Following the flight pattern of Aisling from the ground, Althaea was quickly able to discern a path up the mountain. After briefly scouting the path, Althaea returned to the camp, where the rest of her companions waited.
"There is a path ahead that will take us over the mountain rather than having to skirt around it. The path is a bit steeper, but if we are careful should save us a full day of travel. Shall we put our path forward up to a vote?"

"Is there an element of urgency in this quest? If so, I would vote to take the steeper path. If not, Gar's current state would have him better suited for the safer route."

Sand nodded to Infused suggestion.

Sand agrees with safer route. Vertigo has known about this keep and it's weapons for months, if not years. Sebastian was lord of this keep before. There is no emergency that Sand can see. It will also be easier for Gar.

Gar stood, holding his staff, his blindfolded head shaking. "Do not alter teh path on my account - I will go where the group does. We can not err on caution because of my lack of vision. If we can save a day, then consider this."

He leaned against the staff, listening to the sounds of the area....he did not want the group to think of saftey because of him.

Returning from her morning exercise and washing up I take a sip from my cold tea and listen to the discussion regarding the route.

"I do not know about the rest of you, but that blast yesterday is taking longer for me to shakeoff that I had hoped. I think I would be better prepared to face what lies at the end of this trail with more time to recover. I vote for the longer, easier path."

With the enervating spell still lingering and the devastating loss of Gar's eyes, the party decided to circumvent the harsher and steeper environment for an easier path around the mountain.  The path was flat for the most part, but the small rocks that found their way down the mountain were a headache for Gar as he had to be careful when stepping so as to not tweak his ankle.

As the day waned on, the light still peeking through the sky where possible, it was then that the keep atop the second mountain poked its head into view.



The mountain had some more noticeable features that the one the party just navigated around.  First, it seemed much more steep and craggy than the first, which could be because a good portion of the mountain looked to have come crashing down.  Second, there was a large crack that cut a slice through the mountain about 10 feet wide, and opened up directly below the keep; surprisingly, the keep still stood.

As the party got close enough, where the crack met the base of the mountain, it was there they could see the fissure that seemed to drop straight to the planet's core...
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:29, Mon 31 Jan 2022.

Gar walked almost like he was looking up, around at the scenery had it not been for the cloth over his eyes. Lyn alternated between flying and perching on his shoulder.

Every so often, with the aide of one of the others, he would practice looking through Lyn's eyes as he walked, both with her on his shell, and in flight. The experience was a little discerning but the tortle, as resilient as he was, was slowly getting used to it. He surmised that with some practice he may even be able to cast spells that way.

....perhaps.

When the group came to a halt at the sight, he looked through lyn's eyes again, mentally prodding her to fly. The owl fluffed its feathers with a snort but took flight as it circled the area.

"That is quite the sight....I wonder what caused such a destructive wound in the world?" When the silence came, he smiled, guessing at least some looked at him in question, releasing his link with he owl, he pointed up. "...Lyndra showed me the area."

"I have no idea what could cause such but whomever built that keep seems to have known what they were doing. Sand, can you tell from here if the structure is sound enough for us to explore?"

Upon their arrival at the keep, Althaea was filled with relief, it had been quite a journey to reach their destination, one she did not take lightly. Second, and possibly more important was the sense of awe at the sight of the damage done to the mountain surrounding the keep. To the right of the keep, the mountain dropped off suddenly, as though the cliff that was currently there had previously held the road that led to the keep. Glancing around her surroundings, she also noticed a multitude of bones scattered in various places on the mountain. Bending down to inspect them closer, she noticed some of the larger bones had been shattered into smaller ones and nearly all of them had been picked clean of the meat surrounding them. The age of the bones varied, some were quite old and one set was perhaps several days old, with bits of flesh still attached and just starting to rot. Whatever smaller scavengers lived in this area had not found this set of bones yet.

"Thorn, can you tell what these bones are from? I cannot distinguish what creature they belonged to."

While Althaea was examining the bones, she heard Giltris ask about the condition of the keep, but they were still some distance away. "Perhaps Sand can see something I cannot, but at this distance, I cannot tell whether the structure is sound. We will likely have to move closer to determine such details."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:42, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

As the party arrived at the base of the mountain hosting the keep at its top, Althaea called to Thorn to identify the bones on the ground while Giltris addressed herself to the artificer. Nodding, he picked up a set of goggles from his bag and brought them to his crystalline eyes.

It took a few seconds for the magic to adjust to the distance, but he then could see almost as if he was right there, hundreds of feet eliminated in an instant. Slowly, he moved his head, examining the keep methodically.

(In Elven) There is a big crack in the foundations of the construction. It could be unstable, caution will be required in that wing.

Continuing his inspection, he suddenly cocked his head to the side and fixed a certain point, then shook his head.

Sand saw a huge feathery wing, at least as big as Sand. It did not come out after. There might be a big bird living in keep.

Infused took in the sight as best he could. His knowledge was old, predating the world's destruction and the altering of its face. Trying to run through his memories for familiar things was no easy task now that so much was different. Still, he tried to place the keep as it had been. A wound that cut the world straight to its core was a fascinating concept; one that his Master certainly would have enjoyed the study and debate of. Unfortunately, not one that he already had knowledge about himself.


17:22, Today: Infused rolled 10,6 using d20+4,d20+4.  History, Nature. – [roll=1644016929.43645.359049]

Gar tilts his head and sends Lyn flying high to see if she can see what is hiding in the tower

Thorn wasn't hopeful that she'd be able to identify them, but dutifully crouched down to inspect the bones regardless. As she was finishing her examination, Aisling returned from his scouting and perched on Thorn's bracer, preening himself with a sort of smug satisfaction.

While such an attitude was inappropriate for merely performing one's duty, after conferring with him briefly, she had to acknowledge that the kite had done exceptionally well.

Running her fingers briefly over his metallic feathers to demonstrate her appreciation, Thorn summarized for her companions:

"Aisling saw two nests inside the towers both large enough for even Sand or Infused to lie down comfortably. A winged humanoid feasts on bones in one. He could not locate the occupant of the other. Many bipedal creatures roam the courtyard and grounds. He also spotted a noticeable glint through the broken roof."

"Perhaps we should find a secure place to make camp and make our final approach tomorrow. With a large flying predator in the area I would appreciate some overhead cover tonight."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

Gar, looking to the side showed no indications he heard Malthorn. "I dont know if your listening, but I can see through Lyn's eyes. Two large nests on top of the towers of the keep, big - no smaller than six foot wide and long, maybe more.  One is empty, but the other is occupied by something humanoid with wings...maybe a harpy? If you want Lyn to go closer for a look  touch my right arm twice."

---

<OOC: Vision through his familiar. Waiting on decision>

Sand removed his goggles and his artificial spherical eye shutters opened and closed a few times, to readjust his vision to his current conditions. Opening his bag, he dropped the apparatus in it, before sending his familliar flying.

Scamp will look for resting place with overhead. Sand agrees with friend Giltris, it is better if big birds don't see us. Clacker would not be very good if we fight big birds.

The mechanical beetle did a loud "clack" with it's mandibules, like protesting the assumption of its master, and shuffle this way and that, moving its large mouth pieces, giving a strong impression of looking for something to bite. Sand placed his hand on Clacker's back and the construct stopped moving, waiting its next instruction.

Clacker is spending too much time with Scamp. Clacker is starting to have difficult personality.

Today: Sand rolled 14 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 11,3.  Scamp perception (advantage).

Infused considered the situation for a moment, taking in the suggestions of others, and then sharing his thoughts, "We do not want to face this creature out in the open in the dark of night, but there is still light left in the day. We do not know if we will find shelter out here, but we do know that the keep itself would offer protection. If it attacks us along the way, then at least we fight it with light on our side. If it follows us into the keep, then at least its advantage is reduced by ceilings."

Gar listened to the two warforged, seeing merit in both plans. "I do not doubt yoour courage friend, but the thing is Infused, is there are two nests, one empty....which means one is away. And let's not forget the humanoids around on the ground. We may be able to fight our way to them, but they will have every advantage. We need to find shelter for the night and take a proper look before we decide to attack."

Listening as her companions talked among themselves about how to go about entering the keep, Althaea had a similar train of thought to everyone else. "We have been walking for most of the day just to get here, I agree that we should find shelter for the night and better plan how we plan to fight our way through these monsters. While only fighting them one at a time seems like it will have a better outcome for us, we cannot say when the second creature will return. I'd rather know where they both are before we start combat."

"It is not a question of courage, Gar. Right now there is one, and there is light. If we wait, there may be two, and darkness may arrive in the meantime. If we stay here, even under cover of trees, we are still out in the open and potentially facing two, or facing whatever other foes might claim this area as their own. If safety is the goal, the proposals so far still risk the opposite. There could be more foes inside the keep, that is a possibility, but it may also allow us to avoid a fight with the winged creature if she does not follow us in."

"I may sometimes be quick to choose the path of action, but sometimes you are quick to choose the path of caution. Avoiding the danger we see could land us in danger we do not."

"You make a fair point Infused; there is risk no matter what choice we make. Thorn, what do you think?"

Scamp came back from his search and landed on Sand's head, tapping it with its beaks, creating a annoying metal on metal sound, that the mischievous familliar seemed to take great pleasure at creating, until the artificer tried to swipe him away. Flying around his master, the owl started chattering and hooting before landing on Infused head, trying to reproduce the sound on the other warforged.

Scamp found a covered shelter not far from here. Friends can rest there, or go up the keep. Sand will follow.

Looking at his familliar, he moved to make him fly off again.

Sand is sorry, friend Infused

Gar listened to infused and with a sightless smile, nodded. "You are right, my friend....my craft is one that promotes caution. Those of the wizard craft know that to rush things can mean more that your life - that is why we are careful and analyse everything."

Lyn swoops in and lands on his shell and he smiles. "You have a valid point, my metallic friend - while there is one it would be best, and with nightfall it can offer us cover. But we are all tired from the walk and the Attack that took..." he paused, sighing, then continues.

"If we were at full strength, I would be all for going....and I am jot against it. I just wish to inspire caution should we move on."

Her opinion was wanted? For a heartbeat, Thorn's hood and expressionless face masked confusion. Then she realized: Giltris must be seeking more information about the route itself.

"Traversing the path will take half a day. Perhaps more," she tactfully avoided glancing at Gar. "Arriving at the keep under the cover of darkness might offer some advantage depending on the nature of our opponents, but only for those with darkvision."

Obviously, that included Althaea and she thought the half-elf as well, but Thorn could not even begin to speculate about the tortoise or constructs.

It was likely too much to hope that she could make the ascent in cool, comfortable darkness rather than under the sweltering heat and blinding light of the sun.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Mon 14 Feb 2022.

The party was able to find an ample place to sleep; the makeshift campsite nestled between the wall of the cracked mountain and fissure beside it, about thirty feet wide.

Looking up through the immense crack severing the mountain above and the land below in half, gave the heroes pangs of Vertigo.

The looming mountain above provided enough cover from the elements, except for the biting and bitterly cold wind that whistled and whipped through the crack and into the very bones and joints of the heroes.  The keening wind and unwavering cold only added to the fitful rest that came with the impending encounter with whatever lay in the keep.

It was well after midnight when Infused had just shook Althaea awake, his watch nearly at its end, when the sound of the wind dying down just enough before beginning anew, was now overlapped with a new sound...the measured beat of flapping that proved to be much larger than a bird.

Infused was the first one to see it; his night goggles providing the means to spot the creature in flight.  Just as he pointed the creature out so that Althaea was able to see it, was when Aisling started to chime in with muted mechanical squawks; the creature just at the edge of the goggles' vision.

The creature was immense; it's muscular body cutting through the wind as it soared above with a wingspan of at least fifteen feet.  It didn't seem to notice the heroes as it passed overhead...or perhaps it didn't care.

It was a Dragon.

…but this dragon had large chunks of scale and flesh torn from its body, leaving gaping wounds long since healed, though the creature's wings seemed untouched.  If a dragon could grimace in pain, you would think this one would be, considering the sheer amount of missing flesh and in some cases, pockets of exposed bone.