so unnasuming could really be safe, eh?"

He grips at his weapons and then pokes around in his pack. "So. Who's hungry?"

[gunnar11]

Adomourne whines for the hundreth time already: "Are we there yet? Can't we take another rest? Surely a seventh time isn't that much? For a mage like me-" and he doesn't finish his sentence. The landscape is breathtaking, and silentle he watches it. It seems like an eternity he and the group are standing, enjoying the view on the waterfall and the beautifull works the water and gravity pull off.
Finally, two of the group begin to speak, and so pull him out of his trance.
"I agree on having some lunch, maybe drink some water too while we're at it." Adomourne says. "After that we can build some kind of shelter and wait for the night, yes? Keeping on going is reckless. As for the destination, I suggest we continue to the southern side of the lake, to the undergrowth there, but, as I said, not until tomorrow." he looks around the group, waiting for approval.

[TheTick]

Renard smiles and nods at Stenly. "This land may hold corrupt creatures, but it will endure long past the corruption itself. Kingdoms rise and fall, and this land will still be here. But I do go on. Yes, let's set up camp and have something to eat." He glances at Adomourne. "As for our path, I have no problem with that suggestion."

[Doomboy911]

Daniel hops down from his hiding spot. ["Right very scenic very lovely but did anyone spot any tracks as they came along? Daniel begins drawing in the road.

[Mordae]

Camp is set, and Stenly, Renard, Adomourne, and Daniel take turns keeping watch while the others rest from the hike. The next morning dawns late but clear, rapidly warming as the sun peers over the mountains that shroud the high river valley.

Daniel leads the way down the side of the hill and up again along the sheer south face of the reservoir above the falls. From up close, the narrow but useable paths along the cracks in the face are evident. So, too, are some trampled plants that indicate something has been by this way.

Stenly:

Spoiler

There seems to be a little hollow near the base of the falls. It's well hidden behind some bushes that appear to have been coerced to grow across the opening.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Stenly enjoys some breakfast and grumbles about there not being any beer. He wanders a bit from camp, however, and can be seen near the waterfall, apparently mingling with a number of small animals - who seem to tolerate him more easily than the rest of you.

Spoiler

Make nice with some local critters and get an idea of the layout here, where the hole leads, and what sort of monsters are hereabouts. Whatever I can learn from my little friends.

Wild Empathy take 20 = 24
Cast Speak with Animals
Kno: Nature (1d20+2)[17]
Kno: Dungeoneering (1d20+2)[21]

[Mordae]

Additional Stenly:

Spoiler

Note the above relative to the possible cave.

The local wildlife--a wood thrush and a pair of sparrows--are rather chatty and willing to tell you all about what they see from above. There are frequently scaly men coming out from behind the waterfall, but they mostly stay close to the river and do not bother the little birds when they fly away to the forest. There are also sometimes hairy men and orange men who come from the hole to fish, and they sometimes fight with each other.

[Doomboy911]

Daniel makes a quick mental note of what he's seen and heads back. "Seems I'be got some pertinent information I can share with all of you but I need some pertinent information in return. When we find these giants what do you plan to do kill them or talk with them?"

[Gorgon_Heap]

The gnome walks about for some time, whistling and cooiong and softly cajoling several birds while alternatley slithering about on the ground and climbing up trees. For the uninitiated, it's a comical sight.

He returns happliy, however, and dusts himself off in satisfaction.

"They say there are scaly men who might live behind the waterfall who mostly stay close to the river. There are also sometimes hairy men and orange men - I dunno - orcs maybe? hobgoblins? who come from that hole to do fishing and fight with each other."

He points toward important features as he talks.

[TheTick]

Renard nods as Stenly relates what his woodland creature friends told him. "The scaly folk are probably the troglodytes we seek. The others...I'd like to avoid being caught between competing groups, but maybe they'll weaken each other..." He looks at the others as he trails off.

[Doomboy911]

Daniel leaps into a tree and stares down at them "Can't go running blind, won't do it, won't allow it. It's just unprofessional and a tad embarrassing. Oh wise leader if you want more than my criticism just order it." Daniel pulls an apple out and shines it with some cloth.

[Mordae]

Before anyone can respond, an arrow comes flying out of the narrow gap by the falls. It crashes into the tree where Daniel was pontificating, missing him by inches.

[TheTick]

[roll0]

"Daniel, watch yourself!" Renard shouts, and then begins muttering a prayer of protection.

Casting Entropic Shield - ranged attacks against me have a 20% miss chance. I will have my Heavy Crossbow at the ready ASAP. Can I see where the attack came from?

[Gorgon_Heap]

Stenly looks at Daniel smugly. "The gods have spoken."
He draws weapons and dives for cover.

[gunnar11]

Adomourne seeks cover as Renard shouts.
He seeks cover himself too and casts Mage Armor on himself, after which he tries to get a clear view at the ones standing behind the waterfall (without him being an easy target, of course.

Spoiler

Casting Mage Armor

[Doomboy911]

Daniel takes a bite of his apple staring up at the arrow for a brief moment acting as if he didn't even notice it. Daniel whispers The gods seem to be a poor shot" And than using his peripheral vision he watches the falls. "Nobody move I'm gathering information"

Ready an action to leap out of the way of another arrow while watching to see exactly where it came from.

[Mordae]

Stenly, Adomourne, and Daniel take cover as Renard prepares himself with spell and bow. The attacks appear to be coming from a narrow cleft between the falling water and the damp rock cliff behind the falls. Another two arrows lance out from the dark spot; both deflect off of the invisible swirling forces that surround Renard.

Daniel:

Spoiler

From your vantage now, you can see the arrow that came at you first, just inches from your feet. The head is carved stone, razor sharp, and both the head and fletching are attached with twisted gut.

[TheTick]

Renard cranes his neck, but can see nothing in the dark cavern by the waterfall. "Gents, I'm going move up to those rocks and see what I can see. I'll raise my right fist over my head if I spot any of the troublemakers."

Spoiler

Moving (probably a full round move since I don't have a target anyway) to get to that 30-40ft range you mentioned as still having partial cover. If I can spot the enemy, I'll signal as listed.

Spot - (1d20+3)[15]

[Gorgon_Heap]

Stenly hunkers behind whataver's convenient, noks an arrow into his longbow's string and tries to find a target.

Spoiler

Listen (1d20+3)[17]
Spot (1d20+1)[11]

[Mordae]

Renard moves forward, tucking himself behind a boulder and peering down into the darkness. At the closer distance of thirty feet, he raises his fist as he takes in the situation.

Renard:

Spoiler

There are three human-looking figures doing the shooting. They don't appear to be using any military tactics, but are just hunting from concealment.

Stenly:

Spoiler

You can make out some movement from down there, but not enough to draw a firm target. Any attack would be at a -2.

[Gorgon_Heap]

The gnome grins and watches a patch of trees closely. He waggles his brows in good-natured excitement at his companions. "Let's rush'em!" he says clearly. He then vaguely wiggles his fingers off to his left... and the sound of heavy plodding feet emanates from that direction, rushing up the hill to flank the attackers.

He then brings his bow back into line to loose at the first sign of movement.

Spoiler

Casts ghost sound to spook the baddies and prepares to fire on target next round. Please let me know if it's within 30 feet at that time.

[gunnar11]

Adomourne tries to close in to the targets, tstopping before the place where either there is no more concealment, or he is able to see his enemies, whichever comes first.
He then begins to chant in the ancient languages, and gestures follow.

Spoiler

Moving until I see them, or where there is no cover.
After that, cast Magic Missile (4d4+4)[10] if they are in view, if not, cast animalistic power on Renard

[Doomboy911]

(Dm said I took cover and that my turn was spent doing that but seeing people ahead of me and behind me going confuses me.)

"Very unproffesional. Hey Tiny you've got animate rope in your bag of tricks because I've got some rope in my bag of tricks." Daniel says taking his rope out and tying it around a crossbow bolt.

[Mordae]

As Renard and Adomourne move forward and the sound of additional troops comes from the downhill side of the falls, the shadowy figures look spooked. They fire another round of arrows, all of which sail safely over Renard's head, before vanishing back further into the dark recess behind the falls.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Stenly courageously sits behind his tree stump and looses an arrow at fleeing backsides...

Spoiler

Attack (1d20+9)[25]
Crit (1d20+9)[26]
Damage (1d6+2)[6]

[Doomboy911]

"Hey sorry about all these hostilities. We're looking for some Lizardmen. I've got some shiny gold for anyone who has any information." Daniel says from behind his rocky cover.

[Mordae]

Stenly's shot in the dark strikes home. There is a cry and then a thump from within as one of the figures collapses. The rest flee into darkness.

Being the closest, Renard picks his way forward to examine the scene. The hole behind the waterfall is a tunnel in the damp and slippery stone, while the enemies were firing from a narrow, slick ledge jutting out just a couple of feet from the cliff. The one who was shot moments ago is a pale-skinned, hairless human whose pallid flesh is covered with crudely stitched goat skins. His hand-made bow lies just out of reach, but given the pool of blood under him and the trickle coming from his mouth, he won't be reaching for it again.

[Doomboy911]

(Didn't really do anything outside of talking so I'm going to continue with my turn.)

Daniel casually moves forwards with crossbow in one hand. "Bloody unprofessional, unprepared, unnecessary, unpaid murder. So what is this raggedy mug doing out in the middle of nowhere."

[TheTick]

"Murder? You're talking about him, right?" Renard nudges the body with his foot. "I don't recall any of us firing first, or calls to parley."