Anuk d20+2=16 d20+11=16 d20+11=29 Tuesday May 17th, 2005 4:19:31 PM
Hearing of the extent of the problem faced by the strangers, Anuk wonders aloud "I imagine having the dragons back would help. Wonder when they'll return?"
He looks skyward for any signs of their friends.
(sense motive 16, spot 16, listen 29)
A Drink for Sipton (DM MikeK) Tuesday May 17th, 2005 8:55:58 PM
Halnir searches the faces of the Bloodpack, searching for something that will tell him these strangers are capable of backing up their offer of help. He pauses for a moment on the massive axe of Grymash warm nutty dodder curdles??
As Halnir evaluates them, Anuk recalls the dragons saying they would not likely return for a couple more days.
Nodding his head slowly, the dirt covered man meets your eyes. "Thank you again. Come on, I'll show you what's left."
Halnir turns and leads the group along a ash covered game path. After a few hundred yards, the party comes to a clearing. Sort of. The village of Sipton extends for a quarter mile along a dry, dust covered riverbed. It consists of perhaps twenty buildings. Several of the buildings have enormous, ash covered oak trees growing out of them. It looks as if someone planted a seed in their kitchen, only to have a 60 foot high tree spring out of the ground.
A watermill and a couple wooden docks extend over the riverbank, mute testimony that the twenty foot wide bed very recently held water.
The villagers are standing in the square, silently watching the approaching heroes. There are about 90 souls. They are covered in dirt and ash, only the whites of their eyes break up the monochromatic look of the place. The people look at the Bloodpack, and say nothing. They just stand and watch.
Halnir steps forward, and addresses his neighbors. "This is Trellus, a priest of Domi. And his friends. They have some water to share with us. Send the little ones first."
The people come forward. Slowly. They do not push, or fight, or struggle. The children come with cups, drink, and then pass the cups to older siblings and parents, who also drink. In no time at all, Grymash's keg is empty, and the people still watch.
On the far side of the village, a road extends a half mile through farmlands teeming with ash covered fruits and grains. The road ends at a green woodline. No ash covers those trees.
Gilan d20+14=31 d20+8=23 d20+13=18 d20+8=11 d20+18=27 Tuesday May 17th, 2005 11:28:11 PM
Gilan watches the faces of the people and shakes his head. His heart is hurting at the way they stand and watch...it is all he can do to keep from crying himself. When the water is gone he looks around and then speaks to the leader of this village. "Do you have other clean large containers to hold water in...I can get you near to sixteen gallons of water...fresh and clean for drinking and cooking." He waits to see if they can supply him with at least part of what he asks for and then he will cast his create water spell...he will of course fill back up the keg of Gry's as well.
Looking to the line of trees that are not covered in ash he wanders that way to have a look. "Did you clean off these fruit bearing trees?" He also takes note of the trees that have grown in the middle of some of the houses. "May I also have a look at the trees that grow within?"
*checking to see if the trees are natural, he will also check to see if any magic lingers near them and what kind*
Flea d20+9=10 d20+11=16 Wednesday May 18th, 2005 12:35:50 AM
Flea wanders off towards the area marked by the trees that are free of ash. Her curiousity gets the better of her, and she isn't particularly mindful of her surroundings.
Spot=10 (nat 1) Listen=16
Grymash Wednesday May 18th, 2005 7:36:42 AM
Grymash doesnt know what to say. Things look pretty bleak. I guess they need to find the beater going around planting trees everywhere. A tree in a house, how stupid!
Tishe d20+5=7 d20+5=25 d20+8=12 Wednesday May 18th, 2005 2:43:17 PM
[OOC: Grymash, great post! Laughed for all of my 5 minute fix!]
The plain-looking mage's heart goes out to these villagers; taking whatever comes and making the best of it. It's NOT FAIR! A very stubborn look comes over her and her brown eyes flash.
While the children line up, she weaves a white spell with her rod in one hand, and uses her prestidigitation to clean the children. Going into a house, she begins cleaning the ash out of there as well. "They may have dust everywhere else, but we can give them a clean place to sleep!"
While cleaning she looks around trying to make sense of the trees.
Spot: 7 Listen: nat 20 Knowledge Nature: 12
Spells Prestidigitation, Extended [2 hours]
Trellus Wednesday May 18th, 2005 3:41:24 PM
Trellus looks at the villagers. Tries to say something, stops, and looks again. Sweet Domi, help them! he cries silently.
At Gilan's words, the cleric nods emphatically. "I can give you sixteen more. And tomorrow..." He meets Gilan's eyes. "Tomorrow we'll really start weaving."
In concert with his friend, Trellus casts Create Water and fills every recepticle he can find.
Jake d20+15=23 Wednesday May 18th, 2005 3:56:08 PM
Jake takes in the villagers and their plea quietly, staying in the background. When they arrive in town, he takes in the ash-streaken and dust-smoted buildings, and their inhabitants, with a bit of quiet interest. Inwardly amazed at the amount of dust here, he wonders worriedly about what might have happened to Rattledam if, well, the grasses grew way high, or something. For once, he wonders if this abundance of nature thing might not be so great... Then his eyes take in one or two of the ash-covered women of the town and an upward twitch comes to his lips. Even at their dirtiest, a bit of their beauty shines through, to the half-elf's keen and discerning eyes. Whether married or not, the half-elf wastes no time in being charitable to these ones. As the others gather around for water, he inevitably finds his way over to stand near a pair of the most attractive women of the town. After Grymash has given the children all of his water, he pulls out a waterskin of his own, and offers it to one of the two ash-covered beauties.. "Here, ah'm not thirsty," he smiles, throwing her a charming smile, and inwardly reflects, at least, not thirsty for water. He talks to the two of them softly, while no doubt most of the rest of the town glances at him but he pays no heed. He keeps his voice just soft enough that only they can hear him well. "So, mah name's Jake O'Connell. Ah know your chief is named Halnir, and this village is Septon, but ah'm afraid ah don't have the privelege of knowing the name of Septon's most precious pair of treasures; two valuable jewels whose beauty is beyond compare...you two," he confirms, smiling at them. (Diplomacy 23 for the initial wooing...tempted to spend a hero point to reroll that... :P )
Anuk d20+13=20 d20+11=22 d20+11=16 d20+9=28 Wednesday May 18th, 2005 7:52:32 PM
Anuk spends time with the children of the village, playing a few games and trying to help them feel more cheerful. While Gilan and Trellus begin creating water, Anuk follows Flea out to the trees not covered with ash, searching for clues and explanations as to what caused this extreme growth, as well as food for the pack and the villagers.
Survival 20, spot 22, listen 16, search 28
The wood (DM MikeK) Wednesday May 18th, 2005 8:59:45 PM
The villagers quickly leave and return with a startling assortment of buckets and jars. Their collection easily captures all 32 gallons of water created by Gilan and Trellus. [Grymash's keg is still empty]
Between the water, and Tishe's whirlwind of cleaning, the villagers loosen up and begin talking with one another and the group.
Gilan receives permission to investigate the trees in one of the houses. He and Tishe see no evidence of anything unnatural. Its an oak. The druid figures its about 60 years old. Other than the fact that it wasn't there last week, there's nothing unusual about it at all.
Jake finds one of his marks is married, and would like to stay that way. So would her husband, who quickly joins the little party. The other girl, however, shows some real promise.
All the party hears that the ash fell from the sky about a day after a loud flash and boom was seen/heard to the south. Not surprisingly, the timing of that episode matches the flash/boom experienced by the Bloodpack while battling the giants.
In between the explosion and the ash rain, the trees grew up into the houses. The timing of this event coincides with the appearance of the garden.
Halnir calls for Anuk and Flea to take care. "Them's the trees blocking up the lake," he tells them. "Sprang up a couple days ago."
As Anuk and Flea approach the wood, the ranger notes the fields to either side of the road are overflowing with ripened produce, just like the islands he recently visited. The difference is the melons and berries and grains are covered in about an inch of dust. Still, it should be possible to brush them off and eat them. And it appears that's just what the villagers have been doing.
The wood itself appears unremarkable. It is composed of fully mature oaks, maples, ashes, walnuts, and birch. Again, the only thing odd about it is it wasn't there last week.
Tishe' Thursday May 19th, 2005 1:19:09 PM
After her spell has run its course, Tishe' has no magical means of assistance, but she will help as she is able.
She is undoubtedly dirtier by the time the 'pack settles down for dinner and planning, but she is alive with curiosity at how they will be able to help the villagers.
Anuk Thursday May 19th, 2005 2:50:51 PM
When Flea is ready, Anuk returns to the pack to report their findings and deliver some fruit he gathered. "Whole lotta trees out there...some shady fruit trees like everywhere else, but the trees surrounding the lake are like the ones coming up through the village houses. No fruit, but they're big. I was thinking maybe I'll climb one of the outer ones in the morning to see how big the forest is. Maybe help us weave our next pick."
Standing by Thursday May 19th, 2005 9:17:36 PM
Waiting for some more posts....
Jake Friday May 20th, 2005 1:07:14 AM
Jake leads Trellus on over to the side. "Okay...in the morning, we tackle those woods, right? Great. In the meantime, ah've got some business ta do...ah'll meetch'all in the morning." And Jake takes off. He's wanting to show the girl he's met the unique glass grass drink...as well as learn more about the island's beauty... Nothing like a tropical island vacation.
Mac d20+5=12 d20+5=13 d20+5=20 d20+5=21 d20+5=7 Friday May 20th, 2005 4:22:43 AM
"Day or night is fine by me. Let me know what I can do... has anyone tried felling one of these new trees?" If none has, Mac sets about finding a suitable tree with the villagers help (so it is unlikely to fall on something valuable) an sets about dropping one of them before spending the first part of the night seeing what happens.
[PHB3.5, pg165: Vulnerability to Certain Attacks; - DM's call]
Attacking once per round and keeping a full move action up his sleeve to get out of the tree's way (just in case), and with the normal Hardness, HP/", Damage and PA in play (target has AC:1 or there abouts), Mac carves through about 2' 4.5" of lumber per minute.
Once he completes the task, Mac takes up a position about 20' from the stump and felled tree, and watches to see if the magics bring regrowth to the tree. Spot Checks at regular intervals: 12, 13, 20, 21 & 7
Tishe' d20+15=25 d20+15=33 d20+15=35 d20+13=29 d20+13=17 d20+13=23 d20+13=32 d20+13=15 d20+13=24 Friday May 20th, 2005 3:30:10 PM
While waiting, the brown-haired mage looks over her spellbooks, happy to know the long dragon-journey gave her time to scribe spells...
Trellus Friday May 20th, 2005 4:31:10 PM
Trellus looks at Jake and sighs theatrically. "Try not to catch anything serious," he jokes with a smile.
To all his says, "Let's get some shuteye, and go clear out them woods in the morning. Gilan don't forget to ask for a bunch of Water Creation spells tomorrow."
The young man asks around for a place the group can crash, and assigns watches: Mac and Tishe, Flea and Anuk, Trellus and Grymash, Gilan and Jake - and be back in time to weave your turn, he warns his friend.
Morning (DM MikeK) Friday May 20th, 2005 10:46:34 PM
Mac decides to investigate a tree by chopping it down. The villagers point out one that grew up near a house but not actually inside it, and invite him to help himself. The minotaur makes like Paul Bunyan, and in no time at all, the tree comes crashing to the ground. Mac waits around for something interesting to happen, but nothing does. The tree stays down. Nothing grows from the stump. No bolts from the blue appear to zap him. Nothing at all.
Jake decides to spend the night doing what he does best.
Trellus asks for a place to spend the night, and the Bloodpack ends up in a mostly destroyed house. But it keeps out the wind, and after a couple weeks of camping on beaches, at least there is a floor.
Watches are posted, but the night passes without incident.
Morning dawns. The stump is still just a stump. And the Bloodpack sets about to prepare their assault upon the tree dam.
Tishe successfully copies all spells, with the exception of Haste, into her spell book. That one is still on the scroll (DC 18). All other spells have disappeared from the parchment.
Jake Sunday May 22nd, 2005 12:08:31 PM
Jake actually missed his watch... He's glad no one notices, as he comes in just two minutes before the end of his watch and acts like he was there the whole time. But he still feels pretty guilty about it...
As it is, in the morning, he's feeling great though. He does some of his usual exercises with the hoop, and jokingly offers some locals a try... He promises the smaller ones if he has time, he'll make a lot thinner, lighter ones for them to practice with.
Then he puts on his gear and gets ready to head out. Man, it's hot in this stuff, he thinks to himself..
Grymash Monday May 23rd, 2005 3:13:53 AM
After his morning prayers, Grymash seems eager to test his new admantine double axe on the trees.
Trellus Monday May 23rd, 2005 9:51:12 AM
Trellus notices Jake missed his watch, cause the the dude was supposed to relieve him. The cleric pulls a double watch, and glares at the elf when he comes back.
But, by then its morning, and the blond youth has to make his morning devotions to Domi. And by the time he's finished, his mind has already moved on to the tasks of the day. Jake has escaped again....
Spell List -
0 - Create Water (x5), Detect Magic 1 -- Comprehend Languages, Endure Elements, Bless, Prot from Evil, Remove Fear, Command 2 - Hold Person, Silence, Spiritual Weapon (x2) 3 - Dispel Magic, Invisibility Purge, Prayer, Searing Light 4 -- Air Walk, Freedom of Movement, Sending
Flea Monday May 23rd, 2005 12:25:43 PM
With a sigh, Flea collects some of the fruit from near the strange trees, and brings it back to the ruined house provided for the group by the villagers. She leaves the food where others can help themselves. The gnome eats a little. Just enough to satisfy her hunger, while she dreams of a roast joint of beef, cheeses, and bread.
After an uneventful watch, Flea makes ready to follow her party into the great unknown.
Tishe' Monday May 23rd, 2005 3:20:54 PM
The young spellweaver takes the rosy dawn in silence and curled up under an oak tree with her spellbook; content with all the magic about her.
Once spells are ready, she ensures weapons are likewise oiled and functioning before joining her pack and waiting for the plan to go into the wood.
Anuk Monday May 23rd, 2005 4:49:22 PM
Anuk wakes up when the sun hits his eyes through a hole in the roof. He blinks rapidly and sits up groggily, getting his bearings. "Oh yeah...the house...the village...guess it's time to get goin'..."
After inspecting his pack and other gear, Anuk spends some time alone in the nearby grove of fruit trees, eating some breakfast and meditating.
(prepares entangle, jump)
The Wood (DM MikeK) Monday May 23rd, 2005 8:37:38 PM
Morning has come, and the Bloodpack prepares for the day. Spells are learned. Fasts are broken. Small kittens are played with.
Halnir is waiting as the packmates emerge from their resting place. He walks with them toward the forest. At the edge of town, the villagers have erected a large empty wooden basin. It could easily hold Mac and Gry within its confines.
"We use it for wine making," Halnir explains. He looks about in embarrassment. "We, uh... we was wondering if maybe you could fill it up first?" The man scratches a cheek, uncomfortable with making this last request, but making it all the same.
Once the basin is dealt with, the wood remains...
Jake Tuesday May 24th, 2005 9:40:18 AM
Jake makes the calm, time-taking process of getting into his armor and checking all his weapons, sharpening and polishing where necessary. He hums somewhat offkey as he goes along.
Anuk Tuesday May 24th, 2005 11:39:14 AM
Anuk peeks over the edge of the basin and gives a low whistle. "Wine, eh? Hey, Jake...imagine how much glass grass could fit this thing..."
Trellus (Magic Vestment) Tuesday May 24th, 2005 2:13:18 PM
Trellus looks at the basin, back at Halnir, back at the basin.
"Doesn't like our odds much, does he?" he comments to Gilan. The cleric casts five consecutive Create Water spells, dumping 80 gallons of water into the basin.
That chore done, he leads the group up to the treeline. "So, do we try and talk with somebody, or do we just start cutting wood and see who tries to stop us?" Based on the irritated man's tone, its pretty easy to tell he'd prefer Option B.
But before that, he'll pull out a Rod and cast a protective spell on his shield [Magic Vestment (extended)].
Tishe' Tuesday May 24th, 2005 3:00:57 PM
With Trellus and Gilan able to provide much more water than she can, the average-looking woman concentrates on things that she can do best. Holding her magical rod, she weaves an extended Mage Armor about her. She also weaves an extended See Invisibility spell. "If there is anything invisible, I'll be able to pick it", she tells her pack.
"I vote to ask politely", she tells Trellus, "perhaps we can find the reason for the dam without destroying things we know little about?"
Spells Mage Armor [Extended] 10 hours +4 AC See Invisible [Extended] 100 minutes
Mac Tuesday May 24th, 2005 4:52:07 PM "I 'ave to agree with Tishe' - talk first."
Grymash Tuesday May 24th, 2005 7:12:45 PM "Whuh?! Yooz all think da biggie trees will tries an eats ya? Thays be plants ... too stupid ta do anythings!"
Hello? Anybody home? (DM MikeK) Tuesday May 24th, 2005 8:22:39 PM
Gilan and Trellus fill up the basin with water, while the others prepare for battle. Once the water creating spells are expended, the pack covers the rest of the distance to the woodline.
At the suggestion of Mac and Tishe, Gilan calls a few "hello"s at the woods.
There is no response.
The friends are some 60' from the towering trees, with little but grass in the intervening space. To the right is the dry streambed. At the intersection of treeline and riverbed, the trees become larger and more tightly intertwined. It is easy to see how a few rows of trees could easily block up the lake behind them.
Gilan d20+8=23 d20+8=23 Tuesday May 24th, 2005 11:01:05 PM
Gilan looks around the wooded area and shakes his head. "No answer to our hellos...do you think that maybe a different language would be more useful?" He will call out in not only elven but sylvan as well to see if he can get an answer.
He looks over the trees as he tries to make heads or tails out of what is going on here.
[spot 23 and listen 23]
I am alright with the summoning of creatures and figure that I had at least four create waters to use. Will put a spell list up with my next post, have to look up my character sheet again. My old computer got fried and I am using our old dinosaur.
Flea d20+13=20 d20+9=20 Tuesday May 24th, 2005 11:51:17 PM
Flea rubs her nose and looks about. "With all this wild food and stuff, there's bound to be critters about," Flea thinks to herself scanning the environs for some small burrowing mammal she may be able to echange 'words' with.
Search=20 Spot=20
Jake Wednesday May 25th, 2005 1:40:32 AM
"Okay, guys, here's a plan... Y'all let me get attacked. Ah mean, let's face it, whenever Gry or Mac is in front, they get hammered pretty near death, but ah've got mah fancy new armor on, and ah'm bettin' no plant can get through it." Jake pats his full plate with his big ol' shield to accent his point, and looks to see what the others think. "Ah mean, lemme just y'know, stumble on up. Ah'll be fine with a few weaves."
Tishe' Wednesday May 25th, 2005 3:18:14 PM
The mage shrugs. Someone has to go in first, and Jake is probably the best one to go and not get hurt. Just the same, she gets ready to back him up.
Keeping her crossbow at the ready, she scans the trees for movement or invisible creatures. "First thing that pokes a weapon at one of my packmates gets webbed to a tree.", she growls.
Spells Mage Armor [Extended] 10 hours +4 AC See Invisible [Extended] 100 minutes
Anuk d20+11=29 d20+11=12 Wednesday May 25th, 2005 6:15:57 PM
Anuk ranges along the edge of the treeline again, looking for any signs of life within. He does not enter the forest itself, though.
Spot 29, Listen 12 (nat 1, ugh)
Grymash Wednesday May 25th, 2005 7:43:53 PM
Grymash takes his double axe in hand and heads for the the nearest tree. "Yooz all want ta start wit dis one?"
Trellus d20+8=19 Wednesday May 25th, 2005 9:20:03 PM
Trellus pretty much agrees with Jake and Grymash. But, they've started weaving one pattern, might as well stick with it for awhile.
"Hold on, dudes," he cautions the fighters. "Let's try the talking pick first."
The cleric keeps his eyes on the woods, looking for signs of attack.
[Spot 19]
Nobody here but us chipmunks (DM MikeK) Wednesday May 25th, 2005 9:23:11 PM
Grymash and Jake are ready to go, and Trellus and Tishe are ready to let them.
But, more peaceful heads prevail for the moment.
Gilan tries a couple more languages, and still gets no response.
Flea and Anuk both note that the woods seem to be home to the same kinds of creatures that dotted the landscape up north. They both note the odd chipmunk, squirrel and several varieties of bird.
Gilan Wednesday May 25th, 2005 10:08:30 PM
Gilan glances to Trellus and shakes his head. "Nothing...I am starting to think that maybe we should maybe chop down a single tree." You see him shudder with the very idea and he seems to be thinking a little different though. "I could always try and talk to a tree if you want...they maybe able to give me some information?" He seems to like this idea better than hurting a tree...though he will do what he has to, to help those villagers.
Flea (AC 20, 47 HP) Thursday May 26th, 2005 12:06:55 AM
Flea waits, a few steps behind Grymash. She takes her hooked hammer in hand and makes a little chopping motion in the air. "Well, dude," she chides Grymash, "whats stopping you?"
(OOC: Ready when you are, MikeK!)
Jake d20+8=24 d20+8=10 Thursday May 26th, 2005 1:17:22 AM
Jake suddenly halts Grymash, grabbing upper arm and holding him back. "Yeah, Gry, lay off the cuttin' of the trees. Ah mean, that pretty gal lived in one of them...ah can't stand the idea of cuttin' one down, it might hurt another pretty fem, y'know? Still, ya can take apart as many of 'em bushes an' fake trees as ya want. Tell ya what, let me try this..." Jake steps forward, drawing his sword and shield, and begins trying to climb over/make his way through the piled up vegetation. (Spot 24, Listen 10 as he moves along... AC 26 to all them nasty attacks, AC 25 flatfooted)
Cold beyond description (Guest DM Daniel K) Thursday May 26th, 2005 11:18:40 AM
Suddenly the world of the Bloodpack is changed in almost everyway. Day becomes night, the world around you in encased by rock and most notably the temperature is far below anything you have ever experienced. Billowing clouds of steam roll from your mouth with every exhale and pours off of you skin forming a cloud above each member of the blood pack. Within a smallest fraction of time, skin tightens, blood flow constricts and muscles clench and release in an effort to maintain body temperature. But The environment is not the shift the Blood pack must deal with.
However surprised they might be from their sudden appearance, however chilled they might be from the air, eight pairs of eyes immediately scan the area. They quickly focus 4 targets. A powerful built youth, standing well over 6 feet and the largest of the small company, stands in a proud stance a double bladed axe sits easily in his hands. Wrapped in several layers of thick furs of grey and whites he almost disappears into the cave surrounds. Another larger than average human, standing at 6'2" with piercing blue ice for eyes and built of muscle, is clad in more great furs, but worn proudly outside is a fine weave of chain mail and a silvered emblem of Domi grafted into the chest piece. His black hair falls to his shoulders. A Longsword hangs to his right side, and a crossbow to his left.
Lying on the ground is what appears to be a fetchingly beautiful young woman. Her shoulders are just a bit broad for her slight frame. Her long dark brown hair is mostly kept in a braid, covering her ears, that is thrown over her right shoulder. She is covered in soft, supple furs of white with eyes closed and look of peace upon her face.
Kneeling by the woman is a young man on lanker build than the other humans, but equally tall. His skin and hair color match that of the prone woman and he seems wholly absorbed in her state. Fine brown and gray furs cover him head to toe, like the others. At his side is a curved sword and white wooded longbow.
A slight goatee has just begun to grace his chin. Standing just 3' 4" tall and weighing just 42 lbs., the last is a halfling or possibly a gnome. His tan skin, fair hair, and blue eyes hide behind his prominent gnomish proboscis, but for all of that he is not unattractive. Thick overdone furs, hat, and gloves--beguard him. A noisy, black shot bird noisily flaps upon in squawking protest to something.
Within mere seconds of their arrival, the eight foreigners begin to react, and react as a team. Minotaur, half-orc, and platemailed figure reach for weapons and step forward. They reach for a greataxe, a huge orcish double bladed axe, and longsword respectively. The gnome flows to her right, producing a curious shaped hook/hammer. The bow wielding man pulls his weapon as he moves in practiced harmony with the gnome. The cleric, the woman, and the last man begin moving their hands and fingers, in preparation of various incantations.
Game shift to Ice Vein board The Icers have responded to your arrival please post as well. You have time to take one standard action (or say something).
LOG ON