Chapter 21: The Razor's Edge

[Jeff]

The party begins to gather in the northern passage.

[Joe]

Streko smiles and opens his arms. "The good news is that we are all together, so whatever happens, we will face it with a terrifying and unstoppable force. Now, that may include finding ourselves in the middle of the room again, but at least we will all be together. Or so that is the hope."

[Brian]

Melethos smiles at Streko. The halfling remained the company optimist.

"All right," the tiefling says. "same marching order. Let's finish this last part of the stairs. But be careful. We know danger lies at the top."

________________________________________

For reference: Marching order is Shorak up front flanked by Adamant and Thul just behind him, followed by Kal and Streko, then Belarin and Histra, then Sem and Starg, with Mel bringing up the rear.

[Ken]

Belarin glances over to confirm that the zombie has joined them. "A faithful follower of the Host," he says to Histra.

He resumes his position in the formation. "Puzzles can be frustrating, but they typically spill less blood than cave fishers," he says aloud. "At least we may have earned additional good will with the tieflings' party behind us."

[Dave W.]

Adamant appears with Sem holding one think metal finger. "Thank you Sem." he says softly. He makes a quick mental headcount to see if they are all here, then takes his position in the formation.

---

he'll have the light on full until someone tells him otherwise.

[Jeff]

Adamant and Kal have provided their light, and the soarsled is likewise lit by Sem's spell. Shorak leads the way again, with Adamant and Thul just behind him. Kal and Streko follow with Tangat trotting between them. Belarin, Histra, and her zombie go next. Sem and Starg. Melethos.

The corridor runs straight before reaching another stairwell that rises only a short distance (a relative term, amid giant' constructions) to a landing before continuing east, very briefly north, then back west. This place has never felt like a maze, given such few choices, but it certainly feels like it. Still, it only a matter of minutes before actual daylight suddenly catches your eye at the top of a flight of stairs going west. Since east would be toward the cliff's face, daylight coming from the west can only mean it is coming from the sky above. This is the top of the stairs.

Adamant feels it must be late afternoon now, given the light shining down from the top of the stairwell, some seventy feet ahead. It's starting to grow dimmer, but it's not quite dusk yet. Everyone except Adamant and the shuffling zombie has sore legs indeed now.

[Ken]

Belarin looks at the daylight coming from the top of the stairs. "Going from darkness to bright light - great spot for an ambush," he says. "I know, I know, I'm paranoid."

[Dave W.]

"No. It's a good observation, Belarin."

"How are we all fairing? It has been a long climb but we are at the top now... and there are a few hours of light left. Do we take a short break or move on?"

[Darren]

Oct 25, 2021 11:05:53 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin looks at the daylight coming from the top of the stairs. "Going from darkness to bright light - great spot for an ambush," he says. "I know, I know, I'm paranoid."

"I respect your paranoia," Kal says, looking back at Belarin. "Shorak, let's go take a look. Everyone wait here." Kal pulls up the hood of his cloak, keeping close to the wall and creeps slowly up the stairs, moving slowly and silently, until he can see the landing above.

________________
Stealth checks are 4 and 13 (rolled with advantage due to the Cloak of Elvenkind)

Kal will remove the Light from his staff for this.

[Dave W.]

Oh, yeah, if we're going to be in daylight now, Adamant will turn off the Delver's Light.

[Jeff]

The daylight shining from above illuminates a short distance of the top of the stairs anyway. Kal nevertheless dispels his light as he steps up beside Shorak.

There is no door, only a pale green light spilling down as if colored by plant life. The air is fresh and verdant. Even as they look, both Shorak and Kal swear they see a touch of movement around the bright light above, but it passes quickly.

[Brian]

"Let's wait for Kal and Shorak to get back before we decide on a break," Melethos says. "Though I am leaning toward the short break before we exit the stairway."

[Dave B.]

Shorak nods in assent to Kal and joins him to scout ahead. Moving as silently as only he knows how.

Stealth check: 1d20+12=16.

"Ssh." Shorak hushes Kal with a smile as they move forward. Then he stops, as he thinks there may have been movement ahead. He turns to Kal and whispers. "Slowly now. There may be someone moving up there."

[Darren]

"Wait a moment," Kal whispers to Shorak. "Let's see if someone back there can make you invisible so you can check it out safely."

Turning to face the group further down the stairs, Kal presses his thumb against the ring around his finger. We might have company up ahead. Is Belarin strong enough to ghost Shorak? Or maybe Histra can do it?

[Brian]

Oct 25, 2021 22:10:11 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Wait a moment," Kal whispers to Shorak. "Let's see if someone back there can make you invisible so you can check it out safely."

Turning to face the group further down the stairs, Kal presses his thumb against the ring around his finger. We might have company up ahead. Is Belarin strong enough to ghost Shorak? Or maybe Histra can do it?

Melethos listens to Kal's thoughts, his golden eyes fixed on the stairs ahead.

"Belarin, Histra," Melethos says, drawing his friends' attention. "Can either of you make Shorak invisible? There may be someone ahead and they want a better chance at scouting."

[Jeff]

Histra nods, steps forward, and with a brush of her fingers on Shorak's arm, renders him invisible.

Whispering now, Sem says to those at the front, "I could also use Clairvoyance. This seems a prudent point in time, if we suspect an ambush. What did Khazamus say earlier? Assuming we can trust him."

---

Shorak is invisible for 1 hour, while Histra maintains concentration, or until Shoraks makes an attack.

[Brian]

Oct 26, 2021 7:15:52 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Histra nods, steps forward, and with a brush of her fingers on Shorak's arm, renders him invisible.

Whispering now, Sem says to those at the front, "I could also use Clairvoyance. This seems a prudent point in time, if we suspect an ambush. What did Khazamus say earlier? Assuming we can trust him."

"Good idea," Melethos says to Sem. "I prefer more information to less. Go ahead and find out what you can."

[Jeff]

Sem looks to Kal and holds a hand out as if to stop him and Shorak (who no one can see now anyway) for a moment. "I'll try this."

The gnome looks up the stairs, which runs about sixty feet before the bright light of day fills the doorway. He produces from his pocket what appears to be a jeweled monocole. He affixes it to one eye, speaks words of magic, and then it vanishes. Then Sem blinks and just seems to stare at the wall a moment. "I'm placing an invisible sensor just beyond the door," he whispers. "I can either see or hear from it; just seeing for now..."

He stares at the wall, but his eyes twitch a little; mentally he is looking around. "It's a square space, a chamber with no ceiling, open to the sky, with banks of stairs going up all around, one landing at a time, to a top level. Trees and bushes and vines hang out over that top edge. Oh my. Lots of places to hide. If we're attacked by anyone, there's nowhere to get proper cover except back onto these stairs. Only other option is to go up—all while remaining exposed."

"I can also send the zombie through first," Histra offers quietly. "I cannot send the wraith under this light."

[Ken]

"Or, rather than risk an efficient zombie, we could try an illusion," says Belarin. "We get up to the top. Kal and I take a peek. He creates an image of a stealthy but still visible Shorak scouting ahead in the light, while I make some decidedly un-Shorak loud footsteps. Sem can watch the area to see if anything changes. The main drawback is that the illusion can't move very far."

[Jeff]

"Something else to consider," Starg says. "If an ambush is waiting for us, we might do well to think about who is behind it. If it is the Riedrans, will they be fooled by illusions? If it is the wizard, who used illusions against us, would he not expect them?" The minotaur doesn't seem decided on any particular method.

[Brian]

After some thought, Melethos says, "I think sending the zombie is best. The lady Histra can always make more."

He looks at Histra. "Send your servant, please."

To Kal, he sends: Histra's sending her zombie up. We think there might be an ambush. Sem created a clairvoyant eye at the top of the stairs. We'll see if the zombie sets off anything.

[Dave W.]

"Plus sending the zombie does not cost any arcane energy. I'd rather have some spell capacity for after the ambush goes off."

[Jeff]

"And if it's a Riedran ambush, let them fire on their own, eh?" Sem says with a tiny bit of venom.

Histra looks at Melethos. "Kalarian is agreed?" Meanwhile, the zombie climbs up ahead of Adamant and stands there, waiting for orders. Its dead eyes stare into nothing.

[Ken]

Oct 26, 2021 12:43:20 GMT -4 Brian said:

After some thought, Melethos says, "I think sending the zombie is best. The lady Histra can always make more."

Belarin says, "It's true. We do encounter or create dead bodies quite a bit." He asks Histra, "What's the largest creature that you've ever converted? Just curious. I assume there are limits..."

[Dave B.]

"Let me know when you want me to go up invisibly. I'll remain near you for now and stay alert." Shorak whispers to Kal. He keeps watch up the steps and waits to see if anything happens when the zombie gains the top of the stairs.

[Darren]

Kal nods at Melethos and Histra, waving for the zombie to move forward. "Shorak," he whispers to where he believes Shorak to be, "move up behind it. To just about there," he says, pointing about four steps down from the top. "Don't engage. Whatever happens, come back here."

[Brian]

"Kal is good with the idea," Melethos says. "Histra, you can send you zombie forward."

[Jeff]

Oct 26, 2021 16:22:10 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin says, "It's true. We do encounter or create dead bodies quite a bit." He asks Histra, "What's the largest creature that you've ever converted? Just curious. I assume there are limits..."

Histra just gives a single nod, but says, "A discussion for another time."

Oct 26, 2021 22:24:08 GMT -4 Brian said:

"Kal is good with the idea," Melethos says. "Histra, you can send you zombie forward."

Without delay, the zombie resumes its awkward ascent. It moves past Shorak and Kal, allowing the former to follow a few paces behind. Although it has not been rotting for very long, the corpse has begun to stink. Both men find themselves holding their breathes for the few seconds it takes to clear their immediately space. Meanwhile, Sem remains focused on his invisible sensor and Histra shuts her eyes, then opens them again, so that she can see through the unblinking orbs of her servant. Her eyes are black and unreflective.

Then, into the bright light the dead man goes, shuffling fearlessly into potential danger. Shorak holds back now, getting eyes now on the floor of the space outside and an idea of where the walls are. Walls formed by banks of stairs on four sides, it would seem. He sees the zombie move right into the open area. . . .

Shorak sees the faintest blurs of movement somewhere on the zombie's person. Around its head. Looking closely from where he can, as the only person with eyes on the zombie directly, Shorak does spot a projectile, like a tiny arrow, protruding from the zombie's face now. It didn't even flinch.

Histra whispers, "A dart—no, two—have struck it. Should I send it to seek its attackers?" She says the last more quickly, so as not to lose time.

[Brian]

Melethos doesn't hesitate. "Yes, find those attackers."

[Jeff]

Histra just nods.

Shorak sees the zombie immediately lurch away and then goes out of his sight, heading southward.