Grand Duchy 39

Grand Duchy of Adventure

Session 39
November 20, 2014

Into the Ravine (Monkey Business!)

Moldain 21st of Flaurmont

Finally at Xitaqa

Griffin and Ree arrive at Xitaqa and begin scouting. They note the activity of some baboons that appear to live down in the ravines, possibly in some of the visible buildings with no doors. They are able to tell that the ravines are about 30 feet deep here and filled with stone buildings that jut out from the ravine walls down at the lower ground level. Most of these buildings have open doorways while some of them have doors made of cobbled together wood and branches, barriers more than doors. From their vantage point, they are able to get an over of the area but only able to look down into some of the ravine. It is dangerous to get too close as the packs of baboons move about near the tops of the ravines throughout most of the afternoon.

Layout of the ruins of Xitaqa

By late afternoon, the rest of the group arrives, having traveled slower, spending some time hunting and foraging to keep the Company's food supply up. Griffin and Ree quickly bring everyone up to speed on the layout and what they know about Xitaqa already.

As the sun begins to set, wisps of smoke begin to appear from various places around the ruins, floating gently up into the night sky. Some small humanoid forms can be seen moving about the ruins, carrying lanterns or torches from time to time as well. The movements in the ravine seem erratic and follow no discernible pattern at all. Marcel does not think it feels like any type of established guard patrol. The Company discusses several possibilities for approaching the tower, which lies at the center of the ruins.

Shadows in the Night

Deadly Shadow

Much later that night, during the last watch, Griffin observes a sinister shadow approaching the camp. He alerts his companions and they battle against a dangerous, strength stealing apparition. Draven identifies it as a type of Undead known as a Shadow. After the battle is over, everyone tries to go back to bed, though their sleep had already been interrupted and they would no doubt be tired the next day. And then it starts raining again.

Nytdain 22st of Flaurmont

Into the Ravine

The rain continues throughout the day and it is cold and breezy. The Company decides to descend into the ravine to the north and approach the ruins from that direction. The intention is to move from building to building and get closer to the central tower in hopes of finding Stephan. Moving slow and stealthy is the plan and avoiding confrontation is ideal. The first set of buildings the Company approaches is empty. They are built into the side of the ravine and share an interior door between them. As carefully as possible, they move along the northern perimeter of the ravines to the next set of buildings.

Sneaking through the ravine

A Barrel of Monkeys

While approaching the buildings, the smell and sounds of baboons is present. Almost immediately, several of the aggressive monkeys leap from the doorway and attack the party, punching, biting and flinging excrement as well. They jump and holler and howl, though the sound of the steady rain keeps the sound from carrying far.

Dealing with the baboons

The baboons are quickly dispatched, though one a wounded one manages to escape. The Company quickly moves into the the dry but filthy set of buildings that had previously housed this troop of monkeys. Hoping to not draw too much unwanted attention, they also drag the monkey corpses inside as well. As the rain falls outside, the company plans their next move.

Holing up in the baboon's lair

Cast of Characters: 

Garrett "Griffin" Constantine, a Thyatian rogue of a gambler from Penhaligon rolled by +Arne Jamtgaard 

Marcel Maas, a homely but sincere wielder of spears aspiring to cooking greatness commanded by +Christian Blouin 

Draven Rickart, a Thyatian Acolyte of the Church of Karameikos ministered by +Jason Packer 

Iris Varda, a Thyatian explorer and historian searching for answers and adventure guided by +Alex Safatli  

and +Jason Woollard as The DM