Sights and Sounds [DM SteveK] Friday June 15th, 2007 6:46:36 PM
Vauhwyt climbs a tree with Mookie Monkey, and gets a look inside the palisade. It is busy inside the defensive works, and is evident that it is also organized. Female lizardfolk work at a communal firepit with a couple of long carcasses; littles are slowly turning the spits. Vauwyt can see in the flickering light some grey-scaled elders making crossbows in front of one hut, and there is an arena with wrestling lizardfolk is in front of another. In front of the long house, in full view of everyone, there are eight humanoids chained to poles. As Vauhwyt is watching, one of the warriors watching the wrestling match walks over to the food area and grabs something round from a basket. While walking back, the warrior moves by the prisoners and casually kicks one before walking back to the wrestling match. From the lack of attention by lizardfolk and prisoners both, this seems like a normal occurance that doesn't spark much interest either way.
Theodore, Oni, and Berlon discuss the merits of putting holes in the canoes. Immediately, Vorelle and Umbriel can tell that while the party could easily punch holes in the hide-covered coracles and wicker rafts, the dugouts are another story. The large war dugouts are made of wood and at least a couple inches thick!
And to top off matters, Sho'va begins growling, bristling, and looking back down the darkened path behind you...
Theodore & Macaw HP 29 AC 16 (Mage Armor) Sunday June 17th, 2007 10:30:13 AM
Theodore looks back at Sho'va and his eyes glance back up the path. He quickly straps his staff to his pack and pulls forth his crossbow, placing a bolt against the barrel.
"Something's coming!" he whispers fiercely.
Umbriel *ac21, hp52, Dark Vision* d20+20=37 d20+20=39 d20+13=28 d20+17=32 d20+13=26 Sunday June 17th, 2007 9:41:50 PM
First hearing, then through the proclamation from Theo of someone or something coming up from behind, Umbriel quickly pulls up the hood of his cloak and steps back into the diminishing light of the swamp, 10 feet off of the path and begins slowly moving towards the back of the group off the path.
Hide in Shadows: 37 Move Silently: 39
With his loaded light crossbow in hand he begins scanning the area for who or what might be coming.
Listen: 28 Search: 32 Spot: 26
Vorelle d20+19=37 d20+19=36 Monday June 18th, 2007 12:01:54 AM
Vorelle, too, nocks an arrow and attempts to hide herself.
[Hide 37, Move Silently 36]
Berlon - Air Walk, Guidance (10r) Monday June 18th, 2007 12:40:57 AM
Berlon mutters under his breath as he tries to hide himself from whatever is heading towards the group. He will make sure to try to get next to Vauhwyt. Assuming he can, he whispers, "Either you do this, or I will. We have to move quickly..."
Create Water, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Guidance x3 (2 used) Command, Divine Favor, Obscuring Mist, Remove Fear (used), Sanctuary, Shield of Faith Silence, Summon II, Shield Other, Bull's Strength/Identify CF&W (used), Prayer (used), Wind Wall/Dispel Magic Air Walk (used), Divine Power/Imbue
Oni 17 AC 70 HP Sho'va 17 AC 36HP Monday June 18th, 2007 3:00:44 PM
Oni recognizes the growl as an alarm of sorts. He backs his way off the path noiselessly. his druid training coming in use now. One he has moved 10 feet from the path, he calls Sho'va, in a whispering tone. The wolf follows him in to the wood. She turns to face the path, directly in front of Oni, crouched ready to spring. Oni whisors soothingly to the wolf.
Vauhwyt is immediately more worried about the threat from the rear ... and the danger of alerting the camp!
She scrambles quietly down the tree (Climb 21, Move Silent 29), then moves to hide, taking a -5 on the check and moving up to 30 feet with each move action (half speed with expeditious retreat) (Hide 29)
She watches and listens to see what will happen. (Spot 10, Listen 10)
Spells used:
Two of six 0th Level Four of seven 1st Level Three of three 2nd Level
Bag of Tricks: one of ten this week
In the Dark [SteveK] d20+1=9 d20+4=11 Monday June 18th, 2007 7:14:18 PM
Theodore gets his crossbow ready and hisses that there is something out there.
Umbriel all but disappears into the darkness as he gets ready to flank anything on the path behind the group.
Vorelle readies an arrow and blends into the dark forest. Champ stays quiet beside her, though his hackles are also bristling.
Berlon whispers to Vauhwyt, but the liontaur doesn't seem to notice what the gnome is speaking of.
Oni moves into the underbrush, making the usual noise of a four-hoofed being in the bushes. (ooc: Woodland Stride and Trackless Step do not confer silent movement) He summons Sho'va to his side and the two face the path tensely.
Vauhwyt climbs down from the tree, and hides in the shadow of its trunk.
Rose keeps very quiet by not moving.
The swamp is scented with cypress, mangrove, and magnolia as the heroes wait tensely in the dark. From behind you, the bonfires of the lizardfolk village flicker barely on the trees next to Vauhwyt and Vorelle. They are not seen at all further in the swampy bracken.
Near the trail behind you, there is no sound of twigs or leaves or sucking mud. There is also no sound of night insects either.
Posting Report for 6/11/07 Monday June 18th, 2007 7:57:50 PM
MTWTF
DM SteveK XOXXX Berlon XOXXX Oni XOXXX Rose XOOOO Theodore XOXXX Umbriel XOXOX Vauhwyt XOXXX Vorelle XOXOX
ADM Shegger
Umbriel Monday June 18th, 2007 8:43:36 PM
Stops. Braces for an attack. Waits.
(rolls still in effect from last post?)
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday June 18th, 2007 10:40:17 PM
Whispers to Berlon ... "Huh? Not sure what the heck you are talking about, friend."
Creeps 70 feet closer back the way the group came, looking for whatever made Shova nervous. (Rolls from last post are fine.)
Vorelle d20+19=25 d20+19=26 d20+12=15 d20+12=28 Monday June 18th, 2007 11:26:55 PM
[OOC: I thought Champ was staying behind?] sorry. taking Champ back to the boat
Vorelle shifts a little closer to the edge of the trees, trying to stay hidden and out of sight.
[5-foot shift to the edge of the clearing.]
[Hide 25, Move Silently 26. Spot 15, Listen 28]
Theodore & Macaw HP 29 AC 16 (Mage Armor) d20+2=6 d20+5=23 Tuesday June 19th, 2007 10:20:26 AM
Theodore watches as his friends drift off the path to hide leaving himself and Vorelle to their own devices.
"Dang it!" he whispers, and tries to move east into the trees.
(Move Silently 6, Hide 23)
Oni 21AC 70 HP Sho'va 17 AC 36HP [mage armor 1 hour] Tuesday June 19th, 2007 1:01:29 PM
With the threat of looming battle, Oni reaches into his pack and pulls forth a recent bought vial. He downs the liquad in one gulp. An instant feeling of greater protection surrounds him.
Berlon - Air Walk, Guidance (9r) Tuesday June 19th, 2007 5:36:42 PM
Berlon sighs slightly as he waits with the others to see what is going on. "Once we deal with whatever this is," he mutters to Vauhwyt, "we have to move quickly and decisively. Both are things we don't seem to be very good at."
Before Vauhwyt moves away, he adds, "Make sure you protect the others..."
rose Tuesday June 19th, 2007 7:00:33 PM
Rose quietly moves over to Berlon and whispers "I'm sorry I wasnt paying attention earlier Berlon, here you go it's my only one so dont waste it." and as she casts a spell on him he fades away.
cast invisibility on berlon, lasts 4 min or until he attacks.
Company [DM SteveK] d20+1=3 d20+1=12 Tuesday June 19th, 2007 7:07:11 PM
Umbriel keeps watch on the trail.
Vauhwyt moves through the bushes as silently as possible.
Vorelle (without Champ) shifts to the clearing, and watches the village. Sounds can faintly be heard over the pallisade; the crackling of fire, occasional strain of music or shout, but it is much to far to hear more than that.
Theodore scuttles into the bushes as quietly as possible.
Oni drinks a potion and waits.
Berlon waits and reminds Vauhwyt to protect the others.
Rose casts her invisibility spell on Berlon to give the cleric an edge in battle.
Vauhwyt and Umbriel are the first to notice... There! In the trees on the western side of the path there are two figures slowly making thier way north towards the village. The branches hide most of them, but the two heroes are able to note that they are reptilian humanoids and they don't seem to have any weapons or armor at the ready. They crouch and pause at a loud noise from the village. After a minute, they continue to make thier slow way north. They are not using the path, but staying in the mangroves and underbrush.
Umbriel d20+20=39 d20+20=39 d20+13=27 d20+13=25 d20+17=37 Tuesday June 19th, 2007 9:05:29 PM
Using the shadows and his honed skills, Umbriel moves stealthily to a position about 15 feet behind the 2 creatures attempting to sneak up on the village.
Hide: 39 Move Silently: 39
Will continue to search and see if the duo has friends.
Listen: 27 Search: 37 (nat.20) Spot: 25
Vorelle Wednesday June 20th, 2007 12:04:18 AM
Vorelle waits, but does not see or hear anything untoward.
"Wh-wh-what n-now?" she whispers.
Theodore & Macaw HP 29 AC 16 (Mage Armor) Wednesday June 20th, 2007 9:05:43 AM
"We should subdue them," Theodore whispers back to Vorelle and any others who can hear him. "They might have information about the camp. I can physically stop them, or at least slow them enough for us to get a hold of them, but I can't keep them from shouting for help."
Berlon - Air Walk, Guidance (8r), Invis (40r) Wednesday June 20th, 2007 1:17:45 PM
"Why, thank you, Rose!" Berlon says quietly with an invisible smile.
With that, the gnome will beat invisible, air-walking feet towards the encampment. He will "climb" in the air as high as he can get, making a full run towards the camp, and try to get a better overview of the situation. He will also look back towards the group to see if there are any others following behind.
Vauhwyt Wednesday June 20th, 2007 3:59:11 PM
The liontaur very softly whispers to her friends the location of the sneaky reptilians. She asks Berlon if he has a Silence spell prepped. IF he does, maybe the course of events will be veery different.
But if he does not ...
She is very encouraged by the fact that the reptilians are being sneaky and trying to be silent. And that they jumped a little when there was a big noise from the camp. Vauhwyt wonders (and messages) that maybe these are enemies of our enemies.
Vauhwyt is very much afraid that a confrontation would be loud and dangerous. If the party could simply stay still and avoid them, then great. In fact, if it looks like we can avoid them, then do nothing.
BUT if they are going to stumble on us anyway, then before they do so, Vauhwyt will READY a message spell (no save allowed). She will say, "Hold on therre, friends. Stay still and we can play this nice and quiet-like. Just whisper and we can have us a happy little chat, with no one getting hurt, and no one getting too noisy."
If she has misjudged the situation and the reptilians send up a hue and cry, then oh well ... but short of a silence spell, there's not a lot that could have been done about that anyway.
Company [DM SteveK] d20+1=18 d20+1=2 Wednesday June 20th, 2007 8:04:43 PM
ooc: map is emailed to players.
Umbriel moves to a position behind the 2 creatures. He moves so smoothly through the underbrush that the two sneaking lizards seem to not see him even when he crosses the path. Glancing back, it looks like these two are alone.
Vorelle waits and whispers.
Theodore speculates, but can't see the sneaking lizardfolk, nor can Rose or Vorelle. The 'action' is taking place in the dark through 30 feet of dense undergrowth.
Berlon thanks Rose and then, invisible, climbs the air in a full run (x4 = 80 feet) to see about the lizardfolk town. Looking backwards, he doesn't see any movement in the woods to the south of the group. But looking forwards is another matter. He sees the cooking fire and lizardfolk eating in the western side of the village. There is 10-12 more wrestling and doing feats of strength on the north side. There are guards on the longhouse, prisoners, and dock that Berlon can see. He also notices something unusual from other lizardfolk that his village has come in contact with. The guards have chain hauberks, steel swords, and Berlon has seen more than one crossbow!
Vauhwyt thinks that the two sneaking lizardfolk will indeed find the group before too much longer. She also sees the darkvision form of Umbriel sneaking quietly behind the two. And so she sends a message via spell; "Hold on therre, friends. Stay still and we can play this nice and quiet-like. Just whisper and we can have us a happy little chat, with no one getting hurt, and no one getting too noisy."
The two crouching lizardfolk freeze and their eyes dart about. A medium liontaur is only 10 feet away, but the deep shadows hide her completely. One seems very nervous and is visibly shaking like it is ready to bolt, yet the second is very, very still. A couple of seconds pass and the second one speaks in fairly good commontongue. "YEss. Have happy little chat. Not too noisy."
Theodore & Macaw HP 29 AC 16 (Mage Armor) Thursday June 21st, 2007 9:10:25 AM
Theodore stays where he is, quietly waiting to see what happens next.
Oni 21AC 70 HP Sho'va 17 AC 36HP [mage armor 1 hour] Thursday June 21st, 2007 12:17:54 PM
Oni stays put. No reason to go off scaring whatever enimies or friends they might gain. A diversion would be needed if they were to get in to free the captives. Oni puts his mind toward these thoughts.
Vauhwyt Thursday June 21st, 2007 1:26:10 PM
The liontaur smiles and listens to see if her friends want to add anything to the conversation.
She herself whispers, so that everybody -- allies and strange reptilian pair -- can hear through the Message spell:
Me and my friends have a job to do herre, a job that is quiet and secret. Maybe there is a some fighting laterr, maybe not, we'll see. You two reptile people have a job here too. Your job is quiet and secret. Maybe you choose to go your way and we go ours? Of maybe we choose to tell some secrets and work togetherr? Which choice do you pick, my new friends?
I will tell you a little secret. We are not friends of the people who live in that village therre."
rose d20+8=20 d4+2=6 Thursday June 21st, 2007 2:59:36 PM
rose hides behind vauhwyt and remains quiet. if the lizards attack rose will use her bow on them.
ready action fire bow, only if lizards attack us. attack: 20 damage: 6
Vorelle d20+12=17 d20+12=21 Thursday June 21st, 2007 4:19:16 PM
As she awaits the outcome of Vauhwyt's negotiations, Vorelle remains alert for anything else coming the group's way.
[Spot 17, Listen 21]
Umbriel Thursday June 21st, 2007 5:42:34 PM
Keeping his crossbow leveled on the lizardmen, Umbriel listens easily to every word that they say.
Company [DM SteveK] Thursday June 21st, 2007 6:50:22 PM
Everyone is tense, waiting on the negotiations between Vauhwyt and the lizardfolk. The two crouching lizards have a reptilian whispered conversation, and then the bold one slowly straightens and slowly, deliberately moves to stand in the trail and open space. He is followed by the other one.
"Yess", speaks the bold one. "We will tell ssecretss. You ssee we are alone, we are unarmed, you have the advantage of uss. But forgive uss if we are not certain you could be of the village and sseek to trick uss our ssecretss. Come and fayss uss."
Berlon - Air Walk, Guidance (7r), Invis (39r) Thursday June 21st, 2007 7:39:02 PM
Once he gets a good overview of the situation, Berlon will run back towards the group, still invisible. He will remain silent and invisible until Vauhwyt is done with the current conversation.
Theodore & Macaw Friday June 22nd, 2007 9:16:21 AM
Theodore stays hidden in the trees with his crossbow pointed towards the sky, but ready for use should things get ugly.
He's heartened by Vauhwyt's words to the strangers. Perhaps we've found some allies, he thinks.
Oni 21AC 70 HP Sho'va 17 AC 36HP [mage armor 1 hour Friday June 22nd, 2007 12:23:38 PM
Secretive or not, a centaur and a large wolf materializing from the wood could not appear good. Oni stays put.
Vorelle Friday June 22nd, 2007 1:35:06 PM
Vorelle will not be the first to step out of her hiding-place. However, if any of the rest of the group moves forward, Vorelle also shows herself.
Umbriel d20+13=24 d20+13=28 d20+15=27 Friday June 22nd, 2007 1:52:22 PM
Certain that Vauhwyt will be the one to step out to negotiate, Umbriel stays put. Keeping his crossbow aimed between the shoulder-blades of the Lizardman who seems less certain about the situation. But still keeps his wits about for others. Including a suprise, should there be one, from the village.
Listen: 24 Search: 27 Spot: 28
Hide still in effect, havent moved, DC39
Vauhwyt Friday June 22nd, 2007 1:57:26 PM
The three-foot tall liontaur agrees. She steps out and then whispers, "Fair enough. Here I am. Maybe another friend or two of mine will step out too? Some are shy."
Then she says, "Here is another secret. We want to find some friends that have been captured and rescue them before they are killed."
Company [DM SteveK] Saturday June 23rd, 2007 11:52:37 AM
Berlon and Vorelle keep watch on the village to the north while the other heroes are concentrating on the activity to the south. It looks like there is no reaction from the village for any of the quiet activity among the mangroves and cypress.
Umbriel keeps his crossbow leveled at the two ahead of him while scanning the underbrush down the trail. He is confident that there is no further activity from that direction. These two are alone.
The others wait tensely as Vauhwyt steps into the trail. Both lizardfolk react with widened eyes and a tremor of excitement. They speak quickly to one another in a lizardfolk, then turn back to Vauhwyt. The one that had been nervous is almost quivering in, could it be, excitement? The bold one scans the mangroves behind Vauhwyt then speaks expectantly, his voice louder so the whole group can hear.
"You are the liontaur of Dirt City." It is not a question, but a confirmation of an assumption. "Where iss the Bear-Who-Manwalkss? We know you to be honorable and friendss and may help uss. Thliss-Ka will rejoisse to know you are in our sswampss again."
The younger one speaks up, not able to dampen his enthusiasm. "He isss not far. We can take you to him. Ressscue the humansss and weaken the evil sssamansss power!"
rose Saturday June 23rd, 2007 2:28:23 PM
rose peeks out from behind Vauhwyt as she lowers her bow.
Theodore and Macaw Sunday June 24th, 2007 10:57:00 AM
Seeing Vauhwyt reveal herself to the lizardmen gives Theodore courage.
Friends?
The wizards steps from the foliage with his crossbow aimed at the sky. He nods to the two lizardmen with a smile.
"Hello, I'm Theodore."
Umbriel d20+20=37 d20+20=34 d20+13=26 d20+15=32 d20+13=24 Sunday June 24th, 2007 11:37:15 AM
Thinks to himself: hmmmmm.
Umbriel moves to the edge of the path, 10 feet further down it. Keeping his senses on alert.
Berlon - Air Walk, Guidance (6r) Monday June 25th, 2007 12:21:49 AM
"Dietrich the Bear is currently back in Dirt City," Berlon says emphatically as he dismisses the invisibility spell (still a foot off the ground for added effect) to reveal himself to the two lizardmen. Nodding to them he adds, "Lead the way."
"Quickly and quietly."
Vorelle d20+12=25 d20+12=25 Monday June 25th, 2007 12:54:48 AM
Vorelle stepped out of hiding shortly after Vauhwyt did. She still keeps on alert for any other threats.
[Spot 25, Listen 25]
Oni 21AC 70 HP Sho'va 17 AC 36HP [mage armor 1 hour Monday June 25th, 2007 1:44:15 PM
If the two lizardmen actually agree to lead them to their leader, Oni will show himself. He and Sho'va take up the rear guard again. He muses at the sight of their motley crew. What will the lizardmen think when they see a drow and a drowtaur, traveling with the Dirt City group?
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