As you begin to collect the stones, they begin to die in glow and the amount of energy they radiate. You feel that the acorn is protecting you from the stones effects. Amardes is quick to find the trail of the displaced earth, following it north for over an hour. A deep ravine plunges into the earth, many hundreds of feet deep and its length extending towards the horizon. The bitter cold appears to be flowing through this fissure in the earth, a strong wind hitting you directly from inside. The passage of displaced earth continues down into the ravine.

Amardes was getting more and more worried about Kor. She wasn't very hopeful that he would be able to survive such a journey. Still this was the only thing they could do to help

As the arrived at what looked to be a very unpleasant place she changed back to her Elf form and murmurred to the others "Not a good place. Are there any precautions we want to take before we descend?"

"Underground all that way, I'm afraid Kor is dead in any case. Ropes should be used in case of falls."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:16, Sun 09 Aug 2020.

Shanaera couldn't agree more with Aergleel even though she didn't want to admit it.  Most likely Kor was dead, for how could he not be.  She thought of herself being dragged down and through the ground and shuddered at the thought.  She hoped her friends would be doing as they are now and be looking for her as well.  "Yes, ropes and climbing gear for sure.  Other than that I can't think what else we could use at this moment."

"Well if there was any doubt that the wolves were unnatural I think the whole 'disintegrating into minerals' should be pretty convincing. We should take a closer look at those once we find Kor" Ruven stated as he watched Aergleel pick up the remains of the wolves. He otherwise followed the others.

He peered down into the ravine that the trail led them to. "Clearly we are dealing with something magical here. Who knows how Kor was transported beneath the surface, he could still be fine." Ruven said more for his own peace of mind than to encourage the others. He put his pack down and dug around the contents until he finally pulled out some silk rope. "I've got about 50 feet so unfortunately not nearly enough to safely climb down. I guess we could tie ourselves together. Maybe we should traverse the ledge and attempt to find a safer way down?"

"I neglected to bring rope!" Aergleel announced as he went through his pack. "I thought I had 50 feet as well! I don't. I'm a mutton head."

Looking down the ravine, you notice the trail is easier to make out, going down a specific path that looks perilously close over the edge. Although barely big enough to allow passage for you one at a time, there is no good handholds along it. With enough rope, your group can tied themselves together, and thereby hopefully prevent a plunge to their deaths the hundreds of feet down.

OOC: If you use the silk, rope, there should be enough to tie you all together and allow moderate freedom of movement. If anyone has a use rope skill, roll it and for every five points above DC 10, it will provide the group with a +1 to Reflex saves to keep from falling down the side of the ravine. Whoever has the highest roll gives the benefit.

When you begin to march down single file, give me three reflex saves, DC's of (13 for the first, 15 for the second, and 18 for the third).

Shanaera pulled out her silk rope so that the group could use it along with other who had some.

Once they were all tied off and ready to descend down the cliff Shanaera went first.


09:30, Today: Shanaera Sinsaulii rolled 24 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Ref save 3.
09:30, Today: Shanaera Sinsaulii rolled 21 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Ref save 2.
09:29, Today: Shanaera Sinsaulii rolled 19 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Ref save 1.
09:29, Today: Shanaera Sinsaulii rolled 21 using 2d20+4, dropping the lowest dice only.  Use rope

OOC Don't know what to write. I'll wait for the GM to tell me what happens

Reflex saves 19,33,14


This message was last edited by the player at 10:25, Thu 13 Aug 2020.

In reply to Amardes Leithianeth (msg # 163):

08:24, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  reflex save.

08:24, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  reflex save.

08:24, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  reflex save.

08:23, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  use rope.

Failed at least 2 reflex saves unless I had a plus, might only be one.

11:52, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  reflex save.

11:52, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  reflex save.

11:52, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  reflex save.

16. 21, 6, failed the last roll
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Thu 13 Aug 2020.

With a sigh Ruven followed the others down into the ravine.

10:45, Today: Ruven Reykalyn rolled 22 using 2d20+4, dropping the lowest dice only.  Ref Save 3.
10:45, Today: Ruven Reykalyn rolled 19 using 2d20+4, dropping the lowest dice only.  Ref Save 2.
10:44, Today: Ruven Reykalyn rolled 22 using 2d20+4, dropping the lowest dice only.  Ref Save 1.

Following the narrow trail down the ravine's side, the group appears to be doing well. As they descend, part of the trail appear to crumble slightly, small pieces breaking away, but not much that your group can't avoid or handle. It is, however, towards the end of the rough trail down that Amardes in her hybrid form collapses part of the trail as she was walking on it. Catching her by surprise, she scrambles with her claws to hold on as she begins to fall. Using her natural reflexes, she turns her fall into a slightly lesser fall as she tumbled down the remaining thirty feet to the bottom. 3 Points of Damage, 3 Points of Subdual Damage

Unfortunately for the group, Aergleel was the next closest to the collapse, and he too began to fall. Were it not for the rope tied to his companions, Aergleel would have fallen down next to Amardes, but the quick actions of Ruven, Shanaera, and Casyr prevent him from falling (and taking them over the edge as well). Aergleel's face hits the side of the ravine, roughing him up slightly, while the strain on his companions begin to exercise muscles rarely used apparently. Aergleel takes 4 points of subdual damage, Casyr, Ruven, and Shanaera take 2 points of subdual damage Thankful for his companions holding on to him, Aergleel uses the rope and his hands to get back onto the trail quickly, panting heavily, the group sees a ten foot gap in the trail ahead, thirty more feet to descend, and Amardes on the floor of the ravine, looking slightly worse for the wear.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 19:09, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

"Looks like I've broken my nose, damnit! I hate bloody noses, and now we have a chasm to cross or a 30' descent!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:13, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

When Amardes had fallen, Shanaera had cursed under her breath.  She had wished that Amardes would have tied off with them for it may have prevented the fall.  Her thoughts were short-lived though as Aergleel had slipped and it put a huge strain on all of them to just keep him from falling the rest of the way.   "Are you okay Aergleel?"  SHanaera said as the got him back to his feet finally.

The next obstacle emerged in front of them seconds later as the trail fell away presenting a 30ft gap they needed to navigate.  "Now what are we going to do?"  Shanaera asked.

Shanaera looked for spots that they could possibly tie off on and lower themselves the rest of the way.

09:00, Today: Shanaera Sinsaulii rolled 15 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only.  spot check.
Did we ever figure out how much rope we had?

Amardes could not imagine why the others wanted to rely on a rope that could so easily cause all of them to die. One would pull a second. The second a third. And then they would all go. Tied together they couldn't move as well and that too make it more likely they would have problems. Still it was their choice

Instead she traveled in a way that the others could not. Belly close to the ground, claws out and sticking in the ice. Even so she was unlucky, but at least she wasn't resonsible for all the others falling with her.

She was now hurting. A lot. If they got in a fight like the last one she doubted if she had the ability to survive it. Still at least she was alive now. She gave a painful 'I am ok gesture' and looked around to understand what the situation was. Where there things of interest down here now that she had got to the bottom

Ruven gripped the side of the ravine as if his life depended on it when he saw Aergleel had begun to fall. 'That was close,' he thought as he looked down. The bard winced when he saw how far Amardes had plunged into the ravine. They were lucky she had only fallen a few dozen feet. That still left them stranded on the ledge. He also looked around to find a spot to anchor a rope, they were close enough now they could just climb down if need be. "If we can find an anchor we could probably use the rope to climb down, or if one of us would like to volunteer to hold it that would work too."

10:15, Today: Ruven Reykalyn rolled 24 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only.  Spot.

As far as rope goes Ruven has supplied 50 ft, Aergleel has confirmed he has none, and the other two are unconfirmed. As long as you have 30 ft Shanaera we should be able to use it to go down assuming we find an anchor spot.

I have 50ft silk rope

Casyr had been trooping along with the rest of the party helping with tracks and other things while keeping ready in case of any further action. The ravine posed a great barrier to the party. Like many others in the party he had no rope with him to offer assistance. He also had only about the same skill as a child in climbing, it's not like he had done it regularly or needed to.

Casyr though was willing to help, he'd need to stow his bow to make the trek down the ravine that would be dangerous but once he was down below he could take it back out. He heard the question about the mule and realized one of the other members probably had a mule. "I could help keep the mule steady while you climbed down the rope I think," he offered.

"I broke my nose Shan, I'm bleeding like a stuck hog! I'll be ready to go down when I get it under control."

As Amardes fell down into the ravine, most of you begin to feel the bitter cold wind bite sharply into you that you didn't feel before. It is with a moment of recognition that you realize that Amardes carries the acorn which warded your group, and you were now outside the range of that protection.

OOC: Casyr, Ruven, and Shanaera you each are dealt 4 points of Cold Damage barring any resistances. Aergleel, your shield is still warding you from the effects of the cold. Everyone made their saves against the environmental cold subdual damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:22, Tue 18 Aug 2020.

Shanaera began to look through her pack, she knew she had something that could help out with tying off the rope but she had to find it first.  "Ah, yes, this should help!  I can rig this kit so that I can tie off a portion of the silk rope, and secure it to the rock face, and then we descend the rest of the way into the ravine.  It should give people a better chance at climbing down."

Doing this gives everyone a +2 to climb down to the ravine.

Casyr shivered from the cold asking "We need to make a fire and get out of the wind if we are to make it through the night. I don't suppose any of you spellcasters can protect us from this weather?"

"Protection from the weather? I don't know such a spell. The magical acorn will hopefully hold out until we solve this issue. It will be better once we reunite with Amardes down below. Once we are all safely down I can heal those who are injured," He told Casyr and Aergleel respectively. Ruven waited his turn and then descended down the rope.

13:30, Today: Ruven Reykalyn rolled 10 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only.  Climb Check (Bonus Included).

Aergleel followed down the rope.

Aergleel failed 09:19, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 12 using 1d20-1+2.  climb.


09:28, Today: Aergleel Greenleaf rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  climb.

A 12 it is.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Wed 19 Aug 2020.

As you all begin to descend down the slippery silk rope, you notice that the almost every but Casyr is having issues going down the rope. It could be the cold air finally getting to you, but after a moment, it appears no one makes any headway. With a sudden gust of wind, Ruven and Aergleel both lose their hold on the rope, falling down the side of the ravine. Thankfully, it is towards the bottom of the path. Shanaera holds on tightly, not making much headway at first, but after a moment, successfully descends the rest of the way. Casyr has no problem climbing down the rope, his training in the forests having provided him with the expertise to climb. Once you are closer to the bottom, and Amardes, everyone feels the same affect of the acorn once more, the cold fading from your bodies. It truly was a useful gift the treant had given you.

OOC: Ruven and Aergleel both take 11 points of falling damage. Shanaera and Casyr both make it down fine.

Now that you are at the bottom, you notice that the area is relatively clear of brush, and the reason for the ravine is now apparent. A thin stream once flowed through here, and from your position, it probably flowed to the direction in which your group came from. Looking in that direction, in the early morning light, you can see that the stream apparently flowed into the earth at the end of the ravine, descending into the mysterious depths of the world. The stream is now a frozen solid band of water, roughly ten feet wide. It was obviously flash frozen by whatever is causing this weather. Looking to the source, you see in the distance a mountain, covered in snow, and it looks like the ravine probably stretches the distance. You can make out the barest hint of ice or frost along the edges of the ravine in the direction you would be heading, many hundreds of yards away.