Episode 1.5 - Journey to Draskyn Keep
After a little bit of searching back the way you came, you find a pile of rocks, where behind is the remains of a disused road. It winds lazily up, deeper into the mountains. A minute or two later you come upon an out cropping overlooking a beautiful vista. A stream rumbles its way far below. The road continues around a bend but you decide to spend a bit of time here and gather your thoughts. There are a few shade trees and a trickle of clear, pure cold mountain water runs down the face of a cliff, enough to refill your water skins.
Well, I'll refill my waterskin. And write in my journal so that I can keep track of the personas I've created. Can't mix those up.
I will attempt to examine the road and see if I can spot any signs of recent travel.
Unfortunately there is a lot of windswept rock up here but you never know what you might find.
Roll a Perception check to look around for signs of travel. Result ⇒ .
As you're searching the ground you feel the strong wind blow and see the dust of the ground shift. Maybe there were tracks on the ground, or maybe it was just natural patterns. It doesn't matter now anyways as all evidence is blown away like dust on the wind.
Your waterskins are full of clear mountain water. You believe you have ample food in your pack for the journey to Draskyn Keep. You glance sideways at your travelling companions. You're not really sure why they are here with you, travelling on the spine of a mountain, in the middle of the gods-forksaken nowhere, towards some ominous, potentially cursed, old and crumbling keep, instead of heading back down the mountain to the warmth of a hearth and a mug of something good in their hands.
In fact, now you're wondering why YOU aren't doing that. Your mind drifts over the reasons and circumstances that brought you here.
But hey, at least you're above that bloody smoke.
Shin stares off into the distance.
I'm feeling refreshed and eager to see something new. And I want to get there as quickly as possible [how long is the journey?], so I try to encourage each person to get moving and brighten the mood.
Roll a Leadership check to rally the group. Result ⇒ : can the advantages = the weather improves as we travel towards the keep? Or I get Shin to open up a bit about what he likes - hobbies or something?
“Let's take advantage of this fabulous weather, friends! As I always say, 'If we have to spend time at a creepy old cursed castle, we may as well do it while the sun is shining.' And it's easier to spot treasure if there's some sunlight.”
“I agree, the sooner we get there the sooner we can get off this cursed road. I'd like to put as much distance as possible between us and that cursed spot we leave behind us”
Fionn starts whistling a humming a marching tune as they set off, and after a few moments decides to try to get the others to open up. It's important to get to know the people who have your back. “So, Shin, what do you do for fun? Any hobbies or games you enjoy? Favourite music?”
Kleave would return to the camp, feeling a bit dejected. He felt like even against the odds he might have found something, maybe in a different time. Rejoining the group and resuming their trek, he found it difficult to match the 'march' of Fionn's tune considering his personal method of locomotion, but he did feel a bit uplifted. After hearing Fionn's probing of Shion he would float closer, behind the two hoping to overhear them. Absentmindedly Kleave would also make his sword float level to the ground and create a makeshift bench to sit on, cross-legged, still floating behind the pair.
As you make your way along the trail, you see something glinting in the sunlight. As you approach it you see that it is a red jewel. It's dirty and somewhat mottled; not shiny all over. It's oblong in shape and about 5 inches long.
I can't help myself - I pick it up and polish it with the edge of my cloak; then hold it up to the sunlight to evaluate the quality of this gem.
Roll a Æmbercraft (Willpower) check ⇒
The jewel responds to your touch and becomes warm. You hear a tiny thrumming noise as it begins to vibrate slightly. The jewel elongates and four tiny legs pop out, two on each side. One end morphs slightly into something of a lizard-like head. It turns towards you flicking a little forked tongue in your direction. You drop it and it begins to scurry away.
I think it'd definitely have Kleave's curiosity, so he'll attempt to fly and chase after it. I'm not sure he'd go as far as to try and capture it, but he'd want to watch at least where he's going.
The strange jewel-lizard flails it's little feet, moving towards the edge of the cliff.
After recovering from my momentary surprise, I'll follow to see what's happening.
Kleave uses Mental Manipulation to catch it and hold it in place (also hoping that the others were following after him).
Roll a Coordination check. Result ⇒
Kleave will turn himself and the jewel lizard towards the approaching Fionn before moving the jewel lizard closer to himself to get a better look (maybe a foot from his face) “Hey there buddy, might wanna be a little more careful”
Roll a Crucible check to see what kind of species it is ⇒ Result
It appears to be a type of salamander, though it looks less formed than a normal one. The red parts of it's skin are slightly translucent and sparkly red. The poor creature is writhing in it's invisible grasp. Ah yes, order Urodela, class Amphibia. Definitely not natural as most salamanders don't morph from inert jewels, although the concept of regenerating lost limbs coupled with morphing, intrigues you. You also reflect on the probability that rare lizards usually fetch a fair price. Jewels do to, for that matter. The problem will be to prevent the jewel from crawling away from the metal clasps on the crown…. yes, a problem to discuss. Oh yes, and the tetrodotoxin that can be emitted from some salamanders. Quite potent and potentially dangerous. Hmm, it appears the little creature has flung some sort substance onto your skin. Yes, possibly one of the most toxic non-protein substances known.
Roll a Resilience check. Result ⇒
Kleave peers closer at the lizard, attempting to sooth the creature with a calming voice “Comm'on little guy, so how did you turn into that…”, before he could complete the sentence though the lizard opens it's maw with a sound between a squeak and a wretch. Catching Kleave off guard it sprays the front the Skybold's chest with a noxious smelling liquid, although getting mostly blocked by the latent effect of his Deflector Belt, a drop or two manage to get around it and sting. It feels more distressing than painful though, but it's not quite enough for Kleave to drop the lizard
I sidle up next to Kleave with a flask I happened to have with me (Tricksy), and carefully scrape the poison off of his chest, using his dagger. “You never know when things like this can come in handy. Great find, Kleave.”
He tucks the sealed flask into his belt. “Shall we continue?”
