The day dawns clear and bright, though the group who had returned from defeating Larrakh the previous night were not awake to see it. The air from the open windows of their rooms finally roused them about half an hour before midday, and they began preparations for departing the town of Red Larch, at least temporarily.

---

I've marked a green line on the Dessarin Valley map marking out the direct-line route from Red Larch to Beliard, or you can stay on the Larch Path, or go some other way.

Go ahead and post anything that you want to (try to) do in town before leaving and we'll keep moving things along!

<Rubbing hands together - we're getting to the good stuff ;)>
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:41, Wed 30 Aug 2017.

Dweeble's tiny mouth opened into a wide yawn as the day greeted her in its careful way of tickling her skin with the lightest of breezes.  Her hands stretched out over her head and bent back down to scratch her leather-wrapped shoulders.  The ever-prepared little hin had naturally worn her armor to bed as she always did.  Her eye were crusted with sleep but they opened enough to check the small horde of gear, 'treasures', and clinking coins she'd accumulated.  She saw it was there and her lips curled into a happy grin.

She stretched again and threw off her familiar bedroll.  She sat up in the mattress that had simply been the perfect place to roll out her bedroll and stared at the horde once more.  The fingers of her left hand curled and shook anxiously and reached out towards the pile of stuff.  "Mine.  Dwee-."  Her words cut off as the mildly heavy pouch of coins flew towards her.  What should have terrified her instead simply seemed so right.  She could see the outline of a hand carrying those coins towards her but she knew that hand was somehow hers.  She smirked as the coins were deposited into her lap and clinked them noisily with the spectral grip she'd manifested.  Dweeble you genius, you! she thought to herself as she got up and got ready to meet the others.

The hand slid into a pouch at her waist and procured a ball bearing.  She found the motions easy now, her fingers barely needing to slide along to mimic the motions.  With the ball bearing floating along beside her, she knocked on the doors of her companions' rooms.  Whether they were awake, asleep, or already gone she'd make sure those inside were at least aware it was time to go.  There were shinies waiting to be discovered and Dweeble had a set of shiny-snatchers to grab them with!

---

I don't think Dweeble needs anything right now.  There are a few items she could have shopped around for but I'll worry about that in the future.  Don't see a reason she'd try to do business in Red Larch!

Morg makes sure he doesn't forget anything in his room, orders some food, and over lunch asks Bram [Language unknown: "Ee taich toreheas k ti laisse ta ate tho haugh undainsti ersecttiomen ainwitverove whenceeve korro "Somntetho n Eeoual"? Us lehis mannotwhe om whtaee ek art ieceas ieilfo rut Whivof?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Fri 01 Sept 2017.

Jak woke up with a large yawn that made his jaws creak. He gave a big stretch and then pulled himself out of bed to perform a series of stretches to limber up and get ready for the day. He then cleaned himself up and went to see about finding some breakfast.

After a quick breakfast he went out in to the town and went to see if he could find someone who would sell him a chain shirt and buy the hide armor off of him. He wanted to be a little better equipped if he could for their journey. And maybe a shortbow or a light crossbow as well to give him a bit more range (and for when he was out of spells).

A heavy set man Jak recognizes as one of the butchers approaches him as he leaves the inn. "I'm to escort you out of town before noon," he says brusquely, glancing up at the sun nearly directly above his head. "Is it just you for now, or are the rest of you coming? Harburk said to expect six of ya."

Jak let out a sigh. It was too early in the morning for this. He slowly looked over at the 'deputy'. "Nah, everyone's still gettin' up an' eatin' breakfast. I just wanted t'try an' do a quick bit o'shoppin' 'fore we leave..." He paused and tilted his head at the man. "I mean...y'don't wanna stop the town from gettin' some o'my hard-earned coin 'fore I leave, do ya? Y'might s'well s'get some money outta me 'fore I'm tossed outta town, right? You, or one o'yer friends can escort me. I got nothin' t'hide."

He smiled at the man in a friendly fashion, but unfortunately his tiredness (both physical and with the town's BS might be showing through slightly).

The man looks at Jak with bemusement. "Early in the morning?" he replies, glancing once more at the sun, nearly at its zenith. "I don't think we'll have enough time to stop anyplace before the sun's right overhead."

"Are they coming out soon or am I going to have to haul your friends out of there?"

Mayon was quiet, mostly lost in thought when he came downstairs that morning. His own things were already packed up as he ordered food as well. More dreams from his patron, nothing odd there. What did feel odd was that the magic pulsing in him felt stronger, and it felt like there was a...connection pulling at him, trying to get him to call it forward.

He was certainly curious, but better to leave town first than delay everyone. He gives a tired smile to Morg and Bram and takes a seat with his own food as well.

Kaylessa and her staff provide a tepid stew to the few patrons of the common room, most of whom are there for lunch. Several servers and a few of the patrons eye the group suspiciously, though none broach conversation or comment.

---

The stew is 3 sp per bowl.

If the plan is still to follow the Larch Path into the hills, I can post that later today. If the plan changes or anyone wants to try to do stuff before leaving town, let me know that too.

What travel place are you planning to set, fast/normal/slow? Slow lets you use stealth, fast gives you a -5 penalty to perception. In general, feel free to make perception checks to study the surrounding countryside as you travel.

"We should probably not rush while on the Larch path, so we have enough time to search for traces of the delegation from Mirabar." Morg says to the remaining party at the table.

---

19:15, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 13.  Perception check for traces of Mirabar delegation or recent scuffles.

Morg doesn't see any signs of a delegation from any dwarven city, much less from Mirabar.

Several folks who look like locals are here, day laborers perhaps and extra hands. A few travelers also sit here and there in the common room, hurriedly eating the barely-edible stew so they can return to the road.

When the rest of the group emerges from the inn and joins Jak, the sun is nearly directly overhead. Impatient, the trusty leads the group out of town through the throngs of shoppers and travelers to the outskirts of town. There he bids them farewell abruptly and turns back to town.

The group makes their way into the windswept badlands known as the Sumber Hills. The going is slow, as much of the surrounding land is comprised of hills with exposed rock faces or steep escarpments. More than once it becomes necessary to detour around a particularly treacherous hill, or a deep ravine.

Tiny streams rise from numerous hidden springs, and the drinkable water is welcome relief from the intensifying sun. Thunder booms in the distance as the afternoon continues on, but no rain falls nearby. Despite scanning the horizon for any other travelers or movement of any kind, they encounter no one for several hours.

As the afternoon deepens into evening, the group reaches a ravine that matches the description of the location of Tricklerock Cave. Looking down into the shallow gorge, an exposed rock face is split by a vertical crevice about three feet wide and fifteen feet high. Water trickles from the opening and spills into a nearby bog.

---

The Dessarin Valley map updated. You've been travelling for about 4 hours, and the sun is beginning to set.

Feel free to make perception checks as you like.

"Well, this looks like the place," Asano says, wiping a hand across his brow. He glances around the area, then nods to the opening, "Who would care to lead?"


OOC:
Perception- 7

"I think this place may be a death trap which Mellikho wanted us to come to, so we wouldn't find her cult in the quarry tunnels." Morg says.

---

My previous perception check was actually for travelling thru the hills. Should I roll again, looking for traces of Mirabar delegation, or recent scuffles on the road?

Neither Asano nor Morg see any local signs of travel near the cave, though Morg thinks there may be bootprints in the mud around the crevice.

In the deepening twilight, Morg also spies a few circling vultures perhaps six to eight miles to the southeast over the foothills.

"Should we check the cave," Morg says and points to the bootprints, "or go see if those vultures are hovering over the delegation?" pointing to the southeast.

"I'd prefer to check the vultures, personally. Anything Mellikho wanted us to go do seems like a pretty terrible idea in hindsight." Mayon remarks with a wry grimace.

"That's probably a valid point," Asano muses, watching the vultures circle lazily. "If she meant it as a trap and not merely a distraction from the goings on in her mines. She may very well have only been trying to distract us." He takes a slow breath, still watching the circling scavengers above and away. "That said, the situation below the vultures is probably more time sensitive. I second investigating whatever it is that holds their interest."

Jak was actually not feeling too bad about the day. Being on the road and traveling, as a bard, did give him some good feelings despite their ejection from the town. He hummed a bit, but didn't actually break out in to song as they went along.

When talk about the cave and vultures came up, he chimed in. "Well. Vultures're a good bet t'check first. Better safe than sorry. The cave ain't goin' anywhere probably." He chuckled slightly at his lame joke.

The group follows the sight of the circling vultures, skirting the edge of the shallow ravine. Moving away from the Larch Path into the foothills, lengthening shadows play upon the rocky outcroppings ahead.

After a few couple more hours of travel, deepening twilight gives way to evening. The group ascends a rough hillside and reaches a barren hilltop. To the south the hills gradually end, giving way to rolling grasslands suitable for grazing.

Four roughly dug graves sit haphazardly around the summit of the hill, beneath the cries of the carrion birds overhead. The earth scraped out for the holes is piled nearby, although hastily gathered stones cover the graves. The faint smell of death hangs in the air.

---

Map location updated.

Jak let out a long breath. He hadn't realized how far away they were going to have to go to get to where the vultures were circling. He wiped the sweat from his brow as they crested the last hilltop and looked over...

His nose crinkled and his face puckered up slightly, "...graves?" He looked around slowly. "Well, that's a bit disappointing, though I s'pose I prefer that someone did the decent thing an' buried the people rather than just leavin' 'em out t'decay in plain sight or get eaten full-on."

He looked to the party hesitantly. "Should we...check...an' like...make sure they weren't the delegation or whatever? Or leave 'em in peace?"

"We can probably check the bodies by removing only a few of the stones" Morg says, looking around for clues.

---

12:34, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 4 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 1. Perception check at size of graves,  and for possible clues nearby.

Morg sees the graves are four in number, with a confused collection of tracks all around the top of the hill.

Asano stood near the rear of the party, looking at the graves in confusion. "That was not what I was expecting," he says, shaking his head and looking back along their trail. "I would prefer we left the dead to their rest. These folk have run their race and found their end, whatever it may be. They clearly left behind those that cared for them, perhaps we can find them and inquire as to this mystery?"

"That fellow Bram was talking to, Eahdon, said a shephard found new graves here in the hills, so this is probably what he saw." Morg says. "I think the delegation was much larger than 5 people tho, but I can't make out any clear tracks leaving here - anyone good at tracking?"

Jak searched around to see if there was anything telltale or interesting without digging up the bodies since the others were reluctant (oh yeah, not him, it was all totally the others!). He didn't really like being around the graves, however, and he kept glancing at them as he tried to look around. Finally, he gave up.

"Okay. So what now? We movin' on?"

17:41, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  Investigation.

Asano mutters a quiet prayer to Kelemvor. He walks carefully around the gravesite, giving them a wide, respectful buffer.
"Shall we continue to Beliard, or double back to the red herring?" Asano asks, facing to the northeast.

"If this was the delegation, and they were heading to Red Larch, then after being attacked and fleeing here, wouldn't they head towards Red Larch again? So, southwest?" Morg says.

"Also, I'd like to check and see specifically if any of the buried are dwarves. Some of my people have this ridiculously wasteful tradition of burial in elaborate  tombs, so I'd like to try and identify any, to send word to their kin of where they currently lie.

If you tall folk are against removing the stones tho, I understand."

A bird calls out in the chilling night air from several miles to the north. In the darkening light, a large shape flits between the hills nearby to the east, then is gone. The stones of the graves sit still and silent.

---

Where to?

"Personally, I'd prefer to leave the dead where they lie." Mayon comments, examining the graves. "Though, perhaps we could try to follow those tracks and find those who buried them? It may provide some hint...I'm afraid I'm not much of a tracker, though." He frowns a bit, wondering if he could use his patron's gift to summon something that was. The sight of the shape off in the hills catches his attention, and he narrows his eyes. "And that could be of interest as well...whether to track or to avoid."

As the group ponders their next move, more birds call out from the north, seemingly in answer to the vultures directly overhead. The mud is thick with a confused mishmash of footprints, and seems to shiver as they walk through it.

Slowly it dawns on the group that the earth is shaking, just slightly. Confused, they look around. The figure to the east is just visible again in the dim light, growing larger as it approaches.  It appears to be an enormous creature clad in mismatched furs and scraps of clothing. Its scraggly beard frames a blunt shaped face on its thick neck. It carries an enormous spiked club at its waist.

The ogre doesn't yet seem to have spotted the fact it is being observed however, as it seem preoccupied with something altogether different. Fascinated, the group stares as it works its way on a meandering path toward their hill, whirling around and stomping at the ground as it goes. At first it seems that the shaking ground is due to the huge creature's stamping, though the creature is still a fair distance away. Perhaps it is an earthquake, the observers think, as the thrumming of the earth seems not to be keeping time with the ogre.

Suddenly the vibrations in the ground thrum faster and faster, and the earth right in front of the ogre erupts in a shower of rocks and grass.

An enormous reddish-hued insect rears out of the hole in front of the ogre, its pincers clicking. Its mandibles drip with viscous fluid as it snaps at the hulking ogre, latching onto its meaty shoulder.

The insect rests its forelegs on the ogre's shoulders, who then roars in pain. It grabs at the large club at its side, then swings it at the chittering insect. The club smashes into the side of the beast's head, spraying yellowish liquid onto the nearby ground.

Birdcalls continue from off to the north, in addition to those directly overhead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:24, Mon 18 Sept 2017.

Morg crouches down to try and stay hidden from the ogre, trying to remember what he knows of these kinds of creatures and the insect it's hunting. He also listens, trying to hear if he can identify the birds calling.

---

05:44, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 18 using 2d20+1, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 18,17.  Stealth check with disadvantage (from chain mail) while crouching down, to try to stay hidden from ogre.

05:46, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3.  History check for any information remembered of ogres.

05:47, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2.  Nature check to figure out if the burrowing insect and birdcalls from the north, are natural.

Mayon's eyes widen and he ducks down as well, glancing at the others. "What do we do?" He hisses, while trying to think if he knew what that insect was. Of course, distracted as he was, it was hard to remember to be quiet...


22:21, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 1 using 1d20 with rolls of 1.  stealth. So much for whispering I guess...
22:21, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 19 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 17.  Nature check--Insect knowledge.

"Interesting," Asano muses. "I wonder if the ogre knows anything of these graves. Anyone know what that other creature was? I would prefer to avoid a direct confrontation with the ogre, if we can avoid it."


OOC:
Perception- 4
Nature- 19
Stealth- 5

Well, I'm pretty sure we're about to be spotted. Maybe its a friendly ogre?

The insect creature makes another slashing bite at the top of its prey's head. Blood drips into the ogre's eyes, but he still manages another devastating blow to the creature, this time to its foreleg. Smashed, the limb hangs limply from its main carapace.

A single sharp bird cry echos from the north, nearer this time. The birds overhead scatter.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:20, Tue 19 Sept 2017.

Jak looked up at the birds, wondering what all their fuss was about? Them? Nah. Something else, northward. Weird. Then the ground started to shake a bit. Uh oh. Earthquake? Remembering the quaking that had happened just before the oven or whatever had exploded back at the inn, he crouched down and looked around a bit wildly.

He saw something coming towards them. After a moment, he didn't think it was causing the shaking though. What was THAT? He wasn't sure but he thought it might be an ogre from the descriptions he'd heard of them.

Jak stood up and got ready for a fight. He saw most of his companions starting to try and hide. He frowned. "We're not gonna kill the insect or the ogre? I mean...they seem kinda dang'rous t'just leave around t'kill travelers...right?"

Morg whispers to Jak "We can let those two finish their fight, weakening each other, and take on the ogre if it's hostile after it kills its, uh, food? We may need the ogre's help tho if whatever bird from over there is hostile to us." He tries to keep an eye on both the hunting ogre and the skies to the north.

"Agreed. Those insects are nasty--Ankhegs. They spit acid. I'd definitely prefer if it's dead first and we can then clean up or ask for aid, if the ogre is so inclined." Mayon says softly.

A bone chilling squawk pierces the sky above as a large bird soars overhead, circling the area. Incredibly it looks like a figure is riding the flying beast, which resembles a giant vulture.

With a jerk, the ankheg disengages and tries to flee, but the hulking ogre is too fast. Its club bashes the creature square in its mandibles, and it crumples sickeningly to the ground.

The ogre advances on the insectoid corpse, looking for purchase on its joints, and begins to try ripping its limbs free. It glances warily skyward several times, but so far continues its grim business uninterrupted.

"It appears to have conquered the beast," Asano says grimly. He glances skyward at the possibly mounted avian above, then back to the victorious ogre. "Shall we meet the locals?" He smiles, taking a step toward the valley.

Jak grinned slightly and looked at his companions. "Well, I mean, if you're all done tryin' t'hide...I don't wanna interrupt 'stealth time' there for ya." He chuckled and walked slowly towards the Ogre but wasn't going to get too close before they announced themselves...just in case it was hostile.

He checked to make sure the rest of the group was with him or at least not far far away. Then he turned back and called out lightly to the Ogre, "Hello t'you. You made short work o'that insect."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Wed 20 Sept 2017.

Morg tries to keep a low profile while donning his shield, and tries to gage the speed of the big vulture in case he needs to throw a javelin.

The vulture circles around the area, looking down occasionally. Its rider seems most interested in the ogre, but points an outstretched arm at Jak.

The ogre jerks its head away from the defeated beast, seemingly just realizing that there were observers in the sky and on the hill. "Ankheg mine!" he bellows, then tries crawling underneath the carcass of the beast, still trying to rip pieces of its carapace from its body.

Jak stopped dead in his tracks suddenly. His eyes shifted left, then right, then up. He blinked a few times and pursed his lips. Looking back at his allies he quietly said, "Welllll. Okay. That's new. So. I just got...messaged?...in my head. I think by a rider on...one o'the birds up there. They asked me...us...t'stay outta this while they take out the Ogre an' then we could talk...." He paused. "Whaddya guys think?"

"Hmm, interesting," Asano says, watching the aerial interloper above. He looks back to the ogre below, and calls out, "Victorious ogre, the ankheg is naturally yours. Is there any reason you are being hunted by any others?" He watches the birds overhead, wary of any violent action directed towards himself orhis friends.


OOC:
Persuasion- 16
Perception- 16

"I think we should let the vulture rider have a go." Morg says to Jak, and backs away in the opposite direction from the ogre.

---

Does he remember or know (from the previous History roll of 3) if all ogres are inherently evil, or if some of them are neutral or good?

07:44, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15.  History (or nature [same modifier]) check to see if he knows and remembers if all giant vultures are inherently evil.

"Ankheg mine!" the ogre bellows again in answer to Asano's call. His brutish voice comes from below the dead ankheg, though the ogre himself is not visible.

The vulture-rider swoops around once more, then lands nearby. He quickly undoes some straps securing him to his mount as the vulture looks warily around. He drops to the ground and immediately draws a longsword. Pivoting, he heads toward the ankheg carcass.

A javelin darts out from under the corpse and lands squarely in the rider's shoulder, staggering him. "Stand down foul miscreat! Thou shalt feel the sting of my blade as I run you through like a hurricane through butter!" the knight calls, continuing to advance, very near the dead ankheg now.

"Are...are we sure we want to leave him to that?" Mayon asked, blinking incredulously. Good lord, who spoke like that nowadays? The man was either very certain of his abilities or completely insane. But if he'd requested they leave him be, perhaps it would be best to do so.

"If that's what he wants." Morg says, trying to see if the knight is a paladin or cleric of a religion he recognizes.

---

18:02, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 17 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 14.  Perception check on knight, for an emblem or holy symbol.
18:03, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 1d20 with rolls of 14.  History check [to see] if [he's seen the] emblem or holy symbol [before, and recognizes it].

The knight peers cautiously around the ankheg corpse, then tosses a bluish gem in the general direction of the vulture. With a few quick gestures, he casts a spell that causes the gem to roll farther away.

After a few seconds the ogre emerges from behind its cover, and darts forward to grab the gem. The vulture quickly strikes, launching itself into the air and falling on the ogre as it bends down. The giant bird pecks sharply at the ogre's chest, then rakes it with its claws as it takes off away from the beast.

The ogre makes a clumsy swipe at the retreating bird with its club, but still manages to catch a wing on its downbeat. The bird remains aloft, but it labors to retreat farther away from the ogre.

---

Morg can't discern any emblems on the knight's mail, though the scales seem to be longer and skinnier than usual for scale mail. They resemble feathers in a way.

The knight cast a new spell called Gust, which I'll post to the new spells list shortly.

Standing up with the gem, the ogre turns to the knight. The man quickly casts a ray of cold frost, striking the ogre squarely in the chest. Rime ice coats the hulking monster's torso and legs as he struggles to approach the knight.

The knight draws a longsword as the ogre approaches, menacing with his spiked club. With two quick two-handed slashes, he cuts deep gashes in the ogre's torso. The ogre's flailing attack whistles over the knight's head.

Kneeling, the knight thrusts his sword directly into the ogre's heart and deftly steps out of the way as its bulk slams to the earth.

Wiping his sword clean, the knight begins ascending the nearby hill towards the assembled companions. "What brings thou all to this hill, pray tell?" he begins, barely out of breath.

"We're searching for a large delegation from Mirabar. I think they were lead by a shield dwarf, like myself, named Bruldenthar." Morg says.

"They went missing on their way to Red Larch. We thought these graves may have been dug by them. Have you seen anything like that from the sky?"

"Oh, I am Morg , from the Danforge clan."

Asano held his tongue, allowing Morg to take the lead in this situation. He kept a careful watch of the vulture-knight's body language, looking for any sign of violence or deception.


OOC:
Insight- 4
Seems to be entirely truthful, guys.

"Mayon...Graycross." The half-elf greeted, still a bit puzzled by the man's strangely archaic way of speaking. He nodded at Morg's description of their purpose for travel, but still couldn't help but stare.

The man considers Morg's question a moment before replying. "I am Huet, of the Feathergale Knights," the knight replies formally, with a flourishing bow. He gestures to the north, towards a thin spire just visible in the fading twilight. "The Feathergale Spire there is my demesne, and that of my comrades."

"I know naught of any delegation from Mirabar or elsewhere. These graves," he indicates the nearby crude stone piles, "I also know nothing of. They hath no consequence to my sacred duty to keep this section of the hills safe from marauding beasts and monsters."

"Mayhap my fellows will know something of this delegation. E'en you like, ye may accompany me as I return my mount to the Spire. Methinks she may need a rest, as the Ogre has wounded her grievously." With a slight nod, he moves off to gather up his flying mount.

"Tarry a moment more!" he calls out to the assembled, "whilst I collect my rightful trophy from today's labors." Striding back to the corpse of the ogre, he cleanly slides off the creature's head with a swift downward strike of his longsword, then collects its head in a sack from his mount's saddlebag. Once again wiping his sword clean and collecting his gem from the clenched fist of the dead ogre, he motions to the group to accompany him north, if they wish.

---

Now that the knight points it out, a thin spire is indeed visible to north - map updated.

Morg turns to the party and says, "Should we go ask at this Spire? We can also follow up on Brother Eahdon's comment about the delegation wanting to bury a knight at Summit Hall. We could go due east across the river to the Hall, and try to find out if the delegation made it there."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Wed 27 Sept 2017.

"It's the best lead we have at the moment." Mayon agrees, his own eyes focused on the spire. He was curious about the knight, and the formation looked intriguing.

Jak listened to the Feathergale Knight, as he called himself. He had heard of flying bandits so he wasn't so quick to swallow the strange archaic language and the seemingly-politeness and knighthood. It could all be true...or it could all be a carefully-crafted lie.

Yes, Jak was a little jaded.

He smiled outwardly, however, and gave a nod. "Well, I guess it's nice t'meet ya then. I'm Jakgrynn, uh, of Redgate." The others seemed to want to go along with him to the spire, so he gave a small shrug. "Sure. Why not?"


23:24, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 21 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 17.  Knight Insight.

Huet holds the reins of his wounded mount and motions the group to accompany him north. "Well met, Jakgrynn," he replies. "Shalt we depart then, to stay ahead of the coming fall of night?" He begins leading his mount north, between two low hills ahead.

The hills are lower here on the edge of the Sumber Hills region, but increase steadily in height as the group progresses north. Rocks and scrub brush make the footing uneven and difficult in the dim light, though Bram's glowing orb makes the going easier. Chirps of birds and insects give way to the croaking of frogs, and the faint smell of burning embers floats on the air.

"Pray, do watch thou footing here," Huet advises as the group is perhaps a half mile away from the Spire ahead. "There beist a steep vale to the right, the Sighing Valley is't called, which you shant want to fall into unawares." As the group's path winds closer to the valley, the faint gurgling of rushing water is audible, and several rock spires are visible rising from the canyon floor far below. A faint howling noise rises with the frequent breeze that flows through the canyon.

For several more minutes, Huet leads the group closer to the Spire, skirting the edge of the valley's cliffs. Feathergale Spire rises from a pillar of rock high into the air ahead. Even in the faint light of evening it resembles a gleaming sword that pierces the sky, its white limestone and marble exterior reflecting the light.

A gatehouse faces the near side of the cliff, and Huet leads the group towards the drawbridge which is the tower's only apparent point of entry. Tall, wide windows encompass the bottom level of the tower, absent only upon the gatehouse side. Flickering light shines from many of the windows, revealing at least three upper levels to the tower.

Below the drawbridge, a circle of open stalls rings the tower's foundation where it meets the rock. Above each stall, the sculpture of a hippogriff in flight leaps from the tower's base, lit by flickering torches set just inside the stalls at regular intervals.

---

Map locations updated.

If anyone would like to interact with Huet or do anything else on the path to the Spire, go ahead and post that & we can resolve what comes of that. Otherwise, Huet will lead you up to the gatehouse & I'll post what happens next after that.


This message was last edited by the GM at 16:08, Sat 30 Sept 2017.

"Do you know anything about Summit Hall to the east?" Morg says to Huet as they travel north.

"Also, would it be possible for us to have a look at any maps of the hills you have at the Spire? Especially for routes between Summit Hall and Red Larch."

"Maps would be a most useful gift," Asano says, following the knight's lead. Do you or your brethren know aught of the upheaval in this valley?" His eyes roam across the horizon, watchful for any more surprises.


OOC:
Perception- 6
Persuaasion- 6

This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Tue 03 Oct 2017.

Huet looks at Morg askance as he addresses Summit Hall. "I am aware of the Knights of Samular, they who dwell at Summit Hall, Master Dwarf," Huet replies, "though I know none of them personally."

"I have no maps of the Hills, alas, as the land is all laid out before a mounted Knight of Feathergale. Summit Hall liest on the Dessarin Road, verily, but I knowst no direct route from Red Larch there. South to the Ironford or north to Beliard are the only two routes I know by road. Mine own flying mount is superior to both, of course. Air travel beist superior to any other. Mayhap Commander Merosska will have a map or more knowledge than I."

Addressing Asano, Huet sighs. "Aye, the Sumber Hills are troubled of late. The hunting has been treacherous, as e'en dangerous monsters have wiped out the beasts most worthy of collecting for trophies. Thee all witnessed the attack of that Ankheg - there be worse in the deep Sumber Hills. And evil groups of men and women, aye, that we Feathergale Knights stand against."

---

Asano sees no other movement in the skies, lit now by a cloud-covered moon. He does spy some movement in one of the stalls below the drawbridge of the tower, which might be another large mount.

A rough trail develops as the group approaches the tower, and the way forward becomes quite steep. The wind breezes through the canyon below at frequent intervals, and a haunting sigh echos through the valley.

The group makes their way around a particularly steep switchback and the white spire again becomes visible, a thin layer of fog drifting in at its base from the surrounding canyon. The tower gleams in the faint moonlight, seeming as though it floats on a sea of clouds amid the few stars that have begun appearing in the sky. The summits of the surrounding hills rise above the fog like islands in that sea.

Huet glances back at the group, then moves a bit away, soothing his wounded mount. Pointing at the tower, he encourages the reluctant mount forward. Hesitantly, the giant vulture tests its wounded wing. Gamely it launches itself into the air with a sharp cry of pain, and makes its way tentatively through the air to one of the stables near the base of the tower. Handlers meet it and bring it inside.

Huet turns to his newfound companions. "Forsooth, I had hoped that the beast would still be flight-worthy. My heart is buoyed - it shall recover."

Continuing on the path, the group can see a significant gap of around twenty feet separates the ledge where the path ends from the closed drawbridge on Feathergale Spire. The space between cliff's edge and the gatehouse drops several hundred feet into darkness. Near the ledge, a brass bell hangs from a wooden post. Huet moves to ring the bell, and its echo rings out in the cooling air. "'Tis I, Huet Hughson, returning from patrol, with visiting guests with business for the Lord Commander".

A small window near the gate opens and a female voice calls out, "Lower the drawbridge!" A few seconds later, the drawbridge creaks into motion, and slowly descends towards the waiting party on the cliff's edge.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:31, Tue 03 Oct 2017.

Jak pulled a bit back from the knight and opened his mouth to say something to his comrades, but then he realized he didn't know how good the hearing was on the knight. So better not to risk it, he decided. He would let them know later on. He wasn't sure what they would be able to do about it anyway.

Something about the knight, and his strange speech patters, bugged Jak a bit. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. He wasn't sure if the knight was deliberately talking in a weird way, either as a joke or to confuse them or something else - or if that was really the way he talked and acted. But he seemed okay, at a glance and a listen, so maybe it was nothing.

When the giant vulture was able to take off and Huet was happy, Jak just hesitated and then nodded. "Ah, good! I'm glad." He watched the beast fly off to what he assumed was a stable or nest for it, and people of some sort came out to help it.

He looked around as they got closer to their destination and reached a drawbridge and gatehouse. He tried to look nonchalant and friendly as he waited.

The drawbridge lowers to the far side of the gap, resting on the ground at their feet with a soft thud. Huet begins to cross the bridge towards a pair of massive double doors leading into the tower, which open slowly as he approaches.

A waifish-looking elven knight peers out as she secures the doors open, glancing in curiousity at Huet's companions. After a sharp intake of breath, she exclaims, "Asano?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:06, Wed 04 Oct 2017.

Mayon stiffens a bit as they cross the bridge, pausing a bit from a sudden flash of vertigo and shaking his head. He never had been fond of heights, but this was a bit sudden. He took a slow breath, closing and reopening his eyes to clear his mind before following, a bit warier than he had been before. When the female elf approaches and greets Asano, he gives the sorcerer a surprised look, wondering if this was the woman he'd drunk himself into a stupor about.

Morg relaxes a bit when he sees the elf addressing Asano, and leaves some space for the two of them as he crosses the drawbridge.

As the group approaches the open doorway to the tower, the elven knight takes in Asano's reaction, then turns to Huet. "I think your mount must have been wounded, yes? You'll probably want to see to it in the stables." Huet nods. "Then I'll bring your companions up to see the Lord Commander."

As Morg crosses the drawbridge he looks over the hippogriff sculptures to try to figure out their origin.

---

06:39, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 4 [if disadvantage (e.g. due to darkvision only) or 8 if not] using 2d20+3, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 5,1.  Perception check (possibly with disadvantage) looking at hippogriff sculptures.
06:39, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 6 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 2.  Stonecunning check regarding origin of stonework of hippogriff sculptures.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:42, Fri 06 Oct 2017.

Huet bows to the group and takes his leave, entering the tower. He tosses the sack containing the ankheg head to a leather clad attendant and hurries into the tower.

Up close, Savra's skin gleams in the moonlight, her large green eyes framed by delicate elven features. Her armor-clad body seems sturdy but reed thin, and her waist seems impossibly tiny, even for an elf.

She beckons the group to follow her into the entrance hall.

---

The hippogriff sculptures seem no different than the rest of the tower, which up close shows some signs of significant wear. It's no recent construction.

Walking towards the entrance hall, Morg keeps an eye out for movement behind any arrow slits or thru brattices, and tries to see if the spire's design looks elvish.

---

04:52, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 5 [if disadvantage (e.g. due to darkvision only) or 14 if not] using 2d20+3, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 2,11.  Perception check (possibly with disadvantage for low light) for danger from arrow slits or brattices.
04:52, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 1d20 with rolls of 14.  History check, is the spire's design elvish?

Morg and the group enter the tower through massive twelve-foot-tall double doors. The entrance is a thirty-foot-long hall of white stone. At the opposite end of the hall are two doors twinned to those of the entry gate.

Gazing around, Morg and the other see an eagle carved from a massive timber hanging from the far side of the ceiling, suspended on strong chains. Slender wings of steel sweep close to its sides. Its head is also fashioned of steel.

Savra pauses to speak with one of the leather-clad attendants near the far doors, then turns to beckon the group onward.

---

No arrow slits or brattices are evident, though it seems the timber hanging from the ceiling resembles a battering ram. Morg knows that elves generally don't design towers like this one.

A single wooden door banded with iron is visible in the wall to the right as the group approaches the double doors on the far side of the entrance hall. Savra opens it to reveal a twenty-foot square central chamber with a spiral staircase, leading both up and down. Savra indicates the group should follow her up, grabbing the nearby handrail.

"The Lord Commander will be at the feast, which should start soon. You're all welcome to join us - we're celebrating the Feathergale Society's tenth year!"

On hearing about the celebration, Morg becomes even more suspicious and tries to figure out from Asano's special lady friend's tone and body language if she might be leading them into a trap.

He follows her up the staircase, keeping an eye out for possible ambush spots.

---

12:06, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 15.  Insight check on Savra - is she leading us into a trap?
12:06, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 4 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 1.  Perception check for possible ambush spots.

Bram and Dwee hang back, then Bram clears his throat. "I think I will travel back with Dweeble here to a civilized town, in search of some replacement glasses. I'm afraid I'm quite useless without them, and Dweeble has kindly agreed to accompany me. Hopefully I'll catch up with you in a few days. If not, farewell."

Bram inclines his head, Dweeble makes an awkward dip in an attempt at following suit, and the duo heads toward the exit. Savra waits patiently at the foot of the staircase.

---

New map - see Maps & Stuff Thread.

Three more wooden doors are visible in the stairwell on this level, though the small central room with the staircase is otherwise empty.



This message was last edited by the GM at 22:45, Mon 09 Oct 2017.

Jak gave Huet a cautious nod as he left them. These knights were strange if Huet was anything to judge by. He gawked slightly at all the sculptures, and discreetly admired Savra's exotic looks as well. He perked up at the mention of a feast. Food was good, free food was even better!

He raised an eyebrow, though. "Ten years?" He blinked. "I mean no offense but...I've never even heard o'your group, an' they've been goin' for ten years? How come there're no stories floatin' 'round about you?"

He stopped when Bramwell and Dweeble said they were going to take their leave. Jak was floored. He stuttered slightly, took a breath and then quietly wished them safe journey. He would miss them, both of them if he was being honest. He frowned after them for a moment before turning slowly back to follow Savra. Now the feast would hopefully also serve the purpose of lifting his spirits back up.

Asano stiffens in surprise as he recognizes Savra. "Savra? It's been a while," he says, his voice holding some small tone of melancholy to it. "How have you been? When did you join this troupe?" He follows her closely, noting her slight frame and near-luminous skin. "I wouldn't have expected to find you this far from home."


OOC:
Insight- 15
Watching for any signs of danger or deceit in her answers or body language.

"Oh, I'm not surprised you haven't heard of us. We don't seek out fame or fortune, merely adventure and excitement," Savra replies girlishly to Jak's question. "Many of the knights are nobility from Waterdeep, who enjoy flying, the outdoors, and danger."

Her eyes turn more serious as she looks at Asano, and pauses on the stairs. Waiting for the others to ascend ahead of her, she speaks with Asano in lower tones. "I've been well, Asano," she begins, her large eyes looking into his. "I've been here about five months now, and it seems like home now. The Society is very welcoming and rewarding. I've learned so very much."

Her steps slow, forcing Asano to nearly a dead stop on the stair. "I had to leave, after - well, after what happened," she continues. "I guess you left before I did, but I'm sure you know that Elessina disappeared around the time of Triarbor's razing. I just couldn't bear to be around her family, and all the recriminations of her spending time with the half-elves. Things got quite uncomfortable, after."

She sighs sadly, then perks up with a thought for the larger group. "I just remembered, we have other guests for the feast too! When you get to the next level just gather by the door so I can walk in first and announce you to the Society, and introduce you around!" The stairs above open into another small interior stairwell, with twin wooden doors the only visible exit on the second floor.

---

Map updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:38, Wed 11 Oct 2017.

Morg bows to Bram and Dweeble, and then asks the glyphscribe if it would be possible to buy Bruldenthar's book from him.

To the too thin elf, he says "My name is Morg, from the Danforge clan."

"Oh!" Savra half-giggles at the top of the stairs, "I suppose I should know all your names, if I'm planning to introduce you! I'm Savra Belabranta." She makes a strange half-curtsy to the group.

After learning everyone's name she opens the double doors to the second floor and a cacophony of noise floods the stairwell.

Fully half of the diameter of the second floor is comprised of a great hall. A long, curved table set for a feast stretches between the hall's twin hearths, and it is fully populated by a mix of leather- and metal-armor clad men and women loudly conversing with each other, raucously laughing, singing, and shouting stories of their most recent exploits.

Between the overlarge windows, tapestries depict scenes of gallant knights on flying hippogriffs, fighting dragons and jousting with one another among the clouds. High on the walls are the mounted heads of griffons, wyverns, owlbears, and manticores.

Savra leads the new arrivals to a nearby group of knights, conversing animatedly with a pink-haired gnome.

---

Map updated.

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:32, Thu 12 Oct 2017.

Mayon had been listening, looking around in quiet awe while trying to comprehend his brief episode earlier. He murmured his name absently while requested as he examined the statues of flying creatures with interest. Nobility seeking thrills, eh? That explains the way of speech.

He then turns his gaze around the room, immediately drawn to the unusual shade of hair belonging to the gnome, blinking a few times to figure out if that was real...yep, it was real. Curious.

"...like I said before, Candlekeep has a fairly steep admission.  I was never able to afford it, and I don't that I ever will.  A tome worth at least a thousand gold pieces, preferably one that they don't already possess, isn't exactly easy to find.  Especially when you don't have a catalog of their inventory!  At any rate..." The gnome seems to be in the middle of engaging in small talk.  From the recent bits of conversation, its apparent that she has just recently arrived from Candlekeep or at least its surrounding areas.  Occasionally, the gnome breaks off a bit of cracker or bread or fruit to pass upward to the grey owl perched on her shoulder, and the two of them occasionally twitter back and forth at each other.

The gnome notices the new arrivals and quirks an eyebrow in their direction.  After a few moments, she makes a point of including the new arrivals into the group.  "Ah, new guests?  Allow me to introduce myself.  I'm Tessa Greenwater of Hardbuckler.  I'm a researcher fond of animals, and I'm here to get some first hand accounts on the training techniques that the handlers here are using.  It's not so easy to tame some of the beasts that they have, and I'm hoping that they're willing to share some of their knowledge."  Tessa takes a quick sip of the drink in her hand and waves a hand invitingly to the newcomers.

Morg relaxes and quickly forgets about Summit Hall, Bruldenthar, and Womford when he sees several casks of ale near some singing knights. He fills a stein and walks around looking to see if anyone's playing cards or dice.

Asano chats amiably with the roomful of knights, listening attentively to their boasts and jokes. He tries to get a feel for the organization's mission and intent. He describes the party's adventures since forming in Red Larch, though he keeps details of the various organizations to himself. He also watches Savra carefully, waiting for an opportunity to speak with her relatively alone.

OOC:
Persuasion- 6
Insight- 21
Perception- 20

Jak gave a small nod to Savra's reply. Sure. That was possible, maybe even reasonable, he supposed. He tried to push his paranoia away. He flashed her a smile. "Adventure an' excitement are two o'my favorite things." Waterdeep. He'd visited it, though it was even larger than his own home 'town' and it overwhelmed him at first. "I can only imagine that flyin' is a wonderful thing."

He did notice the tension or something from the past between her and Asano. It was almost awkward but it looked like they were both trying to move on from...whatever it was. Jak could certainly sympathize with past 'issues', regrets, etc.

When she asked he gave her a flourishing bow and spoke in a very theatrical tone and inflection of voice for once. "Jakrynn Redgate, Bard Extraordinaire, at your service! It is an honor and a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Savra!"

He looked around at the great hall when they arrived, restraining the urge to let out a low whistle. It was large and impressive, well-decorated and well-stuffed full of people. He did see an oddity - a pink-haired gnome, with an owl on her shoulder to boot! He thought of Dweeble but she was alright so he put her out of his mind for the moment.

Jak gave a bow to the group and flashed the gnome a smile before he sat down. He'd been announced by Savra so didn't introduce himself again. He got settled in to the meal, "I can understand that. Being able to fly around would be pretty awesome."

Morg and Asano mingle around the room, while Jak, Tessa, and Mayon exchange pleasantries with Savra and the other Society members.

Morg finds a group of knights trading stories of successful hunts in the nearby Sighing Valley over mugs of ale and throws of dice. They welcome him heartily and ask for his stories as well.

Asano listens carefully to the boasting knights' stories, which tell of airborne sorties against gnolls and manticores, along with the occasional sighting of aarakocra. Savra seems engaged in speaking with the others, but glances frequently in Asano's direction.

After a few minutes, four very thin, leather-clad attendants arrive from the floor below with steaming plates of food, piled high with different varieties of meats. The assembled quickly take their seats, inviting their guests to follow suit.

A tall armored knight strides in behind them, and a hearty "Hurrah!" rises from the assembled. The man is a well-built male human with grey hair at his temples, in perhaps his early thirties. Embossed feather patterns ornament the plates of his armor, and his kingly cloak boasts a feathered mantle. He smooths his white-blond hair into place, as if disheveled from being in the elements, and raises his arms for quiet.

"Gathered Knights and guests, tonight we celebrate - our grand Society," the man begins with a booming voice and a pompous flourish. A cheer erupts from the room. "Eat, drink, be merry, and I'll have more to say later. But for now, enjoy yourselves and the company of the assembled!" With a majestic sweep of his cloak, he strides toward the head of the table and motions for food and ale.

Tessa raises an eyebrow at the announcement and takes a couple of steps towards the table.  She pauses momentarily to address the new arrivals.  "You're welcome to sit with me.  I'd be happy to hear some news of the area and what's going on."  The Gnome smiles genuinely and then moves to the nearest group of open seats.  Tessa takes her seat in one and waits to see what sort of fare will be put on display.

Morg walks over to Jak and Mayon while drinking from two steins. "Gie's some of that chow there Jakker." he says.

"Them's some hospitable folk biding here. They don't sing as nice as you, but with good ale that dinnae matter."

Mayon nods, looking around the room quietly.  "It is pretty nice, though I'm surprised a large group of wealthy and powerful folk like this aren't that well-known." He remarks, taking a seat near the pink-haired gnome from earlier and offering a polite smile, having been introduced already by the elf from earlier. "And it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Tessa."

The knights continue their boisterous boasting throughout the meal. The cool night air blows through the large windows of the hall, giving a must needed respite from the heat of the food and diners packed at the table.

After a time, it's clear there's yet another guest at the table, seated farther away from Tessa and the four guests that had arrived just before the feast.

Savra finishes her food quickly and stands by a window, still glancing occasionally at Asano.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:25, Sat 14 Oct 2017.

Asano finishes his own meal, excusing himself from the small talk around the table. He joins Savra at the window, bringing her a small cup of wine. He sips his own, letting the silence between them stretch comfortably, letting his old friend broach the conversation that seems to be on her mind.

The Society members continue to call out stories of past hunts to anyone nearby willing to listen. More food arrives from the kitches as the meal stretches on. Lord Commander Merosska calls upon some to tell and retell some of his favorites.

Savra nods as Asano joins her, then looks out the window at the deepening night. "I'm glad to see you Asano," she says without looking at him. "I imagine you did hear about Triarbor? But since you haven't made your way back home either, I imagine you're not quite sure what to do about it."

"I did hear of Triarbor," Asano replies. "My family sent a letter with some scant details. Do you know what happened?" He catches her gaze, his own holding the fondness of an old friendship.


OOC:
Persuasion- 24
Insight- 14

Savra turns away, hiding her eyes. "That aggressive murderer, Bastian Thermandar, took a torch to Triarbor. It burned to the ground. I'm sure the letter told you."

She turns back, her eyes brimming with tears. "I don't know if the letter told you this though. Elessina was in the village at the time. I'm not sure the letter would have mentioned that. She hasn't been seen since that day." She wipes her eyes, composing herself. "Nobody in the elven community seemed too distraught about her loss. She was consorting with half-breeds, after all," Savra says bitterly.

"You know," she says quietly, glancing at the Lord Commander, "our Society here is dedicated to the eradication of those who have wronged us, among other things. It may be that you can exact your revenge upon him, if you ally yourself with the Society." Savra looks at Asano with hopeful eyes, brimming with tears in her too-pallid face.

Abruptly the Lord Commander stands at the head of the table and addresses the full assemblage. "Hail, heroes of the Feathergale Society, and all invited guests," he declaims. A hearty hurrah erupts from the gathered knights. "It has been a full ten years since our storied dedication in this hallowed tower, and we have made a full impact upon this land in our brief but glorious tenure!" Another cheer from the dinner guests. "The hunt has been fruitful! The triumphs have been multiple! The airborne artistry has been masterful! And the enemies have been running away!" This one engenders a roar from the assembled.

"Our stories are legend, our triumphs many, and our continued success is assured," he continues, surveying the crowd. "And our admirers are sure to grow. Welcome, welcome, honored guests! We invite you now to share in our good natured boasting and tell us what brought you here. What are your exploits? Your trials, tribulations, and especially your trophies! Please, share with us your story." He looks expectantly in the direction of Mayon, Morg, Tessa, and Jak. He then takes in Asano standing next to Savra, and a tall, dark haired woman seated away from the others clad in chainmail.

Asano's eyes widen at Savra's information. "She was in the village?" he repeats. "Of course, she would be. Well, that offers an explanation to one question, but presents another. Do you know anything of the name Oreioth?" He pulls the locket from under his shirt, opening it for Savra to see Elessina's image inside. "We found her locket within the lair of a necromancer by that name. He intimated that there was a conflict brewing, a conflict he was positioned to profit from." Asano looks up suddenly as the commander calls out to the assemblage, wincing at the roars of the knights.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 01:20, Wed 18 Oct 2017.

Morg climbs up on to his table. "Awrite!" he says and takes out a black dagger, careful not to spill any ale. "A got this here wee dirk off a goblin A killed. A'd gotten ma sawed off bec de corbin stuck inside the armor of the gob, and in trying to get it out instead lifted up the whole gob and accidentally crushed another one standing behind me."

"A also found a letter the goblin wrote to its wife. Her name was Reta..." he says, the smile on his face suddenly disappearing as he climbs off the table.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:13, Sat 28 Oct 2017.

Some of the assembled laugh at Morg's story, other nods appreciatively and bang mugs on the tables. The Lord Commander nods thoughtfully, and looks around at the other guests expectantly.

Savra examines the locket carefully, then shakes her head. "I'm not sure where a necromancer would have come across this - but I've seen it before. I know Elessina carried it with her most everywhere. I think it's one of her ancestors, one she bears a striking resemblance to."

Savra brightens. "If a necromancer acquired this somehow, maybe there's a chance she's still alive somewhere. It wouldn't surprise me if she was held captive by the arsonists. We're tracking several groups in the Valley here that traffic in captives."

Asano nods thoughtfully. "Do your friends have any information regarding Thermander?" he asks, his tone grim. "I mean to bring him to justice, but have found little to information regarding his whereabouts." He watches Morg descend from the tabletop, waiting for someone else to fill the expectant silence.

"Perhaps," Savra says quietly to Asano's question. "Some information is held tight to the vest in the Society, at Commander Merosska's discretion. Bastian Thermander may be known to him."

The Lord Commander continues to scan the room, inviting guests to speak of their adventures.

Jak gratefully sat near the gnome. She seemed pleasant enough thus far. He didn't monopolize her time, as there were many conversations going on around them and the food and drink was very good!

When the Lord Commander asked about the boasting and adventures of the guests, Jak took this as his cue. He stood up and cleared his throat lightly. He then began to sing. He'd been working on putting together their various adventures for a time now, but hadn't been able to finish anything. He'd been too busy!

Working under pressure, sometimes, brought out the best in him though. He sang strongly but made it humorous. He wanted people to have a good time, not bore them to death!


OOC: In the interest of not repeating everything we've already done in the threads, lol, I'll leave it imagination. Also, dealing with a headache, sadly.

The tall dark woman in chain stood up after morg's story and jakrynn's song. She had long dark flowing hair, thick and wild like a dark cloud streaming down her shoulders. Her eyes were dark pools, that flashed in the torch light of the room like lightning. It was difficult to determine much about her build under the chain mail, aside from looking strong and more than a little intimidating. The shield leaning near her is adorned with a holy symbol, a cloud with three lightning bolts.

"I am Zora." she announced to the room, her voice deep and melodious with the hint of an odd accent.

She continued, "I minister to sailors and spread the word of Valkur. A few months ago, I served on a ship sailing the Sword Coast.  A powerful storm came from nowhere on a clear day with no sign of weather. It destroyed the ship, and all but I were lost in the wreck. But it was no natural storm.  I clearly remember the last thing I saw before the storm fell us was another ship on the horizon. It was flying a flag I will always remember. The flag marked the ship as belonging to a Captain I've since learned goes by the name Gar Shatterkeel."

She paused for a minute, clearly emotional recounting the tragedy. Her eyes shone with murderous intent when she continued.

"I've looked for information on Captain Gar and it had lead me here to the Desserin valley. I lost many good friends that day. I will find him and have my revenge."

She sat down quietly and returned to her meal.

Mayon listened quietly to the various stories, giving a polite nod to Zora and applauding Jak's song as it finished. When attention turned to him, though, he offered a sheepish smile.

"I'm just a scholar, for the most part, and not one for long speeches or interesting tales." He says in a hoarse voice, remembering his vision from earlier...probably best not to mention his patron, and Jak told the tale of their recent ventures with much more flair than he could. "I took to traveling to find the truth behind some interesting dreams, but other than that I'm afraid I'm the least interesting of my companions when it comes to stories and songs."

Morg looks over at Zora, and says "Awright, ship lass - A'm Morg. Do you ken any keelboat skippers in Womford? One may have some books nicked from someone we're looking for."

"Och, also, do you ken if it's safe to sail from Boulder's Gate to the isle of Mintarn? Generally like."

---

When Morg's been drinking, he uses some of the following words:
A = I
awright = hi
dirk = dagger
ken = know, understand
lad = a young man
lass = a young woman
ma = my
nae = no
nicked = stolen
och = oh
wee = small

If that's too confusing, I'll have him quit drinking for good.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 06:10, Fri 20 Oct 2017.

The assembled listen quietly and attentively to Jak's rendition, then Zora's story. A roar of approval and cheers erupts after each.

Morg walks over to the Lord
Commander, bows carefully, introduces himself again and then asks Merosska if he knows about any keelboat skippers from Womford with stolen goods from the missing delegation coming from Beliard, heading to Red Larch via Summit Hall. He also asks for any intelligence about the fresh graves to the south where Huet killed the ogre and the Ankheg.

She replied to the drunken dwarf with a level, even tone to her voice. "I'm pleased to meet you Morg. I know many ship's captains out of Womford. What specifically are you inquiring about? If you tell me that tale, perhaps I can be of assistance?"

"As for sailing from Baldur's Gate," her voice dropped lower, a little more serious, "It's my experience that as soon as anyone convinces themselves it's safe to sail the sea, they have a way of ending up on the bottom of it. Generally like."

Before going over to the Lord Commander, Morg says to Zora, "A dinnae ken the skipper's name, just that they sold books at Red Larch nicked from the missing delegation from Beliard, who we be looking for."

In response to her comments about the dangers of sailing the seas, he frowns and says, "Well, a hope ma prayers were heard, and Marthammor Duin watched over ma friend."

Thurl Merosska claps Morg on the shoulder heartily, and beckons him to an empty seat near his own. The knights around him, all clad in fine garments of velvet brocade, make room.

As he speaks, Thurl's face darkens. "I've heard the rumors of the missing Beliard delegation. As for the graves to the south of here...great evil lurks among these hills," he says. "Depraved cultists led by wretched monsters. But let us speak more of these matters after the feast."

One of the knights seated nearby leans in. "I've heard of a keelboat captain operating out of Womford. A genasi pirate by the name Shoalar Quanderil. We've heard reports he's been plundering up and down the Dessarin River." He turns towards Zora. "I hear he's been seen consorting with your Gar Shatterkeel too."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:36, Sun 22 Oct 2017.

Her face softened at Morg's mention of prayers. "While overconfidence is the bane of any sailor, piety is their salvation. I will say a prayer to Valkur tonight for your friend."

At the new about her quarry, she smile again at the dwarf. "It seems, friend dwarf, that our tasks are aligned. It's always prudent to have allies in a hunt. If you are pursuing this Shoalar Quandwril, I would be honored to join you."

Morg looks up confused, struggling to place the name of Zora's god. "If Valkuh's a good god, then thanks - ma friend Halby Trickfoot's a cleric of Tymora, and the lass can use all the prayers she can get, what with all the troubles she likes to get into."

When Zora offers to join forces, Morg smiles and slaps the table "Aye! That's a guid plan - we find this genasi, and see if he kens where the books came from and where your shipkiller's at."

---

10:05, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2.  History or religion check to see if he knows of Valkur and if sh'es good/neutral/evil.

The doors of the great hall fly open and a sentry from the pinnacle shouts, "Manticore! It's on the move!"

At this announcement the Feathergale Knights rise as one, the feast before them unfinished.

"We should take this opportunity to slay the monster," Thurl says. From his finger he removes a feather-patterned golden ring set with a garnet and holds it aloft, saying "A prize for the one who brings me the beast's head!" A great "Hurrah!" erupts from around the room.

Merosska turns and points to four of his knights nearby, calling them to assemble at the pinnacle of the Spire. "You all are welcome to join us," the Lord Commander says to each of his six guests, motioning to them in turn. "We will lend you mounts if you wish to join in the hunt."

---

If you wish to join the hunt, Thurl and his companions are heading towards the stairs.

Jak listened to the tale-telling that came after his own, from a person named Zora. He slowly nodded after she was done. He gave Zora applause and a smile. "Very nice!" She and Morg discussed sailing a bit, which Jak listened to bemusedly. He glanced at Mayon when he spoke up, but didn't comment.

Then everyone was standing up among the Knight after someone burst in and said a Manticore was on the move. Well, assuming it was A manticore and not like someone NAMED Manticore or something odd like that.

They were asked if they wanted to join and Jak immediately bounced to his feet. "Wait...mounts..." He sounded both suspicious and excited, as if fearing he was wrong about an assumption. "Like...we'd get t'FLY?? Hell yes! I'm in!" He hurried after the knights.

She glanced at jak, scowling at his applause. Her story wasn't meant for anyone's entertainment.

But at the knights request, she found her heart echoing his enthusiasm. "I will join you as well!" she cried with excitement and followed them. Revenge could wait. How could a priestess of a storm God resist the lure of flying on currents of air?

"Sounds like too good of an offer to pass up." Mayon agreed with a smile, getting to his feet and making sure his gloves and supplies were secure before following after. Manticore...quite an interesting name.


22:15, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 9 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 7.  Nature check--Manticore.
If it's Arcana it would be an 11 instead. Long story short, does Mayon know anything about Manticores? :P

Morg laughs at the idea of flying until he sees Jak, Zora, and Mayon go up the stairs, and reluctantly follows them.

---

While Morg isn't too drunk, he's probably tipsy enough to have disadvantage on dex rolls.

Asano sighs, frustrated at the interruption as the knights charge from the banquet. He follows along with his companions, not entirely sanguine on the prospect of flying, but not willing to stay behind alone, either.

The Lord Commander leads the group of guests and knights to the stairway up, then calls to another group of Feathergale denizens to ready enough mounts for the group.

Two floors up, the stairs terminate at a round stone gazebo that continues upward in a needle-like minaret. Beyond this enclosure, a small lawn grows upon the top of the tower. Guttering torches set in the walls around the stairs and the top of the tower illuminate the area.

The cool night air breezes across the top of the pinnacle. Four paths paved with white stones point the directions of the compass, each path ending in a pointed stone crenellation. At the edge of one of the pinnacles is a spyglass on a tripod, pointed downward.  The moon illuminates the misty canyon below Feathergale Spire, and the impression of height and vantage point is impressive, even vertigo-inducing.

In the far distance, a single shard of darkness moves, flitting in and out of the mist. Then the shadow sinks beneath the bank of clouds, lost again from sight.

The four knights move toward a group of giant birds, gathered near the far end of the pinnacle.

---

Map updated.

Mayon (and maybe others) know that manticores are flying monsters with the body of a lion and the wings of a dragon. Nasty things.

Morg may have a slight buzz (for a dwarf), but disadv on dex saves isn't necessary ;)


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Wed 25 Oct 2017.

The four knights choose their beasts and mount up.

---

You all can choose your own mounts, or you can double up as some mounts have double-saddles.

Zora had a mixture of excitement and apprehension going through her as she paced between the flying steeds. Like being aloft on a high mast for the first time, except about ten times higher, she was nervous but determined to experience it for herself. She looked for one of the more experienced knights heading for a double saddled beast and asked, "May I join you? I have no knowledge of how to handle such a creature myself, but I very much want to experience this hunt!"

OOC I am not about to try flying a winged steed for the first time solo! Picking one of the experienced knights to ride along with!

Morg looks for the stoutest remaining beast and scrambles up. He ties himself to it with his rope using a quick release knot while saying "Awrite beastie. A look after you and you look after me. A hope you like manticoh meat."

Mayon examines the creatures with wide gray eyes. A part of him is hesitant now, seeing them up close, but his curiosity gets the better of him and he approaches one of the knights with the double saddles.. "Er...I'd love to come along for this hunt, but I'm afraid I've never even ridden so much as a horse...might I join one of you? I'd hate to injure myself or one of your mounts through inexperience."

Mayon is also requesting to share with one of the knights.

The handlers lead the group toward free mounts. Skittish at first, the beasts soon warm up to the new arrivals.

Mayon and Zora are welcomed aboard two separate giant vultures behind already mounted knights, while Morg is led to his own mount, a hippogriff. Attendants busy themselves tightening straps around the saddles and their riders, and approve of Morg's knotted rope.

On his own hippogriff nearby, Thurl calls out to the group. "How should we split? I think a least a few groups would be best, to try to corner the beast. And of course to encourage some friendly competition!"

---

Thurl will agree to whatever groups you want to make - if you all want to stay together, he and his knights not sharing a mount with Zora or Mayon will form at least one more group.

The giant vultures have double saddles, and the hippogriffs carry single riders.

Riders:

Thurl (hippogriff)
Knight 1 & Zora (giant vulture)
Knight 2 & Mayon (giant vulture)
Morg (hippogriff)
Knight 3 ??
Knight 4 ??
Jak ??
Asano ??
Tessa??

Jak hesitated. Part of him wanted to play it safe and ride double with one of the knight. What did he know about controlling a mount, let alone a FLYING one? But...on the other hand...another part of him wanted to try. When would he get that kind of chance again?? He frowned for a moment and then a smile slid on to his face. He shrugged at himself and headed towards a mount by himself, one with a single saddle.

Which turned out to be a hippogriff. He slowed as he approached it and tried to contain his dueling fear and excitement. He gave the creature a bow of respect before he walked closer. "hello, you. you're a pretty one, aren't you? yes, you are. majestic, an' wond'rful. i'm Jak. ver pleased t'meet you." He spoke to it quietly, in a friendly tone, and tried to reach out to give it a pet to see if it would let him. He looked for a name as well. "What's this one's name?"

The question of groups came up. He looked wide-eyed and shrugged. "I think those who've been doin' this a while should handle that. I'm happy t'group up with more experienced riders."

"Birds versus hippogryphs?" she suggested sweetly, more exhilarated by the flight than any hunt. She spoke a quiet prayer of thanks to her God for guiding her here and lifting her aloft on his currents of wind.

Asano looks about for Savra, hoping to see her mounting one of the massive vultures. Given his own lack of experience, he felt it would be best to ride with an experienced knight.
"Savra," he smiles, pushing aside the questions he'd mich rather discuss. "Mind carrying me into the fray? Aside from myself, you are the only person I would trust to fly one of these beasts."

Morg nods at Zora and says "Aye, their speeds are probably different."

He tries to coax the hippogriff to take flight, and says to Thurl "A'd be chuffed to fly with you and Jak."

Another group of three knights appears and enthusiastically chooses mounts and accepts reins from the waiting attendants. Merosska joins the new arrivals. Three groups form on the pinnacle of the Spire; two of hippogriffs and one of giant vultures.

"All mounts, up!" the Lord Commander shouts, his own mount flapping vigorously and lifting off as a howl of wind passes through the valley below. "And good hunting!"

---

As you take off, if you're on a hippogriff alone roll an animal handling check.

If you're on a giant vulture being guided by a Feathergale Knight, roll a dex save to see how you react to taking off suddenly.

Here is how the groups have shaken out at the start - if you want to switch groups or stay behind, speak up now.

Tessa, we haven't heard from you, so if we don't I'll assume you're on your own hippogriff with Group 2.

Group 1 - giant vultures, double mounts
Knight 1 & Zora
Knight 2 & Mayon
Knight 3 & Asano

Group 2 - Party hippogriffs
Morg
Jak
Tessa??
Knight 4

Group 3 - Feathergale knight hippogriffs
Thurl
Knight 5
Knight 6
Knight 7

Jak must have made a good impression with his bow and talking to the hippogriff as if it were just another person. It was actually a she, he found out quickly, named 'Sharpwind'. He smiled at her and mounted up, trying to get a feel for the way she moved while on the ground, shifting in his saddle a bit to find the right spot to sit.

He leaned over the saddle and spoke to her quietly, "now, I'm new t'this so help me out here please. I want us both t'look good, have fun, an' come back in one piece. you watch out for me, an' I'll do the same for you, okay?"

When the command was given, he urged her to take flight.


OOC: Holy crap! Jak can RIDE!
21:17, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 18 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 14.  Animal Handling - Riding the Griff!

Also, hope you are okay with the liberties I took. If not, I'll be happy to edit. =)

Asano clutches the stays as the vulture suddenly takes to wing.


OOC:
Dex save- 8

"Whoa!" Morg says over all the flapping, when the hippogriff lifts off much quicker than he expected.

---

07:30, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 7 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 6.  Animal handling check for taking off on hippogriff.

Jak's mount soars into the air effortlessly, but Morg's stutter-steps from the launch. Jerkily it makes its way skyward, and gives a strangled cry as Morg jerks on the reins. The bird remains airborne, though somewhat unsteadily.

Asano jerks backward as the giant vulture takes to the air. The straps holding him to the saddle creak audibly, but hold. "Steady back there!" Savra calls over her shoulder.

As the birds lift off, the three groups begin heading in different directions, down towards the layer of mist covering the valley below.

---

All good Jak - liberties fine, even encouraged!

I'll wait for everyone to make their initial rolls before starting the hunt.

Asano nods to Savra as the vulture steadies out, gliding toward the knights' quarry. His left wrist comes to his face, his nose catching a barely present perfume applied long ago. A melancholy smile creases his face, then hardens as he searches the skies for the manticore. His wand slips into his right hand as he steadies his mind and his balance.

Zora held on tightly to the vulture as it launched and dove. She whooped somewhat uncharacteristically for a stern priestess, then fixed her resolve, but still thrilled at the experience of the flight.

Mayon's eyes widen as the vulture takes flight and he clutches onto the saddle for dear life. The feeling of being in the air was admittedly exhilarating...but the sensation of looking down, not so much. He closed his eyes tightly, taking slow breaths and reminding himself not to do that again. Of all the times to learn he had an issue with heights.

Edited Dex Save:
17:43, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5.  Dex save.
Mayon is not much of a rider :P
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Sun 29 Oct 2017.

Mayon slumps sideways in his harness as the bird beneath him banks hard, adjusting course to align with the other mounts. The saddle twists and slides somewhat beneath him, and he practically dangles from the side of the bird as it strains to catch up with the group. With an effort he manages to right himself, though the straps seem none too stable.

The three groups disappear beneath the aerial carpet of white fog, and moisture coats every surface of the riders.

Abruptly the group riding giant vultures spies their quarry through a break in the clouds. Visible about sixty feet ahead is a beast if ever there was one. Leathery wings like a dragon's sprout from its muscled feline back. Sharp spikes erupt from a long tail. Its head shines in the scattered moonlight, a parody of a human face framed by a bristling lion's mane that stretches down its back.

Just as the Feathergale knights cry out and make for the flying monster, it screeches at the approaching group.

It whips its tail around and sends three barbed spikes directly into the path of Zora's mount. One spike sails over the head of the ducking knight and spins into the mists, but two other spikes strike home, one each into Zora and the vulture itself. Then it swings around flies further away from the vultures.

---

Round 1! Everyone can post, though only Mayon, Zora, and Asano are in the group that has encountered the manticore. There's no map for this encounter; theater of the mind only.

Group 1 finds the manticore first! Assume you're about 60' away from the manticore after its turn, though movement & distance are very much subject to originality and creativity in this encounter. The giant vultures' flying speed is 60', so you can easily make it to melee range if you so desire, or do anything else you want to really. You're on a flying mount ;).

The knights are too busy controlling their mounts (since they're carrying 2 riders) to actually do anything but control the mounts.

Group 2, this round you just hear the cries of the other group, so your posts can be to determine which way they're coming from, formulate a plan of attack, get better control of your mount, or whatever else you'd like to do.

Manticore's turn:

Manticore attacks 3 times with spikes: 2 vs. Zora's vulture, 1 vs. Zora.
Hits Zora's vulture once for 6 piercing
Hits Zora once for 4 piercing (reduced to 1).

Manticore moves so it's 60' away from Group 1.

Round 1 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Manticore	23
Mayon	12
Zora	10
Asano	4

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Tue 31 Oct 2017.

Seeing Mayon righting himself and diving below the fog, Morg shouts to his group, "Shall we attack from below, trying to box it in, and looking out to catch anyone who falls off?"

Struggling to control the hippogriff, he loosens his grip on the reins, trying to give it more freedom to follow Jak.

---

04:43, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 4 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 3.  Animal handling check on hippogriff, giving it more freedom.

Oops.

Does group 1 get attacks of opportunity before their turns?

From DM: no, the manticore didn't get within 5' of anyone when it attacked.

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:50, Tue 31 Oct 2017.

Jak concentrated mostly, firstly, on making sure he stayed in the saddle on the hippogriff. He didn't try too hard to steer her to start with, letting her fly along with the other hippogriffs, as it would be natural for her. He also didn't know where the manticore was yet so there was no need to try to go somewhere specific.

But that changed when some of the knights spotted the manticore and it attacked them. Jak then urged Sharpwind to head towards where the manticore was. He drew in a sharp breath when he saw that Zora had been hit. He didn't know her, really, having only just met her recently, but she wasn't one of the knights and he didn't want to see her killed.

22:28, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  Perception to spot/hear the manticore.

Mayon's eyes widen a bit at the sight of the Manticore, but immediately he swaps into combat mode with two of his usual spells. "Try to keep a distance, I'm better at range." He calls out to the knight in front of him, not waiting for a response before casting a quiet curse on the Manticore, and a beam of magic to follow.

Bonus Action: Hex on the Manticore--Disadvantage on Dex checks.
Action: Eldritch Blast on Manticore.
16:01, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 13,10,4 using d20+5,d10+3,d6 with rolls of 8,7,4.  Eldritch Blast Manticore.
Hits 13 AC for 14 Damage (4 of which is Necrotic, 10 force).

If I need to roll with disadvantage or anything like that due to the previous poor dex save I'll edit my post.

Zora held on tightly to the vulture as best she could. "Get in close!" she cried to her pilot as she prepared her hammer and shield. She took a moment to calm her thoughts and bless her companions as they went in.

...

OOC: move towards melee range, cast bless using level 1 slot on Zora, Mayon and Asano.

Morg struggles with his reins, and the bird ends up flying the opposite direction from Mayon and his diving mount, away from Jak.

Jak hears the cries of battle nearby, but the strange acoustics in the air only give him the vague sense that the others are off to his left somewhere, and below. His mount seems eager to give chase though.

Meanwhile, back with the vultures, Savra swings around the beast to try to cut off any escape. Mayon's blast of magic energy swings wide through the mists, leaving a thin tunnel of clear night in its wake. The manticore swivels its freakish face toward Mayon.

"More flies to swat," it booms in a loud gravelly voice, then flings its tail in Mayon's direction. Three more sharp spikes loose from its tail and hurtle towards Mayon, and two hit home.

---

Round 1 Summary:
Mayon casts Hex, then casts Agonizing Blast at Manticore - MISS.

Zora casts Bless on Zora, Mayon, and Asano.

Asano does nothing.

Round 2!

Manticore attacks Mayon with 3 spikes: 2 HIT for 10 piercing damage.


Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Manticore	23	Hexed by Mayon: Disadv on Dex checks
Mayon	12	Conc: Hex; Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)
Zora	10	Conc: Bless; Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)
Asano	4	Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:46, Wed 01 Nov 2017.

Mayon gasps in pain at the spikes, losing focus on the spell he had cast before glaring back up at the Manticore. His eyes flare silver as he focuses an illusion into the creature's mind. It would see the form of another mounted knight flying up from behind with astonishing stealth and speed and slashing at it with a readied blade, hopefully something to distract it from the ones who were actually there.


17:27, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 4 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 3.  Concentration. Mayon loses focus on Hex.
If Mayon is within 60 feet of the Manticore, he will cast Phantasmal Force as described above. Manticore must make an intelligence saving throw at DC 13. On a failed save, it will wholeheartedly believe the illusory knight to be real and rationalize anything that proves otherwise unless it takes a full action to Investigate the illusion and beat the DC.
If the illusion is kept within 5 feet of the manticore, it will take 1d6 psychic damage per round, but perceive it as whatever matches the illusion, i.e. weapon damage in this case.

If Mayon is not within 60 feet I will edit my post :P

Asano shakes off the momentary paralysis at the creature's monstrous visage. "Bring us in a little closer," he says to Savra, struggling to be heard over the rushing wind. "I'm going to try and slow it down." He levels his wand at the creature and looses a silvery bolt of ice at the creature. The bolt impacts against the creature, its powerful wingbeats slowing notoceably,noticeably.


OOC:
Ray of frost att- 17
Ray of frost dmg- 2 and it is slowed by 10' until my next turn

I don't know why my post yesterday didn't work, but I did the same thing and missed.  :(
This message was last edited by the player at 19:01, Thu 02 Nov 2017.

"Bring us in close! Very close!" she called to the knight in front of her, as she concentrated for an instant. A hammer of force materialized nest to the manticore and swung at it, as she did the same with her own warhammer.

...

Not really sure how well melee works in a situation like this, going to assume I can do the usual, close and fight. If not DM can fix this :-)

Bonus action: cast spiritual weapon and melee spell-attack manticore:

21:39, Today: Secret Roll: Zora Jilkina rolled 25 using 1d20+5+1d4 with rolls of 18,2.  spiritual weapon attack on manticore.

21:40, Today: Secret Roll: Zora Jilkina rolled 5 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 2.  spiritual weapon damage (if hit).

Attack action: 21:41, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 12 using 1d20+1d4+5 with rolls of 4,3.  warhammer to hit, including bless bonus +3 str and +2 prof.

21:42, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  warhammer damage (if she hit).

Jak frowned as he couldn't seem to see what he was looking for, and the sounds of what he heard didn't help him navigate too well in the air. He was used to being on the ground, after all. He noted a sort of vague direction to go in.

However, he found that Sharpwind wanted to give chase and seemed to know which way she wanted to go, so Jak let her loose, urging her forward. "Yes! Let's go get that thing, girl!"

OOC: Movement towards (hopefully) the Manticore since I can't see it.

"You numpty dwarf!" Morg whispers to himself as the hippogriff turns back.

He tries to turn it around towards Jak, "Whoa now, thataway."

---

06:50, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 2 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 1.  Animal handling check on hippogriff to turn around.

This is why dwarves prefer to be inside mountains, instead of above them ;).

Morg hauls on the reins a bit too hard, and the hippogriff lurches back towards Jak's mount. With a snap, one of the harnesses holding Morg in the saddle gives way, and he slides to the side of the hippogriff. The bird squawks in protest.

"The dwarf is sliding off!" the Feathergale knight accompanying the group calls out, pointing from his position above Morg at Jak as he and his mount fly farther from his companions. Muttering a quick spell, he Messages Jak that his friend is in trouble, then dives down towards the struggling fighter.

To the manticore's eyes, a shiny-armored knight bursts from a nearby cloud of mist and bares steel, flying directly for the beast. "Fresh meat," the creature growls, loosing three more spikes that carom harmlessly off the knight's breastplate. The knight buries her sword in the feline side of the beast, who howls anew.

From the other side, a floating hammer appears and slams into the manticore's head. Zora's own hammer blow misses the beast by inches as she dives past.

Asano's blast of ice hits the manticore broadside, and rime ice coats the monster's wings.

The creature swings around, searching this time for a clear shot at Asano.

---

Morg, make an appropriate ability check to try to save yourself from falling - depending on how you try to accomplish that you could do athletics, acrobatics, animal handling, intimidation, religion, etc. =)

Jak, if you wish you can turn around and help, continue on to try to join up with Group 1, or (of course) something else entirely!

Round 2 Summary:
Mayon casts Phantasmal Force at Manticore (failed save). Manticore takes 4 psychic damage.

Zora casts spiritual weapon - HIT for 5 force damage. Zora attacks with warhammer - MISS.

Asano casts ray of frost - HIT for 2 cold damage, and the manticore is slowed by 10' until SoANT.

Round 3!

Manticore attacks phantasmal force - automatic MISS.


Round 3 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Manticore	23	P. Force: d6 psychic dmg/turn; slowed by 10' until Asano's next turn
Mayon	12	Conc: P. Force; Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)
Zora	10	Conc: Bless; Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)
Asano	4	Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:45, Fri 03 Nov 2017.

Asano's eyes widen as the manticore wheels to fix him with a glare weighed heavily with imminent violence. Asano concentrates, another ray of icy energy coating the creature's wing joints as the sorcerer's off hand begins drawing defensive sigils in the air. "Let it try and hit me," he mutters to Savra, speaking just loudly tobe heard above the rushing wind.


OOC:
Ray of Frost att- 19
Damage- 2 cold, and slowed again! Hah! If he attacks me, Savra, or the vulture, Asano will try to interdict himself and cast shield.

She said a quiet prayer for 'the dwarf' who was sliding off, but could do nothing, she couldn't even see him in the confusion. She had her own life and death encounter going on here, she needed to focus on it.

She directed her spiritual weapon to hit the manticore again and urged her pilot to, "Keep me in close," as she swung her own weapon at the beast again.

...

25 to hit with spiritual weapon, 11 damage if it hits. Also 10 to hit with warhammer, 6 damage if it hits

20:42, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  damage from warhammer.
20:41, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 11 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 8.  damage spiritual weapon.
20:40, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 10 using 1d20+5+1d4 with rolls of 3,2.  to hit with warhammer.
20:39, Today: Secret Roll: Zora Jilkina rolled 25 using 1d20+5+1d4 with rolls of 16,4.  spiritual weapon attack on manticore.

Morg shouts "[Language unknown: Unntla...]" as he tries to cling to the hippogriff, before composing himself to try to climb back into the saddle and tie himself to one of the harnesses.

"Okay, belay ma last, it's now up to you where we fly - A'm just along for the ride. "

---

11:04, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 25 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 19.  Athletics check to cling and climb hippogriff and tie rope.

Mayon smiled to himself as the manticore fell prey to the illusion. He muttered his quiet gratitude to his patron in Sylvan, then sent a burst of magic at it while trying to stay just close enough to keep the illusion in motion and aggressive.

11:50, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 15,4,12 using d20+5,d4,d10+3 with rolls of 10,4,9.  Eldritch Blast Manticore.
19 to hit for 12 Force damage! (Ignore second rolls, I messed up on dice roller)
11:51, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Phantasm Damage.

Diving down, the Feathergale Knight reaches out to try to assist Morg into the saddle, but the dwarf clambers up on his own. The knight hauls back on the reins, but too late - his mount's wings slam into Morg's back as they fly past.

Mayon's blast and Zora's hammer of force both strike true, causing the monster to rear back as it prepares its attack. The manticore ducks Zora's flyby attack, but is hit with another blast of cold that coats its mane with frost.

Snarling, the manticore growls a warning. "Stay out of my domain, puny knights. Go fight more of your own kind." Swinging its tail, it launches another three spikes at Asano and Savra.

Asano hesitates as he sees one spike heading straight for Savra, hunched in front of him, and another for the giant vulture's chest.

---

Morg, make a strength save to see if you can hold on as the other hippogriff smashes into you.

Asano, I haven't applied damage to Savra or your giant vulture yet - you can use your reaction & movement in round 4 to unstrap yourself & get between either Savra or the vulture (not both), in addition to your normal action. If you decide not to do that just post that too & I'll apply damage to both.

Jak if you continue towards the sound of battle you can make it there & act in Round 5. I'll assume that's what you're doing unless you post otherwise.

Round 3 Summary:
Mayon casts Agonizing Blast at manticore - HIT for 12 force damage. Manticore takes 4 psychic damage from Phastasmal Force.

Zora's spiritual weapon HITS for 11 force. Zora attacks the manticore with warhammer - MISS.

Asano casts Ray of Frost - HIT for 2 cold damage, and the manticore is slowed by 10' until the start of Asano's next turn.

Round 4!

Manticore attacks with 3 spikes - 1 flies wide, another heads straight for Savra, the third for Savra & Asano's giant vulture mount. Asano,


Round 4 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Manticore	23	P. Force: d6 psychic dmg/turn; slowed by 10' until Asano's next turn
Mayon	12	Conc: P. Force; Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)
Zora	10	Conc: Bless; Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)
Asano	4	Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:18, Sun 05 Nov 2017.

Morg turns his head to look back to see where the rest are, but instead only sees another errant hippogriff just before they collide.

---

23:47, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 8.  Strength save to hold on after hit by other hippogriff.

The creature was taking a beating but didn't seem to be losing its fight. She had another idea when it mentioned it's domain, but choose to ignore it for now in favor of more physical means of vanishing the manticore. She swung her war hammer in a mighty blow and directed her spiritual weapon to smite the beast.

...
22:41, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 26 using 1d20+5+1d4 with rolls of 20,1.  War hammer to hit.

22:40, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 14 using 1d20+5+1d4 with rolls of 7,2.  Spiritual hammer to hit.

22:44, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 13 using 2d8+3 with rolls of 8,2.  War hammer damage use second die if crit.

22:43, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 8 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 5.  Spiritual weapon damage if needed.

Jak continued to urge his mount towards the battle, silently cursing himself for being so far away to begin with - not that he realistically had any way of knowing where the manticore actually would BE. But that mattered little to his subconscious mind as it berated him. He didn't take it out on Sharpwind, though. It certainly wasn't her fault, and she was doing her best to move them both to the battle.

OOC: Yeah just double moving or running to get there.

Morg clings to a loose strap of the saddle, having narrowly avoided being knocked completely off his mount by the other bird. His hippogriff is very upset, clearly not used to its rider being out of the saddle in flight.

The knight's mount circles around in a wide arc as Morg struggles to right himself. The other bird looks to be coming straight at Morg for another pass.

---

Morg, you can make another ability check as before to climb back in the saddle, etc. I'm going to hold off on posting a summary of Round 4 for a day or so to give Asano a chance to post.

Morg looks down wide-eyed while swinging from the strap, "That'll sober you right up!"

He races hand over fist up the rope, scrambles back into the saddle, and ties himself down again.

---

01:11, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 26 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 20.  Athletics check to climb back in the saddle.

Mayon grins to see the fight going their way, unleashing another burst of energy at the distracted, wounded Manticore. He just had to keep moving and hope it was too distracted to focus on the illusion, but his arm is jostled by the movement and the beam misses widely.


16:20, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 7,3,11 using 1d20+5,1d4,1d10+3 with rolls of 2,3,8.  Eldritch Blast Manticore.
10 to hit for 11 damage, gonna assume that misses.
16:21, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6.  Phantasm Damage.
But hey, 6 psychic damage from Fake Knight!

Watching the creature loose it's barrage of spikes, Asano quickly unclasps a restraing from his leg. He slides around Savra's side, shouting an arcane word to activate his magical shield and hopefully keep either of them from bleeding.

With a mighty heave, Morg vaults himself back into the hippogriff's saddle and reattaches his lap strap in a single smooth motion. Still turning, the Feathergale Knight sits up in his saddle, then reins in slightly. A voice speaks in Morg's head then, over the rushing of the wind. "Ah, I ah, see you're back in your saddle. Well good. Shall we follow your friend towards the sound of our quarry then?"

Asano climbs around Savra as the spike flies towards her. "What are you-" Savra objects, just as the spike contacts Asano's shield. Despite the warding magic around him, the spike penetrates the shield and stabs deep into his shoulder.

Another spike slams into the vulture as she veers away from the manticore, trying to confuse its aim. The bird cries out in pain and surprise, and its wing beats weaken "That was very noble, and very foolish," Savra chides as she struggles to right the wounded bird's flight.

Zora's warhammer slams into the manticore's side at the same time her enchanted hammer crushes one of the beast's wings. It roars in pain and focuses its eyes on the cleric.

"I know when I'm beaten. But I'm taking you down with me." With a quick beat of its leathery wings, the manticore throws itself at Zora's giant vulture, lashing out with both its claws and ripping at the bird's throat with its teeth. The bird lets out a mournful screech and shudders with pain, fighting to get away. Mists start streaming upward from Zora and her saddle-mate's position on top of the bird as it begins to descend. The Feathergale Knight hauls on the reins, trying to urge the bird upwards.

Through a break in the mists, Jak's hippogriff emerges at last.

---

I've added Jak to initiative; assume you're about 60' away from the manticore but ~120' away from the others in the party.

Round 4 Summary:
Mayon casts Agonizing Blast at manticore - MISS. Manticore takes 6 psychic from Phantasmal Force.

Zora attacks the manticore with warhammer - CRIT for 13 bludgeoning. Spiritual weapon HITS for 8 force.

Asano cast Shield in the previous round, but the spike hits him anyway for 8 piercing . A second spike hits Savra and Asano's mount for 12 piercing.

Round 5!

Manticore attacks Zora's giant vulture - HITS with 1 claw and 1 bite for 6 slashing and 5 piercing.

Round 5 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Manticore	23	P. Force: d6 psychic dmg/turn
Jak	21
Mayon	12	Conc: P. Force; Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)
Zora	10	Conc: Bless; Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)
Asano	4	Blessed (+d4 to hit/save)

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Wed 08 Nov 2017.

Not noticing the knight, Morg looks down confused at the hippogriff, "Uh, you can mind-talk?"

He takes out a javelin, gives his mount free rein, and says "Aye, let's go find the others."

"Oh, I have had about enough of this!" she cried as her mount fell back. "What was that you said before? get out of your domain? Gladly!"

She sent her spiritual hammer in again, but this time instead of hitting the beast with her war hammer, she focused her divine power into a single command. "Land!"

---

Swinging spiritual hammer at beast then using command spell with command "Land"

 Ignore middle roll, forgot to set to damage dice...
16:38, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  Spiritual weapon damage.
16:37, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 13 using 1d20+5+1d4 with rolls of 6,2.  Spiritual weapon damage.
16:37, Today: Secret Roll: Zora Jilkina rolled 19 using 1d20+5+1d4 with rolls of 13,1.  Spiritual weapon to hit.

"Damn! Follow after that thing and Zora!" Mayon calls out to the rider as he looses another burst of magic, the illusory knight streaking after the Manticore as well to continue their invisible assault.


16:30, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 20,4,4,1 using d20+5,d4,d10+3,d6 with rolls of 15,4,1,1.  Eldritch Blast + Phantasm.
24 to hit for 4 Force damage and 1 Psychic from the phantasm.
Guys I think Phantasmal Force is my new favorite spell :)

Jak urged Sharpwind ever closer, but stayed back just a bit from the manticore. No sense in getting TOO close and being mauled....like the one mount seemed be getting! He shook his head but then yelled at the top of his lungs. "WHAT'S THAT THING FLYIN' AROUND? IT LOOKS LIKE A MONKEY MATED WITH A SCORPION AN' BOTH OF 'EM WERE DISGUSTED!!"

16:40, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 2 using 1d4 with rolls of 2.  Psychic damage if save is failed (Vicious Mockery).

Asano grimaces at the spike jutting from his shoulder. "It didn't work to plan," Asano grits his teeth, and rips the spike from his flesh. "Let's finish this." His focus-wand glows for a moment and six glowing balls of force shoot toward the manticore's hide. The indistinct missiles form into razor-sharp looking snowflakes before slamming along the creature's flank.


Orange>OOC:
Cast magic missile, and psending a sorcery point to twin it.

Magic Missile dmg- 25</Orange>

The manticore continues to grapple with Zora's mount as they both start descending rapidly.

At Jak's taunt the beast's fight seems to leave it. It disengages, just as bolts of force and magic streak toward it, slamming into the beast's form and singing it's scraggly mane. Eyes closed, it falls end over end into the mists.

"After it," Savra calls out, "to collect its head as our prize!"

---

The Manticore is defeated!

700 XP total
175 per PC.

She whooped in triumph and held on, urging her vulture pilot to follow the body down to the ground.

Morg hears Jak's shouts, and tries to urge the hippogriff on. "Stay frosty now, but we cannae let our friends fight the monstah all on their own!"

Mayon sighs in relief as the monster falls, having the invisible knight give a salute only he can see before vanishing like the illusion it was. "Let's fly down to meet the others." He calls out to the rider, holding on tightly now that he doesn't have to focus on spells.

After a fair bit of searching over the dim, rocky floor of the Sighing Valley, the remains of the manticore come into view below. Though the Spire isn't visible from the base of the canyon, the knights advise that it is not far away.

The beast's corpse lies among some other rotten remains scattered around the rocks. Already, a wild giant vulture seems to be picking at the manticore remains, and several large birds that resemble hawks circle overhead.

Savra turns to Jak. "Congratulations to you and your group, sir bard," she says airly, indicating Jak and Morg, who had just arrived with the last of the hippogriffs. "Though I think Jak struck the killing blow, the others of your party should share in the trophy. We shall remain apart to check over the mounts while you retrieve the manticore's head." She and the other knights move to help their guests out of the saddle straps.

Zora looks askance at savra but moved towards the corpse carefully, watching the giantvulture.

"Well done!" Morg says, seeing the manticore's corpse.

He looks up and tries to identify the large hawklike creatures while getting out of the saddle.

After getting his land legs, he walks over to investigate the nearest rotten remains to see if he can identify what they were and how they died.

---

12:32, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 23 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 20.  Perception check, looking up at large hawklike creatures.
12:32, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17.  Investigate check, nearest rotten remains.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:39, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

The vulture looks up from its grisly meal and given the approaching group a warning screech. The birds above echo with loud calls of their own.

---

Morg sees that the hawks above have red-tinged feathers.

Morg also finds that among the dry, days-old gore lies shattered bones, probably belonging to a humanoid creature.

Jak landed and dismounted, grinning....even after he almost took a tumble. He put a steadying hand on his mount's neck for a moment and gave her a pat. "sorry we didn't get you close enough t'tear in to that thing, but thank you for flyin' so well!"

He then walked over and gave a nod of his head to Savra at her words. "Thank you! High praise indeed from those who fly and fight in the air."

He looked at Morg, gave a small shrug and gestured towards the manticore's head. "Wanna do the, um, honors?"

He carefully approached and looked around a little bit, not digging much, just moving things around here and there with his foot and such, while waiting for the head to be cut off.


11:35, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  Investigation if needed.

Morg takes out his 2 handaxes and looks around before walking to the manticore.

---

If no one else wants to investigate or have at the head, Morg will cut it off, put it in a sack, and hand that to Jak.

Zora joined morg and jakrynn, and anyone else walking up to the manticore. She kept her eyes open for any sign of attack, especially from the vultures.

---

Not sure if that's active or passive perception but will roll in case needed.

14:39, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 11 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 6.  Perception looking for danger.

Mayon climbs down from the vulture as he and its rider land, giving both a polite nod and murmur of gratitude before making his way over to the others, a bit dizzy. Of all the ways to learn he has a fear of heights, this was probably the worst one.

Part of him absently wonders if Manticores are known to travel in groups, and he keeps his eyes on the skies and surroundings for any others that may try to avenge the fallen.


13:47, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Perception--other enemies.

Neither Mayon nor Zora see anything in the skies other than the hawks. As Morg continues to approach the dead manticore, the vulture screeches again but takes a step back away from its meal.

The birds overhead, however, dive out of the sky directly at Morg. They stab him with their sharp beaks in a cloud of feathers and claws as the dwarf nears the corpse.

---

No map again for this encounter - assume for now you're all within 30' of Morg and the cloud of hawks.

6 hawks attack Morg - 1 HIT, 2 CRITS for a total of 19 piercing .

Round 1 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Blood Hawks	20
Jak	19
Mayon	17
Asano	8
Zora	6
Morg	3

Mayon swears in surprise at the sudden aggression of the birds, and the realization that his spells weren't yet replenished after the manticore. With that in mind, he ducks behind the vulture for now, trying to think of anything he may have heard about these types of birds that could give them an easier time of chasing them off. Unfortunately, nature wasn't one of his favorite studies back home, and nothing comes to mind, so he goes to Plan B: Shoot it with magic.


22:15, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 3 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 1.  Nature check evil birds.
WELP. Mayon has never seen birds before I guess :P Ah, Mayon, speaking as an Animal Science major, you and your shitty beast knowledge is breaking my heart.
16:17, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 21,5 using d20+5,d10+3 with rolls of 16,2.  Eldritch Blast a bird.
Hit a bird for 21 AC and 5 Force damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

She almost jumped in shock at the damage the hawks are doing to her new dwarf companion and how quickly. She muttered a quick healing word (heal morg for 6) to hopefully mitigate some of it, then charged into battle shoulder to shoulder with him, war hammer swinging with precision, if not with power critical hit on a hawk, 7 damage) .

---

piss poor damage for a critical hit!


20:52, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 7 using 2d8+3 with rolls of 3,1.  War hammer hit (crit).
20:51, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 23 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 20.  War hammer to hit hawk.
20:45, Today: Secret Roll: Zora Jilkina rolled 6 using 1d4+3 with rolls of 3.  Healing word bonus action on Morg

Asano thanked Savra for the safe flight as he jumps from the back of the vulture. He cautiously approaches the fallen manticore, stopping at what seems to be a safe distance. As Morg is set upon by the carrion birds, Asano whispers a few soothing words, expelling a glittering cloud among the flying nuisances.


OOC:
Approach within about 40'.
Cast sleep, affects 27 hp of creatures. Spent 1 sorcery point for careful spell so the spell doesn't affect up to 3 allies.

Morg doesn't notice the red-tinged hawks attacking until they start ripping into him. He steels himself for a second, drops his axes, takes out Reszur and stabs at the most damaged awake hawks.

---

Bonus action: 2nd wind - heals 10 HP.

Free action: drop both handaxes.

Interaction: draw Reszur.

Action: attack 1 on most damaged, awake, (possibly magiced by Jak) hawk with Reszur - hits AC 16 for 10 piercing damage.

If that doesn't kill the hawk, then spend superiority dice for a Menacing attack (try to frighten target, adding superiority result to damage 3 piercing damage; target must make a WIS save (vs a DC of 14) or be frightened (it has disadv. on ability checks and attack rolls while I'm in their line of sight, and they can't willingly move closer to me) until the end of my next turn.

Action surge: Action: attack 2 on most damaged awake hawk with Reszur  - critical fail.

20:29, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 1d10+3 with rolls of 7.  HP recovered from second wind.
20:30, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 9.  Attack 1 on most damaged, awake, (possibly adv. 'cos Jak's magic,) hawk with Reszur (magical dagger).
20:32, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 1d4+7 with rolls of 3.  Reszur (magical dagger) piercing damage for attack 1.
20:35, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 3 using 1d8 with rolls of 3.  ?Possible superiority dice Menacing attack for attack 1.
20:38, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 8 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 1.  Attack 2 on most damaged, awake, (possibly adv. 'cos Jak's magic,) hawk with Reszur (magical dagger).

Edit: drop both handaxes, not just 1, because 2nd wind prevents dual wielding.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:37, Tue 14 Nov 2017.

In a flurry of attacks, most of the birds harrying Morg fall in a heap of red feathers.

A single bird aims its beak at the dwarf's head but he swats it away easily.

---

Asano, you should check for Wild Magic surge from last round.

The remaining bird attacks Morg and misses.

Round 1 Summary

Jak does nothing.

Mayon attacks a blood hawk with Agonizing Blast - HIT for 5 force.

Asano casts Sleep - 3 of the birds fall asleep in midair, then fall to the ground.

Zora CRITS with her warhammer - 7 bludgeoning. A fourth bird falls.

Morg heals and attacks a bird with Reszur - HIT for 10 piercing. A fifth bird falls .

Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Blood Hawks	20
Jak	19
Mayon	17
Asano	8
Zora	6
Morg	3

She swung at the last bird, intending to mop up.

not that it'll matter with my initiative but:


22:34, Today: Zora Jilkina rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.
22:34, Today: Secret Roll: Zora Jilkina rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17.  Hit war hammer.

*Morg dons his shield and stares at the knights.

---

*I'll post again with attack rolls instead, if the surge changes things drastically or any of the hawks are still hostile.

Action: try to figure out from their body language and expressions why the knights didn't do anything about the hawk attack. Is this a trap, test, or something else?

13:31, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 11.  Insight check on knights.

"Quickly, finish the sleeping hawks before the wake," Asano says, pulling his trusty dagger and approaching the helpless birds. He thrusts the blade deep into the sleeping bird.


OOC:
Attack- 21/5  w/ Advantage vs unconscious bird
Damage- 6

Zora swats the last bird out of the air while Asano and the rest go about finishing off the sleeping birds.

Morg sees the Feathergale knights standing protectively around the mounts back where they landed, weapons drawn, though they apparently made no move towards Morg.

---

We can assume you defeated the rest of the sleeping birds - no rolls needed.

XP, 6 blood hawks: 150
XP each: 37.5

She relaxed a little when the birds were defeated, but still watched the vulture and any other trouble. She wasn't going to be the one taking the manticore trophy, but she'd guard whoever did.

Jak had thought he found something. Something shiny. It caught the corner of his eyes and he turned his head a bit to look at it. It was something, or a piece of something, partially under the bulk and gore of the manticore. He knelt down and tried to pry it free to no avail, humming to himself and grunting a bit with the exertion. He started digging around it, trying to clear enough to loosen it. Finally he got it free and it was a broken piece of worthless glass. He let out a sigh.

Then he stood up just in time to see the attacking hawks get felled. He blinked a few times. Then looked around, and up, slowly to make sure he didn't miss anything else, feeling a bit sheepish.

Morg picks up a red feather, and then nods and smiles to Asano for his clutch magic trick. He turns and bows to Zora "Ta for the healing - who's your god again, Valkuh? 'Cos A need to make an offering to it for sending you to save ma hide."

He looks up, scanning the skies for more birds, and takes out his 2 handaxes while walking to the manticore.

---

If no one else wants to investigate or have at the head, Morg will try to cut it off, put it in a sack, and hand that to Jak.

05:31, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 6 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 3.  Perception check for more flying hostiles.

Asano watches as Morg goes to his grisly task, turning to the human priest. "Mistress Zora, our ragtag band is currently investigating a number of...odd occurrences throughout this valley," he begins. "Perhaps you would like to join forces with us? There seems to be a conspiracy afoot involving a number of unsavory characters. Proceeding alone may find you in dire need of aid when said help may be quite distant." He appears earnest and direct. "I cannot deny that you would be a powerful help to our own quests, but it appears that many of our goals are intertwined."

She smiled at Morg's thanks and bowed her head slightly towards him recognizing his gratitude. "He's not really that kind of god," she smiled, unable to resist the urge to teach a little. "We don't have temples nor shrines. Any ship that sails is his temple. Next time you see a sailor in need, lend a hand. That's the only offering he needs."

She considered Asano's offer carefully, seeming a little conflicted. She was on a mission of revenge, after all. Were her companions ready to join her in that?

"You heard my story back in the hall," she replied in a serious tone. "I am looking for Gar Shatterkeel, and I intend to do harm to him when I find him. Can your group commit to adding that to your goals? He apparently associates with your keel-boat captain, but are you prepared to accompany me in delivering justice?"

"Quite a few of us have some form of mission involving hunting someone." Mayon says, walking over in time to hear the last part now that the hawks are cleared up, a bit shaky after the shock of being in the sky for the first time. Of all the ways to learn he had a distaste for heights! "You'll fit right in on that front." He adds with a smile.

The giant vulture watches Morg perform his grisly task, then moves back to the manticore corpse to graze some more. No other movement is visible on land or in the skies, save the swirling mists.

"Well done!" Savra calls from near the mounts. "If you're ready to depart I think the birds are well enough to return us to the tower for the night."

"Many among our crew seek justice, Zora," Asano smiles, offering a hand in welcome. "You would be in good company, I believe. Morg, have you finished taking the trophy? It seems the knights are growing impatient."

She took asano's hand and shook it with a firm grip. She clearly wasn't a cloistered cleric type, her build more warrior than acolyte.

"then we will travel together, until our quests diverge. With Valkur's blessing may that day be a long way off."

She returned to her mount, still exhilarated from the hunt but also excited about the new alliance.

Morg nods to Asano, hands over the bloody bag to Jak, and walks up to one of the vulture riders, "Mind if A fly back with you? Ma hippogriff dinnae seem ta like me."

The birds kick off from the floor of the valley and spiral upward, their wings slicing through the mists. After a few minutes the nearby Feathergale Spire comes into view, guttering torches in several window slits muted in the gloom.

The birds approach the top of the Spire and land near another group of birds, being tended to and led away to the stables near the bottom of the tower. Thurl Merosska stands at their head, an expectant and frustrated look on his face.

"Were you more successful than the other group?" he asks curtly.

---

Map updated. There are multiple slides in the map, indicating what areas of the Sighing Valley and Feathergale Spire you've explored.

"Indeed, Lord Merosska, the manticore fell to the might of our humble band," Asano replies, gesturing toward Jak and his grisly burden. "We have returned with this trophy for your halls. Your knights were show great capability in the control of their mounts in combat conditions. I commend you and them."

Knowing she was more likely to offend than anything, Zora choose to let jak or anyone else do the talking.

---

I can't see the map, though it may be because I'm on mobile t right now

"Hm. Then well done all."

He gestures towards the stairs leading down into the tower. "Please, join us this night in our guest quarters, and we'll make a proper presentation of your reward tomorrow morning, back here atop the tower."

The Knights lead their guests toward the stairs down, and to their quarters for the night.

---

Anything else before we close out the day?

I'll probably start a Day 6 thread on Sunday or Monday after US Thanksgiving. Happy Turkey Day all!!

Mayon spends a bit of extra time in his quarters before retiring for the night, opening the window and sitting down to perform the ritual his patron had whispered in his mind the day previous.

Since we're not on as much of a time limit, Mayon will spend an hour and 10 minutes to cast Find Familiar and finally get himself a Sprite companion :D  Might wake up a bit later than the others, but nonetheless...

Morg takes off his chain mail and drops into a bed. He twitches for a few minutes before falling into a more restful sleep.