DM Jan Thursday July 29th, 2004 1:01:40 PM
Dietrich signals a halt, and Zayne and Ryan go off to investigate, followed by Piper and MaCaw.
Meanwhile, Rose, Dietrich, Olyn, Vauhwyt, Vorelle and Theo keep on the main path and watch for trouble. Rose inspects the carving. It's just a carving, like the others - a path marker, maybe. The path, both fore and aft, seems quiet.
Zayne and Ryan find themselves crossing another path that seems to be running parallel to the one they were on. A little further on - about 50 yards from the rest of the party, they come across the shape that caused the initial interest.
It's a giant skeleton, of some HUGE, long-dead creature - long tail, short legs, massive head - and its stuck about 30ft high, straddling the limbs of three trees. Lichens, moss and age, have turned the bones green and black. They can see what looks like a chain, dangling from the top of the spine area. Piper and MaCaw have a better view - at bird level - and in the tangle of leaves just below the chain, something red glistens.
Dietrich AC 17; HP 24 d20+4=12 d8+3=8 Thursday July 29th, 2004 1:50:26 PM
Dietrich keeps waiting for the scouts to return from their reconnoitre. His adrenalin levels are allready boosted and his muscles tense under the metal armour.
*If the vanguard needs help, he moves forward and unleash an arrow at possible enemies: AC 12, damage 8. Then he draws the great sword and runs towards melee.
Rose d20+4=6 d20+7=13 d20+6=26 d20+7=19 d20+5=16 d20+5=16 d20+4=10 Thursday July 29th, 2004 4:32:07 PM "Hey, Piper says there's a giant skeleton over there. I'm going to go see.
Rose heads over to the bones, piper flying above to guide her and make lots of noise.
Ryan and Neen d20+10=15 d20+7=11 d20+14=21 d20+6=24 d20+3=9 Thursday July 29th, 2004 5:04:46 PM
Ryan nods to Zayne and follows him up the path. Seeing the giant skeleton all he can do is gasp. Hide=11 Move silently=15 Before her master can object Neen decides to move forward for an even closer look. Hide=21 Move silently=24 Spot=9
Vauhwyt and Mookie (15 of 19 hp, Blood Armor) Thursday July 29th, 2004 10:15:53 PM
Vauhwyt and Mookie, now both colored bright red by the magic protecting them, advance to look at the skeleton. She looks up and ponders the options.
"Maybe someone can climb up? Or I could enlarge myself and jump up and poke at it with my longspearr? Or the birds could try to pull it down?"
Vorelle d20+6=11 Thursday July 29th, 2004 10:46:52 PM Giant skeleton? Vorelle wonders as she makes her way cautiously after the others. She is still keeping an eye out behind the group. [Spot 11]
DM Jan Friday July 30th, 2004 1:55:12 AM
The main path still seems safe enough. From Dietrich's position, he can't see anything threatening so far. Neither can Vorelle. Other members of the party start to drift toward the suspended skeleton.
The three trees supporting the skeleton look climb-able - Tree A - supporting the head DC 14 Tree B - supporting the rib cage DC 12 Tree C - supporting the tail DC 11
Successful rope check DC 12 will bring those above DCs down a point.
Right now, there's no telling how good the support is - whether everything is lodged firmly, or whether the slightest touch might bring the whole lot down on everyone's heads.
((OOC - apologies to those folks still to post, I've posted early because I'm out at the track very early tomorrow, and wouldn't have time. Do a double post, and I'll sort it out tomorrow night.))
Dietrich AC 17; HP 24 Friday July 30th, 2004 6:45:44 AM
Dietrich sees his friends moving forward and hears Rose's speak about the giant skelleton. He follows the party and is amazed by the sight of the dead beast. "Blitz und Donnerwetter!"
He never saw such a big monster and is not very happy with the thought that there might be others of its kind alive and maybe nearby. He also wonders why it hangs on the trees and can only imagine evil reasons for that. Though he takes a closer look at it, Dietrich is definitly against people climbing on the skelleton and voices his disagreement:
"Comrades, let this monster rest in peace! It brings bad luck to disgrace the dead! Let's examine the surroundings and continue our search!"
All the while, the fighter continues surveilling the area for dangers and keeps the strong bow ready.
Theodore and Macaw Friday July 30th, 2004 11:45:05 AM
As everyone else moves forward down the path. Theodore gasps and runs forward to catch up. A tree root seems to spring out of nowhere and the clumsy youth falls sprawling to the trail.
He quickly picks himself up and chases after the party, dusting himself off as he goes. He spies the skeleton in the trees and his mouth goes slack. "Wow! It must have been brought here by those trees."
Through Macaw, Theodore sees the chain hanging from the skeleton. He signals his familiar to pluck the chain from the skeleton, if he can pick it up. If it's too heavy, Macaw will loosen it enough to let it drop to the ground below.
Zayne Saturday July 31st, 2004 1:09:34 PM
(OOC What condition is the tree in? Is it dead as well? What kind of tree is it? Would it be possible to chop it down? If we set fire to it would it burn away? If any of thes options are feasible Zayne will opt for it. If not here is what he will do)
Zayne looks up at the skeleton,"I am not really intent on bothereing that thing,I say we follow the trail of symbols. I know they propably lead into a trap,but what did that skeleton ever do to us?"
Vauhwyt and Mookie (mage armor, enlarge, 15 hp of 19) d20+3=23 Sunday August 1st, 2004 5:29:01 PM
"Hey, killing monsters and finding treasure is our job! We're adventurers, right? And that amulet looks like treasure to me. Come on Mookie, we can do it."
(It seems clear that Vauhwyt has forgotten to keep up the pretense of the Miss Veronica persona.)
Vauhwyt casts Enlarge Person. Then she goes over to the tree near the skeletal head (The DC14 tree). She stands on her hind feet and puts her front paws on the tree (she is 20 feet long). Then she reaches up with her arms, both hands on her spear (20-foot reach).
First by poking, she and Mookie try to dislodge the amulet. If this does not work, she tries to climb up the tree. "Wowsy!" Vauhwyt exclaims, as her claws dig into the heartwood of the tree, "This is easy!" (rolled a nat 20! Woo hoo!)
She retrieves the amulet and anything else that looks interesting and then comes down. (Does this thing have especially big teeth? If so, she'll take some of those too.)
rose d20+4=10 d20+4=15 d20+5=7 Sunday August 1st, 2004 5:44:11 PM
Rose looks at the trees and chooses the easiest ones to climb. She takes a good look at the skeleton for anything useful (besides the chain and amulet). If she cant reach anything and everyone else fails she casts unseen servant and has it try to get stuff.
climb: 10 use rope: 12 spot:7
Vorelle Sunday August 1st, 2004 9:35:41 PM
Vorelle winces as Vauhwyt attempts to climb near the skeleton. Since the liontaur is so determined, though, all Vorelle can do is nock an arrow and hope for the best.
DM Jan Monday August 2nd, 2004 12:25:39 PM
Although some of the party have misgivings, others wade in and try to bring the skeleton down.
Vorelle and Dietrich keep watch. Olyn shakes his head and tells everyone to be careful.
Macaw flies up and immediately starts pecking at the chain clasp. It proves too big for the bird to dislodge.
Zayne can see that the trees look healthy enough. Whatever happened here, was long ago, and the trees have adapted, and grown their limbs and branches around and through the skeleton.
Vauhwyt goes for broke and leaps upward into the tree. The head immediately crashes down to the ground with a loud **whump**. Everyone feels the impact through their feet. Some of the remaining bones also come down in a disorganised clatter.
The chain, now on the ground, is large, clunky and tarnished. Attached to it is a rather ugly pendant - however - set into the pendant is a very well cut star ruby. The whole thing looks like some kind of dinosaur-sized cat collar.
And yes - there are teeth. Four 9 inch long incisors, and about 40 others, all about 3 inches long.
Rose can see a few other bones that might make a reasonable club.
rose d20+4=16 Monday August 2nd, 2004 3:10:11 PM
Rose carefully climbs out of the tree and decides to gather some teeth "Hey guys any ideas on things to use these for?"
Rose starts thinking of ways to use the teeth could be a weapon, sell them for money, make into a necklace.....
Theodore and Macaw Monday August 2nd, 2004 3:49:43 PM
Theodore tries to move out of the way of the falling debris, but catches his foot on his breeches, tumbling into a nearby bush. He quickly pops back up and examines the fallen bones, and pokes at the amulet with his staff.
"Unfortunately, I don't have a spell on me that could determine if this jewel holds any magical power, but at the very least it should be worth a couple coppers."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday August 2nd, 2004 4:27:27 PM
Vauhwyt is delighted with the results of her arboreal adventure. "I have to practice Climbing morre!" she declares. "That was fun."
She packs away the amulet, the four big teeth, and another four smaller teeth. "Great idea, Rose. Maybe we can get something for them, or use them for scrimshaw, or something. More loot for our party treasure haul!"
She is a little disappointed that Theo does not have Detect Magic prepared. "I have to learn that spell," she says. "We can check for magic laterr."
Vorelle Monday August 2nd, 2004 10:39:21 PM
Vorelle pokes at some of the bones with a cautious toe, but shows no interest in picking any of them up.
Ryan and Neen Tuesday August 3rd, 2004 6:32:01 AM
"I dont have Detect Magic either, sorry" Ryan says to Theo with a rather disappointed tone.
DM Jan Tuesday August 3rd, 2004 11:44:21 AM
Theo is correct in his assumption, that even if it isn't magical - it would certainly be worth something.
The group stands amongst the pile of bones.
What now?
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday August 3rd, 2004 12:27:23 PM
"I suppose we should continue then," suggests Theodore. "Tomorrow morning I will be able to tell if it is magical or not." He calls to Macaw and the bird perches on Theodore's head once more.
Zayne Tuesday August 3rd, 2004 2:17:09 PM
As the skeleton falls to the earth,he shakes his head disapointedly,"I wish you had not have done that,this forest is crazy enough as it is and you go and disturb things. What is done is done though so lets hurry up so we can get out of this place."
Dietrich d20+4=7 d20+2=13 Tuesday August 3rd, 2004 4:10:09 PM
Though nothing immediately happened, Dietrich still didn't like that his friends meddled with the skelleton, specially that people do potentially dangerous things without consulting the party as a whole, and he nods in agreement with Zayne.
After some time, as still nothing happens, the fighter has mixed fellings about getting at least one tooth as trophy, and about the ruby. Of course it's probably valuable enough, but what if it's cursed or something? He asks Olyn to examine if he feels any strange aura etc.
In the end he takes one of the teeth, thinking to himself: 'Come on man, it's from a Dragon!' and waits for Olyns answer about the ruby.
When the group continues marching, he suggests the usual procedures, with birds and other scouts ahead and people singing, while he keeps his eyes open. Spot 7; Listen: 13
rose d20+5=20 d20+5=13 Tuesday August 3rd, 2004 5:19:39 PM
Rose takes about 15 teeth and looks once more to see if there is anything else that could be of value or anything unusual around (how much do the teeth weigh?)
search: 20 spot: 13
Vorelle d20+6=26 d20+6=9 Tuesday August 3rd, 2004 9:44:44 PM
Vorelle takes no prizes, merely waits patiently for the group to start up again and scouts ahead for signs of danger.
[Spot 26 - natural 20; Listen 9]
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday August 3rd, 2004 9:47:21 PM
"Let us not forget our purpose, friends!"
Vauhwyt -- aided by the rangers, she hopes -- searches out the most recently found symbol of the dark god carved in a tree.
"We know where this mark is. We know where the first one is. How about we draw a line from one to the other and continue in the direction that suggests."
DM Jan Wednesday August 4th, 2004 12:03:19 PM
Olyn steps forward as some of the others gather up the teeth and the chain. "Hang on a minute, stay still," he says, taking out a pair of dice. He throws them up, letting them bounce off his forearm and back into his hand. After what seems like a very long pause - "Well, there's no evil. Nothing I can detect anyway. Let's move." Rose doesn't see anything else of interest.
The group hit the trail again. Vauhwyt ascertains that the markers seem to follow the path which still heads in a westerly direction. Vorelle spots a couple of footprints a little further up the trail, heading the same way - they're the size of a large humanoid, and suggest crude boots. They're not recent, maybe a few days old.
......
The path continues to wind its way west, further and further into the forest. As the group travel, any of the birds aloft are able to see the distant water, getting gradually closer.
More carvings appear on the trail, and the forest continues to behave in its, now familiar, odd manner. Luckily, there are no more mishaps, apart from the sudden, startling appearance of a few trees nearby, reawakening as songs are sung. Piper, Mookie and Macaw seem to have some in-built sense that warns them if any part of the nearby forest is in danger of disappearing.
Hours roll into days. Will the group ever see civilization again?
In that time - Theo casts Detect Magic on the chain collar. Nothing. It's just a collar, decorated with a rather nice ruby. The lack of magic (and lack of evil on the teeth) suggests that the creature wasn't a dragon, and just a huge carnivorous lizard. Maybe. The chain - end to end - is about 10 ft long and quite strong. It weighs about 15 lbs. The teeth in contrast are very light.
.......
Mid-morning on the sixth forest day, and Macaw in flight above the tree canopy sees what looks like a huge lake, or maybe a sea, only a couple of hours away.
Below the tree canopy, the group is suddenly aware of the smell of something cooking - cake, or cookies!
Dietrich d20+4=18 d20+2=21 Wednesday August 4th, 2004 12:24:48 PM
Dietrich is relieved when Olyn doesn't detect any evil in their loot and the fighter remembers the cursed blade and their adventure to save the dwarfs. 'Where might Devlin be now?' he guesses.
The warrior marches with his friends and, as the days pass, suggests to ration their food and to have the rangers hunting, wishing to himself they'd have brought the good mules with them. He uses his free time to practice his fighting skills and to keep his precious weapons in the best state. He also invites Vorelle to continue their sword and bow practice.
When Theo discovers that the ruby isn't magic and that the teeth weren't from a Dragon, Dietrich is a little disappointed, but doesn't say anything.
Then Dietrich feels the delicious smell of bakery and gets water in his mouth. Though Rose is a great cook and he's used to 'camp food', all this days in the forest with dry rations and giant squig let the young knight hungry for something diferent. But after the first surprise, Dietrich redoubles his attention and is quite suspicious about the smell. Spot 18; Listen 21
Zayne d20+5=11 d20+5=25 d20+5=16 Wednesday August 4th, 2004 12:25:24 PM
Smelling the cooking breadstuffs makes hi mouth water,he begins to scout more actively.(Listen 11 Spot 25 Search 16)
He is clearly excited and his nose begins to do it's dance. Speaking out loud to noone in particular,Things are finally starting to look up."
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday August 4th, 2004 12:32:10 PM
One night, while the party is camping, Theodore asks to borrow the new-found jewel that Vauhwyt carries. He informs the party of his discovery that the jewel is NOT magic.
He then sits down and turns the jewel over and about in his hands, examining the ruby with a scrutinous eye. Macaw sits on Theodore's shoulder, also eyeing the ruby. The bird decides to leave his friend alone for once, his interest completely in the jewel.
(Appraise check take 20 gives me 26 (+3 ability +3 raven familiar))
Vorelle d20+6=26 d20+6=9 d20+6=16 d20+6=8 d20+6=26 Wednesday August 4th, 2004 3:36:50 PM
Vorelle points out the footprints to Zayne. As they travel over the next several days, she keeps an eye out for similar signs.
[Spots 26, 9, 16, 8, 26]
Ryan and Neen Wednesday August 4th, 2004 4:28:11 PM
"Wow I havent smelt anything like this in quite a while" he says as the smell of cooking hits them "I wonder what it is?".
He bends down to his Cat familiar and whispers something in her ear, she then looks up at him for a second and then darts off swiftly in the direction of the smell.
He gets up "Just so everyone knows she has gone to take a look up ahead at what is causing that smell, this is a strange wood, you can't be too careful."
rose d20+5=10 d20+7=13 d20+6=23 d20+7=20 d20+5=19 d20+5=7 Wednesday August 4th, 2004 9:46:05 PM
Rose goes along with the others, sometimes complaining of the others walking to fast, sometimes (if she doesnt mind) catching a ride on vauhwyt, and at other times (usually early in morning or after catching a break on vauhwyt running ahead and looking at things (spot #1). the day after finding out the ruby is not magical Rose memorizes and casts barnums appraisal on it and tries to figure out how much it's worth.
When they smell cooking Rose slips off vauhwyt "I'll go ahead and look." She whispers before she takes off.
appraise: take 20, barnums appraisal 10, 3 ranks, 3 ability, 3 raven = 39 (ha, ha i beat theo :-)
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+7=25 d20+2=17 Wednesday August 4th, 2004 9:48:03 PM
Over the next few days Vauhwyt uses her Prestidigitation to try to get the squid ink stains out of her shirt and fur.
Then her nose is assaulted by the lovely odor of Baked Treats!
A question pops up in Vauhwyt's mind: "What would a hero do in a situation like this, faced with the unknown?" The answer seems obvious.
She whispers to the group, "Let's reconnoiter secretly! Those who are stealthy, go forward for a minute, then come back here to report. The noisy folks should wait here for us to get back!"
The liontaur casts Mage Armor on herself, and then she casts it on Mookie. Then she tries to sneak around to find out what is going on. She moves towards the smell for a minute, then moves back.
[Hide 17, Move Silently 25]
DM Jan Thursday August 5th, 2004 12:53:38 PM
The ruby appraisel - Theo examines the stone. It's good workmanship, and the stone is of a good colour and clear of impurities. That's in all probability a 1000 GP stone, and Rose will agree.
The scent of cooking is drifting from a north westerly direction.
Those who decide to investigate, come upon an intriguing sight about 80 ft from the path, for nestled in amongst the trees, is what looks like a large, hollow wooden horse, covered in black feathers. It's big - standing about 20ft high! But it looks to have a door and windows carved into it's belly. Hanging from the head, are sets of wind chimes, which tinkle gently in the breeze.
In the ground in front of it, is a giant cauldren on a slow-burning fire. That's where the cooking smell is coming from.
Right now, there doesn't seem to be anyone around.
Then - both Dietrich and Rose pick up the faint sound of a scream, followed by a screeching sound. That's coming from the west - further down the path.
Zayne d20+5=17 d20+5=20 Thursday August 5th, 2004 1:03:28 PM
His imagination full of endless platter of cakes,pies and other pastries. He walk ahead confidently. Hearing the scream he stops short and lets out a few choice swear words,"Just when things are starting to brighten up."
He immediatly begins to look around for the source.(Search 17 Spot 20) Drawing his bow and preparing an arrow.
Theodore and Macaw Thursday August 5th, 2004 2:38:15 PM
Theodore finds the whole sight quite interesting. "It appears as if someone might live here." Macaw flies up to perch on the wooden horse and look at the contraption from a different angle.
Meanwhile, Theodore ventures over to the cauldron and peers inside.
Ryan and Neen Thursday August 5th, 2004 4:53:43 PM
They step off the path and wander towards the strange structure. "Looks fairly friendly" says Ryan "Should we knock?"
Rose Thursday August 5th, 2004 8:10:23 PM
Hearing the scream Rose runs towards it yelling at the others "Someone needs help!"
ooc: as rose is small i'm assuming she will be passed...unless she's the only one to go to the rescue :)
Vorelle Thursday August 5th, 2004 10:24:38 PM
When Vorelle hears the scream, she turns and hurries in that direction, pulling an arrow from her quiver as she goes.
Dietrich d20+4=17 d20+2=21 Friday August 6th, 2004 6:10:53 AM
When the vanguard starts recoinotre, Dietrich stays behind with his bow ready. They seem to have discovered something ahead, but he doesn't know yet what it is and waits for them to come back. Then, there is suddenly a scream and some of his friends start running, while Rose yells.
The fighter curses and is annoyed they still can't act as a group, coordinating their actions. If there is an enemy ahead, it now knows they are coming and you can forget surprise and any kind of tactical move by the party. Sighing, the soldier runs after his friend, but in a south-west course instead of direct westwards, in order to protect their own south flank and put him in the flank of possible opposition. He keeps alert, ready to knock an arrow at appearing dangers. Spot 17; Listen: 21
Vauhwyt and Mookie (both with mage armor) d20+7=19 d20+2=6 d20+3=13 Friday August 6th, 2004 7:28:56 AM
Already in advance of the group thanks to her scouting, Vauhwyt hears Rose's shout and imagines that there is trouble. Keeping to the underbrush, she circles around, sneaking up with the thought of surprising the foe with a flanking move. She keeps keeps quiet (move silent 17) but has to break cover to get to the action (hide 6). She keeps a keen eye out, too. (spot 13).
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