Lia Friday July 2nd, 2004 11:14:59 PM
Her focus would shift from Casandra to the others as they all seemed to have there own worries and priorities. Eyes shifted from one to the other as quickly as she could determine if they were aggressive. When Andrath would come out and approach warily, Lia and her canine friend would begin to step back to keep distance relatively the same between them.
Looking to Bralin with a puzzled look to her face and a calm voice, "No...not a witch, Are you anxious to meet one or something?" Why anyone would want to meet a witch is beyond her.
Focus shifting to Akali she ponders tricking him into believing it is her home, but decides not to risk a somewhat stable situation on a simple lie, "No, not my 'home.'"
She steadily moves back at this point, snapping her fingers so Tumba would come along as well. It is not a escape, but t is preparation for one in case these people lose their cool. She addresses Andrath as he warily continues his approach. "I am Lia... This is Tumba... And I hardly call it your fire."
Lia then watches Cadmar and gives a slight squeak in the form of a giggle seeing him and his equipment dirty. Maybe he fell... seemed more than likely...maybe he had a better explanation.
Then focusing on to Lorth. How many are there?, She thinks to herself as the man looks as though he had one to many sips from the wine skin and is paying for it now. Although...he seems to be in a deep thought.
A young gnome with a sense of a style as loud as his hair joins the group to make quite a number of people for a stroll in the swamp. Lia nods to him and begins a short explanation.
"A fire was burning, I needed warmth... The rest is history. Now we are here. I am looking for Cypress Knees, what brings all you here?" Lia suddenly brings an arm up to the back of her left ear and scratches hard and fast with sighs of relief. Standing there she awaits an answer like she is owed one as well.
Lia has shoulder length black air that is currently pretty tangled up and with traces of debris in it. Her head is covered by a wolf skin shawl, complete with head, (missing the lower jaw) that acts as a cap. She dons leather armor, which is worn and quite dirty at this point. Her face, is also dirty, possibly making those eyes seem a tad greener. A scimitar is sheathed on the left side of her hip and a thick branch on her back can be seen poking from behind her. She currently wears a back pack, though her wolf skin shawl probably hides most of it while making her look slightly hunched back
Cadmar Saturday July 3rd, 2004 4:20:15 AM
Having sensed no evil in the stranger the ranger relaxes visibly.
"We are looking for someone living in this swamp." Cadmar answers cautiously. "I have never heard of Cypress Knees. Is that a place or a person?"
"You are travelling in this place all by yourself?" he asks with amazement. "I almost died three times in the last two days. You must be excellent at finding your way around this swamp."
"And, uh. Nice cap."
On an unrelated note, Cadmar makes a mental note to pack up the damaged bow when the party is moving out. A simple Mending spell and the party will be ahead by 100 gp.
Lorth Saturday July 3rd, 2004 9:11:36 AM
Sensing no threat Lorth goes about packing up his bedding and other gear. He does this slowly and keeps a ear and eye on the conversation, with the newcomer.
Andrath Sunday July 4th, 2004 9:05:31 PM
Andrath moves back into the cave, letting the others deal with the new arrival. He never was one for talking to strangers.
The elf checks through all the non-magical items, trying to determine the value of each item. [OOC: Take 10 on appraise, so the resulting check is 19.]
Kedarn Monday July 5th, 2004 7:35:32 AM
Kedarn approaches the newcomer. He has lots of questions for her... "How do you come by this place?" he asks. "What do you know of this area in the Culverwood and what do you know of it's inhabitants? We are here seeking a remedy to the mask that inflicts our friend Cassandra. We have been pointed to the witch Schedar who is said to live near by. Do you know of her?"
DM Bob & Carla Monday July 5th, 2004 7:47:47 AM
The party spends time questioning the newcomer as to how she got there, how she manages to survive in the wilds, and her general knowledge of the area. She in turn questions their reasons for being in the Wyrmsfut.
Andrath and Bralin continue to examine the treasure left behind by the trolls. Andrath is able to determine that the breast plate is of very fine workmanship and worth somewhere in the range of 350 gp [ooc it is masterwork], the wooden shield is exceptionally light, but he has no real experience with wood and does not know what it's value is. The two remaining longswords are of ordinary make as is the remaining war axe and the shortbow. Both the war hammer and the shortsword are better than average quality and each is worth over 300 gp [masterwork]. The two non-magical pearls are of medium size and worth approx 100 gp ea, the heavy gold ring another 70 gp. The moonstones he values at 50 gp ea and the remaining assorted stones (8 in all) may fetch a further 100 gp. As for holy sumbols...well perhaps that's better left for a cleric.
Cadmar Monday July 5th, 2004 2:53:49 PM
Between packing up, conversing with the stranger, and writing down findings of Andrath and Bralin Cadmar has very little time to spare for idle thought, but the ranger feverently hopes that the witch lives nearby and that she will be able to help Cassandra striaght away.
Still, there is some business that needs to be taken care of before the party moves out.
"Can any of us identify magic items?"
Bralin d20+3=8 Monday July 5th, 2004 2:55:32 PM
The others can handle the girl. Bralin goes back for the war axe. By all appearances, "Solgar" wielded a mighty forge indeed. Lashing his own war axe to the inside of his pack, the dwarf slides this one in place by his hip. Soon, no doubt, he shall test this blade.
The other equipment he packs or distributes as directed by Andrath and Kedarn.
Bralin takes a cursory look at the holy items [Knowledge Religion 8], but quickly loses interest and passes them wordlessly to Kedarn.
Then, the dwarf finds a quiet spot for his morning contemplations.
Lia Monday July 5th, 2004 3:45:36 PM
Tumba cocks his head at the people who stick around, and Lia eyes perk a bit with the mention of a witch again. Drawing in her lip and looking up in thought for a quick moment, she speaks as she tries to remember the where abouts.
"Ummm...There is...No, was... a witch nearby. Don't know her name though. She was a bit of a crab if ya know what I mean. I know my way around here fairly well, I could show you where she may be. Who knows, maybe I will find some Cypress Knees along the way." Brings her vision to Cadmar, "Which would be a stump like root of a cypress tree. They kinda look like wood stalagmites protruding from the swamp waters." She then would tip her 'cap at him and begin tending to the dying fire properly.
Kedarn Monday July 5th, 2004 9:20:47 PM
Sensing that the limbre creature before him is of no danger to them, Kedarn offers his hand and introduces himself. "I am Kedarn Shadowglade, a cleric of Gargul. I have been chosen leader of this small company." The black haired elf bows slightly to the wild half-elf at the fire. "Creoso, hama sinome lye naur" Kedarn bids her welcome and offers her a seat by the fire. "I would gladly take you up on your offer to show us the way to this witch, but first, tell us what you know of her."
Andrath Monday July 5th, 2004 10:52:17 PM
Andrath distributes the items around the party to equalize the weight. "No use in us leaving anything behind. We can sell what we can't use of this to purchase items to replace what we used in the combat with the trolls." Andrath takes the magical longsword, removes it from its sheath, and takes a few practice swipes with it. He nods at Bralin's trying the waraxe. "Clearly a good fit," the elf thinks to himself. If he was impressed by the new longsword, he will try it out.
Once the items are stowed for travel, Andrath goes out to the fire and says, "I am Andrath Silverhand, one of the members of this party of adventurers. We are trying to find a witch in the swamp whom we think can help our friend." He motions in Cassandra's direction. "She is wearing a cursed mask, that causes her to take on the visage of any animal named inside her hearing range. So, please be careful if you name any animals around her. We met with Denholm, and he advised us to try to contact someone named Shedar; that person may be able to help us remove the mask from our friend, and restore her to normal. Do you know anything of this Shedar?"
Alkali Monday July 5th, 2004 11:02:22 PM
Alkali listens to people talk as he tries to fix his straight black hair and his baggy clothes.
DM Bob & Carla Tuesday July 6th, 2004 6:57:33 AM
The party continues their questioning of 'Lia', the wild looking half-elf who slipped into their camp. Bralin and Andrath select weapons from the troll's cache and swing them about trying to judge their make. Theyare both satisfies with the superior nature of their choice. Lia tends to the fire and answers the group as best she can. Cassandra stays in the background, heping the others to pack up.
The sun, still low in the morning sky, pokes its rays through the canopy.
Lorth Tuesday July 6th, 2004 8:23:45 AM
(Sorry missed yesterday, was still on holiday)
Lorth finishes packing his gear, then introduces himself to the newcommer. "I am Lorth, friend to all you see assembled her. I am pleased to make your aquaintance." He bows.
Bralin Tuesday July 6th, 2004 11:00:42 AM
Bralin sits by himself in the back of the cavern. He cups his obsidian orb in both hands and stares intently into its depths. The stone is mere inches from the dwarf's bulbous nose.
Bralin, expressionless, is as still as the rock he holds.
As he has done this very thing for an hour each morning, his inaction should be no cause for alarm.
Cadmar Tuesday July 6th, 2004 11:10:35 AM
Since the party seems to delay departing for about an hour or so Cadmar uses that time to browse through his book, all the time looking with curiosity at the newcomer. So, she knows her way around the swamp and can find the witch? This is good news.
Lia Tuesday July 6th, 2004 3:58:56 PM
Lia bows at Lorth as she spreads the coals thin with a thick stick. No need in starting an uncontrolable fire, or attracting anymore attention to this place than already has.
As Kedarn offers a wiry arm and hand, Lia stares at it blankly unsure of what to do with it. Thinking for a moment she takes it in her own hand to bring it up to meet her nose as she lowers her head slightly. She gives it a few sniffs as she looks cautiously at him, before letting it go and tending to the extinguishing of the fire.
"Thank you. For the offer to sit, though I have been doing just that all night...well and sleeping. Shedar is the witches name? Huh, never knew that," Lia would spread the coals as thin as possible and poour water from her waterskin if needed to help cool the coals. "our with is not exactly a friendly person. Can't say I have had the honor of meeting her. She is more likely to curse yo and chase you away then to help you. Not a freindly one at all. Or at least that is what I heard."
She would look up and smile, knowing that the info she did have was not much and worth less.
Kedarn d20+3=19 Tuesday July 6th, 2004 5:58:44 PM
"Andrath, let me take a look at that holy symbol that was found." Kedarn will look at it carefully to see if there are any inscriptions on it (knowledge religion 19.)
"Lia, can you aid us in finding her?"
Alkali Tuesday July 6th, 2004 7:55:58 PM
Alkali frowns when Lia says that the witch would chase them away. "I'm sure she would help us. After all, who would curse their own kind?"
Andrath d20+10=26 d20+11=27 d20+15=16 Tuesday July 6th, 2004 10:24:43 PM
Andrath says, "I figure that we head south back to the main trail and pick it up going north-east. That should take us to the whatever awaits us at the end of the northern 'toe' of the Wyrmsfut.
Once the party is packed up, Andrath leads the way again, carrying his longsword and his trusty pokey-stick. Having no idea what a Cypress Knee is, he looks for a stalagmite (although he really isn't certain what one of those is either). [Listen 26, Search 27, Spot a natural 1 for a total of 16]
DM Bob and Carla Wednesday July 7th, 2004 8:53:14 AM
Morning preparations are completed and some of the party members get to know the small newcomer as she gets to know them. Oblivious to how important her information is to the party, Lia agrees to show them where the strange witch lives. She moves to the front of the line and leads the way along with Andrath.
The buzz and hum of insects is ever present as the group makes their way along the narrow path. There isn't much of a breeze, and it is already getting warm.
Lorth Wednesday July 7th, 2004 9:57:03 AM
Lorth rests his warhammer over his shoulder, slings his shield on his back and trudges through the swamp. He tries to think of positive things to keep his mind off the swamp.
Bralin Wednesday July 7th, 2004 10:57:57 AM
Finishing his contemplations, Bralin rises and waits patiently for the rest of the group. When they depart, he falls into position at the back of the line.
The halfling is not a witch, yet knows the Wood. A helpful asset to the cause. Soon, the stickiness and smell of the place intrudes on the dwarf's thoughts, and he struggles to combat a growing urge to pull out the axe of Solgar and test it on a passing tree.
Cadmar Wednesday July 7th, 2004 11:12:20 AM
The ranger helps with packing up. He can't help but be surprised how Lia's cultured speech stands in contrast with her wild behavior. Still, questions will have to wait. The party is approaching its destination and Cadmar is growing nervous. Unlike Alkali he believes that Wold is full of people who would curse their own kind, but he keeps his thoughts to himself to keep Cassandra's spirits higher.
The ranger looks at the witch wearing the mask and realizes he started to forget how her face looked like. This is not a pleasant revelation and Cadmar starts to feel guilty. Still, he finds nothing comforting to be said that would sound honest, so he is just content to walk behind Cassandra and lend his hand when needed.
Lia d20+4=24 d20+3=20 d20+3=11 Wednesday July 7th, 2004 2:17:13 PM
The half elf somewhat skips ntil the heat starts to get to her. Tumba follows along prancing, and questions when Lia just starts to pace her self.
"Well... we are not all full of energy like you. I suggest you pace yourself as well, because I am not going to carry you again." She directs her speech to Tumba and her tone is annoyed.
All the while she keeps her eyes and ears open looking for the root of the Cypress Knees as well as loking and listening for trouble. [(Spot Nat 20!! = 24),(Search 20), (Listen 11)]
Kedarn d20+3=12 Wednesday July 7th, 2004 6:03:15 PM
Looking around as the group travels Kedarn will try to determine which diety the holy symbol is for(knowledge religion 12.)
Dominic - hp roll d8+3=10 Wednesday July 7th, 2004 6:49:56 PM
OOC:
HP roll for level 4 cleric d8+3=10
Alkali Wednesday July 7th, 2004 7:51:35 PM
Alkali face is a mess as he tries to follow the group. He is trying to imagine the witch's plight and how to reason with her.
Andrath Wednesday July 7th, 2004 11:03:39 PM
Andrath will follow after the newcomer, impressed at how she manages to fit in. "Just like the way I feel in a city alleyway," he thinks to himself. Carefully using his pokey-stick, he tries to avoid the swampy pitfalls.
Somewhere along the trail, he asks Lia, "Where are you from? What do you use these 'Cypress ankles' for, anyways?"
DM Bob & Carla Wednesday July 7th, 2004 11:55:27 PM
The Swords of Light, guided by the strange little elf retrace a portion of their route, and then start along a new path. Loth tries to think happy thoughts, while the thoughts of Bralin and Lia turn to wood. Bralin checks his actions, knowing that to harm the living wood of any part of the Culverwood would bring dire consequences. Testing his new axe will have to wait for another time. Lia spots a bit of deadwood that might serve her purpose, as Andrath peppers her with questions.
Cadmar puzzles over the women in camp, and the one they seek. Alkali's thoughts also turn to the witch, Shedar, as the little witch tries to empathize with what the hag must have gone through and anticipate how she might react to the party's request. Kedarn recognizes the holy symbol as one used in ancient times by a reclusive sect devoted to Domi.
Turning a corner the leaders note a very lightly trod trail off to one side. Lia recognizes it as a place she has been down before, that leads to the place her new friends seek. The others have a sense of seeing something they have seen before, in a waking dream.
Lia Thursday July 8th, 2004 9:08:08 AM
Seeing the deadwood Lia beams for a moment as she picks it up. Tumba sniffs at it as it exits from the swamp, but is otherwise relaxed. She places the wood in her backpack as she addresses Andrath.
"Well, depends on what I am working on. I can make staffs, clubs, and other various things depending on the woods shape and size. As for the Cypress? It is good for making lutes."
Seeing the new trail she points and smiles at the new path, "This way"
Lorth Thursday July 8th, 2004 10:03:30 AM
Lorth experiences deja-vu when they turn onto the new trail. Strange he thinks... I've seen this before. Keeping his thoughts to himself he shakes his head and continues on down the path.
Bralin Thursday July 8th, 2004 11:40:36 AM
The dwarf's eyebrow rises as he sees a bend he feels he should recognize. But he says nothing as he trails behind the group.
Cadmar Thursday July 8th, 2004 12:25:29 PM
The ranger becomes even more tense and starts to nervously look around. Who knows when was the last time Shedar had a chance to talk to somebody...
My Lord Domi - he starts silently praying - as usual, I have been negligent in my duties, but please hear my plea despite my shortcomings and grant us wisdom to persuade Shedar to remove her curse. Let the one who has suffered so much have the strength of heart to break through her bitterness and show us kindness.
Cadmar sighs and steps on the narrow trail.
"All right, this is it..."
Alkali d20=17 Thursday July 8th, 2004 3:49:59 PM
Alkali looks up suddenly and glances around. "I think I've seen this place before." He tries to think back to see if he recalls any spells that would cause this effect (Spellcraft: 17 + 9 = 26).
Andrath Thursday July 8th, 2004 11:43:34 PM
Andrath experiences a feeling of deja vu as they start down the side trail. He continues to keep his eyes and ears open, wondering how the encounter with the witch will turn out.
Kedarn d20+5=15 Friday July 9th, 2004 6:10:38 AM
"Cadmar, I think you may want this holy symbol. it is one dedicated to Domi." Kedarn will then hand the holy symbol over to Cadmar.
Kedarn will continue to follow behind Lia and Andrath down the trail keeping his eyes moving watching for any danger (spot 15.)
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