When everyone's ready, you all gather before sunset to try to stop the devil summoning ritual. Before you went to sleep Smith gave you a map leading to the site, and warned that you will have to wade through freezing water to get there (feel free to factor that into spell selection when you rest.) He gives you a quiver of 20 +1 crossbow bolts to divide as you choose, and offers to loan a light crossbow or two from the armory if you promise to either return with it or pay for a new one when you return.

Carmen is happy to move out. "Hopefully it's just a short wade across the river, but perhaps Nutcracker can fly over the river as we each cross and have a rope tied to us. That way if we freeze to death he might be able to drag us over. Thoughts?" suggests Carmen.

She thanks Smith for the crossbow bolts and accepts the offer of the light crossbow for the party to use.

Wendel looks at the wingless Kenku... But doesn't dispute Carmen's comment, leaving that to the new fellow to handle. He shivers at the thought of crossing the freezing water but with little options and less time it seems like a problem that will need dealing with in some form or other.

"The sooner we get going the sooner we can put an end to this ritual tonight. Everyone ready? Nutcracker, you seem the tracking type. Would you take point please?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:20, Mon 15 Mar 2021.

OOC: Oh crap....I thought Nutcracker said he could fly in OOC. Now I've just insulted his lack of wings :(

"I'm ready, or as ready as I will be, anyway." She purses her lips for a moment, gazes at the runes on her staff, and looks up with a bit more confidence. "Let's teach them a lesson about sacrificing innocents."

OOC: Per recent conversations, here's my first phone post. :)

"As long as we don't fall in the water we should be fine," Victor offers, looking at the map.

"For now let us not waste any time."

Through group consensus, Nutcracker claimed the case of magical bolts and borrowed a crossbow in order to properly utilize them. He would still use his bow for the time being until the potential demon threat reared its head. Carmen's comment did spark a pain deep in his soul, but made no sound or someone else's comment in response. Some day it would be great to fly as his ancestors did. But for now he was needed on the ground.

Checking that his gear was all secured, Nutcracker nodded his readiness to set out into the cold wilderness.

OOC: Ready to go. Carmen can pay for the comment later. =D

You set out for the cave you've been told the ritual would be held in, after about an hour of unimpeded walking, you reach the shore of Tempest Bay. You see the cliff that you're told holds the opening of the cave ahead and to your left, across the shallow water. The tide is high, the water you'll need to wade through is about three feet high. At least the waves are calm.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:26, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

OOC: What are we looking at as far as natural landscape, plant life, and anything that might be washed up in the surf?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Carmen ties a rope to her waist, then starts to wade across the stream. She had mentally prepared herself for this, but even the mental preparation left her reeling in shock as the biting cold started to quickly remove all feeling from her extremeties...

14:48, Today: Carmen Diaz rolled 11 using 1d20+4 ((7)).

Chelsie utters a short incantation, making her pants suddenly warmer. "Anyone else?" After doling out her magic, she mutters to herself, "Larazel guide me." The invocation felt strange, but seemed fitting for the moment.

Steeling her nerves, she enters the freezing cold water, which hits her hard as she wades across, grimacing.

OOC: I can have 3 prestidigitation effects active at once, so I'll warm two others' clothes and hopefully that will give us some kind of small bonus?
Also, Chelsie's cold.
10:25, Today: Chelsie Primrose rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Con save.

Watching Carmen and Chelsie wade into the water, Nutcracker slipped his packs off and held them over his head to keep the bows and contents dry and waded in behind them. And then immediately regretted that action.

OOC: Wonderful start to this adventure!
17:03, Today: Nutcracker rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  CON vs Cold.

Even dry and having not crossed through freezing cold water, Wendel is already shivering out here in the night. How they managed to work up the nerve to cross that water he would never know. Thinking of nerves.. The half-elf looks at Victor, the only one who hasn't thrown himself into the water yet, besides Wendel. "Uhm Victor, I'm going to ride this one out in my ring I think. I don't think I could handle that water... I've been grinning and baring through a lot but that... Well, would you be willing to carry my ring across? You can wear it if that would be easiest."
--
"The energy it takes to enter this vessel is such that I can't do it more than once without really truly resting in between. So it may be best that I remain within until we get to where we are needed. Inside, I'll still be able to hear you all as if I'm right beside you but I won't be able to communicate to you... So.. If we get to a point where you need me let me know, I may be able to do some prep before I come out, not much but maybe something. If you think I need to, give me a phrase like 'prepare yourself' but if speed is of the essence I will join you all as soon as you say you need me."

It is a lot of information all at once. But it seems like he feels it necessary to share. And then he takes a breath, holds the ring out just over Victor's palm and dissolves into rocks and sand that break down even further as they all funnel into the compartment in the ring. Disappearing completely leaving only the ring in its place to fall into Victor's hand.

OOC: Bottled respite (can remain within for upwards of 4 hours at this level)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Victor nods and catches the ring as it drops into his palm, a little surprised at the heft of it given the size. It is as though it is denser than it should be, perhaps owing to the half-elf occupant or perhaps due to the consequences should he drop it along the way.

Checking a few of his fingers he settles on sliding it onto the fourth finger of his right hand and ensuring it will not slide off accidentally.

The tiefling then bends to pick up what dry wood he had been able to scavenge and holds it aloft, wading into the water after his other companions. He sucks air between his teeth as the layer of icy coldness reaches up to his waist. "I shall have to find a magical way to shield myself from the cold in the future," he thinks to himself.

Once on the other side with his allies he finds a likely spot to place down the dry wood and begins to saturate it with the oil from one of his flasks. "Can any of you light this magically I'd appreciate it, using my flint and steel is likely to cost me my eyebrows. Hopefully there will be enough heat to dry us."

OOC: -1 flask oil
17:04, Today: Victor Iusticia rolled 13 using 1d20+1.  Con Save vs cold.

Chelsie and the next two that went into the water after her can take advantage on their first saves thanks to prestidigitation.

On the other side, you see the entrance of the cave, and darkness. From within the darkness, you hear muffled cries and a wet breathing. A chill breeze seems to freeze your very bones. The sun will set shortly, but if you don't see to your wet clothes immediately you may not be in any condition to save anyone!

For every turn with wet clothes any of you spend outside the water, I'm gonna need another DC 10 CON save, or gain another level of exhaustion. If you're adjacent to a fire, you get advantage.