[Game Thread] IV. The Ruins of Archeebald Mountain

[LupusRegalis]

Fahd reluctantly tosses the two longspears to the ground, near the base of the cliff. No matter how useful he thought they might be, there was no way he could lug them up while climbing. With a snort and a shake of his head, he rearranges his gear to sit comfortably, and thanks the spirits he's not wearing heavy armor. He takes Rip's suggestion and limbers up his fingers as best possible, rubbing them in his warm cloak. As ready as he's like to get, he does his best to follow in the older man's example as he

Dice Climb check:

1d20sh15

8

✘

attempts to scale the cliff face.

[Krimchee]

Silas undid his winter walkers and quickly stowed them. Silently he adjusted them to get the balance right, and to make sure they were secure. He craned his neck, looking up the slope and silently cursed to himself. His long brown hair rustled in the breeze, and he quietly pushed it back from his wind chapped cheeks and tucked it behind his ear. He felt better since being healed, but feeling better and feeling rested were two very different things.

"I hate heights", Dan said. This brought Silas out of his own misery for a moment, and he looked at his friend with open concern in his brown eyes. A vision of Dan smashed on a dark, dusty, subterranean floor with a pool of dark blood spreading underneath his head flashed through Silas' mind. He could hear the sound his friend's head had made on impact, the way it seemed to echo in the darkness. The sound echoed through his mind now. "You'll be fine, buddy," he said, clapping him on the shoulder. "We've climbed uglier cliffs than this back in The Hollow," he said encouragingly. With our heads stuffed full of moss... he added mentally, but didn't say it out loud. "I'll go in front of you and pick out the safest path. Just follow my lead."

Carefully, Silas began his ascent, moving carefully and calling out good hand and footholds to his friend below.

Climb Check Climb Dice Roll: 1d20+7 (17)+7 Total = 24

[HenryLockwood]

Though tired and bruised, Karla does not give up at the sight of the cliff. She glances sideways at Dan's complaint - when is he not complaining? Can't he see he should hide such weakness? - and gets ready to climb the cliff. Silas' athletic climb, and his choice of route, are worth watching, and Karla does so. Of course, if asked she'd have said she was ready to help if he fell.

Finally, it's Karla's turn to climb. She stows the oversized paddle-shoes on her back, checks her swords are secure, and begins the effort. Perhaps it's desperation, perhaps it's Silas' guidance, or perhaps it's sheer dumb luck: but Karla's grip on the wall is as tenacious as her battle-fury, and she makes the climb swiftly and easily.

OOC I can't believe none of us picked up 50' of rope! Dice Climb: 1d20+2 (19)+2 Total = 21

[mountainbound]

Though the way up the rock was steep, there turned out to be several footholds, and the divide in the stone was wide enough for you to prop your back against one side, and shimmy up. Sure, you had to be careful, and with cold hands it was tricky, but after a surprisingly short time, Rip, Karla and Fahd all make it to the snow-blanketed plateau at the top of Archeebald mountain.

A few twisted hemlock crown the peak like laurels on the temple of a champion. And at the very summit is a henge of standing stones, each nine or ten feet tall, and crossed by a stone of like size, laying horizontally atop them. You had all seen the stone henges of the Ichvaal before -- though many similar structures of They Who Came Before had been destroyed by time and neglect, or deconstructed and repurposed by human settlers over the past forty years. There was one set of decimated standing stones near Leyman's Hollow that Silas and Dan knew very well, in fact.

But this one... was still in tact. How they might have stacked such massive stones was beyond imagining, but one thing was certain: the place had power. It takes Fahd only a few steps in the direction of the henge before his skin grows warm. Walking a few steps behind the spirit chaser, Karla notices Fahd's cloak begin to change color, swirling like a mood ring from its normal deep sable, to a bright orange and red. A sun symbol appears upon it, and bits of flame snake up from Fahd's shoulders and hood. Strangest of all, Fahd doesn't seem to notice.

Not far away, Rip grunts. "The Ruins of Archeebald mountain. It's a powerful place if you carry Ichvaali relics, which you obviously do," he says meaningfully to Fahd, who only then notices that his cloak was practically on fire. "The magic put into items made by They Who Were Before is made ten times more powerful when used in a sacred place like this."

While the trio atop the mountain look around the famous Ruins, Silas is dealing with Dan. After only a minute or so of climbing -- the wizard mustn't have climbed more than ten feet up the chimney -- he lost his grip and slipped back to the ground. "Feck it. Let Olaf come, I'll fight him down here," he yells up to Silas. "But I'm not risking my neck again on a fecking stone wall. No way!"

Try as he might, there was nothing the ranger could say to convince his friend to make the climb. "Feck no!" was all that Dan would say, laying in the snow and completely defeated at the base of the rock. It wasn't until another cry echoes over the forest that he gets up -- Olaf was looking for them, and that was enough to bring Dan to his senses. "But I'm not climbing!" he yells up to Silas, who was about 40' above him.

It's then that the wolf appears out of the trees. The animal brushes past Dan and then takes a few paces before looking up at Silas. Its green eyes practically glow in the gathering darkness among the pines. In the ranger's mind, the wolf's message is clear: I know another way. I will take him.

DM's Note Dan has just developed a debilitating fear of heights. From here on, he will refuse to climb. Players at the top: skill checks might tell you more (as always). Silas: You notice a curious and unsettling quiver on your back. The horn seems to tremble as you get closer to the top of Archeebald mountain. You have another 25' of ascent, but there's no need to roll if you continue up. If you head down and climb back up, you'll need to make another roll.

[LupusRegalis]

Ah, if only we had the Sword the Watchers spoke of... Fahd thought to himself, looking with wonder at the transformed cloak about his shoulders. We could wake the Sleepers, and perhaps answer some questions. "questions...more questions than answers, lately." He says to himself, out loud. I wonder if any Watchers of the Silent Flame are here, in this place. It seems so much more alive.

Eyes wide, Fahd crosses the ground to approach the Standing Stones left by the Ichvaali. His steps slow as he gets closer to the ring, until he is looking up at one of the arches from its base. The resemblance to a larger than life doorway is prominent in his thoughts, and he hesitates to enter. Strange and unexplainable forces governed those sites the Ichvaali had built, so long ago. A wise man took care to keep that in mind, as Silas and Dan knew all too well. Yet Fahd felt drawn, if by curiosity alone, to the Ring. He had questions, and a part of him hoped he might get some answers.

With that in mind, Fahd stepped through the archway before him as if it was a doorway, looking to see if perhaps he might be greeted by a familiar sight. If, like Rip had said, this place was Sacred and still Powerful, he hoped that he might find another group of Watchers here to speak with. A last lingering thought of their recent events pushes into his head as he does walk through the arch, of Lynx and the damage done to his companions host. A deep sadness grips him, as he'd been so rushed to get the horn and reach safety, that he'd forgotten. Stopping in place, just on the other side of the doorway, he calls out to the Spirit of Lynx. Come to me, and I will heal your host, in thanks for his aid!

[HenryLockwood]

"He'll see you with those flames, questions or not."

The mix of fear and hatred in Karla's voice leaves no doubt as to who he is. Almost frantic, she looks around for somewhere to get out of sight, somewhere to shelter while the storm of Olaf's rage passes. Fahd steps through the archway, and Karla looks around in horror. Though she is no native of these strange lands, she has spent long enough this side of the ocean that she has heard many of the stories. The Ruins are strange, and unpredictable, and dangerous - and Karla

Dice Perception:

1d20+9

(5)+9

Total = 14

watches for anything untoward happening.

[LupusRegalis]

"Not much I can do about that, though." Fahd says, looking over his shoulders back at Karla. He can understand her point, but wasn't sure what he could do about it. "Not too many places we could have gone anyways. We are just going to have to do the best we can at the moment." His voice is calm, and he is doing his best to keep it that way, despite his own excitement. The day's events were starting to wear on him as well, and if the situation wasn't so dire, he'd be looking to fall asleep. He had a feeling it wasn't the right time for that yet, though.

[Krimchee]

Cursing silently, Silas knew he couldn't let his Dan go alone. He was about to say something that would challenge Dan's testicular fortitude when the wolf's sending brought him up short. In fact, the sending startled him enough that he nearly fell off his perch on the cliff-side, as his head whipped around to find the source. Of course he knew where it had come from, but he searched frantically to find the wolf anyway. When he found the white wolf, the wolf's silver eyes met his, and Silas had the impression that the wolf nodded at him.

"I'm coming with you,"Silas announced and quickly bounded down from the short distance he'd made it up the cliff to join
Dan and the wolf. "Show us the way", he sent silently to the wolf. "And thank you for looking after my friend".

[mountainbound]

Silas and Dan After a protracted conversation from the cliffside, and Dan's flat-out refusal to climb, Silas refuses to abandon his friend, picking his way back down the rock. The wolf snuffs through the snow and then bounds off into the trees, leaving the ranger and wizard barely time to tie the laces of their winterwalkers once again. The animal quickly outpaces the men, disappearing through the trees and boulders that wind their way up the other side of the mountain. Soon it becomes a matter of tracking rather than following, and in the fading light, that's no easy thing. Certainly not something that Dan would ever be able to do. Lucky for him, Silas has a better eye for prints in the snow. DM's Note Silas: Survival check to follow the wolf's trail. DC 11. It's unrelated to the wolf prints, but you can also make a Perception check.

Fahd, Karla, Rip "What the hell is taking those two?" Rip growls. The wind was picking up, the sky was darkening with night, and it was fecking cold. The old ranger knew their predicament better than anyone, and wanted to be in the relative safety of the Ichvaali caverns. He paces in front of the set of large stones directly in the middle of the ring: a crude cave opening that can only lead downward into the mountain. Fahd also approaches the cave entrance, feeling the power in his cloak crackle. The place was most assuredly sacred -- but why? He wonders at that moment, about the horn, a relic equally if not more powerful than his cloak. What if someone were to blow it here, as Olaf was planning? The spirit chaser turns his thoughts to Lynx, and the battered condition of the animal that had answered his summons at the battle with the bear shaman. He reaches out to the Great Lynx spirit, and has his call greeted within only a few short moments. A young lynx -- not the one called previously -- climbs down from some of the nearby stones, as if it were watching the group the entire time. Karla scans the circle of stones, taking a moment to peer back down the rock face, only to find that Silas and Dan are nowhere to be seen. She is about to yell down at them -- maybe they were just temporarily concealed by an outcropping of stone? -- but something on the red horizon catches her eye. A black shape, like a bird, is winging fast over the trees, and coming straight for the top of the mountain. DM's Note The situation: The huge bird-thing is flying full tilt and seems to be heading for the ruins. You don't know where Silas and Dan are. The wind makes it hard to hear, and the growing darkness makes it hard to see. This lynx is "fresh," and is at full HP. The rock cave in the center of the ring of standing stones looks something like this:   .

[HenryLockwood]

"He's coming back. Nothing we can do for them but hope, and it's the horn he'll be after."

Karla looks about, frantically, for somewhere to hide. The cave is not her idea of a good place: dark, and difficult to see; with no way out if Olaf follows. The mountaintop is bare, though, and the cave is all there is. Heedless of whether the others join her, Karla bolts under the overhanging rock, drawing her swords and turning to face the entrance. Whatever comes, whenever it comes - it will have to get past the blades before it injures her.

[LupusRegalis]

"...Silas has the horn..." Fahd says. His voice betrays his emotions, sadness and regret, though his eyes do no leave the young lynx approaching them. He can only assume this means his earlier companion had succumbed to his wounds, for which he felt both grief, and thankfulness at the creatures sacrifice on his behalf. He would endeavor not to waste it, nor to cause a similar situation again. Ah, Great Lynx, thank you for your aid. Send this young one home, for I travel in dark places soon. Give my Respect and Thanks to he who aided me earlier.

"Karla. Rip. Go inside the cave and wait for me there." Fahd says calmly, as the wind whips his glorious coat of fire into a wings of flame. "If Olaf comes, he cannot but see me here. If I can, I will buy some time for Silas and Dan. Olaf must not be allowed to have the horn, not for any reason."

[mountainbound]

Karla, Fahd, and Rip Once it's clear that Olaf is on his way, Karla does the sensible thing and moves for the cover of the dolman in the center of the stone circle. Rip is close behind, saying: "He won't follow us in here, he won't follow us," as if to comfort himself. Inside the rock overhang there are several drifts of snow and blown leaves which soon give way to a wide set of stairs leading down into darkness. Only Fahd remains outside, his cloak glowing like an ember against a twilight sky. Soon the flap of heavy wings can be heard over the wind and then a loud thump, just outside the circle of standing stones. What appears is something other than Olaf, however. It's of man-form, horrible to look upon. Surely, it's Olaf, but his arms are covered in shaggy fur, and his face… his face is a mash of bear, sloth and man. Huge jowls hang beneath beady bear-eyes. His mouth, full of unnaturally sharp teeth, is able to form words as he shambles toward the spiritchaser. No longer quite human, Olaf stands almost eight feet tall, and his voice is deep and feral. "Look upon me and see what you have done!" he snarls, still coming at Fahd. "You will give me the horn, or I will tear you to pieces --where is it?!" Combat Notes Fahd: You are being magically Commanded to reveal the location of the horn. Will DC 14 to resist, otherwise you may not hinder Olaf in any way and must comply with his compulsion. A Knowledge (Spirits) check might provide more insight into Olaf's condition.

[LupusRegalis]

"The horn is safely beyond your grasp, Olaf." Fahd replies, doing his best to

Dice Bluff:

1d20+4

(4)+4

Total = 8

convinceboth himself and Olaf of that. He pauses for a moment, realizing that for a moment as he'd begun to reply he'd almost done just as Olaf asked. It was disconcerting. Nevertheless, he did look upon Olaf in his terrible form, and he realized he felt no guilt or responsibility for this. Only pity. He knew it would only anger the spirit- binder further but he could not hold his tongue. It was not as if he wasn't already marked to be killed.

"Olaf, do not fool yourself. You are responsible for this consequence." Fahd

Dice Diplomacy:

1d20+8

(14)+8

Total = 22

entreated the thing before him. "Your lust for Power brought you to this. As long as you walk this dark road all you will ever find is more of the same. Turn away, before it is too late."

[mountainbound]

Silas and Dan Still waiting on Krimchee's action.

Fahd, Karla, Rip The giant, misshapen form of Olaf grunts, stepping closer to Fahd. "I have searched for that horn, longer than anyone. No doubt you serve the Wizard, yes? And now you're in league with that traitor Rip, useless puppet!" Breath steams from his huge maw in clouds, and his hands flex -- no longer does he wear gloves fashioned like bear paws, truly now his hands look closer to claws than fingers. "The horn is mine -- I am to be the ruler of the north, not that... foreigner from the swamps. What is he paying you?" Olaf looks to the dolman, where Rip stands gripping his bow beside Karla. "A hundred gold crowns? Mere coins for the secret of all Ichvaali power, just so he can add it to his collection? You're a fool if you-- uuuph!" At that moment Rip strides from beneath the dolman and sends two arrows directly into Olaf's chest. "Better him than you!" the grizzled ranger shouts. The bear-shaman roars in anger, and as he pulls Rip's arrow from his flesh, three shadows rise up from the snow at his feet. Like wolves they move, but there's no real form or substance to them -- just glowing blue crystals for eyes that shine in the twilight. "I will devour you!" Olaf shouts. He lunges toward Fahd -- who is near the entrance of the dolman. Quicker than the shaman come the shadow-wolves, or whatever they are. Two whip toward the spirit chaser, their eyes casing an evil light upon the snow. The third dashes past, flying straight toward the opening of the dolman. Combat Notes Party Status Fahd & Lynx have two beasts coming quick. Olaf is advancing and will be moving past your square this round as well. Karla & Rip, one of the beasts and Olaf will be at the entrance to the dolman this round. Enemy Status Olaf: AC 16, Wounded for 10hp. (attack on 17) Shadow Beasts: AC 15, Undamaged. (attack on 6)

[Krimchee]

Silas quickly moved to follow the wolf, bounding recklessly through the snow. But though Silas gave it hell, the wolf was still faster. After only a few moments, the white wolf bounded out of sight, kicking up little puffs of snow in his wake that were quickly whisked away by the wind. Silas stopped to catch his breath and to wait up for Dan. It'd be careless to get split up now, and beyond stupid to continue crashing through the woods like a heard of oxen. He'd forgotten himself for a minute in his haste to follow the mysterious wolf. Slow down you flaming son of a goat! Be careful, he told himself.

Once Dan caught up and was just a few paces away, Silas began silently looking for the wolf's prints. When he found them, he carefully began to follow he tracks up the mountain, moving at a sure and steady pace that he and Dan both could safely manage.

Rolls Survival check Dice Roll: 1d20+8 (13)+8 Total = 21 Perception Dice Roll: 1d20+10 (5)+10 Total = 15