Thoroncir still wonders, would his Numenorean longsword likely have any effect against a rock creature, or would it just dull the blade?
Thoroncir still wonders, would his Numenorean longsword likely have any effect against a rock creature, or would it just dull the blade?
Seems like more of a job for a hammer or pickax rather then even a magic sword. As far as stone shape, timing will be everything but touch is required to actually shape the stone. Though a very large bear would have a pretty long reach.
"I'm not well equipped for this today, but I can offer a Fly spell if it will help."
It sounds rather uncertain, but with their options limited Drindoleth indicates he'll take Deor's offer. If he can remain as the Bear and fly within reach to cast Stone Shape on the runes, it seems the safest plan so far.
So with the fly spell on Drindoleth, he casts his spell and hovers down to reach for the head of the creature and shapes away the odd runes. The creature topples and falls to the ground and actually shatters into dozens of pieces. While this was happening, Rorimac and Gil-Gandel and others took shots at any of the foes that exposed themselves. There are but 6 foes left in the basement.
Good work, Drindoleth. This seems like the time to call on the few cornered foes remaining to give themselves up.
Librarians rule, Oook
Neatly done! If those foes won't surrender, I imagine a flying bear will make short work of them.
Well done indeed, Drindoleth. Thoroncir will turn to see if any foes remain on the second floor.
With the foes in the basement apparently no longer a threat, Ceol stows his longbow, re-draws his swords, and scans the area for any additional strong sources of evil.
"We've still got to clear the basement. Maybe Rorimac and Drindoleth could handle it, supported by archers from up here? Could our archers and slingers surround the pit to have maximum coverage?"
If someone who can speak their language would like to tell them to surrender or else, we can be finished here all the quicker. It might be worth getting Mulligan in from outside, as I'm sure she will enjoy flying around and causing havoc down there."
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
The archers start plugging the foes as the flying bear causes panic and death. This battle is soon over. The very evil foes are dead. Outside is chaotic but far more of the men have surrendered or even taken off at a run to escape their service. There are roughly 16 men left in the compound.
Any more left on the second floor? If so, Thoroncir will repeat "Surrender or die" in the local dialect; if not, he'll climb down to the ground level and do the same for any he finds there.
"Let's clear the outside of the building and be done with this."
Agreed.
Librarians rule, Oook
Only the dead are left on in the building.
The party heads outs and sees chaos but little danger.
We should round up any remaining resistance and give them the option of surrender.
"Let's finish this up. I trust that flying bears and invisible swords-hobbits will strike sufficient fear into our enemies' hearts?"
Rorimac cracks a smile at Deor's question. "They'll never see it coming."
Mulligan will have spent her time ensuring that there is little danger outside and assisting Gonung to subdue any trouble.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Ithilneth remains vigilant from her high position, but apparently the situation is under control.
Thoroncir will go downstairs, make sure that the Princess Gilraen is all right, and see what he can do to help with the mopping-up.
Ok, time to see if theis place contains more than just evil artifiacts. If we can pass some money back to the locals here, they may not be so interested in joining dangerous cults if their life is a little bit better.
Then we need to go and find the next fort.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Since the might of the Bear seems to no longer be needed, Drindoleth will return to his Man form to ease communication.
The search is simple for a change. A very obvious strong box which has been Wizard lock both to keep closed and to be anchored to the floor is in the basement. It radiates magic of course and there is also magic radiating from inside of it. There are no traps on it but there is no hope of opening with anything but magic.
How convenient that Deor has Knock prepared, then! He'll proceed to unlock the chest, but will let a more competent treasure-hunter actually open the thing, just in case the traps are on the inside.
Mulligan will be only too happy to do something more interesting than flying around striking terror into her foes hearts
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Is there any aura of evil around the strongbox, or just magic?
Ceol will head down to the basement (by rope, if needed, since the stairs are gone), and scan the box and the surrounding area for any evil aura.
Working down by rope, the party finds there is evil within the box. The was a cleverly hidden trap that Mulligan made short work of after Deor kindly Knocked the strongbox. Inside is largely large reddish gold coins and a single black mask of obsidian that is radiating magic and evil.
Ceol will point out that the mask is tainted. "I feel that we should destroy it as soon as possible. It seems likely to me that it is some sort of foul tool of these necromancers."
"All evil, eh? Oh Well, I'll leave it to the experts to dispose of it", says Mulligan. "I think I will have a quick look around the rest of the house, for valuable non-magic items, maybe some gems, jewellery, herbs, spices and other knick-knacks."
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
"We need to Identify the mask before we dispose of it. We should at least know what it is that we're getting rid of."
"Fair enough, cousin. Doing so might give us more insight on their activities."
Thoroncir will watch Mulligan's back while the hobbit is checking out the loot.
"If there is not much else to find, and if there is Mulligan will find it, then we need to start moving towards the next fort as quickly as possible before news of what occured here makes it there. I'm worried that some of the men who fled might try to do just that." Rorimac ponders what should occur next.
"Perhaps Luzi Mati can tell us how long it will take to get there?"
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
As things settle down it is determined that he mask is used in communications with other Shamans but it also would effectively eat the face of a good person and even most non-goods that tried to wear it. It would probably be susceptible to magic fire or lightning or weighing it down and sinking it in a deep part of the marsh.
All in all after an energetic search, a total of nearly 22,000 in valuables are found. Mostly right in the strong box.
Luzi Mati figures we could pick up the horses and arrive at Fort #1 in 2-3 days.
Yes, let us be off, after destroying the mask and ensuring that the fort is held by those no longer hostile to us.
"I would prefer that the mask be destroyed, rather than simply sunken in the swamp. If we do that, it might someday be recovered and used for evil once more."
"Magical fire will destroy it, and that happens to be a specialty of mine. I'll do that before we leave."
"I'd suggest spreading a little of this wealth to the plain soldiers here to help them on their way,. Don't forget we still have a captured party back out in the forest that need taking care of one way or another." says Rorimac.
"Also, while we are here and safe for the moment, who feels like a hot meal after that victory", asks Mulligan?
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
"Yes, we should return a substantial part of this wealth to the soldiers and people of the area. Some of it was undoubtedly stolen from them originally," advises Ithilneth. "And I think a victory feast for ourselves and the newly freed would be heartening."
"Yes, these sound like excellent ideas. Let's see to it that some hearts are lifted."
Sir Thoroncir is concerned that every minute spent tarrying here, however well-intentioned, will give those in the next enemy stronghold more time to prepare for our arrival, but he will yield to the will of the majority if Gil-Gandel concurs. Does Gilraen have an opinion in the matter?
Gilraen likes the idea of the feast as it gives her time to tend to the hurt. A sadly high number of the ex-guards have whip & burn damage.
What is the distribution of the money? Keep 1000 per party member and divide the rest?
Both Gilraen's suggestion and the proposed distribution of the money suit Deor.
No objections here.
"Ok, so let's secure the fort have a little food and head off again." Mulligan starts organising the cooking, while Rorimac will scout the local area, if anyone else would like to help out.
Division of the gold is fine by both hobbits.
Do we leave today and try to get back to where the horses are for camp, or do we fetch them and spend the night here before moving on at first light?
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
The latter option, I'd suggest. Thoroncir will go, as he can speak to the horses. He would be glad to have anyone else along.
Rorimac is happy to accompany Thoroncir to retrieve the horses.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Deor will help Gilraen attend to the wounded.
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