3.5 Up the mountain

[harknail]

The next day the group gathers bright and early, all ready to climb to the top of Morningfall Summit. The base is 6 miles from Elkridge, a 3 hour hike for Dart. Once there they are looking at a steep climb, they'll be needing the climbers kits and rope they were supplied with. Although steep enough to need equipment to climb, the climb isn't all that difficult as long as they follow Romra's directions. He's the only one actually familiar with rock climbing.

The climb is slow and and exhausting. By 2 in the afternoon they are high enough that everything in the valley looks like ants. But the peak still looms just as far above.

Looking ahead, Llewelyn notices a dark gash in the mountainside, large enough that even the broadest member of your party could squeeze through. The narrow cave entrance is 6 squares (30 feet) to the left of the groups climbing route.

I rolled Perception for everyone to see if you'd spot the cave. Llewelyn got a natural 20 for a 30 total!

Tag all, especially Romra. Do you want to investigate or continue. Though Romra has the last word, since he's the one directing the climb.

[Rojito]

Nature to determine if the cave looks natural or not.

Nature: +10
[dice=20]
=25

Romra looks at the entrance and says, "We should probably investigate that. It could be an enterance to a dragonborn hideout, or just a cave to a climbing or flying beast that lives around here. Either way we dont wish to be attacked while we climb."[rand=75666904544375213410981272754984876143142472885203679784305697553]

[harknail]

The cave looks natural. Romra moves the group over for a closer look. The cave continues in, widening as it goes. Someone spots a white spot on the floor, which gets identified as a large splat of bat guano. Someone else spots a brown object, that gets identified as a rat dropping of unusual size.

I rolled for perception and nature checks for the group, the result is that you are aware that the are creatures living here and have a general idea of what. Do you wish to explore the cave?

[sageaqua]

Dart suggest setting up camp in the cave for the night. Yes he's knows it is still late afternoon. But being well rested never hurt anyone. Other then that he's in favor of fully exploring the cave. The drakes could be here or not but the parties fire and numbers are hidden inside the cave.
nature +7
[dice=20]
to identify the rat
nature +7
[dice=20]
to identity the bat[rand=189401863841339959590242849662989305115817114711712636633310467]

[harknail]

From the progress so far, it looks like the group might reach the top before nightfall, though they would be exhausted at that point (Endurance checks needed). Or you might find yourselves climbing in the dark. It's just too hard to tell from halfway up a mountain.

[whave88]

Stria not used to climbing looks fairly winded, and would appreciate the setting up of camp. She will cast dire radiance on the wall or a rock to illuminate the beginning of the cave. She is trying both to reveal and scare off any creatures near the beginning.

I suggest ...catches her breath... that we rest for the night. For I am not sure ...huff huff... if I can keep climbing without the risk of my arms failing me.

[sageaqua]

Dart says "We can rest here. We don't want anyone to know we are here though. Or we may end up being attacked in our sleep."

[harknail]

Harknail, the tireless construct is ready to continue on to the peak. Still there did not seem to be a rush and he could see the wisdom of reaching the peak while not being too tired to fight if need be. So with the others he enters the narrow entrance and makes his way inside. Once it widens up a bit, he puts on his shield and sword and moves to the front, activating his Moon shield to cast it's silvery light.

Romra is the last to enter the cave, after making sure everyone else is safely inside and retrieving the ropes that would be obvious to an outside observer. Once inside he squeezes his way to the front. In an environment like this, he's the best man to be in front, perceptive enough to spot problems, tough enough to survive them.

The tunnel soon widens enough for the group to move two abreast.

Marching Order:
Harknail & Romra
Tol & Dart
Stria & Barbatos
Blastishy & Llewelyn
Popol

Defenders in front, followed by Melee or heavily armed Strikers, followed by squishy ranged strikers with Cleric bringing up the rear (someone with armor in case of rear attack).

You are expecting to find something in this cave, so you aren't surprised when you do. Everyone please roll initiative (which confirms you're still playing), and let me know if you want to be somewhere else in the marching order. I have everything ready (usually I'm not so prepared at this point), so the encounter can start as soon as I have everyone's initiative rolls.

[nobu]

Tol

Followed along as directed and had alot of difficulty with the climb, takes up his positions and watch for danger as he recovers his weary bones.

Perception
[dice=20] +0= 17[rand=86052625130276050661544618058123096911545603959543619675089730263]

[nobu]

Tol
er.... i forgot
Initiative
[dice=20] +3= 10

i think the dice god on this site hates my Initiatives[rand=33364221191030819297167760717333875546352261215611791617154464296]

[sageaqua]

Dart pulls out his extra non magical dagger so he's ready. He wraps some gauze around it and sets it on fire. He'll protect the magi. [dice=20]
+3[rand=16489879926666617702799604972824527281017648056157584281228482723]

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

Initiative +0[dice=20]

Edit: Blastishy[rand=8935201612766832511350576533004627584559074603022611203722190112]

[at]

Initiative
[dice=20]+6

(today's powers- flaming sphere, moonstride, icy terrain)

Edit: Barbatos. Thanks for the power selection. Though Icy Terrain isn't a choice spell.[rand=527178985572009581515788140027429319062901487536460940765656319]

[harknail]

Harknail: Init [dice=20]+2=10[rand=357171262381598350278124164324253819429168221540757737482583615929]

[harknail]

Waiting for Llewelyn, Popol, Romra Dleihs, Striazionis. Remember to mention if you want to be somewhere else in the marching order.

[Rojito]

Romra will take the lead, but when the gnome tries to light a torch Romra will knock it out of his hand and hand him an everburning torch. "keep it at the back of the group for those who can't see."

Init: +2
[dice=20]
[rand=4014207027536964671808158837180971176988351807468631437978987411697]

[sageaqua]

Dart tosses the every burning touch back, picks up his gauze covered dagger and wraps some more gauze on it and sets it on fire then stabs the burning improvised torch into the wall. "Any questions? I use daggers instead of a torch for a reason. I never buy ever burning touches they are just useless as a weapon. And if I meet a mummy I'm going to want fire not pretend fire to deal with it."
initiative +3
[dice=20][rand=8856216417625546922297535696998243598051858134575999199252109975]

[harknail]

The without any fuel added to the improvised touch, the cloth burns quickly. Fortunately the floor of the cave is not flammable, as bits of burning gauze are dropping to the floor. In less than a minute the rest of the gauze falls off of the dagger and onto the floor. Anyone nearby needs to watch their feet so as not be be burned.

Harknail watches curiously, his glowing shield lighting up everything within 25 feet of him quite brightly. A few actual torches from before he got the glowing shield stick out of his backpack. He comments, "But torches can leavest thou in the dark when they burneth out. An everburning torch be not a weapon but it provide light forever."

Having been buried underground for millennia with an ever burning torch, Harknail is speaking from personal experience.

[harknail]

Sept 27, 2011 17:29:48 GMT -5 sageaqua said:

initiative +3

Dart already rolled for initiative up above. I'm using the first roll.

[whave88]

Stria readies herself for the troubles ahead.

Init: [dice=20] +1= 3 Dang talk about a crap shoot

[rand=02827304446571310435260432022562127431215057094214265241307472081946]