Haladain, "Not in any speedy fashion, he is not close to Bree. But we can leave messages at the King's Inns heading for the Last Bridge and for Fornost. But I thought the Lady and others indicated we need to move out tomorrow?"
Haladain, "Not in any speedy fashion, he is not close to Bree. But we can leave messages at the King's Inns heading for the Last Bridge and for Fornost. But I thought the Lady and others indicated we need to move out tomorrow?"
Thoroncir will write letters to Amlaith to that effect.
"Well Gil-Gandel won't be back until morning, but I wouldn't be surprised if he welcomes you along, Haladain. Ok, from the map, I suggest starting with Valandur's barrow, just to get an idea of what we are facing. It's the closest one marked, so if anything goes wrong, it will be the easiest to return from to Bree. It may or may not be that tomb, but any tomb opened to the light is worth it."
Rorimac ponders a little more. "Thinking about it, while its being opened by Mulligan and Bitur, I suggest some of the rest of us check the area close by and watch out for the crebain should they be around. In pairs."
He drains his mug and rolls up the map. "The night may be young, but I think I'll take my leave now, early to bed, early to rise and so on."
Mulligan asks Bitur, "Have you ever broken into a barrow before? This is going to be a new experience for me, I think."
"Although I've had many adventures in my day, barrow delving has not been one of them, so I'm just as much of a novice as you are. Though, I've spent enough time in other sorts of tombs, some where those resting haven't exactly been doing so at peace, that I can't see it being all that different."
August 24th, FA65.
The party sets out and meets up with Gil-Gandel on the road in the morning. They review the prior night and Haladain leads Rorimac and the rest towards Valandur's barrow.
Any changes in spells for the day for the spell casters?
Before then, Thoroncir will post his letters to Amlaith to wherever Haladain thinks the other ranger is most likely to find them - other inns or trustworthy townfolk elsewhere, perhaps? The Sea-knight also takes a moment to speak privately with Gil-Gandel, and says, "This ranger, Haladain, has rather imposed himself on the party, but I think he could be useful. If you would rather we not avail ourselves of his services, however, my friend, say the word, and I shall tell him."
Rorimac will ask if Deor can cast Infravision on the visor. It may not be useful against the undead, but will certainly be useful for identifying everything else on the Downs.
If nothing else disturbs the group, then at the mound it will be Bitur and Mulligan to try and open it, while the rest hang around and keep watch.
Ceol will stay near the entrance during the opening, looking for any particularly strong evil aura. For that matter, he will regularly do the same as we travel through the mounds, and ask his fellow paladins to do the same.
I will take Obscurement and Song Cycle off the second-level roster, and replace with Knock and Cure Light Wounds. The first of these is a special from my harp-strings and the second gets a 50% boost from the same.
*listens to Thoroncir*
No harm in a volunteer of good heart and able hands. Let him stay with us.
If we get to the mound, Mulligan will start by taking a look over the entrance for traps and methods for opening the door.
Thoroncir nods upon hearing the Elf-captain's decision.
He will stand at the ready, sword drawn and shield upon his arm, as his friends examine the barrow.
Should you find anything you mistrust, Mulligan, I can sing it open from several feet away.
Deor actually doesn't have Infravision.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
New, more Barrow-Downs appropriate spells:
First: Comprehend Languages, Dancing Lights, Spider Climb, Shield, Enlarge, Feather Fall, Message, Identify
Second: Detect Invisibility, Web, Invisibility, Levitate, Long Light, Wizard Lock
Third: Fly, Fireball, ID at Distance, Tongues, Suggestion, Detect Lies
Fourth: Mass Sleep, Wall of Fire, Shape Shift, Plant Growth
Fifth: Cloudkill, Wall of Force
Deor hopes that this less combat-focused spell set will help him deal with the confusing and difficult nature of the Barrow-Downs.
Bitur will aid Mulligan in looking for traps since his knowledge of stonemasonry and mechanics should provide some benefit.
Rorimac begins to consider the necessity of finding some scrolls for Deor with infravision on, unless anyone else has it?
It is not a bard spell so I can't help you there - it doesn't come even through my limited access to the illusionist portfolio.
The largish party reaches Valandur's barrow without incident. No evil is detected along the way, but as the party nears the barrow at around 1pm, the paladins clearly detect evil within the barrow itself and faint evil surrounding the mound. Arcirist of course glows with a steadily stronger green light as the near the barrow.
Gil-Gandel's Îdh Uireb does not begin glowing its sickly green though until the party is very near the mound. The tomb sits on the mound slightly less then 60' away on a fairly gentle rising mound.
The 3 paladins lead the way to the doors fanned out a bit to offer protection vs. evil to those that follow. Gilraen has her bauble shining and is chanting her Song of Estë.
Bitur and Mulligan study the door and with Heliox determines that the mound has spells on it and that the door is magically locked. Mulligan thinks she may be able to open the lock though. It does not appear to be trapped.
Deor's got a scroll of Knock if Mulligan can't break in physically.
Gil-Gandel has Knock ready to go anyway.
Sir Thoroncir is calm but alert. He takes care that Gilraen is either behind him, or that he can step quickly between her and any danger.
Mulligan determines it is a complicated set of locks including a puzzle lock. The puzzle lock she'll need a little help with, Gil-Gandel as a Bard and treasure finder may have the lore needed and between Gilraen, Thoroncir and Haladain she hopes they can solve the problem. Gilraen is stumped, she feels her father might know the key but she has never had time to study such lore. Thoroncir also is stumped but Haladain recalls a few simple rhymes that give Gil-Gandel the clue to solve the puzzle. He quickly moves the pieces into place and is rewards with several clicks. Mulligan makes short work of the remaining locks.
As they are solving the problem, Deor, Rorimac, Drindoleth and Wilfrid finds themselves yawning and rubbing their eyes to stay awake. Deep down something about this disturbs Rori though.
Who will open the door now that it is unlocked? Once the door is open, what is the plan? (as in which 2-3 will enter first).
If Thoroncir notices four of the party suddenly (and suspiciously) feeling fatigued, he'll point it out to Gilraen, adding, "I suspect some dark magic may be at work here, my lady."
He will be glad to be among the first through the door, if Gil-Gandel decides we should proceed.
Her work done, Mulligan is quite happy for a couple of strong people to open the door and look inside. Once we have opened it, though it may be better for her to take the lead if only because any passageways beyond may be trapped. Probably Ceol and Elfstan with everyone else standing well back.
"Careful, something feels wrong", yawns Rorimac, "I can't keep my eyes open, so tired." The ring on his finger starts to glow gently as he mutters unders his breath.
"Agreed, this seems much like the sleepiness which overcame Frodo and his companions in the Barrows. I will be glad to enter the barrow earlier, rather than later, and do what I can to break this spell."
I may have less to fear from these creatures than most. One of our holy Knights of Rohan should come, and the sturdy Bitur since he has the marvellous helm. But I hope that Gilraen will be close at hand.
Doubting that archery will be of much import, I have my two good swords in hand, especially the potent Îdh Uireb. Rest eternal may it grant them indeed!
"If the princess goes in," Thoroncir says, "then so shall I."
Bitur will readily volunteer to be one of the first to enter.
Deor will cast Long Light on Bitur's helm to provide a consistent and useful source of light throughout the barrow-exploring process.
Bitur enters bringing daylight where it has rarely been seen. He steps through the doorway and the after a 3' landing, steps descend down gently on a 1 to 2 ratio. He notices the stonework is well done of high Dunedain quality and the stone rails of the stairs would allow for the gentle sliding of bier to the actual tomb proper. He sees no signs of recent construction or danger. He does feel the temperature drop to freezing by the 3 step down. There are 12 steps in all to the next larger landing. Next in line is Ceol followed by Gil-Gandel, Gilraen and Thoroncir.
Even the veteran Bitur feels a dread and fear creeping over him with each step. Ceol feels a ancient evil is waiting for them. Gilraen is still chanting her Song of Estë.
His longsword Arcirist at the ready, Thoroncir looks alertly around. He will keep himself between Gilraen and any foe.
"This will come as no surprise, but I sense an evil presence, quite ancient."
Ceol draws his swords, and begins to chant a prayer to Eonwë (not casting a spell, just a simple prayer).
"I sense it too, my friend. Not explicitly evil as such, but a feeling of all-encompassing dread and fear. There's someone--or something--here that isn't particularly happy that we've come to visit, and it's taking no small effort for me to even descend these steps."
As the group descends the chill is terrible, everyone's breath is visible and the chill is biting. Gil-Gandel feels it the least buts knows it may soon be too much for the younger children of Eru.
Thoroncir tries to fight off the deeply chilling sense of ancient evil that presses in on him. He focuses on listening to his true love's Song of Estë, and takes heart from its pure melodic grace, reminding him of starlit beauty and the glad tidings of the Valar.
This cold though is physical. With each step forward out of the summer heat, the need for gloves and ear muffs becomes apparent. The temperature is descending very fast. By the time Bitur reaches the larger landing, the tip of his longish nose is freezing and his fingers are already feeling numb. Ceol who even in his Dwarven chain built up a small amount of sweat on this hot August day, finds a chills setting in, it is already as cold as it ever gets on the plains of Rohan.
Slim and small Gilraen finds her summer robes to be too light but pulls her Cloak of Lothlórien tight and is thankful for her Gloves of Healing. She says, "I wish my bauble put out heat along with light. I'm not use to northern winters and none of us are dressed for it."
Thoroncir wrapped in his Cloak of Seals is quite resistant to the cold and does not feel it like the others do. It helps to be a relative of the seals.
Gil-Gandel feels the cols but it is having no effect on him yet.
Bitur sees that the steps shallowly descend another 12' to another landing. He sees black ice forming fast on the steps below.
While Rorimac and the others wait above guarding the entrance, Mulligan call down to the others through the door to see if everything is alright and do they need a hand?
Ceol replies to Mulligan, "It becomes bitingly colder with each step we take. We may need warmer gear, or fire, or both."
Thoroncir sees his breath frosting before his eyes, and looks down to make sure of his footing on the icy steps. He will offer his arm to Gilraen if she needs it.
After hearing Ceol's reply, Mulligan turns to the back to the group above ground and lets everyone know. "Deor, its a bit cold underground, do you think you night have anything that might warm them up, like that small dragon statue of yours? I'll head down as well, I don't really feel the cold anymore."
Gil-Gandel could heat quite a lot of metal red-hot if we happen to be carrying any, but the effect would not last for long.
Unfortunately, the only magical item I have that does anything like that is the Minor Ring of Power, and we can't share that around very easily. I can loose a few blasts from my Wand of Fire, but I don't know how well that will work to really raise the ambient temperature. I could very easily build a fire with my tinderbox, if we prefer.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
"It's a barrow, not a hobbit hole. Lighting a fire down there, even using your brazier, may warm it up, but the smoke will be going nowhere", chips in Rorimac. "If it's that cold down there, I think you and Mulligan should head down with those Rings of Warmth and see if you can lend a hand. Anyone down there who is feeling the cold should probably come back up."
"If anyone else can do the same, now is as good a time as any to say." he says to everyone else in front of the barrow.
How are Wilfrid and Cwenhild doing? Are they showing any resistance to the cold?
Deor is ready to proceed, though he wonders how advisable it is to proceed with only himself and Mulligan. Is anyone else able to continue? Hint, hint.
Neither Cwenhild or Wilfrid are down there. Thoroncir & Gil-Gandel are fine and Gilraen mostly fine.
Bitur would be fine if he retreated and changed into winter gear. Ceol is feeling the effects the worst and should get out.
Drindoleth could probably change into a bear or tomorrow take the spell Control Temp to help the party a lot.
We are reluctant to be delayed a day, but the druid's magic is probably our best hope. Unfortunately I had no idea we should encounter such extreme cold.
Actually Gil-Gandel relizes that the humans just need a simple short retreat to put on layers of heavy clothes, partial face coverings and gloves should be enough. Both Wilfrid and Cwenhild are a little short of proper clothing but they could remain upstairs with Haladain. Rorimac has Elven Cloak & boots and enough travel clothes. Ceol could borrow from the other humans remaining upstairs. Drindoleth can of course be a bear and largely ignore the cold.
Bitur tries to flex his hands and finds his muscles slow to respond. As he speaks, he can barely feel his jaw moving.
"This won't work. Even if the cold doesn't kill us, it'll make it impossible to be any useful in combat. We need to change into cold weather gear or we might as well just give up the task now."
"I suggest that you withdraw from the barrow briefly, my friends, and don further layers against this supernatural cold," says Thoroncir. "Gil-Gandel, shall we remain here to hold this ground until they return?"
While the others come up, Mulligan passes some layers across to Rorimac and then heads down. Freyja lasts a few steps before heading back up to find a sunny spot. Hopefully, her ring of warmth will work in the depths.
Rorimac piles on a few more layers and then looks to head down afterwards.
When it comes to the black ice, a hammer and spikes may come in useful.