Morning discoveries

[Wiseman]

Seeing that plenty of eyes were prying around the obvious spots, and knowing that sometimes the real secrets were elsewhere.

Dismounting the elf quietly slipped away from the main area of concentration and tried to find something else that might lead them to their task so they could get along with their time.

Roll(1d12)+10: 5,+10 Total:15

[BrianM]

Edrahil dismounted and walked to the center of the ruins. He first tried to look across the lake to see if the purpose of this location was similar to it's companion, where they had camped the night before.

[ooc]
Observe (spot)
Roll(1d12)+3: 11,+3 Total:14

[sdrotar]

Observe (Spot) +3, Specialty +2 = +5
Roll(1d12)+5:6,+5 Total:11

***

Dirnhael looked about the area, hoping to find some sort of identifying marks or items that might help them tell whether friend or foe was here.

[tomcat]

The Company spread out over the area looking for some clue besides the burnt ground around the brazier. No comments were made in reply to Galudir's sarcasm, or maybe it was blunt truth? Dirnhael wondered. Still, there was for most of them a desire to solve the riddles of the valley below, if not to help the Dunlendings.

The ground was rough and tumbled rocks lay scattered around patches of tough scrub grass. To the immediate west, the ground rose again and more pine trees grew thick, shading the area under their boughs until it was too dark to see. Time passed as they tried to find some form of trail, or any other clue to help them on their way, but naught could be seen.

Disappointedly Dirnhael turned to Fengel and shook his head. The Éothraim returned the gesture and both Men moved to their horses. The day was reaching noon and if they tarried much longer, it would get past the point of making any good travel use of it.

Durgil and Edrahil moved outside of the ring of the old signal post. The young Dúnadan noble could see the Elf to his left in his peripheral vision, just at the eaves of the woods, and he spoke to his friend, "You see anything, or do you have any arts that could potentially divine an answer?"

It was the Edrahil's response that startled Durgil; not because of what was said, but because he heard the reply coming from his right hand side!

"I see nothing," said the Elf.

Durgil quickly glanced right and saw the mage moving about the rubble, and then quickly swung his gaze towards the woods and the figure he had mistook for Edrahil was disappearing into the treeline, all the time it gestured for him to follow. The Dúnadan turned back to Edrahil and by the surprised look on the Elf's face, Durgil knew he saw it too!

OOC: Actions - and/or - Dialogue

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: Actually Durgil did give a response somewhat in kind.

"Hello?!" Durgil calls out.  "Hello?"  Regardless of response and heedless of admonishment (OOC: unless commanded to do otherwise), he makes to intercept the person/vision.

[BrianM]

Edrahil moved over the rubble as quickly as he could, following Durgil towards the mysterious elf. He did his best to keep the 'apparition' in sight, if that was what it truly was. Motioning for the others to follow, he said "Can you see it? Over there in the trees."

[Stefan]

"Great! Another Elf."

Nain begins following the two into the woods.

[tomcat]

Durgil moved quickly off towards the figure that walked under the trees and soon found himself under the soft shade; around him was nothing but empty wood. Behind him, Edrahil and Nain both hurried after, the former coming up to the Dúnadan to be followed moments later by the latter. There was no sign of any person, apparition, or otherwise; only the hushed sounds of the forest.

The trio stood there looking about when Edrahil perceived under the needle-covered forest floor, set marble stones. Some were cracked; some were completely buried by the earth and leaves, but most showed the Elf what they were, an old path laid here by his kin centuries past.

Pointing the way, Edrahil now led the group along the path, the remaining companions having caught up with the trio with all the mounts in tow. The Company continued for at least a quarter mile and the mountainous terrain began to pitch down, the sound of roaring water in the distance.

The stone path came to a steep drop and broken stairs could be seen going down, angling first right and then left to the wooded bottom below. The drop would not be manageable unless the stairs were taken and there would be no way the horses could follow.

OOC: Actions - and/or - Dialogue?

The stairs descend a total of 45' to the forest floor below. Due to their condition, should anyone descend the stairs, I need a Nimbleness or Climb test TN 10 for each of 15' of descent. A failure at any one of these heights will cause falling damage based on how far you fell. These tests can be avoided if the Company gets creative.

Lastly, I need either a Perception or Observe (Spot) test TN 18 (and if anyone has the ability, an Observe (Sense Power) TN 15).

[BrianM]

Edrahil looked down the stairs, trying to judge how dangerous the climb might be. "Seriand, before we go down to see what is there I think your skills might be well used. Can you tell if there are signs of anyone else using this path recently?"

[ooc]

Observe(Spot) TN 18
Roll(1d12)+3: 4,+3 Total:7

Observe(Sense Power) TN 15
Skill +3, Specialty+2, The Art +2
Roll(1d12)+7: 2,+7 Total:9 (hmmm ... spend 2 Courage for +6) Total:15

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael looked up from inspecting the charred ground to see Durgil and Edrahil move away, the concern on their faces evident. He stood up and ambled toward them, following their path through the trees until he heard the unmistakable sound of rushing water. They stopped at what looked to be a cliff's edge, and when he joined them, he saw it - an ancient path - one that he had been walking all along.

Observe (Spot): Roll(1d12)+5: 5,+5 Total:10

[GandalfOfBorg]

Continuing his impulsive streak, Durgil proceeds down the stairs (before Edrahil says what he does).  He gets about a 1/3 of the way down and says, "Come on, its perfectly safe." On his next step, he slips and continues to slide down the slick stone steps while managing to retain his balance down the rest of the way, unable to stop himself until he lands full force at the bottom in an embarrassing heap.  Weakly he calls up, "You might want to use a rope."

OOC: Done this before a number of times at home, it really does hurt when you stop.

TN 10 Climb - 10*+1=11
TN 10 Climb - 8*+1+3 Courage=12
TN 10 Climb - 7*+1+3 Courage=11

Observe (Spot) - 9*+3+2=14

[Stefan]

Nain, having already begun searching through Jethro's packs for his rope, just shakes his head and tsk's at the man's fall. Once he finds the rope he begins looking for somewhere to tie it.

Observe (Spot)
1d12+8: 5+8=13

[Palandil]

Seeing Durgil did not injury himself seriously, Fengel let out a chuckle at his rope remark.  He then looks around again always wary since aparations of any kind chill his bones.

Observe Spot TN:18
Observe+2; Per+1;Spot+2
Roll(2d6)+5: 4,4,+5 Total:13

[tomcat]

OOC: Stefan, there are plenty of trees that the rope can be secured to. The will grant a +5 bonus to all Climb/Nimbleness rolls to descend the stairs.

Tomcat

[BrianM]

Edrahil turned to Seriand as he watched Durgil's 'acrobatic' descent, doing little to disguise his irritation with the impulsive man. "Well, it seems that there will be little to see on the path now. So I guess we should all proceed."

"Thank you for retreiving a rope to assist the rest of us, Nain." Once the dwarf secured the rope, the elf grabbed hold and attempted the stairs.

[ooc]
Climb TN10 skill +2 handy rope +5
Roll(1d12)+7: 12,+7 Total:19
Roll(1d12)+7: 7,+7 Total:14
Roll(1d12)+7: 9,+7 Total:16

[ic]
With grace possessed only by the elder race, Edrahil descended the steps. A sour look on his face, the elf stood beside Durgil as the man dusted himself off.