[OOC suggested soundtrack: World of Warcfraft, by Jason Hayes]

At the height of 2000 metres, exactly on the top of Hellwinter Peak, stands a solitary watchtower made of grey stone and bathed in an eerie silence, solely torn by sudden hailstorms.
Dark clouds gather over the area, as if to warn you to turn back as soon as you can and leave this sorrowful place.
The eastern ledge of the peak looks out to the borders of Baron Grayson’s fief over a vast vale dotted by solitary and mossy stone boulders and sparse shrubs.

With narrowed eyes, Sir Roland takes one look at the tower in the distance, and licks his lips nervously. "There is an ill-favored look about this place. The very atmosphere is tinged with an evil feel. We shall not tarry but quickly finish what we came here for."

He turns back to look at his comrades. Everyone is worse for wear after the harrowing climb. We could do with some food and rest.

OOC - @Director: Are there any boulders, trees, or any form of shelter where we can make camp for the night? If not, guess we gotta camp inside the Tower.

There is not that much on top of Hellwinter Peak, but at least the Tower, maybe combined with some bigger bounder, can provide some protection from cold winds, hoping they won't change direction too often.

A quick scan of the area nearby reveals no sign of anything that can remotely serve as a shelter against the cold cutting wind. "Friends. We have no choice but to camp within the Tower for the night. It's either that or risk freezing to death out here in this god-forsaken weather."

"Let's go."

The knight leads the way cautiously towards the Tower.

OOC - So the plan is to enter and perhaps scout out the Tower alittle to make sure it is safe to camp there. Then just spend the night at the 1st level.

Garl follows warily.  The tower gives him a feeling of ill-boding, but anything is better than climbing.

You approach directly the tower but entrance to the tower’s courtyard, in front of you, is secured by a rusty iron gate, chained from the inside.
The gate is placed in the middle of the path, some 10 meters before the tower, firmly hinged to a stone archway dappled by moss and scrubby pale bushes.

At the height of 2000 metres, exactly on the top of Hellwinter Peak, stands a solitary watchtower made of grey stone

Once they had reached the top Rorn's spirits had risen immensely and while the scene was grim, the youngster was smiling.

"So, Sir Roland, er, the lack of a welcoming committee means your fellow knight isn't here?  How was this tower built, anyways??  By magic?  I didn't see a road for wains or any constructors."

Magic, it was probably magic.  Rorn was very grateful for the witch-elf's scaring away of the goblins, and very grateful too for rope tricks.  I wonder what else he can do?  Fly?

entrance to the tower’s courtyard, in front of you, is secured by a rusty iron gate, chained from the inside.

"Well, that's a good sign, I mean, it's not broken and wide open right?"

Now that they were close, Rorn scans the Watchtower for any movement in a window or battlements.  Just their luck to get a face-full of arrows before they could explain that they were the Good Guys.


Questions Three
1: Is there an outer wall that the gate sits in, or just a fence?  If so, how high is the wall/fence?
2: Has Rorn recovered any stam. since the pit?  Currently at 5 out of 14  (eeeps)
3: Are there windows or battlements?  Awareness roll to spot a watcher?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:01, Tue 23 Jan 2018.

OOC In reply to Rorn (msg # 7):

1) It is a wall, tall at least thrice as much as you. Not the easiest way, but you may make some attempt with a rope.
2) See link to a message in this game msg #32
3) As far as you can see, there are just arrow slits. Of course you can roll for Awareness, as always, if you want.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:41, Tue 23 Jan 2018.

Sir Roland stops a good distance from the gate/wall and looks around...

OOC - 12:44, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 4 using 2d6.  Awareness. vs 9.
Doesn't Sir Roland have the key or something to the gate?

“If necessary, I can probably use the same spell I cast on the rope on that chain.  Might get us in a lot quicker.”

Rorn also scans the tower, in case there was light, or movement, or anything strange like an unrecognised pennant flying from the flagstaff.

Meh, 11.  Still, my character has +2 Awareness and Hawkeye, if I understand, so 7+5  = 12 target number? Is that correct? If so, he only fails on a nat 12?

2:53, Today: Rorn rolled 11 using 2d6.  Awareness, scan the tower.

Since the young hunter assumes the Sir Knight has the authority to open the gate, he waits ... unless the witch-elf can just magic it open, of course!!

From your point of view, looking at the tower from the south, you can't see or hear anything alive apart from birds.
The rusty iron gate doesn't seem exceedingly heavy and maybe you can open it with your strength or you could try piking the lock, if you have this "noble" skill, however, Garl is quite confident he can open it with a rope trick.

Sir Roland turns from his careful survey of the walls, the gate, and the tower. A look of discomfort...and perhaps alittle fear...shows in his azure blue eyes as he gazes at his Elven comrade. Licking his lips, he replies testily. "Quietly then friend Garl. If you can."

Drawing his blade, the knight motions for his comrades to be ready to quickly enter and fan out to secure the courtyard once the gate is opened. Right in the front, Larson is to enter quickly with himself. Rorn and Galendra are to follow alittle bit behind the 2 warriors. And Garl is to come last.

Once everybody is ready, he nods at Garl then turns back to the gate...

22:30, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 5 using 2d6.  Cast Animate on chain.

The gate opens with little effort and you can enter the tower’s courtyard.
Once inside, from the windswept courtyard, a desolate view of the surroundings is shown to you. Only the howling wind and the squeaky caws of the crows may be heard from here, as there’s seemingly no sign of human presence.
An old stone well lies in the courtyard’s centre. There’s a rope hanging from a pulley shaft.

[OOC see the game map for a better view of your surroundings.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:50, Thu 25 Jan 2018.

His blade up and ready, Sir Roland enters cautiously but quickly, stepping into the courtyard of the small keep, then fanning out to the right (ie: south) flank. His gaze runs over the whole inside of the keep, especially areas which are shrouded in shadows, watching for presences, threats, and traps.

EDITED...

He gestures silently to his comrades, indicating the small stone building to the side, then carefully but quickly moves towards it. As he passes by, he peeks a look down the well.

OOC - Sir Roland indicates towards #1 and moves towards there.

12:01, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 10 using 2d6.  Awareness. vs 9. FAILED
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Thu 25 Jan 2018.

Sir Roland can't see the bucket at the end of the rope. Either there is no bucket or the bucket is hidden in the darkness, as it is sunset.

[OOC The whole thingy is a tower. Room #4 is just a part of the tower (hem... the stables...)
If you want to have a better look to the various rooms, please let me know in detail which room you want to visit.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:14, Thu 25 Jan 2018.

“Be careful, Sir Roland,” Garl calls out.  “You never know what you’ll find, looking down an old well.”

Sir Roland gives a single nod. He signals for Rorn and Galendra to light torches, then pauses where he is and looks around warily while waiting for them.

He signals for Rorn and Galendra to light torches

Assuming someone gives Rorn a torch, he lights one.  He also peers down the well in case there was something unexpected down there.

Rolled a 5, noice :)
11:16, Today: Rorn rolled 5 using 2d6.  Awareness, look in well.

He's also interested in the stables, figuring you could tell a lot about any inhabitants from what was going on in there, or if it was deserted.  Rorn also points out the stables were a good place to bed down for the night.  "It might smell, but at least you can count on the roof not leaking!"

Rorn asks Sir Roland: "The fellow who lives here, Sir-What's-'Is-name .. did you and he ever meet, as in, you would recognise him if you saw him?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Thu 25 Jan 2018.

Sir Roland nods in approval as he sees Rorn light the torch with quick and quiet efficiency. "We will make a soldier of you yet."

At the mention of Sir Gallaharn, the knight turns to look at Rorn, a stoic impassive expression on his face. "His name is Sir Gallaharn. For years we were comrades. Brothers in arms. Knights in the service of Lord Grayson." He speaks no further on the matter, but gives the village youth a strange look of regret and bitterness, before turning back to the task at hand.

As Galendra lights and holds aloft the other torch, the knight beckons the party to follow him. "We will rest soon. But with these torches, let's take a look see around 1st. Before bedding down for the night." He leads the way to the low building.

OOC - Building #1. Ok for everyone?

As they enter the building, Garl sticks close to (and a bit behind) Sir Roland.  He doesn’t want to end up in a brawl with hobgoblins.  And before they enter, he glances back at the well to make sure nothing is crawling out.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:38, Thu 25 Jan 2018.

There’s a rope hanging from a pulley shaft of the well and it goes straight under the water level. The rope is in tension, so at the end there must be a weight, and it is in good conditions.

[OOC building #1 is the south entrance to the tower, i.e. the passage you used to get in, the one that was closed with a rusty iron gate ;) ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:12, Fri 26 Jan 2018.

Galendra stays with Rorn at the well.

The rope is in tension, so at the end there must be a weight, and it is in good conditions.

"Sir Roland, hold a moment," Rorn calls out.  He hands Gal the torch, grateful for the fisherwoman's nearby presence in the desolate tower.

He then starts cranking on the winch, using the rope-and-pulley mechanism to lift the bucket out of the well.

Assuming the bucket is simply full of water, Rorn lets it drop back down with a shrug and then re-joins the knight and the elf for further explorations.  "Check the stables?  We should be able to tell how long Sir Gallaharn has been gone from how unused it looks?"

On the other hand, if the bucket has something of interest, he pulls it up entirely before investigating said clue with the help of the torchlight.

My mental map
#1  Entrance
#2  Well
#3  Outside the tower (unexplored, but also uninteresting flatland?)
#4  Stables (unexplored)
#5  Door to interior .. perhaps stairs?  Should check that out next




This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Fri 26 Jan 2018.

The bucket emerges with a small but relatively heavy iron casket. Oilskin is trapped under the lid, as if for maintaining the contents dry while the casket was under water.
You can appreciate that the rope isn't significantly damaged by staying under water.

Sir Roland squeezes his eyes shut for a moment and shakes his head, as if to clear the exhaustion and tension clouding his mind. Noting that Rorn has found something at the well, he stays where he is but takes a quick look over.

"What's that you have found Rorn?"

OOC - Sorry guys...don't know how I could misread the map. But yeah, let's see what's this oilskin thingy at the bucket, then look to the stables.

The casket contains:
❖ A leather pouch with a small emerald inside.
❖ An ivory amulet with the effigy of a woman (Sir Roland recognizes it as Sir Gallaharn’s wife).
❖ A piece of parchment with writings on it:


[OOC don't worry, I just realized I misread the map early on... ;)
That's just the courtyard: the tower itself is past door #5, to the east - apologies.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:38, Fri 26 Jan 2018.

Sir Roland's heart thuds heavily. The bold handwriting is unmistakably Sir Gallaharn's. A grim look on his face, he looks up at his comrades. "This is Sir Gallaharn's hand. Now we know why there had been no news from him." The knight takes the whole oilskin package from Rorn, wraps it back carefully, then places it in his own backpack.

"The hope of rescue of Sir Gallaharn is now but a sliver. I am afraid he is likely already succumbed to the evil. We might even have to fight him to vanquish this evil beast..."

"I have not heard of this beast, this Fiend. Have you any knowledge friend Garl? Or any of you?"

OOC - I am assuming Sir Roland recognizes Sir Gallaharn's handwriting. Would you allow that Director? Of course I am also assuming this letter is indeed written by Sir Gallaharn.

Here is a (successful) magic lore roll, in case it is appropriate.


01:07, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 8 using 2d6.  Magic lore.

Garl can't recognize nor detect any magic.

[OOC Sir Roland, although not very used to reading and writing, can recognize his friend's handwriting.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:09, Fri 26 Jan 2018.

Galendra tells you that at Gallows End there are bedtimes fairytales about "winter demons" hidden near Hellwinter Peak, discouraging children from wandering too far from the village in winter.
However, there are similar ones about "talking wolves" in the Forest of Brom, still discouraging young ones from wandering in the forest in autumn...
She guesses that everywhere there are bedtime stories trying to scare children from walking away from home...

Sir Roland takes a moment to survey the company's status.

OOC - How badly are we wounded? And for Garl, how expended are you in terms of magical energy? Do we need a rest for the night?

Sir Roland is fresh.

If we are relatively fresh, I thought we should push ahead by torchlight to explore the keep.

“I still possess copious amounts of magical energy, for the time being.”  Garl folds his arms and twitches his nose.

The casket contains ...  A piece of parchment with writings on it

Like most of the great un-washed, Rorn's ability with letters to limited to the local pub's common menu and writing his name and maybe a few other common things.  As for reading, well, he listens closely to Sir Roland's narrative.

the Fiend came from the Crystal Cage

Fiend? Cage?  That didn't sound good.

The emerald and amulet look like significant treasures; who knows what other wealth was lying around this abandoned tower!?  Not greedy, Rorn is still practical.  Also pragmatic: Sir Gallaharn sounded most certainly dead or fled.  Hopefully the latter!

I am afraid he is likely already succumbed to the evil. We might even have to fight him to vanquish this evil beast..."

"If we must," Rorn says, more grimly than he intended as the horror of a possible possession strikes home.  He can tell from Roland's set-of-jaw that they were not going to be heading back to his superiors with the news.  No, it definitely looked like they would be investigating said Fiends and Cages.

Sir Roland takes a moment to survey the company's status.

Still bruised from falling in the pit and then the goblin "rains", Rorn will be fully recovered after a good night of sleep.

Down 1 luck point and 11/14 Stamina so far.  My vote is to rest up

"Clear the stables, get an early rest and then rise early as well?" Rorn suggests hopefully.  The idea of further exertions after the long day of travel and seemingly endless climbing felt daunting.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Fri 26 Jan 2018.

Sir Roland considers Rorn's proposal and nods.

"We shall clear the stables and rest the night in there. The walls are good solid stone. Hopefully they will shelter us from this infernal cold and freezing wind."

"What say you friends?"

“I suggest that we search those walls very thoroughly first.”

[OOC: Gal down two STAMINA points, Larson down one point and Rorn down three points. Everybody lost quite a few points of LUCK, but they will come back at the end of this adventure anyway and not after a night of good rest. Overall not too bad.]

Sir Roland glances around at his companions, noting their exhaustion and their wounds. We could all do with rest.

"Then let's clear out some space, and have ourselves some rest for the night, out of this abysmal weather." He motions for the party to follow his lead, then turns back to nod at Larson, before making his way towards the stables.

OOC - Formation as follows: Larson and Sir Roland 1st row, followed by Garl and Galendra, and Rorn brings up the back.

The doors are broken and rotting, even in this cold climate, so you can peer inside. From outside, you don't hear nothing and you can't see anything that does suggest this is not a stable in miserable conditions, although you can't see it all. What really hits you even from the outside, is an horrible smell.

Torch held high, Rorn stands in the stables doorway and looks around.  He walks in slowly, assuming the bad smell is coming from dead animals and/or rotten food.

Actions
Go in about 10 feet
Look all around
Awareness: 9

11:21, Today: Rorn rolled 9 using 2d6.  Awareness, scan stables.

Garl keeps looking over his shoulder... just in case.

As soon as Rorn steps into the stable, he realizes that on a corner there is a big horse that, despite being decoposing, is still standing perfectly still and silence!
The horrible beast suddenly turns its head towards Rorn, that can feel his goosebumps, and attacks.
[Private to Sir Roland Halfstaff: This dead beast still moving reminds you Sir Gallaharn's loyal warhorse. You can't be 100% sure, however, due to the conditions of the animal.]

Unless surprised, or otherwise rooted to the spot, Rorn flees the hell-stable before the dead thing can get close.

With a (somewhat girlish) scream he steps behind Lars.  "Zombie horse!!"

OOC - Looking at the state of decomposition, can Sir Roland determine how long has the horse been dead?

11:03, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 7 using 2d6.  Attack dead horse. 7+8+2 = 17
11:06, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 3 using 1d6.  Damage. 3

"Back to the Abyss foul beast!" Stepping forward, Sir Roland makes a mighty swing at the creature's rotting head.

Gal unsheathes her sword and helps Sir Roland.

[OOC 21:23, Today: The Director, on behalf of Galendra, rolled 7 using 2d6.  sword attack.]

Sir Roland and Galendra attack the dead mare, but Sir Roland can't hit it, while Galendra is hurt.

[OOC Sir Roland estimates that the horse died few weeks ago.]

Garl casts Ironhand on Sir Roland.

22:43, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 5 using 2d6.  Cast Ironhand.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:45, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

11:44, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 9 using 2d6.  Attack dead horse. 9+8+2 = 19
11:45, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 3 using 1d6.  Damage. 3

The knight grunts with effort, bringing his sword back for a tremendous slash against the hideous rotting head...

Larson enters the stables and swings his weapon to the dead mare too.

[OOC 21:59, Today: The Director, on behalf of Larson fossas, rolled 7 using 2d6. ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:01, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

Gal does her part in the fight as well.

[OOC 22:00, Today: The Director, on behalf of Galendra, rolled 7 using 2d6. ]

The joint effort of Sir Roland, Larson and Galendra overcomes a poor effort by the dead mare and hacks it in pieces.

"I still can't say that I killed anyone with my sword... this horrow was already dead..." She briefly looks at Rorn and shrugs with a quick smile.

“There could be treasure inside it,” Garl suggests.

The knight wastes no time to explore and check the stables for more hostiles and threats. He beckons Larson and the companions forward with the two torches to assist. Once the stables are cleared, Sir Roland bids Garl and Galendra choose a dry suitable spot, gather some hay, and build a campfire.

He indicates that Rorn is to watch the door for anything approaching.

As for himself, he waves Larson over, squats down beside the felled undead horse, draws his dagger, and begins examining the grisly remains for any clues or information on what had happened to it and to Sir Gallaharn. After his examination, he draws his sword once again and chops off the creature's legs and head, then drags the dismembered parts and the body into the far corner of the stable and leaves them there.

OOC - Sir Roland finds anything from his examination?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:04, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

Sir Roland thinks that the dead mare was Sir Gallaharn's loyal warhorse, but, given the conditiond of the body, he can't be sure.
The animal was probably slew some weeks ago. The oldest cuts, before yours, probably were done with a blade, however, it wasn't a clean cut butchery job, but rather an attack in a fit of raging madness. Somehow, after that, the dead mare was risen as that nightmarish creature.

Sir Roland and Larson finish up with their grisly examination of the undead warhorse. Disposing of the dismembered carcass as far away from their resting area as possible in the stables, they join the rest of the company at the fire and share their findings.

"That warhorse was almost certainly Sir Gallaharn's mount. Warhorses are rare and highly-valued animals. More than mere beasts of transportation, they are weapons, as well as comrades at arms, often bonding closely with their riders." The knight looks down to the ground. "It bodes ill for the fate of Sir Gallaharn."

For several seconds, Sir Rolands stares into the fire quietly, his eyes unfocused, as if recalling some past event of significance. Closing his eyes, he shakes his head, then looks up. You can see the earlier uncertainty and melancholy have left his eyes, and they are now clear and focused. His demeanor is determined. His voice, previously soft and low, regains its usual commanding ring.

"I shall take 1st watch with Rorn. Followed by Larson and Galendra. Then myself again and Garl. And finally Larson and Rorn. 2 hour intervals. Those not on watch, rest as much as you can."

"There is an evil air about in this place. I have a feeling there will be little rest for us henceforth until we find the source of this unholiness and put an end to it."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

“And an evil smell to go with it.”    Tired of all this horsing around, Garl settles down to get some shuteye.

The joint effort of Sir Roland, Larson and Galendra overcomes a poor effort by the dead mare and hacks it in pieces.

Rorn did not cheer every swing, at least out loud ... but he was very grateful that the others could take care of the undead hulk so adeptly.

She briefly looks at Rorn and shrugs with a quick smile.

How could she smile?!  "Truly horrid," is all Rorn says from the rear, looking a bit green.

He indicates that Rorn is to watch the door for anything approaching.

"Yup, yes, sir," Rorn answers in agreement from his post at the destroyed doorway.  The youngster keeps his head on a swivel, in case zombie rats or zombie bats or zombie Sir Gallaharns loomed out of some corner.

After his examination, he draws his sword once again and chops off the creature's legs and head, then drags the dismembered parts and the body into the far corner of the stable and leaves them there.

"Uh, no, sir, I say we drag that all out ... to the courtyard and burn it," Rorn says, with a shudder at the last.  He definitely believes he won't sleep a wink with that pile of unholy rot in the stables.  Assuming Lars agrees, he helps the larger fellow manhandle the sloughing remains out of the stable and ties a cloth around his mouth and nose so that the putrid smell and grisly smoke won't make him retch endlessly.

The knight looks down to the ground. "It bodes ill for the fate of Sir Gallaharn."

Indeed, it certainly look like a demon-possessed Sir G. hacked up his own horse.  Or .. maybe he did it while still lucid enough to stop himself from riding away and causing more carnage in the countryside?  Whatever the reason, Rorn prays to the gods that none of them die in this place if such a reanimation was to be their fate!!

He takes watch with Sir Roland in silence, too freaked out to be tired but also knowing he needed to sleep badly.  Hopefully things would be quiet for just a short while until dawn.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

Sir Roland turns around slowly at Rorn's words and stares hard at the village lad for a long moment of silence before replying in a testy voice.

"You've got a good half of it right lad. Burning is indeed the best way to deal with unholy...things...like that undead warhorse. But..." And here the knight stabs a mailed finger towards the door. "...there's nothing like a nice cheery bonfire to warn every evil creature within this keep, that we are having a party here. And that they are invited."

"And since we are certainly not going to have that fire inside here to stink up this place...so that's that."

"Good point though. Good point." He claps Rorn on the shoulder, then turns back to his watch.

---

OOC - Hah...sorry about that Rorn. That's Sir Roland in his "take charge" mode. Insufferable ain't he? The bastard... But what he says is true though. ;)

Also...almost forgot that we should also all eat a meal for the night.

“He’s right,” Garl snarls without bothering to open his eyes, making it clear that the big kids all agree with Sir Roland.

Before resting for the night, you have a quick walk round of the courtyard and all areas outside the proper tower.
Galendra insists for cleaning up above all the stables before sleeping or eating in there and it isn't a pleasant job but she founds a horseshoe and feels luckier with that.

Just outside the courtyard (area #3) you follow a short stone path and reach a small Knights' graveyard, graced by ancient gnarled oaks, that will prove perfect for burning rotten horse meat. There are seven tombstones marking the spots where the dead Knights of Hellwinter
rest This dreamy place is caressed by the icy winds and perfumed by the Knightwort and white lavender shrubs that spontaneously grow in here.
Most of the engravings on the tombstones have been erased by the ceaseless work of time; two of them, however, are still legible.



Finally, you are satisfied that there is no danger around the courtyard, have your dinner [OOC please deduct one meal] and fall asleep.
It will be a long night, next to a warm fire, not blown away by the wind, the first night indoor after you left Gallows End. You will have a good sleep and will wake up restored, despite the horrible experience with the dead mare. [OOC recover up to 6 points of STAMINA]

[OOC while you sleep, the suggested soundtrack is still: World of Warcfraft, by Jason Hayes! :) ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Tue 30 Jan 2018.

He claps Rorn on the shoulder, then turns back to his watch.

“He’s right,” Garl snarls

Yup, the seasoned campaigners had the right of it.  Just because the whole promontory seemed deserted did not mean there were no spying eyes ready to report the tell-tale of a fire to some dark force like a goblin chief or Zombie Gallaharn.  Or .. gulp .. worse.

Rorn is grateful for Sir Roland's encouraging words, and he attends the somber scouting of the graveyard with a quiet, watchful air.  He gathers a judicious bunch of the white lavender to place in the most noisesome corners of the stables.

You will have a good sleep and will wake up restored, despite the horrible experience with the dead mare. [OOC recover up to 6 points of STAMINA]

The bumps and bruises from the goblin encounter are gone, as are the aches and pains of the climb.  Even the memory of the zombie horses seems 'not so bad' in the light of dawn.  Rorn is ready for the next adventure!

Back to full STAM, hooray :)

My mental map
#1  Entrance (EXPLORED)
#2  Well (EXPLORED, found amulet, emerald and note in waterproof container in Bucket.  Post #28
link to a message in this game)
#3  Outside the tower (EXPLORED, small graveyard "graced by ancient gnarled oaks")
#4  Stables (EXPLORED, Zombie Horse)
#5  Door to interior .. perhaps stairs?  Should check that out next

“Something I wanted to mention, fellows,” Garl says when everybody is gathered around and there’s half a chance they’ll listen.  “If we’re ever in a fight and I scream CLOSE EM, it means, shut your eyes, and shut ‘em fast.  Cause if you don’t, you’ll be blind a half second later.  Try to remember that.”

It's morning. The morning of a crucial day: time to explore the Tower of Hellwinter!

"Alrighty," Rorn says to himself, facing the prospects of the adventure ahead.  Far more frightening than a simple hunter's life, but also exciting and more meaningful in a way.

Here he could make some kind of difference; even if what happened here was never really understood back at Gallow's End by the average peasant.

Sir Roland rouses himself from his slumber at the break of dawn like the longtime campaigner he is. Sleep had been light but refreshing. The knight feels rested and wakes up in a good mood. Whistling an old marching tune, he stokes up the fire and eats a portion of his rations. The undead and other evil creatures seem but a mild annoyance this morning.

The knight nods at Rorn. He stands up, picking up his pack and loosening his sword in its scabbard. As soon as he sees his other companions are ready, he kicks soil and refuse to put out and cover their fire, then with a curt nod, turns and leads the way to the tower proper.

---

OOC - Yay! Back to adventure! :)

1 Ration deducted for breakfast for Roland.

Garl also has a hasty breakfast, then gets up and stretches his arms.  Somehow, last night seemed to stretch on for weeks!  But no matter.  Now that he is free from slumber’s grip, he can hardly wait to journey forth.

“Just remember what I said about those code words,” he says, following one last yawn.

The Knight nods slowly. He pulls the Elf aside for a brief moment before the party moves out. It is obvious the topic is a source of some discomfort for Sir Roland, he goes ahead and asks anyway. "Garl. That dead warhorse isn't going to be the only undead we will face in this place... What can you do against such creatures of undeath?"

---

OOC - This is post is an aside episode and is very brief. Please move on with the main arc of the story guys - which is that the party is now moving towards the tower entrance...

OOC all characters that had breakfast (and used this way one ration, do recover up to 2 points of STAMINA.

The doorway to the tower is crashed open out of its hinges, as if a raging storm had violently ravaged it, and gives way to what looks like a common room.
The common room is cold and damp, and hosts a large fireplace, embellished by stone heraldries that bear the blazon of a Black Dragon.
A large destroyed oaken table stands in the room, and pewter dishes and cutlery are scattered throughout the hall. From the common room, a massive flight of ruined stone stairs ascends to the first floor. There are also two wooden doors leading to the kitchen and to the latrine.

Sir Roland pauses briefly to light his 1st torch. Holding it aloft, with his sword in the other hand, he takes a slow walk about the room looking for secret doors, levers, panels, and the like. He takes a closer look at the fireplace.

---

OOC - Don't know if this is what I should roll.
11:19, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 12 using 2d6+8+1.  Search the common room.
Sir Roland has SKILL=8 and the Awareness skill at level 1.

Searching the fireplace points to a loose stone. Removing the stone, Sir Roland reveals a small niche which shelters a book, its pages yellowed and mouldy. The book is titled The Seven Poor Knights and contains local ancient lore.


This message was last edited by the GM at 03:38, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

When Sir Roland takes him aside and asks that question, Garl replies bluntly.

“I have no special tricks for dealing with undead.  But I suspect that a well-placed bolt of lightning will prove satisfactory.  I can only cast so many of them without exhausting my energy, unfortunately.”

Later on, when they enter the common room, Garl looks closely at the stone staircase.

(Just how ‘ruined’ are they?  Do they look like they might be intact enough to be used?)

While Garl is not an expert in architecture, he is persuaded that the staircase can be climbed safely enough.

Carefully dusting off the ancient little book, the knight pockets it carefully inside his breastplate close to his chest. He surveys the common room one more time, then looks at Rorn and gestures with his head towards the staircase. "Take a look lad. See if it's safe for us all. And be careful..."

He beckons to Garl and the rest of his companions to move to the foot of the stairs. "We will cover Rorn while he looks. Watch the landing at the top. And the doors at the back. Be ready for anything that approaches..."

---

OOC - Sir Roland asks Rorn to just examine the staircase for traps and stuff. And if it's generally safe for the party to take.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

[OOC Rorn, if you want to examine the staircase, please roll, as usual, 2d6]

He surveys the common room one more time, then looks at Rorn and gestures with his head towards the staircase. "Take a look lad. See if it's safe for us all. And be careful..."

What had destroyed this place? Rorn wonders to himself.  One mad Knight of Hellwinter, or a pack of undead fiends?

He nods at Sir Roland, as he did know a little of stonework thanks to helping build around the family home.  Loose stairs could be nasty ...

Actions
Examine stairs for danger

Skill 7
Roll 5, Awareness 2 and Hawkeye

09:54, Today: Rorn rolled 5 using 2d6.  Examine stairs, awareness 2, Hawkeye.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

Following Sir Roland’s lead, Garl approaches the stairs.  He keeps an eye on the landing, the doors... everything he can think of that might be a source of danger.  He is already formulating a plan in case Rorn has trouble with the stairs.  A good rope and an Animate spell can work wonders.

The stairs look OK and the two doors at the ground floor stay closed and silent while Rorn and Garl observe them.

Sir Roland nods at Rorn's report after the lad had examined the stone stairway. He clears his throat before sharing with the company. "Found a small book beneath a loose stone in the fireplace. Its pages are yellowed and moldy. The book is titled The Seven Poor Knights and contains local ancient lore..."



Eyes flicking from the flight of steps to the 2 doors in the back. the knight quickly comes to a decision. He gestures to the back where the doors are. "I don't like having something creep up on us when we go exploring upstairs. So we are going to clear the ground floor 1st. Take a look behind those 2 doors before we go up."

"Agreed?"

His clear azure blue eyes gazing intently at the doors, the knight waits briefly for any response from his comrades. He does not expect any however, being very accustomed to having men jump to obey his commands, rather than asking for their opinions...

"Come. Time passes and soon it will be night again..." Raising the torch in his hand, Sir Roland strides forward to one of the doors partially hidden in the shadows. He stops and listens for a few seconds, and hearing nothing, pushes the door open and enters cautiously sword at the ready...

---

11:31, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 10 using 2d6.  Perception. With Awareness skill +1 and Skill 8.

Roland approaches the door to the latrine cautiously. He listens out for sounds, and also looks around the floor and surrounding for signs of any beings passing by recently.

Garl follows Roland, ready for action.  But he also keeps an eye on the other door (if it’s still in his field of vision).  Being a pessimist, Garl tends to assume that bad things will happen at the most inconvenient times.  He tries to plan accordingly.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:33, Wed 28 Feb 2018.

Raising the torch in his hand, Sir Roland strides forward to one of the doors partially hidden in the shadows. He stops and listens for a few seconds, and hearing nothing, pushes the door open and enters cautiously sword at the ready...


Just in case something evil was lurking, Rorn covers the entry with an arrow ready ...

Sir Roland is very nervous while opening the door to the latrine, as he's unsure if he heard something strange or not, however, it reveals to be just a filthy room with nothing of particular relevance in it.

Sir Roland enters carefully and quickly clears the room. And then he goes on to the other door and does the same.

Not even this place has been spared from chaos and destruction. Rotting foodstuff is littered everywhere. There are barrels more or less broken, of various sizes and an impressive stone oven.

The knight goes through the kitchen, looking for any hint of who or what had basically smashed up the place, and why. He goes near the oven and opens it up to examine it.

Looks like things have been thrown around or capsized with lots of strength, rather than hit with swords or pick or similar tools.

The stone oven is now home to a nest of GIANT RATS, that swarm out to attack!

[Private to GM:
First GIANT RAT 5 4
Second GIANT RAT 5 3
Third GIANT RAT 4 4
Fourth GIANT RAT 4 5
Fifth GIANT RAT 5 4

Bite 2 2 3 3 3 3 4
]

"Back up! Out of the kitchen!" The knight lays left and right with his blade, while retreating out of the kitchen.

---

10:56, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 16,3 using 2d6+8+2,1d6.  Fighting retreat.

The fighting retreat is successful, you manage to get out of the kitchen with no damage.

Panicky at the prospect of more undeads, Rorn tries to stay calm.  Once he finds out there are just hungry animals in there, he relaxes slightly but remains alert in case they found a way out.

Rats were not something that should frighten a party of grown men but driven mad by hunger, they could still attack and who knows, they might be rabid or otherwise diseased.

"Keep the door closed," Rorn suggests.  "We can also drive them off with smoke if necessary."

He doesn't say that they should surrender any of their rations to the creatures, but he certainly does feel sorry for the trapped beasts and hopes they will find a way out of the tower and back into the wild on their own.

Swinging his sword to keep the critters at bay, the knight reaches out swiftly for the door and closes it at the 1st chance he gets. He stands against the door holding it closed.

"Find something to bar this."

Sir Roland glances over to Rorn and Galendra and nods. "Get to work then lads. Gather some material. Build a small smoky fire. Smoke em out..."

"Don't worry, leave it to me. You can move forward."

“If necessary, I can start a fire through magical means.  That’s just a trifle as far as spells go.”

Garl seems to be fairly amused by the rats in the stove incident.

"I'm sure I can manage clearang a kitchen from some rats... no matter how big they are. No need to waste your magic here."

Sir Roland looks at Garl and shakes his head. "I agree with the lass, my good Elf. Your power is better saved for when we encounter more dangerous foes..."

He turns next to the maiden doubtfully and too shakes his head. "I applaud your courage lass. Though I would remind you that to contract the Black Death from a bite of those vermin is a straight ticket to hell."

"It is wiser to do this together. Each of us shall wield a weapon in one hand, and a flaming torch in the other. With steel and fire, we shall drive out these vermin from this place..."

---

OOC - Sir Roland already wields a sword and a torch. And he can spare 2 more torches. Who else needs?

“As you wish,” Garl says, responding to both of them.  “But I advise you both not to underestimate rats.  Many have made that mistake... and paid the price.”

Rorn grabs a torch and gets ready to help smoke the critters out.

"Give them room to flee, don't corner them," he says.

Following Roland's lead, he stands beside Galendra and pushes the torch ahead of him.  In his other hand is a piece of destroyed furniture made a little wet with snow so that it burns smokily when touched to the torch tip from time to time.

Between the five of them - and the witch elf's ability to conjure anything from firegouts to loud noises - Rorn figures they should be able to drive the animals away.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Thu 01 Mar 2018.

Gal gathers a piece of fabric from the debris of the common room, pours lamp oil on it, then quickly opens the kitchen door, throws it in the room and slams it shut again.
When you go in to clear the room, the animals are so panicky that you chase them out of the tower with no major issue.

The knight raises his brows in surprise at how efficiently the young maiden took care of the rats infestation. "We will make a fine soldier of you yet young woman..." He looks at Garl, then nods in approval at Galendra.

After clearing out the vermin, Sir Roland spends some time to search the kitchen. Especially the stone oven from whence the giant rats burst forth from.

Your search reveals a small barrel of brandy, still sealed and therefore most likely drinkable. Sir Gallaharn was always very good at choosing brandy.
In the rest of the kitchen apparently there is nothing else of interest.

“That was indeed highly efficient.  I tip my wizard’s cap to you, Galendra.” 

Garl tips an imaginary hat.

With his dagger the pommel of his sword, Sir Roland taps the top of the small barrel of brandy, opening it up. He takes a quick taste of the dark aromatic liquid, and immediately his eyes water and his cheeks turn pink as the fiery drink burns its way down his throat. The knight exhales loudly, shaking his head. "That's some brandy..."

Sir Roland takes a moment to recover, then looks around and see if anyone else wants to try the drink. After everyone who wishes has had his or her go with the brandy, he closes the top back on and shoves the barrel back into its original position. Patting it lightly, he pronounces. "We will grab it on our way out..."

The knight leads the way back to the main hall. Weapon out and ready, he carefully steps onto the stairway and slowly makes his way up to the 2nd floor.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Fri 02 Mar 2018.

The knight exhales loudly, shaking his head. "That's some brandy..."

"Heck yes!" Rorn avers at the prospect of a quick tipple before more housecleaning.  Since the ruined stairs were otherwise safe, he is confident the next threat will not come from ornery masonry.

It seems like a tremendous battle took place on the first floor. The mess is indescribable: destroyed furnitures lie on the ground, the window panes are broken and frozen bloodstains daub the room’s walls.

In this wide room, that could cosily host up to four persons, there’s a poster bed, a bedside table and a beautifully carved maple wardrobe.
A creaky wooden ladder takes to the tower’s vantage point.

Garl watches carefully for anything that may be hiding amidst all of this wreckage.  Especially rats.  He’s still not convinced that all of the rats went outside, and he knows they must have gone somewhere.

there’s a poster bed, a bedside table and a beautifully carved maple wardrobe.

Unused to scenes of such luxury - even if the affect of the place was totally destroyed by the actions of a crazed knight run amok - Rorn nevertheless keeps a close eye and a safe distance.  A smashed bedframe could hide rats, aye .. or worse, and a cracked wardrobe any number of things.

Including fine clothes, something Rorn is very curious about but successfully resisting a peek, for now.

"Such sad loss," he says.  Was there a fireplace?  Getting a blaze going would help remove some chill.

Garl walks around the room for a while and can't see any critter moving on the floor.
The only parts that he can't explore are the drawer of the bedside table and the wardrobe, as they are closed. He hasn't checked underneath the bed or the wardrobe as well.

Rorn throws some bits of wood debris in the fireplace and starts a warm fire.

The knight walks in cautiously. Gesturing for his companions NOT to disturb anything yet, the trained eyes of the experienced warrior look over every part of the wrecked room, trying to find clues as to what had happened here. He walks up to the wall to look more closely at the frozen bloodstains. Strange...the blood is frozen while the rest of the room isn't...

Motioning the party forward, Sir Roland and his companions carefully search the room further for clues to the mystery of what happened. And for signs of where Sir Gallaharn might have gone.

---

14:53, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 12 using 2d6+8+1.  Search the room.
14:53, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 16 using 2d6+8+1.  Investigate the room.

Where do you search?

Motioning the party forward, Sir Roland and his companions carefully search the room

Bolstered by the fire's heat and crackling cacophony, Rorn gets to work.  If there were demon-undeads in here, they were quiet enough for now .. and hopefully they would remain quiescent until he was done.

The youngster checks out the wardrobe first.  Maybe there was a plush robe, moth-free and otherwise still intact, embroidered with griffons and emblazoned with golden stars, fit for any king (or knight).  Hey, a peasant can dream of such treasures!

Idle thoughts of fancy pants pushed aside, he also looks under the bed in case the Hellwinter bedpan was solid gold (one never knew with the rich after all) and finally pokes around inside the drawer of the bedside table in case there were keys, or diaries or other critical clues in there.

Actions
Search wardrobe
Die Roll 10, Awareness 2, Hawkeye.   Skill 7
Look under bed
Die Roll 8, Awareness 2, Hawkeye.   Skill 7
Poke around inside the drawer of the bedside table.
Die Roll 6, Awareness 2, Hawkeye.   Skill 7

09:35, Today: Rorn rolled 10,8,6 using 2d6,2d6,2d6.  Search: wardrobe, under bed, table drawer.

This message was last edited by the player at 17:41, Sun 04 Mar 2018.

The wardrobe bears an elegant pyrography of hunting scenes and the delicate scent of lavender. Inside you can find a Silver Mace and a pair of warm Wolf Fur Boots.

Under the bed there are just debris.

The bedside table contains an embroidered Silken Handkerchief and a crude Sketch of the surroundings, where a location has been frantically outlined.


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:54, Sun 04 Mar 2018.

After congratulating Rorn on finding those items, Garl wants to take a close look at the sketch.  In addition to carefully noting the location it references, he also looks all over it for any subtle markings or other clues.

When he’s finished doing that, he’ll take another look around the room.  Does he have any sense of magic at work?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Sun 04 Mar 2018.

Garl senses that there was a terrible fight in the room, involving heavy use of magic (probably black magic), but not he can't sense magic at work right now, however it may be pretty close.

Examining the sketched map, he can't find anything hidden: it seems to point at a cave not too far, approximately north of the Tower, but there is no other clue about what might be in the cave.

Since Rorn has searched everywhere "normal", Sir Roland will attempt to look under - the bed, wardrobe, bedside table. He pushes the furniture aside if necessary.

When done, Sir Roland goes below the ladder and glances up. If it looks safe, he attempts to climb up to the top...

OOC - Also, based on the knight's experience, how many combatants were there? Were they all human?

Garl snickers quietly as he watches Sir Roland search.  This approach to exploration might be perfectly suitable for a human, but for an elf it would be considered highly undignified.  He wonders if brave sir knight in reenacting a scene from childhood in which he’d lost his favorite poppet.  Did he end up having to beg for a new one?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Mon 05 Mar 2018.

Halfway through his search, Sir Roland hears a very strange very weird noise sound from behind him. He turns around to find out it's the sound of his good Elf comrade Garl snickering. Brows furrow in confusion and irritation, he motions for his comrades to come help with the search too...

---

OOC - Heh...full-armored knight crawling on all fours looking under furniture for shinies erm...clues...:D:D

you can find a Silver Mace and a pair of warm Wolf Fur Boots. 

Lacking the proper monster-hunting knowledge/occult lore to understand the need for silver weapons, Rorn instead assumes a silvered club was simply ornamental.  Perhaps it was used in Hell-knight ceremonies and rituals and whatever such fraternal orders did with such things.

In any case, it looked quite valuable and definitely worth, er, taking for, uhm, safe-keeping.  As for the boots, well, warm boots were a winter staple and his own boots were just fine.  He doesn't give them a second glance nor search for any cunningly hidden caches in false heels and so on.

The bedside table contains an embroidered Silken Handkerchief and a crude Sketch of the surroundings, where a location has been frantically outlined.

Why a snot-rag needed to be silk was beyond the young hunter.  Still, a luxury nose-wiper was better than none at all.  Then there was the map, which, since it lacked letters, was something Rorn could actually help interpret.

"Whatever is in that cave was important to Sir G," Rorn says, stating the obvious more to help him feel that the true evil they faced was not in the tower .. or no longer in the tower.

Assuming the ladder is sturdy enough to hold a heavy knight, it should be no problem for Rorn to go up it, too.  But he certainly does not go first.

By searching underneath the wardrobe, Sir Roland find Gallaharn’s large shield: a masterfully crafted item that he had seen many times before.
[OOC: the large shields armour rolls are: 0001122]


Sir Roland is completely confused by the signs of the fight: he's not sure of how many combatants were involved, but he's sure that not all of them were Humans... and perhaps some of them were not even mortals...


The ladder is very creaky, but still able to stand the weight of a knight with weapons and armor.
Sir Roland is not 100% sure if it would be wiser to climb one by one or all together.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:27, Tue 06 Mar 2018.

The knight picks up the shield and dusts it off, marveling at its craftsmanship. "Gallaharn's shield..." He hefts it alittle, before fitting it onto his shield arm. The metallic armament is well balanced, fitting snugly and securely.

"What have you found there?" Sir Roland glances over at Rorn and Garl as the 2 men pore over the sketch...

---

OOC - Ok technically the party isn't here on a lootrun. The stuff here, some of them left behind by Sir Gallaharn, and are to be brought back to the Baron and returned to Gallaharn's family. But having said that, go ahead pick up stuff to use.

On a related note, Garl you might want to examine each item found, for magical properties. Sir Roland isn't too comfy about magic and hence isn't going to ask you to do it.

Garl carefully examines each item for magical properties, symbols, etc.  (I'll go ahead and post a roll.)

Afterwards, Garl says, "I strongly suggest we go up the ladder one at a time.  The less strain we put on that ancient relic, the better."

12:30, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 4 using 2d6.  Examine items.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:30, Tue 06 Mar 2018.

Was it odd to find a shield tucked away under a wardrobe?  Perhaps, but Rorn doesn't want to speculate on the niceties of demonic possessions.  Instead, the practicalities of that massive chunk of steel hanging on Sir Roland's arm can only be helpful.

"What have you found there?" Sir Roland glances over at Rorn and Garl as the 2 men pore over the sketch...

Watching the witch-elf perform some magical mumbo jumbo on the mace, boots and shield, Rorn absently directs Sir Roland's gaze towards the map.  "Our next destination, I guess.  Or maybe it means nothing at all .. there's no way to know until we go."

Sir Roland examines the bloodstains, as well as the smashed furniture, and the room in general...

---

OOC - How old are these bloodstains? Anything strange about them being frozen, while the rest of the room isn't? Are they human blood? Also, any indication of how long ago was this fight?

Any other hints and indications of what creatures might have fought here? Claw marks across the smashed furniture maybe? Blood stains on the furniture? Claw/hoof/paw marks on the floor?

Anything else left behind by the combatants? Hair? Broken claws/teeth/weapons?

This room, when you entered, was freezing cold and so where the bloodstains. Now that Rorn's fire is warming up the environment, at least the red-brownish stains look more normal. It is a bit difficult to say how old they are, as probably froze solid some time ago right after being spilled and only now they are reverting into clots of blood.
However, Sir Roland can spot other stains that look blueish and are still frozen.

Apart from sword marks, there are strange marks in the room, perhaps due to claws or similar, but you can't guess which beast might have caused them, and, amongst the debris, you can find quite a few crow feathers, some of which is cleanly cut in half.

According to Garl, the items, although very beautiful, are not magic. However, he remembers that there are some beasts that can be harm by silver and the mace perhaps may turn useful under this point of view.

The knight takes over the sketch, turns it right side up, and takes a moment to study it. He listens without comment as Rorn and Garl describe their search of the room, as well as their examination of the items found, nodding absently at various points in their report.


"These are not human..." Brows furrowed, Sir Roland indicates the bluish, still frozen stains on the wall, as well as several strange marks made on multiple surfaces in the room, perhaps by claws or other natural weapons of creatures and beasts.

He squats down and picks up one of the feathers, holding it closer to examine the clean edge of the cut. "The cut is very fine...very clean. As if by an extremely sharp blade. And I have never seen crows that needed to be put down with a sword like this..."

Standing back up, the knight looks up the ladder that leads further up into the tower. Hefting his newly acquired shield, he hands his sword over to Garl, picking up a torch in his sword hand instead. "I will go up front. Wait for my all-clear." With that pronouncement, Sir Roland puts his shield hand on a rung and begins to carefully edge up the ladder, keeping the torch up front, and the shield before himself at all times...

As Sir Roland gets to the top of the ladder towards the darkening sky above the tower’s vantage point, his eyes widen: in front of him there is Sir Gallaharn, although he struggles a lot to recognize him, as his face is blood-daubed with demonic sigils, awaiting for him without a word and without a move, as a thunderstorm starts raging in the sky. A flock of horribly warped, demonic crows, announced by deafening thunders, is descending from the sky in a haze of black feathers.
Sir Gallaharn wears a chainmail and his faithful sword, Stormbreaker, is held with confidence in his right hand.

[Private to GM: ENEMY SKI STA ATT
SIR GALLAHARN 9 12(9) 2
DEMONCROWS 6 16 4
Gallaharn’s Sword 2333345
Gallaharn’s Chainmail0001223
Demoncrows’ Talons 2233334
Stormbreaker: Thanks to his magical sword - an old and powerful legacy - SIR GALLAHARN has a +1 bonus on his Attack Strength, already considered in his Statistics.
Moreover, his insanity makes him completely immune to pain, stun and fear.
Daze: An adventurer wounded by the DEMONCROWS must immediately Test for Skill (Awareness). An unsuccessful roll means he has been completely surrounded by the flock and is dazed (-3 to his Attack Strength) for two combat rounds. The Daze malus to the Attack Strength is not cumulative, it only stacks over combat rounds.]

[Private to Sir Roland Halfstaff: Don't forget that right now you have one hand occupied by the shield and the other by a torch.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:01, Sat 10 Mar 2018.

One look into Sir Gallaharn's eyes, and Sir Roland's warrior instinct for danger spins into the highest pitch. He releases his grip on the ladder, jumping down to the floor below. And once his boots hit the ground with a heavy thud, he backs away from the ladder and the hole in the ceiling, stretching out his arms to elbow his companions back as well.

The knight spins around and grabs his sword from Garl, pushing the torch to the Elf at the same time, while sounding out with his warning.

"Sir Gallaharn is up there. With his sword is drawn. He is...changed...and dangerous."

His weapon and shield ready, Sir Roland crouches in combat stance, glancing up to the roof in anticipation...

While he still has time, Garl casts Mirror Selves.  Then he mentally prepares for battle.

After casting this, he offers to buff Sir Roland and Rorn with Ironhand.  (If there is time.)

22:38, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 6 using 2d6.  Cast Mirror Selves.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:48, Wed 07 Mar 2018.

"Sir Gallaharn is up there. With his sword is drawn. He is...changed...and dangerous."

Dangerous?!  He must be some kind of undead, Rorn concludes as he steps closer to the fireplace and goes into a crouch.

Next, he readies his bow with a deft pull on the string and knocks an arrow.  Would arrows even help against Evil Sir G??  At least, Rorn decides, he will get a chance to shoot while the monster was stuck on the ladder.

Galendra's eyes fly to the top of the rickety ladder, intent there as she readies her ancestral sword and takes a combat stance.

"Changed... how?" she asks, teeth clenched.

A powerful thunder strikes the tower and a big part of the ceiling falls down!

[OOC please test your LUCK]

"Gah!" Rorn cries as the sky begins to fall.  Luckily, the wall by the fireplace is extra strong and by extension, the upper ceiling is too and the young hunter is spared having his head staved in.

Luck test
2 vs 10 .. hooray!  Luck stat drops to 9

18:08, Today: Rorn rolled 2 using 2d6.  The Sky is falling!  Luck test vs 10.

His eyes fixed upon the hole in the ceiling where he had come face to face with his long time comrade in arms and rival, Sir Roland was caught flat-footed by the lightning strike that boomed as it hit the roof above. The knight backs away from the collapsing ceiling, but moves too slowly...

---

10:57, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 9 using 2d6.  Luck check vs 7.

Luck score reduced to 6 now.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Thu 08 Mar 2018.

03:07, Today: Garl Ligoosh rolled 8 using 2d6.  Luck roll.  Failed

Luck check: 08:34, Today: Galendra rolled 7 using 2d6. 7 vs. 9. Luck lowers to 8.

Galendra, having focused her attention upward, is able to scramble out of the way of the falling ceiling.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Thu 08 Mar 2018.

While a big part of the ceiling falls on your heads, only Galendra and Rorn manage to get out of the way and everybody else is hit by falling rocks.
[Private to Sir Roland Halfstaff: you lose 2 STAMINA][Private to Garl Ligoosh: You lose two STAMINA][Private to Larson fossas: You lose two STAMINA]
As you painfully raise again in the middle of a dustcloud, checking if you are all alive, you see that the gap in the ceiling shows a dark and thundering sky on top of you and the stark figure of a man, his face blood-daubed with demonic sigils, pointing at you with his sword. Not much above him is a flock of big, black birds in a haze of black feathers.

the stark figure of a man, his face blood-daubed with demonic sigils, pointing at you with his sword.

Maybe it was the clear intent of a naked sword, or the creepy visage of a man possessed and decorated by devil-tattoos, or simply the impending murder-by-crows ... no matter, Rorn does not ask questions, he shoots first!

Action
Fire bow at Sir G
If I understand the rules correctly, that's a result of
7 (dice roll) + 2 (Special Skill) + 7 (Skill statistic) = 16


10:36, Today: Rorn rolled 7 using 2d6.  Rorn shoots at Sir G.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Fri 09 Mar 2018.

Blood streaming down the side of his face, Sir Roland stumbles on the broken rocks from the ceiling but regains his balance. His eyes snap up to see Sir Gallaharn now standing just a few feet away from across the room staring down at the party through the hole in the ceiling. The (former?) knight's sword is out and pointing at himself and the party.

"Brother... What has happened to yo...." Too late! Out of the corner of his eye, the knight catches sight of Rorn as the lad fits an arrow to his bow, draws it, and releases...

"Not yet!!!" Sir Roland yells! His sword and shield up, he watches helplessly as the arrow, flying in slow motion, streaks across the air towards Sir Gallaharn...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Sat 10 Mar 2018.

Garl shouts, “CLOSE THEM!” and then casts Flash.

 (The cost is only one point, so I don’t think I need to roll.  I assume that he succeeded in casting Mirror Selves?)

Sir Roland snaps his eyes shut and hunkers down behind his new shield.

Rorn's arrow flies sure and hits Sir Gallaharn on his shield arm, unprotected. Sir Gallaharn doesn't show any sign of pain, as if nothing happened, takes a couple of steps forward and jumps to join you and the first floor.

[Private to Rorn: Please Rorn, roll 1d6 for damage]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:59, Sat 10 Mar 2018.

Sir Roland steps back, shield and weapon at the ready. For the time being however, the knight desires to talk...

"What happened to you Brother? What is this devilry?"

Combat was chaos and everything happened at once.  The arrow streaks into Evil Sir G, Sir R starts his interrogations, and then the Hellknight drops down into the trashed bedchamber.

Then Garl makes his shout, and Rorn puts his left arm in front of his face and screws his eyes shut before witchy magic burned them away.

Oops forgot damage roll
Result  = 4

09:29, Today: Rorn rolled 4 using 1d6.  arrow damage roll.

Garl's magic causes a brief but very intense flash of light, causing temporary blindness to everybody with open eyes that fails a test of LUCK.
Garl, Sir Roland and Rorn had their eyes wide shut when the spell was cast, so they don't need to test their LUCK.
Please Larson and Galendra test your LUCK.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Sat 10 Mar 2018.

19:10, Today: The Director, on behalf of Galendra, rolled 6 using 2d6.  test of LUCK.
19:09, Today: The Director, on behalf of Larson fossas, rolled 7 using 2d6.  test of LUCK.

Both Larson and Galendra close their eyes just in time, so they are not blinded, although they seem struggling with the debris after the ceiling crumbled down.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:13, Mon 12 Mar 2018.

Sir Gallaham doesn't give any sign of consequences after the strong flash of light, while the demonic crows seem definitely confused: most of them crashed to the floor and are frantically moving their bodies, attacking the walls and the floor with their beaks. This makes the area incredibly confused.

Sir Gallaham, face emotionless, raises his sword and attacks Rorn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:40, Mon 12 Mar 2018.

Garl, trying to stay out of melee, casts Ironhand on Rorn.

Sir Roland dashes forward, raising his shield to catch Sir Gallaharn's blow on it. He attempts to interpose himself between the bewitched knight and Rorn, raising his own weapon in readiness. He fails however, and has to be content instead with standing beside Rorn, shoving the young villager out of the way of the bewitched knight...

"Garl! He looks bewitched! Is there something you can do to snap him out of it? Some application of holy water? Or display of a holy symbol?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:42, Mon 12 Mar 2018.

[OOC please, Sir Roland, roll 2d6]

11:29, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 7 using 2d6.  Defend Rorn. vs SKILL 8

Sir Roland can't fully interpose himself between Sir Gallaham and Rorn, but the partially interposed shield offers some help and protection to the young villager.

Sir Gallaham, face emotionless, raises his sword and attacks Rorn.

Lacking a melee weapon and merely clad as he is in light horsehide, Rorn fears he won't last more than a few moments in toe-to-toe conflict against Evil Sir G.  Despite looking death in the eye, he still manages to find his voice and keep his feet moving.

"Yaah!!  Keep back demon!" Rorn cries into the Hellknight's face.

Sir Roland dashes forward, raising his shield to catch Sir Gallaharn's blow on it.

Rorn does not look back, instead using this interlude if at all possible to disengage and flee out the door.  Back to the kitchen, if he can!

Galendra steps toward the blank-faced Gallaham. "Bedeviled you might be, but you do not attack my friends!" She swings her sword at Gallaham.

As soon as he can, Garl also casts Ironhand on Galendra.  (Did his previous spells take effect?)

He replies to Sir Roland, in a surprisingly calm voice, “I could try bolting him.  That might snap him right out of this world, though.”
This message was last edited by the player at 01:19, Tue 13 Mar 2018.

The previous spell did take effect of Rorn and before casting another spell please let me resolve the previous round ;)

Please Rorn and Galendra roll 2d6: we are in a fight and we have to find out who hits and who is hit during the first round ;)

09:41, Today: Galendra rolled 8 using 2d6. So, attack of 8+7=15.

Please Rorn and Galendra roll 2d6: we are in a fight and we have to find out who hits and who is hit during the first round ;)

There ya go :)

12:24, Today: Rorn rolled 4 using 2d6.  Mystery Roll.

[Private to GM: ENEMY SKI STA ATT
SIR GALLAHARN 9 12(6) 2
DEMONCROWS 6 16 4
Gallaharn’s Sword 2333345
Gallaharn’s Chainmail0001223
Demoncrows’ Talons 2233334
Stormbreaker: Thanks to his magical sword - an old and powerful legacy - SIR GALLAHARN has a +1 bonus on his Attack Strength, already considered in his Statistics.
Moreover, his insanity makes him completely immune to pain, stun and fear.
Daze: An adventurer wounded by the DEMONCROWS must immediately Test for Skill (Awareness). An unsuccessful roll means he has been completely surrounded by the flock and is dazed (-3 to his Attack Strength) for two combat rounds. The Daze malus to the Attack Strength is not cumulative, it only stacks over combat rounds.

20:35, Today: The Director rolled 5 using 2d6.
20:39, Today: The Director rolled 4 using 1d6.  armor.
20:39, Today: The Director rolled 2 using 1d6.  attack.
 ]

While Rorn makes his quick escape to the ground floor, Sir Gallaham manages to hit him with his sword.[Private to Rorn:  You get three damages, but your armor roll can reduce them, and it will have a +3 bonus, due to the protection granted by Sir Roland] At the very same time Galendra swings her sword at the knight and he makes a gesture with his left arm as if parrying the attack with his shield, but... he isn't carrying any shield and Galendra's sword connects! [Private to Galendra: Please Galendra, roll 1d6 for your damage roll :)]

Sir Gallaham now turns to Galendra and raises his sword once more!

[OOC now we can start the second round! :)
Unless Garl changes his mind about it, he will cast his spell on Gal as mentioned above.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:41, Thu 15 Mar 2018.

Sir Roland frowns at the curious sight. This "Sir Gallaharn" is most certainly NOT what he (or it) seems.

"Strange...an illusion perhaps..."

With that half-musing half-warning, the knight swings his shining blade up and down for a tremendous blow at "Sir Gallaharn"!

---

10:49, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 20,3 using 2d6+8+2,1d6.  Strike at "Gallaharn".

(OOC: did my Mirror Selves take effect?  I still intend to cast Ironhand on Galendra this round.)

[OOC yes, Mirror self took effect. Sorry for not clarifying this.
Ironhand takes effect as well.]

While Rorn makes his quick escape to the ground floor, Sir Gallaham manages to hit him with his sword.

It was only Sir Roland's timely intervention that saved Rorn from a worse wound; still the Hellknight's blade cut into the youngster's backside as he turned tail.

Only when it seemed clear that the armoured demon was not chasing him did Rorn turn around and creep back to watch the melee and try to help as best he can.

Combat Results
Armour roll with the +3 bonus from Sir R is a 6, so 1 damage reduced and 2 taken, STAM drops to 12/14

Actions
For round 2, spend the round consolidating position out of melee and at the edge of the combat.  If Rorn is able to shoot into battle without the risk of striking an ally he will do that on round 3+.  Perhaps a penalty to the roll?

20:58, Today: Rorn rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Armour roll, with +3 bonus.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:06, Wed 14 Mar 2018.

Galendra's sword slashes into Gallaham. Damage: 09:39, Today: Galendra rolled 3 using 1d6.

She swings her sword again, taking advantage of her proximity and physical momentum. Attack: 09:42, Today: Galendra rolled 9 using 2d6. 9+7=16. If a hit based on the Director's roll, damage: 09:43, Today: Galendra rolled 2 using 1d6.

[Private to GM: 20:43, Today: The Director rolled 2 using 1d6.  G.
20:42, Today: The Director rolled 12 using 2d6.  G.]
Sir Gallaham's incredibly powerful and accurate attack slashes deep into Galendra's shoulder, knocking her down![Private to Galendra: Deduct six points of STAMINA and one point of SKILL, due to the deep damage you received! You can make an armour roll to reduce the damage to your STAMINA, but not to your SKILL.]
Your combined attacks don't come even closer to touching Sir Gallaham.

Sir Gallaham now turns towards Sir Roland, the only melee fighter still stanging in front of him.
Now that Galendra is on her knees and that the multiple Garls stay a bit back, there is enough space for Rorn to make a ranged attack, although the many crows confusing the room will make his ranged attack much more difficult.

"Get back! He is too strong! Engage from range!"

Sir Roland grits his teeth as he watches "Sir Gallaharn" strike down Galendra with amazing finesse and skill while avoiding all blows against him. He steps forward in front of the lass, blocking further attacks and advances by the bewitched knight.

Bringing back his own blade, he swings it in another tremendous blow at the other's head.

---

11:25, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 21,3 using 2d6+8+2,1d6.  Strike at "Gallaharn".

[Private to GM: 22:08, Today: The Director rolled 1 using 1d6.  G.
22:08, Today: The Director rolled 5 using 2d6.  G.]

Sir Gallaham raises his powerful sword towards Sir Roland, then, after their eyes meet, his swing isn't as strong and sure as just a second before and Sir Roland hits him very hard.
In a glimpse of consciousness, the knight harshly spits broken sentences as: "... The icy wind... it’s in my mind... it ordered me to... open the seals to the underworld... I must do it. I must, for my wife!..."
He falls on his knees, tears flowing from his eyes, speaking more expeditely: "I didn’t mean that... I didn’t want it... my soul is condemned!..."

Then, after a deep sigh: "The devil... he... he came from the ice cage... he broke itself free and he’s trying to free his foul brothers... please: kill me and seal the cage once again, or it will be all lost!"

He finally stands again, his eyes again emotionless, and attacks once more Sir Roland.

At the earliest opportunity, Garl casts Ironhand on Sir Roland.

Sir Gallaham's incredibly powerful and accurate attack slashes deep into Galendra's shoulder, knocking her down!

Thankfully Rorn had missed this horrific sight during his retreat, or he might just have fled the scene for good.  Instead, he notes the woman down among the stones near to Lars who seems to be struggling to shake off the effects of a rock strike to the back of the head.

Then, after a deep sigh: "The devil... he... he came from the ice cage... he broke itself free and he’s trying to free his foul brothers... please: kill me and seal the cage once again, or it will be all lost!"

Rorn really doesn't want to shoot at the tormented knight, but ... what choice did they have?  Gal had already been chopped down and if Sir Roland was felled, then they were all doomed for sure.

"We have to slay him we have no choice!" Rorn cries aloud in anguish, releasing an arrow between the fluttering birds and hoping to strike Evil Sir G in a weak spot.

Round 3 Actions
Fire arrow at Sir G
Result is: 7 + 7 (Skill) + 1 (Ironhand) + 2 (Special Skill) = 17
Damage roll: 5

09:19, Today: Rorn rolled 7,5 using 2d6,d6.  Rorn shoots Evil Sir G, damage roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:26, Thu 15 Mar 2018.

Galendra's leather cuirass doesn't slow the mighty blow at all, and she is cleaved severely. 09:45, Today: Galendra rolled 3 using 1d6. She staggers to a knee, and then -- with Roland between her and the possessed knight, she rises unsteadily to stagger back out of melee to catch her breath.

Suddenly, Sir Roland springs forward with his arms wide open, attempting to grapple "Sir Gallaharn" and wrestle him to the floor!

---

00:59, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 16 using 2d6+8.  Grapple "Sir Gallaharn".

Sir Roland, feeling the power surge of Garl's magic, manages to avoid Sir Gallaham's swing and grapple him. As Sir Gallaham is momentarily held, Rorn's arrow flies sure and manages to find its way straigh to the knight's heart!
Sir Gallaham dies with a faint smile on his face.

As soon as Gallaharn dies, a malevolent frozen wind sprouts from the knight’s mouth: a ghostly manifestation! It lingers for a while on the dead body, then it flees north, leaving you with dozens of blind demoncrows franticaly jumping up and down, unable to aim their sharp beaks and talon but still dangerous.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:54, Fri 16 Mar 2018.

The knight half-turns to his Elven comrade with a frantic call: "Now Garl! Burn them demon crows up!"

Rorn's arrow flies sure and manages to find its way straigh to the knight's heart!
Sir Gallaham dies with a faint smile on his face.

There is a moment of complete shock as the result of the shot registers ... for Rorn had never expected to hit the target so accurately.  Once it was clear the possessed knight was dead, relief floods the young hunter but only for a moment:

As soon as Gallaharn dies, a malevolent frozen wind sprouts from the knight’s mouth: a ghostly manifestation.  It lingers for a while on the dead body, then it flees north,

Too afraid to breathe while the spook hovered over the dead warrior, only when it was gone does Rorn yell: "What .. what was that?!"

Then he aims at a dread raven and fires, hoping to help drive the evil away from the tower for good.

Round 4 Actions
Fire arrow at a crow
Result is: 9 + 7 (Skill) + 1 (Ironhand) + 2 (Special Skill) = 19
Damage roll: 4

11:06, Today: Rorn rolled 9,4 using 2d6,d6.  Round 4  Rorn shoots a crow.

This message was last edited by the player at 18:07, Fri 16 Mar 2018.

Rorn nails a crow to the floor. It keeps beating its wings and screeching for a while, then it stops.

Garl casts Burn, causing a tiny flame to appear in the palm of his hand.  “Sadly, this is all the fire magic I currently possess.”

Sir Roland nods curtly, then moves forward swinging his sword, trying to take down the demon crows...

---

14:24, Today: Sir Roland Halfstaff rolled 21,6 using 2d6+8+2,1d6.  Strike demon crows.

It takes some time and lots of attention, but at the end the floor is covered by dead demon crows.

Searching the poor knight's body you can find:

• A Potion of Luck.
• Gallaharn’s chainmail.
• A black bear cape.
• A pewter flask with a dark red liquor, smelling of strong wine.
• A beautiful sword, with its runes engraved sheath. Sir Roland Knows it very well.

Does Garl have any reason to believe the sword may now be cursed?  After all, look who was using it last...

Garl has no specific reason to be sure if the sword is cursed or not.

The sword is crafted out of pure mithril, silver and gold, its blade etched with ancient Runes of Power. The hilt is embellished by precious stones from the fabulous
treasure of King Gillan.

Rorn gapes at the dead Hellknight's blade with awe.  It seemed like an artefact you heard about listening to the glee-bard's epic tales, not something lying there, right in front of you.

"Uhm, Sir Roland, I think you had better put that sword to good use against the ice devils??" the young hunter says tentatively.  Completely untrained with such a weapon, Rorn feels that if he tried swinging it, he would just as soon hack his own arm off than harm an opponent.

A Potion of Luck.
Gallaharn’s chainmail.
A black bear cape.
A pewter flask with a dark red liquor, smelling of strong wine.

Rorn has no interest in the heavy armour but he is drawn to the aromatic liquids.  "Mmmm, wine," he says after giving the red stuff a sniff.  The other waterbottle has a suggestive label.  "Luck, huh.  Yes, we could certainly use some!" he says, looking at the collapsed ceiling.

He goes over to Gal to make sure her cut was nothing serious and offers to help her clean the wound.

The cape was certainly of interest, it looked warm and was something Rorn could certainly appreciate, knowing how fierce bears were!

He pokes his skinning knife at a spitted bird.  Scrawny and evil-looking, even in death, they were probably not even going to be good eating.  Rorn rubs his hands near to the fire burning in the hearth.

"Bury the dead knight, and then head to that cave then, I suppose," he says with apprehension, thinking about that evil ghost that they had seen and figuring it had gone there for sure.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Sun 18 Mar 2018.

Rorn notices that both Galendra and Larson are not doing good at all, although they don't look like at immediate risk of losing their lives.

“I think it would be wise if we rested before journeying on.  Whatever is lurking in that cave will be more easily dealt with if we are at full strength.”

Galendra sags to the ground to rest where she can. "I need... rest," she sighs. "His blow cut deeply." Her eyes rest on the chainmail armor. "If that fits me -- and no one else desires it -- perhaps I could claim his armor."

Just eyeballing it, does she think it'll fit?

[OOC with some clever management of the armor belts it could fit you, but please have a good read at the rules about armor, as you may not have a high enough SKILL + Armor Special Skill score right now.
However, you may work on that score at the first meaningful break, by trading in your experience points.

While resting, Galendra will strip the corpse of its armor to carry with her until she's able to spend time sizing it. [Private to GM: Will do! I'll check the book tonight.]

Garl tries to find a clean spot.  If he succeeds, he sits down on that spot, and relaxes while thinking of something pleasant.  For example, an ancient musty library, full of nothing but cobwebbed stacks of books that no one else has read for a thousand years.  And lots of time to read.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Mon 19 Mar 2018.

You clear the mess, burn the crows and undertake Sir Gallaham's body in the Knights' Graveyard besides the tower. The tombstone isn't the most masterfully decorated, but the others are fairly simple as well.

You have a chance to rest, but that will be at the cost of some ratios as well, unless you try hunting.

[OOC please let me know what you want to do with the objects you found on Sir Gallaham. I will let this thread open some more time to allow you sorting out this kind of detail, but in the meanwhile I will open a new thread for the new scene]

Galendra will rest fully, to heal as much as she can. She will eat an iron rations, if needed, to conserve energy from the hunt. She will also hide the armor somewhere to return to later. (She doesn't have enough experience yet to increase her scores to use the armor, and she doesn't want to be encumbered.)

unless you try hunting.

Considering that was what he felt he was here for, Rorn does indeed try hunting.  Now, since he was far from home and unfamiliar with the lay of the land, he does not stray far from the tower or the group.

On the bright side, considering the place was long abandoned, there just might be game to find close by.  Still, he figures it will be a fruitless search.

In fact, a good hunter usually only catches things successfully after spending much time learning the nature of the hunting ground he is in: what animals laired nearby, what predators to avoid, and of course, what other two-legged hunters were nearby.

Lacking this information and deciding that the top of this Hell-mountain was going to be slim pickings, Rorn does not expect to catch much of anything, especially in cold weather.  But he will give it a try ... there was no telling how much time they were going to be spending up here.

Actions
Rorn will snag the bear cape, it looks warm.  He has no real clue about magic items, IC

Hunting result:  8
Skill: 7
Special Skill: Hunting 1

08:21, Today: Rorn rolled 8 using 2d6.  Rorn hunts!

Rorn comes back with a couple of Snow Buntings... a fairly meage meal for a single person, but good tasting.

[OOC OK, let's try and work out food and resting times:
You had the final fight in the evening, so I suppose you clean up most of the mess, undertake the knight and finally have a good dinner.
This makes -1 ration and +2 STAMINA.
Then you go to sleep.
You have a fantastic night of sleep and regain 4 STAMINA.
Finally you wake up in the morning, nice and refresched.
Rorn (that didn't work so hard during the fight...) goes to hunt at dawn and comes back at mid morning with a couple of sparrows (enough for one meal for one person).
Are you going to have breakfast or not?
If you have breakfast, you lose one more ration (apart from Rorn) and recover two more STAMINA, otherwise you can go to the Cave with the stomachs empty, but you still need to have two meals a day to avoid fatigue (and loss of STAMINA).
Please clarify this ;) ]

Rorn enters "chores" mode and helps clean up the ruined bedroom and strip, clean up and move the body for the ceremony.

His folks believed in cremation, a simple ritual that also had benefits: less disease, no chance that relatives were re-animated as undead horrors by unscrupulous necromages (bad guys that seemed to be everywhere, in the stories) and a handy carry-urn that you could keep close.

But, if the tradition of the Knightly Orders was a full burial and interment, then Rorn goes along with whatever Sir Roland decreed as Most Holy Appropriate.

Next ... dinner and sleep.  Since the bedroom was ruined (and bloodstained), the youngster suggests they bed down again the stables.

After a quick hunt, Rorn suggests they definitely eat breakfast before undertaking any sort of journey into the Cold Unknown.

Actions
Help Sir R
Sleep
+1 vote for Breakfast.   In any case, Stam restored to max

Larson, despite the rest, doesn't feel fit enough to travel with you to the Crystal Cage, as he still suffer after the ceiling fell on him.
He will stay at Hellwinter Tower some more time and take some time before decidiong his course of action.

[OOC as far as I understand, Rorn picked up the hat, Gal found a place to hide the chainmail armour in the Tower and you left everything else at the Tower?
Is it correct?]

Sir Roland has lost a lot of LUCK points, so, as nobody wanted it, he drinks the Luck potion with pleasure. He also picks up Sir Gallaham's sword, Stormbreaker, and warmly suggests that somebody else picks up the silver mace.
He's OK with having a good breakfast before moving on. It will require some extra iron ration, but it is much better starting a march with a full stomach.