Bane peered at the assembled wood "I expect their attention is already away from the water, that's why they have a fort surrounded by impassable cliffs. Unless we can tell that their are sentries watching the cliffs I'd rather avoid drawing attention."

Aldern finished off his floating masterpiece with some subtle artistic arrangements and then shrugged. "You're the expert. It'll be here if we decide we need it. Or maybe it'll be used to keep future skinny-dippers warm."

After everyone has prepared--stowing away bulky armor and gear, praying to Erastil for his blessings, and making a floating bonfire--Vorin bestows the blessing of Waterwalking on himself, Aldern, Elenia, and the large horse Hunter. After Bane gives Oslynne a hand up onto his great steed, the party head out to Thistletop ... walking casually, and for some uncertainly, across the top of the great Varisian Bay. Watching the shores and clifftops carefully as the move, the party sees no signs of goblins and no alarm being raised at the sight of them, but they do see another cave opening in the cliffs to the south--possibly linked the caves they has seen before.

Now seeing Thistletop up close, it is clearly something is amiss with the stone. It shows signs of erosion running down its length as if from rain, but not the messy, jagged erosion seen in the cliffs long beaten by the sea to the south which provide ample handholds. The smoothness and the sloped overhand would make climbing here an impossible task for most. (DC 30 Climb for the first 15 feet, DC 25 for the next 65. No fall damage for the first 30 feet.)

Bane tries twice to stay mounted atop Hunter as the apparently highly trained "Mountain Horse" seems to scale the nearly inverted slope of the cliff. Both times Bane came splashing down into the water, barely slipping from the saddle "Erastil damn these cliffs! I knew I should have sprung for the Military Saddle before we left town. Let me give it another go, maybe further to the north unless the splashing has drawn any attention." he kept his voice down despite his growing performance anxiety.

OOC: 12:54, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 18 using 1d20+8.  Ride again. – 18

12:53, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 36 using 1d20+19.  Climb again . – 36

12:50, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  Ride. – 13

12:50, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 33 using 1d20+19.  Climb. – 33

As Vorin helps Bane back on the saddle from the water for the second time, he comments "Perhaps Erastil damned these cliffs to test our resolve, eh?" After Bane is reseated he continues "Perhaps another prayer is needed. Let the Old Deadeye's watchful eyes lead your ascent." he murmurs and traces an outline of an arrow on both Bane's and Hunter's forehead.

He then turns to Oslynne and asks "Got that size-changing wand with you, Sly? Might help Bane keep to his saddle."

OOC: Casting Guidance on both Bane and Hunter

"I think I have an idea." Elenia said. "I could levitate someone up, pretty high." She looked up the cliff face. "I am not sure that we could get to the top but perhaps we could. Even if we can't get all the way up if someone has those climbing spikes, pitons or whatever, perhaps those would help?"

Aldern watched the efforts to scale the cliff with a mild amusement. After several failed attempts, he could see that there was certainly no way he'd be able to climb if his more skilled and stronger companions weren't able to do so. He quietly made his way along the base of the cliff to take a quick glance into the cave. An idea of using dwarven sappers was bouncing around in his mind. He knew that even if such a troupe could be found, it'd be costly beyond reckoning, but the idea of seeing the fortress topple into the sea made him smile even more than watching Bane tumble into the waves time after time after time.

OOC: Just a looksie, not going in, just a recon of the entrance and trying to get an idea if entry into the cave is even possible.

The elf tries to keep on top of the climbing horse as they attempt the assent, struggling with a scroll case as she does.  Eventually, (and after a few mouthfuls of salt water, bleeuck!) she manages to announce the necessary components of the spell.  The scroll shrivels to ash in her newly strengthened fingers, and she hangs into the back of the saddle as Bane and Hunter make the climb.
OOC: Rolls Attempts -20, then 24

Bane accepts the belssings and redistributes some gear so that Hunter will have the easiest time climbing "Oslynne, can you wait and climb the rope we drop down? I want this to be as easy for Hunter as possible. If he isn't weighted down by the two of us it will be easy for us to get up."

He lashes himself to the saddle so he doesn't fall off, leaving plenty of rope trailing behind so the party can come up after. Then he moves up the coast a bit to be closer to the rear of the stronghold once they are at the top "Wish me luck, start climbing up once we reach the top. Hunter should be able to act as a solid support for climbing." Then hunter begins climbing the wall. With the power of their deity empowering them Hunter can make the climb with ease.

OOC: Hunter takes 10 three times in a row to reach the top of the cliff.

Oslynne nods, releasing the saddle and staying close to the face of the cliff in the water.  "Understood.  I'll wait for the rope drop with the rest.  Take care on the climb, and see you in a minute."

While the others concern themselves with mounting the impossible cliffs, Aldern wanders into the small straight to get a better look a the cave to the south, but all he can tell is that after a short distance the tunnel submerges and the party would need to swim--and not walk--to get in by this route.

After strategizing and offloading most of Hunter's saddlebags onto Vorin and leaving Oslynne treading water with the aid of Elenia, Bane and Hunter begin to make their climb. In an extraordinary and disturbing show, the great warhorse approaches the daunting cliff and rears up to press its hooves against the smooth stone. It then spreads its forelegs wide in a manner which would be impossible for any unaltered horse of Golarion so as to press its chest and center of gravity closer to the smooth stone and even seems to mold its hooves to match the form of the smallest grooves of the clifface. It then pulls its hind legs up and spreads them impossibly wide as well before shimmying along the overhanging stone at an impressive speed ... only for Bane's feet to slip from the overturned stirrups and send the half-orc splashing down into the water below.

The warrior is rescued from his struggles against the sea's currents between the rocky shores by the aid of the others and, once the warhorse has awkwardly and grotesquely shimmied back down and onto the water, he mounts the steed to make another attempt. Once more the horse splays itself on the surface of the rock and begins to climb, once more Bane falls into the turbulent water, weighed down by his armor, and once more the horse slides back down to pick up the fallen inquisitor. The steed hooves at the sea in annoyance with its rider, but for his last attempt Bane takes some of the rope and ties himself firmly to the saddle so that gravity could not win again.

Again, a frightening show of limb mobility in the horse, but this time Bane cannot fall and after a short time the horse's splayed limbs and rapid shimmying take the pair to the top of the cliffs. Thistletop's top isn't a ledge so much as a rounded edge, but after some climbing the warhorse is able to shift its strange legs back beneath it and Bane is once again on top of his horse rather than hanging from it. But such an impressive achievement has not gone unnoticed. A group of goblins and their companion goblin dogs stood to the north, one holding a length of twine with a frantic seagull at the other end while the others took turns throwing rocks at the unfortunate bird ... but now they stand flabbergasted by the sight of a horse climbing the unclimbable cliff to their island fortress.

Once the shock has worn off, the goblins almost in unison point at the horse and rider and begin shouting warnings and commands in goblin as they draw their shortbows and move in to attack the intruder--loosing a volley of arrows at the pair. Most of the arrows get lost in the bushes between them, but one manages to stick into Hunter's unarmored and unprepared shoulder(-4 HP). Soon after the goblins' ugly goblin dogs close in and begin hissing and yipping at the great beast.


Goblins won initiative against Bane, everyone may act now.
Bane is tied to Hunter, and Hunter is trailing rope for others to climb. Should anyone climb the rope, Hunter will be Entangled while they do.

I won't always include rolls, but I didn't catch some of them were secret.

01:36, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 2,4,1 using d4,d4,d4.  Goblin Bow Damage. (Forgot to add Cover to Hunter's AC, so only the 23 hit)
01:35, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 18,23,7,16 using d20+4,d20+4,d20+4,d20+4.  Goblin Shortbows.
01:05, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Init Enemies.
01:04, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 23,9,9,26,24 using d20+4,d20+1,d20+2,d20+7,d20+4.  Initiative Aldern, Bane, Elenia, Sly, Vorin.
00:36, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10,1 using d20-2,d20-4.  Stealth Hunter, Bane.

Bane Draws his massive stone hammer and waves it above his head "DEATH HAS COME FOR YOU, YA NEEDLE TOOTHED VERMIN. TELL YOUR ANCESTORS BANE FIREHEART SENT YOU OFF TO SEE THEM!"

Hunter follows up Bane's threats by taking a few swipes at the goblin dogs with his hooves and teeth but the mighty horse is tired from the climb and con only manage a cursory effort.

OOC:
Move: Draw Weapon
Standard: Dazzling Display
02:08, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 23 using 1d20+17 with rolls of 6.  Dazzling Display.
Size bonus not included, If they are shaken for 2 rounds then they are shaken for 3 rounds.

Free: Fight with a combat trained Mount (penalty included)
02:10, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 10 using 1d20+3 ((7)).
02:12, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 12,8,13 using 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d20+7 ((5,1,6)).
02:13, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 6,8,7 using 1d4+4,1d6+4,1d6+4 with rolls of 2,4,3.  Bite, Hoof, Hoof

As soon as the trailing rope becomes available, Oslynne climbs. She twists a loop around her wrist, braces her boots against the cliff face, and uses as much as it left of the scroll's spell to help her scramble up the rocks as quickly as possible.

[OOC: Oslynne probably can't hear Bane's shout considering the distance and the roar of the ocean, but she was concerned about leaving Bane and Hunter without backup anyway so her urgency makes sense.  With the rope and MonkeyFish still active, she'll move double as much as shecan to scamper up the cliff.]

Aldern shrugged, a little disappointed but not surprised that the cave submerged. He was still thrilled by the ability to be able to lightly tread across the water. He almost had a boyish skip in his step as he explored. He turned back just in time to see the strange sight of a warhorse scratching over and disappearing behind the lip of the island top. Then he heard commotion and saw scrambling among those below. In a rush, he scampered across the water toward them!

Dash, sprint, double move whatever, should get me next to Elenia.

Elenia grabs the rope when it is available and starts to climb up stumbling trying to find a good stragedy for surmounting the cliff face.


OOC: Action
06:30, Today: Elenia Dalca rolled 7 using 1d20 with rolls of 7.  Climb. – 7

Atop Thistletop, Bane roars in threat and anger at the attacking goblin dogs, and they briefly tuck tail and wince at the shouting, but continue to attack the great horse. Hunter rears, kicks, and nips at the dogs but fails to strike any of them.

Meanwhile, at sea level, Oslynne moves to the hanging rope and with supernatural grip begins to move up it with ease, followed by Elenia who begins to make the climb more cautiously. Aldern sprints back to rejoin Vorin at the base of the dangling rope.

With a natural instinct for pack fighting, the goblindogs begin to fan out and surround the horse and rider, each biting at Hunter as the horse begins to struggle under the awkward weight and one getting a bit of flesh from his(or her?) foreleg. (-5 HP, DC 12 Fort Save v Allergic Reaction) The goblins form a sort of firing line well behind the goblin dogs as they shout between each other in Goblin.


This message was last edited by the GM at 05:04, Sat 11 May.

Hand over hand, Oslynne pulls her way up the rope as quickly as her arms can carry her.  The faint clamor of battle urges her onwards.

[OOC: More climbing! A double move up the rope, taking 10 for both checks.]

Bane needed to close on the goblins to be more effective but with his allies climbing behind him he needed to keep Hunter as still as possible. So he readied himself to bear more abuse from the goblins and kept up his bellowing "I'VE COLLECTED BOUNTIES ON RATS BIGGER THAN YOU LOT! THIS IS JUST HUNTING FOR SPORT!"

Despite his arm waving and bluster he still guides Hunter into attacking the dogs. His attacks strike true clobbering one of the Goblin Dogs.

OOC
22:04, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 21 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 18.  Ride.
Fight with Hunter

22:05, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 29 using 1d20+17 with rolls of 12.  Dazzling Display.
Send the hounds packing at least...

Hunter
22:07, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 13 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 6.  confirm.
22:06, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 24,23,27 using 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d20+7 with rolls of 17,16,20.  Bite, Hoof, Hoof

Surely 3 hits but no crit

22:08, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 8,8,6 using 1d4+4,1d6+4,1d6+4 with rolls of 4,4,2.  Bite, Hoof, Hoof.

Probably killing one of the dogs.

02:11, Today: Bane Fireheart rolled 21 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 14.  Hunter Fort.

This message was last edited by the player at 06:14, Sat 11 May.

Aldern looked at Vorin and shrugged. "Age before beauty? Nah. I'll let you bring up the rear..." He snagged the end of the rope and made ready to ascend as soon as he deemed it likely to make progress without pulling the warhorse over the edge or breaking the rope!

OOC: Delaying until it's reasonable, then taking 10 if possible for climbing...

Although Elenia didn't make it far up the rope, she concentrated attempting to climb methodically.
"Its okay..." Elenia said as her muscles began to burn. "Slow and steady wins the race."


OOC: 11:39, Today: Elenia Dalca rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.  Climb Check. – 13

A rough grunt was Vorin's response to Aldern. Then he quickly dashed away from the cliff to find an angle where he could have some kind of line of sight to the action above.

OOC: Run action (120ft) to a position where he can at least see a goblin.

Hunter lays into the attacking goblin dogs, nearly crushing one with a hoof while stunning another with the other then biting it and tossing its limp body from the cliff--but almost instantly the horse begins to balk at the foul taste of the dog's hide(Allergic Reaction). Bane shouts menacingly again, causing the goblin dogs to flee(1 AoO each from Hunter and Bane vs. eastern goblin dog), but the fearsome display is cut short as an unexpected rain of pickles splashes down on the warrior's head from the lookout tower above--two more goblins are joining in repelling the attackers. Flabbergasted by the rain of pickles, the warrior and his steed barely notices the volley of arrows from the goblins to their north as the missiles snap and scatter among the trees.

As Sly, Elenia, and now Aldern climb up the dangling rope, an impressive load to be carried by the warhorse above, the sound of battle above grows and the body of a goblin dog plummets past them--surely dead from its impact with the water below if not before it fell. Vorin, meanwhile, rushes west and out to sea to where he can see the edge of the goblins' firing line as well as now two goblins exposing themselves in the stockade's lookout tower.

---

After dashing out across the water's surface, Vorin turned to spot two goblins manning the tower. With practiced speed, he nocked and released two arrows in quick succession. However, both arrows whistled past the goblins, missing their marks and disappearing into the distance behind the tower, frustration flickering across his features.

OOC: Full Attack with Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim and assuming 2nd range increment. I don't think 7,11 hits.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:42, Yesterday.

The pitched squeals of the plummeting hound only makes Sly pause for a moment, her yellows eyes wide as she groks the situation, before continuing at pace. She hauls out the last leg of the climb, rolling over the top lip of the cliff and drawing her longbow from around her shoulders.  Two goblins shriek from the eastern tower, commanding a height advantage.  She nocks an arrow, arm quivering only slightly, before letting the shaft fly.

[OOC: Taking 10 with Monkeyfish to climb the last 20ft to the top. Oslynne will draw her bow as a free action during the last moment of her movement since her BAB is over +1. Targeting Tower Goblin 1, with a -1 to the attack due to attacking from lower ground.
Attack Roll: 22
Damage Roll: 4 ]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Yesterday.

"How did I get myself into --" Aldern started to bemoan when suddenly a goblin fell past him from above! He gulped and reached and tried to use his legs in order to ascend the rope further. If not for the falling bodies and the din of heated battle above, he might have enjoyed dangling precariously quite a bit more!

Climb: Aldern Foxglove rolled 14 using 1d20+4 ((10)).