The reptile exhibit has Neuken in a good mood as well.  “How soon can you start?”

The tall man rides with Zinnelis. His chain is of the highest quality. His shield is of a teardrop shape, and his helmet curves to a point with a red feather on top. His armor, along with his fur cape, the curve of his sword, and the composite of horn and wood in his bow, mark him as a warrior of one of the cultures of the frozen north. He raises a gloved hand in welcome.

"A friend of the elf is a friend of mine. My name Dimitri Reznov. Well met, my friends!"

Greyband stops, regarding this group stolidly, but salutes at this wise greeting. "Well met, fellow travelers. I am Greyband the Swashbuckler."

Orin was cautious at first, but upon hearing the explanation of how they came to be here quickly turned friendly to the newcomers.  He hoped they could fill the gap in their little band the untimely deaths of Jayanti and Patch had created, if not the hole in his heart.

"Hail, Zinnelis, Dmitri and Windor.  I am Orin Starshine, and I'm glad to have you along!  It's afoul business to be sure, and more stout bodies can only help the cause."

Killian was relieved to see the approaching riders were allies. The elf introduced himself as well. "Well met. I am Killian of House Hawkfire. Finding aid in such a desolate place is a blessing and most welcome. The dangers are significant, as the story of our friends reveals."

Neuken keeps that friendly smile on his winsome face, but keeps his eyes peeled and skinned for any sign of treachery.

Though not quite as physically imposing as his travel companion, the other man was clad in armor which had seen quite a bit of use. It was plate of ancient design, bearing engravings of archaic rites and symbology, prayers they were to those who knew them. A holy tome was chained to him and resided over his heart. Across his saddle was a massive stone maul. The man's beard was frosty, the corners of his eyes lined and evident of a deep wisdom. This holy warrior had seen things in his time, things that haunted him still...

"Well met to those who oppose the threat of the Shadow Lord." he said in a deep voice which could easily carry a sermon over the din of battle. His piercing eyes met the gaze of everyone, lingering a bit on the wizard. His mouth formed a minor scowl.

"I am Windor, wrought of Night's Own Beacon. I serve the Moon God, Shul, and it is in His Name that I shall smite our common foes!"

"Those who have fallen will be avenged. Those who may soon fall shall be honored. I pray the Moon God will grant me the privilege of scribing the names of more unholy foes upon the pages of my chronicle." He patted the tome upon his chest.

"Let Moonlight guide our way..."

Dimitri held his reins tight and bit his tongue. He cast a side glance at Windor. Six whole weeks of this cleric boasting and pontificating! In the old country the village priest said his piece at weddings and funerals then got the hell back in his chapel!

”Since yesterday afternoon, we have had sight of the mountain, and the cloud which surrounds the tower,” Zinnelis says, pointing to the expanse of yellow fog, ”The rumor is that the mist is poison. Were we to try to reach Gereth Minar, I do not know how we would safely travel through it.”

“Do any of you know magic that gives mastery of the weather? Perhaps a wind that could scatter the cloud?”

Greyband looks over at Neuken. "Wizard, you have anything useful that way?"

“Sorry, no.”

"Remember the priest's map," Orin said to jog their memories of the night they kidnapped the jaded cleric at the temple.  "There's another way into the tower, without going through the cloud.  We find that entrance and we'll have the advantage of surprise as well."


OOC:

Just dragging the DM's reminder into our IC conversation.  As  player I'd forgotten about that too!

Greyband snaps his fingers. "That's right, the wyvern on the rock! Zinnelis, Dimitri, we think we have a way in. Let's pull out our map and look for that hidden entrance."

The surviving party members pull out the map and study it, looking for the location of this rock with a wyvern picture on it.

Momentarily stunned by the reverend's oration, Jarder staggers over to the others to peer at the map he had cut out of that other's priest's sandals.

Neuken also examines the map, wondering if there is some trick involved in figuring this out.  He assumes the map will try to mislead them.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:52, Sun 27 Sept 2020.

Killian studies the map. "Looks like the secret tunnel is on the south side from the tower, near a tree stump. We should head there." The elf points to the drawing of the wyvern. "But, chances are it is guarded by a wyvern of some sort. Perhaps even the blue brother of Vitriol."

Greyband's eyes grow steely. "I hope he is there. I have unfinished business with that worm, now that I'm properly armored." He turns to the newcomers. "Zinnelis, Dimitri, are you with us?"

In reply to Greyband (msg # 19):

"Yes, my friends! My sword and shield are with you!"

”Indeed,” the elven scout says with a grim nod, ”Let us see this threat put to an end.”

The adventurers move cautiously across the barren plain, weapons and spells readied, watchful for any threat. Ahead, only the faint outline of the ancient tower can be seen through the screen of unnatural fog, but as the party presses forward, it becomes plain that those that occupy Gereth Minar have placed great faith in the protection of the venomous mist. No Denagothian soldiers emerge to patrol the land surrounding the tower, nor do any fell creatures haunt the broken landscape. Even the sky remains free of dangers.

It is Jarder Mehro who spies the tell tale stump, the remnants of a tree that was undoubtedly of enormous size, its wood darkened by time and the brutal elements. The thief is quick to locate the stone, the black figure of a wyvern painted on its smooth gray surface. The painting is old, parts of it having flaked away with the passage of decades, but its subject is plain enough to discern easily. The adventurers cautiously move the large rock from its place to find the entrance to the promised tunnel beneath it, cobwebs clinging to its edges. The passageway into the earth is entirely dark, a heavy, musty scent emerging from the opening. The party members here no sounds from within the thick shadows.

OOC: The initial part of the tunnel is roughly ten feet wide, which will require the party to proceed, initially, in single file.

A revised marching order, which accounts for the new additions to the company, will need to be decided on before entering the underground.

Neuken lurks near the rear of the party, but tries to arrange for some stout warrior to travel behind him.  A wizard requires safety, after all.

Killian moves toward the mage. "I can bring up the rear and make sure nothing comes for us from behind."

"That works."  He thinks hard for a moment, then adds, "Thank you."

Orin was used to standing at the front with Greyband.  He expected no less this time either.

Greyband offers to head in first. However, he turns to Windor. "Good cleric, I have some remaining injury from an incident with a blue dragon yesterday. May I ask you to invoke the healing of your god upon me before I lead us in?"