A Ressurrrectionist's Visit, Part 2

Log Info

• Title: A Resurrectionist's Visit, Part 2

• GM: Whirlpool

• Characters: Fidget, Eirik, Reithak, Thoth

• Place: Mountains on Alexandros's East Border

• Summary: A 'lower level' investigation of a magical phenomenon at the behest of Griva Brassbinger, localhead of the Resurrectionists of Animus. Now with added support.

<<Previous: A Resurrectionist's Visit, Part 1>>

Victor, Ous, Fidget and Thoth have made it back to the city, where upon they report to the Guild of Explorers, and to the Resurrectionists of Animus by implication, what they saw. A group of bugbears and a troll surrounding the flame they were sent to investigate. Given the circumstances, then, it should cokme as no surprise that the Guild mandates further investigation, and one of the Resurrectionists coterie will be joining you. Which means a trip *back* out to the mountains east of Alexandria, followed by another march up to the mountain so that another wizard can get yet another look -- hopefully this time, there won't be any trolls or bugbears there. Given that they seemed compelled or tranced, however, it is definitely something that can't be 'left alone'. ...and that's where Eirik comes in, joining the group as part of the Guild of Explorer's efforts to fill out the group, and the gnomish resurrectionist known as Farland. ...and now you're on your way BACK out of the city into the wild lands of the mountains all over again, standing at their foot, along the same path Fidget and Thouth took earlier up through the loight forest, frost covered ground crunching under feet.

"This one is uncertain how to best handle the situation if there is still a veritable army of bugbears at location." Thoth remarks as the group is heading up the path once more. The strange metalic War Golem stands out on the road. Notably it's gotten some repairs since the last trek up there, meaning that its arms and legs are no longer making a metalic ruckus with each and every step. Its metalic wings however, are still a mess of metalic spokes and torn feathers. It doesn't look pretty by any shred of the imagination. Flying ahead of the group is a dark-blue feathered owl with golden accent feathers, checking the mountain path for them. Using its wide spanning wings to flow up the natural winds within the frost-caked region. "This one hopes Other - Farland - has a plan to deal with this."

Fidget definitely finds her eyes drawn to the mixture of repaired and damaged parts on the avian war golem, "Oh, you had a chance to get fixed up while you were back? Doesn't look like they finished the job though. I might be able to help out myself sometime, I love to tinker with magic! And if not, you might find something in my shop that you need, anyway!" the goblin beams at Thoth. After a moment, turning to their guest, "So, we're nearly there, what are you actually planning to do if the trolls aren't here. And... what if they are? As much fun as it would be burning a whole group of monsters, I'd need someone sturdy and gullible to stand in front of me while I do that." she adds with a laugh.

GAME: Fidget casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 6 DC: 16

Eirik stands there still as can be lingering in the shadows, his black python Jormungand draped about his neck. Very patient, he stands there leaning upon his Scythe which he currently uses as a makeshift walking stick. Black and crimson accented clothing and a globe with a Crack in it worn as a pendant about his neck. "So clearly this is gonna be a fun time isn't it?"

GAME: Thoth casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15

Not long after the group had departed, a large egalrin came jogging up behind them, doing their best to catch up with the group. This unfortunately had the adverse effect of leaving the egalrin completely out of breath by the time they were within earshot of the traveling party. "Hey, hey, good to see you all! Sorry bout the late arrival, but I didn't see the notice till just recently. Name's Reithak by the way, nice t'meet'cha!" They greet, stopping to fan their face with the brim of their hat. "So, what's this about bugbears and trolls in the mountains? What's the reason we can't leave these bugbears to their own business, anyways?"

Farland shakes his head. The gnome is dressed in a colorful outfit, warm and furry to boot. He tucks his hands in his pockets as he walks, short legs making the mountainous, frosty terrain something he is less than happy to be dealing with. "The issue is the fire, not the bugbears. Mind you, bugbears are often a hostile peoples, so encountering them can typically end in violence, and that's before we even talk about trolls -- but that they're *both* together, sitting and staring at htis flame suggests a degree of ensorcellment. It's why I've brought several protection spells to gird our minds versus usurpation. If we can get close, maybe extinguish the magical fire, they'll go back to whatever it is they're supposed to be doing: probably trying to eat us. Either way, we need to investigate the flame and its origins."

"Strange Leyline event." Thoth answers Reithak, in a very short manner that suggests it explains all. "This one was sent out along with Others to investigate strange Blue Light - traveled up and found a Troll and Bugbears worshipping it." It pauses for a moment, looking to Eirik and Reithak. "This one chances that perhaps, these creatures stopeth their vigilance, and we shalt investigate this place in peace." Its speech patterns are strange and a bit broken, or perhaps just archaic in nature. Then Farland points out what their plan is, and Thoth considers this for a moment. "This one had not considered this." It remarks. "Is this the experience and knowledge an experienced Adventurer brings?" It asks.

"So in short, we're either going to get eaten by trolls, nearly get eaten by trolls, or get to play with a cool magic fire; so, yes, should be fun!" Fidget says cheerfully and without a hint of irony, "I'm hoping for the second one with a bit of the third! But of course we can't extinguish the fire without identifying it, and trying to get a sample for later research. Not only is it cool fire, it's entrancing trolls. A very useful property and worthy of reproduction."

Eirik shakes his head with a chuckle. "It's definitely going to be an interesting trip." Eirik says as he strokes the head of Jormungand. "I'm Eirik by the way, so what else should I be knowin' about this adventure we are undertaking hmm?"

"Well, there's a real good chance they won't be friendly, but won't know till we get there, will we? Least, we get there and figure out what this magic stareworthy flame is about, then that'll be known." The large egalrin shrugs as she puts her hat back on to continue on. "Good thing we've got ways to prevent anything hopefully, I've got better things to do with my life than stare at some blue flames." They laugh. "Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, we can decide if it's safe enough to do anything with when we get there."

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "All right, folks! Perception :)"
<OOC> Thoth says, "Are we Daylight or closer to Eve?"
GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (20)+13: 33
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Closer to evening, I'd say."
GAME: Thoth (Familiar: Ra) rolls 10+3: (1)+10+3: 14 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Fidget rolls perception: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Thoth (Self) rolls Perception+3: (15)+2+3: 20
GAME: Eirik rolls Perception: (12)+4: 16

"...let's pretend it's all about playing with cool magic fire -- which in fact it could be. Cool, I mean. Not all magical fire produces heat." Farland shrugs his shoulders and then adds, "It could be illusory, too, come to think of it. We'll find out!" Moving up into the mountains is ardurous, now, and as the sun dips below the horizon, you're just reaching the camp site that Thoth, Fidget, Ous and Victor found earlier together, a stone fire ring set into a little dug-out section of hard eearth set against a wind-break of a boulder or two. Looks safe enough. However, as you search the site to be on the safe side, Rei, Thouth, and Eirik find clear evidence that someone else has been through the camp fairly recently in the form of humanoid tracks. Bugbears, more than likely.

"This one is designated 'Thoth'." The War Golem answers Eirik. "And that..." It motions to the air as the owl dives for a fieldmouse and ends up distracted. "That is Ra." It notes, as they proceed to move on. Eventually reaching the camp. "We remained here to rest after the long journey. The wind and snow was heavy." Thoth points out as they get to the little camp. It then motions around to the cliffs. "This one recalls, the flames are around the bend there."

"Yeah, and that means where the fire was, and where the bugbears were, is just over there," Fidget points, "So I guess we have to go peek over and see if it's safer or not. Do we want to send one person to scout again, or stick together and try to stay quiet? I'm fairly quiet myself, when I choose to be." Fidget grins, as she's also very-not-quiet when she chooses to be, too.

Eirik blinks looking around he stoops down looking over the ground. "Hmmm...that's interesting." He says before standing up. "Well if need be I can send Jormungand to look. Though it appears as though someone or something has gone through here recently."

"I guess we'll find out then, right! Time to get our hands dirty, and hopefully not too badly burned." The large egalrin grins, stopping to take a look around at the camp. "Well, either they aren't as enthralled by the flame as I thought, and they can still wander around, if they feel like it, or there are even more going to join them than last time stuck there. Did you get a head count last time, or a general estimation?" Reithak asks as she pokes at one of the footprints. "Plan of attack is good too. Believe it or not, I can be pretty stealthy when I feel like it, too. As stealthy as a seven foot bird person can be, at least."

Farland eyes the camp, then lets out a breath that plumes mist in front of him. "...great. I guess we don't get a break if they've already been through here. I don't need to tell you all that moving through an icy, slippery mountain at night is a great way to meet our untimely demise?"

Thoth offers; "It is also a good way to avoid being spotted." They offer. It pauses for a moment before adding; "This one can see in the dark without too much trouble. And Ra can aid. If one of the Others has brought rope, we could chain-walk until we get close, without being seen." It declares. "Otherwise, this one believes it can light the night."

"I also see well in the darkness, so perhaps we keep those of us with night-eyes to the front? And if Jormungand can navigate well at night, he can go ahead, sure." Fidget suggests, getting ready to go ahead.

Eirik smirks and tells Jormungand to go forth and do his thing. "Jormungand is a python, they are nocturnal. I'm sure He'll be able to navigate just fine at night." Eirik says with a grin.

"What, this? This isn't that bad! Honestly, you'd think you didn't grow up on mountainsides or something. It's practically balmy here!" The large egalrin laughs. "In all seriousness though, yeah, I can't see well when it's this dark, so we should be careful, I wouldn't be able to catch anyone falling too well. I've always got rope on me, so you're welcome to use it if you need, seems like a good plan, once they're back."

"If you're all confident," remarks Farland, "we can push on. We're not to ofar away from the source. When we're closer, I'll protect you with the magic I've brought with me." He lets out a breath, then eyes the others before nodding. "All right, then. Let's go."

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "So, animal companion ahead and moving on after that?"
<OOC> Thoth says, "Yep!"
<OOC> Thoth says, "Ra will aid Jormungand."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "In that case, Eirik, roll perceptin for your AC. Thoth, roll for Ra."
GAME: Thoth (Familiar: Ra) rolls 10+3: (6)+10+3: 19
<OOC> Eirik says, "Oh right he has low light vision"
GAME: Eirik rolls 1d20+1: (3)+1: 4

Were the full moon visible, it would be particualrly helpful on a night like tonight. With the slippery ground and the shadow of the mountains over you, it is *dark* up here. Very dark. With the help of your animals, you're at least able to avoid the worset possibilities: falling to your death through a missed step. Lowlight vision, too, aids in its obvious ways. After a cautious couple hours of movement, you come around a bend in the pass and see in the distance blue embers, sparking off a central flame of azure hue, rising up out of the earth. There are shapes around it, humanoid ones that shift on occasion, and one of them is particularly large. Farland lets out a breath -- again -- and proceeds to fish his scrolls out, intending to get the magic working on each of you for your own protection. It doesn't take too long, and at least it should offer you some protection from some kinds of compulsion.

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "He slapped ya'll with protection from evil. XD"

<<Next: A Resurrectionists Visit, Part 3>>