Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 55/55 AC: 28/14/15 - Faoil: 23/23 AC 21/14/18 (Kim for Corsario) Saturday August 29th, 2015 11:32:27 PM
Hazel laughs. "Alleah, Murphy, I'm going to have to check the shape of your tongues when this is over." He does refrain from hurling any more sling bullets at the snakes, and backs up toward the cave opening, yet keeps his sling staff at the ready, just in case. He will try to get out of the cave before the snakes do - yet if he sees them attacking those still in the cave, will begin to sling bullets at them.
Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 54/54, CMD: 20) (Kent) hide d20+13=26 ; Sunday August 30th, 2015 11:28:16 AM
Still trying to stay out of sight, Trill keeps her bow trained on the lead snake just in case.
hide d20+13=26 ;
Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) d20+1=20 ; Monday August 31st, 2015 7:15:26 PM
Mookie catches on and issues orders to his "men"
Bluff (trained!) 20! Woo hoo! Best bluff ever for a Cha7 raven!
Bliss, meanwhile, remains ready (readied action) to shoot a snake that attacks his friends.
[DM Hugh] "When did Mookie become a General? Did I miss something" d20+3=11 ; d20+3=6 ; d20+3=16 ; d20+11=20 ; d20+11=31 ; d20+11=18 ; Monday August 31st, 2015 11:02:20 PM Alleah blinks in surprise at the halted snakes then questions them further in their own tongue. She lets the others know that she has a dialogue going.
Murphy reverts to halfling form, casts speak with animals, asks the snakes to wait a moment and let them have the belongings of the humans. He asks Alleah what she said and then lays out the plan, that they let the snakes go unharmed if they give them the items from the raft people and anyone who survived.
Alleah quietly explains that she told the snakes they had a small army.
Murphy plays along with the ruse and tells the snakes to follow General Mookie to food.
Shel is confused by the talk of General Mookie and would like nothing more for the snakes to steer clear of her.
Hazel refrains from tossing any more stones and keeps pace with the snakes as they exit the cave.
Trill tries to stay out of sight and keeps her bow trained on the lead snake just in case.
Mookie relays Murphy's orders to his "men" and Bliss remains ready to shoot at any snake that attack his friends.
Alleah and Murphy Highlight to display spoiler: { The first snake says, "We ate all the men. We were hungry. Sssssnakessss need to eat."
The second snake echos, "Hungry."
The third snakes says, "Their itemsssss are on the far sssside of the pool."
The second snake notices Trill with notched arrow as they slither down the cave and says, "You sssssaid your sssssoldierssss would ssssstand down. Isssss it not sssssso?" }
The snakes slither out of the cave, leaving the party alone. Hazel keeps pace ahead of them his sling staff at the ready just in case.
Upon exiting the cave, Hazel and the snakes are greeted by the site of Mookie perched on Thistle's back.
Murphy and Alleah Highlight to display spoiler: {
"The general is giving usssss a pony?" You hear the third snake ask.
"Perhapsssss." The second snake hopes.
"Let usssss sssssee." The first snake says.
}
The snakes slither toward Thistle and Mookie.
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39 Monday August 31st, 2015 11:14:47 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {"Thankyou, oh most helpful serpents. I will leave some food here in your cave for your return"} Alleah hisses a few words to the snakes as they start to leave the cave
"Bliss? If you're there, the snakes said the items they took from the men they ate are on the far side of this cave. Grab them and let's get out of here. This place gives me the creeps"
Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) Tuesday September 1st, 2015 11:32:22 AM
Bliss detects magic to pinpoint the magic items.
Bliss dismisses his reduce, and with his greater strength, grabs all the cash, gems, jewelry, and magic loot he can carry, and he heads out.
Murphy CMD 18, CMB 7 AC 16 HP 43/43 - (Kim) d20+16=22 ; Tuesday September 1st, 2015 4:01:06 PM
Murphy traveled closely with the snakes. As soon as they identify Thistle as potential food, he tells them, "The general does not want you to eat his horse. If you do so, you will be shot full of arrows and sliced into tiny pieces, and you will not enjoy the feast that awaits you."
As he speaks, he runs to Thistle, takes her reins, and moves her off the side of the path. He says to Mookie, "Would you mind flying ahead of these hungry creatures, and letting them gorge themselves on the dead snakes?" Unless Mookie strenously objects, he says to the three, "Go that way, snakes, and General Mookie will fly and tell you where the large and tasty food awaits you. Soon you will not be hungry."
[Perception 22]
Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 Tuesday September 1st, 2015 4:55:04 PM
Once the snakes leave the general area, Shel finally allows herself to breathe. "Those things are the worst! We need to get out of here quickly, before the figure out we don't actually have an army, and that Mookie isn't actually a general!" She casts Detect Magic, as well, moving to help Bliss identify and lug out any items.
Before exiting the cave, she looks around in all directions a couple times, making sure one of the serpents isn't waiting to give her a hug yet again.
Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 22/55 AC: 28/14/15 - Faoil: 10/23 AC 21/14/18 (Kim for Corsario, as Hazel takes his leave for now) Tuesday September 1st, 2015 10:37:09 PM
Hazel speaks to the party members, "Look, you all need to go around a ways, and make good time. I'll follow the snakes until they get to the battlefield, then Faoil and I will ride off a different direction. Tell them - the snakes, that is - I won't attack them - none of us will - so long as they don't attack us.
"Just in case, though, can one of you do one of the running fast spells on Faoil, first? If the snakes gorge themselves on the other snakes, then I'm not too worried - they won't be in any condition to do any chasing. If they don't, though, or get funny ideas, then my dog and I will run like the wind. I'll work around the long way to get back to the barge. If you get there first, go ahead without me. I've been on my own before, and reckon I can do just fine again if need be. Just know this: I will be home in time for my wedding!"
Murphy CMD 14 AC 16 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Tuesday September 1st, 2015 10:44:16 PM
"Hazel? You are batty! We've got to stick together, brother!"
As he says this, though, he sees Hazel's face put on that resolute look he knows from way back. No way he is going to get him to change his mind on this.
"Well, come over here, then, Bob Danderfluff LaRue, and I can cast longstrider on Faoil."
"Snakes - THAT way!" he says to the snakes, interrupting his conversation with Hazel.
He casts the spell on the curly-haired hound, rubs him behind the ears for a moment, chucks him under the chin, suffers himself to receive a big lick on the cheek from the dog, then says, "Be safe, Haz. I wanna be your best man again."
[DM Hugh] "The general does not want you to eat his horse." Tuesday September 1st, 2015 10:51:15 PM Alleah thanks the serpents in their native tongue and promises to leave some food for them. She then asks Bliss to grab the men's belongings and get out of there.
From the shadows a larger than usual Bliss appears carrying the loot that was lying over by where he had been hiding.
Murphy's quick actions prevent the snakes from eating Thistle. He takes the poor pony's reins and guides it to the side. Mookie then flies off toward where they had fought the other snakes, the new snakes in tow.
She helps Bliss carry the loot out of the cave and gives it a once over before leaving, making sure that none of the snakes are going to pop out and give her a hug.
A short while later Mookie returns to the party gathered outside of the cave.
From the treasure you have magical bracers, a magical cloak,a magical mithral chainshirt, a finely crafted medium rapier that is not magical, a finely crafted short sword that is not magical, a finely crafted composite medium shortbow with a +1 strength rating, 20 mundane arrows in a quiver, a tanglefoot bag, a magical wand, a magical potion, a non magical freshwater irregular pearl and a magical small feather.
The snakes are busy feasting on their fallen, you have the gear that the unfortunate merchants were carrying and their raft is now salvage. Although you couldn't save the men you did make the swamp / river somewhat safer for future travelers by reducing the number of large snakes in the area. What is your next move?
Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 54/54, CMD: 20) (Kent) Tuesday September 1st, 2015 11:11:45 PM
Trill breathes more easily as the snakes move out and relaxes her stance as they move out of the cave.
After they have left, she looks around at the others, a mixture of surprise, relief, worry, and shock crossing her face as she speaks.
"Are we really going to leave them alive to waylay other unsuspecting travelers? I mean I understand about revering life and all that I really do, but they already have a taste for humanoids all ready and apparently found them a fairly easy meal. I mean what if they catch a family next time, with children? Are you all right with that knowing you might have kept them safe?"
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39 Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 12:09:56 AM "Hmm... it doesn't feel right to kill a creature for what it might do. Should I kill all the blacksmiths, for the weapons they make might be used one day to kill someone else? However, I do see your point, Trill. Is anyone able to cast a Detect Evil spell? If they register as evil then we should see to it that they cannot harm anyone again. If they do not detect as evil, however, then as simply creatures of nature I suggest we let them be"
Alleah has put forward her case as simply as she can.
Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) d20+6=16 ; d20+6=12 ; d20+6=13 ; d20+6=8 ; d20+6=13 ; d20+6=24 ; Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 12:37:42 AM
Mookie flies off, leading the snakes to the dead meat a-plenty over near the quicksand. Then he returns toot sweet.
While Mookie is doing that, Bliss tries to ID the loot. Spellcraft checks, boosted by Guidance: 16, 12, 13, 8, 13, 24. Maybe he can tell what the 6th item is. There are six magic items? :-)
Bliss wonders about that cave with the little lake and the island in the middle. Is that natural? Did someone make that cave like that? Maybe they should check for secret doors? Swim down into the lake just to see what there is to see?
Bliss is glad a fight did not break out. But he is sad that the lost merchants turned out to be dead. He just doesn't understand why they left the safety of the river in the first place.
"Can anyone figure out why those merchants would head off into the dangerous swamp?" he asks.
Murphy CMD 14 AC 16 HP 43/43 - (Kim) d20+16=18 ; Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 1:49:44 AM
"We can place warning signs for a few miles up and downstream of the landing site of the raft. 'Warning: Large & Deadly Snakes - Keep on Moving'" Murphy suggests. "Yes, killing them may save lives down the road, Trill. Perhaps we can let other people know, and some adventurers may choose to come and rid the Wold of them. But I told the snakes if they followed our directions, we would not kill them. They followed our directions. I may not kill them at this time. - though what you say does carry weight."
He concurs with Alleah. "They are animals. Evil? They likely feel that way to someone being attacked by them."
When Mookie returns, he says, "Thank you, Mookie, for playing along with the framework Alleah gave us to work with. You are a trooper, uh, General."
He considers Bliss's question. "I've been thinking about that, too, Bliss." It feels strange to see the young halfling at a somewhat more normal halfling size. "Were the snakes somehow able to communicate with them? Did they go willingly? Is there someone else in the area who has been working with the snakes? Did they the merchants somehow think to gain a profit? As I know of no way to question them - their bodies are deep in the gullets of the snakes we just sent away - I do not know how to get answers to these questions."
He takes a moment to go deep into the cave, as had Bliss. He calls out. "Is anyone still here? Are there any survivors of the raft?" He waits a few moments, and looks about, to see if the cave might continue onward. He also keeps an eye out for any smaller snakes in the area. Surely they breed.
[Perception: 18]
Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 d20+19=34 ; d20+19=38 ; d20+19=22 ; d20+19=27 ; d20+19=25 ; d20+19=36 ; Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 7:25:48 AM
Shel casts Identify on all the items and glances to see If She can tell About their magical abilities. Once she does so, she again hurries the group on, not comfortable to wait around for the snakes to return.
Murphy CMD 14 AC 16 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 9:58:20 PM
After checking the cave, Murphy takes up Bliss on his suggestion. "I'd be happy to swim down there to check it out, if someone will come with me, and if someone can hold on to a rope I'll tie around my waist."
"And, yes, Shel, we ought to not tarry long - but it's going to take those snakes at least an hour or two to swallow all that - and snakes tend to just kind of loll about after a huge meal."
Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 54/54, CMD: 20) (Kent) Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 10:27:45 PM
Trill listens to the others and while she agrees with what they are saying, she has this horrible feeling that something dire is going to come of this. She hopes she is wrong but....
"I understand what you are both saying, how how is it that they first marched them all the way here before eating them? How is it that there were NO signs of the humans trying to escape? How is it that there weapons are simply lying here with their other belongings with no sign of even being used. Even merchants would fight to save their lives and or try to escape and yet these did no such thing. Is that normal behavior for folk of these parts?"
Yes I think we should at least leave some sort of notice for future unsuspecting travelers but I think that we will regret letting them live.
[DM Hugh] " Should I kill all the blacksmiths, for the weapons they make might be used one day to kill someone else? " Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 10:36:41 PM Trill questions the morality of leaving the snakes alive, after all they do seem to have a taste for humanoids.
Alleah argues it isn't fair to kill someone for what they may do asking if she should round up and execute all the blacksmiths for the weapons they make that could one day kill someone. She suggests if anyone knows how to cast detect evil have them cast it on the snakes and if they register as evil do something about them and if not leave them alone.
Mookie leads the snakes to the food and Bliss tries to identify the properties of the magic items they found but no luck. He is glad that a fight didn't break out but is sad that the merchants are dead and questions why they would leave the safety of the boat.
Hazel and Faoil escort the snakes as well. If they get to frisky the ranger and animal companion will lead them away.
Murphy suggests placing warning signs to deter people from investigating the area. He thanks Mookie for his role in the charade and then agrees with Alleah concerning the snakes. He ponders potential motives for the merchants, but admits he has no way of knowing why they entered the swamp. He also keeps his eyes out for smaller snakes and calls out one last time for survivors. There is no answer.
Shel identifies the items as bracers of armor + 1, cloak of resistance +1, mithral chain shirt +1, a wand of cure light wounds with 50 charges, a potion of bull's strength, and a feather token of the fan variety.
Murphy suggests checking the pool around the island as Bliss was curious about that too. The party heads back into the cave figuring they have a few hours at least before the snakes return. Murphy ties a rope around himself and holds it out for someone in the party to hold onto as he steels himself to explore the cave.
(OOC: I need a rope holder and I need to know what form Murphy is going to take)
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39 Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 10:43:57 PM
Trill's questions are fantasically well thought out, and all Alleah can do is open her mouth and silently close it again. She has no answers.
"Would anyone mind me holding on to the wand as a party item?"
Alleah finds a small stone and casts "Light" on it. "This should help you explore" she says, handing it to Murphy.
She does not volunteer to go swimming however.
Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 Thursday September 3rd, 2015 7:07:48 AM
Shel tells the others about her magical study. "I've got a cloak and bracers that are identical, so I know exactly what they do. The rest of the year is useful too."
When Alleah takes the same, Shel has no objection. "Just keep us standing upright," she smiled.
She knew that she was not going to be able to help Murphy with his explorations so she waited with the others
Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) Thursday September 3rd, 2015 12:13:21 PM
Bliss will hold onto the rope!
But first he cancels his Reduce and casts Enlarge Person on himself.
"Look everybody! I'm a giant!" he declares, holding on tight.
Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 54/54, CMD: 20) (Kent) Thursday September 3rd, 2015 10:14:33 PM
Trill steps up to Murphy and Bliss and offers her help with the underwater exploration.
"What do you need me to do? I will help however I can."
If no one else mentions wanting to carry the wand She will offer to carry / employ it for the good of the party.
[DM Hugh] "Look everybody! I'm a giant!" Thursday September 3rd, 2015 10:33:56 PM Alleah volunteers to carry the new wand as a party item. She also casts light on a stone and hands the glowing rock to Murphy
Shel explains how she identified the items and voices no objection to Alleah carrying the wand. She then stands clear of the expedition.
Bliss cancels his reduce person and instead grows to giant size (for a halfling) which is more akin to human.
Trill also offers to help with the expedition.
Trill and Bliss lower Murphy down into the water and Murphy begins his investigation.
Murphy Perception DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { By the light of Alleah's stone you make out a glint of metal from the floor of the pool. Upon further investigation you find that the glint of metal belongs to a mithral chain shirt not unlike the one found on the surface. It must have fallen into the pool. You may take the chain shift to the surface with you. }
Murphy's investigation of the pool reveals no new passageways in or out of the cave by using the pool. You should probably think about moving on, who knows when the snakes will return to their cave lair?
Murphy CMD 14 AC 16 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Friday September 4th, 2015 2:24:28 AM
[on vacation - trouble posting from the car on Thursday]
Just prior to diving in, Murphy changed (modestly, strategically using his clothing and backpack to shield from others' eyes) into a fairly sleek swimming suit. He arranged a few signals with Bliss and those above, dove down with Alleah's handy lighted rock, and found a mithral chain shirt on the bottom. He came back up for air, let his friends know of his find, dove down again, tightened a prepared loop of rope around the maille, and signalled for Bliss to haul him up.
"Well, no extra openings that I could find. Who would like to wear this fine shirt? I do not do too well in metal armor myself."
Once that matter is attended to, Murphy asks, "Shall we be off, then? And, if so, Bliss, can you ask Mookie to let us know the best alternate route out of here and back to the raft that does not pass right next the snakes' feasting grounds?"
If Mookie will do so, and everyone else agrees, then he will follow the General's directions. Back to the raft.
Should the party make it back to the raft intact, he will work with his friends to get everyone aboard, launch it, and follow after the other raft - using night lighting if necessary to help navigate up river.
[Pull me back, Mister Hugh, if other things happen to us between the snakes' lair and the raft.]
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39 d20+8=22 ; Friday September 4th, 2015 7:03:51 AM
Alleah will help pull Murphy from the water. If a Prestidigitation spell will help dry him off, she'll cast it.
She also casts Detect Magic and tries to ascertain what the armor he found might be (Spellcraft check: 22)
Finally, Alleah will take 2 hunks of meat from her kit and leave them in the cave as promised. She doesn't want to develop a reputation as the sort of girl who would lie to snakes. That just wouldn't be proper!
Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 Friday September 4th, 2015 7:28:24 AM
Shel was happy to be leaving the awful cave. "Let's hurry. We still have a long way to go before getting home. The sooner the better! I don't ever remember huge snakes at the Ford," she laughs as they were on their way.
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