DM RobertD Wednesday July 12th, 2017 10:35:27 AM
Changing the scene title. Go about your business.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Wednesday July 12th, 2017 11:17:38 AM
Dorbin visibly shivers as they enter the forest and Emily meows loudly, saying close to Dorbin and the others for a change.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 21/10/21 CMD:15 d20+4=12 ; Wednesday July 12th, 2017 1:02:22 PM
It takes a while for Micah to realize what he is feeling. Courage, he thinks quietly to himself.
Knowing that it is better to address ones fears rather than keeping it inside, he says aloud without realizing he is doing so in a whisper, "Does everyone else feel that? It's hostile and watching. Vinnie, does the salve make a difference from what you experienced before?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20=17 ; Wednesday July 12th, 2017 1:51:25 PM "Come on Vinnie. We'll do our best to keep out of sight as we push forward."
Stock does his best to slink along the path - and is surprised at the admirable job he is able to do.
She'll probably do better at this than I will.
Then it hits him like a wall. The silence. The anger.
That's a new feeling.
He looks over his shoulder to check to see that everyone is together and following. They each seem to be affected in some way. Out of the corner of his eye he sees the black cat. He turns to Lavinia and says,"It looks like something ate the grass and bushes...Did you ever get picked on for your hair color when you were a kid?"
====== Take 10 on my survival check for a 16 Stealth 17 to keep a low profile
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 d20+12=14 ; d20+18=33 ; d20+16=36 ; Wednesday July 12th, 2017 2:50:42 PM
At Dorbin's question Lavinia steps up to Sasha's shoulder and whispers in her ear. Sasha dutifully lowers her head so that Dorbin can apply the salve, but Lavinia shakes her head at Sid's request for head scritchies. "Despite her cuddly appearance she isn't a pet. I think head scritches might need to wait until she knows you better"
As the group sets off into the forest you notice a change come over Lavinia and Sasha. They both have a reaction to the sudden quiet and the opressing hatred, although perhaps less than some others. But as they enter the forest and begin to enter their element they both begin to move more cautiously, moving lower to the ground and keeping an eye out all around them. Vinnie briefly glances at the broken bushes as she moves past and, noticing Stock begin to slink stealthily down the path attempts to do the same, next to her Sasha does the same.
Shes turns at Micah's question "Well the salve seems to be working at least. When we went through before the forest knew where we were and all that hate was directed straight at us. Now at least it hates all of you as well. "
"Well Stock, most of my family are redheads so not really. Why did you? And whats this about eating bushes?"
======================================== Survival = 14 (What is with me and 2's????) Stealth = 33 (Thats more like it) Stealth (Sasha) = 36 (Sasha vanishes apparently)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 21 T: 9 FF: 20 CMD: 19 Wednesday July 12th, 2017 3:51:35 PM "Anybody else feel it? Like there's someone there, but you can't quite see them. Like the feeling you get when you wake up in the middle of the night but don't know why."
His sense of unease is only heightened by slight disapproval he senses from some of his companions of him being so open with Vinnie. He just couldn't help it, she looked so much like a child, he couldn't help but trust her. One of these days it was going to get him into trouble.
As they continue down the path he can't help it as his hand ends up resting on the hilt of his sword at the slightest noise or breeze.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Wednesday July 12th, 2017 7:23:05 PM
Bartomus focused in on what stock said about the path. The beetles, this was the beetles that did this, Bartomus said aloud as he looked at the path from side to side. "Heavens, can you imagine the size of the beetles that did this? So, what did they say about the beetles, we could follow them as the carve paths and such. Safe with the dab and following behind one of those things."
DM MikeK - For the birds Wednesday July 12th, 2017 9:37:43 PM
The Shields react to the gnawing feeling of hostility in different ways. Stohp goes so far as to run a little experiment, stepping onto the beach and then back onto the trail. She notices that the disquieting feeling does evaporate upon leaving the Wood, and then immediately establishes itself upon entering the Wood. She does not get the everything suddenly quiet behavior again. The taur decides to quit while she’s ahead, and follows the group down the trail.
Bartomus recalls from his investigations the story that beetles ate paths through the Woods. This trail must be one of those paths, he reasons. Although nobody mentioned the beetle was ten feet wide. Still, between the lotion hiding them, and the trail providing a way in, he feels a lot better about the group’s chances.
Stock, Vinnie, and Sasha pad along carefully in the front of the group, keeping low. And a dwarf, a halfling, and a cat can all get mighty low to the ground when they feel the urge. Even on an open pathway, they manage to do a bit of sneaking.
From a nearby tree comes a “Squawk!”. There on a branch sits a parrot. Its about a foot tall, with jet black feathers, and a bright red beak. The bird tilts its head, eyeing the group.
“Family are redheads!” it cries, in a nearly perfect imitation of Lavinia’s voice.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Wednesday July 12th, 2017 11:18:37 PM
Stohp raises an eyebrow at the bird. Didn't someone mention something about these things? Thinking back to the discussion with the druids, she wondered again how Vinnie made it through the woods. "So you came to learn more about the woods. Did you just walk in on your own?" Stohp asks her incredulously.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 20/31; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Thursday July 13th, 2017 12:09:14 AM
"Fair enough," Sid says as he stands slowly and takes a few steps back, not in fear, but respect, and steps into the woods. He shivers a bit and nods, "This is like all the reports said. 'Don't worry, we'll walk lightly,'" he says to the forest.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Thursday July 13th, 2017 11:07:52 AM
When the parrot squawks, Dorbin jumps and Emily turns to sniff the air. Emily figures it is probably not a good idea to start attacking the locals, so she remains at Dorbin's feet in the middle of the path.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Thursday July 13th, 2017 11:15:49 AM
Stock turns to Vinnie and says, "Where I grew up, red hair was a sign of bad luck. Something to do with a dwarf a long time ago that burned down a mill. Just an old dwarven wive's tail but still. Kids can be mean." With that he shuts up.
When they get to the parrot, he looks up at it squinting. "I wish I didn't feel like even a parrot was going to bite my head off. This place has me on edge. How does it resist the forest though, I wonder?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 21 T: 9 FF: 20 CMD: 19 Thursday July 13th, 2017 3:44:59 PM
His blade nearly coming out of his scabbard when the parrot speaks Zander takes several deep breathes to steady himself. "Be on your guard everyone. And be cautious of any voices you hear. Mimicry can be a very effective bait. If it works to get merchants into alleyways to snatch their purse it can work to get us off the path. Old street rat trick." Hopefully the rest of the animals aren't that big Zander thinks to himself as he sizes up the parrot.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 21/10/21 CMD:15 Thursday July 13th, 2017 6:06:56 PM
Micah says softly to Zanderallen, "Is there an aura associated with this malevolence? "
He stolidly move ahead with the others, silently praying for Domi's protection as they go.
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Thursday July 13th, 2017 7:00:38 PM
Lavinia whips round at the imitation of her voice before glaring at the parrot angrily. Sasha just growls at it, a deep rumble dominating from her chest.
In response to Stohp' s question Lavinia says "Gods no. I came in with some woodsmen on their way to Cutter and we actually made it there ok. It must have been the protection of that druid, what was her name? Jelly? Jello? Ah Jella that was it. "
DM MikeK - Staying on the trail Thursday July 13th, 2017 8:36:39 PM
Zanderallen cautions the group against leaving the trail in response to the parrot’s antics, but no one, not even Emily, seems to be contemplating that anyway.
Stock makes an astute observation, wondering how a bird survives in a forest supposedly hostile to all life.
Micah asks Zanderallen if he can detect an aura. Should the paladin try – Highlight to display spoiler: { No. You can’t. } Everyone – Knowledge(Religion) DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { The really powerful beings – Gods, Immortal Powers, etc – don’t have alignments as understood by mere mortals, and therefore do not register.}
Stohp asks Lavinia how she managed to get through the Woods before, and she replies she was in the company of a druid named Jella – a name which ought to ring some bells for some of the group.
The Shields continue onward.
What becomes more apparent as the group moves deeper into the Wood is that the ‘Its right behind you’ feeling of animosity is growing stronger.
Bartomus in particular begins to get the feeling that this growing hostility is directed at something other than the group. However, the group is walking toward whatever is making 'It' more angry.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Friday July 14th, 2017 1:49:45 AM "We may be getting closer to what ever Shredds was up to here," Bartomus said to Micah. "The forest isn't happy with us, but it is really unhappy with whatever is ahead of us."
As he walked, he fished out a bullet from his pouch and worked out his sling, he loaded the bullet into the sling's pocket and ketp the loaded pocket folded into his hand.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 21 T: 9 FF: 20 CMD: 19 d20+5=20 ; Friday July 14th, 2017 8:51:20 AM
Gathering is focus Zander scans for an evil presence behind the forest's hate. "I sense no presence of darkness around us. It is either a natural malevolence, the power of the gods, an immortal power, or something else entirely. Most of the powerful beings in the Wold are outside our comprehension of good and evil and difficult to impossible to detect with my sight." -------------- Know(Reg): 20
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Friday July 14th, 2017 10:21:12 AM
The mention of a druid, combined with the bird making her think back to earlier conversations with the float druids, lets Stohp connect the two. "We were supposed to seek help from Jella if we had trouble in the woods. Why isn't she with you if she was guiding you around?"
Sid (Andrew) HP: 20/31; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+4=16 ; d20+12=18 ; d20+10=24 ; Friday July 14th, 2017 1:22:08 PM
Sid shivers a bit, the anger making him angry. Growing up in the Culverwood he was used to the constant presence of something, and part of him relaxes a bit with that similar feeling, but that sense of anger and danger makes him on edge. As they close in on it he notches an arrow.
============================================
Knowledge(Religion): 16 Perception: 18 Stealth:24
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+5=21 ; Friday July 14th, 2017 1:50:00 PM
Stock proceeds up the path with Vinnie and Sasha, at the front of the group. At this point he is focused on trying to ignore the feeling of the forest. As he scans the area in front of him, his eyes linger on the trees, trying to identify if they are tree species that he recognizes with a wood that he has worked before or if the forest has entirely unique flora.
================= Knowledge Nature 21
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Friday July 14th, 2017 3:08:07 PM
Dorbin is clearly nervous at every sound. He jumps and turns at sounds no one else hears. The fur on Emily's back goes up and she lets out an occasional hiss at nothing. Eventually, Dorbin picks her up and holds her tight. He says, as if to assure himself as much as everyone else, "Just to keep her safe, you know."
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 d20+18=37 ; d20+9=29 ; Friday July 14th, 2017 3:34:48 PM
Lavinia looks round at Stohp's question looking slightly confused. "You were told to look for her? She led the woodsmen and I through the woods and into Cutter. But the next morning she had disappeared. Sasha and I attempted to find her but we were attacked pretty much as soon as we entered the forest. I've no idea what happened to her but if we could make our way to Cutter I could attempt to track her now the whole forest isn't out to get me."
As the source of the forest's anger appeared to get closer and closer Lavinia lets her senses concentrate further into the forest trying to make sure that she and the group were not about to be ambushed, listening out for any wayward noises or odd movements. As she looks around the forest she also tries to study the Flora around her to see if she can see any evidence of these 'beetles' these people had been mentioning and what they might be
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 21/10/21 CMD:15 d20+9=22 ; Friday July 14th, 2017 6:16:12 PM
Micah nods in agreement with Zanderallen's interpretation of the absence of an evil aura.
He takes a deep breath as he feels the tension build and consciously relaxes his tight grip on his weapon. In his mind he hears his fathers instruction, Tight grips remove control. He smiles at the recollection as he continues to keep an eye on their vanguard.
===== Religion 22
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Saturday July 15th, 2017 11:40:14 AM "Is it possible that the other druid has forced something on the forest that it has no want to aide?" Bartomus was trying to understand the growing sense of hostility that he was feeling. If it wasn't evil, then the hostility was for another reason all together.
DM MikeK - Not an ordinary hike Saturday July 15th, 2017 12:06:10 PM
Prompted by Stohp, Lavinia reveals that the very druid recommended to assist in the Woods is now missing. She would like to return to Cutter to track her down.
Sid - Highlight to display spoiler: { Cutter happens to be the name now used to describe the small collection of woodcutter’s homes on this side of the lake. Randolph, wood supplier of The Split Arrow, lives there. Also recall, his last expected shipment has not arrived. }
Zanderallen cannot detect an aura of evil, but points out it could be because the Woods are so powerful that it’s aura is beyond the ken of mere mortals. Which ought to make everyone feel so much better.
Bartomus warns that the group is approaching the source of the Wood’s growing antagonism. Dorbin nervously jumps at imagined sounds and movement. After a couple hundred more feet of travel, he doesn’t have to worry about it anymore, because the movement and sound isn’t imaginary.
Stock and Vinnie spot some kind of clearing ahead, perhaps 60’ The feeling of hostility is palpable, a physical sensation weighing down from above. And the woods are moving. Roots slide snakelike up to the clearing ahead, then stop and rise, as if climbing an invisible wall. Rustling, shuffling, creaking, and cracking sounds reverberate from right and left as very large, but unseen, somethings move toward the clearing.
The path ahead remains clear, for how long is uncertain. What is certain - whatever is in there is making whatever is out here really, really, really, angry.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+12=14 ; Sunday July 16th, 2017 8:00:33 PM
As the forest's malevolence grows Stohp slows and becomes more alert (Perception 14). "Whatever it is making the forest so mad is probably bad news for us. Everyone be ready for a fight."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Monday July 17th, 2017 2:11:09 AM "agreed Stohp, this seems to be much bigger than Shredds," Bartomus said as he kept moving with the group.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Monday July 17th, 2017 12:48:19 PM
Walking back to join the others, Stock tells them about the clearing ahead and its effect on the surrounding area. "Vinnie, Sid. Can either of you get close enough to check it out? I'm not too proud to say that you both can move a bit better than me....Micah, any other ideas?"
Sid (Andrew) HP: 20/31; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+10=17 ; d20+12=30 ; d20+8=14 ; d8-1=2 ; Monday July 17th, 2017 12:55:13 PM
"I think the Cutter is where the woodcutters live when they are out in the non-deadly forest. They haven't been able to get through here in a while. Really cutting into our supplies for the shop. Bart do we still think this Lord Crimson is involved? I mean we had a few leads saying he was part of the plant zombie thing on the Trash level." When the get closer Sid uses the group to become as nondescript as possible. With an arrow notched he looks for anyone or anything threatening them or the ones making the forest angry. If they come across someone he will fire a warning shot.
========================
Perception: 17 Stealth: 30
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Monday July 17th, 2017 1:05:16 PM
When there is a pause before the clearing, Dorbin says, "This should be safe. Shredds guys were going to pick up something, right? There shouldn't be any fighting involved here, right?" He sets Emily down, just in case things get crazy soon.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 21 T: 9 FF: 20 CMD: 19 Monday July 17th, 2017 4:59:04 PM "Supposedly there's someone or something down this path where the shipment is that we're to pickup. Seems like that pickup is not forest friendly." Taking a deep breath Zander let's it out slowly remembering a saying of Domi, 'Courage is not he absence of fear, it's the will to push past fear.' Strapping his shield to his arm he let's any who wish scout ahead before leading the main group forward. ------------------------------ [OOC: Shamelessly paraphrasing an FDR quote as a saying of Domi.]
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 21/10/21 CMD:15 Monday July 17th, 2017 5:41:04 PM
Micah pauses with Zanderallen awaiting the scouts' report.
"I see a couple of possibilities here," he says softly in summation of what the others have proposed, "What Shredds was up to could be even more offensive to the spirit of this forest and that is what is in up ahead or something else has intervened that is even worse. I propose we continue to play to the former while being prepared for the latter."
He thinks a moment, then readies his shield and weapon imagining this the expected reaction of a nervous mercenary responding to the omnipresent foreboding.
DM MikeK - The clearing Monday July 17th, 2017 8:24:27 PM
Expecting trouble, most of the Shields tighten their grips on sword and shield and bow and axe. Stock offers to let someone else sneak forward, but no one takes him up on his offer. Everyone moves forward, and looks, but does not step, into the clearing.
The clearing is large, 600’ in diameter, and most definitely people-made, using the old slash and burn technique. Blackened mounds of burnt wood and debris dot the clearing. A large wooden building, recently erected but sturdy looking, stands in the center of the clearing.
Green, chest high, broad leafed plants are growing in concentric circles around the central building. In one area, six orcs are walking along a bare row, planting seeds, under the eye of larger orc supervisor. All seven orcs glance up now and again at the edge of the clearing. Sense Motive DC10 Highlight to display spoiler: { All are pretty nervous }
In both directions, for as far around the clearing as they can see, the Shields witness the Wood is literally writhing at the clearing’s edge. But, no plant or root or anything is entering the clearing itself.
The trail leads into the clearing, through the fields (within 30 or 40 feet of the working orcs) and ends at a large door in the center of the large building.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Monday July 17th, 2017 11:05:44 PM
Noticing that they haven't been noticed yet, Stohp takes the chance to consult with the others quietly with the others. "This is probably where the plant people came from. Do we pretend to be working with Shredds, or confront them and try to get some answers? Playing along will curtail what questions we can ask without blowing our cover, but a fight may end in disaster any number of ways."
One fear, that she doesn't bring up, is disrupting whatever is warding out the forest. They could easily be torn apart regardless of the lotion once it started reclaiming the clearing.
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 d20+2=13 ; d20+9=29 ; d20+14=27 ; d20+18=37 ; d20+16=34 ; Tuesday July 18th, 2017 5:49:19 AM
Lavinia looks in revulsion at the scene in front of her. She could see why the forest was angry if this is what was happening within it. And what exactly was happening here? The orcs were growing something, and Lavinia wracked her brain to see if she could work out what they were.
After passing her eye over the working orcs (scared perhaps?) and the plants they were growing she decides to look closer at the edge of the clearing to see what might be holding the forest back.
She ignores the groups chatter, she has no idea what they're talking about. Nothing good probably if this is what they were led to. She looks back at the building, glaring as if she could destroy it with thought alone. Didn't they know these woods were sentient? Living? And they did not take kindly to invaders at the best of times. She looks back at the groups whispered conversation. Shredds? Lord Crimson? Who were these people?
Making up her mind she decides to see if she can sneak around for a different angle, silently motioning for Sasha to do the same.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+1=5 ; Tuesday July 18th, 2017 9:59:08 AM
Stocks head whips around and Vinnie is...just gone. With her cat. Hmmph. Hope she comes back... He turns his head back to the others and says, "If we're going to pretend to be some of Shredds' men, somebody else better do the talking. I'll hang back and keep my eyes open and mouth shut...well mostly shut. Hehe."
He then scratch his head and says, "Huh...I always thought those stories of "Purple Orcs" that are part plant in these woods was a bucket of slag. Now I know. Ain't no such things as purple orcs."
======== Sense Motive 5
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Tuesday July 18th, 2017 11:36:10 AM
Dorbin pipes up, "I think we should keep the illusion of being with Shredds as long as we can. Maybe we can make some changes based on using his authority over these workers."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 21 T: 9 FF: 20 CMD: 19 d20+11=22 ; d20+4=15 ; Tuesday July 18th, 2017 4:59:49 PM "I think the longer we stand around the worse it gets for us. Stick to the plan for now. Better to gauge what's going, try to act like mercenaries payed for their muscle and discretion, and stick together." Right as he's getting ready to move in a thought crosses Zander's mind which he quickly voices to the group, hopefully before they're too obvious, "I just had a thought, what if we're the shipment? Wasn't it mercenaries returned from the woods that were the plant men? I think we need to be extra careful." Watching the orcs, Zander sits tight on the edge of the clearing waiting for the others to weigh in. If it looks like any of the orcs notice them he's prepared to move into the clearing to avoid suspicion. ------------------------ Sense Motive: 22 Perception: 15
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 21/10/21 CMD:15 Tuesday July 18th, 2017 7:11:39 PM
Micah blinks as he sees, or rather doesn't see, Lavinia and her companion slip away as effectively as Sid had.
He starts forward, but misses a step at Zanderallen's observation. "Caution for certain," he says as he continues with his advance.
As he draws closer he calls out, "Who is in charge here? We are here to get the shipment, so that we can get out of here."
LOG ON