ic Ghosts Come Home to Roost?

[Sorithar]

About the Roost

The robed man riding beside Jarrod now arches his brows in surprise at Kethra's words, eyeing her curiously. He then looks to Jarrod just in time to meet the Rider's eyes, they both nod once and the robed man draws what seems like a small nut and swallows it in one gulp, focusing his attention on Udbal.
Jarrod openly grins and nods in a gesture of approval at Joaquin's thought and then nods slowly at Drace's words before turning his attention to Udbal. The defeated looking half-orc shakes his head at Drace's question.

"We're not allowed in all areas of the citadel. The barracks and mess, the portal chamber and the chapel. Best I could do be ta tell you where those are."

Jarrod glances at his companion and simply says his name, Evendur, questioningly. The young, robed man simply nods in assent. Jarrod turns to Udbal.

"A portal and hidden citadel would explain much. So, you are a Zhent raider? Explain again how this gateway is accessed!"

Udbal responds in the affirmative and repeats what he had told you and Evendur once again confirms its validity with a silent nod to Jarrod's satisfaction and pleasure.

Jarrod turns to you.

"Come, show us this hill and speak of what more you may have encountered hereabouts in your search. Then we can discuss the best way forward."

Jarrod and his men escort you and Udbal back to the hilltop, with Udbal indicating the location of the hidden portal. Evendur casts a quick incantation, weaving a gesture and a few arcane syllables. His eyes glow an azure blue for a moment, and he turns to Jarrod.

"Aye, powerful though dormant aura about this location. Shall we try to activate it?"

Jarrod glances at you.

"Aye, do any of you wish to do the honors of attempting...?"

OOC

Note 1: 

1. Drace HP total is down 2 points until she can heal more Constitution damage.

Light Sources:

1. Daylight

Spell Effects:
Status:

---

MAP

[Sorithar]

Kethra steps forward,

"Since magic is the domain of Mystra, I would be happy to attempt the opening, with proper directions on how to do so and if it is within the scope of my talents."

AppearanceTall, thin and blonde; the young's woman's bone structure speaks to her proud Illuskan ancestry and the fierce warriors and sailors who founded her line. The young scholar has eyes like the sea after a storm and a fair complexion made pale by hours and hours in ivory towers.

Dressed in blue clerical robes trimmed in white and wearing a silver holy symbol about her neck, this priestess is obviously also prepared for adventure; wearing a hefty backpack and holding a light in her hands.

[Sorithar]

"Wait!"

Joaquin raised his voice. He stepped to the front.

"The Zhents might have put some extra safety measures in place. Let me check first."

Cautiously the halfling studied the immediate environment of the portal before taking a step forward to have a closer look at the portal.

OOC

Search Check (Search for traps): 11

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Sorithar (see edit history)

[Sorithar]

About the Roost

Your new hin companion Joaquin makes a quick sweep of the area about the location Udbal indicates the hidden portal to be in but finds nothing more than a barren hilltop with a couple of bare spots in the low grass.

OOC

Notes: 

1. Drace HP total is down 2 points until she can heal more Constitution damage.

Light Sources:

1. Daylight

Spell Effects:
Status:

---

MAP

Edited January 3, 2023 by Sorithar (see edit history)

[Sorithar]

Kethra looks to Udal,

"The eye that is tattooed on the left hand of the leaders who open the gate, what does it look like."

The seeker sketches several arcane eye symbols that are fairly common in the dirt.

"Is it any of these, or something different that you can describe?"

AppearanceTall, thin and blonde; the young's woman's bone structure speaks to her proud Illuskan ancestry and the fierce warriors and sailors who founded her line. The young scholar has eyes like the sea after a storm and a fair complexion made pale by hours and hours in ivory towers.

Dressed in blue clerical robes trimmed in white and wearing a silver holy symbol about her neck, this priestess is obviously also prepared for adventure; wearing a hefty backpack and holding a light in her hands.

[Sorithar]

"All clear."

Joaquin did not spot anything out of the ordinary around the portal, but he remained close to see how Kethra would open it. Maybe he could do it next time if needed.

 

[Sorithar]

Drace bothers Max for paper and ink, assuming the wizard must have something to write something down. So armed, she addresses their prisoner again. A rough idea of the layout would be vital if the rescue was to have any chance of success.

"I'll take a partial map over nothing. And you know there were cells. You must know which way prisoner's were dragged, even if you haven't been there."

AppearanceClad against the autumn chill, much of Drace's face is obscured by a knitted hat of russet wool and a thick scarf wrapped about her neck. Her fur mantled cloak is slung partially over one shoulder, the better to keep the arm holding the lead of her donkey free. A quiver of arrows hangs off her belt, half the fletching dyed a dark red.

Edited January 3, 2023 by Sorithar (see edit history)

[Sorithar]

About the Roost

Udbal shakes his head as he looks at the runes etched by Kethra.

"I have heard whispers that it is the eye of the Dark Sun. The tattoo is an eye surrounded by a dark aura."

Shrugging at Drace's demand, Udbul reluctantly takes the inkpen and parchment and sketches a rough sketch, making some annotations upon it in Dethek runes.

OOC

Notes: 

1. Drace HP total is down 2 points until she can heal more Constitution damage.

Light Sources:

1. Daylight

Spell Effects:
Status:

---

MAP

[Sorithar]

Kethra looks to Jarrod,

"This looks much like a holy symbol for the prince of lies... I think that I will have to pray to Mystra before undertaking anything involving this symbol."

AppearanceTall, thin and blonde; the young's woman's bone structure speaks to her proud Illuskan ancestry and the fierce warriors and sailors who founded her line. The young scholar has eyes like the sea after a storm and a fair complexion made pale by hours and hours in ivory towers.

Dressed in blue clerical robes trimmed in white and wearing a silver holy symbol about her neck, this priestess is obviously also prepared for adventure; wearing a hefty backpack and holding a light in her hands.

OOC

Knowledge (Religion) Check result 22

 

[Sorithar]

Turning towards Kethra Joaquin asked a bit impatiently.
“Why wait?"
He pointed at the portal. 

"That groom isn’t going to rescue himself."

The halfling walked over to Drace and stood on the tips of his toes to look at the map.
"So we’ll appear in the main building. At least the barracks are in another building. We could sneak down into the cells, free the groom and escort him back through the portal before getting the horse."
Joaquin looked up at Ubdal.
"Hey Cyric-lover, any traps you know of? How many guards are there?"

 

[Sorithar]

Kethra looks to Joaquin one brow raised like a gull in flight,

"Would you ask a priest of Cyric or Lathander to paint Bane's black hand on their face? There are things that are simply not done. You may live in a world of moral relativity, but I do not."

AppearanceTall, thin and blonde; the young's woman's bone structure speaks to her proud Illuskan ancestry and the fierce warriors and sailors who founded her line. The young scholar has eyes like the sea after a storm and a fair complexion made pale by hours and hours in ivory towers.

Dressed in blue clerical robes trimmed in white and wearing a silver holy symbol about her neck, this priestess is obviously also prepared for adventure; wearing a hefty backpack and holding a light in her hands.

[Sorithar]

Glancing surreptitiously at the palm of his right hand, where an attentive onlooker could spot 4 red dots, Joaquin blushed.

“Fair point. Who knows what the Gods think or what their plan is?
How soon can you pray?"

 

[Sorithar]

About the Roost

The riders, now gathered on the hill around you, all mounted save Jarrod and Evendur who have dismounted, make various gestures of warding at the mention of the Prince of Lies' name first by Joaquin and then Kethra. Jarrod raises an eyebrow, but then nods approvingly at Joaquin's earnest concern for the missing groom.

 

"We can wait if we must, we cannot risk leaving the Dale but if you adventurers are willing to take the leap, the Dale's guards and the council would be grateful.
I must warn you, stepping into the dragon's den without some plan seems reckless. Mayhap it would make sense to wait and use the portal when the raiders typically do?"

 

Jarrod turns to Udbal.

 

"When do your bands typically use this gateway? For that matter, should any be expected soon..? I warn you once more, do not lie, Evendur here will sense any deception."

 

Udbal grunts and speaks reluctantly.

 

"I lost track of time. I suspect a band is out in the dale right now. We usually travelled here shortly before the godswake and returned at the same time a tenday after."

OOC

Notes: 

1. Drace HP total is down 2 points until she can heal more Constitution damage.

Light Sources:

1. Daylight

Spell Effects:
Status:

---

MAP

[Sorithar]

Kethra looks thoughtful,

"Perhaps we should set an ambush?"

AppearanceTall, thin and blonde; the young's woman's bone structure speaks to her proud Illuskan ancestry and the fierce warriors and sailors who founded her line. The young scholar has eyes like the sea after a storm and a fair complexion made pale by hours and hours in ivory towers.

Dressed in blue clerical robes trimmed in white and wearing a silver holy symbol about her neck, this priestess is obviously also prepared for adventure; wearing a hefty backpack and holding a light in her hands.

[Sorithar]

Having been quiet, content to listen to the newcomers and offer Drace a quill pen, a vial of ink, and a few sheets of parchment when she requests them, Maximilian only momentarily questions the wisdom of venturing into a Zhent hideout before recalling that there might be Zhent mages there as well. His friends might need his help, even with the Riders present, and they might have spellbooks or magical trinkets on hand that Maximilian could easily make use of.

When Kethra suggests that they set an ambush at the place when and where the Zhents would use the portal to return to their hideout, Maximilian snaps his fingers. 

"Yes, that seems like the best course of action," he says decisively with a nod in Kethra's direction. "And before anyone needs to tattoo an unholy symbol on their body, I daresay we can try using the portal with the hand of one of those with the symbol. Mayhap the magical warding allows for the portal to be activated even without the hand attached to the rest of the body."

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Sorithar (see edit history)