Chapter 21: The Razor's Edge

[Brian]

Jul 20, 2021 11:32:38 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Melethos

"I will not ask you or your friends about the Eye of Azalar. And I do not resign myself to fight anyone, unless it is to defend ourselves. Some will still need convincing . . ." Orvak looks through the tent wall as if he it were invisible and he was staring at some particular member of his company. ". . . but those who listen to my counsel will not. Is there anything I can help you wit at this time? I understand there are some elementals standing guard before the Stairs? Do they require anything of you? Are they friendly?"

"The galeb duhr seem friendly," Melethos says, his attention fixed on the elder tiefling. "I explained them and their purpose to Ajdalarr. As to what you can help me with, all I can say is I hope our truce holds, and if you need our help, send word. I will do my best to send aid." His eyes dart to the camp outside the tent. "I only had a few minutes. I need to get back to my friends. Before I leave, do you have any questions for me?"

[Jeff]

Melethos

"Return to your friends," Orvak says, switching now to Common as if to signal a shift in policy. "Despite appearances, I am not the leader of this company, so I cannot speak for them all. But you have my assurance that I will continue to counsel them accordingly, that our weapons, such as we have, are reserved only for the dangers of this land and the inevitable true foes who arise. I trust you will not be among them, Melethos."

The elder tiefling rises again, his eyes growing keen as he stares into Melethos's eyes. They are kindly but intense. He can almost feel a perceptive mind at work, and it reminds him of Lorjad somewhat, who was an excellent judge of character. But where the orc paladin had recruited champions to combat the evils of the Demon Wastes, this man seems more interested in the state of those who survived them. "If we meet again on this road, may we speak again of what we have each learned, your company and mine?"

[Joe]

Jul 20, 2021 10:59:07 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Adamant moves next to Streko. "Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike us being separated like this? I have no significant idea how Belarin is doing in the cave nor how Melethos is doing on the beach. It makes my chestplate itch." He scratches just below his arm pit.

"I need to get one of those mind-speaking rings... we should get several pairs really... "

"My brother, I long ago gave up the idea of ever doing things as one solid unit. We are individuals, with our own thoughts and ideas of what we should be doing at any given time. We are also led by two very strong-willed beings, who in turn are followed by numerous strong-willed beings they are attempting to corral. I've voiced my dislike of separating many times. It makes my chest itch as well. Having said that, I trust our friends to do the right thing and give us the greatest advantage. Caring for our brothers is what makes us who we are and," he pats the warforged's arm, "I would not change that for anything. Patience. Either they are fine or they are not. If they are, all is well. If not, we will take action. Remind me of this when I get anxious in the future. I do forget my own glorious wisdom from time to time.

[Brian]

Jul 20, 2021 15:20:31 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Melethos

"Return to your friends," Orvak says, switching now to Common as if to signal a shift in policy. "Despite appearances, I am not the leader of this company, so I cannot speak for them all. But you have my assurance that I will continue to counsel them accordingly, that our weapons, such as we have, are reserved only for the dangers of this land and the inevitable true foes who arise. I trust you will not be among them, Melethos."

The elder tiefling rises again, his eyes growing keen as he stares into Melethos's eyes. They are kindly but intense. He can almost feel a perceptive mind at work, and it reminds him of Lorjad somewhat, who was an excellent judge of character. But where the orc paladin had recruited champions to combat the evils of the Demon Wastes, this man seems more interested in the state of those who survived them. "If we meet again on this road, may we speak again of what we have each learned, your company and mine?"

"Indeed we will," Melethos replies in Common, then bows to Orvak. He turns to Fire Eyes. "Will you please accompany me out of camp?"

He sends a brief thought to Kal: I'm on my way back.

[Jeff]

Melethos

Ajdalarr leads the way, helping to move aside anyone in their way. Now Melethos sees fairly up close the great lizard from the beach, bigger than most horses, its crested head and bright colors, its mouth of innumerable sharp teeth. Yet it stands calm, one particular tiefling beside it, possibly the one who charmed it. She is obviously some form of mage, wearing light sleeveless garments and wielding a black staff. Melethos cannot help but note that the tiefling attractive; she flashes him a smile and gives him an up-and-down look.

"Come on," Ajdalarr says, steering them around the mage and her temporary pet, so that they're exiting the camp. The bugbear is still there, but she moves past him.

"That was the fastest meeting I've ever seen," she says. "Orvak must be tired. It's been a long day, and we've yet to start the climb." She stops and gives Melethos a hard look. "I know that we intend no conflict. Does this mean you also will not try to hinder us, or allow your friends to do so? We will be following you in due time, but once we're up there, I'm sure we'll pull ahead. We move fast, and will not be slowed by such small legs as can be found in your company. We will not hinder you, in turn."

[Darren]

Kal pauses with his hand on Adamant's shoulder, then raises one finger and moves his hand in a circle. "Let's get ready to move, people. Melethos will be back shortly and I want to be gone as soon as he is." Kalarian then moves to stand at the edge of the cliff and watch Melethos' return.

[Dave B.]

Shorak is happy that Grekk finds the small gem beautiful and he has to agree that in the galeb duhr's hand the gem does look quite tiny. He can only smile at that.

Shoak nods to Kal, "I'm pretty sure Melethos went into that tent. Don't worry, I'm watching out for him."

Pausing his watch on the camp, Shorak responds to Sem, "Yes. Most likely a swordtooth titan. I already noticed evidence of one earlier." Shorak turns back to Kal. "We need to get moving. It's totally up to you whether to let Melethos know about the swordtooth titan and warn the tieflings." Shorak turns back towards the camp, ready to let everyone know when Melethos is headed back.

[Ken]

Belarin stands at the cave mouth and looks at the chalk marks left by Huru. "Well, now that we've read this personal message for us," he says, "there's no need to let it continue defacing the galeb duhr's residence."

With a wave of his hand and a few syllables, Belarin removes the chalk and the arrow.

___________

Belarin casts prestidigitation to clean the rock.

[Brian]

Jul 20, 2021 16:50:13 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Melethos

Ajdalarr leads the way, helping to move aside anyone in their way. Now Melethos sees fairly up close the great lizard from the beach, bigger than most horses, its crested head and bright colors, its mouth of innumerable sharp teeth. Yet it stands calm, one particular tiefling beside it, possibly the one who charmed it. She is obviously some form of mage, wearing light sleeveless garments and wielding a black staff. Melethos cannot help but note that the tiefling attractive; she flashes him a smile and gives him an up-and-down look.

"Come on," Ajdalarr says, steering them around the mage and her temporary pet, so that they're exiting the camp. The bugbear is still there, but she moves past him.

"That was the fastest meeting I've ever seen," she says. "Orvak must be tired. It's been a long day, and we've yet to start the climb." She stops and gives Melethos a hard look. "I know that we intend no conflict. Does this mean you also will not try to hinder us, or allow your friends to do so? We will be following you in due time, but once we're up there, I'm sure we'll pull ahead. We move fast, and will not be slowed by such small legs as can be found in your company. We will not hinder you, in turn."

Melethos walks with Ajdalarr, moving around working tieflings and bugbears. He glances up and sees Shorak staring down at them. Keeping watch, no doubt.

"We will not intentionally hinder you," he tells Ajdalarr. "We have no reason to make an enemy of you or Orvak. We may even find a situation where we aid one another. When it comes to my friends, they tend to listen to me, but they are all free individuals. I cannot speak for them. But I don't see them turning on my advice unless it's quite clear I'm wrong."

When they reach the edge of the camp, Melethos pauses and bows his head to Ajdalarr. "May your journey be smooth and safe," he says, switching to Supernal. "If we can be of aid, send word."

[Jeff]

Finally, Shorak spots Melethos emerge from the camp of tieflings. He even spies the lizard among them now, as the tieflings and bugbears part to allow Melethos and the woman Ajdalarr to exit. The two have paused for some final words, it seems.

Inside the cave, Belarin has had to move so that the wall of the passage with the writing on it is ten feet away. Thus his spells erases the chalk marks, which were faint to begin with, utterly. Histra has joined him, and even scoops up Shorak's everburning torch. Belarin suspects Histra can see in the dark better than he can, but she's still human. She holds the magic light out and around, and the two can see that the westward passage splits into two tunnels, while the passage that the chalk writing is beside goes almost due south.

Histra ventures several steps further than Belarin with the torch, going south. The edge of the torchlight reveals big rocks upon the ground; they are grayer than the walls here, though, so they seem to have come from somewhere else. And while they are big and heavy—perfect rock-throwing size for giants, Belarin notes—they are not piled high that they can't be walked over.

The necromancer looks eager to go on in that direction, and even looks back at him with a slight smile. Adventure awaits! An unexpected thrill passes through him. It might be that he first met her in dark tunnels before, and will always associate this woman with lurking in shadowy places, perhaps even trying to kill him. But she does look most content when exploring strange new places on her own two feet. "The tauth was destroyed somewhere above here, I think," she says, her voice echoing even though she is not speaking loudly.

Sem and Starg remain at the cave mouth. Belarin also notices that the humanoid bones aren't strewn all throughout. It's like whatever has munched on the bodies before never went far in, and therefore didn't lair here.

Jul 21, 2021 8:19:58 GMT -4 Brian said:

"We will not intentionally hinder you," he tells Ajdalarr. "We have no reason to make an enemy of you or Orvak. We may even find a situation where we aid one another. When it comes to my friends, they tend to listen to me, but they are all free individuals. I cannot speak for them. But I don't see them turning on my advice unless it's quite clear I'm wrong."

When they reach the edge of the camp, Melethos pauses and bows his head to Ajdalarr. "May your journey be smooth and safe," he says, switching to Supernal. "If we can be of aid, send word."

"I wonder," Ajdalarr muses. "If expeditions like ours, who declare no proper leader, will fair better in the end, or worse." She looks up the cliff, but seems to be trying to looking to the future. "Be careful, Melethos," she then says firmly, looking up into his eyes with a grim smile. She reaches out and grasps his arm, then lets him go, and turns back to her camp.

[Brian]

Melethos watches Ajdalarr depart, then turns and makes his way back to his friends. He gives Shorak a friendly smile, approaches the cave, and finds Kal. There he summarizes what transpired between him and Orvak, including the ruins and the Riedran at the top of the cliff.

"I don't think Orvak's crew will prove a problem," he says. "But they will trail us, and maybe even catch up. We may find ourselves teaming up." Then he specifically recalls the tent and the stone bridge reported by Khazamus. "He felt it wasn't Riedran, but he also avoided venturing near it. That's significant. Khazamus doesn't shy away from threats."

He gestures to Belarin and Histra. "Do we have permission to continue?"

[Darren]

"I guess that will have to do for now," Kal says, looking over his shoulder at the tiefling horde. Placing a hand on Melethos' shoulder, he leads him towards the cave. "It seems we are ready to go, and Belarin has some new friends. Fortunately, one of our old friends left us directions." Kal indicates the wall that has now been scrubbed by Belarin. "Huru left me a note. We're going that way," Kal indicates the tunnel marked by the half-orc. "Everyone ready? I see no more reason for delay."

_________________
Ready to move on.

[Brian]

Melethos grins. "Let's see what wants to kill us."

___________________________

Ready to move on.

[Jeff]

Note the width of the initial southward passage and talk to me about positioning of the party, and how far apart you wish to be from one another. Remember that wherever Sem is, the soarsled will drift twenty feet behind him. He generally feels most safe in the middle of the party. Melethos is the move captain, so what he says goes unless he is specifically challenged!

[Dave W.]

Jul 20, 2021 15:21:10 GMT -4 Joe said:

[streko] pats the warforged's arm, "I would not change that for anything. Patience. Either they are fine or they are not. If they are, all is well. If not, we will take action. Remind me of this when I get anxious in the future. I do forget my own glorious wisdom from time to time.

Adamant gives a short laugh, "Now we need a spell to remember and repeat this... I'm certain we will be needing to remind ourselves of this again..."

Adamant takes one last look to the river, knowing he won't see the Dragonfly, but sends a prayer of safety in her direction.

He falls into place when Kal and Melethos set the order.

---

Adamant would like to be near the front, but set him where you need him.

[Brian]

Melethos watches everyone gather. His friends look eager to get started.

"Okay, Shorak and Adamant up front. Adamant, stay about five feet behind Shorak. Kal and Streko go next. If the cave is wide enough, stay side-by-side with some space between you. Sem and Starg, then Belarin and Histra. Same spacing. Thul and I will bring up the rear, with the skeleton."

When everyone is in position, Melethos motions for Shorak to begin moving them forward.

[Darren]

No objections.

[Jeff]

Histra hands off the everburning torch back to Shorak, and when he moves toward the front of the party, the grey stone stairs are revealed in the firelight: the bottom most steps covered by the piled stones but are still easily accessed. The steps themselves are rather large, clearly cut and shaped for giants' feet. Each step is nearly five feet in width, and they run ten to twenty feet long from wall to wall. You appear to looking at the bottom of a great spiraling stairway. The stone is of a different, grayer hue than the brownish-gray stones of the outer cliff, at least at the bottom. The rocks that have been piled here are closer in hue, but still not quite the same as the stairs. They've been carried here from elsewhere.

When Sem moves in to the center of the group, eyes wide, taking in everything, the soarsled drifts in as well. The moment it comes past the galeb duhr, one of them (not Grekk) turns and follows your party in. It looks quite excited by the presence of the strange bright green crystalline stone that floats in the air! "Where did this bright stone come from?" it asks eagerly in Giant, reaching out with a limb to touch it. "Do you have another you do not need?"

Meanwhile, Sem and Histra discuss light. Pointing at Adamant, the gnome says, "Should we turn on our blazing warforged beacon? Or are we trying not to be so obvious?"

Histra looks to Belarin and Kal.

Starg looks very curious about the passages going west into the darkness, but seems to agree that the stairs to the south are the correct path.

---

Anywhere there is a pile of rubble or stones, it's difficult terrain. The stairs are only difficult terrain when moving upward. Moving laterally or down is normal.

Brian, when you say to put space between people, do you want that ot be a full 5-ft. square when possible? Do you want each "row" to also be more than 5 feet apart from the next row? How is this arrangement so far?

Attachments:

[Joe]

Streko takes his place next to Kal in the line and nods at Tangat. "Shall he be between us for protections, or do you wish him on the outside?"

[Brian]

Jul 21, 2021 15:18:08 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Anywhere there is a pile of rubble or stones, it's difficult terrain. The stairs are only difficult terrain when moving upward. Moving laterally or down is normal.

Brian, when you say to put space between people, do you want that ot be a full 5-ft. square when possible? Do you want each "row" to also be more than 5 feet apart from the next row? How is this arrangement so far?

Your spacing is fine. I'm just trying to avoid the dreaded straight line lightning bolt formation.

[Dave B.]

Shorak smiles back at Melethos when he returns. "Time to go." He says to the tiefling.

He accepts his torch from Histre and listens to Melethos as he lets everyone know where they need to be as they move forward. Hearing the question from the galeb duhr, Shorak responds. "Alas, this is the only one we have right now." He hesitates before moving forward, in case Belarin or Sem would like to add their comments.

As soon as everyone is ready, Shorak moves to examine the rocks and first step. There could be traps, but he thinks this unlikely as a fairly large group has alresdy passed this way and there would be obvious signs if a trap were triggered. Hopefully, they wouldn't disarm and rearm a trap if they did find one, would they? "Let's start slowly. Give me a chance to examine the fisrt few steps. Then I'll check more carfully at landings, if there are any. But, know that i will always be looking for any traps or dangers as we go." If Adamant does offer to light the way, Shorak will stow away the torch.

Dungeon Delver feat allows Shorak to check for traps while moving at normal speed.

[Ken]

Belarin smiles at Histra, sharing her excitement as they take position. With a flourish of his feyweave garments, he sends out four fairy-shaped motes - three in a line at the front, extending 20 feet, 40 feet, and 60 feet, and the fourth trailing behind, 10 feet behind Thul.

He whispers to Histra, "By the way, did you notice that no one said 'Thank you, Belarin'?"

[Jeff]

Jul 21, 2021 21:14:54 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

He accepts his torch from Histre and listens to Melethos as he lets everyone know where they need to be as they move forward. Hearing the question from the galeb duhr, Shorak responds. "Alas, this is the only one we have right now." He hesitates before moving forward, in case Belarin or Sem would like to add their comments.

With no one else saying anything, Sem turns and says in the Giant tongue, "Apologies, my friend. We do need to bring it with us. But it was quarried somewhere far away, across the great sea in a land with two many cities. The city called Sharn uses such crystals to float upon, for it exists within a manifest zone to Syrania, the Azure Sky. One the groups that came here before us, the members of the dragonmarked Twelve, brought several of these with them. I don't suppose they brought them off their ships, or else you would already have seen them. I am sorry I cannot offer more. Thank you for being such stolid and courteous hosts."

The galeb duhr looks as despondent as a crude rock-face can, but it seems to accept the gnome's words and remains in place to watch you all depart.

Jul 21, 2021 22:40:48 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin smiles at Histra, sharing her excitement as they take position. With a flourish of his feyweave garments, he sends out four fairy-shaped motes - three in a line at the front, extending 20 feet, 40 feet, and 60 feet, and the fourth trailing behind, 10 feet behind Thul.

He whispers to Histra, "By the way, did you notice that no one said 'Thank you, Belarin'?"

Histra gives Belarin a returning look that makes him think he is rubbing off on her, gradually. "When was the last time you thanked Melethos or Adamant, or indeed, Thul, for serving as a shield to greater injuries?" she whispers back.

The faerie lights shimmer and wink but are as bright as dim torches. Meanwhile, Shorak examines the rocks, and sees nothing amiss about them; they've been piled or rolled or otherwise collected here by some means, but he sees no sign of hidden danger. He could always be wrong, but he doesn't think so...

So he steps out over the rocks. They barely shift beneath him; they've been here a while. No problems. He gets to the first step. It takes a couple of steps just to cross one step. These stairs are going to be exhausting to climb, given how high up they'll have to go. But at least they've been found. So far so good. The halfdrow detect no signs of traps. There are on bones or smears of blood anywhere. That's good, too.

Shorak's initial Perception check (w/ Dungeon Delver advantage): 25; 13

FYI, a reminder that you all have Inspiration to burn. Don't pull a Wetzel and forget.

I haven't added the dancing lights or anything from Adamant yet, to this map.

[Ken]

Jul 22, 2021 8:43:30 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Histra gives Belarin a returning look that makes him think he is rubbing off on her, gradually. "When was the last time you thanked Melethos or Adamant, or indeed, Thul, for serving as a shield to greater injuries?" she whispers back.

"Well, I am just kidding, you know," whispers Belarin playfully. "But really... thank Thul? I just gave him a mote! You crazy necromancer..."

[Brian]

As Shorak moves forward and starts up the stairs, Melethos urges the others to follow. One by one, they move over the rock pile and wait their turn to start climbing.

__________________________________________

Trying to move the action forward. Jeff, I'm not sure how much I can have Big Red usher things along. Certainly not faster than Shorak can go. Let me know if I'm trying to move us too quickly.

[Dave W.]

Jul 21, 2021 15:18:08 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Meanwhile, Sem and Histra discuss light. Pointing at Adamant, the gnome says, "Should we turn on our blazing warforged beacon? Or are we trying not to be so obvious?"

"Though I like the idea of being a blazing beacon, I can set the light to a dimmer setting too." Adamant sets the light to throw dim light.

[Darren]

"I don't think we can hide our presence too much," Kal says, "but keep it dim, anyway. Just in case." Kal follows along in line. It is comforting to have Streko beside him, and he looks at his friend and smiles, but says nothing else.

[Jeff]

As Melethos prompts forward, upward movement, Shorak continues on. He moves at a leisurely pace. But sine these steps are large, and each step upward is the size of several humans' steps, it's giving you quite a workout. You've already gone a hundred feet, and both and Streko and Sem are huffing and puffing. Their shorter stature makes this even more grueling. Starg makes less noise, but the old minotaur looks like he'll tire out quickly, too. Everyone's legs burn with the continual effort, except Adamant, who feels just fine. But still, it is apparent to all that some short breaks will be needed from time to time.

"Nex...next time," Sem pants, "Someone else is activate the soarsled, so I can sit on it." Hard to tell if he's kidding.

Belarin's spell gives everyone enough light to see around them, while Adamant's greater light reveals at least the dimensions of what lies ahead. A continual clockwise spiral up. Shorak can't help but think that Adamant's light, even as is, will make the whole party stand out in the dark. The brighter setting might give him a better chance to spot dangers ahead. He feels keenly the eyes that he didn't inherit from his father.

Ken, had a hard time interpreting the layout and location of the dancing lights. This was my best guess.

Brian, how's that formation looking? Definitely not vulnerable to a lightning bolt.

Attachments:

[Brian]

Looks good!

[Joe]

Streko feels both his legs and his chest burning with effort. "We had best stop for a moment." He glances over at Sem. "Those of us with shorter legs are having a struggle. Just a few moments. Then we can continue."