7/1/2006

Chris: DM
Kathi: Tanji & Krysylys
JC: Neysa & Ana

When we get to the forge building and have another look around we decide it's not the safest place to camp and decide on a spot back over the river to the west where we can keep an eye on the keep. There is a small clump of trees that offers some protection and under which we can tie the horses and setup the tent. Ana waits for the others to cross and then releases the locking mechanism making the bridge "tippy" again. He crosses easily, the bridge motionless as he crosses on the exact line, and his confidence of knowing the subtleties of the path grows yet again.

Figuring that the smoke from a fire would only draw unwanted attention to our location, and quite probably bring more marauding orcs, we settle for a cold supper during which Tanji makes the observation that she thinks being blind has made the food less appetizing for some reason. Just then we hear a loud screech of what sounds like a bird call to the north. It seems to have come from our level (as opposed to above us) but when Ana moves a bit to the west so he can see if there's anything at the mouth of the cave nothing is there. He inwardly wishes they had a clear view of the cave entrance from the campsite but the ruined outbuildings block the direct line of sight.

Krys spots a large creature with the head, body and wings of an eagle, and hindquarters of a horse, circling above. Hippogriff!

Krys and Neysa crouch low beneath the tree canopy while Ana, who hasn't seen it yet, starts to return to the others. Fortunately the hippogriff doesn't spot or smell any of us (or the horses) and flies off to the southwest. Several hours later, just as the last pale light of dusk is fading into night, the hippogriff returns. It has three limp creatures in its talons and beak (which are probably orcs) and we watch it land near the cave entrance and go in. At least now we know what made the claw marks.

At Ana's observation that we shouldn't investigate the cave until we know the hippogriff is gone Krys notes that hippogriff's mate for life so the odds are that it has a mate and hatchlings (or eggs) within and that investigating would probably be a highly dangerous proposition as they are known to be extremely territorial, especially when defending their young.

Because of Tanji's blindness, and the need for Neysa and Krys to get uninterrupted rest for spell recovery, Ana takes the entire nights watch. Shortly after midnight the temperature really begins to drop and there is a light snowfall which covers the world in white. Other than that the night is uneventful and at first light Ana wakes the others and settles himself down sitting against one of the tree trunks for a few moments meditation. His reverie is broken however by the hippogriff's shrill cry and he goes over to help calm the horses.

"We're lucky the buildings block our view from the cave entrance." Ana says to Neysa after the creature has flown off to the southwest. "I was worried that might work to our disadvantage but I think now we've been very fortunate."

Neysa nods in agreement. "I fear for the horses being this close.  We must move them to a safe spot before we get started. Let me take care of poor Tanji and then we'll go."

Ana smiles. Neysa returns it and then goes over to where Tanji waits in uncharacteristic silence. "Okay Tanji I'm right in front of you. Take a few deep breaths and relax."

"What? Oh. I was just thinking." The halfling says taking the requested breath.

"I see that. Such deep thoughts for so early in the morning." Neysa laughs. "One more breath. Now..."

"With the power of the bow..." (Neysa touches Tanji on the left temple) "...the blessing of the star sword..." (the right temple) "...and the grace of the quarter moon..." (the forehead) "...I restore to you the sight that is lost."

For a moment between time Tanji can feel the power and presense of the God as the Remove Blindness spell is focused upon her. Then there is Neysa's smiling face, clear and solid, while the world fills in behind her as vivid and sharp as ever.

"Wow! Thanks!" Tanji says her mood instantly brightening. "What a relief that is."

"Good." Neysa says nodding. "Get yourself something to eat and then help Krys strike camp. Ana and I are going to find a safer place for the horses, downstream a bit as the forest is thicker back to the west. We'll be back by the time you two are done."

It takes the two elves about 15 minutes to locate the right spot and they secure the three horses to a line strung between two trees in a thick copse with a thick canopy. Neysa casts Create Food & Water so each of the horses can have a small hay bale and then the two elves walk back hand in hand, talking quietly as they scan the sky above watching for the return of the hippogriff. When they get back to the others Krys and Tanji are just removing the last traces of the campsite and Ana smiles knowing that the odds are good that neither human nor orc would be able to tell they were ever there.

When they get back to the bridge Ana again crosses easily and locks it down for the others. At the door Neysa casts Bulls Strength on him (raising his strength to 19) and he easily pushes open the outer door. Tanji slips in and looks cautiously through one of the arrow slits. No skeleton, thumbs up. Ana (perhaps foolishly) dashes quickly and unexpectedly across the room to the far side. Acid is again poured down but it's too late to hit him and splatters on the floor smoking, nearly hitting Tanji in the process.

The next room with the statue and small pool is undisturbed, as are the figures in the alcoves as we hop across the floor being careful not to step down in front of them. At the far end however Tanji notices that the bass relief with the hammer and anvil has been reset, and the horn in it's mouth removed.

"Someone lives here." Krys says quietly giving voice to all our thoughts. Ana puts his finger to his mouth and taps his ear. The group listens intently for a couple minutes looking about and straining to catch audible clues as to the keep's occupants but there's nothing definitive. Deciding not to start with the stairs we head cautiously to the north listening at many doors. One of the first is barred on our side and there are several pieces of wood, crude repairs, almost haphazardly nailed to the surface. There is also the unmistakable sound of movements from within. When we come to a large double door Tanji stops, pointing and nodding.

"This is the kind of entrance a library would have." She whispers to Krys and Neysa as Ana watches the hallway.

"Or a temple." Neysa replies. "Lets try it first."

After a quick check for traps and locks Tanji opens the door and peers into a large dining hall. There is a rectangular table with 10 chairs dominating the center of the room, a fire place on the far side, a double door on the north wall and an arched opening on the south. As we enter our eyes are drawn to a large painting of a man over the mantle and it is hard to avoid the feeling of being watched. Ana takes a good close look at it going so far as to check behind the frame but there is nothing out of the ordinary so he tries to dismiss the uneasiness.

The room through the archway is a comfortable sitting area but it seems to be missing the expected large alcove in the outer wall. We examine the area thoroughly expecting to find a hidden door or sliding wall but nothing is found. Through the double doors on the other side of the dining room is a kitchen. As Ana and Tanji enter four meat cleavers come streaking towards them and the elf takes a point of damage. Ana's natural assumption that they'd been thrown by an as yet unseen assailant turns out to be false as it becomes apparent they are somehow animated and continue to attack.

MELEE

The battle is brief but Ana does take another point of damage before the cleavers are knocked down, broken and useless. Neysa quickly casts Detect Magic and from her vantage point in the doorway she slowly rotates taking in the kitchen, then the dining room, then moving through the dining room to check out the sitting room. Detecting nothing anywhere she lets the spell drop and returns to the others shaking her head.

The first of the rooms on the other side of the hall is a mining supply storage area. At Tanji's suggestion we make a quick check to see it there are flasks of oil but come up empty.  The next room is totally empty except for a well with a bucket and rope. When Tanji holds the lantern at the lip and looks down she notices definite hand holds embedded in the rock that lead down to a small metal door just above the water line.  She taps Krys and points down.

Seeing that something is up Neysa comes in and closes the door. Krys ties one of the ropes around Ana's waist and prepares to brace herself while Ana climbs slowly down to investigate. However, before he does he lowers the bucket and draws some water out. It's seems very stale but otherwise harmless so with a nod to Krys, Ana begins his descent. He slips almost immediately and does so several times on the way down grateful each time for his companions strength.

Ana is unable to open the door so Tanji climbs down the rope (not even bothering with the damp slimy hand holds) and maneuvers carefully around him so she can work on the lock. She unlocks it on the second try, nearly dropping one of her pick tools on the first, and pushes the door open. The creak of the door is nearly lost in the continuous drone of machinery which gets much louder as the door opens. It reveals a small tunnel, perhaps four feet high and slightly more than two feet wide. Tanji shines the lantern in and can just make out what looks to be a far wall.

"This must be where the waterwheel machinery is. I'll just go in and take a quick look."

"Don't go where I can't see you or follow." Ana says holding Tanji's gaze for a moment..

The halfling nods and enters the tunnel. After about 30 feet she reaches a point where it turns to the right. Looking around the turn the corridor continues beyond the range of the light but there is an offshoot not 10 feet from her position that continues in the original direction. She looks back at Ana, raises one finger, and then advances to the split. Both passages continue beyond the range of the light and Tanji returns to Ana with the news. As the two climb back out we notice that the door seems to have closed automatically, something that is somewhat suspicious given that it didn't while Tanji was within.

After climbing out we discuss the matter with Neysa and Krys hoping that one of them will know if this is likely to be the kind of place a worshipper of Gond would build (or hide) a church, temple or treasure room.

End of session.

Next Session: 8/12/2006