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[DM Mark] If they wanted their dishes, they shouldn't have left them... 
Friday October 23rd, 2015 8:39:35 PM
Bliss takes the dishes under the pretence of cleaning up. Presumably, he dumps the food off the dishes and onto the table as he “cleans up.”

Shel says they need to be very careful trusting anyone in the woods, and warns the others not to eat the food, keeping an eye out for the gnomes.

Aleah offers to remove the Trill’s curse with a bath, but later. She suggests they leave.

Murphy magically purifies the food, and packs much of it up, avoiding the wine.

Pressi also grabs some food, also wary about the returning gnomes.

With Kezzem’s help, everyone including Thistle is free of the entangling vegetation.

Trill laments her newfound clumsyness. She also grabs some food.

Mookie plans to pawn the dishes Bliss stole, er, I mean cleaned up. He promises to share the proceeds.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Please specify:

Marching order, 5’ wide path
Marching order, 10’ wide path
Plans, prep, locations and watch for when you sleep

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39 
Friday October 23rd, 2015 11:47:23 PM
Alleah will give Thistle a good pat down "Good boy. I know you were a bit scared in that battle, but I'm glad you didn't run off"

She will offer anyone who wants to a ride on Thistle's back. As for marching order, her eyes are not as keen as others in the party. Alleah (and Thistle) remain safely in the middle of the pack.

Should it come time to rest, Alleah will ask if she can have one of the first sleeps. "I need to rest and recover my spells before I can prepare you a bath, Trill" she explains "Does anyone else have any ailments that need treating?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Saturday October 24th, 2015 12:29:48 AM
Kezzem will volunteer to scout ahead.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22 
Saturday October 24th, 2015 10:48:47 AM
Much as followers of Domi want to be in the front, Pressi volunteers to actually take the rear of the group.

Strategically, she reasons that she has the perception and defenses to handle a surprise rear attack, and the speed to reach the front if necessary. Or at least that's what her trainers tell her when she would volunteer for the front.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Saturday October 24th, 2015 8:23:47 PM
Shel ignored the food that was left by the gnomes. She might never trust a gnome again after her recent interactions.

Shel knows to stay in the back/middle of any marching order. She also volunteers to take first watch, so she can get an uninterrupted block of sleep/rest during the mid to end of the break period.

"Much better now, Alleah. Thanks for asking. Let's put some distance between this place and ourselves. Hopefully, we are almost our of the forest now."

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim)  d20+16=20 ; d20+16=35 ; d20+16=29 ; d20+16=17 ; d20+11=20 ; d20+11=15 ; d20+11=13 ; d20+11=18 ;
Sunday October 25th, 2015 12:52:51 AM

Murphy smiles as Pressi looks at him following his comment about watching. "Just teasing, Pressi, just teasing."

Murphy offers to take last watch, as he enjoys the early morning hours, and generally can keep a good eye out.

Having Kezzem scout ahead sounds good to him. "One of my good buddies, Hazel, was doing that before, Kezzem. Scouting for us, that is. But he was anxious to get back home, and thought he might travel faster by himself. You see, he is scheduled to get married pretty soon. His wedding was lovely. Er, will be lovely."

For marching order, he is happy to share the front row (except still behind advance scout) when the pathway is ten feet wide, and perhaps first or second place when the pathway is five feet wide - except when he is in animal form.

Marching Order:
5 foot pathway
A. Bliss flying on Mookie - high scout
B. Kezzem scouting on foot - low scout
Main group:
1. Trill
2. Murphy
3. Shel
4. Alleah on Thistle
5. Prissi on rear guard

10 foot pathway
A. Bliss flying on Mookie - high scout
B. Kezzem scouting on foot - low scout
Main group:
1/2. Trill left, Murphy right
3/4. Shel left, Alleah right
5. Prissi on rear guard

Watches:
Even nights
1st: Shel
2nd: Pressi
3rd: Kezzem
4th: Murphy

Odd nights
1st: Trill
2nd: Bliss
3rd: Alleah
4th: Murphy

If the above watches or marching order are not suitable, let us know, and we'll adjust

[4 perception rolls: 20, 35, 29, 17; 4 survival rolls: 20, 15, 13, 18, for DM to apply as needed]

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) 
Sunday October 25th, 2015 1:47:48 AM

I meant Pressi!

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) 
Monday October 26th, 2015 7:34:47 AM

Bliss's military training kicks in, and he agrees to whatever watch is assigned to him. "Yes sir, Mr. Murphy." he tells the party organizer.

On the march, he seeks out the newest members of the party, Kezzem and Pressi. "Hi! We hardly got a chance for introductions. In case you didn't catch it, my name is Bliss. I'm a shadowdancer and a witch. I like to shoot my bah from the shadows. And this is my flying friend, Mookie."

The raven ducks his head and says, "Charmed, I'm sure."

Bliss is a tiny size halfling, a foot and a half tall. You may note he casts Reduce Person every 2-3 minutes to keep himself that size. He moves at 30, though, sometimes 40 with his longstrider spell, so he keeps up. He has no armor, and he is carrying a repeating heavy crossbow, his "bah."

[DM Mark] Let's put some distance between this place and ourselves.  d20=11 ; d20=1 ; d20=3 ; d20=12 ; d4=2 ; d4=2 ; d10=9 ;
Monday October 26th, 2015 1:52:28 PM
(ooc: Thanks for the marching order and watch schedule. Unless you clarify who generally sleeps where, I will assume you all sleep on the ground around a campfire that will be kept alight by whomever is on watch.)

Some people take the witch’s food. Bliss takes their dishes. Nobody touches the wine.

Alleah congratulates Thistle on his relative calm during the last encounter. He’s appreciative of the attention and nuzzles her hand.

Kezzem scouts ahead as they go.

Pressi takes the rear as they go.

Shel avoids the food, and she’s happy to be back on the trail home. They are headed home, right?

Murphy thinks they’re headed home.

You rest for the night with no interruptions. There were occasional animal noises - at least you think those were animal noises.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The party has rested. What are your daily preparations?

As you get on the trail, Murphy thinks you’re headed in the right direction, but he’s not quite sure. It always seems like the trail has shifted a bit when you wake, but no tree movement was heard during the night.

Bliss, Mookie and Kezzem scout ahead.

The group passes through the temperate forest. You pass through the trees, bushes and such, following game trails as you go. There is game in this forest. You pass small groups of mushrooms, ford a couple small streams. It’s all rather peaceful.

It helps that the party is small halflings. Sometimes you needs to make a bit more room for Thistle, and lead him through certain areas. Thistle grazes when you stop.

You find that you are on a game trail long a small river that runs along a cliff face. You can hear a waterfall up ahead. As you go, Bliss circles back to Kezzem and to the group. He thought he saw someone in the water up ahead (AF 24 on the map), but they ducked below the surface before he could get a good look.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pressi
Murphy
Shel
Kezem
Alleah
Trill
Bliss
Thistle
Mookie

Here is your map. It’s a bit big - the party is located at about U59.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Monday October 26th, 2015 7:28:00 PM
The group was actually making progress and the little sorcerer's mood was brightening even more. She even began whistling a little ditty as the team continued their trudge through the magical forest.

Shel takes no particular preparations but does offer to help her group. "If anyone wants to run ahead and do some scouting, I can make you Invisible. That thing that ducked under the water would never see you coming. If it's friendly, there's no worry....if it's not, it'd be good to be able to high tail it out of there and let all of us know."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d100=67 ; d100=86 ; d20+11=29 ;
Monday October 26th, 2015 11:02:00 PM
DM: Nice map!

The first thing Alleah does upon waking, is to draw Trill a bath. She summons a medium sized cauldron, and moves it near a low hanging branch. She takes some cloth or sacks from her kit, and hangs them on the branch to ensure Trill has some privacy from the rest of the party.

Then begins the task of filling the cauldron.

Once done, she invites Trill to step into the refreshingly cold bath. "Sorry sweetie, but I have to soap you down in here for at least an hour" she says, taking some soap from her kit.

----------------------------------

After Trill's bath, Alleah will ensure Thistle is well fed and watered.

She makes no attempt to be stealthy whilst riding Thistle, viewing such an attempt as pointless. Instead she happily hums away to herself and enjoys the travel

----------------------------------

Alleah: Cast 'Witches Tool' to summon a medium sized cauldron. Leyline check: 67 = Pass.
Alleah: Cast 'Create Water' to fill the cauldron
Alleah: Cast 'Purify' to remove any ongoing curse or disease from Trill. Leyline check: 86 = Pass & freebie!
Alleah: Perception: 29

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 12:50:29 AM
Kezzem sharpens his daggers before heading out.

------------------------------------------

"I guess I can go take a look," says Kezzem. "I ain't the best swimmer, but I ain't likely to sink either. You have any water breathing magic or the like?"

-------------------------------------------

Kezzen will scout the water if nobody else has a better Swim check (Kezzem has a +5).

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22  d20+12=20 ; d20+5=22 ;
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 8:47:54 AM
Pressi, not entirely used to Bliss' energy or towering over people in her halfling form, flinches from Bliss at first. (Come to think of it, Pressi realizes that she towers over half the group at a massive just under three feet.) Still, there is something about Bliss that puts her at ease, something she cannot quite place.

The rest of the trip places her in the rear with Alleah and Shel, and the tension between them does not entirely dissipate. That the gnomes had taken their chance to run without fully helping them did not keep Pressi from feeling embarrassed, to the point where she hoped to run into them again in some inn someday.

Despite not really speaking, Alleah and Shel's brightened attitudes did help Pressi relax, even if she did not join into their whistling and humming. She did find it odd to feel so at ease with so many magic users, not entirely trusting (non-geared) magic herself. But maybe that was the wrong way to look at it.

The night was uneventful, as were her morning preparations. A quick meditation and exercising at dawn (to recharge her ki), a quick check of her equipment (to make sure that she could get climbing gear, etc. in a hurry) and she is ready to go.

------------------------

Pressi takes a quick look around to make sure that there are no other figures nearby (Perception 20 for her general area, with a particular focus at the trees and larger bushes), again trying to remember anything at all about a waterfall in the forest (Knowledge History and Religion 22).

"While I don't mind checking things out, I'm not really in favor of any of us going for a swim if we can help it," Pressi points out, though she's not entirely sure if a perception from the surface will help. If nobody can provide a distraction (an illusion, say), then she will volunteer to go check things out.

----------------

Pressi's robe will let her transform into a merfolk (medium humanoid), giving her a swim speed of 50 feet and swim check +7 (with a land speed of 15 with the monk and -2 to stealth) and low light vision (-2 to perception) and an ability to understand Aquan (assuming whatever's down there speaks it). She can transform once a day so its up to the group as to whether she should use it now. (It's also up to the DM as to whether merfolk is too rare to change into.)

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+7=20 ; d100=10 ; d100=14 ; d100=23 ; d20+25=32 ;
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 10:06:53 AM
Bliss enjoys the singing and humming. He hops off Mookie from time to time and does a little dance as the party goes along.

Perform Dance 20

On a scouting flight, he sees a creature in the water near the waterfall. As Mookie flies him back, Bliss renews his Reduce spell. It takes him two tries, if we are going round by round (see below), with a ley line check of 10% on the first try; 14 on the second is A-OK.

Mookie says, "Kid, this is all you. I'm getting too old for these shenanigans. I'll keep an eye out from a treetop."

"Sure Mookie."

Landing and jumping off Mookie, Bliss exclaims, "There's a somebody in the water up ahead. Maybe they were shy or skinny-dippin' cause they hid when they saw me and Mookie. Ima scout ahead. I'll whisper if I hear or see anything."

Bliss casts Message on Mookie, Alleah, and Pressi, since maybe she is going to scout too?

"Miss Alleah, you should cast Message on Mookie too so he can be a relay."

"Yeah, I'm a smooth operator," mutters Mookie.

Finally, Bliss casts his Longstrider spell (domain) and heads off into the underbushes, keeping to concealment and hiding in plain sight both. He draws his bah as he moves.
Stealth 32

=====

Round by Round

Round 0 - Fly back to V50, cast Reduce, fail.
THEN THE DM POST
Round 1 - Cast Reduce, dismount, chat.
Round 2 - Cast Message, chat
Round 3 - Cast Longstrider, Mookie flies to P46, Bliss sneaks to 43W.

Stuff used: Longstrider Spell

Trill (AC: 21(18)/16(13)/21(18), HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, Hasted, Cursed) (Kent) 
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 2:17:38 PM
Trill goes along with Alleah and enjoys the bath and the comradeship of another female. I has been a long time since she has had any other female friends to hang out or do things with, almost as long ago as Maplethorpe Academy.

As Trill goes along a bit behind the scouts but at the fore of the others, she keeps her bow at hand and her eye moves from side to side of the trail and upward into the trees to both sides as they go.

[DM Mark] I'm getting too old for these shenanigans.  d20+11=22 ;
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 3:46:22 PM
Shel’s mood has definitely brightened. She doesn’t even seem to want to kick Pressi anymore.

Alleah gives Trill a cold bath. Brrrr. All her curses, magics and any other enchantments are washed away.

In spite of the cold, Trill enjoys the attention, and the friendship - the bath seems to wash her cares away too.

Bliss flies on Mookie, and then gets off periodically to dance. He tries to get Mookie to dance with him. Mookie is amused, but does not dance.

Pressi finds that Bliss puts her at ease. Must be the name. Or the dancing. Pressi is a bit quiet, and not too sure about Shel, but seems to enjoy this group.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the word that something may be up ahead in the water, Shel offers to cast Invisibility on anyone that wants to scout ahead.

Kezzem offers to scout ahead and asks for any magic that will help him deal with the water.

Pressi volunteers to check out the water up ahead. She tries to recall what she know about waterfalls in the Culverwood. Not much, unfortunately, other than the fact that you can drown in them. There are rumors that some have magical powers, but that could be said of much of the Culverwood environs, enchantments both good and bad. Even the trees and trails seem to shift. She considers taking an aquatic form.

(Casting Alter Self normally requires a piece of the creature whose form you will take. This is not necessary for an item, but you will need some familiarity with Merfolk to take their form. Generally speaking, if you want to assume a form, you need to either have met and interacted with the creature or studied them. Do either of these apply for Merfolk for you? Also, while Alter Self may grant a swim speed, it will not grant water breathing.)

Bliss casts some spells and moves ahead quietly to scout. (He also needs to renew the enlarge spell on Mookie periodically, correct?) Mookie gets his Sade on and announces that he’s a smooth operator.

Trill keeps herself between the scouts and the rest of the party, covering them with her bow.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(I advanced the group up the trail a bit. We were not going round-by-round, so everyone take a non-movement action to prep or cast spells before you get to where I placed you on the map. We will now go round by round.)

(It’s near midday. The bushes/brambles will count as difficult terrain, but provide concealment.)

You are where you are on the map. Nothing seems to happen. What do you do now?

Kezzem and Bliss - Perception DC 30, Trill - Perception DC 32: Highlight to display spoiler: {There is a squat, small, mossy man on a low branch (10’ up) in the tree at K20. He holds a club and wears a satchel, and he is watching some of you. He looks mad.}

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Shel
Alleah
Bliss
Pressi
Kezem
Trill
Murphy
Thistle
Mookie

Here is your map.

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+16=24 ; d100=8 ; d20+25=35 ; d20+14=30 ; d20+16=22 ;
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 4:10:58 PM

Perception 24, oh well.

Mookie reverts to his usual tiny size on his perch as his Enlarge wears off.

Bliss casts See Invisibility [ley check 8!] but the spell fails! Undaunted, Bliss takes a move action to S23, where he hides within 10 ft of the tree's shade, Stealth 35.

Mookie and Bliss both look around.
Mookie Perception 30
Bliss Perception 22

Stuff used: Longstrider Spell, 2nd level slot.


Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22 
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 4:36:40 PM
(OOC: from Pathfinder's Core Rules under Polymorph(scroll down to subschool: transmutation): Each polymorph spell allows you to assume the form of a creature of a specific type, granting you a number of bonuses to your ability scores and a bonus to your natural armor. In addition, each polymorph spell can grant you a number of other benefits, including movement types, resistances, and senses. If the form you choose grants these benefits, or a greater ability of the same type, you gain the listed benefit. If the form grants a lesser ability of the same type, you gain the lesser ability instead. Your base speed changes to match that of the form you assume. If the form grants a swim or burrow speed, you maintain the ability to breathe if you are swimming or burrowing. The DC for any of these abilities equals your DC for the polymorph spell used to change you into that form.)

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22 
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 4:41:59 PM
(OOC: It's a moot point anyway, since Pressi wouldn't have contact with any merfolk, unless they're more common and open to trade in the Wold than in core.)

[DM Mark] I'm getting too old for these shenanigans. 
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 5:02:34 PM
(ooc: Thanks Melvin - good catch on the water breathing. I do not believe they are more common inthe Wold, but they are something you can research.)

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, ) (Kent)  d20+11=21 ; d20+11=31 ; d20+3=4 ;
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 5:58:52 PM
Perception 21

Hey Guys, shall we take a short mid day break? This looks like a pretty good place. Get a bite to eat, maybe, if the water is clean, fill up our water skins, and perhaps even do a bit of fishing for dinner?

She takes a good look at the lake and all the water trying to take note of the life animal and plant that seem to abide here, in order to ascertain the health of the area Perception 31 ( nat 20 LOL) and survival 4 (natural 1 dbl LOL)



Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+11=29 ; d20+9=25 ;
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 8:39:18 PM
"Nice idea, Trill. My stomach is telling me it's close to lunch anyway. Tell you what, if you can catch anything I'll cook it up"

-----------------------------------------
FYI to DM and Pressi: The Wold house rules on changing shape/form can be found here
Perception: 29
Knowl Nature: 25 - To try and recall what sort of fish might be in the area

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Tuesday October 27th, 2015 8:41:59 PM
Assuming the others mentioned the possibility of there being another humanoid up ahead that saw the group, Shel shot Trill the crook eye. "Sorry, Trill. Until we figure out if that thing up there is friend or foe, we shouldn't let our guard down. I'm not comfortable enou to trust anything in this forest just yet. We can investigate, then we can have a nice lunch, is my vote."

She turns to Murphy. "Do you think eagle-Murphy could do some scouting, Murphy? It'd be great to know what we were walking into..."

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Water Breathing; +4 Wisdom; Longstrider;  d20+16=36 ; d20+13=16 ;
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 4:11:55 AM
[Coming up for air - dealing with attorneys, real estate agents, commissioners, nurses, work, family, and the occasional snack - I had meant to post the following yesterday, following Kezzem's question about water breathing:]

"Yes, I can cast water breathing. For six of us, it will last one hour each - or last a bit longer if fewer take it." He offers to cast it upon any who wish it - Kezzem, since he asked, and any about him.

[Please indicate whether you want water breathing or not. He'll include Thistle if Alleah wants him to do so.]

Hearing from Kezzem that someone, or something, was seen in the water ahead, Murphy takes a look and a listen in that direction, as well as in the nearby shrubbery and trees, to see if there is anything of interest. Toward the water is the roar of the waterfall, but his ears filter that out as much as possible, and he listens for non-waterfall sounds.

He casts owl's wisdom on himself, hoping to gain further in perspicacity.

[And now for today's post.]

"Well, I could do that, Shel. But only twice a day can I change. Let me look around on the ground a bit, then I'll think about going up in the air. If we're going to stop here at the waterfall, I want to see what might be in the bushes and such."

Murphy the druid then casts longstrider on himself, and heads out into the bushes, using woodland stride and trackless step, hustling along over to about D31, to see if there is anything else to see, or hear.

[Perception: 38 (+2 from owl's wisdom), Survival: 16
Active Spells:
Water Breathing - duration a function of now many other characters chose to take it
Owl's Wisdom - 5.9 minutes
Longstrider - 6 hours]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22  d20+15=24 ; d20+7=19 ; d20+10=23 ;
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 7:51:17 AM
"Ok, we're really doing this?" Pressi asked. "Enough talk, then."

Pressi, with a snap of her fingers and a rejection of Murphy's water breathing spell, begins to transform into a mermaid (Knowledge Religion +5, merfolk = mythology). (OOC: I'm untrained in Nature and Arcane so I'm stretching the rules a bit. But I'm also using this as a limiting thing - I can't change into uncommon forms unless they're mythological or undead.)

Quietly, Pressi begins to swim out to behind the nearby rock (X30, swim speed 30+10). (Stealth Roll 24, Swim Roll 19). She takes a peek at the water where a creature was spotted. (Perception 23).

And that's when Shel and Murphy started talking about the guy in the tree.

"Wait, what?"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22 
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 8:05:49 AM
(Note: if the DM decides this is not acceptable, I can instead change into a lizardfolk. They're somewhat more common than merfolk, and I can claim that she met some traders back in her Plateau City restaurant.)

DM Mark: Go with the lizardman then - Mermaids are certainly not religiously based. Most creatures in a Fantasy RPG are based on some culture's mythology. However, that mythology has nothing to do with religion in the Wold.

Please also do not generally read spoilers - it will detract from the fun of the game for you. And it annoys your DMs. :)

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 8:40:09 AM

[OOC: Per the DM Post, only Kezzam, Bliss, and Trill had a chance to see the "guy in a tree." Murphy and Shel have not (could not have) seen it. Nor Pressi. So the mention in your post, Melvin my friend, implies that you are reading spoilered text you are not allowed to! Naughty, naughty! Does not matter this time, as it turns out, seeing as I'm about to blow the lid off this thing, but really, you have to be careful to NOT read spoilers unless they are for you!]

From his treetop perch, Mookie sees a little man nearby him. The raven knows that this is a crucial moment. For one thing, the guy looks mad. And has a weapon out. And is too close to Mookie for the weak raven's comfort.

Truth is, when he served as familiar to the Kid's mom, she was a hulking huge thing as big as an ogre. Heck, Mookie spent as much time in her belt pouch as he did anywhere else. At the time he liked to complain about getting put in the pouch, but in hindsight, it was a nice safe place, close to the Boss, protected like.

Now, the Kid, sure, he's a good kid, but he's smaller than Mookie most of the time! And his special hiding power only helps himself, not Mookie. Honestly, the Kid couldn't protect a wet raggedy ann doll if he were trying. "Truth is," Mookie thinks to himself, "I'm an old bird, and if I want to get any older, I gotta distance myself some from the action."

But the Kid has to be warned. Discreetly. Wouldn't do to be too loud or blunt. He whispers through the message cantrip to Bliss: "Pssst! Kid! Atchway overway airthay!"

"What?" says Bliss, who has spent no skill rank to learn pig latin. Neither has Mookie, of course, but Mookie has been around the block a few times.

The raven keeps on trying. "Kid! Don't be obvious. Don't look over there, but there's a guy ahead and to the left!"

Bliss immediately stands 'tall' to see better and looks ahead of him, "Where? Nah, that's Shazam, the new guy, you goof."

"Kezzem! His name is Kezzem. Although, heh, that's pretty good. I gotta remember that." Mookie pauses as he realizes the kid has distracted him. Again. "No, past the new guy, on that branch. ten feet up."

Bliss takes a closer look, but cannot see anything. He calls out, "HEY! MISTER MAN IN THE TREE! HI! MY NAME IS BLISS! COME ON OUT AND SAY HI!"

Mookie hides his head under his wing.

[OOC to DM ... only free actions taken in this post, since I've already posted for the round.]

[DM to Cayzle ... A round is 6 seconds long, but I'll roll with it. Bear in mind that speaking more than a few sentences is generally beyond the limit of a free action.]

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+12=17 ;
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 10:46:32 AM
Perception: 17

Kezzem looks around trying to find this tree guy his fellow halfling are chatting about, but can't find him. "We better stop for lunch, ladies" he concludes. "I think some of us have been munching on some mushrooms if they are seeing a man inside a tree. I mean, how would he get in there? Although, I did see a bendy fellow climb into a cask about this big."

"Anyway, let's check out that water thing, and if its safe, let's cook us up some lunch."

[DM Mark] It'd be great to know what we were walking into... 
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 11:14:14 AM
Bliss moves and reaches out to pull a nearby shadow around him, vanishing from sight. He stays alert. Mookie can see: Highlight to display spoiler: {There is a squat, small, mossy man on a low branch (10’ up) in the tree at K20. He holds a club and wears a satchel, and he is watching some of you. He looks mad. He slowly reaches into his bag and pull something out.}

Trill announces that it’s time to eat. Alleah agrees and suggest that Trill catch some fish to eat. Alleah is pretty sure there should be some good fish in here in both the fast moving water where they are and perhaps also in the more shallow ponded area up ahead. She notes that the shallow area up ahead is covered in lily pads.

Shel says this is no time to eat, not until they know what that creature in the water is. She suggests that Murphy scout ahead.

Murphy, having already cast Water Breathing and Owl’s Wisdom, now casts Longstrider and heads out to M32 (as far as you could go - 20’ last round, 30’ this round?) Murphy can see: Highlight to display spoiler: {There is a squat, small, mossy man on a low branch (10’ up) in the tree at K20. He holds a club and wears a satchel, and he is watching some of you. He looks mad. He slowly reaches into his bag and pull something out.}

Pressi shifts into the form of a Lizardman, and enters the water beginning to swim out.

Over the sound of the waterfall, Pressi and the others hear Bliss yelling about some Mister man? Mystery man?

Kezzem looks around, and proposes they eat.

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(It’s near midday. The bushes/brambles will count as difficult terrain, but provide concealment.)

Something bigger than a halfling move among the lily pads. Suddenly, a head appears above the water. Here is what you see out in the water. There is some other movement beneath the lily pads.

Bliss - Perception DC 26, Kezzem - Perception DC 30, Trill - Perception DC 32: Highlight to display spoiler: Highlight to display spoiler: {There is a squat, small, mossy man on a low branch (10’ up) in the tree at K20. He holds a club and wears a satchel, and he is watching some of you. He looks mad. He slowly reaches into his bag and pull something out.}

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bliss
Trill
Alleah
Shel
Pressi
Kezem
Murphy
Thistle
Mookie

Here is your map.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22  d20+11=12 ; d20+5=12 ;
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 1:18:17 PM
For a brief moment, Pressi locked eyes with the... half elf with weird hands, she guesses. What is that? It's weird is what it is, thought Pressi the lizard girl as she backpedaled with her tail. (Perception Nat 1. Know History and Religion 12, but we already established she doesn't know mermaids.)

"Well, so much for cover," she said to herself as she swam a five foot step back. "Guess I might try the friendly approach."

Pressi clicked to the creature in Draconic before remembering she shifted. "Hey, over here, excuse me..." she started in common before realizing she didn't know what else to say (and had lost track of the rest of her party). "I was wondering if you're happy with your cable provider? Because we've started selling adamantium cables now, really good for... things like fishing... woah, maybe not that."

(OOC: Sorry but I can't think of anything else to have her do besides just sit there.)

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Water Breathing; +4 Wisdom; Longstrider (move 40); 
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 1:44:50 PM
[OOC: Woodland Stride (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a druid may move through any sort of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain) at her normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. Thorns, briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically manipulated to impede motion, however, still affect her. - Murphy's base speed is 30; with Longstrider his move is 40.
Trackless Step (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, a druid leaves no trail in natural surroundings and cannot be tracked. She may choose to leave a trail if so desired. /OOC]

Murphy moves to O27, and calls out in the Sylvan tongue. "Venn, jeg ser du er opprørt. Jeg håper vi er ikke påtrengende. La oss få litt vann, så kan vi være på vei. Jeg heter Murphy. Hvordan har du heter?" Which, when translated to common, would be, "Friend, I see you are upset. I hope we are not intruding. Let us get some water, then we can be on our way. My name is Murphy. How are you called?"

He holds no weapons in his hands, and holds up one hand in greeting.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 18, HP 43, CMD 23, Lizard (med, swim 25, land 40, bite&claws, perception) 
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 1:57:25 PM
(Sorry, needed to adjust stats. Also, lizardfolk can't completely breathe underwater so I will be using the lizardfolk's form of breadth: double time before drowning).

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+16=34 ; d20+25=39 ;
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 4:01:52 PM

Bliss's double take shows his surprise. He calls out, "HEY MISS! MISS! YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CLOTHES ON! THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE!

He adds, as an afterthought, "You'll catch a chill!"

He calls out to the fellow sitting on a branch. "Mister Murphy is a real nice guy. You should talk to him. We're just passing through. Not meaning any harm."

The tiny fellow looks around intently. Perception 34

"Hey, there you are, I see ya now. Look, everybody! He's on that branch He's got a club, an' a bag, an' he's reaching into the bag!"

Bliss, hiding in plain sight, walks over to Highlight to display spoiler: {K21} and takes a quiet peek at the fellow. Stealth 39. (Highlight the spoiler if you roll a DC39 spot check, with a -1 mod per 10 ft distance.)

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+12=21 ; d20+12=32 ; d20+5=13 ;
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 6:26:08 PM
Perception (DM): 21
Perception (Bliss) 32

"Yowzah!" says Kezzem. "Hey there, beuatiful! How about you come on out, dry off, and have a little chat with us. If you feelin' shy, Murph and I (I believe the rest of the halflings are all female) could turn our backs 'til you can put somethin' on. Don't worry, we're a friendly bunch."

Diplomacy: 13.

(Btw, is she human-size or halfling-size)

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+2=12
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 6:28:32 PM
Bliss is SO a boy!

(Okay, he used to be a girl, but not anymore.)

Also, when Bliss urges the tree-man to talk to Murphy, I guess that's an Aid Another on the diplomacy check? Rolls a 12, so that's a +2 on Murph's diplomacy!

Also, if Bliss needs it to get through the underbrush, he'll use his travel domain ability to do so.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 7:55:13 PM
Well, she is a pretty thing. No wonder the boys are all in a tizzy, Shel thought as she smiled at the creature in the water. She was getting ready to add in a comment, but then she heard Bliss yell about yet another creature in front of them.

"I don't trust anything in this forest," she exclaims, casting Shield on herself before the others respond to Murphy and Bliss's hails. She doesn't approach any closer, delaying to see the reaction the group receives.



Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, ) (Kent)  d20+11=25 ; d20+7=13 ;
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 9:46:09 PM
Focusing on the apparently quite scantily clad, if at all, young lady swimming toward them that the boys are getting in a tizzy about, Trill tries to identify what the young lady might be. Knowledge nature DC 25 (DC 27 if magical beast) Particularly as she still can't see the tree man that Bliss is going on about DC 17

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+5=21 ; d100=13 ; d20+11=25 ; d20+5=24 ; d20+9=29 ;
Wednesday October 28th, 2015 10:06:08 PM
Thistle and Alleah keep following the trail northwards. She can hear the others are talking, and in Bliss' case shouting. "What in Wardds name is going on?"

Now closer to what is going on, she can see what the fuss is about. There's a woman out in the water! Alleah casts a spell that might aid in communication and then calls out.

"Guys, all those questions and things. You must be scaring the poor girl!" Alleah mildly chastises the others, loud enough for the woman to hear "If she approaches I expect each of you men to turn the other way to respect her decency"

"There's no need to be afraid, miss." Alleah smiles and waves "We're just passing by. We'll be out of sight shortly and leave you in peace. Are you ok though?"

"And you there!" she says calling out to the man that Bliss insists is watching them "It isn't polite to hide and spy on people. We're just passing through. We won't bother you as long as you don't bother us. On the other hand, if you are in trouble we might be able to offer assistance"

She pauses a moment and then calls out to Bliss "It's not Calloran again, is it?"

----------------------
Thistle: Move to U30 with Alleah aboard

Alleah: Standard action - Cast 'Like Calls to Like'. Leyline check: 13 = Pass

Diplomacy: 21 (31 if the woman is either a hermit/witch/outcast/recluse/monstrologer/Teucri/aberration)
Sense Motive: +11 (+21 if the woman is either a hermit/witch/outcast/recluse/monstrologer/Teucri/aberration)
Knowledge Nature: 29 (to determine what race the woman might be)

Diplomacy: 24 (34 if the man is either a hermit/witch/outcast/recluse/monstrologer/Teucri/aberration)
Sense Motive: +11 (+21 if the man is either a hermit/witch/outcast/recluse/monstrologer/Teucri/aberration)

Perception: 25

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Water Breathing; +4 Wisdom; Longstrider (move 30);  d20+18=26 ;
Thursday October 29th, 2015 4:56:37 AM
[Perception 26 - I can't read Bliss's spoiler - but, can Murphy note what the little man may be pulling out of his bag?]

[DM Mark] I don't trust anything in this forest.  d20=10 ; d20=16 ; d100=85 ;
Thursday October 29th, 2015 2:12:28 PM
Pressi is startled by the woman in the water. She tries to talk to her in draconic, and sensing little comprehension, she engages her by speaking in common, which the woman does seem to understand.

Murphy moves forward, and speaks to her in Sylvan, which she also seems to understand.

Bliss chides the woman for wearing no clothes. Bliss sees and mentions the man, and he moves toward where the small man is, disappearing from sight as he goes. (Bliss moves 9 squares while stealthing?)

Kezzem invites her to step out of the water, offering that they would turn their backs if she’s modest.

Shel announces her mistrust, and casts a spell.

Trill looks at the woman. Only Trill: Highlight to display spoiler: {Trill believes this creature is a Nymph. These fey can be tricky creatures, often seducing young men, dazzling them with their beauty, and sometimes serving as a source for artistic inspiration. They are said to have strong nature powers.}

Alleah tells the men to turn around if she should come out of the water. She says they mean no harm (Diplomacy and Sense Motive typically takes 1 minute). She then admonishes the small man for hiding, and offers him assistance if needed. Alleah also casts a spell. (Like Calls to Like is a Touch spell, so you are holding the charge. If you touch her or him, they will get a will save.)

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(Conversations can be slow and difficult in a play-by-post game. I’ve tried to expedite this below, but still allow for some back and forth.)

The female figure laughs, and it sounds like music. She smiles now as she swims. She exhibits an unearthly beauty and grace, almost painful in it’s perfection. You can see the tips of her upswept ears as she moves, swimming slowly backward. You can also see … that she is quite naked, perhaps half-elven in form and size? (Knowledge Nature check to know more.)

She will greet Murphy in Sylvan, and the rest of you in common, “Who are you? My name is Cnossia, and my surly friend there is Rukhack. Oh you are a funny bunch. Is that a pony? What brings you through the Culverwood? We do not get many visitors.”

To the man in the tree, “Rukhack come down from there and be civil. They pose no threat here.”

At the mention of Calloran, she becomes more serious, “Are you friends of Calloan?” Assuming you answer to the negative, she says, “Good - Horrible little creature. How do you know about him?”

Once you answer, her mood brightens, “Come, won’t you swim with me? We can have something to eat after a nice swim.” Assuming the party balks at a swim, she will reply “Tsk tsk, trust is the basis of any good relationship, and it is said that halflings are playful and trusting creatures. I encourage you to reconsider - there is nothing to fear here, unless you are the thing to be feared. Consider my invitation a test of your friendliness.”

To noone in particular, she says, “Verin, will you gather some food for our guests? Perhaps even Rukhack will eat with us.”

The creature in the oak tree moves to another branch about 10’ off the ground and is no longer hidden. He seems not to notice Bliss. In one hand is a club, in the other a brown ball of some sort. He is shortish, and oldish, and brownish, and mossy. And he speaks with a voice that is sharpish and bossy, “Nope. I don’t like it. I just don’t like it. One of 'em's hidden here still!”

Perhaps most strange of all, a huge willlow tree at the northern edge of the pond actually moves 10’ toward the path, it’s branches reaching out into the vegetation around it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bliss
Trill
Alleah
Shel
Pressi
Kezem
Murphy
Thistle
Mookie

Here is your map.


Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Water Breathing; +4 Wisdom; Longstrider (move 30);  d20+18=24 ; d20+9=27 ;
Thursday October 29th, 2015 5:37:45 PM

"Ah, is Verin that handsome willow?" Murphy inquires, nodding in the direction of the moving tree which seems to be gathering berries or such. He is not unaware that the intelligent tree also could block their pathway forward, but perceives that, so long as things are kept on a friendly basis, he is not going to worry about that.

"As you seem to concur with us on Calloran, perhaps that can help form the first few strands of building a net of trust between us. He and his friends offered us food and friendship, in the name of Eberyon, whom I serve. I happily accepted their offer, as did some of my good companions here - yet the fae gnomes tried to infuse us with lust by means of their potions, and did blind some of my friends, and tried to do both to me, as well as to wrap us up in vegetation by means of entanglement. They were surprised that we reacted negatively to their very odd so-called 'friendship' - and were most upset that we chose to defend ourselves against their violations of good comportment.

"We left them yesterday - alive all, but, we think, suitably chastened for their most inhospitable 'hospitality.'

"Now, good lady of the waters, thank you, Cnossia, for your welcome to this place. My name is Murphy Leafwin Pipewood, born in the Culverwood, resident of the Valley, and trained by my Aunt Nilli, a druidess who has a friend who is, as you appear to be, a naiad, or a nymph.

"I saw her once - she is almost as lovely as you. For our part, I promise, we would prefer to offer genuine friendship to you and yours here, so long as you cause us no harm, for my Aunt taught me that nymphs are nearly always good to those who are good to them."

Looking over his should, he says, "And, Rukhack - yes, one of our group is very hard to see. He is a very friendly fellow, though, and I am sure he means you no harm, so long as you are kind to all of us."

Turning back to Cnossia, Murph adds, "One thing, though, may I ask? That you blind us not with your beauty. And, yes, I would be happy to accept your invitation to swim in these beautiful waters. Pardon me a moment, while I change into clothing more suitable for swimming - for my mother taught me modesty. As I change, my friends can introduce themselves."

He steps behind some bushes, and changes into his swimming suit. He places his clothing in a bag, and leaves bag and gear in the bushes. When ready, he will step out, dive in, and swim. (But that may be a few rounds from now.)

[Perception: 24; Sense Motive: 27]

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Water Breathing; +4 Wisdom; Longstrider (move 30); 
Thursday October 29th, 2015 5:39:45 PM

As he begins to change in the bushes, Murphy thinks to add, "Someone let Cnossia know what brings us here. I forgot to tell her."

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Thursday October 29th, 2015 6:17:02 PM
Shel shakes her head. Murphy was so trusting of every creature under the sun. It's going to get all of us killed one day.

She steps forward and introduces herself to the naked woman. "I'm Shel. Nice to meet you," she bluffs. "Our group here is trying to return to our home. Humbles' Ford...ever heard of it? We've been on quite a journey, and we really need to get home as soon as we can. Long story short, we ended up caught in the Forest here. We've walked for a few days, so I'm hoping we are just about through it. Murphy's right, though. If you are peaceful, so are we. We just want to go home."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 18, HP 43, CMD 23, Lizard (med, swim 25, land 40, bite&claws, perception) 
Thursday October 29th, 2015 6:46:29 PM
"Calloran? He's the lowest form of pond scum this side of the lower planes. Hi, I'm Pressi, his ex-girlfriend." In response to Cnossia's look, "Really long story."

"At any event, you must understand that... wait, how did you know I was a halfling?"

"At any event, you must understand our trepidation. Why, when we first met Calloran, he said much the same thing to us, which brings us to the beginning of my really long story. It ends with me treeing him. I really need to socialize more...."

Every part of Pressi's mind screams that they should be getting the hell out of the water, not going in. But yep, Murphy goes in, which means now she has to stay in because how else would it look. She made a mental note to yell at him later.

Instead, she swam her way towards Cnossia (move to X25) in an attempt to be friendly and not at all to position herself in grappling or melee range. Though she wasn't sure if she would have to take down Pressi or Kezzem. Try being alone and female with THAT energy for a couple of days.

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+2=15 ;
Thursday October 29th, 2015 10:03:09 PM

Bliss announces, "I won't hide if we're being all friendly like! Here I am!"

He stops hiding in plain sight and steps out.

He hears Murphy say, "He is a very friendly fellow, though, and I am sure he means you no harm, so long as you are kind to all of us." Bliss blushes and says, "Wowsy, gosh, sure, I like it when everybody is kind. Everybody likes that!"

"Like I was saying, I'm Bliss, and it is nice to meet you, Lady Cnossia and Mister Rukhack and Ser Verin!" He bows to each in turn, although he puts his hand over his eyes when he turns to the naked lady.

He engages in conversation, hoping to help make friends. Diplomacy check untrained to Aid Another ... a 15 is not too shabby.

He declines to swim, though, because he does not know how. On the other hand, he knows how to eat, and maybe we can share a meal together.

Also, he agrees with Shel. "Like Shel says, we are just trying to get home to Crescent Valley toot sweet, and we're kind of in a hurry, because we have to stop a tower from falling down."

(Honestly, Bliss is a little worried that these delays will mean that we fail, but he tries not to let his concern show.)

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+8=27 ; d2=2 ; d20+11=16 ;
Thursday October 29th, 2015 10:55:43 PM
Alleah grins quietly to herself. She thought a creature as obnoxious as Calloran would have a reputation. In dropping his name she was able to tell whether these 'people' viewed him as an ally or not. And since they don't like him, she can like them.

In the past month Alleah has seen chains move and attack by themselves, visited Koshe Marr and seen the Hunstman, and even travelled back in time. The experiences might be dulling her mind somewhat, as seeing the willow tree move by itself does not bother her at all.

"You needn't go to any trouble on our account, m'lady" Alleah says in response to Cnossia suggesting food. "What sort of food do you like - Rukhack is it? I have an assortment of things in my kit. I think I have some muesli slice in here somewhere. Straight from the table of the Mayor of Humble's Ford"

Alleah dismounts Thistle, and looks about. What would Wardd want her to do? She takes her lucky coin from her pocket and flips it in the air. Deftly catching it, she checks the result. (d2=2). Tails. Well, Wardd wants her to go into the water. Alleah proceeds to remove her boots. She has no intention of going swimming, but isn't going to leave Murphy on his own either.

"You'll have to forgive me, Cnossia. Swimming isn't something I have learned to do. But the water does look invigorating. Perhaps just cooling my feet will be nice? Apologies for any smell"

Alleah puts her boots into a nice pile and then rolls up the bottom of her pants to keep them dry. After that is testing the water with a toe, before sinking her whole foot in.

"Yes, we ran into Calloran not too long ago. He and his, well, friends, tried to charm us into marrying them. It didn't work out well for them in the end. Oh, they're still alive and well, but hopefully they will reconsider how they treat strangers in the future. Say, do you get many travellers through these parts?"

Alleah breathes in the air and looks about "This place really is very tranquil. I'm not sure if the Culverwood deserves its scary reputation what with such beautiful areas as this"

----------------------------------------------------------
Thistle: Stand and graze on the nearby grass

Alleah: Free Action: Fast dismount. Ride check vs DC20: 27=Pass
Alleah: Free Action: Roleplay check to consult Wardd
Alleah: Move Action: Take off boots and roll up pant legs
Alleah: Move Action: Move to V28, wading in the water

Sense Motive: +11 (+21 if Cnossia is either a hermit/witch/outcast/recluse/monstrologer/Teucri/aberration)
Sense Motive: +11 (+21 if Rukhack is either a hermit/witch/outcast/recluse/monstrologer/Teucri/aberration)
Sense Motive: +11 (on each of the men in the party, just to make sure they aren't being charmed in some manner)

Diplomacy checks as rolled at the start of the conversation:
Diplomacy: 21 (31 if Cnossia is either a hermit/witch/outcast/recluse/monstrologer/Teucri/aberration)
Diplomacy: 24 (34 if Rukhack is either a hermit/witch/outcast/recluse/monstrologer/Teucri/aberration)

Knowledge Nature check from last round: 29

Perception: 16

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 18, HP 43, CMD 23, Lizard (med, swim 25, land 40, bite&claws, perception) 
Friday October 30th, 2015 7:57:51 AM
"We're trying to stop what?" Pressi asked.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Friday October 30th, 2015 10:16:46 AM
"Sound like a plan, lady."

Kezzem takes off his shirt and dives into the water, but keeps a couple of daggers with him just in case.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 18, HP 43, CMD 23, Lizard (med, swim 25, land 40, bite&claws, perception) 
Friday October 30th, 2015 10:47:45 AM
Yeah, I probably should have mentioned that Pressi is in there essentially completely clothed (I don't know if I even can take off the robe without reverting back) and armed (based on whatever alter self does to equipment). I didn't think to change it otherwise, and besides, she was just supposed to do a quick scouting mission and back (except I screwed up my cover).

[DM Mark] I don't trust anything in this forest. 
Friday October 30th, 2015 3:26:57 PM
(I’m going to move us back out of combat rounds for now. I moved the swimmers out with Cnossia. I also moved Shel up. Just let me know if you do not want to be where I moved you.)

The group’s efforts at diplomacy seem to be going well.

Murphy relates some of what the party has encountered in the forest and talks about trust. He acknowledges Cnossia being a Nymph, and asks that she not blind the party with her beauty. He says modesty requires he put on swimming clothes before he then goes swimming with Cnossia. (Can you help me understand how Murphy knows what a nymph is, typical alignment, and and what special powers they have?)

Shel asks if the woman in the water has heard of Humble’s Ford, and explains they’re are trying to get home.

Pressi identifies herself as Calloran’s ex-girlfriend and says it’s a long story. Her cynisism is lost on the woman. In her lizardman form and clothed, Pressi swims out toward Cnossia. She asks about what the group is trying to stop from happening.

Bliss steps out of the shadows, and introduces himself. He declines a swim because hs does not know how. He mentions the Crescent Valley and a tower.

Alleah is becoming used to weird things in this forest. She offers to add her food to the luncheon, asking Rukhack what kind of food he likes. Then she flips a coin and decides to wade into the water - she does not know how to swim. Alleah: Highlight to display spoiler: {You believe this creature is a Nymph. These fey can be tricky creatures, often seducing young men, dazzling them with their beauty, but sometimes serving as a source for artistic inspiration. They can stun with a glance. They are said to have strong nature powers. As fey creatures, they are vulnerable to cold iron. }

Kezzem takes off his shirt and dives into the water, taking a couple daggers with him.

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(For those that swim, please make a Swim check of 10 to swim. Just one is fine.)

Perception 15: Highlight to display spoiler: { You seem some dark forms moving in the water near all the swimmers.}
Perception 20: Highlight to display spoiler: { There are two dark forms, small in size.}
Perception 25: Highlight to display spoiler: { The two forms appear to be really big otters.}

[Should anyone mention what they see with these perception checks, Cnossia will say that these are her friends, and certainly pose not threat.]

[Should anyone have trouble with their swim check, they may be startled to have a small, sleek, furry creature suddenly buoy them up toward the surface. If anyone is buoyed up by this creature, it will swim them near Cnossia.]

Cnossia is stunningly beautiful, graceful in the water, and completely unabashed at her state of nakedness. She almost seems amused at your uncomfortableness with this.

Cnossia says, “I have not heard of Humble’s Ford, but you are quite a ways from the Crescent Valley. It sounds like your journey has been hard. It’s also easy to get lost in the Culverwood, perhaps I can help with that before you leave. You may rest here as long as you like. We seldom get visitors, and it’s a pleasure to have your company.”

On Calloran: “Calloran is trouble for sure, but it’s Petalia that’s the devious one in their lot. There are five or six witches in their little coven. They’re best avoided. I sounds like you handled them well enough.”

Rukhack puts whatever he was holding back in his satchel. Still in the tree and still holding his club, he crosses his arms and squints with one eye as he says in a gruff voice, “Ahm keepin’ my eye on all o’ you.”

The great willow continues its movement. It seems to be gathering berries, as well as some tubers it washes off in the water.

To those that cannot swim, “You should consider staying here for a while, and I will teach you how to swim. It’s a good skill, to have, especially for smaller folk like yourselves.”

“Won’t the rest of you come in to swim as well?” For the those that do swim, she leads then toward the waterfall. “I have something special to show you.” The roar of the waterfall is quite loud as you get close, the energy there is a bit terrifying as well, but you see her swim in under the waterfall, hardly affected by the force of the water. She shouts above the roar, “YOU SEE. IT’S A MAGICAL WATERFALL. IT’S QUITE SAFE. PLEASE JOIN ME.”

Does anyone brave the waterfall with Cnossia?

Here is your map.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 18, HP 43, CMD 23, Lizard (med, swim 25, land 40, bite&claws, perception)  d20+7=27 ; d20+11=20 ;
Friday October 30th, 2015 3:49:13 PM
(Swim Roll Nat 20, Perception 20).

Pressi finally feels free to relax, even taking advantage of her swimming improved form with some flips. Even the small dark forms in the water don't seem to bother her, though she does quickly comment on them. As the day progresses, she does take some time to strip down and stow some of her gear (keeping on her a cold iron sai and some shuriken).

She does tense a bit as Cnossia floats under the waterfall but does follow with a burst of speed.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 18, HP 43, CMD 23, Lizard (med, swim 25, land 40, bite&claws, perception) 
Friday October 30th, 2015 3:51:17 PM
(OOC, since we are out of combat mode - I don't know how long you expected people to hang around but Pressi's lizard form expires after an hour, so I need an indicator of when it passes.)

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, ) (Kent)  d20+13=31 ;
Friday October 30th, 2015 6:34:35 PM
Following Alleah's lead Trill chimes in as well.

"I too have some food stuffs we could share," she continues as she empties her pouches and bag of the fruits and such she picked up from the leftover purified witches feast. "So Cnossia, I don't mean to be rude, and hope this question doesn't come across that way, but are you a water nymph?"

She declines the offer of a swim, and warily watches the young men in the group for any suspicious behavior. Perception DC 31



Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Friday October 30th, 2015 7:57:06 PM
"Um, Murphy, that's probably far enough away from us. You might not want to go behind the Likud waterfall, where we can't hear whatever might happen to you," Shel yells to her friend, and the others.

You big dummies, she thinks to herself.

To the group around her, she asks in a whisper, "If we get ambushed, how are we going to get over to the others? I'm afraid they might drown before they know it. Any thoughts?"

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Water Breathing; +4 Wisdom; Longstrider (move 30);  d20+18=30 ; d20+6=20 ;
Friday October 30th, 2015 10:19:05 PM

When Murphy dove into the water, he swam out about halfway to the waterfall, then came up for air - even though he didn't need to do so.

"Otters!" he exclaimed (Perception: 30), and dove back down in the water. He swims just fine (Swim: 20), and begins to go near the otters, waving to them. He kicks his way to the bottom of the pool, touching the rocks and / or sand at the bottom, and following the lily pad stems downward. He looks a bit until he finds a couple of flat smooth stones suitable for skipping, if such can be found here. If so, he tucks them into the waistband of his suit. He remains under water for a little over three minutes, taking advantage of his water breathing - albeit tentatively at first. He has used water breathing in times past, but this is the first time he has used it when he cast it himself.

He then returns to the surface. "Fun!" He looks at his friends along the banks of the pool. "Hey, take Cnossia up on her offer - learning to swim is a good thing." He turns to the naiad. "Let me know if you see some way for me to improve the way I swim, all right?"

He agrees with her assessment of the gnomes. "They named Petalia as the instigator of their weird plan, yes."

He hears Cnossia's invitation, and is about to dive under, when he hears Shel call out to him. "Uh, Shel, I think it will be all right. He shouts back. "I'll try to be back within a minute or two to let you know what we see!"

"Kezzem - do you want to go, too? We can go side by side." If Kezzem agrees, then he tells him his plan to angle down, get past the pressure of the falls, then climb back upward. If Kezzem wants to wait, he says he'll come back and tell him what he sees. He double checks the smooth stones in his waistband, then wraps them up firmly in some fabric folded over.

The druid turns, he bends at the waist, then straightens out so his legs are directly above him just above the water, toes pointed, and the weight thereof helps to drive him downward. Aided by his arms, he goes deeper, and looks forward. He sees the air bubbles first plunge quickly, then slow as they go deeper, then dance their way back to the surface. Pressi-Lizard already has gone ahead of them.

He breathes in the water, delighted at the sensation, then begins to dolphin kick ahead, arms spreading wide in a stroke, coming together at the palms just below his chest, shooting forward, and pulling again. He feels the water from above then press him quickly downward, and he increases his kicking and the strength of his pulls, arching his back then pulling upward on the other side, and helped therein by the force of the waterfall now easing off his back and pushing down his calves and feet, now angling more sharply towards the surface. He looks about underwater, and again after his head breaks the surface.

[HEY ALL - Murphy offered earlier to cast water breathing on anyone who wanted it. Kezzem asked about it. Better speak up now - especially Shel, Pressi and Alleah, who were right next to him - if you want to have the water breathing he offered. He also cast it on Thistle, at the moment of casting not knowing whether there might be some huge tentacled creature that would reach out and try to drag the pony into the water]

[To DM Mark: In answer to your question about Nymph-related knowledge, sure. Murphy is the son of a druid (his mother), the brother of a druid (Kendry), and the nephew of a druid (Nilli). He serves the King of the Fey Eberyon, and tips his hat warmly to the Queen of the Fey, Maab. He was born in the Culverwood, has lived in the Culverwood, has gone with his father to work in the Culverwood, and seen him negotiate with the druids thereof to take this fallen tree or, more rarely, that standing one for making toys and instruments - and sometimes he leaves the Culverwood without taking a tree if he senses the forest does not want him to do so this time. Murphy lived with his druid Aunt Nilli for some time as she trained him up in his chosen class. He has worked hard to know what he can about inhabitants of this magical, sentient forest (though the fae flying gnomes were new to him). His also is the son of a bard, an inveterate story-teller, and the brother of a bard - likewise a collector and disseminator of tales. Nymphs are rare enough, but stories about them ought not to be that rare - especially within a family of adventurers. As soon as we saw the picture of the red-haired beauty among the lily pads, I knew, and Murphy surmised, that here is a naiad - a water nymph. He knows they are renowned for their pulchritude, and does find her pleasing to the eye (though he himself hopes to remain chaste until such time as he and a good halfling woman take each other in marriage). Tales of men who sought by force to take a nymph are told, and that they have powers to defend themselves against such in various ways - and 'blinded by her beauty' is more than just a figurative phrase in the Wold, I would guess. By the way, I myself knew legends of the nymphs when I was six years old, and read of the naiads. Honestly, I think it would be amazing if Murphy did NOT know what a nymph is, nor be able to recognize one if he saw one in her native abode. Regarding alignment - Murphy did not (and, indeed, does not for certain) know whether she was good - but he is a natural optimist, and nearly always willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt. Occasionally, people may be inclined to live up to one's spoken expectations, at least to an extent.]

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+11=26 ;
Friday October 30th, 2015 11:15:55 PM
I assumed the waterbreathing was cast and equally spread amongst the party. Even if that was the case though, Alleah still wouldn't venture in any further than washing her feet

Alleah is close enough to hear Shel voice concerns. Alleah turns and whispers back "It's one thing to test your luck with Wardd. It's another to invite misfortune. I would have much prefered we stayed together. It has literally only been 1 minute and those three are already off playing under a waterfall" She looks towards the waterfall and then back to Shel "She's a nymph alright. And she might already be luring some of the doe-eyed men. Still, let's be tactful and polite. So far I count the nymph, the little man, the walking tree, and a couple of otters. Who knows what else might be about?"

Alleah raises her voice and calls out over the water "If it's all the same, Cnossia, we really have been travelling for quite a while. Perhaps we could rest and fill our bellies first. I really would love to hear what life is like for you out here."

---------------------------
Perception: 26
Diplomacy: Ongoing
DM - In the past few posts Alleah has been using Sense Motive on both the nymph and the little man. Per your request, I haven't made the rolls, however, would still like to know the result. Does Alleah sense anything amiss? This may have influenced how she reacted to the others swimming towards the waterfall

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d4=1 ; d20+5=9 ; d20+12=31 ; d20+10=17 ;
Saturday October 31st, 2015 2:04:57 AM
[Please ignore the d4 roll--clicked the wrong button by accident]

Swim: 9
Perception: 31

Kezzem starts to go under, but the otter comes to his rescue. "Hey there furry little buddy, don't mind me."

To Murphey: "Sure thing, Murph. Appears I got a bit more to learn 'bout this swimming stuff, so I'll think I stay near you.

To Cnossia: "Hey love, what's so magical about this waterfall?"

Sense Motive: 17
Water Breathing

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) 
Saturday October 31st, 2015 8:27:00 AM

A Magic Waterfall! Oh, ME! ME!" shouts Bliss.

"I'll take a water breathing spell, thanks, Mister Murphy! Me and Mookie both!"

"What?" caws Mookie.

"Then we can fly to the waterfall and check it out!"

After the Water Breathe, Bliss reduces himself, enlarges Mookie, and flies to the waterfall.

"Now what, Lady?" he calls down.


Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Saturday October 31st, 2015 9:17:36 AM
OOC: Like Alleah, I assumed the spell was cast on all of us, but Shel doesn't trust enough to hop in the water right now. But, she would be very willing to be a target of the spell, so she could come in and save the day like a water based cavalry!

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) Water Breathing; +4 Wisdom; Longstrider (move 30); 
Saturday October 31st, 2015 9:38:44 AM

[OOC: Yes, anyone who wanted the spell at the time he cast it - pretty much as the water came in sight - can be included in Water Breathing. /OOC]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 18, HP 43, CMD 23, Lizard (med, swim 25, land 40, bite&claws, perception) 
Saturday October 31st, 2015 9:04:03 PM
[OOC: As I said before, Pressi declined the water breathing since her current form does not require it.]

[DM Mark] Hey love, what's so magical about this waterfall?  d20+10=29 ; d20+8=19 ; d20+8=26 ;
Monday November 2nd, 2015 1:30:49 PM
Pressi enjoys the swimming benefit of her lizardman form, and joins Cnossia in the waterfall.

Trill offers to add her food to the lunch, but keeps her eye on the men in her group. Trill: Highlight to display spoiler: {The men and Pressi certainly do seem exuberant about going swimming and the waterfall, but nothing seems particularly out of place.}

Shell cautions Murphy, and whispers to her friends about her concerns.

Murphy goes swimming, and is excited to move into the waterfall. He’s excited to see there are giant otters here! He’s excited me meet a nymph! He’s just excited. He picks up some skipping stones, and offers for Kezzem to swim with him as he dives down below the waterfall. Recognizing the nymph for what she is, he knows: Highlight to display spoiler: {These fey can be tricky creatures, often seducing young men, blinding them with their beauty if threatened, but sometimes serving as a source of great inspiration for these she favors. They are said to have strong nature powers, using Druidic spells. As fey creatures, they are vulnerable to cold iron.}
(ooc: I would prefer to handle information for creatures with the appropriate Knowledge checks. I took the liberty of rolling for Murphy, and he rolled a 29 on your Knowledge Nature check!)

Alleah remains concerned, and only wets her feet. She whispers what she sees, and then suggests out loud that they eat first.

Kezzem has a bit of trouble swimming, but finds he is borne up by a friendly otter - certainly the biggest one he’s ever seen. He sees it has a twin swimming here too. He stays near Murphy as he goes, and the otter seems to stay by him as he passes under the waterfall.

Bliss hops on Mookie and flies over to the waterfall, asking Cnossia what to do next.

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Cnossia responds to Trill’s question, “Yes little one, I am an Nymph.”

The small man in the tree steps into the tree for a moment, and reappears with a larger bag of goods, exiting the tree at it’s base. While he seems surly as ever, his club is tucked into his belt, and his arms are full. He begins to spread out a large reed mat, laying out a few cakes and moss and mushroom based goods. He says nothing, but continues to watch the group carefully as he lays these good down, in particular glaring at Alleah for a moment. (Knowledge Nature check to know what sort of creature he is.)

The great willow tree move over near the man and deposits berries and washed tubers on the mat. (I don’t plan to alter the map to show the new position of this willow.)

Cnossia sees the tiny Bliss on a big raven. “I do not suggest you fly through the waterfall little man. Do so if you wish, but birds are typically not good swimmers.” She then slaps the surface of the water a few times in succession.

She watches rather carefully as Pressi, Murphy and Kezzem swim into the waterfall. As they pass into or under the waterfall, the force and turbulence of the water is simply not there - nothing pushes you down or move you with the water. They can feel the water, but the forces of the water is greatly diminished. These water continues to move and froth and roar, but within the waterfall, it is as easy to swim as in calm, open water. Those observing see this effect as well. Clearly, there is magic here.

Then something rather unexpected happens. As Pressi swims into the waterfall, she feels her Lizardman form slip away and, and the small halfling is not nearly the swimmer she was a moment ago. Cnossia reaches a hand over, ready to steady Pressi and keep her above water. Murphy and Kezzem have a sudden panic when, as they swim beneath the fall, their ability to breathe water suddenly ends. The two otters seem to come close, bearing Murphy and Kezzem upward toward the surface as they sputter and gasp for air.

Cnossia, “Oh, I forgot to mention that the waterfall has a special property of removing all magics and enchantments. But it’s a good way for me to see that you are who you say you are. Since you do not seem to mean us any harm here, perhaps we should go eat.”

“Ruckhack, consider these people to be my guests.” The funny little man then grumpily picks up two of the cakes he laid out and put them back into his bag, grumbling to himself as he does so.

Any ongoing spells or magical effects on Pressi, Murphy and Kezzem are no longer working

Murphy and Kezzem, distressed though they may be at this effect, find they are a bit jealous that Cnossia is so close to Pressi and not them. But the otters are fun.

(Please make a DC 12 swim check to swim in the waterfall without assistance. The force of the water has no effect, but the turbulence in the water is a bit disorienting.)

Here is your map.

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim)  d20+6=25 ; d20+16=26 ; d4=3 ; d6+8=14 ; d20+4=10 ; d20+4=18 ;
Monday November 2nd, 2015 4:04:44 PM

Murphy finds, after dealing with the water breathing going away, that it is even easier for him to swim (swim: 25) within the area of the waterfall. "Wee-ee-eeeee!" he exults. He does what he can to see how far back the cliff wall goes from the falls - seeing if there is an area behind sheltered from the water. If so, he looks around a bit (perception 26).

When Cnossia tells them about the disenchanting abilities of the enchanted falls, he laughs. "Before we knew it was you, here, and we saw the beautiful pool and falls, I was concerned that there may be something within that might pull us in with less than goodwill, so I cast water breathing for us. So, it was momentarily disconcerting when a it went away." He tries to help to make sure that Kezzem is all right, and sees that Pressi is in good hands.

"But I grew up swimming in the water hole in the stream that runs through our village, and have always loved the water. This is the best waterfall I've ever seen! Back in a moment. I want to touch the bottom of the pool again!" He dives down, and looks about briefly for some pretty rocks. He picks up three that look nice to him, and resurfaces. He adds those to the two skipping rocks in his waistband.

As she instructs her mossy friend that they are to be considered guests, Murphy turns more serious. "Thank you, Lady of the Falls, for extending hospitality."

He suggests, "How about we play in the water a few more minutes, then go ahead and eat?"

His most used stroke is trudgeon (combination of sidestroke and crawl - with legs doing a scissors kick). He also does the sidestroke; the fishy-fish (arms at sides, legs together at thighs, knees, calves and ankles, and undulate up and down, using the kick to bring the head up out of the water for breathing); the lazy frog (elementary backstroke); the frogger (breaststroke); doggy paddle; corkscrew (the crawl rotating from face up to face down, continuing around to face up, etc.); and he finishes with the heaving monster (butterfly), although that is the one stroke that wears him out if he keeps it up too long.

He then gathers water as he holds his hands together, fingers entwined, and then squirts an arc of water into the air out about fourteen feet away from him. He repeats a few times, moving his hands to make the water flow in a zig-zag pattern in the air. And he squirts first Kezzem, then Prissi, not in the middle of their faces, but maybe on the ear, or top of the head, playfully. He thinks about squirting Cnossi, but turns a bit shy, so just squirts a couple feet away from her.

The boyish halfling - for he gets quite so when swimming, finally swims ashore, helping his friends along if they need the assistance, then gets up on the rock next to the shore, and rubs the water off his body to an extent, and lets evaporation do the rest.

He sees the spread laid out. [He did not notice the cake retrieval earlier, as it was not in his local context.]

"Sometimes, life is great!" He takes the two skipping rocks out of his waistband. "Is it all right if I try skipping a couple of rocks in your pool?" he asks Cnossi. If she allows it, he makes certain he aims well away from her and the otters, and his friends, if they still remain in the water. The first stone he does not throw quite flatly enough, and it edges into the water, and angles downward (AC10). With the second, tongue held to the side in concentration, he does better (AC18). It skips about five times before settling back in the pool. He shrugs his shoulders. "Nalfein was always better than me at rock skipping."
Submit Reset ."

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Monday November 2nd, 2015 7:28:05 PM
"Ruckhack, why did you disturb the cakes? Is there something we should know about them? Those gnomes already tried to poison us earlier...what assurance do we have that you aren't out to harm us?". She tried not to be rude with her questioning, but felt it was important to receive a believable story before she decided to sup with this group.

She moves to the tree. "For some reason, I think I trust you the most. You aren't out to do us harm are you, Mister Tree?"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22  d20+6=26 ; d20+8=27 ;
Monday November 2nd, 2015 7:51:37 PM
(Swim Yet another Natural 20)

Though at a much slower speed than before (swim speed 10 now), it becomes clear that Pressi is able to upright herself quickly. She is a bit miffed at Cnossia's trick - regardless of whether Cnossia was in the right, Pressi would be unable to transform again today - but kept that to herself with her thank you being just a tad curt.

Pressi recoils as Murphy squirts her, but she does laugh as she tries to splash him back. "Oh, you'd better swim, Bumblebee."

It had been an unusual relationship, her and Murphy's family. She had lived in an alleyway near Winwood as she worked yet again for some of the harder nobles, helping with their paperwork, dancing for the entertainment of their guests, waitressing and sometimes spying for them, suffering their insults and come-ons, and eventually quitting to once again beg and steal in the streets. Leska had caught Pressi stealing from her store at least twice.

But something was different this time. This time there was a kindness from someone Pressi had stolen from, and it freaked her out again and again. But she decided that maybe what she was looking for was a friendly face. As for Nalfein, she hadn't really done much stone skipping with him, though he did watch over her from time to time.

Things eventually got better after a time. Leska brought her to the Angel Springs Temple, where she began to train in the martial arts. The robe of altering she stole from Waard became augmented with a standard issue Hat of Disguise from the mayor. She still had to clean and wait on people occassionally, but now it was for a purpose, as she began to go on paid missions for the temple - and for Leska as well.

And that was the thing, here with Murphy. She still didn't know what her relationship with him was. Was he a friend? A family member? Or did she owe him, the way she felt she owed Leska and Nalfein? Did he know that the Mayor had her follow his group when they were accused of murder? Or that when Leska needed a courier to handle his letters, she reached out to Pressi? Were they just strangers who mistook their familiarity?

With Murphy's help, Pressi eventually got a good spin on a rock (AC 27). "Beginner's luck," she said as she considered whether she would be allowed to flurry them.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+9=26 ; d20+11=27 ;
Monday November 2nd, 2015 8:35:35 PM
DM -
a) In my past three posts I've been asking for Sense Motive results. Can you please advise?
b) Are we still in combat rounds?
---------------------------------------

Alleah is quite sure that Ruckhack couldn't have heard her whisper to Shel. He must have been at least 60ft away, and she was whispering with the sound of a waterfall behind them. Why is he glaring at her in particular? "I'm sorry if I have offended you, Ruckhack. I don't know if there is some routine or custom I have missed. I was only suggesting that we get to know each other over a bite to eat"

She's just as curious as Shel as to why Ruckhack has suddenly chosen to remove two of the cakes from the feast, but doesn't say anything. Not yet anyway.

---------------------------------------
Diplomacy: Ongoing
Knowledge Nature: 26 - to ID the little man
Perception: 27

[DM Mark] Hey love, what's so magical about this waterfall? 
Monday November 2nd, 2015 9:53:13 PM
(Sorry Rob - a lot to keep track of)

Alleah senses that Cnossia is sincere, but guarded.
Rukhack is grumpy and mistristful.

Rob: Thanks DM! :)

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) 
Monday November 2nd, 2015 10:09:56 PM

Bliss waves a hello to his friends who lost their magic effects, and thanks the Lady Nymph for warning him away from the magic waters. Suddenly being twice as big as Mookie would not be a good way to keep airborn! He flies back to where everyone is gathering for a picnic.

"Yum! This is starting to look like a feast!" he says.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+5=25 ; d20+10=11 ;
Monday November 2nd, 2015 11:53:05 PM
Swim: 25

Concerned about the waterfall and the effect it had on his dagger, he lobs one against the wall to verify that it will still return to his hand.

"Give a halfling a head's up next time, won't you red?"

Kezzem breaks off from the giant otter and starts splashing about playfully in waterfall. He is sure to splash Pressi in particular as she seems to be getting all the attention.

"So you get many playmates trying to pass themselves off as something else, like those winged gnome folk or something"

Sense Motive: 11


Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) 
Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 12:59:39 AM

At Pressi's challenge, Bumblebee does swim - diving down here, coming up there. Murphy enjoys the mutual splashing, allowing some of his friends' attacks to land on him and, as Kezzem splashes Pressi, the fellow gets a stream of water on the back of his neck. He later explained, "My younger sister, Juditha, used to call me 'Water Fountain.'"

If any ask, he shows them how he makes the steady stream of water - but says it took him about a year to figure it out, back when he was eight and nine. Nalfein does it all the time, he says. "He can stand with his hands together for ten minutes, innocent as you please, then squirt somebody in the face when they least expect it. One time he tried that with Selithe, though, and she ducked. Well, Grandma Eglantine was right behind her, and, oh, boy, did Nalfein get a tongue lashing! She makes the best rumberry pies, but her tongue is as sharp as her pies are sweet!" He laughs as he recalls the family tormentor getting his comeuppance.

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) 
Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 1:01:17 AM

"Yeah, you're a natural, at rock skipping - or supremely lucky!" he comments on her excellent rock skipping. "That one took twelve, thirteen skips."

[DM Mark] Yum! This is starting to look like a feast.  d20=13 ; d20=9 ; d6=6 ;
Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 1:03:57 PM
(As I noted on October 30, we are not in combat rounds.)

Murphy is not put off by the loss of his water breathing ability. He enjoys his time in the water, in the falls, and skipping stones. Murphy shows off a number of swimming strokes and tells a family story. He takes a peek behind the waterfall. There is a nice, if wet place to sit there, but little else that is readily apparent.

Pressi is a bit miffed at Cnossia, but still enjoys the swim. As she plays with Murphy, she thinks back on her past and ponders her relationship with him.

Shel confronts the little man when he takes back some of the food he set out. She also speaks to the tree, saying she trusts it the most.

Alleah also addresses the little man, telling Rukhack that they mean no harm. For Alleah: Highlight to display spoiler: {The little man is an Oakman, like a dryad in a way, but more rare, grouchy and combative. These fey creatures are tied to a particular tree and cannot last long without it. They are known for making foods and cakes that they use to trick or trap people.

The willow tree is not a Treant. It is an Awakened Tree.

(Perception to overhear a whispered conversation is DC15 +1 for every 10 feet of distance.)}

Bliss thanks the Nymph for warning he and Mookie off from the waterfall. He flies back to the shore, eager for some food.

Kezzem is concerned that the waterfall may have affected his dagger. Once out of the water, he tests it and is relieved to see that has dagger returns to his hand.

(Tests of the waterfall's effect show that it will remove permanently any magics or enchantments on a living creature. Items seem to be suppressed while in the falling water, but have effect once moved out of the waterfall.)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The swimming continues for a bit, under the watchful eye of the Nymph. Her attitude is guarded - you’re not sure if she’s keeping an eye on you or just worried about your safety in the water. Perhaps both.

As Shel speaks to the willow tree, it caresses it with her leaves and branches. In the process, a willow branch wraps around her neck for a moment. Was that a careless move or a warning from the tree?

As the non-swimming group moves toward the little, mossy man, he says,”Yer welcome here because the lady sez y’are. Me, I don’t much trust folks in the Culverwood. They’re usually here fer something, and it’s usually not good. But if yer lost, yer lost - an we mean ya no harm.”

To Alleah: “Miss, ya got less reason to mistrust me than I have ta mistrust you folks. I’m not any more offended by yer concerns - yer right to be concerned in the Culverwood. But you seem like a right trustful person yerself. Ya don’t hafta worry ‘bout the food none. I put away anythin’ that would cause you harm. We have our ways of defendin’ ourselves here, an unless ya’ll cause a problem you’ll have nuthin to fear from me.”

As the water play concludes, Cnossia ducks under the water for a moment, returning with a sheer, gossamer-thin gown that really doesn’t cover much. In fact, it more accentuates her form than presenting any illusion of modesty.

“There,” she says as she emerges from the water, barely clad, “Perhaps this will put you more at ease.” Any party members with any attraction to females finds her … extremely distracting.

“Come, let’s have someting to eat.” She will fix Rukhack briefly with a stare. “I trust Rukhack and Verin have prepared a nice meal. Ooo, I see you also have brought some nice things to share.”

She looks fondly at the willow tree. It has no face, per se, but it almost seems to smile nonetheless.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You find the food and the conversation both delightful. Cnossia, will warn you about dangers in the Culverwood as you proceed. Fairy spiders, stirges (flying creatures that suck your blood), occasional bands of goblins, orcs and xenophobic elves. There once was a Medusa that could turn people to stone with a glance that lived in the wood, but Cnossia rallied some friends and drove her out. At least they think she’s gone.

As you eat, Cnossia asks if any of you can dance, play an instrument or know any poetry?
[Please let me know how you respond to this, and what you do.]

As the meal continues, Rukhack will bring out some clay jars full of a mossy, earthy, beer-like liquid he calls it Kormi. It’s a little odd at first, but the more you have the better it seems to taste. Rukhack seems to finally let his guard down and actually becomes a bit drunk. As the evening continues, he drinks some more. “Ya know, you hobbits are alright. Jus don tell noone from tha tolkien clan tha’ ah called ya’ll hobbits. Arright? Is our little sheecret, okie dokie?” Not long after that he passes out.

Cnossia will encourage you all to stay for a few days. Assuming you decline, she will ask that you at least stay the night there in safety. She will allow you to build a fire, but away from any trees.

[Your next post should resolve any questions, preparations or actions you intend to take for the rest of the day through the following morning, including preparations to leave. Unless they are hostile actions, you’ll rest that night and awake refreshed.]

Any ongoing spells or magical effects that were on Pressi, Murphy and Kezzem when they entered the waterfall are gone.

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+7=13 ;
Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 2:52:31 PM

Bliss loves the drink -- and so does Mookie.

The drink goes right to Bliss's head, and he passes out first. But before that, he loves dancing in the firelight. Perform Dance 13. He stumbles a bit as he moves into and out of the shadows, and he laughs.

The bird gets on well with the mossy fellow, Rukhack. He tells a few of his more off-color stories, after the Kid falls asleep. Like the time him and his friends got whipped by Jancassis. Ouch! and Nuf Said.

Yup, we'll stay only the one night, and then head out bright and early. Maybe with some help to get us on the right path?

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, ) (Kent) 
Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 6:17:03 PM
Trill is wary as she helps set out the food and shares Alleah's misgivings about the party split up but apparently they were a bit more paranoid than necessary and every one made it back to shore to share the spread of food and partake of a bit of the drink as well. Trill eats and while she will partake of a bit of the drink proffered she remains on point and on watch as others let go and imbibe. She listens to Cnossia's information about the area and when asked about music she shakes her head. I can sing a bit but my mother was the musician. She spent a number of years traveling with some Gypsies and learned all kinds of instruments.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  d20+4=7 ;
Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 8:06:17 PM
Shel waits until the others have tried the food and drink before she chances to do the same. I honk the tree tried to hug me, she thinks, as she tries the spread. The alcohol wasnt too bad, either.

Assuming the night progressed without trouble, she watched Bliss try to dance and shook her head. "Bliss, this is how you dance. Tree, come out here with me," she laughed, as she took a branch and tried to maneuver it to the makeshift dance floor.

Unfortunately, she tripped over a branch and almost took a pratfall.

OOC: perform dance 7.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+1=20 ;
Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 8:18:41 PM
Alleah believes Rukhack speaks the truth. It's true, he probably has more reason to feat the party, than they do him. She extends her hand in greeting "Well said. And since we are yet to be properly introduced, my name's Alleah. Good to meet you, Rukhack"

She sips at the 'Kormi'. Alleah is still young and drinks go straight to her head. It's then that Cnossia suggests some entrtainment.

Alleah is somewhat intimidated by the prospect of dancing having seen how light on his fleet Bliss was.

Perhaps some poetry? She casts a Guidance spell, and hopes to Wardd that she finds the right words...

"Whilst travelling in the Culverwood
By the waterfalls and trees
We've seen so many different things
Snakes and rafts and bees

Cnossia, nymph of the fall
such a beauty to behold
Kindly shares her waters
But my, are they cold!

While Rukhack the oakman
a spritely little fey
Watches from his branch
With cakes for his prey

But not everyone is friendly
Watch for Calloran and his witches
They'll poison you, court you and lure you
So keep a hand on your britches"

At the conclusion, Alleah blushes a little and looks to Cnossia for a sense of approval.

-----------------------
Perform Oratory: 20

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) 
Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 8:46:29 PM

Murphy tries dancing along with Shel & Bliss... but his legs, perhaps after all the effort he put into swimming, feel wobbly. So wobbly, he trips over a root, and stumbles to the side, and sits down. He looks over to Shel, and up at Verin, and laughs. "Dancing is not our strong suit today, Shel." [Perform, dance: 6]

He gets to thinking, and starts writing, when, lo and behold, Alleah comes up with a charming poem. He claps at the end of it. "Brava, Alleah, brava!"

"Well, we have many songs in Crescent Valley. My father is a bard, and one of my brothers. My mother, a druid, sometimes sings her spells.

"I am not well gifted as they, and my brother says, though gently, that some of what I write is doggerel. But Alleah has inspired me - and, not her only. But, give me some moments, and I shall see if I can write a poem - or, at least, fair doggerel."

As they feast, Murphy takes out some paper, and begins to write. He scratches out. He mumbles words - sometimes in a set rhythm.

Finally, he says, "All right. I want to teach you all a song - at least a chorus to a song. It starts like this: 'Along the way in the Culverwood,'" he begins, but as he takes a breath, he swallows wrong, and begins to cough [Perform, speaking, 4 (nat 1)]. He coughs so much he goes a ways away from everyone else, and works at bringing his voice back under control.

He returns (spending 2 hero points - one for a redo on the roll, plus an extra to put some extra oomph in his performance).

"All right. Sorry - swallowed down the wrong pipe. Here we go. Everyone ready to listen and learn?"
Chorus (sung):
Along the way in the Culverwood
Many fair things are found
But the fairest one is far above
The next in place
Whatever that is
By steps and a leap and a bound
Murphy sings through three times, teaching it to those gathered around the outdoor feast. And, he goes through it one or two more times, until all - or most - have it down.

"All right. So, My song poem will have this chorus a few times. When I point to you, then all sing together. Then I will chant some verses. Then point to you for the chorus, and so forth. Does that make sense?"

If people seem to get it, then he begins - they all sing the chorus, then he picks up with chanted verses, thus.
Verses (chanted):
A winding trail comes upon
A pool of deep green blue
With a fall of water magical
That rinses clean
And touches light
Unveiling intentions true

Yet most of all the best there is
A locus of bright pulchritude
A water nymph with flaming hair
Whose laugh delights
And limbs well formed
Pond's ripples barely can occlude

Chorus (sung):
Along the way in the Culverwood
Many fair things are found
But the fairest one is far above
The next in place
Whatever that is
By steps and a leap and a bound

Verses (chanted):
Nearby are guardians of the nymph
A living moving willow tree
And an oaken green and testy man
Who knows the ways
Of fae and can
Defend the loverly lady

Cnossia she gives her name
Her mind is searing bright
She'll test your wits and character
And if you pass
And are not crass
You'll find her pure delight

While frolicked we with water friends
Our eyes glanced at her flowing hair
We gathered treasured moments as
Our hearts skipped beats
Midst watery treats
Could one's soul joy find there?

Chorus (sung):
Along the way in the Culverwood
Many fair things are found
But the fairest one is far above
The next in place
Whatever that is
By steps and a leap and a bound
[Perform: 15]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22  d20+15=23 ; d20+4=23 ; d20+18=30 ;
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 9:32:38 AM
Pressi waves off most of the attempts to get her to dance and sing, acting rather more morosely than she did in the water just a short time ago. "I've just never been much of a performer," she mutters to many of the exhortations.

She does partake in the drinking but it seems to make her sadder. "It's just a phase of mine," she insists.

------------------

Pressi wakes up earlier than everyone else, making her way to a secluded part of the lake (stealth 23, please don't have everyone wake up and follow). For a short moment of time, she takes in the sun and her reflection in the water, focusing on a narrow rock in the shallows.

(Dance roll 23, Acrobatics 30)

Out came the old spins and kicks as her fans sprung from seemingly nowhere. It surprised her how quickly the old routines came back, dancing as she did with her reflection. It was only a moment to remember how it used to feel.

With a shrug, she made her way back to camp to prepare for their departure.

She did have one last piece of business left, to be done when Cnossia woke up. "Rukhack's statements regarding the people who keep coming here... he didn't mean those gnomes, did he? Who were they? What were they looking for?"

But as she waited for Cnossia's answer, a memory of last night flooded back. She had stated, in her drunken stupor, her intent to break off from the group once they got back to civilization. She quickly scrambled to remember who she said that to....

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 10:19:38 AM
"I ain't much a performer, more of a gambler," says Kezzem. "Anybody have some cards?"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+8=26 ;
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 12:02:50 PM
Like the others, Alleah waves off Murphy's attempt to have her perform again "Sorry Murph. One performance a day is my limit"

"Cards however. Now you're talking my language"

Alleah will not play for money however. Amongst friends she only plays for fun.

Profession Gambler: 26. Alleah is trained in this :)

[DM Mark] Ooo, me achin’ head.  d20=12 ;
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 3:10:22 PM
Bliss dances in and out of shadows. Then he drinks some beer and goes to sleep. Once Bliss is out, Mookie takes over with some grown-up jokes and stories.

Trill enjoys the food, drink, conversation and entertainment. She declines any performances, but does have a good time.

Shel tries dancing with the willow tree. The tree tries to dance, but ends up tripping Shel in the process. The tree barks out a laugh at the effort, which is startling in itself. How many halflings can boast they danced with a tree and made it laugh!

Alleah composes and performs some most excellent poetry, much to the pleasure and amusement of both Rukhack and Cnossia!

Murphy works on a song. He composes a song that involves everyone there. His performance falters a bit, but is a great success.

Pressi declines to perform, though she is an adept dancer. She joins in the party, but is a bit melancholy. In the morning, she wakes up early and finds a private place to meditate. And then she dances, and oh does she dance! She also asks Cnossia about Rukhack’s reference to others that have come through here.

Kezzem proposes playing cards, and Alleah eagerly agrees. Kezzem is instantly glad he was not playing for keeps against this follower of Wardd.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cnossia, Rukhack and Verin all enjoy their time with Humble’s Sword! The dancing, poetry and singing are a hit. The festivities continue into the night. As the sun disappears and darkness creeps into the area beneath the great oak, Cnossia banishes the darkness with a gesture, conjuring lights that appear in the branches and grasses all around. What at first looks like the brightest lightning bugs you’ve ever seen are actually conjured lights that give a soft, romantic glow to the whole area.

Cnossia laughs, “Oh, this is indeed a treat, and the best time I’ve had in a while. And you’ve all make a great impression on Rukhack. He rarely shares his brew, so you should consider yourselves fortunate indeed.”

Rukhack joins in the dancing while he’s still conscious, and seems to pay a lot of attention to Alleah. Even the Willow Tree Verin joins in, dancing with Shel. Cnossia tries to entice Murphy or Kezzem into more than dancing - they politely decline.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

In the morning, you all wake. Those that imbibed more than a little of the Oakman’s beer are a little under the weather. Ruckhack seems to be moaning, and holding his head. He moves slowly, “Ooo, me achin’ head. Twas fun, but ahm payin’ the price today fer sure.”

Cnossia seems to be in a bright mood. She drops her “robe” and then goes for a quick dip. She dons her robe when she returns, though it really makes little difference. The group then breakfasts on berries, fruits and tubers.

In response to Pressi’s question about those that may have come through here, Cnossia responds, “there have been an occasional troll or band of orcs or goblins. We usually drive them off. There were a couple of rogues that came through a few months back. They were a bit lost, but they sought to take advantage of my welcome and hospitality. The came to regret that before they died.”

“Oh won’t you stay for a while? We could have much fun! No? Well, then at least let me give you some parting gifts. These, I have little use of...” She gingerly hands the party a two small-sized cold iron daggers.

“And you may find use for these.” She also gives you three Cure Light Wounds potions. (Each will heal d8+5 points.)

To Pressi, Trill and Kezzem, she gives a small acorn, carved from wood and hung from a strong, black cord.

“For Bliss and his funny little dance, I give you this cloak.” She gives Bliss a nice, brown cloak with an acorn clasp. (It is a well made masterwork cloak, woven from a very fine plant material. It seems warm and waterproof, though it has no special properties.)

“To Murphy, for his great performance I give my blessing, and may my spirit be his muse, guide and inspiration until you exit the Culverwood.” She present Murphy with a silver acorn. “This will guide you toward your home, but only so long as you are within the Culverwood.” (Murphy will get +4 to his Will saves, and a have a clear sense of direction home until he exits the Culverwood.)

“Shel, Verin has something for you.” The animate willow tree shuffles over and places a wreath of woven willow branches on her head. The tree seems happy. Cnossia says, “Shel, if you keep that watered every few days, it will always appear as a living wreath of willow branches. (This circlet of woven branches is a masterwork item. It is suitable for enchantment, though it’s use will not decrease the cost of any item it is made into.)

“Alleah, your performance was spectacular, but I think Rukhack has something special for you.”

With that, Rukhack pulls it together, but winces in pain as he walks over to Alleah. He hands her a glass bottle and a small, wrapped cake. “This here’s some o’ me brew. An’ this here cake is a strong healin’ cake.” (When consumed, this cake will act as a Heal spell curing 50 hit points and the other usual Heal effects.)

Rukhack adds “Fer the rest o’ ya, I have some travelin’ bread. An’ ya needn’t worry - there’s nuthin’ funny in ‘em.” Each halfling gets 7 cakes, each one wrapped in some sort of waxy leaves. (These will each sustain one person for one day.)

With that, the group bids farewell to the Nymph and her friends and moves toward home.

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, ) (Kent)  d20+1=7
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 3:15:03 PM
Trill brightens a bit as Alleah does her poem.

"Now poems are something I can do."

She looks up at the large tree.

"Hmm, something appropriate for the situation."


I but glimpse the wonders of the forest
As I tread through the glades of down,
But O the forest seems too still,
Whenever I'm around
The matriarchs so staunch and divine,
Ring round their forest glades
And gaze down upon our folly
Seemingly to hope and to say,
But there is no way,
For we are of flesh,
And they are of wood,
And neither can seek to be not so…
For we are all People


perform DC 7

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) 
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 3:22:47 PM

Murphy is sad that so many of his friends refused to even try to sing along. Was it because he had a coughing fit before he could get the song started? Ah, well.

He thinks over the spells he has at hand, and makes a few changes.

He noted how morose his friend Pressi seemed to be. When he could catch her the following morning, he takes her aside. "Hey, Press - what's going on? You seem, I don't know, cast down or something." He attends to her response. If she does not want to answer now, he does not push. If she wants to answer, he listens with care.

Speaking with Cnossia, he says, "I would love to remain for another day or two, but my friends want to press on. And we do have urgent things to attend to, and a calamity to prevent. Thank you for telling us of some of the dangers which may lie ahead. You did mention, Cnossia, that you might be able to help us travel more quickly. Know you a shortcut, or have you the means or knowledge to speed us on our way back to Crescent Valley? If we get there in time, we may be able to prevent deaths, and even to keep a war from starting. Any aid you would be willing to render would be met with great gratitude. And if there is something that you need for us to do, for my part I am willing to listen."

[DM Mark] Ooo, me achin’ head. 
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 7:23:32 PM
ONE LATE CHANGE

Cnossia: "For Trill and her inspiring poem, I have this. Her poem reminds us of the ties that bind us all." She will hand Trill as coil of cord. Trill will find that this seemingly small thing is actually a 50' coil of masterwork silk rope.

(NOTE: This will be in place of the acorn on a cord.)

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  d20+3=19 ;
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 7:31:51 PM
Shel admires her new pretty wreath, "Thanks so much, Verin. It was a real pleasure meeting you all. I've had such a bad time in the Forest before meeting your group. If everyone was like you, I'd give this place a sterling reputation," she says as she hugs the tree again. She tries dancing one last time and does just a bit better!

She follows up on Murohy's questions to Cnossia. "Any help getting us home would be wonderful. Our town really needs us."

OOC: Perform Dance 19!

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday November 4th, 2015 8:30:23 PM

Bliss is sad to hear that he fell asleep before Murphy's song. He asks that Murphy teach it to him on the road, and he'll sing along too.

Mookie rolls his eyes. "You haven't heard the Kid sing."

"Shhh! Mookie! I'm listening to Trill's poem. Boy that's a good one! 'We are all People.' Even the ones who were harpies oncet upon a time!"

When it is time for parting gifts, Bliss is overjoyed at his gift of a cloak! And in his size, too! "Wowsy!" he exclaims, using his mom's exclamation of choice. He hugs the nymph spontaneously. Well, her calf, anyway. "That is so nice!"

"Wait, I didn't --" then a sly look comes over the tiny halfling's face. "Oh, right! I have a gift for you too, Lady Cnossia!"

He reaches into his pack and takes out a tiny potion vial. He hands it to her, and when he releases it, it grows back to normal size. "This is a magic oil. Smear it on yourself and you'll shrink in half. So you can remember me when you need to be small!"

Bliss looks very satisfied with himself, and he snuggles his new cloak.

He thanks Rukhack for the bread. "MMMM it sure smells yummy!" He opens one up and starts eating it. "Tastes yummy too!"

He agrees with Murphy. "I'm sorry we can't stay, but we kind of have an emergency back home that we have to get to A-S-A-P. That means, As Soon As Possible."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 12:13:08 AM
OOC: Kim - Nothing personal against Murphy's attemped group singing, however Alleah had already made one performance check. Given she had such a great roll result, I wasn't willing to tempt fate again with only a +1 bonus :)

"That's a very generous gift, Rukhack. Thankyou. But I must give you something in return. I know..." Alleah reaches into her kit and retrieves 6 golden walnuts* "They are not magical now, but hopefully they are something you would enjoy"

She tucks the cakes into her kit. "How should one bid farewell to an Oakman and an Nypmh? Hmmm" With no other ideas at hand, Alleah resorts to just offering a handshake to each of them.

Retaking her position atop Thistle, Alleah waits for one of the brighter sparks of the party to lead the way.

-------------------------------
*6 Golden Walnuts: Were a gift won in the GG Yuletide. Their magic has since expired. When magical they were so nutritious that they would sustain the person who consumes one for an entire 24 hours.

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood  d20+16=35 ;
Thursday November 5th, 2015 6:06:29 AM

OOC: RobC - Ah, a momentary case of dice phobia.

Stream-of-consciousness interactions...

Murphy, who did have one dose of Rukhack's brew, talks with the fellow about some of the neighborhood brews he has sampled from time to time, while praising his Kormi, and asking for brewing hints - seeking to expand his knowledge of a branch of alchemy. "I would have drunk more, but my limits are easily reached." He also takes time to appreciate the oak in which he dwells, and asks if there are other oak people around. Later, just before they leave, he thanks him warmly for the wrapped cakes he gave them.

He laughed at some of Mookie's stories, but checked himself on a few of the old bird's more bawdy tales.

The druid writes down Trill's poem and Alleah's, too. He asks if each will autograph the paper on which it is written.

In the morning, he first asks permission, then swims again in the beautiful water, delighting in the waterfall, and spending some moments playing with the otters, if they will. He takes a few moments to sit on the ledge behind the waterfall, and there offers a whispered prayer of thanksgiving to Eberyon for allowing him and his friends the privilege of finding such a haven on their journey.

He speaks in the sylvan tongue with Verin. "There is a beautiful willow outside of my Grandma Eglantine's home. I will tell her of you when I see her branches dancing in the breeze. Thank you for your kindness to my good friend, Shel. And for picking such good berries!"

During the time they spend together, he asks Cnossia about the Willow. "How does a tree come to the kind of life that Verin has? I mean, was he like this from a sapling, or did he come gradually to walking, and dancing, and - the other things he can do? Did you play a role? Or did he come to you as he is?" He is not certain that 'he' is the proper pronoun.

He also makes inquiries as to good tactics to use against fairy spiders, stirges, xenophobic elves, and a few other dangers the naiad mentioned. He asks if there may be herbal preparations that might keep stirges at bay. "For example, against mosquitoes, my aunt has a bitter herb she rubs on her skin, and the mosquitoes will not come near her."

The druid is amazed at the gifts that the naiad gives to his companions. Then... "Lady Cnossia!" Murphy cries with a gasp when she gives him her blessing, placing his hands over his heart. As he accepts the great boon represented by the silver acorn, he takes her fingers for a moment, and presses his lips against the back of her hand, inhaling the fragrance, then steps back... with very red cheeks. Not as debonair as he could wish to be, yet rather visibly moved. Her spirit to be my muse, guide, inspiration... he ruminates over her words from time to time as the day progresses.

As they are about to leave, he remembers something. He digs in his backpack, and pulls out a small box. Inside are a comb and a hand mirror. "It's not that you need either, Lady, but - a memento for you." After he sets it down before her, Murphy bobs his head, and runs off to catch up to the others.

Very happy to teach Bliss his song along the way, he tells him, "I've named my song chant Cnossia's Waterfall." He also takes time to admire Bliss's new cloak.

[Perception: 35 as they head back on the trail through the Culverwood - if his senses tell him that is the proper way to travel. Question: with the +4 to will saves, would that also translate into +4 on his skill checks where Will is the operative modifier?]

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 6:32:49 AM

Along the way, Murphy keeps his eyes out for helpful or unusual flora, and may harvest small samples here and there, some for near-future use, and some small plants/shoots for later planting back in a Humble's Ford garden.

Perhaps during a break for lunch, or just to walk together, he sees how Pressi is doing, and seeks to discern whether her dark mood may have lifted. "Pressi - I don't know what is wrong, but - you know how at a meeting hall or in some theatres or temples there may be a balcony? Sometimes those in the balcony will cheer on one or more who is on the stage, or admire them. Well, think of me in this way. I am in your balcony. I am rooting for you." He is silent for a bit. Then he adds, "And, if you need one, I can be your friend, to walk beside you." He looks about. "Uh, although, in these woods, sometimes we'll need to be walking in different parts of the trail to deal with surprises... but - I hope you understand what I mean."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 10:09:39 AM
Pressi relaxes somewhat at Cnossia's description of the wanderers. "I just wanted to make sure they weren't part of a larger group or anything of concern. I'm glad to hear how you handled those who take advantage of you."

Pressi is a bit perplexed at the gift of a necklace, particularly as she watches what gifts the others get, but she accepts it with grace and politeness. And, succumbing to peer pressure, she decides that she should give a gift as well. Not really having much in the way of tokens, however, it takes her some time of rifling through her bag of holding - and a brief moment where she comes to hold a black wig along with a blue and black outfit.

Finally, she composes herself with a gift she thinks is perfect: two bags of flour. "For protection against invisible guests," she explains to a perplexed host. "It's an old monk trick - you spread some of it on the ground or in the air and you can see bodies or footprints like a spell. You can also cook with it, but that's another discussion." She bundles it with two rations to help foray what they ate and take with them.

"Anyway, you take care of yourselves... and good luck here."

---------------------------

Pressi had remained tight lipped at Murphy's inquiries the night before and this morning, but it had become increasingly difficult to keep quiet, particularly when he talked about how they would gladly be her audience. "That's the last thing I want," she finally shouted.

After a bit of shared silence, Pressi began again. "Look, I don't really like talking about it, but... I don't know what Leska told you but I didn't just beg and steal for food. I used to do all sorts of jobs for rich people. I used to dance for... well, maybe not an entire meeting hall with balconies; the guys I danced for preferred more private parties. But I used to have quite attentive audiences, and...

"Well, maybe I do still miss that a bit. But it... gets tough. All that scrutiny. All that unwanted attention. All that becoming yet another rich person's toy or a delegation's entertainment. Not that I was ever fully taken advantage of, but... I don't get to make people regret it, either. So, I don't dance unless I have to. I don't dance for audiences.

"Even now, with Cnossia giving gifts to RATE us on our performances.... I hope I wasn't too hard on her. She didn't know, and I respect what she tried to do. But it just reminded me why I stopped dancing once I had the choice in the first place."

"Also, I'm sorry if I misled you about our relationship. You'll always be family, but... It's great to have you by my side through these woods, but I'm not planning to stick around much longer, and I'm certainly not following you on adventure after adventure. I expect to head back to my temple and eventually wander off to my next spot, no matter what I... It's just easier if I don't get too attached to others. I have to do what's best for me."

(OOC: and none of this will in any way turn out to be ironic as part of her character arc. WINK.)

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 11:34:52 AM
Shel didn't really have any items that she thought would interest Verin. What would a tree want with shot glasses anyway?. As she looked through her pouch, she did find one of the now preserved purple roses the group had obtained from their very first adventure together.

She carefully removed it from her book, which had preserved it slightly, and tried to find a sturdy place in Verin's plumage that might hold it properly in all the nettles and leaves.

She begins following The group as they take their leave of the forest dwellers.

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 1:22:54 PM

"Uh, I didn't mean I was 'in your balcony' for watching you dance," Murphy replies after recoiling from the force of Pressi's rebuke. "I meant I was there to - to support you. Not to treat you as some, some thing, or for entertainment. However, hearing what you've gone through, I can see why that is perhaps not an apt comparison. Sorry.

"And just because we chanced upon each other in the woods," he continues, then looks around. "Though I'm not certain 'chance' was the overriding factor. But there's no obligation for you to go on adventure after adventure with us. I'm just happy to have you with us now, for the present. And yeah - we're family, or pretty near close to it."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 2:00:14 PM
Pressi was quiet for a moment. "You know, we keep telling people that we have to get back, but we never say for what. Supposing for the sake of argument that I did follow you guys to Humble Ford, what exactly are we trying to stop and what's our plan for stopping it?"

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, ) (Kent) 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 2:06:59 PM
Though she stumbled a bit through the presentation of her poem, overall she was pleased with how it went and she stammered a thank you to Cnossia as she presented her with the nice rope. A bit more embarrassed she signs the proffered poem that Murphy had written down and once again thanks Cnossia and her friends for the companionship and the evening.

Hearing Pressi's question Trill moves in a bit closer as well as she too would kind of like to know the answer.

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 3:20:49 PM

"Oh, well, that's easy!" Bliss pops out of a shadow to tell the tale.

"Okay, we were at one of the towers on the edge of the valley that keep out the giants. And somebody was attacking them? Or maybe it was some wizard friends of ours who made a mistake? I'm not really clear about that part. So we had to sneak in. Me and Mookie flew to a window and I squeezed in some bars. But everyone else had to fight the poison smoke monster on the ground floor of the tower. Then we fought our way to the top of the tower, where there was this dimensional portal, and the tower was falling down, and we were either gonna get crushed, or jump into the portal as the tower came crashing down!"

"So that's what we did, of course, and we ended up in this mightmare place Mookie knows about, where the trees are made of glass and this Huntman guy likes to hunt for people! So Mookie knew about this place where we could get out, and we made it there, and we ended up in Izen -- not all that far from where I grew up, where my Aunt Priss lives, but get this -- IT WAS IN THE PAST! Like, two three weeks ago!"

Bliss looks around, still amazed by it, and seeking confirmation in the faces of his friends. Mookie bobs his head and says, "Finish up, Kid."

"Right!" says Bliss. "Well, now we got time to get back home and STOP THE TOWER CRASHING BEFORE IT FALLS!! Is that nifty or what!? But we gotta get back soon or the Tower will fall before we get there, and that would be a waste."

He looks keenly at Pressi and Trill to be sure they get it.

"So that's why we gotta get home fast! See?"

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 4:03:21 PM

"Bliss got most of it. Turns out the purple smoke was flowing from out of an upper floor of the tower, right where our town's top three wizards had been conducting an experiment with a portable hole and dimension door spells, I think it was. They were trying to extend the range of dimension door - which allows one to teleport a short distance. You likely have heard of the giant towers to the north of the valley, placed there a long time ago to help protect us halflings from an incursion by the giants from the Scab. Well, the magical protections the towers afford utilize, or produce, a fair amount of magical power and energy. The Second Breakfast Club - that's what the three wizards style themselves - thought to harness some of that energy for their magical experiment. Well, if our suppositions are correct - and, so far, we can see no reason they are not - if we get back in time, we may be able to forestall them initiating their malformed magical machinations. Thus we would save the tower, save the lives of one or more members of the Club, and keep the tower intact, so that giants - who may have a mind to test our northern defenses from time to time would find them still strong, and war between our valley and the giants can be prevented - or, at least, forestalled for a while longer."

He pauses for a breath. "Koshe-Marr is the nightmare place Bliss mentioned."

He waits for others to add details, if they desire. Afterwards, he asks, "Would you like to hear of how our group, Humble's Sword, started out, and how we got to where we are today? If so, Shel and I can tell you of the early days, and others - like Alleah and Bliss - can add in more starting from the parts of our tale where they joined in with us. We likely have a few more days on the trail. Recounting the story might help you understand why we do some of the things we do."

If others answer in the affirmative, then, as the group takes stops for rest or meals, as well as over the campfire, Murphy will tell stories of the group. He keeps a journal, but that was left behind on one of his ponies back in Humble's Ford when the group was whisked from tower to Koche-Marr. He has been writing down more - catching up on the shadow country first, then on their travels up until now. [OOC: So, if you read back from the archives of this game, starting from the beginning, you will learn what your characters will hear from Murphy and others over the course of the next few days of travel. I won't, for the most part, actually be writing down what he says - assume that happens along the way.]

"Oh, and while we're doing that, if any of you want to tell us more about yourself and your past to us, I for one am ready to listen."

Dm Shawn - meet the new boss, same as the old boss 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 5:57:40 PM
Trill gives her best as she recites the poem. It isnt the best, but it does work and she is given a gift from Cnossia as well.

Shel thanks Verin and shares her thoughts on the reputation of those in the woods.

She even busts out some new moves and gets a thumbs up.

To her question Cnossia shakes her head. " I am afraid I already helped you more then I should. I know you mean well, but a balance Is needed."

Bliss loves his new cloak and makes sure to give Cnossia a gift back. She smiles purely at him and takes the gift. "

Ruchack slaps Bliss on the back.. "No problem halfling, it's just some Liontaur meat.." he says with a laugh as he adds "Just kidding "

Alleah takes her turn to give a gift, handing Ruchack some of the walnuts she won in the Giggling Ghost Yuletide party.

"Ehh.. I appreciate it, but my gift still works. " he says with a smile.

Murphy takes one last swim around with the otters and talks one last time to Cnossia. She accepts his gift, and he can tell the mirror has caught her attention.

Verin, as far as Murphy can tell is happy to hear about the willow doing good.

Cnossia tells Murphy that the Stirges here are not deterred by anything and a particularly nasty.

When the discussion of Verin comes up, Cnossia becomes quite tight lipped. "My little friend
I so do enjoy our time, but one thing I enjoy more then our time is my time. I think it is time you continue your adventure."

Pressi gets the biggest chuckle when she gives the gift of flour. " Gives a new meaning to giving a gal flowers. " Ruchack bellows.

On the road, Pressi and Murphy get a chance to talk, and Pressi opens up a bit.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Once final good byes are said, the group continues on. The path gets tight, even for a halfling, alowing only one of the Sword to walk abreast.

The path winds around some huge trees, continously blocking the view ahead. It then dips down to a small trickle of water crossing over the path. Is the marching order still the same as before?


Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle) 
Thursday November 5th, 2015 7:18:54 PM

Bliss is not flying this time. He is walking next to Pressi and Trill. He tells them about himself, and what he can do, and how the party works. He wants to know what they can do ... cast spells? Fight? Shoot?

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+11=15 ;
Thursday November 5th, 2015 10:12:02 PM
Alleah rides atop Thistle. She's in quite a good mood following meeting Cnossia and Rukhack. "I wonder what the name of the tree was?"

She happily hums away to herself.

Perception: 15


Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood  d20+16=26 ; d20+16=26 ; d20+16=17 ; d20+16=33 ;
Friday November 6th, 2015 1:24:44 AM
Murphy sticks to story telling mainly during breaks, snacks, and evening time. While on the trail, he tries to remain alert to the environment. Thinking about stirges, he looks about for plants which might be able to staunch flowing wounds, as well as perhaps vegetation that he can weave into a thick mat to keep their long pointed beaks from getting through to his skin. He thinks about the ghilly suit he had a while back. Something like that, but with even thicker thatching, could do the job.

"Bliss, Trill, Pressi - keep an eye out for attacks from behind." He smiles wryly, "As if I need to tell you that."

With Bliss's rearrangement, our marching order is significantly revised. How about:

Marching Order:
5 foot pathway
A. Kezzem scouting on foot
Main group:
1. Murphy in front
2. Shel
3. Alleah on Thistle
4. Trill
5. Bliss
6. Prissi on rear guard
Mookie?

10 foot pathway
A. Kezzem scouting on foot - low scout
Main group:
1/2. Murphy left, Shel Murphy right
3. Alleah on Thistle in middle
4/5 Bliss left, Trill right
6. Prissi on rear guard
Mookie?

And let's keep the Watches:
Even nights (last night was odd?)
1st: Shel
2nd: Pressi
3rd: Kezzem
4th: Murphy

Odd nights
1st: Trill
2nd: Bliss
3rd: Alleah
4th: Murphy

[Repeat question for DM Mark: With the +4 to will saves, would that also translate into +4 on his skill checks where Will is the operative modifier?

Perception: 35 above for first three hours, rolled in prior post 11/5; 26 for 2nd 3 hours; 26 again; then he's getting tired - 17. 33 for night watch]

DM Mark: The +4 only applies to Will Saves. Your Wisdom remains the same.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22 
Friday November 6th, 2015 9:02:51 AM
"Well, I mostly hit stuff and it sometimes hits back," Pressi responded to Bliss. "You've seen me change shape - I can do that with gear - and I've got a few throwing and thieving skills, but mostly its just running up and hitting things with my fists and then...."

"I'm sorry. I'm terribly sorry but I have to say something, even though it may hurt. Bliss, you have to know this mission is due to fail. This mission is guaranteed to fail and I know this because we're still talking and neither of us has blinked out of existence. I mean, your plan is to go back in time to destroy the time machine before you go back in time? Using a group made up of different timelines? I may be rooting for the giants at this point; they won't rupture the space time continuum."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Friday November 6th, 2015 10:22:22 AM
Kezzem downs his new acorn-necklace."So where to ne..." he then turns to Pressi and goes..."...wha?"

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+7=25
Friday November 6th, 2015 10:53:05 AM

Bliss laughs. "Oh, that's okay, my new friend! So long as you are trying to do good things, usually it all turns out right. We're trying to stop a calamity, so whatever happens, Miss Pressi, we tried our best."

Mookie coughs. "Yeah, and we're all special flowers and everybody gets a prize!"

"I'm a daisy!" shouts Bliss. "I like my prize!" He tries on his new cloak and does his daisy dance.

Perform Dance 25

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Friday November 6th, 2015 5:54:51 PM
Shel nods at Murphy's suggestion of marching orders and night watches. "That's worked well so far. Let's keep it up."

She marches quietly through the woods with the group of halflings, thoughts turning to finally getting home again, wondering if they could make it before the tower fell. They had to keep hurrying. After hey got home, she could relax and become happy go lucky Shel again, she hoped.

Dm Shawn - meet the new boss, same as the old boss  d20+7=19 ; d10=1 ; d3=3 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=14 ; d20+7=8 ; 2d6+4=6 ; 2d6+4=9 ;
Friday November 6th, 2015 6:18:26 PM
Kezzem is moving ahead of the group as the enter the little gully. He crosses the little stream and begins to head back up the other side when an orc appears at the top of the gully. His dress is of the woods, an his face and eyes are darker then a normal orc. His neck is surrounded by necklaces of totems and bird skulls.

The rest of the group is single file on the path dead center, about 30' behind Kezzem.

"Hello fat thighs... " the orc yells " I see your brought me and my friends some food. I brought the music."

He pulls a set of pipes from his pocket, and lifts it to his mouth. The notes sound dull and muted, sounding like sorrow and pain coming from all ends of the wold.

Everyone make a DC 13 Will save(unless you have hit 7th level when we weren't looking" If failed... Highlight to display spoiler: { Frightened for 4 rounds}

As the sounds assault the ears of the Sword... the forest erupts on either side. 2 massive orcs, also of the darker skin and eyes come out from. On the left side of the road, 1 comes out at the top of the marching order towards Murphy and shel, while the other on the bottom of the line by Prissi. On the right side the middle of the line gets two orcs. The quartet's eyes and veins are bulging in their heads. their mouths foaming as if rabid.

The first orc swings his greatsword with unnatural strength, embedding it into Murphy's shoulder. (Hit ac 19, 6 dmg).

Second orc swings at Pressi and misses.

Third orc catches Aleah barely. (Hit ac 14, 9 dmg)

The fourth orc runs out, swings hard at Trill and slips on the mud from the stream. He goes down to one knee, but quickly pops up with the thought of food being present.


Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39  d20+12=30 ; d20=18 ; d100=20 ; d20+9=22 ;
Friday November 6th, 2015 7:11:07 PM
Alleah's humming is interupted by the orc and his pipes. Though he music is terrible, it affects her ears more than her soul. Thistle, too, is also able to overcome the sounds of the pipes.

Of course her mistake was looking at the pipes. Being distracted she failed to notice the nearby orc who managed to slash her leg with a greatsword.

She draws on the power of a nearby leyline "Blood has been spilt! Flee! Flee now before any more does!"

---------------------------------
Alleah: Will Save vs DC13: 30 = Pass
Thistle: Will Save vs DC13: 18 = Pass

Alleah: Ride check to stay in saddle as she took damage. DC5: 8 = Autopass

Alleah: Cast 'Fear' trying to catch as many orcs as possible. Leyline check: 20 = Pass. Concentration check to cast defensively vs DC21: 22 = Pass. Any orc in the area of effect must make a Will Save vs DC17. Pass = Shaken 1 round. Fail = Panicked for 5 rounds.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22  d20+8=24 ; d20+8=10 ; d20+8=22 ; d6+3=9 ; d6+3=5 ;
Friday November 6th, 2015 7:34:00 PM
(OOC: don't know what experience points we got for the last two encounters, so can't determine whether anyone hit level 7)

(Will save vs pipes DC 13: 24 = pass, even without the +2 to fear)

Pressi ducked under the orc's swing as the pipes played on. "What is it with everyone here so wanting me to dance?"

Pressi strikes at the orc with a flurry of fists.

(Attack 1 hits AC 10 for 9 damage, probably a miss. Attack 2 hits AC 22 for 5 damage).

The orc laughs at Pressi's first swing, until the second swing hits him in the nose.

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Dire tiger  d20+14=27 ; d20+5=8 ; d20+5=21 ; d20+5=20 ; 2d4+6=12 ; 2d4+6=10 ;
Friday November 6th, 2015 9:26:55 PM

Almost quick as a wink, the innocuous halfling druid wild shapes into a snarling tiger.

He attacks the orc who cut his shoulder. His bite misses, but two claws catch on to the orc (AC 201, AC 20) for 12 and for 10 hp damage. He holds fast to the orc (grabbed).

[Will save: 27

Not certain I can do all this same round I wild shape - let me know.]

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  d20+8=25 ;
Friday November 6th, 2015 9:50:36 PM
OOC Will save 25.

Shel casts Haste on her group. She knew they'd know how to effectively combats these marauding orcs. After casting her spell, she uses her enhanced movement to put distance between the orcs and she.

OOC. I assume there is a way for Shel to move away from the scrum without taking an AOO. Everyone remember your Haste bonuses!

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+4=17 ; d20+10=27 ; d20+10=25 ; d6=1 ; d3+2=3 ; d3+2=4 ;
Saturday November 7th, 2015 12:51:22 PM
SV Will: 17

"Hey, my thighs are perfectly proportioned with the rest of my body!" says Kezzem. He lobs both of his returning daggers at the pipe playing orc.

(DM apply Far Shot and Point-Blank Shot as needed depending on range. I am assuming I don't get sneak attack since he already acted; also, please ignore the D6 roll--wrong button).

Attack #1: 27, Damage 3.
Attack #2: 25, Damage 4.

[DM Mark]  
Saturday November 7th, 2015 4:24:34 PM
(ooc: Forgot to get XP out. Will do soon, but it will not trigger a level increase.)

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43, CMD 22 (Hasted)  d20+9=27 ; d6+3=4 ;
Sunday November 8th, 2015 9:08:34 AM
(I believe that my first full attack should be without any hasted bonuses because I posted first. But just in case the DM decides I do, here are the hasted numbers: both attack rolls get a +1, damage rolls unchanged. My third roll hits AC 27, damage 4. Also, thanks for getting the XP out, and there's no hurry if no level increase.)

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+8=28 ; d20+5=18 ; d20+12=22 ; d20+12=28 ; d6+2=8 ; d6+2=4 ;
Monday November 9th, 2015 7:33:49 AM

Will save vs Fear (Bliss) 28 nat 20.
Will save vs Fear (Mookie) 18.

Mookie flies up, (with the Haste spell), out of the gully and above the shaman with the dolorous pipes.

Bliss looks up at that piping fellow and at the crazed ones closer by. He takes a five ft step away if he is too close. Bliss shoots at the piper twice (thanks to Haste) with his bah. He hits ACs 22 and 28 for 8+4 = 12 hp damage.

(He is not hiding.)

Dm Shawn - meet the new boss, same as the old boss  d20+4=21 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=22 ;
Monday November 9th, 2015 3:31:53 PM
Alleah is not done in by the pipes, but she does take a slash to her leg for her efforts. She casts Fear on the orc in front of her(cone shape only catches the one since they are split up). The orc, in his ravenous state, doesn't look like he is fully scared. (Will sv 21). He returns back another swing, but misses... perhaps he is a little more scared then he lets on.

Pressi gets her second shot in, and hits the creature smack in the face, If the orc was hurt, he didn't show it. Another swing from the orc sails over the head of Pressi.

Murphy shape changes into a tiger. The orcs yellow eyes go wide, as a halfling seemed an easier fight then a tiger.

Shel casts haste on the group, and then moves away. An orc swings at her on her way out, but doesn't come close.

Kezzem launches two daggers into the pipe player. Both stick home, but if he was hurt he did a good job of ignoring it.

Bliss fires his Bah twice. Both shots connect, with one doing more damage.

The other two orcs miss both their shots.

The shaman casts darkness centered on the group, catching everyone except Pressi.



Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger 
Monday November 9th, 2015 4:00:01 PM
Question:
According to spell description for darkness, "This darkness causes the illumination level in the area to drop one step, from bright light to normal light, from normal light to dim light, or from dim light to darkness." So, were we in normal light which dropped to dim light (20% miss chance)? Or something else?

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+7=19 ; d20+12=19 ; d6+2=7 ; d20+25=31 ; d100=34 ;
Monday November 9th, 2015 4:46:12 PM
[OOC: Last round Mookie flew up, out of the chasm, and above the shaman. I'm betting he is not in the Darkness.]

Mookie dives to grapple the shaman!

Mookie's BAB is +3, his size gives him a -2 mod, and his dex is +2. Also, he gets +1 from the haste, +2 because he is charging, and +1 diving to attack from above (that's the "higher ground" mod). If the DM is super kind, he may surprise the shaman, catching him flat-footed and depriving him of a dex bonus. Maybe. That's a 1d20+7 roll.

If the shaman has a weapon in hand (or a natural attack) and he is not surprised nor flat-footed, then he can make an AoO on Mookie as Mookie comes in range. But does he still have those pipes in his hand? Mookie's AC is his normal 19, -2 for charging, +1 for haste, = 18.

If Mookie survives the AoO, if any, and I think he probably will, then he makes his grapple attack. Okay, here's his attempt ... a 19! If that's a success, great! Mookie tangles his talons and beak into the shaman's hair as he flaps his wings violently!

If that roll of 19 comes within 1 or 2 of success, then if I can use a hero point to turn it into a success, great. Either way, Mookie ends move in the shaman's square. And note Mookie's CMD is 10.

Our other hero, Bliss, delights in the shadows, and hops from one foot to the other, hiding in plain sight. He dances INTO the square of one of the orcs, which he can do because he is tiny. (That's also what Mookie did, as he is also tiny). Doing so normally provokes an AoO against Bliss's AC21, but if Bliss has total concealment, then he is immune to AoOs. If he has less than total concealment, his Hiding in Plain Sight just might also prevent an AoO? We'll see!

After he enters the enemy orc's square, Bliss falls prone, and lying on his back, shoots straight up into the most sensitive region known to a humanoid being. His attack roll for that hits AC19, for 7 damage. Sniping as he is, Bliss hopes he will remain unseen after loosing his bolt!

His stealth check to do so is a 31. (Of course, prone as he is, Bliss has an AC17 vs melee attacks and AC25 vs ranged attacks.) If there is a miss chance against the orc due to darkness, Bliss (looking for a high number) rolls a 34. Hmmm ... a potential hit for 20% concealment, a likely miss for 50% concealment.

Current Clip: Shot 3 of 5.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Monday November 9th, 2015 6:28:07 PM
Shel casts Invisibility on herself. Depending on the ruling on the darkness spell, she will do one of two things.

If the darkness is total, she will move Invisibily out of it, as her Hasted movement should allow that. If he darkness only gives some concealment, she will move toward her closest teammate, ready to cast protective magic next round.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (1)  d20+9=12 ; d6+3=9 ; d20+9=21 ; d6+3=8 ; d20+9=24 ; d6+3=5 ; 2d6=7 ; d6=2 ;
Monday November 9th, 2015 7:06:24 PM
Pressi's eyes narrow as the darkness floods behind her, but the team seems to be doing okay. Bliss in particular seems to be getting some damage in. (OOC: Pressi's hands are magic for the purposes of DR.)

"Well, bless you sugar for your attention towards me," Pressi whispered to the Orc that swung for her. As she played with her hair, she showed the obsidian tear behind her wrist. "But you should know I'm a bit dangerous."

(Attack 1 is stunning blow. AC 12. If that lands, damage 9 + fatigue, DC 15.)

(Attack 2 is regular blow. AC 21. If that lands, damage 8.)

(Attack 3 is vicious blow. AC 24. If that lands, orc takes damage 12 (5+7) and Pressi takes damage 2.)

Pressi tries not to wince from the cut on her cheek.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39 
Monday November 9th, 2015 7:15:21 PM
"Hmm.. this isn't good" Alleah observes as someone turns the lights down "Let's put things on an even footing".

Alleah then casts a spell to give the party some cover: Obscuring Mist.

She then guides Thistle carefully away from the nearest orc.

---------------
Alleah - Standard action: Defensively cast Obscuring Mist. Concentration check vs DC17: 18 = Pass. Since Alleah was in the middle of the pack, the Obscuring Mist should overlap the Darkness spell. Cleric spell, so no leyline check needed.

Alleah - Move action: Guide Thistle

Thistle - Free action: 5ft step away from the nearest orc

Murphy CMD 15 AC 18 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger  d100=94 ; d100=60 ; d100=6 ;
Monday November 9th, 2015 8:23:46 PM

Murphy-tiger's bite misses, his left claw digs in and grabs hold of the orc (AC 21, 12 dam - using attack rolls from prior post), but his second claw barely misses his yellow-eyed opponent (rolled 06 - needed 21-100).

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+13=25 ; d3+2=5 ;
Monday November 9th, 2015 11:23:16 PM
Kezzem will move out of the darkness and attempt to flank with Mookie (or another ally if it is easier).

If he can make an attack after his hasted movement, he does so.

Attack: 25, Damage: 5

-----

Haste

Murphy CMD 15 AC 19 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger  d20+6=8 ; d100=10 ;
Tuesday November 10th, 2015 2:05:09 PM

Haste action: Murphy tries again to strike with a claw, yet to no avail.

Dm Shawn - meet the new boss, same as the old boss  d20+7=25 ; 2d6+4=15 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=20 ; 2d6+7=12 ; 2d6+7=11 ; d20+2=9 ; d20+7=26 ; d20+7=27 ; d4-2=0 ; d4-2=1 ;
Tuesday November 10th, 2015 6:15:49 PM
Ooc: Correct it is dim light.

Murphy shreds the orc in front of him. His eyes fo wide as the slash rips his belly open and his insides becomes his outsides.

Mookie dives down on the shaman, tangling him up and tackling him.

Bliss rolls under the orc nearest him and fires straight up. If the orc had plans to have a large family, he might want to rethink it.

Shel casts invisibility on herself and moves out of the darkness.

Pressi throws a beautkful combination at the orc in front of her. The dumb creature stands dumbstruck as both punches connect. After a split second, the yellow eyes roll back and the orc drops unconscience.

Alleah casts obscuring mist over the area, getting some coverage for the group. Then she guides thistle away from the orcs.

Kezzem flanks with one of his allies and connects on an orc. The orc slashes back, connecting for 17 dmg.

The last orc steps up to tiger Murphy and swings a beautiful shot that connects with the beats flank. Crit confirmed 23 dmg.

The shaman bites at mookie, his teeth clacking just short.

A screeching is heard as an owl swoops down from the tree line and slashes at Mookie. Both claws rake at the exposed back. (2 dmg).

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, hasted ) (Kent)  d20+6=19 ; d20+12=23 ; d4+4=8 ; d20+12=31 ; d20+12=19 ; d4+4=7 ; d4+4=8 ;
Tuesday November 10th, 2015 7:02:23 PM
(sorry all had an emergency go out of town deal with very ill hospitalized parent)

Trill feels the fear begin to wash over her and shrugs it off Will DC 19and as the 4th orc slips and falls as it tries to attack her she speaks.

"Oh, my I am afraid the orcs are attacking the mud!" That said she returns the favor and whips out her rapier and cuts into the orc as it bounces up AC 23 for 8 points damage; Hasted attack AC 31 (crit threat AC 19) for 7 more points, 15 if a crit.

Taking a five foot step she tries to get around to a position that will allow her to be flanking her opponent.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19+3, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (2)  d20+10=29 ;
Tuesday November 10th, 2015 7:52:56 PM
Pressi races to flank the orc that attacked Murphy, raising her fingers as she does so. It may be Murphy's imagination but Pressi seems almost out of focus.

(Move 30+30 feet, swift action ki point +3 to AC dodge)

With a florid motion, Pressi jumps on top of the orc. "Guess who?" she asks.

(Standard Action Grapple 29, no AoO triggered. CMD is 25 if orc tries to reverse.)

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  3d4+3=11 ;
Tuesday November 10th, 2015 8:55:38 PM
OOC: Am I missing a map? I don't see a link to one but I missed have missed it.

Shel looks around the battlefield, searching for any targets for her magic. If she can see through the dim light and the obscuring mist, she will cast an Empowered Magic Missile on the closest baddie.

OOC: 11 + 5 = 16 points of Magic Missile damage



Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19+3, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (2) 
Tuesday November 10th, 2015 9:11:05 PM
(OOC: No map; we've just been guessing on positioning. And I'm assuming playing a little fast and loose with movement rules like we're D&D 5 or something.)

Dm Shawn - meet the new boss, same as the old boss  d100=19 ; d100=58 ;
Tuesday November 10th, 2015 10:57:47 PM
Ooc: Kim reminded me I forgot the miss chance so the shot on Kezzem missed. The orc rolled 19 percent.

As for a map, I wanted to see if we could do this without since it was basically cut and dry. I will do maps in the future, as I think it is actually easier.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1=23, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+13=31 ; d20+13=24 ; d20+13=26 ; d3+2=4 ; d3+2=4 ; d3+2=5 ; 3d6=12 ; 3d6=8 ; 3d6=11 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 12:12:56 AM
Kezzem will stab thrice at the orc with his daggers while maintaining a flanking position.

Attack #1: 31
Damage: 4 + 12 (Sneak Attack) = 16

Attack #2: 24
Damage: 4 + 8 (SA) = 12.

Attack #3: 26
Damage: 5 + 11 (SA) = 16.

-----

Haste

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39  d20+11=27 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 12:15:00 AM
Alleah will continue to guide Thistle out of the mist, in what she hopes was the right direction. That is, one where she believes the orcs are not!

Perception: 27 - To rely on sound so as not to end up next to an orc

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP21) (Cayzle)  d20+9=12 ; d20+12=26 ; d6+2=3 ; d100=86 ; d20+25=31 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 12:17:41 AM

Mookie grins, or would if he had something more flexible than a beak! This round, since he managed to sustain the grapple, he gains a +5 to continue it! He loses the +2 charge bonus and the +1 from above bonus, so he is a net +2, for a +9 grapple check.

His plan this round is to pin the shaman. He rolls vs the shaman's CMD ... he rolls a 12. Probably not enough to succeed, but at least the two are still grappling.

==========

Bliss shoots again up at the orc, while trying to stay out of sight. His snipe attack hits AC 26, inflicting 3 damage. OH! There is a miss chance with the dark and fog ... an 86 means no problem.

His stealth to remain undetected in plain sight: 31.

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger  d20+6=10 ; d20+6=19 ; d100=44 ; d20+8=12 ; d20+8=9 ; 2d4+6=11 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 5:15:12 AM

To the orc who has become more acquainted with his entrails, Murphy-tiger has one additional slash upwards toward his neck as he releases his hold on the gut (hit AC 19 for 11 hp damage). Being flanked by the other orc who just caused him such pain, he simply pivots about to counterattack the assailant, who is in turn flanked by Pressi the wrestler. He tries, but he misses.

[Am only rolling d100 if it looks like there is a chance my attack hit]

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP19of21) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 7:27:06 AM

REVISION for Bliss this round: Bliss gets up and moves 20 ft away from the orc. He'll fire again next round, if he can figure out where the orc is in all this mist! Stealth check remains 31, attack does not take place.

ALSO, revised header with current hp for Mookie.

Dm Shawn - meet the new boss, same as the old boss  d20+2=7 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+7=24 ; d4-2=1 ; d4-2=2 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 6:33:22 PM
Humbles sword makes short work of the two remaining orcs. Between back stabs, fists, arrows and magic the two crumble at your might.

Mookie is not able to pin the shaman, who retaliates with another bite wich falls short.

The owl again rakes mookie twice(3 dmg).



Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP16of21) (Cayzle)  d100=18 ; d20+9=20 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 6:53:17 PM

"Mookie is fighting up there!" Bliss shouts. He tries to move (30 ft) out of the dark and the mist so that he can get a clear view of what is going on with his familiar. Then he casts Beast Shape II [Ley check 18 = A-OK] and turns into an eagle.

Mookie, meanwhile, tries again to pin the shaman. He rolls a 20 grapple check, so maybe that will work?

"Mummph moffg" the raven says, his beak full of hair and his talons tangles in the shaman's shirt.

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, hasted ) (Kent)  d20+11=26 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 7:48:51 PM
Hmm, orc soldiers, dog soldiers, in the mud, dogs mud, Hmm Mud Puppies!

Trill looks around for any others that maybe skulking around Perception 26


Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39 
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 9:36:03 PM
Alleah sits low atop Thistle. How the party is faring she can't say. She prepares to guide Thistle away from any danger that might present itself.

Ready action: IF an orc moves towards her, move Thistle the other way!

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger  d20+16=20 ; d20+8=13 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 9:36:28 PM

Listening for the sound of Mookie, and the direction of Bliss's movements, the bloodied druid bounds in the direction he thinks to find him and his opponent, until he draws close. If he can distinguish between shaman and black bird, he tries to get at least one claw attack in on the shaman, from down low if Mookie is up above for purposes of flanking - yet with the dancing about of the shaman, he misses.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  3d4+3=11 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 9:58:27 PM
Shel moves toward the direction Bliss advised, trying to help Mookie. Once she seems the shaman, she uses a regular magic missile against him, doing 11 points of damage. "Leave Mookie alone!!"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (3)  d20+12=31 ;
Wednesday November 11th, 2015 10:22:36 PM
Pressi shakes her head at all of that commotion. "I think you got him," she replied as she sipped from her waterskin.

Still hasted, she wandered her way back to the unconscious ogre and dumped some of the water from her skin on him. "Up and at em, orc-o. You wanted to talk, right?"

Pressi placed her foot on the ogre's windpipe. "Let's talk."

(Perception 31 on the ogre's movements.)

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1=23, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+12=13 ;
Thursday November 12th, 2015 2:39:05 AM
Kezzem attempts to keep an eye out for additional threats as well, but gets distracted by something shiny.

Perception: 13 (natural 1).

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (3) 
Thursday November 12th, 2015 5:51:07 AM
(OOC: sorry, I meant orc, not ogre)


Dm Shawn - meet the new boss, same as the old boss  d20+2=17 ; d20+7=19 ; d20+7=25 ; d4-2=1 ; d4-2=1 ;
Thursday November 12th, 2015 8:54:47 PM
Bliss moves out of the darkness while changing into an eagle. He can see Mookie has successfully pinned the orc shaman.

Trill looks around for more threats, but none are present.

Alleah finishes leads thistle out and then readies herself incase another orc attacks.

Murphy tiger moves to attack the shaman but isn't successful.

Shel fired a magic missle at the shaman. (11.dmg).

Kezzem also looks for another target but none are present.

Pressi stands on the orc warriors throat as she wakes it up. It's eyes go wide, yellow mixed with bloodshot. It struggles for a second before realizing it is futile and just stares blankly at Pressi.

The owl rakes Mookie twice again, (2 dmg) while the orc again misses with it's rotten teath.



Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1=23, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+11=19 ; d20+11=25 ; d3+2=5 ; d3+2=5 ;
Thursday November 12th, 2015 11:55:02 PM
Kezzem hurls both daggers at the owl attacking Mookie.

(Apply Point-Blank and Far Shot as needed)

Attack: 19
Damage: 5

Attack: 25
Damage: 5

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle)  d20+9=22 ; d20+5=23 ; d4-1=3 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 1:26:39 AM

Mookie keeps on trying to hold the shaman down. He caws, "I got this orc! Fight the darn bird on my back!" Mookie just wants to keep on pinning the shaman and stop him from casting spells. If he needs a grapple check, his is a 22.

Bliss charges the owl attacking Mookie. He is no longer reduced (size effects do not stack), so he is small, +1 to attack, and his Str gives him a -1 to attack. Charge gives a +2. He hits AC23 for 3 damage!

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39  d20+4=5 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 4:58:23 AM
"Surrender now before our reinforcements arrive! There's a lot of them! I'm warning you! There's 10, no, 20 of them! All on armored horses too!"

Alleah feels a little embarrassed at the transparency of that lie.

Bluff: 5. Nat 1'd it

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  3d4+3=10 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 6:52:07 AM
Shel shrugs her shoulders and zaps the owl attacking Mookie with her regular Magic Missile. "I'll kill your owl if you don't stop attacking, Orc," Shel warns after she blasts it.

OOC: 10 damage.


Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (4)  d20+3=16 ; d20+3=12 ; d20+3=20 ; d20=10 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 8:58:51 AM
Pressi's glared at Alleah. "Hey, how about coming over here and, I don't know, doing anything useful. Surprise me."

To the orc, she said "Would you believe a couple of really motivated Shih Tzus?"

Shaking her head, Pressi fires a flurry of normal shuriken at the shaman (-4 to range into melee). (AC to hit is 16, 12, 20. Damage is 3 per hit.)

"Ok, here's the thing," Pressi began to the orc she was standing on, as intimidating as her small frame would allow. (Intimidate 10). "Nobody else is coming, Sal... May I call you Sal. Sal, it's just us pathetic so clearly weak creatures, like this woman standing on your neck who spent year after year slaving away and thinking of creative, brutal things to do to the next creature that pisses me off. So many anger issues I have. So very many....

"So here's what's going to happen. You're going to tell your caster friend, the one being pecked to death by Woody Woodpecker over there, I think I'll call him Lee. Sal, you are going to tell Lee to stand down, or I am going to personally beat him to death with your own spine and there's no reinforcements coming to hold me back. Or don't listen to me, because I'm clearly crazy."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (4)  d100=12 ; d100=53 ; d100=93 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 8:59:47 AM
Addendum, forgot to add Miss chance rolls. (12, 53, 93)

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger  d20+6=7 ; d20+6=25 ; d20+6=20 ; d20+6=20 ; d100=5 ; d100=6 ; d100=35 ; d100=56 ; 2d6+2=7 ; 2d4+2=10 ; 2d4+2=8 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 2:42:56 PM

Murphy works on trying to attack the parts of the shaman where Mookie is not. He also aims to grapple, in a tigrish-sort of way, the shaman. His teeth miss on first try. His left claws sink in (AC 25, 10 dam - unless this is in mist, in which case it misses), his right claws connect (AC 20, dam 8), and his mouth now has better purchase, and the teeth sink in (AC 20, dam 7).

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, hasted ) (Kent)  d20+13=17 ; d20+13=17 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 3:02:28 PM
Taking a large sack from her haversack an doing her best to be stealthy and quiet stealth DC 17 Trill comes up from behind the battling birds and attempts to capture the owl in the sack DC 17.


Dm Shawn - meet the new boss, same as the old boss 
Friday November 13th, 2015 6:19:13 PM
Kezzem s thrown daggers, Bliss' charging attack, and Shels magic missle obliterate the owl where it stands. (Or flies.)

Alleah does her best to bluff, but no one is buying it.

Pressi fires three shurukien at the shaman. One connects (added for range). Standing on the orc he just stares at her.. widening his mouth into a wicked, crooked smile.

" Puny halflings will be delicious..."

Murphy Tiger rips into the shaman.. and has the closest view of the life leaving the shamans eyes.

Trill goes to catch the owl, but is dismayed to find a dead bird instead.

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger  d20+16=28 ; d20+11=30 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 6:35:35 PM

Murphy thinks within his tiger's head, Why do I not feel bad about killing this orc? Am I growing too accustomed to taking life?

He loosens his grip, avoiding the brave crow, snarls and spits to the side, suddenly not liking the taste of blood. But he hears Pressi talking a ways away. He makes his way to where she is. He looks at the prone orc. He snarls in his face, then keeps his head near him, breathing in the orc's ear, a deep, but not too loud, growl, playing deep in this throat.

[Perception 28, Survival 30]

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Friday November 13th, 2015 8:16:52 PM
Shel decided to let the others question the remaining Orc. She cast her Detect Magic cantrip, causing her eyes to shimmer blue for just a second. She scanned the battlefield, looking for any glints of magic from either the fallen foes, or that might have collected her over the years.

"You okay, Mookie? That owl got after you pretty badly for a few seconds!," she calls out as she looks around, concerned for her fine feathered friend.

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Friday November 13th, 2015 9:09:02 PM

Mookie grins, which means he opens his beak and wiggles his birdie tongue.

"Ha! I've had worse! Did you see that! I was GREAT!"

Eagle Bliss cries an eagle cry in agreement.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39  d20+11=25 ;
Friday November 13th, 2015 10:05:38 PM
OOC: My thinking is that since casting Obscuring Mist, Alleah is on the wrong side of it for the combat. All she can do is offer moral support

"Is anyone hurt? If so, head over this way and I'll treat your wounds!" Alleah calls into the bank of mist and fog.

She looks about making sure there are no reinforcements coming

Perception: 25

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, hasted ) (Kent) 
Saturday November 14th, 2015 7:23:25 AM
So how tasty is owl? Anyone know? If it is edible we probably shouldn't waste it but ....

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Saturday November 14th, 2015 9:53:16 AM

Mookie coughs. "*AHEM* So you would eat an owl familiar? How about a raven familiar? That owl was almost as smart as me. Now we're eating intelligent creatures?"

Bliss turns back into a halfling just to shout, "YOU CAN'T EAT MOOKIE!" He pauses. "Or that owl!"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1=23, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+12=21 ;
Saturday November 14th, 2015 2:06:47 PM
"I'm good, "says Kezzem to Alleah's request for healing.

"No, no, no eating of intelligent creatures, owls or halflings, nobody does that here."

Bluff: 21.

Sense Motive 21 to see spoiler: Highlight to display spoiler: {Kezzem is very embarassed about this conversation, but is trying to hide it.}

Knowledge (local) 25 to see spoiler: Highlight to display spoiler: {Kezzem's family has a reputation for such things.}



Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle)  d20+8=14 ; d20+6=18 ;
Saturday November 14th, 2015 3:37:42 PM

Sense motive 14

Know Local 18

It all goes over Bliss's head!

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger  d20+6=20 ; 2d6+2=8 ;
Saturday November 14th, 2015 3:40:47 PM

While breathing heavily into the side of the prone orc's face (held action: he bites the orc's nose if the orc tries to bite him (AC 20, dam 8 - but he will try to mitigate the damage, aiming for non-lethal damage - with perhaps a pair of puncture wounds - more of a good, lightly penetrating nip than an attempt to rip his face off)), Murphy hears his friends converse, and finds himself amused.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (4)  d20+7=19 ; d20+5=14 ;
Sunday November 15th, 2015 8:57:34 AM
Pressi scoffed, only now beginning to lift her eyes off the orc. "Damn it, Murphy. Now who am I going to kill with this guy's spine. I swear it's like..."

Pressi stopped, gasping at seeing Murphy for the first time. "My god, you're hurt." Concerned, she moved to take a better look at Murphy, lifting her foot off the orc. Murphy, however, continued to look quite unconcerned about his wounds.

As Alleah called to people to come over to treatment, Pressi realized she couldn't help Murphy beyond pressuring him to take that offer she won't take herself. (OOC: It's 2 HP for Pressi, so I wouldn't waste any resources topping her off. But if you can do it for free, I'll take it.)

(Also OOC for Rob: I hope you didn't interpret Pressi's snark for my own views of the situation or feel like I was asking for justification.)

-----------------

Pressi, after some back and forth, decides to get involved with the fight. "Mookie is right. We must dispose of the intelligent creature we hideously and without mercy murdered like civilized folk. Through taxidermy. I personally am thinking desk lamp or paper holder. Maybe our owl friend playing baseball?"

(Sense Motive 19, Know Local 14) As usual, Pressi completely ignores Kezzem. She does, however, anticipate Mookie's squawks of objection. "Fine, then what sport would you like?"



Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger 
Sunday November 15th, 2015 2:41:49 PM

At Pressi's exclamation of concern, Murphy growls a brief acknowledgement, yet does not relent from his vigilance over the orc, placing his right paw firmly on the orc's chest - extending his claws, and just barely touching the fellow's chest with them, but not digging in. The claws are just - there - waiting in case of need.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39 
Monday November 16th, 2015 12:56:50 AM
OOC: No problems at all, Melvin. Don't give it another thought :)

Dm Shawn - tiger breath 
Monday November 16th, 2015 7:04:43 AM
Shel scans for magical auras but only gets anything off the pipes the shaman had.

The rest of the search provides 5 heavy flails, 5 bastard swords and 5 pairs of ork stenched leather armror. The shaman has a solid red ruby Appraise 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { worth 6000gp }.

A few comments soar over some people's heads while Murphy moves closer to he the orcs face, breathin tiger breath mixed with orc flesh into the prone orcs face . He doesn't get any bites from the orc, but does manage to get a big wad of spit in his face.

"I'll eat you first.. Tiger halfling..."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1=23, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20=6 ;
Monday November 16th, 2015 10:30:03 AM
Appraise: 6. Nope.

"I'm getting tired of this guy," says Kezzem. "Why are we still playing around with him? Let's just kill him and move on."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39 
Monday November 16th, 2015 11:04:42 AM
"Yeah, that ruby looks kind of fake to me. Perhaps I should just hold onto it" she looks about to see if anyone believes her ruse, before revealing the gems true value with a smile "Six grand, easy"

Alleah will then dismiss what remains of the Obscuring Mist, and look over the orc corpses. If any still have a pulse, she will signal to the party that she intends to cast Stabilise. The signal is in case anyone wants to keep a weapon pointed at the orcs, or wants to bind them as Alleah casts her spell.

"Is anyone in need of medical aid? Mookie looks to have lost some feathers, and Murphy has lost some blood"

She then turns to Kezzem "Actually, if you'll allow me, we could give him an alternative to death if he desires it". Alleah will explain that as a Walker, she can put a 'Mark of Justice' on the orc.

--------------------------
Appraise check vs DC15: 17 = Pass (Take 10)
Dismiss Obscuring Mist
Cast Stabilise on any Orc that can be saved

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger 
Monday November 16th, 2015 2:47:27 PM
Murphy-Tiger licks the side of the orc's face.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (4)  d20+8=19 ; d6+3=9 ; d20+12=23 ;
Monday November 16th, 2015 3:01:25 PM
Pressi shook her head, her flash of anger dissipating in the face of Murphy's action. "Are you sure you want to eat the tiger first, because I was actually about to invite you to eat me instead. Oh, and before you make any more threats, may I remind you that you guys died of bird. So yeah, go for it.

"In the meantime, please gather to listen to the lessons of Domi. To the lessons of my sensei, who taught me to look beyond my eyes. We may be half your size but I alone destroyed you and there are six of us. And more importantly, there may be that which is missing that must be seen.

"I see with my eyes weapons and armor. I don't see bedrolls. Provisions. Any indication of how you got here." Pressi bent down to the orc. "You will take us to your camp."

(Non-lethal strike hits AC 19, damage 9. Pressi wakes him back up if needed.)

"You will take us to your camp, please."

(Pressi also makes a perception roll of the area, 23.)

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Monday November 16th, 2015 3:33:35 PM

Mookie looks at Pressi and says, "Phhbbttttt!" How he does that with no lips is a marvel! The injured raven flutters over to Alleah and thanks her for whatever healing she can give him.

Bliss says, "Well, these guys all attacked us, so I guess they got what they deserved. There's no reason to kill the ones that are not dead yet. Maybe they will learn their lesson and be nicer in the future."

Bliss helps search the bodies for loot and helps Alleah stabilize the unconscious. He makes sure the group takes all the gear off of the one who has been so rude to Murphy. "You know," he tells the last aware orc, "now that you lost, maybe you should think about why a group that is stronger and better than you is not killing you. Maybe you can learn something about mercy. All life is good, you know."

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Monday November 16th, 2015 3:49:20 PM
Bliss listens carefully to Pressi, especially about how these orcs do not have camping gear, so they likely live nearby.

"Wow! You are super clever, Miss Pressi! Hey! Why don't we just follow their footprints back the way they came?"

"Murphy or Trill would be good at that! They're like nature hunters!?

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  d20+5=14 ;
Monday November 16th, 2015 6:49:12 PM
Shel doesn't recognize the exact value of the gem, unfortunately. She was torn as to whether or not to kill the Orc. "If we let him go, who's to say he won't try to kill again? But, he's helpless, so it'd be awful to kill him in cold blood. I'm not sure what to do with him. I wonder if those evil gnome fey could find a use for him...keep him from bothering anyone else."

She agreed with Bliss. "Folllwing their tracks is a good idea. I can't do that, though. Murphy has always seemed good at that sort of stuff!"

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger 
Monday November 16th, 2015 7:20:13 PM
As Pressi has the would-be halfling eater in hand, he ambles over to Alleah, who had offered to heal him. He looks at her, then turns his head to lick his wounded shoulder, and again looks back at her.

After she helps get him back in better shape (if she does), then he goes over, nudges Trillium, sniffs the air, then starts looking about the pathway, and along the sides, to see if he can determine from which direction the ambushers came. He travels in widening concentric circles until he feels confident he has their tracks.

[Kim to DM: I rolled survival 30 on Nov 13, thinking about tracking to see if there are more about, but realized there was additional work to do locally before I did that. Should I keep that roll? If so, go for it. If not, feel free to roll for me. Survival is d20+11 base - and it's up to you as to how to apply the 'clear sense of direction' Murphy's affinity with the nymph Cnossia may grant him.]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (4) 
Monday November 16th, 2015 7:42:48 PM
As Pressi is about to smack the orc around (quick retcon), she hears Bliss suggest the tracks, staying her hand. "Uh, yes of course. How... clever of us."

Pressi continues to watch over the orc as Murphy walks to get healed, keeping an eye on Murphy and Alleah as it occurs. She isn't sure about this mark of justice and kind of just figured they'd let him go with some sense smacked into him.

(Readied action: if the orc keeps talking about eating them, she will smack him around but try not to kill him.)

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1=23, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 12:00:56 AM
To Bliss, Kezzem says, "Considering he's still threatening to eat us, I don't think he's learned to be nicer."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 30/39 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 7:46:23 AM
"Hmm... the Mark of Justice could be that if he commits an evil act ever again, that he will be cursed such that he can only eat brussel sprouts for the rest of his life? The taste of anything else would make him ill"

--------------------------------------
Note to DM: The text on Mark of Justice/Bestow Curse notes "You may also invent your own curse, but it should be no more powerful than those described above." Cursing an Orc to eat vegetables for the rest of his life feels ok, but would be up to your discretion.

Dm Shawn - tiger breath 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 11:25:28 AM
Discussion goes back and forth on killing the orc, or letting him live. The idea of returning him to the gnome witches is also thrown out.

Alleah sees no other orcs close to surviving. She heals those who need it.

Pressi toys with the orc, knocking him out and waking him up. If he appears to be be breaking, he sure is hiding it well.

Murphy is able to find the tracks easily. There are only enough foot prints for the orcs that attacked. This as either a small scavenge party, or the entire group.

OOC: That is a fine mark of justice.



Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 11:42:01 AM

Bliss says, "We should just make sure this orc is tied up, give him his justice, and follow the tracks. Tie him up so he can get out after a while, I mean. But we can't track too far, because we have to get back home."

Mookie cocks his head, looks at Alleah, and says, "Pretty please? With sugar on top?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 11:57:00 AM
"Sure, letting me go free sound great," says Kezzem. "He totally won't come back with a dozen of his friends and try to eat us...again."

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 12:22:21 PM

Bliss laughs. "If he does, we'll beat them too! Besides, we took all their gear, so we have an even better chance than we did! Plus then his Mark of Justice would kick in, and he does not want that!"

[OOC: The prisoner dilemma can be a big problem that breaks up groups. Please see my email on this topic, and we can talk it over off-board.]

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 1:07:04 PM
"So how does that work?" asks Kezzem. "If he tries to kill or eat someone again, does he get whammied? What will it do to him exactly? Can you have him turn into a chicken? Or a turkey...with fat thighs!"

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 17/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Hasted. Dire tiger 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 1:42:13 PM

After finding the tracks, Murphy discovers most of the rest of the party is standing around discussing the future of the nasty orc. He listens.

Clearing a small patch of dirt, he writes, "no meat."

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, hasted ) (Kent)  d20+8=20 ;
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 3:31:09 PM
Trill responds to the suggestion of tracking them back and joins Murphytiger to take a look at things Survival dc 20 to see if they can be tracked back to a camp of any sort. She looks highly amused at the discussion about the mark of justice , but thinks out loud for a moment about it as well.

"Brussel sprouts might be a bit difficult to find in the wild and I would not want for us to be guilty of his death by mistake, so why not make it something that is easily found in nature and is edible, say daffodils, wild garlic and onions. That way he won't starve to death and he will be smelled long before he is seen due to his dietary bodily secretions."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 41/43, CMD 23, Hasted (4) 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 3:52:48 PM
Pressi joins the discussion in regards to the Mark of Justice. "More to the point, I'm rather leery of acting as judge and jury on this orc, particularly when it comes to any irreversible activity. I wouldn't knock in his teeth with my fist, so I wouldn't permanently change his eating through a spell either.

"Personally, I'm not a fan of any of this voodoo, that's my thing. But it seems unnecessary in any event. I think we can just run him off and if he's stupid enough to come back, then we'll take his teeth."

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 7:13:46 PM
"But Brussels Sprouts are yummy when fixed right!". She realized that wasn't exactly the point of the whole discussion so she changed the topic. "The mark of justice idea is fine by me. Let's give him a stern warning, too. If we ever catch you again, we won't be so nice next time! You haven't seen how much fire I can throw around! And I'll try to burn you to a crisp if I hear of you bothering anyone else. Pick up a shovel and spade and go farming, doggone it! Be a better person, dummy!"

After she had admonished the Orc sufficiently, she turned back to the others. "Let's get on with it. Times wasting to get back to the Ford."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d6=4 ; d6=3 ; d6=1 ; d6=3 ; d8+1=2 ; d8+1=4 ; d8+1=5 ; d8+1=2 ; d8+1=8 ;
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 7:15:00 PM
"The Mark will just make sure that he behaves as he should. If he does the right thing, then there are no 'voodoo' side effects. It's only if he strays that there will be consequences" Alleah explains

"But before we track back to his camp, I need to know what we plan on doing if we find it. Suppose there are orc families there - women and children. What then? I'm happy to go along and check that they aren't causing trouble, that they don't have hostages, and what not. But if they are living quietly I think we should leave them be"

Gathering everyone - even the orcs - nearby, Alleah channels some positive energy. Everyone is healed for 10pts

She then takes the Wand of CLW from her pack and gives Murph-tiger a few taps behind the ear with it. Murphy is healed for an additional 4 + 5 + 8 = 17pts

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday November 17th, 2015 10:14:20 PM

Bliss sighs. "I think maybe Shel is right. We gotta get back to the Ford. We have to save the Tower!"

Mookie murmurs, "Hmmm. Maturity from the Kid. Who'da thunk!"

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Dire tiger  d20+16=29 ;
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 1:38:24 AM

Murphy-tiger bends his head down slightly, facing Alleah, and gives her a friendly, gentle head-bonk by way of saying thank you in a feline fashion.

Regarding orc, he writes, 'Hobble legs, short rope.'

Then he sets off on the trail of the orcs, going a little ways, then waiting for the others to catch up once they get things figured out. He maintains a vigil, looking, sniffing the air, and occasionally walking fifteen to twenty five feet this way, thirty feet that way, then returning to his sitting spot. He also looks up into the trees, and listens. Are the sounds of local wildlife returning now that the brief battle is done?

[Perception: 29]

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39 
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 4:28:55 AM
Alleah places her hand on the orcs head and begins casting the Mark of Justice spell

"In sparing your life, you now owe a debt to the Gods of the Wold. I hearby mark you, such that you should never perform an evil act again. If you do, may Wardd forever determine the actions you shall be able to perform"

With that done, she then supports Bliss and Shel "Whilst I trust Murphy to be an excellent tracker, we are in the Culverwood. Any trail or camp could be moved or lost in these ever changing woods. Plus we do have that deadline of getting back to Humble's"
------------------------------
Cast Mark of Justice
Mark: Never perform an evil act again
Curse: If the orc ever performs an evil act, then he will be permanently cursed such that each turn, he has a 50% chance to act normally; otherwise, he takes no action. This will affect even the mundane aspects of his life.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+12=32 ;
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 7:29:02 AM
To the orc, Kezzem adds, "Also, you must imitate a duck every time you meet someone new."

Bluff: 32

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 10:36:27 AM

Bliss giggles at the duck comment.

Mookie scowls. "I thought the maturity level was going up," he mutters.

Dm Shawn - if it quacks like a duck 
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 4:49:33 PM
The discussion continues on what to do with the orc. Finally after healing the group, and even the orc, Alleah casts the mark of justic . The yellowed eyed beast screams and spits but the deed is finished.

Trill helps Murphy look for the tracks and they are able to find them easily. Theyou move off about a 1000' away to a little clearing. A lean to, some rotten bed rolls and a low emberred fire are all that remain. Nothing of usefulness is left.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+18=19 ; d20+12=22 ;
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 6:02:40 PM
Kezzem says to Mookie, "That was very mature in comparison with what else I was thinking."

----

Kezzem scouts the camp.

Stealth: 19 (natural 1)
Perception: 22 (25 vs. traps)

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43/43, CMD 22 
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 6:02:47 PM
Pressi scanned the camp, the discussions of arcane marks in her mind. "When will we ever learn that nothing good ever comes from not murdering people?

"Ok, guess it's onward then, same as before," Pressi said. "Though I can't help that shake this feeling that for a magical and scary forest to be avoided, it's rather heavily trafficked.

"And Mookie, I can assure you that the maturity level is clearly going up," Pressi said as she pointed to Kezzem. "That's why we're here to stop it."

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Dire tiger  d20+11=30 ; d20+16=31 ;
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 7:02:10 PM

Murphy, remaining in the form of a dire tiger, walks about the pitiful encampment twice. His throaty commentary may be challenging to comprehend. But, satisfied with his inspection of the place, he walks off, turns toward his companions with a roar, then heads generally eastward, expecting that others will join him soon.

[Survival: 30, Perception: 31]

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  d20+19=38 ;
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 8:58:39 PM
Shel joins in with the group, heading out after Murphy tiger. Even if the Orc encampment didn't have anything, at least it was closely, so that it didn't distract the group very long. She grabs the shaman's pipes as the group was heading out. "Well, these are magical at least! Let me figure out what k can tell about them.". She first casts Identify as she hopes to boost her abilities as much as possible before her analysis.

OOC: 38 on Spellcraft check to identify the pipes!

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39 
Wednesday November 18th, 2015 10:42:41 PM
Alleah casts Create Water over the dying embers. Yep, only Alleah can prevent forest fires.

"Let us leave this orc to his things and depart. There's nothing more for us to do here, and we certainly don't want to lead the orc to where we are going" she suggests "Not that he won't reform his ways, of course"

Before the party depart, Alleah says a few final words for the fallen orcs. She takes several holy symbols from her kit and hold them together in quiet reverence (Highlight to display spoiler: {The holy symbols are for Wardd, Gargul, and the Culverwood})

"Gargul, Lord of life and death, take these creatures to your promised land. Judge them fairly on their deeds, and I pray you forgive their indiscretions. And forgive us this day that we sent them to you."

With that done, Alleah puts her holy symbols away and casts Create Water once more such that the surviving orc might have a drink.

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle)  d20+25=44
Thursday November 19th, 2015 9:35:17 AM

Bliss bows his head for the prayer, and he casts Create Water, too, to make sure the fire goes out. "We don't want any fires in the Culverwood, that's for sure!" he says.

Oh wait. He can't cast "Create Water." Let's say he "cast" his "Make Water" spell. Yeah, the one with only somatic components.

He'll hide in plain sight while he does that, for modesty.

Stealth 44.

His desire to be modest inspires him to hide really well.

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, hasted ) (Kent)  d20+11=24 ; d20+8=25 ;
Thursday November 19th, 2015 5:34:38 PM
Trill leads the way with Murphytiger at her side and in no time they find the paltry remains of a what could perhaps be called a camp. Shaking her head she does a quick scouting of the camp for any obvious or maybe not so obvious hidey holes perception dc 24, survival DC 25 and then sets up a watch as the other finish up with the orc and get ready to head out.

Dm Shawn - if it quacks like a duck 
Thursday November 19th, 2015 8:01:23 PM
Pressi let's Murphy know the maturity level will rise. She also ponders the killing/not killinh of baddies.

Alleah and Bliss do their part and help prevent a forest fire.

Shel examines the pipes and can tell they are Highlight to display spoiler: {pipes of haunting }

Trill, Murphy and Kezzem all search around. The trios ears that picks up the distinct sound of running water. As if on cue his nose picks up the scent of old blood in the air.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19  d20+12=17 ;
Friday November 20th, 2015 1:13:03 AM
Kezzem will attempt to locate the source of the blood.

Perception: 17

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+11=18 ;
Friday November 20th, 2015 1:33:47 AM
Alleah gets back atop Thistle, and offers to burden the pony with any goods recovered from the orc encounter.

She notices the others acting a bit weird "What? What is it? Can he hear something?"

Perception: 18

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Dire tiger 
Friday November 20th, 2015 1:44:10 AM

Murphy talks tigrish, then moves in the direction of the scent, and, presumably, in the direction of the sound of running water.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43/43, CMD 22  d20+12=17 ;
Friday November 20th, 2015 7:41:46 AM
Pressi shook her head at Bliss' antics. "I don't know what I'm more upset about. The fact that you decided to be disgusting for no reason, or the fact that you seem to think I'm an idiot lacking in object permanence. But I think I'll go with "Why is it MY sex that has to prove everything?""

With that, Pressi continues to follow looking for the water and blood, though she isn't much of a tracker. (Perception 17).

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Friday November 20th, 2015 8:32:27 AM
"Well, aren't these the neatest little things? Can anyone play a flute or a horn? If so, you need to check these pipes out. Really nify, as if you play it right, they can be used to scare everyone away for a few seconds. Who wants to give them a try?"

OOC: Pipes of Haunting: This magic item appears to be a small set of pan pipes. When played by a person who succeeds on a DC 15 Perform (wind instruments) check, the pipes create an eerie, spellbinding tune. Those within 30 feet who hear the tune must succeed on a DC 13 Will save or become frightened for 4 rounds. Creatures with 6 or more Hit Dice are unaffected. Pipes of haunting can be sounded twice a day.

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle)  d20+15=20 ;
Friday November 20th, 2015 7:47:19 PM

Bliss looks around to see what all the fuss is about. Perception 20.

He renews his own Reduce Person spell and shares an Enlarge Person with Mookie. He checks that a fresh clip is in his bah.

"You're a person, old pal," says Bliss. "I don't care what other people say!"

Mookie answers, "Hmmph!"

Dm Shawn - That Smell 
Friday November 20th, 2015 9:43:13 PM
Kezzem is able to locate the copper smell along with the others. Bliss and Alleah both now hear the running water while Murphy and Pressi start moving towards the source.

Shel shares with the group what the pipes are.

After a few turns and cuts through some thorn bushes, the group emerges onto the side of a little brook. Half on the water and half on land, the torn body of a halfling is visible. His body is shredded in half with his lower torso and legs nowhere to be seen. His upper portion is empty, with no major organs left. His eyes stare at the group with no life. Next to him is another halfling, time not wounded other then scratches and bruises. This one is alive though his hands and feet are bound. Dessert perhaps?

Ooc: You are up David.

Cameron (David F) AC 23 (T 15, FF 19) CMD 17 HP 50 /50 Character Sheet  d20+4=12 ; d20+12=31 ;
Friday November 20th, 2015 11:13:15 PM
The halfling's head is shaved bald as a cue ball, His face is clean shaven except for a thick braided beard worn just from his chin. ( A style some Dwarven clan warriors wear). The beard is dyed half red and half black and braided in a helix. His skin has a hearty bronze tan and any exposed skin (head and hands) show scars in the form of small bites and stings. He wears a breastplate underneath a greatcoat that clearly was part of a uniform at one time. The insignia have been removed, but anyone familiar with the Mailed Fist has seen this type of uniform before.
Cameron rolls into a sitting position and tries his best to wriggle out of the ropes. He is muttering, to himself you think." I can't BELIEVE I came here to help these orcs stop being raiders and start being useful members of society."
"What? Yes Hobbes, I know you said that they would try to eat me. As if I wouldn't notice the spider vemom they put in my food to weaken me so they could tie me up. How was I to know they used centipede venom too? What I need now is to get out of these ropes and get the rest of my gear and get the heck outta here before this gets worse." After a minute or two he realizes there are people behind him. He goes silent, as if he hadn't realized he was speaking aloud. Looking over his shoulder at the people that just found him he asks,...
" Could I get a little help here? Please? They tied these really tight."
Escape Artist 12
Perception 31
Recognition spreads across his face and he practically blurts out what comes next.
" Bliss?! Mookie?! Is that really you? I have not been this relieved in a long time. Help a shield brother out eh?"

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Dire tiger 
Saturday November 21st, 2015 12:36:11 AM

A dire tiger walks toward the empty shell of the poor halfling. He wants to let out a yowl of grief... but the other one lives. He walks up to him, standing about six feet away. Before the eyes of the halfling who has been talking with himself, he transforms in to a halfling - a towhead, a slight gap between his teeth, and wearing rather weathered coveralls with a fabric of stout weave.

"May I loose your bonds?" he asks, and since the fellow already asked for such, he steps forward, and begins to work the ropes, pushing and pulling as appropriate to set him free. "A friend of Mookie and Bliss likely will be a friend of mine. The name is Murphy." Once unbound, he extends a hand to help him up.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 14/13/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 39/39  d20+11=12 ; d20+11=23 ; d20+8=21 ; d20+9=11 ;
Saturday November 21st, 2015 1:07:21 AM
Alleah looks over the living halfling for any signs of blood. Perhaps he was responsible for the death of the other? People aren't just tied up and dumped in the Culverwood without reason. Why, they just did the same thing to an orc not an hour ago. And he looks like he still has his armor and weapons. "Wouldn't it be wise to remove those things before untying him?" she wonders.

Before she can voice any concerns, Murphy is offering him a hand

"We really are a trusting lot" she says quietly to Shel.

Alleah readies herself. Since entering these woods her scepticism has been getting away from her. She prepares to cast a spell on Cameron if he makes any agressive action

She glances to the corpse "Can anyone tell me what happened to this poor soul?" The question is asked not only to the group, but to Cameron as well.

-------------------
Perception: 12 - Inspecting the scene and Cameron
Sense Motive: 23 - Trying to get a bearing on Cameron
Heal: 21 - To try and determine how long ago the dead halfling died
Knowl Nature: 11 - To try and determine what kind of animal might kill a halfling this way

Ready Action: If Cameron makes an aggressive action, cast Pain Strike

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Saturday November 21st, 2015 1:16:49 AM
"Don't worry, we took care of the orcs that did this," says Kezzem.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43/43, CMD 22 
Saturday November 21st, 2015 7:05:22 AM
"See, right here, this is what I'm talking about," Pressi said to nobody in particular. "Extremely well trafficked area. This must be the part of Culverwood called La Guardia. Check out the halfling here by the Cinnabon."

"And I'm sorry, but do you REALLY expect us to believe that in this vast forest we happened to come across a random hobbit that happens to have a massive history with a member of this group?"

Pressi looked up to see Alleah and Shel staring right at her. "What?" she asked.

(OOC: more background on us halflings here.)

Cameron (David F) AC 23 (T 15, FF 19) CMD 17 HP 50 /50 Character Sheet 
Saturday November 21st, 2015 11:24:29 AM
" Huh, Mookie not being the first one to speak on any subject. Interesting. Do I win a prize for that?"
Mindful of some of the more tense poses of the group of halflings around him Cameron is careful to move slowly and keep his hands visible. He slowly rolls to his feet and as he does so realizes that they must have beaten him up while they were tying him.
" What happened to him? Couldn't say, I just woke up here."
" A few months ago My friends and I left the Tree of Parting in the Emerald Kingdom to chase a group of orcs that took two dwarven merchant's prisoner. When we came upon them things went poorly, as they often do and I was knocked out. When my friends pulld me back from Gargul's doorstep I saw that the orcs were either running away, stunned and motionless or asleep. My friends showed no signs of stopping their slaughter so I intervened. I took three of the Orcs captive before my friends could finish them and when no accord could be reached about letting them live after they talked, We all parted ways. Me with the orcs, walking them away from the group, bound for a day until they were far enough away to do no more harm and my friends, well I guess they went home."
"I learned the orcs language and it seems they were going through rough times. Not enough food and such so they started raiding. The dwarves told them about a cache somewhere so they kept the dwarves alive to find it. I had found that odd. Killing other races but keeping sworn enemies alive. I helped them find ways to survive better. After all my goddess is the goddess of hunting and I was one of her clerics. Things started to look up so I left for awhile, headed to Plateau city to present myself to the WLA chapter there, keeping a promise. When I came back they poisoned me and while I was out, tied me up. I woke up here, apparently next on the menu."
As he tells his story, Cameron indicates things like his holy symbol and the WLA pin on his coat, but does no more that gesture at them, not touching them or anything that might indicate he was about to cast a spell or anything. Finally he finishes with," My name is Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper. My parents were both adventurers and were killed. One of their companions saved me from the people that killed them and raised me, a dwarf named Morgan Steelshaper. When I joined the Fist he set off looking for the ones that killed his friends. That got him killed too. Now the Lady guides me toward those I can help and who can teach me what I'll need to know to find the ones responsible for all these deaths. I am going to find them and make sure they get whats coming to them."
" Before you lump me in with all of the other followers of Jancassis you may have ever met, let me tell you I am different. When she tested me to allow me to become and Avenger, I vowed to bring other, more savory aspects of her into the light. I worship a Jancassis that looks out for the weak and downtrodden in society. Where she can't protect tem she can offer them stealth, and the means to hunt and strike back at those that oppress tem. Those orcs were the ones who were downtrodden and weak when I woke up, so I protected them, apparently I was a fool. No surprise, it's happened before. There's still kinks that need to be worked out in this whole thing, but I mean to make her seen not only as the evil Lady of Vengeance, but as a guardian of those who cannot take head on ways to deal with their stronger oppressors."
"Undoubtedly you heard me talking to someone when you found me. You all can't see him. He is a little scorpion who has apparently been with me all my life, but until recently even I couldn't see him. I think he is a manifestation of my goddess telling me how I should proceed, and taunting me from time to time to make sure I am as resolute in my convictions as I said I was. I think he is part of the second part of the Avenger test, taunting me to see whether I will let anger and emotion reign or if I will stay true to her calling. I'll try not to talk out loud to him if it disturbs you."
He reaches out and shakes Murphy's hand once he is more sure he won't be fried or shot for it.....
Everything Cameron says is true, at least as he knows it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Notes
Spells and effects on Cameron
None
Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Light, Delay Poison (domain), Shield of Faith, Magic Weapon, Bless, Entropic Shield, Hornet's Nest (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Resist Energy
Spells cast
None
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today


Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Saturday November 21st, 2015 1:38:52 PM
Shel whispers to Alleah and Pressi, "So he sees things, he has been trying to teach things to those awful orcs that tried to kill us, and worships that Jancassis? I know he knows Bliss and Mookie, but are we sure we can trust him? One things for sure, there are a bunch of halflings in this forest! We ought find all of Humbles' Ford here, if we wait long enough."

Bliss (AC20, HP43) & Mookie (AC19, HP14of21) (Cayzle) 
Saturday November 21st, 2015 1:39:34 PM

All that Bliss can do is stand there for a while, mouth gaping open. The words wash over him.

Mookie swats him with a wing.

Bliss shouts, "CAM! CAM!"

He races to the halfling and helps free him from his bonds.

"Cam! Wowsy! Cam!"

"Wow! This is ... wow!"

He gives his old friend a big hug. Then he cancels his Reduce and gives him an even bigger hug!

"Oh My Gosh! This is great! How's Tinker and Carver? And Lindy! And Miss Pru!"

He has not registered the part of Cam's story that reveals he has not seen the old crew in a long while either.

Bliss definitely wants to see the scorpion. "He's nice! What's his name?"

Before he gives his old pal time to answer, he blurts out. "Wowsy! This is so great!"

Trill (AC: 21/16/21, HP: 47/54, CMD: 20, hasted ) (Kent)  d20+7=26 ;
Saturday November 21st, 2015 2:15:42 PM
Stepping to the side to observe the reunion, the quiet halfling takes a closer look at the partial halfling to see if she can figure out just what ate the poor guy. knowledge Nature DC 26

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Dire tiger  d10=10 ;
Sunday November 22nd, 2015 3:10:04 AM

"Pressi - this is the Culverwood. This is part of Eberyon's domain," Murphy speaks to her after her expression of incredulity. "Do you not suppose the Culverwood may be helping us? Perhaps there is mere chance at work, here. Yet Alleah walks in service to Wardd - whose own moon Shel and I, and any who will come with, we hope some day to visit. Wardd is known to bring luck - of many kinds.

"I have heard that you said of our goal to thwart an event which seems past to us, but may still have not yet happened - that there is no hope of our succeeding in that goal.

"There may be many things you think unlikely, even impossible, I myself saw a river which flowed in one direction, change its flow here in the Culverwood. We see the environment around us change from sunset to sunrise, as we sleep.

"The Forest has a will of its own, and ways of its own. I think the Culverwood helps us, as we ourselves help some within its bounds.

"Was it likely that you and I, who know each other from Angel Springs, should come upon each other here in the woods? No. Yet we met here. Be slow to judge something impossible.

"There are powers greater than we are, who may watch over us. Who may steer things one way or another. Still, though, we must make our own way as we can, and make what choices we can. Yes, I wonder at how things go.

"But the Wold is a world of wonder, Pressi. Enjoy it. Appreciate it. Absorb it. And learn to roll with it."

Murphy scratches the back of his head for a moment. "And learn to eat the impossible for breakfast," he adds with a smile.

Murphy CMD 21 AC 19 HP 43/43 - (Kim) +4 to Will saves, clear sense of direction in Culverwood. Dire tiger 
Sunday November 22nd, 2015 3:36:44 AM

After observing the greetings between Bliss and Cameron, and smiling once or twice, the druid speaks to Bliss's friend. "So, rescuer of downtrodden orcs, Cameron. We just killed some orcs who made clear their intentions to eat us. We let one of them go, with stipulations. We are called Humble's Sword. We began in Humble's Ford - and only Shel and I are here of the original group. Others have joined us here and there. We are trying to get back to our home in Crescent Valley, to attend the wedding of two other members of the original team. Plus attend to other duties.

"We are a mixed lot. It sounds as though you may have come from a mixed lot. Would you want to travel with us for a time? And, during that time, will you pledge to help us, as we each help each other?"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 43/43, CMD 22 
Sunday November 22nd, 2015 9:51:03 AM
Pressi shook her head at Murphy's statements. "Yeah, well I can tell you a few things as an ex-follower of Waard about the luck he brings. But you don't have to worry about me discounting the impossible and unlikely. If it screws me over, I guarantee the odds don't matter.

Pressi could feel her heart beating faster than she cared to admit, the blood rushing through her head. She was quite aware of how close she was to Murphy.

"As for this tower, your problem is with the laws of physics, not with me. I am positive that the flow of a river's changes are a trifle compared to how hard it is to both go back and time and not go back in time. Of course, I won't see it if you do succeed. I'll still be here in the Culverwood with Cameron, your goblin friends will still be in Koshe Dehli, and Waard will once again laugh and laugh.

"Because where there is no rules - where there is just wonder - there is no trust, no real steering. Waard doesn't care about us but he loves dangling enough to have us care about him."

But as Murphy walks away, Pressi began to mumble words under her breath. "Enjoy it. Appreciate it.... Absorb it.... Roll with..."

"Murphy, wait," she shouted. "I've got it! I know how to save the tower!"

----------------------

"We've been confusing saving the tower with stopping the spell altogether," Pressi began to tell the group as a whole. "But the problem isn't the spell's initial occurrence. It's that there's nowhere for it to go. Nowhere for it to absorb or dissipate so it breaks apart the tower. But the tower itself is, if I understand correctly and I think it's well established I probably don't, like a giant antenna. It just isn't powerful enough, yet. But we have a brief window of opportunity between the moment you go back in time and the moment the tower falls to get rid of that spell. If we're properly set up, that should be enough time to at least minimize the damage.

"Now I only have speculation because I don't really know anything about spells or towers or pink smoke, but I do know we've already tried it. Murphy said earlier that he and Shel flew to the rooftop because he saw shapes and movement, but found nothing within all that dark smoke. So he stupidly repelled down and was saved only by some divine intervention. Almost if... almost if there were a couple of stealthy halflings already working on top of the tower to get it to dissipate this energy and THEY intervened in his repelling. Or how about how people already started fleeing the scene, almost as if they were being warned beforehand. That's the circuit. I'm 70% sure of it."

Pressi looked up at everyone staring at her. "... Maybe 60%?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Sunday November 22nd, 2015 5:50:28 PM
"Listen, friend, having faith is all and good, but it ain't never hurt nobody to have an extra dagger or three up your sleeve just in case," says Kezzem.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 48/48, CMD 19 
Sunday November 22nd, 2015 5:50:28 PM
"Listen, friend, having faith is all and good, but it ain't never hurt nobody to have an extra dagger or three up your sleeve just in case," says Kezzem.

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