Chapter 4: A Darkened Mirror

[Marcy]

Charis steps back a bit to allow Belarin and Kal to continue the bird's interrogation. She returns Streko's shrug with a rueful smile.

[Jeff]

"They sound terrifying," Kal says with wonder. "I'd bet even the windows have some sort of death ray on them, don't they? I'd bet your master is so smart that this place is completely impenetrable, isn't it?"

"Death rays, bahhrrr!" the familiar croaks, struggling more in Belarin's grasp. It's getting harder to hold onto and more desperate sounding.

Worm smiles back at Belarin. "Blabbermouth, blabbermouth bird!" he croons. "He says nothing of a secret word. There is no word, you silly bird."

"Let me free!" the crow says as it struggles.

Matheu leaps up into the air and touches down on Belarin's own shoulder—the first time any of you have seen him make contact with another person. He slinks like a cat behind the human's head, eyeing the crow dangerously. There is silence from the bird, and you can't help but wonder if Matheu is speaking to him telepathically, too. Then, in a flash, the pseudodragon's barbed tail jabs the crow in the chest....the sharp stinger only an inch from Belarin's finger as it strikes. The bird squawks loudly and stiffens, then slackens.

Matheu speaks again to those nearby. Time is running out. Ask your last question while it still has the strength to reply, if it deigns to. Then I will fly it away, beyond the reach of its master's ear, where it will remain, near to the point of death.

When Torhak peers past the tree line, he finds even his sharp eyes unable to penetrate the forest. The woods are dark, to be sure, and while that in itself is no hindrance to the Mrorian dwarf, it would seem that Grafth has moved too far in for Torhak to spot. It's a maze of trunks in there. When he turns his appraising eyes on the stone wall of Shadowcrest's perimeter, he finds nothing amiss....except now he, too, can see the gray ivy that snake here and there amidst the more natural red and green. He doesn't like the look of it at all, and it's obscuring a decent view of the stonework besides. Even so, he senses nothing inherently dangerous about the wall itself, nor any secret doors. Decent stonecraft, though, for humans.

Grafth presses further in, slowly and cautiously, opening his senses. He can barely see beyond forty feet in this patch of woods, but then—he sees something. A shape, roughly humanoid in shape, and at least twice Grafth's size. Its body is indistinct from here, green and wrapped in vegetation. The shifter senses the creature staring back at him, though he can see no eyes.

There is a stirring to the left, and Grafth realizes there's more than one of these strange verdant men. Maybe three? He doesn't think they're trying to hide from him; they're just naturally adapted to the forest colors. But there is a wordless menace in their gaze.

___________________________

Torhak's Search check (w/ +2 for dwarven stonecunning) = a secret roll, sorry!

[Darren]

"Tell me, crow, how does your master get in and out? He must have created a way to do that without getting caught in his own traps. Is it a code word? That would be clever. The name of his sister, maybe? Or your name? That would be a fitting tribute to a bird like you..."

[Ken]

Belarin nearly loses his grip on the crow, so surprised is he by Matheu's landing on his shoulder. For a moment, he looks worried -- and delighted. Then he returns to the task at hand. "Faithful bird, you serve your master. But your breath comes short and you face disaster!" He indicates Kal with a nod of his head. "Answer his question, and speak true. And I swear you'll live to serve anew."

[Joe]

Streko looks up to Charis and smiles back. "Olladra does indeed work in mysterious ways!" He looks around him, paying close attention to the area behind and to eaither flank.

[Jeremy]

Is Goran finding anything along the north edge?

[Jeff]

Jun 28, 2008 20:50:24 GMT -4 Jeremy said:

Is Goran finding anything along the north edge?

Only what was already said, since Goran hasn't moved any further since:

Goran moves on soon after, heading north and east past the tree line. He observes the same as Grafth: a presence of vermin and insects—perhaps more than normal—but none of the small woodland animals he would expect to dwell in such a verdant place. The stone wall on this side seems to be merely that, the perimeter that encircles the estate. Tiny cracks of light from the narrow windows suggest a courtyard just beyond it. His half-elven senses detect nothing amiss—yet. But there is still some distance to go, if he chooses to press on.

One thing both Grafth and Goran conclude so far: the trees are close together, this would not be a good place for their allies to engage in combat. If they had to, the ranger and scout would handle it best.

[Jeremy]

Okay, I was a bit confused because I'd said that Goran would continue moving until he met with Grafth at the other side of the house, unless of course something interfered.

So, therefore, Goran will keep moving until he reaches the far side of the house and await Grafth.

[Jeff]

"Tell me, crow, how does your master get in and out? He must have created a way to do that without getting caught in his own traps. Is it a code word?"

"Your imagination defeats you, walking meat-man!" the bird croaks, weakly. "There is no code, no word at all, rrraaaw!" It tries to struggle, its eyes fixing fearfully on Matheu.

Enough, then the pseudrodragon says. Give it to me.

Goran's slow advance through the wood is stopped suddenly....as he notices the very same thing Grafth has begun to notice: the presence of figures, larger and well camouflages, watching him back.

[Darren]

Kal's face cannot hide his disappointment at the lack of information they were able to get from the bird. He looks to Matheu and gives a slow and grim nod.

[Josh]

Grafth observes these creatures, pausing in his forward movement. Some moments of silence pass as they regard each other.

"Whether you would do me harm or not, I don't think this is the path I wish to take," says the shifter, mostly to himself.

[Ken]

Belarin says, "Thank you, dark bird. That's what we needed. And I was running out of rhymes anyway! Matheu?" He holds up the crow for the pseduodragon to grab.

"Be not so glum, Lord Hornet," he says to Kal with no trace of sarcasm. "The crow may have spoken true. Those inside need specimens for the foul experiments -- why bar the entrance? Oh indeed, there may be traps to ensnare 'guests,' but preventing escape is their main concern.

"Now where has Torhak gone? I wanted to hear more about this dwarven pie recipe..."

[mike]

Torhak looks carefully at the gray vines of ivy, studying them for a minute or so.

"Enchanted, surely," he says to himself. "But is there method to the madness?"

After looking at the gray ivy - and how it spreads across the wall - he heads back in the direction of Kalarian and Charis.

[Jeff]

Matheu snatches up the bird in his talons. The crow is half the pseudodragon's size, so it's obvious that carrying the burden is a bit difficult for him. Nevertheless, Matheu takes to the air with a snap of his batlike wings. The crow lets out a pathetic squawk

I must bear this familiar a sufficient distance, Matheu says to everyone who had been gathered near the crow. If your intention is to go into the manor, do go in. The other scavenger birds are just birds, whether they attack or not. They are bereft of their 'leader.'

[Darren]

"Right," Kal begins, his face still grim. "Until Grafth and Goran get back," he pauses, looking around and realizing Torhak has also gone, "and I suppose the dwarf as well, we don't know completely what we're dealing with. But let's review what we do know." Kalarian places his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the manor as he speaks. "The birds should no longer be a problem. There are apparently no traps on the front door, but there is an alarm. We can't go over the wall because there are 'shadows' up there that will attack us if we do." Kal sighs. "Unless the others find something, it seems like we're stuck with a frontal assault." A rueful smile creases his lips as he turns his head and adds, "Unless one of you wants to try tunelling under the wall."

[Jeremy]

Goran will stop moving, and gaze around him slowly, taking in every detail possible (including a Listen check). The half-elf makes no sudden movements, especially not to his weapons. Unless of course one of the 'figures' makes a threatening motion.

If nothing happens or Goran gathers no useful information, he will slowly make his way back to the others.

---

Jeff, how far away are these figures? Do they look solid? Humanoid?

[Ken]

"Alas," says Belarin, shaking out his cloak, "tunneling has never been my preferr... Shadow take him!! That bird soiled my cloak! Spiteful fowl, may raccoons feast on your limp form!" He grabs some leaves and twigs to scrape the offending matter off his cloak.

He continues, "A frontal assault is most appealing, m'lord. I wish to take vengeance on those within for their many crimes. But what of our young charge here," he says, indicating Worm. "He understandably won't go in, and the rest of us will be needed inside."

He looks at Worm. "What say you, lad? Will you wait here, or do you wish to return to the Wood Missery for sanctuary? We can meet you there."

[Marcy]

"Are the shadows at the tops of the walls, or just in the upper levels of the manor proper? If they're only in the manor, we CAN still go up -- the bird said the murder would only attack if he told them to, and he's in no position to do that now," Charis muses, biting her lip as she thinks it through. "Over the door itself, maybe, since there are no vines?"

She turns back to Worm and kneels beside him again.

"The shades, lad...you said they were 'upstairs.' Were they inside the lord's house, or outside of it? Or both? Do you remember?"

[Jeff]

The figures were forty feet away from Goran, humanoid, and made up of some sort of plantlike material. Beyond that, he could make out no details in the deep shade. Whatever they are, they make no move as Goran heads back to the others.

Grafth, too, is left alone as he works his way back.

Soon both shifter and half-elf have returned, and Torhak has already been waiting near the others, all standing a short distance from the massive double doors of Shadowcrest Manor.

"Not going inside," Worm says pleadingly to Belarin. "Home is where I will run, run like before. Away from the metal men, away from boxes 'n irons."

"The shades, lad...you said they were 'upstairs.' Were they inside the lord's house, or outside of it? Or both? Do you remember?"

"Shadows swim the high-up halls of the lord's house. Don't want to go, don't want to go!"

[Darren]

Kalarian gives Charis an admiring look. "Good though, my lady," he says. "Still, I don't think going over the front door would avoid notice any more than going through it would." He shifts his weight as he turns his attention to the returning scouts. "Please give me some good news."

[Josh]

"Good news... Well, the good news is that we know where the entrance is," says Grafth, motioning toward the main doorway, "and it's not much of a walk."

[Joe]

Streko takes the boy's hand. "You will not have to go in, Worm. You have done more than we could have asked and I offer Olladra's blessing to you! Thank you! Would you like to wait for us at the place where we met the Wood Missery? Will you be safe there?"

[Darren]

Kal's mouth twists slightly at Grafth's attempt at humor. "Are we agreed, then? We go in the front door? Were there no windows or seemingly weak points in ivy that might allow us to go over?" He hangs his head, his cheek brushing against his high collar. "I do not like this," he says quietly.

[Ken]

"Then let's proceed. I wish to be a rude guest!" says Belarin. He steps forward, stretching his hand out slightly as he does so. "As we advance, I shall inform you if things seem out of the ordinary ... aside from Torhak's singing, that is."

OOC: Belarin begins concentrating again on his detect magic ability.

[Jeff]

Worm nods at Charis. "For the Wood Missery I will wait, though she may be angry, counting to eight....." The boy reaches out, pats Tangat on the head and sobs. But though he is choked with emotion, there are no tears. Strangely calm, Worm turns to walk back down the trail to the west.

Belarin concentrates on the door, trying to perceive anything supernatural about it....and senses nothing at all.

Matheu is still out of sight.

[Marcy]

Charis catches Worm by the shoulder and gives him a quick kiss on the top of his head. "We'll find you when we're done here, little one. I promise."

Then she looks over at Kal. "If we're going in the front door, let's at least check it for traps. Who knows? We might even get lucky and find the alarm -- and disarm it -- before we set it off."

Charis moves forward to get a closer look at the doors, checking them for any trigger mechanisms, etc.

---

Jeff, I know Charis has the Trapfinding ability, but I don't know if I have to roll for her to use it? Also, she'll use Disable Device if she finds anything.

[Darren]

Kal nods silently as Charis as he wordlessly removes the lead box containing the book from his pack and hands it to Goran. "Keep an eye out from here on those birds. If any of them moves, shoot it down. Charis, Belarin, and I will move up to the door and see if they can detect anything. Once it's open, everyone move forward, Goran in the rear followed by Torhak." Tapping the top of the box with one finger, Kalarian looks at Torhak and says, "Protect him. I don't need to remind you what he's carrying." Kal takes a deep breath, then motions for Charis to proceed, allowing her to take the lead.

[Jeff]

Just to try and makes things smoother, anytime Kal issues a plan like this, please make your next post explicitly say whether you're going along with his plan or deviating from it (in which please specify how). No actions are assumed.

[Marcy]

Well, Charis was already heading for the door, so I guess that qualifies as 'going along' with the plan.

[Joe]

Streko has nothing better to do than to follow...so follow he does. He makes sure his holy symbol is out and easily accesible, in case they run into any "shades." He also keeps his sickle out and ready to go.