[Game Thread] A Pulse

[Nasrith]

With the aid of Aetius's potion, the group glided along the path for the remainder of the day, or at least that's what it felt like. Their footfalls were so soft that not even the topmost, invisible layer of dust on the road had been disturbed. Near the end of the day, they came across the fork that the map indicated as leading towards Ironridge.

The next day had been quiet. The chirping of birds and call of insects had been the only companion to the group as they traveled the nameless trail to their goal. Once, someone thought they spotted an orc, but it turned out to be only a specter of the previous day's battle. They neared the mass of mountain known as Ironridge just before nightfall, and went to sleep with its presence looming.

23th Day of the Lucky Moon in the Year 628 - An Hour Past Dawn - At the Base of Ironridge

Morning mist covered the camp, causing the sun's light to refract and bounce around eerily. The obscurity of the light did not, however, prevent the party from seeing Ironridge in all of its glory. If anything, the mountain, outlined by the sun and low clouds, looked more imposing. The noise of animals that had accompanied them the day before seemed a world away. All other civilization had ceased to exist; now, it was only them and the mountain.

The slope was gentle at first, with trees populating the gradient in abundance. As the mountain wore on, its flora abated, giving way first to scraggly shrubs and dwarfed trees, and then to bare rock face higher up. Dark avian shapes circled the mountain. The huge birds of prey known to take roost in the Divide were in abundance here.

Collectively, the party members' hearts caught in their throats. It was as if they knew that Ironridge marked the beginning of an epic and life-changing journey. The time to begin the ascent was fasting approaching.

[Lixy Parmenter]

"Alright," Larissa began efficiently as she finished helping pack up camp and stowed away all of her reserve gear in her backpack. "I'm done over here, and it looks like everyone else is finishing up. Anyone need to do anything more before we start on up? Prayers, bodily functions, anything?"

"With those birds flying around up there and gods know what else lurking out here, we'll want to make an organized and defensible marching column, and I'm not going in front for obvious reasons. Volunteers?"

[Oceanic]

Aetius had a good night of rest. Although the looming Ironridge was ominous to look at, he felt strangely comforted and relaxed under its shadow. He woke up early and finished packing his belongings, which were not much to begin with. As he routinely checked over his equipments for the long day ahead for the third times, he tried to recall what he knew about the Ironridge. While the early morning mist prevented him from making out most of the features of the rock face, he seemed to recall something about an easier way up the mountain when he talked to the villagers they saw a few days ago. Also, he recalled the conversations he had with a local avian hunter last year, during one of his guide job.

As Aetius waited outside the camp for his companions to finish their routines, he contemplated about the sheer size of the mountain range. Suddenly reminded of his fellow travelers' unfamiliarity with the wilds, he made a mental note to pay attention to the various natural hazards on and around the peaks of the Ironridge.

As Larissa finished her morning routine with surprising haste considering her fashion sense and arcane knowledge, Aetius greeted her. "How are you this fine morning, Miss. Vanderhall?" In response to her query, Aetius said. "I prefer to assume the first or second position to scout out ahead for potential danger, even though I don't tend to stay too close to the violence."

OOC Spot check for an easier approach to assent: 11(1) Knowledge (Geography) for an easier approach to assent: 22(19) Knowledge (Nature) for info about the avian: 30 (18) Survival to avoid natural hazards for the party: 23(11)

[Paul the Bald]

Gavin couldn't stop looking at the mountain as he packed his belongings. It was a beautiful day, and he couldn't help smiling despite the difficulty of what they were about to attempt.

"Ready," he said with a little more confidence than he had felt the previous day. "Maybe I should take up the rear. If you think that's best."

[julian]

Heart won't stop beating. Tulis placed his hand over his heart as if to steady himself. Gods it feels like I'm wandering into my first bandit cave. It was an unfamiliar feeling. One like exhilaration but without the need or drive. It made his heart race and his fingers twitch. The swordsman had to bite his lip to help keep it check.

Nerves acting up at a time like this, he mumbled as the group came upon the last hop on their journey. Try as he might, Tulis failed to catch every bit of their conversation hearing only that they were trying to decide what order to proceed in. Tearing his eyes away from the mountain he chimed in with, Best eyes always has point. Who ever needs a good view of the battle to use their powers always has middle. It was generic advice he'd given before and the little thought he had to place into it afforded Tulis more time to appreciate the rapid beating of his heart.

At least that was papa's advice...

[Nasrith]

The party managed to completely clear their camp in just under twenty minutes. Aetius took the point, with Tulis, Larissa, Varudo, and Gavin following about ten feet behind him in that order. He took special care to avoid a number of small pitfalls, a rotted log hanging over a ravine flowing from the mountain and a small rockslide among them, proving his extreme outdoor expertise (and no doubt taking some pressure off Gavin as the go to tracker in the group).

By the time they cleared the majority of the trees, the morning mist had burned off and the sun cast its heat over them just as it had for nearly the entire journey so far. Not long after that, Aetius performed his most impressive feat of the day: he managed to find a pseudo-trail completely from memory that wound itself up the mountain squeezed right between two rock faces that the group would undoubtedly have been forced to climb otherwise.

Even though he had managed to lead everyone around a number of physically taxing obstacles, the path he had found up Ironridge eventually came to an end. This left the party, who had by now broken rank due to the heat and the nature of the trail they followed, faced with a steeply inclining rock face. They could climb it, but it would be a challenge, especially without the proper equipment. To make matters worse, the forms they had seen that morning - or maybe it was some similar flying creatures - had honed in on the group and circled high above, more visible than before, but still too high to be harmed.

OOC Climb checks if you want to attempt to scale the wall. Really sorry about the low quality of the post; I'm super tired and just wanted to get things moving since I'll be busy most of tomorrow too.

[Lixy Parmenter]

Seeing Aetius preparing to scale the wall, Larissa adds, "I can use magic to climb up there too, so don't get yourself killed trying anything reckless." The tiefling tightens the ponytail she's keeping her dark hair out of the way in, hanging back and watching both Aetius and the creatures flying far above.

[Paul the Bald]

"I don't mind climbing, but I --uh -- I didn't bring any climbing equipment." Gavin feels his face flush a little, and turns away from the party to have another look at the creatures circling high above them.

[Oceanic]

Aetius eyed the circling creatures above their heads warily. He sat down and retrieved, from his backpack, a grappling hook and a coil of sturdy silk rope. "I've been observing those creatures for some times. I'm quite certain that they are eagles. Giant eagles, to be more precise." He spoke to the group while his hands worked to tie the rope to the grappling hook. "Also, I have heard of tales and saw griffons throughout this entire region before, so please be careful when you attempt the wall."

Satisfied with his knot, Aetius Secret Use rope check +5tossed the grappling hook up to the top of the wall. However, after hearing what seems to be concern in Larissa's voice, he responded. "Perhaps you are right. If you can get up there using the arcane art, maybe you could aid us by tying the rope to something firm." Wouldn't want to add sudden-plummet-to-earth on top of sudden-attack-from-vicious-predator. He thought while glancing once more at the birds hovering high above the blazing, spotless sky.

After hearing Artren's comment, Aetius couldn't help but think. What is in that bag that he carries with him? However, recalling the archer's previous outburst, Aetius decided to say nothing.

OOC Climb check: 15 (13)

[Paul the Bald]

Gavin watches in open-mouthed amazement as Larissa disappears in front of him. He had seen a little magic in his years, but nothing like this. The rope seems to pick itself up and float up. He hears her voice from somewhere up the cliff, and felt a little chill at the power contained in this young woman. Suddenly his ability with a bow did not seem quite as advantageous as he had imagined.

When the rope finally came back down he tugged on it tentatively. It was firmly attached and knotted, and hefound it fairly easy to move up the cliff. He had always enjoyed climbing trees as a boy, but had never attempted anything like this. So far so good...

OoC Climb check: 24(18) -- Just call me monkey boy! Wait, no, don't call me that. Forget I said anything...

[Lixy Parmenter]

Watching the shapes in the sky above anxiously with her strange red eyes, Larissa nods and agrees, "I'll tie the rope to something solid up there. Don't leave me alone up there longer than you need to, I don't like the looks of this place." The tiefling Casts Spider Climb. Duration 40 minutes.chants a few words and gestures with her hands, then reaches into her spell component pouch and draws out a few small items. Continuing in a single, smooth movement, Larissa throws the objects into her mouth and swallows them with a grimace.

There is no obvious effect from the first spell, but Larissa quickly begins Casts Invisibility. Duration 4 minutes.chanting, gesturing, and drawing components from her bag anew. As she throws the object she drew from her pouch into the air, Larissa intones one last strange word, and both the tiefling and the small object she just threw disappear. "I'll yell down when the rope's ready," a disembodied voice says. Some invisible force seems to gather hold of the rope, bring it towards the wall, and then begin ascending the cliff face with no delay or signs of difficulty.

[Nasrith]

Aetius fails initially to secure the grappling hook on the mountain face, but that problem is quickly taken care of. Larissa takes the grappling hook from him and, using her new, spell given climbing skills, scales the particular incline in less than a minute. She lodges the grappling hook in the crevice of a sturdy looking rock and calls down for the rest of the party to climb up the rope after her.

The rope itself has been fully extended; its silken end dangles about a foot in the air and sways ever so gently in the mountain breeze. The birds still circle overhead, not having noticed any movement of their pray save for the disappearance of the tiefling.

OOC Not sure what has happened to ID. Waiting on a climb check from Julian and then we'll move on.

[julian]

By the gods, their mothers and estranged fathers... thought Tulis looking up at the cliff the others were preparing to scale. The man was not a climber and assistance or no this wasn't a venture he was looking forward to. Tentatively he grasped the rope and (with a gulp and last longing look at the safety of the ground he was about to leave) Tulis began a slow and careful ascent.

OOC Climb Check: 10 (10)

[Nasrith]

With the rope secured on the rocks above, the four party members that hadn't magically enhanced their abilities began to climb. Gavin scurried up the incline almost as quickly as Larissa had, much to the amazement of his three companions below and one above. He joined her at the top in no time at all and waited for the others to come behind him.

Aetius made his way slowly and steadily up the rock face. Behind him, Tulis made his way up more slowly than Aetius and a lot less steadily. Varudo, who brought up the rear, followed the swordsage's example to the letter, much to the chagrin of everybody else involved.

It was then, with Gavin and Larissa watching the others from above, Aetius almost with them on solid ground, and Tulis and Varudo flailing up the rope far below that the birds Aetius had indicated earlier began their decent. They flew down past where Larissa and Gavin were perched, talons instead extended towards the backs of the three that still worked to climb up the rope.

OOC Anyone still climbing that takes damage must make either a climb check or a use rope check, doesn't get a dexterity bonus to AC, and can only make a move action or a standard action, not both. You also can't fire a bow while climbing for obvious reasons. Aetius can make it to flat ground in one turn, while Varudo and Tulis will take… Well, more turns than it's probably worth even saying. Roll for initiative and post first round actions.

[julian]

I suppose we must look like delectable little treats from here, thought Tulis as he drew his sword. Not seeing any hope of reaching their summit before some large bird of prey tried to cut his adventure short, the swordsman thought it better to prepare himself in whatever way he could to face off against the larger beasts.

OCC Free Action: Assume Giant Killing Stance Move Action: Draw weapon Initiative Roll: 9(5) HP: 29/36 AC/T/F: 13/10/13 F/R/W: 3/6/7