Hallow's Last Hope: Day 3; The Crucible Monastery

[Duniagdra]

It's not even noon and you've come across a giant that could have killed you just from hygiene alone and a harpy who's song was fine to most of you, but nails on a chalk board to two of you. You still have the Crucible and what ever lies in wait for you there to overcome, not to mention the return home before people die from the illness that plagues the Hallow. You know already that a lot of time has been lost, and not much time remains before its too late. Drini and Collin a few times in this walk become silent as their minds drift to their mothers, ill from this thing that has a grip on the town. You have to find these mushrooms. This is the last component needed to make the cure, and this is the greatest priority.

Finally your objective comes in sight.
Sitting squat at the foot of an imposing mountain, a ruined monastery comes into view between ancient gnarled trees. Made of simple stone blocks, worn smooth with the passage of time, the stout building is falling apart. Sections of the slanted shale roof have collapsed and portions of the outer wall have crumbled. Weeds and wild thorn plants run rampant across the field leading up to the place, leaving only the slightest indication of a path that ends at the ruined front doors. Beyond, an overgrown yard sits in shadow.

The old path that leads up to the ruins ends about 50 feet from the monastery. Before entering the yard, the path passes between a pair of old stone statues. While one of them is little more than rubble, the other is relatively intact. The 5-foot tall statue is incredibly worn but it can still be made out as a dwarf holding aloft a great stone hammer. Moss and creeper vines cover most of its surface. Removing the vines around the base uncovers an old dwarven inscription that reads “All praise, .....” Unfortunately, the missing name was scratched off a long time ago and is no longer legible.

[tdsprouse]

“I'm sure this was once a very beautiful place, but now not much appears left. Lets get in there and find the forges.”

Ryaid move carefully into the courtyard looking for a way in.

[Benji]

Drini will follow Ryiad in, eager to finish this.

[marine7312000]

Delastian draws his bastard sword and follows his companions. He seems to be concentrating.

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    He's going to using his detect evil ability as they move into the monastery.

[Duniagdra]

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    I'm waiting for three more actions in case there may be alternate suggestions. Otherwise, I'll be going with the above actions in two days.

[apwhite]

“Agreed. But since we are looking for a forge, let's scan the rooftops for chimneys. Surely a dwarven forge would have a considerable exhaust vent.”

Just prior to entering the ruins, Locutus looks at the ground to ascertain the types of tracking leading to and fro the ruins.

Survival Check (1d20+9=22)

[Duniagdra]

“Agreed. But since we are looking for a forge, let's scan the rooftops for chimneys. Surely a dwarven forge would have a considerable exhaust vent.”

Just prior to entering the ruins, Locutus looks at the ground to ascertain the types of tracking leading to and fro the ruins.

Survival Check (1d20+9=22)

Locutus finds many prints leading in and out of the old monastery. Of note are sets of wolf paw prints, sets of human shoe prints - one set seeming to be missing a shoe, and accompanying the human prints are slightly smaller reptilian prints. All of which are fresh, less than twelve hours old.

[tdsprouse]

“Excellent find Locutus! Could be a ranger, or someone just living out here on his own. Might not be hostile, but on the other hand... Just be ready for either”

[Duniagdra]

Forgot to mention that the human prints only lead into the monastery and that there are about six of them. the barefoot print seems small enough to be a child. The other prints go in and out of the monastery.

[apwhite]

“We are not alone. Stay alert. These small prints might be a human child, or perhaps a halfling. Hopefully they are on a smilar errand. Though I hold not my breath.”

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    This is a new day and our spells reset, right? I will switch my Level 1 spells to Wall of Smoke and Charm Animal.

[Duniagdra]

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Your still in the same day as the giant and harpy. what ever spells were cast are used. no taking up new spells. I should have had my casters send me their spells of the day, but I forgot. That's your boon.

[Duniagdra]

Looking to the roof for a chimney or something used as an exhaust, you find nothing that can give you a hint as to where the forge may be. Perhaps they piped the exhaust someplace else as has been known of dwarven society.

Passing through the fallen gates, you're not surprised by what you see. Tall grasses and chunks of stone debris have all but overtaken this small yard. Off to one side, a wooden stable (K14-L17) has collapsed into a mound of rotting timbers and moldy straw. The outer wall on the east side has also collapsed, leaving a ragged hole. Three doors exit into this yard— a pair of double doors to the east, a single door to the north, and a lone door leading into the squat tower in the southeast corner. In the northwest part of the courtyard you see the top of what you think is a well, but the grass is too tall to be sure. Ryiad gets a closer look and in his search finds that it is a well and something is leaning beside it.

[BusyCowboy]

Illixian, following the others and taking notes, looks around and says “I think that this place has seen better days, however I believe that maybe what has happened here may also be what is happening at our places.” as he does some strange hand gestures to help appease himself and his religion.

[apwhite]

“Certainly, a good view from the tower might help but I'm not sure if I trust the stairs. I'll take a peak through this door though.” Locutus will move to the door to the north (F20) and survey the region. He will also examine the area for further evidence on the tracks.

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Looks like IC is down for me this afternoon. Locutus has +9 to his survival checks.

[tdsprouse]

Ryiad gets a closer look at whatever is leaning against teh well, without touching it yet. He'll search it for traps, and if he deems it safe, will pick it up.

“Found something leaning against eh well here... Not sure what to make of it yet...”

[Duniagdra]

Illixian, following the others and taking notes, looks around and says “I think that this place has seen better days, however I believe that maybe what has happened here may also be what is happening at our places.” as he does some strange hand gestures to help appease himself and his religion.

Illixian seems to gesture to appease his god.

“Certainly, a good view from the tower might help but I'm not sure if I trust the stairs. I'll take a peak through this door though.” Locutus will move to the door to the north (F20) and survey the region. He will also examine the area for further evidence on the tracks.

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Looks like IC is down for me this afternoon. Locutus has +9 to his survival checks.

(Rolled a 19 on my d20) Locutus surveys the hall and finds a door to his right in the north wall leading out and two doors to his left in the north wall. The hall turns south after that, presumably to meet with the double doors in the west wall of the courtyard. From here he sees paw pad prints, quadruped for sure, some type of wolf. One set of reptilian prints are consistent here. Closer examination reveals that they are likely the same creature going to and fro. The prints lead between the ruined statue at the end of the hall, to the east, and down the hall to the west. No sign of human foot prints can be found at this doorway.

Ryiad gets a closer look at whatever is leaning against teh well, without touching it yet. He'll search it for traps, and if he deems it safe, will pick it up.

“Found something leaning against eh well here... Not sure what to make of it yet...”

The scantly clad humanoid body appears to be an adventurer whose met an untimely end, apparently gored to death. Hidden in the grass nearby is a backpack. Inside, Ryiad finds the remains of a week’s worth of trail rations, a set of thieves tools, 50 feet of silk rope, a small coin purse with 42 gp in assorted coins, and a small blue vial of liquid.

[apwhite]

Turning back to the others as they survey the courtyard, Locutus says, “There are some tracks in here. Ryker and I will step through these doors here and see where the tracks go.” With Ryker close to his side, Locutus moves through the door to the NE of him and examines the area closely. He will also take a closer look at the statue. After checking out the area, he will return to the courtyard and offer up the following, “It would not be difficult for Ryker and I to track down the others in this complex. It might be better to do that than to let them get the jump on us.”

[tdsprouse]

“whoa, this one did not go quietly into the night. Found some rations, some coins, rope, and a vial of something. Anyone know what this might be?” He holds up the Vial of Blue Liquid.

He then walks to I-14 and looks down the hallway there, (#4?)

[Duniagdra]

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    The trail rations are spoiled "Ryiad finds the remains of a week’s worth of trail rations", so nothing good was really found there. Finding usable rations in a near skeletal body would be a sign of time passing. Though scavengers could help the body along, the condition of what remains of his clothing and backpack should say, rotten rations. Maybe the wording was not clear enough. And just to point out, not that it's a big thing, the glass is blue, the liquid is hard to tell because of this, but someone with the right skill could still discern it's contents.

[Benji]

Drini will move up to F20 to support Locutus.

[marine7312000]

Delastian moves next to Ryiad and says a quiet prayer over the skeleton.

[Duniagdra]

Turning back to the others as they survey the courtyard, Locutus says, “There are some tracks in here. Ryker and I will step through these doors here and see where the tracks go.” With Ryker close to his side, Locutus moves through the door to the NE of him and examines the area closely. He will also take a closer look at the statue. After checking out the area, he will return to the courtyard and offer up the following, “It would not be difficult for Ryker and I to track down the others in this complex. It might be better to do that than to let them get the jump on us.”

You're not able to make anything out of the statue as it's been damaged too much. The door in the halls north wall near the statue leads outside and along the side of the mountain is a trail. Exiting this hall and returning to the courtyard, Locutus reports to his companions what he finds.

“whoa, this one did not go quietly into the night. Found some rations, some coins, rope, and a vial of something. Anyone know what this might be?” He holds up the Vial of Blue Liquid.

He then walks to I-14 and looks down the hallway there, (#4?)

Ryiad proceeds to the double doors and peers in. Beyond the double doors is a small dark hall. Littered with mounds of debris and a year’s worth of dead leaves, it is clear that a narrow path winds inside. At the bottom of the door, Ryiad finds a small shoe. He realizes this could be a halfling, gnome, or human child. He also sees several sets of reptilian prints leading through this door. Ryiad also sees a door in the north and south walls of this hall and a pair of ajar doors ahead of him.

Drini will move up to F20 to support Locutus.

Drini has a look to see what Locutus found only to have locutus come back out and give a report.

Delastian moves next to Ryiad and says a quiet prayer over the skeleton.

Delastian goes to the body Ryiad found and says a prayer.

[apwhite]

Locutus to Collin while indicating the door to the tower: “What do you make of the tower there? Any thing interesting?”

[BusyCowboy]

Illixian moves towards H21 and looks at the rubble “Hmmm...” as he begins to think as he searches the rubble for anything that could lead to information and/or that might catch his eye.

Perception/Search Check (1d20+4=19)

[Duniagdra]

Locutus to Collin while indicating the door to the tower: “What do you make of the tower there? Any thing interesting?”

Illixian moves towards H21 and looks at the rubble “Hmmm...” as he begins to think as he searches the rubble for anything that could lead to information and/or that might catch his eye.

Perception/Search Check (1d20+4=19)

Illixian begins looking about through the rubble, but he finds nothing and soon gives up once he finds the stones too heavy to move.

[BusyCowboy]

Illixian shrugs “Well there is nothing over here except a bunch of heavy rocks that I find difficult to move. Any luck over on your side?” as he looks over towards the other rooms.

[apwhite]

Locutus reports on what he found. “hallway leads west. More tracks leading west. A broken wall leading to the outside and some rubble. Not much.” After looking at Collin, who appears to be lost in thought, Locutus decides to check the door to the southeast himself. Whispering "Druidic to Ryker": Pee on Collins leg if he doesn't wake up
Locutus will open the door, peer in and if safe enter and search the room.
Perception in tower base (1d20+2=19)

[Duniagdra]

Illixian shrugs “Well there is nothing over here except a bunch of heavy rocks that I find difficult to move. Any luck over on your side?” as he looks over towards the other rooms.

Locutus reports on what he found. “hallway leads west. More tracks leading west. A broken wall leading to the outside and some rubble. Not much.” After looking at Collin, who appears to be lost in thought, Locutus decides to check the door to the southeast himself. Whispering "Druidic to Ryker": Pee on Collins leg if he doesn't wake up
Locutus will open the door, peer in and if safe enter and search the room.
Perception in tower base (1d20+2=19)

Initially finding the door stuck, Locutus gives it a little bit of love and the door swings open. Just as he's about to peek in...

Round 1 (Surprise Attack)
Medium Monstrous Spider Bite Attack/Damage/Locutus Fort Save (1d20+4=7, 1d6,1d20+4=[6], [20, 4])
A spider drops from above the door, but Locutus was being cautious when opening it. Just as the spider drops, he manages to avoid it's pincers.

Round 2

Initiative:
1. Drini <--- AT BAT
2. Collin
3. Illixian
4. Spider
5. Mid-round Validation
6. Locutus, Ryker
7. Ryiad
8. Delastian
9. End-round Validation

[apwhite]

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    I am at bat after mid-round validation. So I will wait to post my actions.

[Duniagdra]

Round 2

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Lack of action from everyone before the mid-round validation has disallowed you to take an action. I'm giving no more that two days for those of the second half of this round to post actions before continuing.

Initiative:
1. Drini
2. Collin
3. Illixian
4. Spider
5. Mid-round Validation
6. Locutus, Ryker <--- AT BAT
7. Ryiad
8. Delastian
9. End-round Validation

The Spider attacks Locutus but he seems to be a bit to quick for the big bad bug. Spider Bite Attack/Damage vs Locutus (1d20+4=9, 1d6=2)

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Map remains unchanged.